Eye of the Beholder

other than my charm, wit, and personality."
    Edward looked mortified. "I never meant to imply that you lack wit and charm. Or personality, either, for that matter."
    "Gee, thanks, Ed."
    "I'm not handling this well, am I?"
    "It's okay." She tried for a reassuring smile. "I know what I'm doing." I think. Mentally she crossed her fingers behind her back.
    "Yes, of course." Edward made himself very busy adjusting the sleeves of his linen jacket. "Well, then, I'd best be off. I told Roger I'd meet him in Scottsdale in time for dinner."
    "Good-bye, Edward." Alexa went to stand in the doorway. "Give my best to Roger. And, again, thanks for everything. Except Dancing Satyr, of course."
    "Think nothing of it, my dear." Edward climbed into the white van. "I've always said , you're the best in the business when it comes to the early twentieth century. One of these days everyone else will know it, too."

    He raised his neatly manicured hand in farewell and put the van in gear.
    "I don't know quite how to say this." Joanna put her coffee cup down on the room service cart and got to her feet. She walked to the French doors and looked out at the sun-drenched view. "You certainly have every right to tell me to mind my own business."
    Trask leaned back against the desk. "This is about last night, isn't it?"
    She bowed her head. "Yes. I heard you took Alexa Chambers to the club. I also heard that there was a scene between you and Guthrie in the parking lot afterward."
    "I don't know why the Avalon Herald even bothers to put out a daily edition of the paper. News travels so fast around this town that it seems pointless to take the time to put it in print."
    Joanna looked at him with agonized eyes. "I'm sorry, Trask, but I must ask if the rumors are true."
    "Which ones?"
    "Are you here in Avalon to... to open up the old wounds of the past?"
    "Does that possibility worry you?"
    "Yes."
    "Why?"
    "Because even though I know that you won't find any answers to your questions, I'm afraid that you'll stir up a lot of unpleasantness, not only for yourself but for some other, innocent people."
    "Which innocent people?"
    Joanna clasped her hands very tightly together. "Alexa Chambers, for one."
    The swiftness of her response disturbed him. He shoved the flicker of guilt aside. "What makes you so sure I won't find any answers to my questions?"
    "There aren't any to find. At least, not the kind I think you want. Please listen to me, Trask. I was devastated by what happened twelve years ago. I loved your fattier."
    "I know."
    "But the crash was a terrible accident. A tragedy, not an act of violence. I've made my peace with the past. I assumed that you and your brother had done the same."
    "What, exactly, are you worried about?"
    "I don't know." Joanna's mouth trembled. "But I'm afraid that there will be more incidents like the one between you and Guthrie last night. Someone might get hurt."
    "I can handle Dean Guthrie."
    "Can you? His drinking is worse now than it was twelve years ago. So is his temper. I know because I'm a close friend of his last ex-wife, Liz. Why do you think she divorced him? And what about Lloyd Kenyon? What do you think will happen when he finds out that you're dating Alexa?"
    Trask shrugged. "Damned if I know."
    "Don't give me that." Desperation flared in her eyes. "You know as well as I do that when Kenyon hears about this, he'll assume that you're somehow trying to use her. He'll be furious."
    "Alexa is an adult, and she's aware of the facts. She knows what happened twelve years ago. She can make her own decisions."
    Joanna met his eyes very steadily. "She may have her own reasons for seeing you. She may believe she can manipulate you. Have you considered that?"
    "It's a risk I'm willing to take."
    "Why? What do you hope to accomplish?"
    "I just want some answers. Is that so hard to understand? I want to know what happened twelve years ago."
    "I've lived in this town for nearly fourteen years. I know everyone who knew your father, and I am telling you that there is no great conspiracy for you to uncover. Go back to Seattle and leave us in peace."
    "I'm sorry, Joanna. I can't do that. Not yet."

    The line of people who showed up to purchase a copy of Living the Dimensions Way and have it personally autographed by Webster Bell stretched past the front door of Alexa's shop. It did not begin to shorten until the very end of the scheduled signing.
    A handful of Webster's fans wandered into Elegant Relic to browse, but sales were