Anna was in the pool doing laps when Dennis brought Brian to the water's edge. Once placed on the side of the pool, Brian could lower himself into the blue depths.

Treading water at the deep end, Anna waved. "I'll be right there."

"Don't hurry on my account," he shouted back.

A smile flashed from her eyes, and with powerful strokes Anna swam towards him.

"You look bright and cheerful this morning." Brian had been up, dressed, and eating breakfast by the time Anna returned from her run. Unusual, since he normally delayed starting the day as long as possible.

Charity hurried onto the patio. "Sorry to bother you, but Mr. Littrell Senior is here."

A hardness stole over Brian's face. "Who does he want to see this time?" The question was barely civil.

Anna bit into her lip to restrain an angry response.

Charity wiped her hands on her apron, obviously flustered. "Mr. Littrell says he wants to talk to you." She directed her answer to Brian.

"Tell him I'm busy."

"We can do this later," Anna inserted eagerly. "I'll come back..."

"No." His angry shout shut her off.

"Brian, please," she whispered.

"Do as I say, Charity." He directed his attention to the housekeeper, his dismissal final.

With a quick bob of her head Charity turned and hurried toward the house.

His narrowed gaze swung to Anna. "Was this brilliant idea yours?"

Anna returned his stare speechlessly. Was Brian implying that she had sent for his father?

"Is it?" He shouted.

"Of course not. What are you suggesting?"

"I saw the two of you together," he hissed. "I'm not stupid. You two have something up your sleeves. Let it be known right now. I don't want any part of it. Is that understood?" The last words were shouted.

"Something up our sleeves?" Anna echoed incredulously. "Your father is half killing himself to maintain the business. 'Your" end of the business, I might add. He's dying in stages. In case you'd forgotten, your father's retired." Anna paused to draw in a breath. "Have you stopped to think what happened to him after your accident? Not only is he worried sick because of you, but he's taken over your affairs in the company -- with all the stress and worries. But you, Mr. High and Mighty, you're so caught up in self-pity, all you see is yourself."

Brian's face became sickenly pale. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Are you accusing me of lying now, too?"

"What can you expect me to think? They told me Howie was in charge of the business."

"Have you looked at your father lately, Brian, really looked? Can't you see what's happening to him?"

He was completely still, like a lion alert before the attack. "If what you say is true, it's Dad's own fault. He should have given everything over to Howie the way he said he was."

"Are you really so uncaring?" His lack of concern shocked her.

His blistering hot gaze swept over her. "What do you know of any of this?" He shouted. "Safe and warm in your secure little world, it must be easy to sit in judgement of something you'll never comprehend." A muscle worked along the line of his jaw.

The desire to tell him was overpowering. "What do I know?" She repeated his question with a half laugh. "maybe it's time you found out exactly what I do." She swam to the steps that led out of the pool. "You asked me once about pain. Believe me when I tell you I'm well acquainted with it." She stood and laced one foot on the painted step. "You told me once you'd lain in a hospital bed wanting to die. I did more than want, I begged. " Tears filled her eyes.

She turned to him then, the hideous scars that marked her thighs in full view. When she glanced at him she was prepared for the shocked look, even the repulsion he couldn't hide. She'd viewed it before when others saw her scars.

"Dennis," she yelled, and hurriedly donned her terry cloth wrap. "Mr. Littrell wants out of the water." Unable to bear another minute in Brian's presence, Anna turned and ran into the house.