Page 116 (1/2)

His chest lifted on a deep breath; then he was re to sit up on the edge of the bed This physical as well as mental withdrawal from her seemed to confirm what Lorna hadn’t wanted to believe

“Is … is she your mistress, Benteen?” She had to know

There was a short, heavy laugh from him, followed by a shake of his head “No, Lorna, she isn’t h his hair With his back to her, she couldn’t see his face “She’s my mother”

“What?”

This time, Benteen turned his head to look at her “She’s my mother”

It seemed incredible Lorna scrambled out of bed and pushed her clothes off the top of the trunk Raising the lid, she ruh the contents until she found the fra blond-haired woman with dark eyes It was true

“Why didn’t you tellaround to stare at Benteen

“Because … I wasn’t sure if I wanted anyone to know” Confusion etched deep lines in his face “I hated her You kno much I hated her”

She moved to the bed “And now?”

“Now … I don’t knohat I feel” He sighed heavily “She’s a stranger—a fascinating stranger”

“Why is she here?” That sounded too blunt, too unfeeling “I ain Is that why she came?”

“She claie City and that she wondered if we could get together again,” Benteen indicated “She’s here, so I guess it’s true” A faraway look entered his eyes as he stared into a dark corner “When I was a young boy, my pa used to tell me she’d come back someday I wanted to believe him I used to dreahth and fade ahile I cried for her”

For the first time, he’d opened a door for Lorna and let her see inside hiuish and his loneliness—thisBut he had human needs, too Lorna climbed onto the bed and knelt on the mattress

“Why haven’t you talked to me like this before?” she asked “Why did you keep all this to yourself? Didn’t you think I would listen or care? I don’t understand why you haven’t let et close to you”

His gaze swept slowly over her as the slashed corners of his mouth deepened in a faint s night?” he countered “Itmyself in for”