From the Heart

Rhodes and your mother into fits and soil that perfectly beautiful handkerchief you have tucked in your pocket, you’ll change the subject and fix me a drink.”
    “All right.” He kissed her fingers again. “For now.”
     
    Through courses of onion soup, rack of lamb and chef’s salad, Harry Rhodes prompted Kasey with questions about the science of anthropology. He was unable, even with this second meeting, to equate the Kathleen Wyatt whose work he had read and admired with the quick-witted woman who sat across from him. She bounced from one subject to the next, occasionally making statements that left him completely baffled. Because he knew Jordan well, he was easily able to see that his friend’s interest in her was not strictly academic. And because Kasey had come into the Taylor household on his recommendation, he worried. Had he, in fact, saddled Jordan with a problem rather than a solution?
    Her knowledge in her field, however, was all-encompassing. By the time the peach flambé was served, Harry began to relax.
    “Anthropology is not psychology,” Kasey answered to oneof his comments. “As a psychologist, Dr. Rhodes, you attempt to hold culture constant and explore mind and psyche. As an anthropologist, I attempt to hold mind and psyche constant and explore culture. I have a good book on the subject. Perhaps you’d like to borrow it.”
    “Yes.” Her conversation seemed lucid and relieved his mind. “I’d very much appreciate that, Miss Wyatt.”
    “Fine. If I can dig it up, you can take it with you tonight.” She took another scoop of dessert.
    “I’m afraid all this is far above my head,” Beatrice put in. She sent Harry a warm smile. She ignored Kasey completely. “You psychologists and anthropologists fascinate me with your theories and philosophies on life.”
    “Now, Beatrice, I’d hardly consider my theories fascinating,” Harry put in modestly.
    “I wonder what Kasey’s philosophy on life might be,” Jordan mused. He sent her one of his engaging smiles. “I’m sure we’d all be fascinated.”
    Kasey licked the back of her spoon. “From this anthropologist’s point of view, Jordan . . .” She paused to pick up her wineglass. “Life is like a moustache. It can be wonderful or terrible. But it always tickles.”
    Jordan laughed as Harry took a rather deep swallow of wine.
    Thirty minutes later the two men were closed off in the game room. Jordan racked the balls on the pool table and listened to Harry’s uneasy comments on Kasey.
    “Harry, there’s no need to be concerned.” He indicated for the doctor to break. “Kasey’s giving me everything I need, and more. I’m finding the store of knowledge in that strange brain of hers incredible.”
    “That’s precisely the point.” Harry broke and frowned. “She is strange.”
    “Perhaps it’s the rest of us who are strange,” Jordan murmured. Since she had walked into his life, he was no longer certain. “In any case, she knows her field like most people know the alphabet.” He moved into position for a shot. “I’d never be able to get the depth I want without her.” He shot, made his ball and moved into the next position. “What’s more, she’s the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met.”
    “You’re not getting personally involved with her?”
    “I’m doing my damnedest.” Jordan frowned as the five ball missed the pocket.
    “Jordan, a personal involvement with her could interfere with your work. I told you before when I read your outline, it’s Pulitzer potential. You already have the reputation.”
    “It might be wiser to finish the book before we start thinking about Pulitzers. Your shot, Harry,” Jordan reminded him.
    Harry made two balls and missed a third. As he shot, he thought over his next words carefully. “Jordan, I had noticed you’d been a bit restless lately. I was going to suggest a vacation when the book was finished.”
    Jordan grinned and leaned over the table. He positioned his cue. “Are you trying to protect me from Kasey, Harry?”
    “I wouldn’t put it that way—exactly.” Harry blustered and leaned against his stick. “I realize Miss Wyatt is quite attractive, in a rather unusual fashion. She’s also unsettling.”
    “ Hmm. Unsettling, ” Jordan murmured. “She does take over. There’s nothing I could do about it if I was sure I wanted to. The one thing I am sure of is that she’s opened a few doors for me I hadn’t known I had closed.”
    “You’re