Smoke in Mirrors

isolated.”
    “I understand,” Cassie said. “I’m sure that it’s difficult for anyone who is extraordinarily gifted to deal with the demands and routines of ordinary life.”
    “Easy to see why such a person might feel more athome in a parallel universe where logic and mathematics hold sway and order prevails. It’s also easy to see how others might want to protect such a delicate flower.”
    “I suppose so,” Cassie agreed. She sounded grim and morose.
    “Maybe for Bethany, that other universe was where she felt at home,” Leonora continued, getting into her theory now, thinking of the ramifications. “To one of those rare high IQ types, this world probably seems like a strange, unpredictable, illogical place.”
    “Yes.” Cassie’s jaw twitched. “I’m sure you’re right. Bethany probably did feel as if she was different from everyone else.”
    “Because she was different. Who knows? Maybe she really did need to be protected from the demands of daily life. But one person can’t do that for another. Not for long, at any rate. The task would be frustrating, thankless and, in the end, futile. A man who tried to do it for a woman would inevitably come to the conclusion that he had failed.”
    Cassie came to a halt on the path and turned to face her. “Exactly.”
    Leonora halted, too. “A man who feels he screwed up big-time as a knight in shining armor would probably be extremely reluctant to risk getting involved in another relationship.”
    “Damn. It’s hopeless, isn’t it? He’ll never look at me as long as he’s obsessed with finding out what happened to Bethany.”
    “I’m not so sure it’s a lost cause.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I don’t think Deke is as depressed as everyone believes. I do think that he’s on a mission to find out what happened to Bethany. Clearly he needs some answers. Inthat sense, you could say he’s obsessed. But I have a feeling that kind of single-mindedness is a family trait.”
    “You think so?”
    “I can see Thomas doing the same thing under similar circumstances. Heck, when you think about it, he is doing the same thing because he’s committed to helping Deke.”
    “What this boils down to is that all I can do is stand back and wait until Deke gets the answers he needs. But what if he never finds those answers?”
    “I don’t see why you have to be passive in this. Maybe you should take some steps to get Deke’s attention.”
    “How?”
    “I’m not exactly an expert.” Leonora smiled. “But I know one I can call for advice.”

    A short time later, she went up the steps of Thomas’s cottage and knocked on the front door. It opened almost at once.
    Wrench bounded out, an old yellow tennis ball in his mouth. He placed it at her feet and sat down proudly, prepared to have his gift appreciated.
    “Thank you, Wrench.” She bent to pick up the tennis ball. “It’s lovely.”
    Wrench looked pleased. She tugged gently on his bent ear.
    “Don’t know where the hell he got that,” Thomas said. “I’ve never played tennis in my life.”
    She straightened when she saw him looming in the hallway. His hair was damp from the shower. His bare shoulders seemed to stretch from wall to wall. He had a towel wrapped around his waist.
    Just a towel. It rode low on his hips and left a great deal of him exposed.

    And here she had been fantasizing about a bathrobe. Obviously she lacked imagination.
    “Come on in. I was about to make some breakfast.” Thomas gave her a slow, sexy smile. “What brings you calling at this hour?”
    “I was out for my morning walk. Thought I’d see if you were an early riser.”
    “I am, as a matter of fact. Goes with having a dog.” He stepped back to allow her inside. “I just got out of the shower.”
    She looked down at the towel he had wrapped around his waist. “I noticed.”
    “I was hoping you would.” He grinned and pulled her into his arms. “I don’t generally answer my door draped only in a towel, you know.”
    She flattened her palms on his chest and wiggled her fingers in the crisp curling hair that covered him there. “You went to all this trouble just for me? I’m very flattered.”
    “Would you like to come back to my bedroom and help me finish getting dressed?”
    “If you feel you need help selecting your attire, I would be only too happy to assist. I have a good sense of color and style.”
    “This must be my lucky day.” He scooped her up in his arms and started down the