Page 59 of Finding Amanda

She seemed to read his thoughts. "I'm just paranoid, that's all. I know you can take care of them."

He pulled out his favorite barstool at the corner of the long bar and sat.

"Coffee?"

"Love some."

Amanda poured him a cup and slid it across to him. He took a sip and smiled. "How come it doesn't taste like this when I make it?"

"Probably the coffee maker. Plus, I'm convinced things always taste better when someone else prepares them."

He chuckled. That was probably true. Even his sandwiches weren't as good as hers.

"You want some breakfast?"

"No, thanks." After his speech the night before about how he didn't need her, he figured he'd better get his own breakfast.

"I really don't mind."

"Why don't you sit?"

Amanda walked around the bar and slid into the barstool catty-corner to his. "You wanted to talk to me?"

"About Sheppard, yeah. I found some things out yesterday I thought you'd like to know."

She laid one hand, fingers splayed, against the countertop. "Okay, go ahead."

"Did you know he lost his license to practice medicine?"

She blinked. "No. He told me he wasn't seeing patients anymore, but?—"

"Hecan'tsee patients anymore."

Surprise showed in her expression. "Why?"

He laid his hand over hers on the cold granite, gently squeezing her fingers in his fist. "He was arrested for statutory rape."

She gasped, the blood draining from her face. "No, no, no. How old was she?"

He grabbed her other hand. She looked like she was about to crumble. He slipped off the chair and stood in front of her. "She was thirteen."

She yanked her hands away, covered her face, and sobbed. "It's my fault. It's my fault. I should've told. Years ago, I should've?—"

"Shh. This isn't your fault." He wrapped his arms around her and tucked her head to his chest. "It isn't your fault. He's responsible for?—"

"If I had told . . . I should've told someone. I kept it hidden. I protected myself, and look what happened. Oh God, what have I done?"

"He lied to you, Amanda. He manipulated you. This isn't your fault."

Her body stiffened, and she tried to pull away. Reluctantly he released her and stepped back.

"You don't believe that." Anger flashed in her tear-filled eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"You blame me for what happened, and now you blame me for what happened to that girl."

He reached for her again, but she angled out of his reach. He dropped his arms to his sides. "Why would you say that?"

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