She might have fantasized it differently. But the minute she unbuttoned her shirt, I left. I told you that."

"She says you forced her to have sex."

"Forced? Good Cod, Paige, if you weren't convinced before, you should be now. Julie Engel is one hot little number. No way would anyone have to force her. My guess is it'd be the other way around."

"Do you have any pictures of her?"

"Not a one. I told you that, too. The pictures I took were in broad daylight in the park by the church. They were innocent shots, supposedly for her stepmother, but when she tried to make it into something more, I was outta there. I exposed what I'd taken. She can't pin anything on me. She doesn't have a shred of proof."

"Unfortunately," Paige cautioned, "the accusation can do the harm, whether there's proof or not."

"I'm innocent until proven guilty."

"In court. On the street, not so. As Head of Mount Court Noah will have to fight the charge that the schooi's physician forced himself on a female student. As pediatricians, our group will have to fight the charge that one of us forced himself on a patient. If all this gets out. So we have to nip it in the bud, which is why I'm here. Aside from the picture-taking episode, have you been alone with Julie lately?"

"No n "Has she ever come here-?"

"Never."

"When did you see her last?"

"Right before Thanksgiving, at the hospital.

She was doing volunteer work."

"She may say she sneaks off to see you at night."

"Well, she doesn't. I've been staying late at the hospital. You can ask the nurses on Three-B."

Paige wondered if he was involved with one of them. Then she thought of Kate Ann Murther and experienced a sudden dawning. It must have shown on her face, because Peter grew defensive.

"There's nothing wrong with my seeing Kate Ann. People jump to judgment about her without a whit of knowledge, but she's a sweet person.

Sometimes we talk, sometimes we watch a movie.

When she asks about my work, she asks intelligent questions. She's grateful for anything and everything I do, because it's so much more than she's ever had. Here she is, a paraplegic, and she feels good about herself.

Because of me. Because I care."

Paige touched his arm. "I think that's wonderful."

"Then why do you look so astounded?"

"Because it makes sense now. You have been different lately.

Calmer.

More directed."

"Tragedies help you prioritize things. So does a person like Kate Ann.

I'm taking on Jamie Cox because, damn it, he ought to help pay her medicai bills, and if he doesn't, I may just marry her and let my insurance pay."

He looked momentarily unsure. "I could do worse."

"Much worse," she agreed, feeling a sudden, deep warmth for the man.

He rubbed his palm over his chest, over the fine, hand-loomed maroon wool that Paige had seen remnants of not so many weeks before.

"Mara was right. I do sabotage relationships.

But I'm comfortable with Kate Ann. I can be me, and she likes it.

So I'm thinking more clearly and seeing more clearly." He gestured toward the basement.

"Maybe that's what those pictures were about."

"Maybe," Paige said, feeling an odd envy.

"I won't have Julie Engel ruining everything.

So. How do I prevent it?"

"We," Paige corrected, because she had a new faith in Peter. "We show up at Noah's office tomorrow when Julie's father does. We bring our own lawyer and threaten to countersue for damages if any are caused.

That will give the Engels cause to keep their mouths shut while they weigh their options. And while they're doing that, we try to learn what we can at Mount Court. Julie has friends" "Loyal friends."

"But they like you, too." She smiled crookedly, having spotted a rose in a bed of thorns. "You're a charmer, Peter. You wink at them, and their little hearts flutter. Just the thing that's gotten you in trouble could get you out. If those friends understand how much damage an unjust accusation will cause you, they may come forward. Julie's been fooling around with someone. Her friends probably won't have witnessed it firsthand, but they'll know something. You'll see."

It sounded right, and easy, and fair. Paige just hoped it would prove so. With everything else closing in around her, she needed something to work.

4 9 R twenty-two N OAH STOOD AT HIS DESK AT NOON THE NEXTI day, not quite knowing how his life had suddenly become so complex and wondering if he could hold it together. He had been hired as interim Head at Mount Court first and foremost for his managerial skills. He hoped they were good enough.

One thing was for sure. He wasn't quitting.

He had done that twelve years ago, when Liv had humiliated him. He had walked away and made a new life, and in the process he had lost Sara.

He had no intention of losing her this time.

Nordespite what her reluctant little mind supposeddid he intend to lose Paige.

And then there was Mount Court. What he had first thought to be a horror of a place had turned out to be something with promise. The best of the faculty were emerging as leaders, shaming the laziest to do more. Same with the kids. First-term grades were higher than they had been in years, and while there were grumbles aplenty about the increased course demands, there were smiles as well. For the first time the students knew what was expected of them. They knew what the rules were, knew what would happen if they broke those rules. The fact that they were thriving was a validation of Noah's approach.

Now along comes Julie Engel, insisting that Peter Grace had raped her.

And along comes Julie's father with his lawyer, making grandiose threats. Countering them were Peter Grace and his lawyer, who had, for the time being, at least, gagged the Engels by threatening a countersuit if a smear took place before ample evidence was found.

That gave Noah a little time.