HERE TO STAY

Debra Webb A note about the author: Though Debra Webb has earned a reputation for outstanding romantic suspense, she began her career with near ! a do"en sass! and spic! romances# $or the first time these heartfe t romances are now a%ai ab e wor dwide in e&boo' format# (re%ious ! pub ished as a )ensington (recious *ems, a%ai ab e on ! in Wa &+art for one short month, Debra is proud to present her be o%ed ta es of romance# HERE TO STAY $REE $A,,-.* TE+(T-.* TRA/E 0( /,OSE 1AS-/ -.ST-./TS )EE(-.* )E..EDY TA+-.* *- 2A.E *O-.* TO THE /HA(E, This boo' is a wor' of fiction# An! references to historica e%ents, rea peop e, or rea oca es are used fictitious !# Other names, characters, p aces, and incidents are the product of the author3s imagination, and an! resemb ance to actua e%ents or oca es or persons, i%ing or dead, is entire ! coincidenta # /op!right 4566, WebbWor's, ,,/ $irst (rinting: +a! 4555 )ensington (recious *ems A rights reser%ed, inc uding the right of reproduction in who e or in part in an! form# Smashwords Edition, ,icense .otes This eboo' is icensed for !our persona en7o!ment on !# This eboo' ma! not be re&so d or gi%en awa! to other peop e# -f !ou wou d i'e to share this boo' with another person, p ease purchase an additiona cop! for each person !ou share it with# -f !ou3re reading this boo' and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for !our use on !, then !ou shou d return to Smashwords#com and purchase !our own cop!# Than' !ou for respecting the hard wor' of this author#

HERE TO STAY
Debra Webb

/hapter One Someone is in the house. (aige Weston stood abso ute ! sti at the top of the staircase and peered down into the dar' entrance ha # A co d shi%er s'ated o%er her s'in# Her heart pounding, she he d her breath and focused on the sounds coming from her unc e3s 'itchen# She heard footsteps, then the c ic' of a switch# ,ight from the 'itchen doorwa! s iced across the oa' f oor at the bottom of the stairs# She swa owed tight ! as she summoned her shrin'ing courage# Stupid !, she had eft the cord ess phone from the bedroom in the 'itchen# The on ! other te ephone was on a ha tab e at the bottom of the stairs# Her ce phone was in the 'itchen charging# -f she 'new where Robert 'ept the 'e! to his gun cabinet, she cou d at east arm herse f# 1ut she didn3t# She had to get to a phone# The first step down the staircase pro%ed the hardest, but she forced her feet to ma'e the necessar! mo%ement# When she3d reached the bottom, she he d her breath and istened again# The refrigerator door s ammed shut with a ratt e of g ass and p astic# She frowned# What was the intruder doing8 Ha%ing a midnight snac'8 As if on cue, the o d grandfather c oc' struc' the witching hour# (aige rounded the newe post, a%oiding the s i%er of ight ang ing from the 'itchen# Her ga"e ri%eted to the open doorwa!, and she fe t across the top of the ha tab e for the te ephone# )nees wea' and her bod! tremb ing, she fought the urge to run out the front door and ea%e the thief to ha%e his wa! with Robert3s wor d ! possessions# Where is that blasted phone? Her hand bumped against a co d, smooth ob7ect# The flowers# Robert had eft her f owers# 1efore she cou d catch it, the cr!sta %ase tumb ed off the tab e and crashed to the f oor# Water sp attered across her feet# $or an instant (aige fro"e# E%er! rape or mugging %ictim she3d e%er seen in the courtroom f ashed through her mind# Hea%! footsteps thudding across the 'itchen f oor urged her bac' into action# Sti groping in the dar'ness, her hand brushed against the te ephone# She cur ed tremb ing fingers around the recei%er and ifted it# The fami iar, reassuring dia tone sounded# (aige pressed the three buttons necessar! 7ust as a ta , dar' figure fi ed the doorwa!, b oc'ing the faint ight from the 'itchen# 9Stop right there,: (aige commanded in a reasonab ! stead! tone# 9-3%e ca ed ;66#: 9Trinit! doesn3t ha%e ;66 at the moment,: came the deep, ma e response# Si houetted b! the dim ight, it was impossib e to see his face# 9The s!stem3s down#:

The irritating, high&pitched tone coming from the recei%er confirmed his statement# (aige dropped the use ess instrument as a recorded %oice came across the ine te ing her to dia the number again# No 911# How cou d that number be out of order8 She cou dn3t breathe# $orgetting the bro'en g ass, she bac'ed awa! from the dar', ooming figure# +a!be sta!ing a a one at Robert3s ranch hadn3t been such a good idea after a # And she thought stuff i'e this on ! happened in the cit!# What a great birthda! this had turned out to be< Abrupt !, the wa stopped her retreat# The intruder remained motion ess and si ent# Wh! didn3t he ma'e a mo%e8 She shuddered at the thought that he was probab ! tr!ing to decide what to do with her# Her mind raced# What shou d she do8 +a!be he wou d 7ust ea%e# He stood on ! a few feet from the front door# Leave, (aige wi ed si ent !# Though she had heard his %oice, she cou dn3t identif! his face# Something c ic'ed in her subconscious# She frowned and rep a!ed the words he3d spo'en, concentrating on the sound of his %oice# Deep, smooth, mascu ine# She 'new that %oice# She s id her hand o%er the wa and f ipped the switch, f ooding the room with ight# She b in'ed against the brightness and focused her ga"e on the man standing before her# Nathan Blackrope# (aige fought the shoc' that threatened her a read! strained composure# Her mind ree ed with ong buried emotions, anding somewhere between re ief and regret# (art of her wanted to throw her arms around him and te him how g ad she was to see him# 1ut the other part of her, the saner part, wanted to run as fast as she cou d# She hadn3t been face to face with .athan in a most fi%e !ears# She had e%er! intention of seeing him during her %isit to Trinit!# -n fact, he was the rea reason she had come# She 7ust hadn3t e=pected to see him now, i'e this# She stee ed herse f against his presence# 0nab e to face him on a persona e%e 7ust !et, she summoned her courtroom bearing and pub ic defender attitude into p ace# .athan mo%ed his unreadab e ga"e s ow ! o%er her# She tremb ed beneath his scrutin!# He oo'ed e=act ! the same# His guns inger stance con%e!ed his a most coc'! confidence# .athan 1 ac'rope wasn3t intimidated b! an!thing or an!one# He stood strong and ta # His b ac' hair, ong and straight, was pu ed into a oose pon!tai # She 'new from e=perience that a that b ue&b ac' hair wou d fee i'e si ' s ipping between her fingers# -nside, she tremb ed as the memories tumb ed one o%er the other# -f on ! she cou d forget# (aige a owed her ga"e to meet his# Dar', searching e!es set in bron"ed s'in stared bac' at her# High chee'bones car%ed in a strong, angu ar face were emphasi"ed b! the hard set of his fu ips# E%en wearing that co d, stee ! e=pression he was sti the best oo'ing man she had e%er seen# She swa owed bac' something that fe t entire ! too much i'e desire and focused her ga"e on his b ac' Apache e!es# 91rea'ing and entering is against the aw, +r# 1 ac'rope#: 9- ha%e a 'e!#: That rasp! baritone sent a shi%er of reco ection o%er her# She3d spent the ast four !ears or so tr!ing her best to forget .athan 1 ac'rope# 1ut she hadn3t forgotten him at a # She 'new b! heart e%er! inch of his ean, muscu ar bod!# The wide breadth of shou ders that strained against the fabric of his b ac' Western shirt# The ong&fingered

hands that were set firm ! on the b ac' denim co%ering his narrow hips# (aige didn3t ha%e to oo' to 'now that he wore b ac' cowbo! boots as we # 1 ac' had a wa!s been .athan3s signature co or# She watched as he s id two fingers into the poc'et of his 7eans and fished out a brass 'e!# To her chagrin, the 'e! oo'ed identica to the one she3d found on the edge abo%e the front door when she3d arri%ed this e%ening# 9See#: He he d out the 'e! for her inspection# (aige sme ed a rat# A rat named 0nc e Robert# This was a set&up as sure as .athan 1 ac'rope was standing there oo'ing ean, rang! and rugged# 9Wh! do !ou ha%e a 'e!8: she as'ed, ignoring his outstretched hand# She wou dn3t touch those ong fingers for a month in Tahiti with 2ohnn! Depp# 9Your unc e as'ed me to 'eep an e!e on things whi e he hone!moons with his new wife# .eighbors do that 'ind of thing for each other in the countr!, or ha%e !ou forgotten8: he as'ed, a hint of sarcasm in his %oice# .athan drew bac' his hand, his ga"e swept o%er her once more as he waited for her response# She didn3t miss the sudden g immer of mascu ine appro%a in his dar' e!es# The thin white cotton tee she wore bare ! reached the tops of her thighs# She3d been in bed>as eep# A heated f ush mo%ed up her nec' and into her face# The fact that her breasts had grown fu and tight didn3t he p# .athan cou d p ain ! see how she responded to him# After a this time>after a that had happened>how cou d her rebe ious bod! react with such desire to the man she3d wor'ed so hard to hate8 She crossed her arms o%er her ting ing breasts# 9That sti doesn3t e=p ain wh! !ou3re here in the midd e of the night#: .athan3s ips cur%ed in a 'nowing smi e# 9You rushed down here i'e that>: he gestured toward her scant ! c ad bod!>9to defend Robert3s home from an intruder8: He aughed, soft ! at first, and then the sound deepened, rumb ing up from his chest# (aige swore si ent !# She hated that smi e# Hated that augh# She hated him# We , ma!be she didn3t hate him, but he infuriated her# How cou d she ha%e e%er imagined that an! 'ind of agreement cou d be wor'ed out with this man8 9- as'ed !ou what !ou were doing here, .athan 1 ac'rope#: 9-3%e been out,: he said, curbing his aughter to a smi e that ifted on ! one corner of his mouth# 9- wanted to chec' on the mares before - ca ed it a night# Two of Robert3s mares are about to foa #: He shifted and ra'ed his dar' ga"e o%er her again# 9He ne%er mentioned an!one e se wou d be here#: He ga%e her a heart&stopping grin# 9- was too bus! to thin' about food ear ier# - rea i"ed - hadn3t eaten and decided to raid the fridge#: He fo ded his arms o%er his chest# 9-3m sure Robert won3t mind#: -t was after midnight on Sunda! night, (aige rea i"ed with sudden c arit!# A sharp pang of 7ea ous! stabbed at her as she considered that he3d probab ! been out with a woman# She ga%e herse f a menta 'ic' and forced awa! the unbidden en%! of whoe%er had been in his arms tonight# She had thought herse f o%er that hurt ong time ago# Ta'ing a determined step in .athan3s direction, she he d out her hand, concentrating hard to 'eep it stead!# He g anced at her hand, then focused that intent ga"e on her# 9What8: he as'ed innocent !# 9The 'e!# -3 be sta!ing unti Robert and *inn! return from ?egas# There3s no need for !ou to concern !ourse f with an!thing around here#:

