Silver Linings

bleeding.”
    Mattie hugged herself, her eyes huge with horror. “How old is he?”
    “My age. Maybe a year older.”
    “You said you'd slowed down a little. Maybe he has, too.”
    “Maybe.” But Rainbird had always been faster, Hugh reminded himself. So even if he'd slowed down some, he was still going to be slick. Very, very slick.
    “Is that all you know about him? That he had unusually swift reflexes and fighting abilities?”
    “No, I know a few other things,” Hugh admitted.
    “Such as?”
    “Women were drawn to him like moths to a flame. All kinds of women, young and old, rich and poor, single and married. One, a very beautiful, very rich wife of an American diplomat in Brazil, told me once that women knew he was dangerous, but that that was part of the thrill. She said there was something hypnotic about him. Something to do with his eyes, she said.”
    “The man sounds like a vampire,” Mattie said with disgust.
    “All I know is that he had something. Rainbird was never without a woman when he wanted one. And he got any woman he wanted. Cormier always claimed that a man who could have any woman never learned how to love one woman properly. But I never noticed Rainbird complaining.”
    “Of course not. He wouldn't even know he was missing something. A man like Rainbird is essentially incomplete emotionally and pretty much of a coward at heart.”
    Hugh blinked in astonishment. “A coward? Rainbird? You don't even know him.”
    “No, but I've met men who go from woman to woman and never seem to be able to bond permanently with one. Every woman has met a man like that at some time in her life. They can be very amusing because they've usually developed a lot of surface charm, but a smart woman doesn't do anything more than entertain herself for a while with one. Men like that are useless in the long run. Bad genetic material, as Aunt Charlotte would probably point out.”
    “The hell you say.” Hugh was fascinated.
    “It's true. It's hard to explain. It's just that, once you scratch the surface on a man like that, there's nothing underneath.” Mattie's shoulders rose and fell in a small shrug. “They're empty shells. Something important is missing. When a woman says a man is literally no good, that's the kind of man she's talking about. He's no good to her in terms of bonding and survival because he has no guts or staying power. He can't be trusted to make a commitment and keep it. Like I said, he's simply no good.”
    “Do all women look at men in those terms?” Hugh asked, stunned.
    “Smart ones do.”
    He stared at her, his mouth abruptly gone dry. He was afraid to ask the obvious question, but he could not resist. “Mattie, is that how you look at me? Is that why you didn't want to give me a second chance? Is that why you wouldn't move to St. Gabe? You think there's nothing under my surface?”
    She shook her head, then went to him in a soft little rush and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Oh, no, Hugh. You aren't anything like that. You're as solid as a rock.”
    He grinned faintly in relief. “And just as dense?”
    “Maybe. At times.” She lifted her face, smiling at him with misty green-gold eyes. “But I suppose you've found me a little dense lately, too, haven't you?”
    “Nothing I can't work around.” His voice felt thick in his throat as he cradled her head in his hands. “Babe, I've got to go back out to the islands.”
    “I knew you were going to say that. I know I can't talk you out of it. But I want you to take me with you,” she begged. “I can't stand the thought of waiting here, not knowing what you're doing or what kind of trouble you'll be facing. Let me come with you.”
    He was startled. “Hell, I can't do that, babe.”
    “At least let me come with you as far as St. Gabriel. I could wait there until you and Silk take care of this Rainbird person. Please, Hugh. You can't leave me behind. Not this time.”
    “Not this time? Mattie, what are you saying? This isn't like the last time. There's no connection at all. It simply isn't safe. Christ, babe, I can't take you with me.”
    Her eyes filled with tears. “That's what you said the last time.”
    “ It's not the same thing . Mattie, don't cry. For God's sake, don't cry, okay?”
    “I want to go with you,” she said. “Please, Hugh. Take me with you. I'll be safe on St. Gabriel.”
    “No, damn it.” He was beginning to get angry now. This was crazy. “No way. I don't want you anywhere near