Familiar Stranger. Sharon Sala

he owned his daddy’s business?” Cara muttered, too low for anyone but David to hear.

      “Well,” Macie said. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

      It was the way Macie Harvey leaned over, displaying her more than ample charms in David’s face, that pushed Cara’s buttons. That plus the fact her husband, Ray, had confessed to having a brief affair with Macie between husbands three and four. Although she had finally forgiven Ray, she had never confronted the woman. Suddenly, now seemed like the perfect time to yank her chain.

      She turned in her seat, giving Macie a beatific smile.

      “Macie, this is David Wilson. He’s not only my childhood sweetheart, but also Bethany’s father. David, Macie Harvey. Elizabeth Taylor has nothing on our Macie for shedding husbands. I believe Glen was number seven…or was it eight?”

      David was surprised but secretly pleased that she’d admitted their relationship. He stood and held out his hand.

      “Mrs. Harvey, my condolences on your recent divorce, but as I’m sure you must know, time does heal all wounds, except those that kill you, of course.”

      Macie blinked. She didn’t know whether to be insulted first, or run to spread this juicy bit of news. She opted for the news.

      “Yes…well…thank you, I’m sure,” she said, giving Cara a fierce glare.

      Cara returned the look, still wearing her smile. Macie was the first to look away.

      “I’d better get back to my table,” Macie said. “I think my order has arrived.”

      “Enjoy,” Cara said.

      Cara’s eyes were glittering as she turned to David.

      “Cara, honey?”

      “What?”

      “Remind me never to make you mad.”

      She started to grin. “Why?”

      “Because you shed blood better without weapons than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

      She tossed her head and then smiled primly. “Thank you. It’s part of the gift of being a woman.”

      “Old enemies are often the most difficult to dispatch,” David added, thinking of Frank.

      “She had an affair with Ray. They thought I didn’t know.”

      David’s heart twisted. So many things she’d had to endure, and all because he hadn’t come home. This time, he was the one reaching for her hand.

      “This time, it’s me who’s saying I’m sorry.”

      She shrugged. “You didn’t do it. You have nothing to apologize for.”

      “Oh, but you’re wrong,” he said softly. “It’s what I didn’t do that has caused the most hurt.”

      Before she could answer, their food arrived and the tension of the moment dissipated.

      “Hot beef sandwich and tuna salad, coming up,” the waitress said, setting the hot plate of thinly sliced roast beef on toast points with thick brown gravy in front of David and the plate of cold tuna salad on lettuce in front of Cara. “Eat hearty, folks, but remember to save some room. You don’t want to forget that dessert.”

      David laughed.

      It filtered through Cara’s anger, leaving her weak and breathless. It had been so long since she’d heard that remarkable sound.

      “This looks great,” David said. “I don’t remember the last time I had this.”

      He dug in with relish, rolling his eyes in appreciation.

      Cara smiled and tucked into her own food, all the while thinking about cake and sex with the marvelous man at her right.