She would have to be very careful that he never became suspicious. Any more friendly, casual dates would have to be forgotten. She couldn’t risk it. The possibility of emotional hurt was too great. But the program? Could she distance herself, even while working with him for hours on end?
It wouldn’t be easy, but she had no choice.
* * *
“Tell me about Carlie.”
Brenda paused in her efforts to finish folding her laundry. “Carlie? What do you want to know about her?”
Tyler shrugged. “I don’t know. How long have you known her? Why isn’t she married?”
Brenda swallowed, then looked away. “She was married. When she was very young. But it didn’t work out. And since then...she just hasn’t found the right man. She’s intelligent, bright and funny and caring. She’s very special.”
Tyler was frowning slightly, then waved away Brenda’s defense of Carlie. “You don’t need to convince me. I’ve been with her a lot lately, and I like her, too.” He was silent a moment, then shook his head. “I didn’t know she’d been married. It was rough, huh?”
“I...ah, Carlie is very private, Tyler. I don’t feel comfortable talking about her.”
“I didn’t mean to pry. I just think it’s a shame she doesn’t have anyone special.”
Brenda turned and looked at him. “She told me you two went to the movies.”
“Yeah. It was really fun. I enjoyed it. It’s nice to be out with someone without having to worry about how the night will end. It was actually better than being with the guys. I didn’t have to listen to, and return, all the raunchy jokes about sex and who had enjoyed the latest conquest. It was comfortable. Do you know what I mean?”
Very gently, Brenda smiled at him. “Don’t look so confused, Tyler. I know exactly what you mean. Jason says he felt the same way after he met me. With other women and with his male friends, there was always a certain face he had to wear, a certain way he was expected to act. Around me, he could just be himself.”
“There’s a major difference here, Bren. Jason couldn’t keep his hands off you.”
Her sudden burst of laughter was quickly cut off. “That’s true enough, thank heavens. I don’t suppose you suffered the same thing with Carlie?”
“Carlie? That woman gives new meaning to bad taste. Her clothes alone are enough to keep my stomach churning. And there were several times I would have dearly loved to yank those damned glasses off her nose and stomp on them.”
“I’ve had the same thought myself, Tyler. But Carlie won’t ever change. She won’t dress to suit other people. And she’s comfortable with herself and the style she’s chosen.”
“What style? There is no style to her.” He grinned suddenly and admitted, “I’ve wondered what she would look like buck-naked, without her hair being tortured behind her head in that braid.”
Brenda’s mouth dropped open, then she sputtered. “Tyler Ramsey! Don’t you dare seduce my friend out of idle curiosity. I’d never forgive you!”
Tyler stood, glancing at his watch. He sighed philosophically. “You don’t want me to have any fun, Bren.”
“Have fun with some other woman. But you leave Carlie alone.”
“Carlie is safe enough.” Then he added, “You sure you won’t tell me who the harem girl is?”
“I can’t. I promised her I wouldn’t.”
“But why? What is she hiding?”
“She...she knows your reputation. And...and I guess she just doesn’t want to get involved.” Brenda shrugged. “I’m sorry.”
Tyler worked his jaw in frustration. “She doesn’t trust me?”
“Well...no.”
He exploded. “What is it with you women? I am not some overcharged male bimbo! Doesn’t anyone allot me the benefit of having scruples?”
“You women?” Brenda grinned at him. “This sounds like a Carlie lecture. Has she been rough on you?”
“One minute, yes. I get the feeling she doesn’t think very highly of me. But then she’ll laugh and be outrageously funny.” He paced a few feet away. “She keeps me guessing.”
Brenda walked him to the door. “I know you have scruples, Tyler. And I think you’re a very nice man, despite everything.” She skipped away when he turned, grabbing playfully for her. Laughing, she continued, “But Carlie’s different. I don’t want to see her hurt.”
“Hurt? Carlie’s about as vulnerable as a porcupine. But if you’re worrying I’ll make her promises I can’t keep, don’t. I’ve told her I like her friendship, that’s all. I admire her, despite her atrocious clothing, but I doubt I’d be even tempted to go beyond platonic with her. She’s safe enough.”
Even as he said the words, Tyler thought what an adept liar he was. He was tempted, more than tempted. It was just that the temptation had come in a different package. As often as not, he wanted to simply touch her, on the hand, on her smooth cheek. Holding her would be nice.
“Thank you, Tyler. I’m glad you’ve befriended Carlie. She needs some fun and excitement with men other than those stuffed shirts on the school board.”
Tyler had been in the process of walking out, but he halted abruptly. “I didn’t get the impression she was dating anyone in particular.”
“Carlie doesn’t consider going anywhere with them a date, because she works with them. She thinks that their interest is purely work-related. But I don’t think so. I think they’re as curious as you are, but probably don’t have the conscience you have.” She looked up at him, frowning. “So far, Carlie hasn’t allowed them the chance to appease their curiosity.”
“What about Carlie? Doesn’t she get curious?”
“Carlie?” Brenda fidgeted with her hair, looking away from Tyler. “Naw. She just isn’t interested anymore. Like her clothes, she thinks spending a lot of time on a social life is a waste of perfectly good brain waves.”
Tyler grinned. “I can hear her saying that.” He glanced at his watch again, then asked quickly, “So you knew her in school?”
“Carlie and I have known each other for years. Without her help, I’d never have made it through college.”
Tyler was silent a moment, acknowledging Brenda’s words. “Carlie’s like a mother hen, isn’t she? She likes helping people.”
“Yeah. That’s Carlie, all right.”
Nodding in satisfaction, Tyler left, late for his appointment. His trip to his sister-in-law’s had been spontaneous. Carlie had refused to see him again except at practice, claiming she had too many papers to grade and a big test to prepare. He’d missed her.
Carlie seemed to have an innate rapport with children. When he was younger, he’d thought it was only his mother who didn’t like and understand kids. Women, in general, were supposed to be maternal, he’d thought. But as he’d matured, he’d learned exactly how wrong he could be.
His mother hadn’t wanted him or Jason because they hampered her life-style, which basically meant they curtailed her sexual freedom. At least she claimed they did. Tyler could never recall his presence slowing her down.
From a very young age, he’d known what women did with men. He’d seen what women did with men. His mother hadn’t been circumspect. His mother hadn’t been much of a mother.
And since then, he’d met too many women who seemed to share her