The Tangled Wood

Could She Trust Anyone?

Outside the air was biting cold. As quickly as Alison's small feet trotted over the frozen ground, so her thoughts spun through her mind. The evening's events confused her. Such contrasts:--one man demanded her attention, the other gave her all of his; one man flattered her appearance, the other appreciated her mind. But still she felt wary, as though both men concealed a hidden menace.

She closed her eyes to quell the rising tears that were not just from walking in the bitter air. Then she took a short little breath, held it, eyes closed, and felt a desperate need to cling to someone . . . to sob and sob into the arms of a man she could trust . . . but could she ever trust anyone again?