9You3re sta!ing here for two wee's8: His e!es mirrored the disbe ief in his %oice# 9That3s what - said,: (aige returned hot !# @Robert3s ha%ing some redecorating done# The contractors start tomorrow and -3 be seeing that e%er!thing runs smooth !#: .athan pressed the 'e! into her pa m# His fingers ingered a itt e onger than necessar!, sending a surge of heat through her that resurrected ong denied fee ings# Her insides Aui%ered and (aige 7er'ed her hand bac'# There had been a time when she wou d ha%e gi%en an!thing for .athan3s touch, but not now# .ot e%er again# She hugged her arms around her midd e and bac'ed up the step she had ta'en# What she needed from him now had abso ute ! nothing to do with hormones# 9- can3t be ie%e !our dadd! et !ou ea%e +emphis,: he said, his words dripping with sarcasm# She brist ed, counted to ten before de i%ering a response# -t didn3t he p# 9- do what want to do# +! father doesn3t run m! ife#: 9Since when8: .athan coc'ed his handsome head and aughed at her with his e!es# 9You do whate%er dadd! te s !ou to do, 1 ondie# You a wa!s ha%e#: (aige winced at his use of the pet name he had gi%en her so ong ago# .o one e se but .athan had e%er ca ed her that# She didn3t want to hear it# And she sure didn3t want to fee what he was ma'ing her fee # She c enched her teeth and g ared at him with e%er! ounce of anger she cou d marsha # Her se%ere g are on ! ser%ed to earn her a s ow, se=! smi e that wou d ha%e sha'en her c ean down at her boots had she been wearing an!# 9You don3t 'now an!thing about me an!more, 1 ac'rope#: He was 7ust as arrogant and hardheaded as she remembered# He hadn3t changed one iota# 9Right#: He cho'ed out on a thin augh# 9- 'now a - need to 'now#: Resentment, hard and bitter, poo ed in his e!es# 0nab e to to erate one more moment of the mounting tension, (aige marched to the door and 7er'ed it open# 1e ated ! she considered how uc'! she3d been to miss an! shards of g ass# 9*ood night, +r# 1 ac'rope#: Two e=cruciating ! ong beats passed before he mo%ed# And when he mo%ed, her breath caught# He sauntered o%er to the door in that se f&assured gait that made her heart thud# He stopped right in front of her and ga"ed down into her e!es# She inha ed his scent before she had the presence of mind to ho d her breath# A wi d, earth! essence ming ed with the same enticing aftersha%e he had a wa!s worn# This c ose, she noticed the fine ines around his e!es that didn3t used to be there# ,ines that spo'e of hard wor', fast i%ing, and ma!be too much persona oss# E%er! instinct urged her to run, but her heart wou dn3t et her# A gust of Apri 3s coo , night air swept in through the door and made her shi%er# The bree"e sent a wisp of hair f uttering across her face, trapping itse f against her ips# *ent !, tentati%e ! a most, he reached out and smoothed that oose tendri of hair bac' from her chee'# 9You sti oo' i'e Dadd!3s itt e gir ,: he murmured, his hand ho%ering near her face# 9And !ou oo' i'e the same bitter man !ou were the ast time - saw !ou,: (aige rep ied as c ose in the %icinit! of ca m as her emotions wou d a ow# She wanted to shout at him but he sudden ! co%ered her mouth with his own in a punishing 'iss# (aige didn3t mo%e>she didn3t dare# She cou dn3t e%en c ose her e!es at first# She watched the pained e=pression that sett ed o%er his ston! features as his firm ips ra%aged hers# She3d be !ing to herse f if she didn3t admit that she had dreamed of being 'issed b!

.athan 7ust one more time# And then she c osed her e!es and surrendered to the 'iss# Warmth g owed inside her as his mouth mo%ed o%er hers# His tongue touched her ips then p unged into her mouth# He tasted of good Tennessee sipping whis'e!, and .athan >hot and demanding# He sna'ed his free arm around her waist and mo ded her from breast to thigh against his bod!# She sAuee"ed her hands into fists at her sides# Her heart ached to touch him# His ean, hard bod! fe t rigid, read! to snap, against her# Rage and resentment radiated from him i'e heat rising from the mi es of concrete and aspha t in downtown +emphis# She 'new it wou d on ! ta'e one touch to brea' him# She3d gi%e an!thing to put her arms around him right now and soothe the tautness awa!, but she cou dn3t# *od, she 7ust cou dn3t# To touch him wou d be to admit that she wanted this as much as he seemed to# And she cou d ne%er do that# She moaned soft ! in spite of herse f as his 'iss hardened to a bruising intensit!# A deep groan sounded from him, fi ing her, intensif!ing the need she wanted desperate ! to den!# .athan tore his mouth from hers and g ared down at her, his breath ragged# She wanted to oo' awa!, but his e=pression he d her capti%e# -t was the same fierce oo' he had worn when she had first met him as an unhapp!, rebe ious bo! of ten fresh off the reser%ation# Then, in one s ow, sensuous mo%ement, he f ic'ed his tongue o%er his ower ip and made a satisfied sound# 9You sti taste i'e dadd!3s itt e gir #: (aige s apped him as hard as she cou d# Her fingers stung from the b ow# Anger consumed e%er!thing e se she3d fe t or imagined she3d fe t# 9*et out of here before - ca the po ice and ha%e !ou thrown in 7ai for assau t#: .athan grasped her chin in his hand and forced her to oo' him in the e!e# 9You were a wi ing participant#: A musc e in his 7aw 7er'ed# 9You wanted that as much as did#: 9- don3t want an!thing from !ou,: she spat bac', her anger a protection from the other di""!ing emotions c utching at her# (aige twisted free and turned awa! from his haught! ga"e# She stared at the dar' night, waiting for him to storm out the door# He didn3t mo%e# He remained so c ose she cou d fee his warm breath on her s'in# 9There was a time when !ou wanted a of me,: he whispered against her temp e# 9( ease ea%e#: She ti ted her head bac' and aunched a warning g are# Swift ! changing emotions danced across his face before contempt too' center stage# -3m going,: he muttered, and then pushed awa! from her# He wa 'ed out the open door without a bac'ward g ance# (aige suc'ed in a deep breath# This was a mista'e# She shou d ha%e 'nown better than to thin' she cou d wor' out an!thing with him# .athan stopped at the edge of the porch and shifted to face her# Tension out ined e%er! ang e of his powerfu ! bui t bod!# 9- had a message on m! answering machine about 2ames# Seems he3s got a %irus or something# (u'ing his guts out according to his wife#: He paused ong enough for her to absorb the ramifications of his statement# 9-3 ta'e care of his chores the ne=t few da!s unti he3s bac' on his feet#: 9That won3t be necessar!#: (aige cou d certain ! hand e things if Robert3s ranch manager cou dn3t wor' for a coup e of da!s# 9- can do whate%er needs to be done m!se f#: 9- ha%e a fee ing !ou don3t 'now what !ou3re getting !ourse f into,: he said f at !#

9- said -3d do it m!se f#: 9There3s a ot more to it>: 9What3s wrong with !ou, 1 ac'rope8: she cut him off# 9Don3t !ou understand Eng ish8: She3d had it with his arrogant, se f&assuming attitude# (aige didn3t want him ta'ing care of her# 9- understand comp ete !# -3m 7ust not so sure !ou do#: 9- spent e%er! summer of m! ife on this ranch unti co ege# - thin' - ha%e a prett! good idea of what has to be done#: 9- thought ma!be !ou3d forgotten about those summers#: 9- on ! forgot the parts - wanted to forget#: She didn3t miss the f ic'er of hurt in his dar' e!es# The hurt re%erted to contempt so Auic' !, she wondered if she3d imagined it# 9A right, then#: His ips eased bac' into a firm, thin ine# 9-f !ou decide !ou need he p with an!thing, et me 'now#: He turned and started down the steps# (aige shoo' her head# That was a ow b ow and she 'new it# 9-3m sorr!, .athan# do appreciate !our offer to he p#: She wanted to wring his nec', not hurt his fee ings# She didn3t hate him<that much# .o matter what he had done in the past, he didn3t deser%e that# He hesitated and then oo'ed bac' o%er his shou der, his profi e harsh and f int!# 9Don3t than' me, (aige# -3m not doing it for !ou# -3m doing it for Robert#: (aige s ammed the door shut in response to his stinging rebu'e# She fe t the tears we in her e!es# She wou dn3t cr!# She had cried o%er .athan 1 ac'rope the ast time she e%er intended to# She c osed her e!es and a owed the image of 2esse to en%e ope her# She3d ne%er ha%e put herse f in this position if it weren3t for 2esse# An! other time she wou d3%e turned Robert3s in%itation to come to Trinit! down f at# 1ut fate had forced (aige to see that she had no choice# So here she was in Trinit! to tr! and sett e the past with a man who didn3t 'now the meaning of compromise# Despite e%er!thing she had to d herse f, it on ! too' one 'iss for her to 'now that her fee ings were sti wa! to strong for .athan# .o matter# She and .athan were o%er# She wou d ne%er forgi%e him for what he3d done# E%en if he got down on his arrogant Apache 'nees and begged her to forgi%e him for being the 7er' he was>which he wou d ne%er do>(aige wou d not forgi%e him# BCB .athan braced himse f against the truc'# He c osed his e!es and tried to sti the emotions raging inside him# He concentrated with a his might to erase from his mind the picture of (aige standing there in that s'imp! undershirt, her face sti f ushed with s eep# 1 ue e!es c ear and bright# Soft, b ond hair f owing o%er her shou ders# S ender cur%es and ong, shape ! egs that cou d dri%e a man cra"!# 2ust oo'ing at her had awa'ened the ong&buried hunger he3d ne%er fe t for an!one e se# Wh! in the he didn3t Robert te him she wou d be here8 (aige Weston was the ast person on earth .athan wanted to see# He didn3t i'e being reminded of the past# Robert, the o d fo=, had pu ed one o%er on both of them# She had been 7ust as shoc'ed to see him as he was to see her# The wa! his bod! reacted to hers tonight pro%ed be!ond a doubt that he wou d ne%er get o%er her, not e%en if he i%ed a do"en ifetimes# He3d tried e%er! wa! 'nown to

man to forget (aige, but he cou dn3t# She was part of him# She had been since the first time he3d seen her# .athan had been ten at the time and angr!>%er! angr!# When Amos /o ins had married his mother and brought the two of them to Trinit!, Tennessee, from the reser%ation in Ari"ona, .athan had done e%er!thing in his power to fight the situation short of running awa!# Though he3d hated Trinit!, he wou d ne%er ha%e eft his mother# She was the on ! rea fami ! he had eft# Then Robert Weston3s itt e niece came a ong in that fri ! pin' dress# On ! eight !ears o d, with pa e b ond hair and s'! b ue e!es# ,i'e a %ision in answer to his pra!ers and fasting# .athan smi ed as he thought of the itt e gir she used to be# Somehow she had made things a right for him in his new home# .athan dropped into the seat of his truc' and started the engine# *od, how he3d o%ed her# The!3d grown up as best friends and somewhere a ong the wa! their fee ings for each other had gone deeper# Sou mates, that3s what the!3d ca ed each other# Destined to be together for a time>unti she3d bro'en his heart# ,osing (aige had eft him empt!# .o matter how hard he had tried, he hadn3t cared about much since# .athan went through ife doing what he had to do and nothing more# He damned sure didn3t ha%e an! right to 'iss (aige the wa! he had 7ust done# 1ut that had been about punishing her# $act was, he3d on ! punished himse f# .athan sho%ed the gear shift into re%erse and bac'ed up enough to turn around# He spun awa! from the house and headed down the ong dri%e# ,i%ing right across the road from (aige for the ne=t two wee's wasn3t going to be eas!# He had trained himse f not to thin' about her most of the time, but it was the nights that got to him the worst# He wou d a! awa'e at night and thin' about how it cou d ha%e been# He thought of a the !ears that had passed# Hundreds of nights that she shou d ha%e been in his arms# Shou d ha%e been bearing his chi dren# Damn E iott Weston, an!wa!# And damn her# (aige had a owed her father to come between them# .athan stopped the truc' and re eased a ong breath# He oo'ed from right to eft before pu ing across the dar', deserted highwa!# He f oored the acce erator and dro%e i'e a bat out of he down his own dri%e# E iott Weston might be a b ood brother to Robert Weston, but that was sure as he a the! had in common# (aige3s father was a pompous bigot# He didn3t want his i !&white daughter to marr! some Apache bo! right off the re"# He wanted her to be e=act ! i'e him# And of course, E iott Weston a wa!s got what he wanted# Distracted b! his anger, .athan stamped the bra'e and s'idded to a sidewa!s stop 7ust short of p owing through his front porch# He turned off the ignition and pressed his head against the steering whee # He didn3t want to thin' about a this an! more# -t hurt too much# +a!be he had scared her 7ust bad enough that she3d go running bac' to dadd! come morning# He f ung the truc' door open, pushed himse f out and stared bac' toward the Weston spread# He strugg ed to contro the rage he fe t# He didn3t want to fee an! of this# 9*o bac' to +emphis, (aige,: he shouted into the wind# 9There3s nothing in Trinit! for !ou#:

