Chapter 23

“Sir, if I had done that to Gwen, you’d have been within your rights to beat me to a pulp. Charlotte called me and told me that Gwen needed help, so I went to help her,” offered Steve as he considered his actions of the past few minutes. “She wouldn’t tell me anything about how she wound up in that situation or what had happened to her. I thought the same thing you did, that some guy had tried to take advantage of her, and I was even angrier than you are, but she refuses to tell me what’s going on.”

“Son, I flew off the handle. I had no reason to strike you and I sincerely apologize. Imagine my feelings when I see you bring my daughter home in that condition. I heard you two arguing and I assumed that you had harmed her. It’s a good thing you didn’t strike back, Steve. My fist still hurts,” grinned Ted ruefully. “It must have been that damned…”

“Dad!” Kate almost yelled at her father. “Gwen didn’t want to tell Steve what happened and it would be wrong for you to say anyt