Because Of The Ring. Stella Bagwell

that reason.”

      “No. But put a bunch of little things together and you get a big thing. And then there was the fact that Saundra liked men. Young and old. She couldn’t waste her life on just one.”

      “Oh.”

      “Yeah. Some men have to compete with money. I had to compete with other men. I didn’t like that.”

      Claudia wasn’t surprised by his admission. That kiss he’d given her had tasted more than a little possessive. She’d already decided that once he branded a woman as his, he would expect her to never stray from his range.

      “I know all about infidelity, Hayden. It’s a humiliating experience. One that I don’t ever plan to go through again.”

      The tart sting of her voice had him searching her face. “What do you know about cheating spouses? You haven’t been married, have you?”

      She shook her head as the memory of that fateful day she’d walked into Tony’s apartment filled her mind. She’d wanted to surprise him with lunch, instead she’d been shocked to find him in the shower with another woman. “You don’t have to be married to be cheated on,” she said flatly.

      He started to say something else, but the sudden appearance of the waitress interrupted him. By the time the young woman served them their meals, he seemed to have forgotten where their conversation had left off and Claudia wasn’t about to remind him. The less she remembered that painful episode in her life, the better she liked it.

      “You know,” he said as he forked up a bite of rib eye steak, “the more I think about this vision thing of yours the more I think there has to be a logical explanation. Are you sure you’re not just having daydreams? Sometimes when a person’s mind gets tired it wanders off to other things—things that don’t necessarily make sense.”

      The food and the laid-back atmosphere of the open café were beginning to make her feel human again. In fact, if Hayden Bedford hadn’t been the image in her visions, she would have been enjoying this time with him. He was unlike any man she’d ever been around and she sensed that, if he was so minded to, he could charm a woman right out of her shoes.

      “I’m not dreaming, Hayden. This happens when I’m totally awake and focused.”

      The fact that she seemed so resolute appeared to irk him. “All right,” he conceded, “even if you do ‘see’ this man, you can’t be certain it’s me. Could be some old acquaintance or relative in your subconscious thoughts and you just think it’s me.”

      She swallowed a piece of grilled chicken breast, then said, “I’ve already considered that avenue. I can’t think of anyone I know that resembles the man in my visions—except you. Besides, that still wouldn’t account for the boat.” She frowned as another thought struck her. “Have you ever worn khakis?”

      Hayden shook his head. “No. Why?”

      “Because I think that’s what you’re wearing when I see you. But I’m not entirely sure about that. The edges are usually blurred. It’s your face that I can see clearly. Or sometimes the boat and the water.”

      She spoke of the visions in such a cool and collected way that it made Hayden feel uncomfortable. He didn’t want to think this woman was flat-out lying to him. Yet there was no way in Hades that he believed in such supernatural nonsense.

      “You’ve been sailing before. Down on the gulf. You’ve seen the Stardust and it stuck in your mind,” he reasoned. “Even though she does belong to me, I have to admit she’s pretty and would catch most anyone’s eye.”

      “Yes, I agree. The boat has a wooden hull and waxed deck and a carved dolphin at the head of her bow.”

      “Like I said, anyone would remember her,” he countered with a grimace. “Or you could have taken a picture.”

      “That’s true.”

      She didn’t say more and with each silent minute that passed, he grew more and more irritated. “Well? Aren’t you going to argue? To deny my theories?”

      Claudia studied him calmly. “I’m tired of doing that, Hayden. Your mind is closed and I’d just be wasting my time.”

      “Look, I thought we came down here to discuss this—to try to find some solution or reason!”

      She slipped another bite of food into her mouth. “I thought we did, too. But it’s obvious to me that we’re headed nowhere.”

      He put down his fork and reared back in his chair. “Only because you want me to swallow everything you say hook, line, and sinker. Sorry, honey, I’m not that gullible.”

      Her nostrils flared as she met his dark blue eyes. “And I don’t like to be called a liar.” She looked away from him, sucked in a sharp breath, then looked back at him. So much for being relaxed, she thought wryly.

      “You know, a few minutes with you has made me understand why people are afraid to admit they’ve seen a UFO. It’s not pleasant having someone make you out as an idiot.”

      “So now you believe in UFOs along with having visions. Lady, you need to put some lead in your shoes and get yourself back down to earth.”

      It wouldn’t do to get angry with him again, Claudia silently told herself. Losing her temper wasn’t gaining her anything except a dull headache.

      “Sorry to disappoint you, but I haven’t mastered the art of floating yet,” she said with sarcasm.

      What in hell was he doing? Hayden wondered. He was a busy man. There were never enough hours in the day to cover his busy schedule. Yet he’d canceled several pressing phone calls and another appointment just to see this woman again. If he told anyone about this, they’d drive him straight to the mental ward.

      Leaning forward, he picked up his fork. “Okay. When you said you wanted my help, just what sort of help were you talking about?”

      Her gaze fell from his to the food on her plate. “I’m not exactly sure. I was hoping when I saw you that—” She stopped and shook her head. “Maybe a simple explanation would just fall into place. Dear God, I never expected you to be him!”

      “Who did you think I’d be?”

      One of her slender shoulders lifted and fell. “Someone connected to the man in my visions. Someone who could lead me to him.”

      He forked up the last bite of his steak. “Well, you found me. Has it done you any good?”

      If anything, Claudia was more disheartened than ever. This narrow-minded man didn’t care about her problem or feel any kind of urge to help her. He didn’t even believe her!

      “Actually, I suppose it has,” she said with false cheeriness. “I do know that you’re a real person now. And I’m also convinced that you’re not supposed to be in my life in any way.”

      She spoke the last with such certainty that Hayden couldn’t help but feel insulted. “Sorry I’m such a disappointment to you.”

      Suddenly, Claudia couldn’t take any more. The past three weeks had drained her and this man’s sarcastic indifference was too painful to take. There was no reason to keep putting herself through this.

      “I’m sorry, too,” she muttered as she jerked the opal from her finger. “Sorry that I ever put this damn ring back on.”

      She slapped the ring down next to her plate and quickly rose to her feet. “Thank you for dinner, Hayden. I hope you have a happy life.”

      Hayden wasn’t expecting her to just walk away without another word. When she did, he stared after her in stunned silence, then down at the ring she’d left on the table.

      “What in hell?”

      “Looks like your fiancée doesn’t want to be engaged anymore.”

      Hayden’s head jerked around to see