/hapter Two 9E%er!thing is under contro , Robert,: (aige said into the cord ess handset# 9.o, ha%en3t seen a sou ,: she ied# (aige had a snea'ing suspicion that Robert had p anned to throw her and .athan together as much as possib e during this %isit# She wou dn3t gi%e him the satisfaction of 'nowing how we his p an had wor'ed# 9Yes, - fee fine,: she ied again# She hadn3t rea ! fe t fine since the surger!, but there was no point in dwe ing on it# She ga%e her ref ection in the bureau mirror one ast oo'# 2eans, T&shirt, pon!tai # *ood enough for countr! ife, she decided# She istened to Robert3s %oice on the other end of the ine as he pratt ed on about the redecorating# She frowned at his unnecessar! concern# 9Robert, p ease# You underestimate me# - spend m! da!s batt ing hotshot district attorne!s# How tough can a coup e of home impro%ement contractors be8: Robert shifted the con%ersation to a brief o%er%iew of the hone!moon thus far as she made her wa! down the upstairs ha # 2ust when she thought her dear, sweet unc e wou d fina ! sa! goodb!e, he set in about the redecorating again# 9E%er!thing is fine here# Yes, - read !our note and re%iewed the paint chips, wa paper, and carpet swatches !ou eft#: She sighed# 9Yes, -3 'eep !ou up to date# -3m >: She came to an abrupt stop at the top of the stairs and did a doub e ta'e# A man wearing white o%era s wa 'ed across the downstairs ha and out the front door# She shoo' her head, b in'ed and oo'ed again# She had to be seeing things# As if to pro%e her wrong, the front door opened, the man came bac' inside and disappeared into the par or# 9- ha%e to go, Robert# You and *inn! ha%e a good time#: (aige pressed the off button and bounded down the stairs# When she reached the par or her mouth dropped open# Three men in white o%era s were painting# A the furniture had been mo%ed to the center of the room and co%ered with arge white drop c oths# The windows were bare of curtains# / ear p astic had been spread around the perimeter of the room to protect the f oor# How did these gu!s get in8 How ong had the! been here8 A good whi e from the oo's of things, she decided in answer to her own Auestion# 9E=cuse me,: (aige announced# A three men stopped painting and turned to oo' at her# 9How did !ou get in this house8: 9We3re the painters,: the shortest of the three to d her# uh# 9How did !ou get in8: she repeated# 9We ha%e a 'e!,: the man she had instant ! dubbed Shortie rep ied and patted his poc'et# 9We were schedu ed to start at se%en sharp this morning,: he added, as if she shou d 'now this information without as'ing# (aige 7ust nodded# Who e se had Robert gi%en a 'e! to8 Another sma town custom, she presumed# She suppressed a !awn and considered that, discounting the housefu of strangers, wa'ing up without ega wor' hanging o%er her head was %er! nice# She had e%en s ept a itt e ate this morning for the first time in a ong time# -t fe t good to pamper herse f for a change# /offee f itted through her mind, but she banished the temptation# .o stress and no caffeine# 9-3 be at the barn if !ou need me for an!thing,: she ca ed as she headed for the

front door# She bounded off the porch into the bright morning# She ifted her face to the sun3s 'iss and re%e ed in the sensation of warmth# An une=pected shi%er that ratt ed her inside and out shoo' (aige as her thoughts wandered to her midnight %isitor# Dawn had been creeping through the windows before she had managed to fa bac' to s eep# She3d had good reason for s eeping so ate this morning# .athan 1 ac'rope had ruined what shou d ha%e been a restfu night# Of course, worries about the ta ' with him that she cou d no onger put off had wrea'ed ha%oc we before he had made his persona appearance# Heat f owed through her, warming her against the morning3s coo bree"e, when she reca ed .athan3s ruth ess 'iss# There wou d not be a repeat performance of ast night3s fiasco# *etting in%o %ed with him again wasn3t on her agenda# -n fact, it he d the number one spot on her ist of things she ne%er wanted to do again# .o matter how her in%o untar! ref e=es tried to pro%e otherwise, she wanted no part of his bod! touching hers# E%en if 7ust oo'ing at him did ma'e her burn, she wou dn3t a ow it# .o wa!, no how# The bond she and .athan had shared sti he d a itt e too firm ! to suit her# 1ut she had earned her esson with him the hard wa!# He didn3t care about her, probab ! ne%er had# .ot rea ! an!wa!# And when a her cards were on the tab e, an! ingering fee ings he might harbor for her wou d %anish# He wou dn3t ta'e it we # Of that she fe t certain# That was the %er! reason she had no intention of te ing him an!thing unti she was sure# Sure of what, she didn3t e=act ! 'now# (aige trusted her instincts# -nstinct wou d te her when the time was right# With that reiteration, she set out in the direction of the barn# The sweet pungent scent of ha! and horses greeted her as she entered the huge barn# She3d o%ed this barn as a chi d# She g ided her hand across the worn&smooth top of one sta # The! had used the sta rai ings for ba ance beams# The oft had been their hideout or p a!house, depending on .athan3s mood# Nathan# (aige 'ic'ed a c od across the f oor# Didn3t she ha%e one sing e memor! on this ranch that didn3t inc ude him8 (robab ! not# 9He o, Windborne#: (aige stro'ed the nec' of her unc e3s fa%orite mare# 9Whoa, gir # You3re about read! to pop#: She rubbed her hand o%er the horse3s distended be !# So this was the reason for .athan3s %isit ast night# Windborne wasn3t 7ust an! o d hun' of horse f esh# Robert ta 'ed about her i'e the! were re ated b! b ood# $unn!, (aige thought, that he hadn3t mentioned Windborne3s pregnanc! to her# Robert3s omission made her fee 7ust a bit eft out, especia ! since .athan 'new# Robert usua ! shared e%er!thing with her# She3d be sure to as' him about it the ne=t time he ca ed# And ca he wou d# Though his heart was in ?egas, at east part of his thoughts were sti on the ranch# -t occurred to (aige then that Robert probab ! hadn3t wanted to bring up the sub7ect of bearing offspring# E%er!one was so carefu not to ta ' about it# 9O'a!, gir s#: (aige g anced at the !ear ings in the ong bo= sta opposite the mares# 9And bo!s,: she amended Auic' !# 9How about some oats8 Or whate%er 2ames is feeding !ou these da!s#: (aige chec'ed the chart hanging ne=t to the feed room door and %erified the 'ind and amount to feed the different anima s# The on ! thing she had to do for the !ear ings was turn them out# Eas! enough, she decided as she opened the side gate# 9Out !ou go#: The horses trotted through the gate, happ! to be free of their

confinement# (aige ga%e the ast co t a pat on the hindAuarter and watched the horses ga op across the arge paddoc'# She3d a most forgotten how beautifu the anima s were# +emories of ong rides and .athan3s capab e arms around her f ooded (aige3s mind# She banished the images, c osed the gate and wa 'ed bac' through the arge sta # 9Yuc',: she muttered, wrin' ing her nose in disgust at the numerous pi es of horse manure that a! among the sha%ings# A %er! %i%id memor! of muc'ing out horse sta s came bac' to her# 9Oh, no# -3d forgotten about that itt e chore,: she muttered out oud# Though she3d ne%er actua ! done it herse f, (aige had watched it done do"ens of times# How tough cou d it be8 She headed for the too room and came out pushing a whee barrow# A second trip armed her with a tined manure for'# (aige performed a coup e of practice runs with the o%ersi"ed pooper&scooper# She shrugged# 9Scoop# Dump# .o big dea #: An!bod! cou d muc' out sta s# BCB Three hours ater (aige rinsed the scoop and whee barrow in the wash rac'# Her arms fe t i'e o%ercoo'ed spaghetti# She hadn3t wor'ed this hard since>he , she hadn3t e%er wor'ed this hard# Wea' as a 'itten, she put the scoop and whee barrow awa!# -t wou d do her good# She needed to wor' off some of the stress that had been bui ding the past coup e of wee's# Read! for a brea', she Auic' ! measured oats into two buc'ets and hurried from the feed room# 9O'a!, adies, soup3s on#: (aige smi ed at the four& egged mothers&to&be as she sprin' ed the oats into the troughs# Wea' from scooping, she dropped the second buc'et into Windborne3s sta # 9Sorr!, gir ,: she said, then opened the gate and stepped inside# She murmured soothing ! to the anima as she crouched down to retrie%e the buc'et from between the horse3s egs# (aige stood more Auic' ! than se had intended# The corner of the ha! rac' snagged her bac', wrenching a !e p from her# Wincing, she et herse f out of the sta and returned the two buc'ets to the feed room# $ e=ing her shou ders against the sting, she decided to go bac' to the house to get a oo' at the damage in a mirror# The sun was high in the s'! now and beating down a itt e more fierce ! than one wou d e=pect for an Apri da!# Her head spun for an instant, but she shoo' it off and chastised herse f for s'ipping brea'fast# She shou d ha%e remembered that hard wor' and an empt! stomach didn3t go we together# The sweat she had wor'ed up had g ued her T& shirt to her chest# (aige groaned as she pu ed the stic'! materia from her s'in# A shower wou d be the ne=t order of business# 9-3 bet !ou3re wishing !ou had ta'en me up on m! 'ind offer about now#: (aige 7er'ed to a stop# The sound of .athan3s %oice start ed her in spite of the fact that she had fu ! e=pected him to show up this morning# He3d a wa!s ta'en responsibi it! %er! serious !# Another reason she 'new she had to wor' this out with him# She had to te him e%er!thing# 1ut not toda!# She stared up at his smir'# .ot tomorrow# Her e!es s'immed his b ac'&c ad bod!# +a!be not e%en this wee'# She too' in the sight of him sitting astride his shin! b ac' sta ion, and wished he weren3t so good& oo'ing# 9Actua !, !ou and !our offer were the furthest things from m! mind,: she ied# 9-s that right8: He pushed his b ac' Stetson up from his ine of %ision to ra'e her with that dar' ga"e#

