Chapter 28

After taking a drink, then a deep breath, Cole asked, “Why did Keith’s story about his wife and the divorce hit you so hard?”

“It didn’t,” Gideon protested vehemently.

“Yeah, it did. I was watching you.” After a pause, Cole said, “I know it’s none of my business, but are you and your wife having problems?”

Gideon closed his eyes, shaking his head. “I’m not married,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I never have been.”

“Oh.”

Opening his eyes, Gideon looked at Cole. “Never have been, never will be. It’s not…me.”

“Because you’d rather spend all your time working? Or”—Cole nodded slowly—”working gives you an excuse not to be involved with someone?”

“Both?” Gideon replied with a ghost of a smile.

“Surely there have been women in your life that you thought might be the one.”

“Have there been men in yourlife you felt could be the one, as you put it?”

Cole shrugged. “Sure. Though it never lasted. And you avoided my question. You’re good at that.”