(aige sAuared her shou ders and ignored the butterf ies that too' f ight in her stomach# 9That3s right#: Determined to a%oid further discussion, she wa 'ed around man and horse and headed toward the house# She was sti e=hausted, and her unstead! gait no doubt broadcast that fact oud and c ear# When she was read! to ta ' to .athan 1 ac'rope it wou d be on her terms# 1efore she had ta'en three steps, the sAuea' of eather warned (aige that he was dismounting# 9Are !ou hurt8: .athan3s strong hand c utched her right arm from behind, effecti%e ! ha ting her forward mo%ement# 9-3m fine,: she hissed as she attempted to free herse f# The heat from his pa m singed her s'in# 9How did !ou do this8: he as'ed sharp !# (aige winced when he pu ed the fabric awa! from her s'in and e=amined more c ose ! the scratch between her shou der b ades# 9On the ha! rac' in Windborne3s sta # -t3s 7ust a scratch#: 9Scratch8: .athan swore# 9-3m fine#: She shrugged off his touch and started across the !ard once more# She wasn3t about to et him see her co apse# She wou d ha%e to admit her other wea'nesses soon enough# Her head swam again, but she ignored it, forcing one foot in front of the other# Without warning, .athan swept her into his arms and strode toward the house# 9(ut me downD What do !ou thin' !ou3re doing, .athan8: 9When did !ou eat ast, (aige8: 9What - do is none of !our businessD: He paused to stare down at her# 9-3m ma'ing it m! business# -3 bet !ou sti forget to eat#: Wi ted and defeated, she admitted, 9- ate !esterda!#: Another hot curse sprang from his ips# On ! this time in that other anguage he re%erted to whene%er he got rea ! angr! or emotiona # (aige didn3t 'now the words, but she recogni"ed them as his nati%e tongue# She3s heard them before# Too ong ago to remember, she reminded the part of her that onged to reca # .athan burst through the front door and bounded up the stairs as if he were carr!ing a feather# 9(ut me downD: She sAuirmed in his arms when she rea i"ed he intended to ta'e her to the bedroom# Anger spurred her into action# She pumme ed his hard chest with her fists# 9Stop it,: he ordered in a ow rumb e# 9-3 put !ou down when -3m good and read!#: She huffed i'e an indignant chi d, but surrendered to his strength# She c osed her e!es and s umped against him# A bombardment of sensations surged through her, then sapped the ast of her waning energ!# A sense of home she refused to ac'now edge sett ed o%er her# The c ean scent of eather and sweat assau ted her nostri s# Stop it! Stop it! She screamed at herse f# These feelin"s are off limits# When he reached her bedroom, the one he 'new she a wa!s used, .athan sett ed her on her feet once more# She swa!ed from the oss of his arms around her# He steadied her#

9-3m going downstairs to ma'e !ou a sandwich or something#: His concerned ga"e mo%ed rest ess ! o%er her face# 9Ta'e !ourse f a ong, hot bath to re a= !our musc es# You3re going to be as sore as he come tomorrow morning from a that bac'brea'ing wor'# -3 patch !ou up after#: 9- can patch m!se f up,: she cha enged, ifting her chin defiant !# 9You can3t e%en reach the spot,: he to d her impatient !# 9.ow do i'e - te !ou before - do it for !ou#: She s ammed the door behind him when he eft# She repeated a few of those choice words he i'ed to use so we and stared at the c osed door for a ong moment# .athan was 7ust as bu headed as e%er# The te ephone rang as she turned toward the bathroom# (aige crossed the room and snatched up the recei%er# .o doubt it wou d be Robert ca ing to chec' on things again# She hoped *inn! wou d appreciate his worrisome nature# 9He o,: she groused# 9(aige, how are !ou, m! dear8: (aige smi ed# 9Si as, it3s good to hear from !ouD: Si as Dutton was Robert3s o dest and dearest friend, not to mention Trinit!3s one and on ! attorne!# He was a so one of her fa%orite peop e# 9- cou dn3t be better, but how are !ou8: 9-3m fine,: she to d him# That had become her standard response# 9*od,: she breathed# 9-t3s been fore%er#: A rust! chuc' e rumb ed in her ear# 9- can3t be ie%e Robert fina ! persuaded !ou to come %isit for a whi e# - 'now !our aw practice 'eeps !ou %er! bus!#: (aige pu ed the pon!tai ho der from her hair and et it fa free# 9Robert needed me# -t3s not e%er! da! a si=t!&three&!ear&o d confirmed bache or gets married, !ou 'now#: 9- p an to sta! confirmed m!se f,: Si as reso %ed# 9-t did ta'e *inn! ten !ears to con%ince Robert, after a #: 9-3m not so sure that it wasn3t the other wa! around, Si as,: (aige argued affectionate !# 9?a id point, counse or# - thought perhaps - cou d ta'e !ou out to dinner tonight and do some catching up#: She padded to the bureau and scrutini"ed her sweat!, grim!, and fra"" ed& oo'ing ref ection# She frowned# -f her co eagues cou d see her now, she3d ne%er i%e it down# She stretched her right shou der and winced# 1ut she hadn3t seen Si as in !ears# 9That sounds o%e !#: 9-3 pic' !ou up at se%en#: 9See !ou then#: -t wou d be nice to see a friend ! face, e%en if she did fee i'e he at the moment# 1ut a nap this afternoon wou d change that# She and Si as cou d ta ' for hours about aw and po itics# And the sub7ect of the 1ig / wou d ne%er ha%e to come up# She shuddered# She didn3t want to thin' about that# Si as brought bac' the p easant memor! of cherr!&scented pipe tobacco# She cou d a most sme the sweet aroma# She smi ed as she reca ed Si as and Robert sitting around the card tab e in the par or, a cigar or pipe in one hand and po'er cards in the other, the c in' of bourbon&fi ed cr!sta and heart! aughter fi ing the su tr! night air# (aige had a wa!s watched the two men unti she was sure the! were comp ete ! enthra ed in the game before snea'ing bac' to her room# E%er so Auiet ! she had opened

her window to et .athan inside# $or hours the! wou d p a! games or te stories or simp ! sit Auiet ! and thin'# Thin' about their future together# Sha'ing off the haunting memories, she retraced her steps to the bathroom# An! minute now .athan wou d probab ! come storming bac' into her room demanding to 'now what was ta'ing so ong# With a hea%! sigh, she turned on the water in the tub, then 7er'ed off her c othes and f ung them on the f oor# She grimaced when she saw the b ood on her shirt# She craned her nec' to see the cut in the mirror# A sma gash marred her s'in# .ot too bad# She too' a stead!ing breath and pushed bac' the sour taste that rose in her throat# She s ipped into the we coming warmth of the water and pressed her bac' against the co d porce ain tub# The gash stung for a moment# She sighed as the heat re a=ed her tired bod!# +a!be if she sta!ed in here ong enough, .athan wou d 7ust go awa!# BCB .athan hea%ed a disgusted breath and set the p ate containing the ham sandwich and chips he had prepared on the 'itchen tab e# The painters had gone, but the p ace sti ree'ed of fresh paint# He opened the fridge and remo%ed a can of co a# He c osed the door, braced himse f against the coo , white surface and sAuee"ed his e!es shut# Wh! did she ha%e to come bac'8 After a this time, wh! didn3t she 7ust sta! gone8 Seeing her again was i'e pouring sa t in a wound that had ne%er hea ed# -n spite of e%er!thing, .athan sti wanted her# 1ut he cou dn3t ha%e her# Wou dn3t ha%e her# .ot after the wa! she had hurt him# He3d rather be a one the rest of his ife than ta'e a chance on ha%ing his heart bro'en again b! (aige Weston# He reached into a cupboard and retrie%ed the first aid 'it Robert had 'ept in the same p ace for as ong as he cou d remember# A smi e tugged at his ips as he thought of a the s'inned 'nees and e bows he and (aige had patched up on each other o%er the !ears# His heart twisted with the memor! of her itt e tradition of 'issing the hurt and ma'ing it a better# He shoo' of the thought and the fee ings it e%o'ed, then tuc'ed the first aid 'it under his arm# The sooner he stopped dredging up the past, the better off he3d be# .athan trudged up the stairs and down the ong ha that ed to her room# He opened the door, stepped into the room and inha ed the steam! air and the scent of (aige# He c osed his e!es and forced awa! the need that 7o ted his sou # He summoned up the courage he 'new it wou d ta'e to touch her and stepped c oser to the c osed bathroom door# 9Are !ou read! for me to come in, (aige8: he as'ed, his %oice hoarse with the need he cou dn3t wi awa!# 9.o, but since - 'now !ou won3t ea%e unti !ou3%e done what !ou thin' !ou ha%e to do, come in#: She pu ed the door open and stepped bac' for him to enter the sudden ! too&tin! room# .athan moistened his ips and a owed his hungr! e!es to tra%e o%er her# / ad in a ong pin' terr! c oth robe, what itt e of her s'in he cou d see g istened, dew! and smooth# She3d brushed her wet hair bac' from her face# Those big b ue e!es were a definite threat to his be ief that he cou d dea with her pro=imit! and not ose his sanit!# Her face had been scrubbed c ean and oo'ed fresh and much !ounger than her !ears#

The da!3s date hit .athan i'e a b ow to his midsection# He frowned and owered his ga"e# 9- forgot that !esterda! was !our birthda!#: He fe t ashamed that he hadn3t remembered her thirtieth birthda!# 1ut wh! shou d he remember8 The! were nothing to each other an!more# He was probab ! ess than nothing to her# 9.o big dea # Here#: She turned her bac' to him and dropped her robe off her s ender shou ders# 9*et it o%er with#: .athan3s bod! ached as his ga"e mo%ed o%er the cream!, smooth e=panse of her shou ders# He tried to breathe but it seemed near impossib e# He set the first aid 'it on the sin' and hesitant ! a owed his fingers to trace the out ine of the sma , ragged wound# She shifted then sett ed beneath his touch# His breath, sha ow and une%en, was the on ! sound in the room# .athan dabbed antiseptic on the in7ur!, e iciting a gasp from her# 9Sorr!,: he muttered and Auic' ! b ew on the smarting f esh# She shi%ered# He c utched the sin' with his free hand and sAuee"ed unti he fe t certain the porce ain wou d crac'# He wi ed the rush of need to retreat# 91etter8: he as'ed# She nodded# He app ied the antibiotic cream and carefu ! positioned the bandage into p ace# 9A done#: 9Than' !ou#: (aige shifted to co%er herse f with the robe# 1efore his brain cou d issue the command to stop, .athan had caught the f uff! materia in his fingers and s ipped it bac' down# He dropped a ight 'iss on her shou der ne=t to the c ean, white bandage# 9A better now,: he whispered# Desire poo ed hot and hea%! be ow his be t# (aige whir ed to face him, the robe sti hanging off one de icate shou der# He3d ha%e happi ! traded ten !ears of his ife 7ust to touch that shou der and a ow his hand to s ip beneath the fabric and cup her breast# Her e!es searched his# He saw the Auestions# Saw the hesitation before she reached out and touched his tense 7aw# .athan c osed his e!es and a owed himse f this one sma , temporar! p easure# Years of want on ! she cou d assuage we ed inside him unti he fe t read! to e=p ode# He shuddered# (ain he cou dn3t bear to fee again stiffened his a read! rigid musc es# 9.athan, we need to ta '#: Her soft %oice made his e!es open# He oo'ed at her sweet face# The face he3d dreamed of, been haunted b! for as ong as he cou d remember# Rea it! shot through him i'e a piercing arrow# She wou d ne%er be his# She3d on ! hurt him again# He recoi ed from her touch# The anger that a wa!s ho%ered 7ust be ow the surface erupted# 9What do we ha%e to ta ' about8: he snar ed# (aige b in'ed and bac'ed awa! from him# He ignored the pain that stabbed at his heart when he watched in the emotion in her e!es turn to something resemb ing disappointment# 9We need to sett e this thing between us# The past#: Her %oice sounded sma and hesitant, 9We need to>: .athan snorted in disgust, cutting her off# 9-3%e got better things to do#: He turned awa! and strode out the bathroom door and across the bedroom# 9WaitD .athan, - mean it# We need to ta ' about<thin"s,: (aige p eaded, right on his hee s# .athan whipped around to face her# 9What do !ou want to ta ' about, (aige8 Your

father, the big&shot attorne! who thin's his mone! can bu! an!thing8: His rage had reached a dangerous e%e , but he cou dn3t s ow its ascent# 9Or ma!be !ou want to ta ' about the wa! !ou eft and ne%er came bac'<unti <: He swa owed hard, then forced himse f to continue# 9Or better !et, et3s ta ' about the wa! !ou threw !ourse f at me after m! mother3s funera # .ow there3s a hot topic#: 9- can3t be ie%e !ou said that#: Her e!es fi ed with tears# 9That night meant a great dea to me e%en if it meant nothing to !ou#: Her ips tremb ed, then tightened# .athan aughed, a rude, grating sound# 9Wh!3d !ou do it, (aige8 S!mpath!8 Tr!ing to ma'e me fee better because -3d ost the on ! fami ! - had in this wor d8: His words contained a the bitterness that had consumed him for far too ong# 9Or ma!be !ou 7ust wanted to see if !ou cou d sti ha%e me8: .athan caught her wrist before her pa m connected with his 7aw# He 7er'ed her c ose# 9- guess !ou don3t want to ta ' after a #: 9- hate !ou, .athan 1 ac'rope,: she shouted# Her shou ders shoo' with the outrage he saw in her e!es# Tears brimmed, read! to fa past her thic' ashes# 9*ood# Don3t !ou e%er forget it, either#: Dangerous ! c ose to ma'ing the monumenta mista'e of 'issing her again and begging her not to hate him, he f ung her wrist from his grasp and stormed out of her room#

/hapter Three (aige regarded the food that sat before her with comp ete disinterest# Si as Dutton sat across the tab e, pretending not to notice her somber mood# (aige stabbed a ettuce eaf and brought the for' to her mouth, but cou dn3t bring herse f to eat# .athan3s words sti rang in her ears# on#t $ou ever for"et it% either% he3d said# He wanted her to hate him# +a!be that meant he hated her as we # How cou d she e%er hope to ma'e peace with the man8 -t seemed an impossib e tas'# 9-3m sorr!, (aige# - thought !ou i'ed this p ace, otherwise - wou dn3t ha%e suggested it#: Si as oo'ed from the %irtua ! untouched dinner to her# He eaned bac' in the wide bench seat of their booth and studied her more c ose !# 9This p ace is fine, Si as#: She shrugged and forced a sma smi e# 9-3m 7ust a itt e distracted#: 9- can remember Robert ha%ing to come here and pic' !ou up a coup e of times when !ou sta!ed out past curfew#: (aige grinned in spite of herse f# 9- remember that a too we #: She sur%e!ed their smo'e&fi ed surroundings# Dim ights, music, and great food# 1ubba3s had been her fa%orite haunt in Trinit! as a teenager# A 'ind of diner&danceha combination# Though 1ubba ser%ed a coho , he 'ept a hand e on an! sign of troub e# (aige had seen the big, bur ! man toss more than one e=cited cowbo! out on his ear# What the p ace ac'ed in c ass it more than made up for in atmosphere and hospita it!# A f ash! o d 7u'ebo= pouring out hon'!ton' countr! music comp eted the picture# 9Ha%e !ou to d him !et8: 9What8: (aige 7er'ed her ga"e to the si=t!ish man seated across from her#

9As Robert3s attorne!, -3m pri%! to his deepest, dar'est secrets#: Si as smi ed a 'ind, reassuring smi e# 9He had 2esse inc uded in his wi immediate ! after the chi d3s birth#: (aige set her for' down# 9.o# - ha%en3t to d him !et#: Si as drew in a hea%! breath, his e=pression sudden ! grim# 9Robert to d me about the other thing as we #: 9Oh#: -t was the on ! thing she 'new to sa!# 9-3m as sorr! as - can be, (aige,: he said, his words steeped in remorse# 9- 'now#: She forced herse f to meet his ga"e# 9Robert said that a recurrence is un i'e !#: (aige nodded# 9The surger! prett! much e iminated that possibi it!#: She swa owed tight !# Si as c utched her hand in his# 9You can3t ha%e an! more chi dren, but !ou do ha%e 2esse#: 9- 'now#: 9Te ing .athan the truth is the right thing to do,: he urged# (aige c eared her throat# 9We , cancer certain ! forces !ou to ta'e a oo' at the bigger picture# - rea i"ed that with +om gone, - was a 2esse had#: She b in'ed bac' the tears# 9What wou d ha%e happened to him if<: She too' a moment to pu herse f together# 9At this point, - don3t want m! father near 2esse# And Robert refuses to agree to be 2esse3s guardian in the e%en something were to happen to me, un ess - te .athan the truth#: 9Wh! ha%en3t !ou to d him8: Wise gra! e!es sett ed on hers# 9-t3s not so simp e, Si as#: (aige focused her attention bac' on the sa ad for which she had no appetite# 9.athan3s angr! and bitter#: She massaged at the du ache sett ing in her temp es# 9- thin' he hates me now#: Si as shoo' his head# 9E iott sure did a number on the two of !ou#: 9- 'now m! father is a pre7udiced, se f&centered man, but this situation is not entire ! his fau t#: (aige had ne%er to d an!one what a foo she had been and 7ust how bad ! .athan had hurt her# 9.athan married someone e se, remember8: 9On ! after !ou eft him behind,: Si as reminded gent !# 9- did what - had to do#: 9Are !ou sure about that8: 9- don3t want to ta ' about this an!more now, p ease#: 9You3%e been tugged in two directions a !our ife, (aige# Your dadd! pu ing !ou one wa! and .athan pu ing !ou the other#: He sAuee"ed her tremb ing fingers# 9-n the end, who rea ! won8: +oisture gathered in her e!es# No one, she wanted to sa!, but didn3t# Trinit! and +emphis had been i'e two separate wor ds# Each bec'oning (aige to ea%e the other behind, but u timate ! her father had pre%ai ed# 9.athan ost !ou and so did !our dadd!#: Si as was right# (aige hadn3t spo'en to her father in a most a !ear when she had gotten sic'# E iott Weston refused to fu ! accept the grandson sired b! the i'es of .athan 1 ac'rope# Her father was e%en angrier that (aige had opted not to sta! with his aw firm, but instead had become a pub ic defender, which was ess than acceptab e in her father3s e!es# She3d to erated his tongue& ashings and be itt ing ectures for as ong as

she cou d before putting an end to the situation# (aige sta!ed awa! from him and he sta!ed awa! from her# Then (aige3s cancer had been diagnosed# Rea it! had s apped her in the face, and she3d been forced to ma'e a decision# 9-t3s time to put the past behind !ou# 2esse needs .athan# You:>he e%e ed a ga"e stead! on her>9need .athan#: (aige tried to respond, but cou dn3t# She didn3t want to cr!, not here, not now# 9You shou dn3t ha%e waited this ong,: Si as said sage !# 9-t shou dn3t ha%e ta'en a this to bring !ou bac' to Trinit!#: 9- had to do what - thought best at the time#: Si as nodded, conceding her point# He sipped his bourbon and then as'ed, 9When are !ou going to te him8: (aige pushed her p ate awa! and fo ded her arms o%er her midd e# 9- want m! son to be happ!# - won3t put him in a situation that3s an!thing ess than it shou d be# - ha%e to see for m!se f if .athan is<capab e of being a father#: 9He a read! is, isn3t he8: 9Technica !,: she a owed# 9Technica ! and otherwise, .athan3s a good man, (aige# And !ou 'now it#: He raised a bush!, gra! e!ebrow at her# 9,osing !ou cut him to the bone# He hasn3t been the same since#: (aige tamped down the gui t and hurt that stirred with those words# 9.athan isn3t the on ! one who got hurt#: 9He changed after !ou stopped coming bac'# / osed up and distance himse f from e%er!one# $ocused a his attention on the ranch and raising those wor d c ass champions#: 9Ob%ious !, not a his attention went to the horses,: she said bitter !# 9He did get married#: 9The marriage was a mista'e, o%er before it e%en began# Did !ou e=pect him to wait8: 9- don3t 'now what - e=pected, but it wasn3t that#: (aige didn3t want to thin' about this an!more tonight, but she did ha%e one fina Auestion to as'# 9Robert hasn3t mentioned .athan3s current socia ife# - had hoped to get some idea of how he conducts himse f before - te him about 2esse#: 9You thin' .athan wou d e=pose the bo! to something unseem !8: Si as e!ed her s'eptica !# 9We , no,: (aige e=p ained# Si as 'new she didn3t mean it that wa!, but the aw!er in him had 7ust popped out, oo'ing for the hidden moti%ation behind her Auestion# 9'now .athan is a good man, better than most# - 7ust ha%e to be sure that his standard of i%ing is what it shou d be# - o%e 2esse too much to ta'e an! chances# -t has been a most fi%e !ears since -3%e spent an! time with .athan#: 9- see,: Si as said with too much understanding# 9.athan is !oung, good& oo'ing, and more than comfortab e financia !# There isn3t a sing e woman in this count! and a few others who hasn3t tried her uc' at snaring him# 1ut he3s not one to g oat regarding his conAuests# .athan 'eeps his persona ife persona # Howe%er, he doesn3t appear to be interested in a ong term re ationship# 1etween osing !ou and the di%orce, -3d sa! he3s a itt e gun sh!#: She shifted, sudden ! uncomfortab e# 9- suppose so#:

9(aige, what3s the rea prob em8: 9-3m afraid,: (aige confessed re uctant !# 9.athan is so angr! with me, not to mention m! father# How can - e%er trust him with m! son8: 92esse3s his son, too#: 9- 'now, 1ut that>: She bro'e off at the sight of .athan sauntering across the room with a beautifu redhead draped o%er his right arm# Si as turned to see what had captured (aige3s attention# He c eared his throat upon seeing .athan and Auic' ! directed his attention bac' to his unfinished ribe!e# (aige3s attention remained ri%eted on the coup e# .athan3s ong, b ue&b ac' hair a! against his shou ders i'e a curtain of dar' si '# An uncharacteristic white shirt co%ered his broad shou ders and made his bron"ed s'in oo' e%en dar'er# Her mouth parched as her ga"e fo owed the trai of s ee' s'in re%ea ed b! the shirt that fe unbuttoned a the wa! to the center of his chest# $aded b ue denim mo ded his ean bod!, whi e si %er and turAuoise be ted his waist# (aige fe t a gent e shoc' when .athan3s ga"e co ided with hers# Heat spanned the distance and sent an e%en stronger wa%e rumb ing through her# .athan smi ed and guided his date in (aige3s direction# 9+ind !our manners, gir ie,: Si as admonished# .athan and the c inging redhead came to a stop at their tab e# 9Si as, aren3t !ou the uc'! one tonight8: He oo'ed from Si as to (aige and bac' as he e=tended his hand# Si as shoo' .athan3s outstretched hand# 9You don3t seem to be doing so bad ! !ourse f#: Si as win'ed and .athan grinned# The redhead gigg ed# (aige shot her a disgusted oo'# The b ac' spande= hugging the woman3s bod! cou dn3t ha%e amounted to more than ha f a !ard of materia # A string of b ac' pear s cinched her nec'# A raw, burning emotion swe ed inside (aige# She stopped breathing and had the o%erwhe ming desire to scratch the woman3s green e!es out# 9/e ine, this is (aige Weston#: .athan nodded toward (aige, a note of tota ma e satisfaction in his %oice# 9He!, (aige,: /e ine purred# 9.ice to meet !ou,: (aige muttered# She c asped her hands in her ap# 9Si as, - be ie%e !ou and /e ine a read! 'now each other#: 9Of course#: Si as too' the hand /e ine gracious ! e=tended and dropped a ight 'iss on her 'nuc' es, e%o'ing another gigg e from the woman# 9Who wou dn3t 'now one of the prettiest adies in town8: /e ine burst into another fit of too&feminine aughter# (aige a most cho'ed# &en! How the! 'issed up to a prett! face# She had to conscious ! refrain from gagging at the who e scene# .athan shot a wr! grin at Si as# 9Ha%e a nice e%ening, fo 's,: he said, his tone as smooth as g ass# He tightened his grip on his date and sauntered awa! with that se=! ma e wa ' that made (aige shi%er in spite of her irritation# On ! then did (aige rea i"e she3d been ho ding her breath# Her entire bod! pu sed with a mi=ture of pain and anger# He had b atant ! f aunted that<that woman in her face, probab ! 7ust to see how she wou d react# .athan 1 ac'rope was nothing but a !ing, cheating, two&timing<Wh! shou d she be surprised8 She3d 'nown it fi%e !ears ago and it was no doubt sti true# He had wasted no time in getting o%er (aige then, wh! wou d

he beha%e different ! now8 1esides, what did she care how man! women he had8 She cou d ha%e other men>if she wanted them# She3d had p ent! of offers# ( ent!, she repeated si ent !# 1ut she had a bus! career>and a son to raise# 9Wou d !ou i'e to go, (aige8: Si as as'ed, concern c ouding his e!es# 9- mean, if .athan and /e ine>: 9-3m fine, Si as# Wh! don3t we ha%e dessert8: (aige ner%ous ! pushed bac' a stra! oc' of hair# .o wa! wou d she go running out now and gi%e .athan the satisfaction of thin'ing he had caused her one mi isecond of discomfort# What she fe t right now was 7ust the residua hurt from the past# .othing more# Si as smi ed and motioned for the waitress# 9Two coffees and two /herr! De ights,: he to d the woman in the chec'ered apron# (aige watched the waitress scurr! awa! to fetch their orders# The surroundings that had sudden ! faded into obscurit! in .athan3s presence, eased bac' into awareness# The s ow, sensuous beat of a o%e song f oated across the smo'! room# Seeming !, with a wi of its own, (aige3s ga"e mo%ed to the near&empt! dance f oor# ,ong, pin'&nai ed fingers threaded through .athan3s dar' hair# Wi ow! arms tightened around his nec'# /e ine3s cur%aceous bod! mo ded to his# .ot wanting to oo', but unab e to turn awa!, (aige watched .athan3s s ow, rh!thmic mo%ements# His hands s id up the woman3s bac' to tang e in her mane of red hair# His ga"e focused on /e ine as the! mo%ed in perfect harmon!# The waitress momentari ! distracted (aige as she de i%ered the coffee and pie# 1ut she had no appetite for dessert# She swa owed the need to cr! as she continued to watch his sensua mo%ements# She3d forgotten what a good dancer .athan was# *racefu and se=!, his bod! b ended perfect ! with the music3s rh!thm# She suc'ed in a sharp breath as .athan3s mouth descended e%en c oser to the other woman3s in the promise of a 'iss# (aige cou d a most fee his breath on her face, his arms around her waist# 1ut it wasn3t her on that dance f oor, it was someone e se# She wou d ne%er again be he d i'e that< oo'ed at i'e that b! .athan# .athan 1 ac'rope hated her now# On ! the ingering bond of their chi dhood remained# The ong&ago hurt she had thought at east partia ! hea ed struc' with renewed intensit!# And now she wou d ne%er ha%e an!one# Who wou d want what was eft of her after the doctors had finished8 Sure, she oo'ed who e on the outside, but inside she was ho ow# 'mpt$# 9-3d i'e to go now, Si as#: Her %oice Aua'ed# (aige c enched her 7aw to ho d bac' a sob# 9/ertain !#: Si as stood and dropped some cash on the tab e# (aige scooted from the booth and fo owed him to his car without a bac'ward g ance# A this time she had been so stupid# Deep down inside she3d hoped that somehow, he might sti o%e her 7ust a itt e# That ma!be a tin! part of the .athan she used to 'now sti e=isted# Actua ! seeing him with another woman tonight had put a %isua image with the betra!a she had suffered so ong ago# 9(aige, -3m sorr! if>: 9-t3s o'a!, Si as# -t doesn3t matter# 2ust ta'e me to Robert3s, p ease#: She swiped at the tears tric' ing down her chee's and focused on the dar'ness surrounding them# -t hurt i'e he , but at east she 'new the truth# .athan didn3t care about her# He resented her#

1ut that was a # -f he had e%er o%ed her, he certain ! didn3t now# She needed to 'now that# To see what she saw, no matter how much it hurt# She had 'nown a a ong, tonight had mere ! confirmed the facts# +emories were a she and .athan shared<e=cept for 2esse# We , (aige affirmed, she hadn3t come to Trinit! oo'ing for ost o%e an!wa!# She came to te .athan he had a son# A son who needed his father because his mother had had the u timate wa'e&up ca # (aige c enched her teeth as anger rose inside her# (ancer# The word e=p oded inside her head and (aige c osed her e!es against it# BCB .athan thought he cou d hear (aige ca ing him# Sweet (aige# *od, how he o%ed her# Nathan, the %oice taunted# )#m here, he wanted to ca out, but cou dn3t# He cou dn3t wa'e up# And she was so far awa!# He hugged his pi ow to his chest# 9.athan#: .athan ro ed o%er and s ow ! forced his e!es open# The a coho &induced s eep didn3t want to re ease him# The dar'ness cur ed around him, urging him to c ose his e!es and drift bac' into unconsciousness# 9.athanD: The %oice was ouder now, more insistent# He b in'ed and tried to focus# The semi& dar' room mo%ed in and out of c arit!# He pushed his hand o%er his face and stared toward the sound# 9.athan, wa'e up, !ou 7er'#: 9(aige,: he mumb ed as he tried to sit up# His mouth was sand&dr! and his head fe t i'e a train had run through it# His stomach churned and he groaned# Despite his menta stupor, he fe t certain that she was in the room# He cou d hear her<He cou d sme her fresh sunf ower scent# 9You3re the scum of the earth, 1 ac'rope# ,ower than a sna'e3s be !#: Her image fina ! came into focus# 9(aige8: .athan ic'ed his ips and raised up on his e bows, rubbed his e!es and sAuinted in her direction# The effort was too much# He fe bac' onto his pi ow and tried to figure out what she wou d be doing in his bedroom# She cou dn3t rea ! be here, he had to be dreaming# Sti , he tried to focus on the figure standing o%er his bed, but the urge to c ose his e!es was too great# 9*et up,: the %oice demanded# .athan snapped his e!es open and focused on the mirage once more# (aige had gotten a gussied up for some reason# +a!be, .athan thought, he3d died and didn3t 'now it !et# After the wa! he3d beha%ed ast night, he didn3t deser%e to i%e an!wa!# -f he c osed his e!es, ma!be he3d wa'e up out of his miser!>in he , where he be onged# 9- said get upD: (aige 7er'ed the pi ow from under his head# .athan moaned at the daggers of pain that shot through his s'u # Damn<He was in he # 9Stop<+! head is 'i ing me#: 9*ood#: She ga%e the mattress under him a swift 'ic'# 9You must ha%e been prett! drun' ast night, because !ou eft !our front door standing wide open#: 9Stop shouting,: he begged in a near whisper# .athan opened his e!es and oo'ed up at the source of his discomfort# (aige# He frowned# She rea ! was here# She3d put her

hair up somehow# He didn3t i'e it# .athan i'ed it when a that soft, hone!&co ored stuff hung free around her shou ders# A b ue s'irt and 7ac'et# He didn3t i'e the suit, either# Too stuff!# He i'ed (aige better in 7eans and a T&shirt or na'ed# He smi ed# 9What the Sam Hi are !ou smi ing about8: 9Stop shouting, dammit,: he demanded then wished he hadn3t# He sAuee"ed his e!es shut, groaned and he d perfect ! sti unti the room stopped spinning and the pain subsided again# 9- ha%e to be in court in ess than three hours# .ow get upD: .athan opened his e!es and oo'ed up at her again# 9What is it !ou want, woman8: (aige3s disma!ed ga"e sudden ! oc'ed on his bod!# On ! then did .athan rea i"e that he was na'ed# A that pre%ented him from being comp ete ! e=posed was the corner of the sheet draped o%er his pri%ate parts# -f she didn3t stop oo'ing at him with that wide& e!ed e=pression, that part wou d soon be ma'ing an appearance# She dragged her ga"e to his and c eared her throat# 9Windborne has gone into abor >: 9Damnation, 1 ondie, wh! didn3t !ou sa! so8: .athan sprang from the bed, e iciting a gasp and a gaping mouth from (aige# 9Whoa#: .athan c osed his e!es and steadied himse f against the %ertigo# He fumb ed for his 7eans and 7er'ed them on# 9Did !ou ca Wa den8: he managed to as' without his head e=p oding# 9The %et is with her now,: she said, her bac' turned# 9- ha%e to ea%e for +emphis# - 'now Robert wou d want one of us there#: 9You3re right# Than's for etting me 'now#: .athan p owed a hand through his hair and ignored the Aueas! sensation rising in his stomach# A f ashbac' of the pre%ious da!3s e%ents s ammed into his head# Words he3d said# /e ine# amn. He passed a hand o%er his face# 9,oo', (aige, -3m sorr! about !esterda!#: (aige didn3t turn around or spea', but her posture stiffened# The 'now edge of how insensiti%e he3d been wou d ha%e made him sic' had he not a read! been at death3s door# 9- didn3t mean to sa! a those things# - didn3t thin'#: .athan braced himse f for her re7ection before he reached out and touched her rigid shou der# (aige shrugged awa!, then turned to face him# 9What wou d !ou i'e me to sa! in response to that8: 9.othing<- mean, - 7ust wanted !ou to 'now that - didn3t mean to hurt !ou#: 9Sure !ou did# That3s wh! !ou said a those things#: He c osed his e!es and sighed ong and oud# Wh! shou d she ma'e this eas! for him8 He had been a tota ass# 9O'a!,: he muttered and opened his e!es# 9- wanted to hurt !ou# Satisfied8: His insides twisted as (aige3s ga"e s id s ow ! down his bod!# .athan wondered if she was e%en conscious of the act# When her e!es paused on his ha f&open f !, his groin tightened and heat f ooded his oins# His breath sta ed in his chest# She shou dn3t be oo'ing at him i'e that# .ot right now, when he was too wea' to fight the hunger for what he 'new he cou d ne%er ha%e# She fastened her ga"e bac' on his and fo ded her arms so emn ! under her breasts# 9You too' ad%antage of me and !ou 'now it# How cou d !ou<: She hesitated and moistened her ips before she began again# 9How cou d !ou ha%e<8: 9+ade o%e to !ou8: he offered# She f inched# Anger swir ed, rep acing the Aueas!

fee ing in .athan3s stomach# She was as coo as e%er# (aige, the reasonab e<the attorne! at aw# Dadd!3s itt e gir # 0sing her ega mind to dodge Auestions# 9- was out of m! mind with grief# - wasn3t thin'ing c ear !#: *nd ) was still in love with $ou# 9We , at east !ou got the @not thin'ing c ear !3 part right#: 9,et3s drop it, o'a!8: .athan too' a deep, stead!ing breath# His brain throbbed inside his s'u # He wasn3t in an! condition to be getting tic'ed off right now# 9.o# - won3t drop it#: Her hands went to her hips# 9When are !ou going to admit !ou3re as much to b ame in a this as me>ma!be more8 After a , !ou3re the one who got married#: .athan coc'ed an e!ebrow# She was angr!>good# He had ne%er i'ed being angr! a one# And she was definite ! prope ing him in that direction# 9You eft me, (aige# You were too bus! istening to dadd! to care about me#: 9+! father is not the issue#: .athan smir'ed# 9You don3t get it, do !ou, 1 ondie>: 9Don3t ca me that,: she ordered# Her b ue e!es b a"ed with indignation# 9Your dadd! has a wa!s been the issue# -f !ou didn3t i%e under his thumb, !ou cou d see it# Dear o d dad is the one who ensured that !ou went awa! to that fanc! schoo # His so e moti%ation was to 'eep !ou awa! from me#: The same o d bitterness he a wa!s fe t when he thought about (aige3s father reared its ug ! head# Wh! cou dn3t he ha%e a reasonab e con%ersation with the woman8 He , he cou dn3t e%en ha%e a reasonab e thought about herD 9And oo' how we it wor'ed#: 9As - to d !ou before, !ou don3t 'now an!thing about me now# You ha%e no idea where - wor' or i%e# .othing# You 'now nothingD: 9- 'now that !ou chose !our dadd! o%er me# - 'now that#: (aige shoo' her head# 9You rea ! be ie%e a of this is m! fau t and !ou3re the innocent %ictim#: 9/ ose enough,: he to d her, his 7aw c enched# Damn, his head hurt# 9- guess we don3t ha%e an!thing e se to discuss, then#: Her e!es remained on his for a moment before she pi%oted and headed toward the door# E%er! ounce of his anger and bitterness sudden ! drained awa!, ea%ing .athan wea' and hurting# The guarded e=pression he had seen in her e!es before she turned awa! worried him# Was she read! to gi%e up8 *o bac' to +emphis and ne%er come bac'8 -sn3t that what he wanted8 .o matter how much she had hurt him, .athan cou dn3t bear the thought of ne%er seeing her again# These past fi%e !ears had been pure he # 9-s that how !ou rea ! want to ea%e it8: At east the Auestion had stopped her departure# He had no idea what he3d sa! ne=t# -n his present condition, he was uc'! his brain e%en wor'ed at a # She turned to face him# The pain he saw in her e!es tugged at his batt e&scarred heart# 9.o, .athan, it3s not# - wanted us to be friends<to wor' a this out#: Her choice of words resurrected the pain and bitterness a hundredfo d# 9$riends,: he muttered, stepping toward her# 9,i'e it used to be#: She nodded, her features drawn in war! anticipation# He saw her read! herse f to ma'e a dash for the door# (aige 'new better than to be afraid of him, !et, somehow, she seemed to be# 9You want me to forget the dreams we shared<forget what we meant to each other8 /an !ou pretend it ne%er happened8:

9.athan#: The musc es of her nec' wor'ed as she swa owed tight !# 9Wh! can3t we 7ust get past a that and go from here8 1e friends#: 9- can do without friends i'e !ou,: he snapped# She wa%ered under his angr! g are# 9- ha%e to go,: she whispered# When she got to the door, she stopped, reached down and pic'ed up something# .athan frowned and then groaned inward !# E%en frowning hurt# (aige considered the nec' ace she had pic'ed up, the b ac' pear s c ic'ing together# .athan stopped breathing# She ifted her ga"e to his# Disgusted, she f ung the nec' ace at him# The pear s hit him sAuare in the chest, then fe to the f oor# 9Wh! wou d !ou need friends i'e me when !ou ha%e friends i'e /e ine8: (aige g ared at him for the space of a heartbeat before she stormed out of the room# .athan c osed his e!es and tried to thin'# -f he cou d on ! turn off the 7ac'hammer in his head# He didn3t answer to (aige# Wh! wou d she care what he did8 What did she want from him8 1etter sti , what did he want from her8 He had no idea# The on ! thing he 'new for sure was that he didn3t want to hurt her# And he3d done a bang&up 7ob so far# +a!be the! cou d be friends# Too much time had gone b! for an!thing e se# 1eing friends might 7ust wor'# Right now .athan had to get some caffeine in his b oodstream before he died from his he acious hango%er#

/hapter $our 9Your Honor, m! c ient has no prior record and ho ds down a part time 7ob# He3s an honor ro student# Refusa of bai cou d pro%e de%astating to him academica ! as we as financia !,: (aige countered the DA3s reAuest to withho d bai for her c ient# 9Your Honor, the State has reason to be ie%e +r# 2efferson might f ee,: urged the !oung, handsome deput! district attorne!# (aige turned and swept a measuring ga"e o%er her ad%ersar!# 9(erhaps, +r# +!ers wou d i'e to share with this court his compe ing reason to ma'e such a reAuest8: 9That3s m! ine, counse or,: the 7udge chided (aige# 9Sorr!, !our Honor# 2ust thin'ing out oud#: She smi ed apo ogetica !# 9(erhaps !ou3d i'e to share with this court !our compe ing reason for ma'ing such a reAuest, +r# +!ers8: (aige bowed her head and tried to hide her grin# 2udge +attson had a wa!s been her fa%orite 7udge# He was one of the few who sti had a sense of humor# 9Your Honor, the State has earned that +r# 2efferson has made statements to se%era of his friends that he intends to a%oid testif!ing#: 9Are these witnesses present this morning8: 9.o, !our Honor, the! are not#: 9ReAuest to withho d bai is denied# 1ai is set at one thousand do ars#: 2udge +attson banged his ga%e # 9/ourt is ad7ourned#: 9A rise,: the bai iff ca ed# (aige smi ed at /a %in 2efferson, who proceeded to gi%e her a big hug# 1eatrice, his grandmother, reached o%er the bench and pu ed (aige against her bosom#

9Than' !ou so much, hone!,: she whispered, tears threatening# 9E%er!thing is going to be fine, 1eatrice#: (aige drew bac' and smi ed reassuring ! at the o der woman dressed in her Sunda!&go&to&the&meeting c othes# 1eatrice had been i'e a mother to (aige since her own mother3s death, and she had been more than happ! to ta'e care of 2esse as we <at east when E iott Weston was awa!# 9Than' !ou, +iss (aige#: /a %in grinned wide !# (aige ga%e her eighteen&!ear&o d c ient a specu ati%e oo'# 9+!ers better not 'now what he3s ta 'ing about, /a %in#: 9Don3t worr!, +iss (aige, - won3t et !ou down#: 9-3 ma'e sure of that,: 1eatrice put in firm !# 9You can ma'e the bai 8: (aige as'ed 1eatrice# 1eatrice smi ed and patted her hand# 9Don3t worr! none about that# Your dadd! has a wa!s paid me fair !# - got the mone! to ta'e care of m! bo!#: 9O'a!, see !ou in two wee's then,: (aige to d them# /a %in nodded before disappearing with the guardE 1eatrice fo owed to post the bai # (aige pac'ed up her briefcase and stee ed herse f for the wrath of her opponent# +!ers was new and ambitious# His po itica aspirations ga%e her the wi ies# +!ers met her in the center ais e, a statement in taste from his st! ed b ond hair to his Armani suit and handmade -ta ian shoes# 9You3re ma'ing a mista'e, !ou 'now#: 9You rea ! thin' /a %in wi run8: she as'ed, wondering how he cou d be so sure of himse f about her c ient# Especia ! since (aige 'new her c ient persona !# 9Yes, - do#: She nodded and suppressed the smi e that !earned to ma'e its presence 'nown# 9-3 guess we3 7ust ha%e to wait and see, won3t we, counse or8: 9We wi indeed, +iss Weston#: +!ers ga%e her a curt nod and started to wa ' awa!# 9- p an to push for change to !outhfu offender status,: (aige ca ed after him# She3d get one ast 7ab before he got awa!# +!ers turned bac' to her and raised one aristocratic e!ebrow# 9Don3t waste !our time, (aige# - won3t go for it#: With that said, he strode awa!# (aige sighed and shoo' her head# She wanted to sha'e him and te him that /a %in 2efferson was a good 'id# His grandmother had ser%ed as both mother and father whi e ho ding down a fu time 7ob# $or as far bac' as (aige cou d remember, +rs# 2efferson had wor'ed as the coo' and head house'eeper in the Weston home# Though she3d ne%er met /a %in unti his unfortunate run&in with the aw, (aige 'new he was innocent# His grandmother3s word and (aige3s own instincts cou dn3t be that far off the mar'# /a %in deser%ed a brea'# Somehow she had to ma'e +!ers see that# (aige started toward the e=it# The si ent presence on the ast bench, near the courtroom door brought her up short# She b in'ed twice to ma'e sure she hadn3t imagined .athan 1 ac'rope# He stood and wa 'ed in her direction# Nope# .o figment of her imagination cou d mo%e i'e that# 9What are !ou doing here8: she as'ed, surprised as much as anno!ed# The image of b ac' pear s ricocheted through her mind# 9-3%e ne%er seen !ou in the courtroom, - was curious#: He rotated his b ac' hat in his hands# 9(rett! impressi%e#: (aige ac'now edged the comp iment with a s ip dip of her head# 9Windborne8:

9She3s terrific and so3s her itt e fi !#: He smi ed, which me ted some of the ice between them# (aige breathed a sigh of re ief# 9-3 ca Robert#: 9- a read! did,: he said# .athan3s ga"e sett ed hea%i ! on hers# 9,oo', - thought we cou d ha%e unch# +a!be tr! and actua ! act ci%i i"ed around each other#: 9/i%i i"ed8: (aige brist ed# 9The on ! person acting unci%i i"ed is !ou,: she to d him terse !# 9$irst !ou brea' into Robert3s house in the midd e of the night and>: 9- did not brea' in# - had a 'e!,: he reminded ca m !# (aige shoo' her head# 9Whate%er# You sa! a 'inds of hurtfu things to me and then !ou f aunt !our gir friend in m! face#: +ood "rav$! She hadn3t actua ! meant to sa! that ast part, but anger had o%erru ed her better 7udgment# .athan shrugged# 9Trinit!3s a sma p ace# There aren3t that man! p aces to go out# /an - he p it that - too' m! date to the same p ace !ou too' !ours8: 9Si as Dutton is a friend, not a date#: She c amped her mouth shut# (aige wou d not sa! another word on the sub7ect# She didn3t care if .athan 1 ac'rope had ten thousand datesD And she wasn3t about to gi%e him the impression that she did# 9- had no idea !ou were so concerned about m! socia ife#: He grinned# Too ate, the impression had been made# 9- cou dn3t care ess what !ou do, .athan 1 ac'rope#: 9-s that a fact8 Then what3s a the fuss about8: (aige wi ed herse f to sta! ca m# 9- hope !ou en7o!ed the show, but - ha%e p aces to go and peop e to see#: 9- guess that means !ou don3t want to ha%e unch with me8: Disappointment shadowed his handsome face# 9-t was nice of !ou to come, .athan, but - rea ! ha%e to run now# - ha%e another appointment and then - ha%e a those chores bac' at the ranch#: 9You don3t ha%e to worr! about the chores, - sent o%er a coup e of m! hands to do them#: 9- to d !ou - didn3t need !our he p with the chores#: When wou d he earn that no meant no8 9You did need m! he p, !ou 7ust wou dn3t own up to it# Since 2ames wi be bac' tomorrow, it3s a dead issue#: 9-3m g ad 2ames is better#: (aige wou d ne%er admit it to .athan, but her aching musc es re7oiced at the idea of ha%ing 2ames bac'# 9- rea ! do ha%e to go#: 9(aige, -3m sorr! about !esterda!, ast night and this morning# - ne%er meant to hurt !ou#: He oo'ed so sincere, and she desperate ! wished she cou d be ie%e him# 1ut he3d et her down before# The image of how he had oo'ed that morning, nude and spraw ed across the unmade bed f itted through her mind# Her e!es had re%e ed in ripp ing musc e and g istening s'in# The memor! made her 'nees wea'# She wou d ne%er forget the wa! a that hair oo'ed spread across his pi ow# .o man shou d oo' that good# Especia ! not this man# 9Wh! don3t we forget the who e thing happened8: she offered# She had to get him out of here# 1esides, wh! shou d she be angr! that he had a beautifu woman spend the night with him8 He was sing e, unattached# She fought bac' the gigantic wa%e of hot, green 7ea ous! that rose instant ! at the thought of the redhead#

He shifted and ra'ed a hand through his hair# 9That3s a itt e too eas!, don3t !ou thin'8: 9Honest !, .athan, - don3t 'now what - thin',: she said fina !# One minute the! were screaming at each other and the ne=t she wanted<she wanted<ne%er mind# 9- 7ust 'now that we can3t go on i'e this#: .athan nodded# 9- agree# .ow, how do we fi= it8: 9,et3s thin' on it for a whi e and we can get together ater and discuss it# How3s that8: She smi ed, a itt e stiff !# 9A right# You3 be bac' in Trinit! tonight8: 9Ye&es,: she answered s ow !# 9-3 ca !ou tonight then#: 9$ine#: (aige too' his arm and ushered him from the deserted courtroom# Her ner%es 7ang ed as much from touching him as from the mounting an=iet!# 9One more thing,: he said, pu ing her to a stop# Oh, ,ord# 9Yes8: 9About /e ine>: 9Rea !, .athan, !ou don3t ha%e to e=p ain# -t3s none of m! business# You ha%e e%er! right to date whome%er !ou choose# -t doesn3t matter to me what !ou do#: Liar, her subconscious chided# 9.othing happened,: he said f at !# 9What do !ou mean nothing happened8: (aige forgot a about con%incing herse f that she didn3t care# She wanted to hear this# She reall$ wanted to hear this# 9That was /e ine3s nec' ace#: 9-t cou d ha%e happened# She wanted<- as'ed her to ea%e,: he admitted hesitant !# 9Wh! did !ou do that8: (aige he d her breath# E%er! partic e of her being wanted to be ie%e that it had something to do with her# 9- don3t 'now# -t 7ust didn3t fee right# - cou dn3t stop thin'ing about the wa! !ou3d oo'ed at me ast night and what !ou must ha%e thought,: he said soft !# He oo'ed %u nerab e, need!# (aige3s nurturing instinct surged# A ife ong bond, though deep ! buried, sti made her want to protect his fee ings# She cou d see the confused itt e bo! in his dar' e!es# The one she had grown to o%e so %er! much# 9- rea ! ha%e to go,: she urged, afraid to sa! an!thing e se or inger a moment onger for fear she wou d tru ! gather him into her arms to comfort the hurt# She didn3t want to fee the strange sensation she fe t in the %icinit! of her heart right now# 9-3 see !ou ater, o'a!8: .athan nodded and fo owed her out into the corridor# 9-3 ca !ou tonight,: he to d her before wa 'ing awa!# (aige watched .athan disappear around the corner toward the stairwe # Wh! did 7ust being near the man ma'e her ache with need8

/hapter $i%e (aige stretched one ast time and then dragged herse f out of bed# She had turned

off the te ephone ast night to a%oid .athan3s ca # She had to thin' some more before the! ta 'ed# ,uc'! for her he hadn3t come pounding on the door in the midd e of the night# Toda! she needed to be far awa! from e%er!thing and e%er!one# To thin' ong and hard about the future# Hers and 2esse3s# (aige pu ed on a pair of na%! b ue stirrup pants and matching sweater# With 2ames bac' toda!, she didn3t ha%e the barn chores to worr! about# +a!be she3d ta'e a ong ride and then an e%en onger wa ' on the far side of the Weston propert!# Hair brushed and riding boots pu ed on, (aige bounded down the stairs and into the 'itchen# The sound of chatter registered in her brain as she came to a screeching ha t 7ust inside the 'itchen door# A woman about (aige3s age stood on a step adder, whi e another, o der woman stood on the f oor ne=t to her# A ong, damp ength of f ower! paper hung between them# The arge oa' tab e he d the sundr! items necessar! to perform the tas' of hanging paper, inc uding ro after ro of co orfu wa paper# Wa paper that had been meticu ous ! coordinated with the paint now g eaming on the 'itchen3s wood mo ding# 9Hi, -3m 2enn,: the o der woman said# 9And this is /aro # You must be (aige, Robert3s niece#: She beamed a p easant smi e# 9Yes# *ood morning,: (aige rep ied somewhat hesitant ! before returning the smi e# 9- hope we didn3t wa'e !ou# We were schedu ed to start at se%en# We ha%e a>: 9- 'now,: (aige interrupted# 9You ha%e a 'e!#: This was unrea # (eop e 7ust shou dn3t pass the 'e!s to their house as casua ! as if the! were ending a cup of sugar to a neighbor# Especia ! when their fa%orite>their on !>niece sta!ed their a a one# (aige intended to ha%e a serious discussion about securit! with Robert# 2ust how man! 'e!s did the man ha%e, an!wa!8 9We3 be through in no time,: 2enn assured her# 9Don3t mind me# -3m on m! wa! out#: She smi ed, grabbed a co a from the fridge, then headed out of the house and to the barn# She popped the top and too' a ong drin'# -t wasn3t coffee but it was caffeine>and toda! she needed it# 9*ood morning, 2ames,: she ca ed out as she entered the stab es# 9-3m sure g ad !ou3re bac'#: She rubbed her sti aching bac'# 9+orning, (aige,: 2ames draw ed# He set down his feed buc'ets, then pushed his hat up on his forehead# 9You oo' i'e a ad! who3s han'ering for a ride#: 9Yes, sir#: (aige trashed her co a can and sur%e!ed the sta s# 9What about that prett! Appa oosa down there8: 9That3s Arie and - be ie%e she3d be tic' ed pin' to be !our mount toda!#: 2ames e=pert ! sadd ed up Arie , whi e (aige %isited Windborne3s new foa # 9*otcha fi=ed up, itt e ad!,: 2ames announced when he3d tightened the cinch# (aige than'ed 2ames and s ipped into the sadd e atop Arie # The sAuea' of smooth eather brought a smi e to her ips# The mare fe t good between her thighs# -t had been a ong time since (aige had ridden# She fe t a most gidd! sitting astride the powerfu anima # 9+a'ing a da! of it8: he as'ed# 9-3 be bac' around unch# -3m going down to the ri%er to chec' out Robert3s fa%orite fishing spot#:

9You need a po e and some bait8: 9- don3t want to fish, - 7ust want to re a=# See !ou ater#: (aige nudged Arie , who pranced out of the barn# She headed across the wide, green pasture at a stead! pace# She smi ed as she thought of 2ames3s interest in her agenda# 2ames had been with Robert for as ong as she cou d remember# He seemed a most as much i'e fami ! as Robert himse f# He3d ne%er et her go off a one without getting particu ars# She supposed 2ames hadn3t noticed that she wasn3t a itt e gir an!more, a though thirt! was far from being a itt e gir # Thirt$# 1o!, that sounded o d# She thought of 2esse3s age as we # $our !ears o d and an on ! chi d# (aige didn3t want to ha%e an on ! chi d# 1eing one herse f, she understood the one iness# -f her ado escent dreams had come true, she and .athan wou d be married and ha%e four chi dren b! now# That had been the p an# That wou d ne%er happen now# (aige didn3t resist the regret that washed o%er her with that thought# *etting right with the oss was necessar!# Re a=ing, she a owed her bod! to f ow with the horse3s gracefu mo%ements# At one time, .athan had been the most o%ing, considerate man (aige had e%er 'nown# )ind and compassionate# He had he ped her to be ie%e that an!thing was possib e# So man! dreams# .one of which wou d e%er be now# The on ! thing she cou d hope for was an amiab e re ationship with .athan for the sa'e of their son# The wide open space around her ca ed to something deep inside (aige# Her chi dhood da!s here had been so different from her ife in +emphis# On the ranch, ife had been s ow and eas!, horses and .athan# -n the cit!, it had been fast and stressfu , socia functions and her father3s e=pectations# She didn3t ha%e one memor! of a fami ! outing that hadn3t carried some hidden agenda or professiona moti%ation of some sort# Her 0nc e Robert had a owed (aige to be a chi d>free and happ!# Robert and E iott had c ashed man! times o%er what was best for (aige# E iott a wa!s won# As she had grown into an adu t, she had fe t the tremendous pressure not to et her father down# He wanted so much for her to become 7ust i'e him>a rich and powerfu attorne!# &arr$ the ri"ht man% ,ai"e. Live in the ri"ht house in the ri"ht nei"hborhood and have the ri"ht children. (aige rubbed Arie 3s nec' as the mare trudged onward# Her ife so far had been a huge etdown in her father3s e!es# She had borne an i egitimate ha f&breed chi d, become a pub ic defender, and had no husband at a # (aige shoo' her head sad !# E iott Weston sti o%ed her, she 'new that# He 7ust didn3t want an!thing to do with the things that mattered to her# And (aige cou d no onger to erate his indifference to her career choice and those he considered esser forms of ife, most especia ! her own son# Though he had tried to strong&arm his wa! bac' into her ife since her cancer diagnosis and treatment, (aige hadn3t a owed him to ta'e o%er# She too' their f edg ing re ationship one moment at a time# She shoo' off the depressing thoughts and focused on the paradise around her# E%er!thing was green or getting that wa! as far as the e!e cou d see# *ent e, ro ing hi s# 1udding, eafing trees in the distance# And be!ond that, she 'new, was the itt e ri%er that cut across her unc e3s ranch# The one she and .athan had swam in hundreds of times# The p ace he had first 'issed her when she was si=teen !ears o d# A sweet, tender 'iss that demanded nothing more than the meeting of ips# (aige c osed her e!es and summoned the image to mind# .athan3s arms around her,

his ean, !oung bod! c ose hers, the warmth that f owed between them# His si '! b ac' hair shimmering down his bac' i'e dar', fa ing water# 1ron"e s'in that g istened in the sun# -t had been at that precise moment that (aige had 'nown without a doubt that she wou d o%e .athan 1 ac'rope for the rest of her ife# How had it come to this8 BCB .athan dismounted outside Robert3s barn# He smoothed his pa m o%er +idnight3s nec'# (aige was a%oiding him# She3d ignored his ca s a e%ening and now she3d ta'en off bright and ear ! to ma'e sure he didn3t catch her toda!# Her car was in the dri%e, and she3d apparent ! ta'en a horse# 2ames oo'ed up when .athan entered the barn# 9He!, budd!, how3s it going8: .athan smi ed# 9O'a!# You3re oo'ing better than the ast time - saw !ou#: 9$ee ing better, too,: 2ames said with a hand pressed to his stomach# 9That bug about got the best of me#: 9-3m g ad !ou3re bac' on !our feet#: .athan too' his hat off and p owed his fingers through his hair# 9Did (aige ta'e a ride8: He tried his e%e best to sound noncha ant, but e%en he heard the twinge of emotion in his %oice# 9Yep, ear ! this morning#: 2ames peered at his watch# 9Shou d3%e been bac' b! now#: 9Did she sa! where she p anned to go8: A fee ing of uneasiness s ipped o%er .athan# 9Said she p anned to ride down to the ri%er, somewhere around Robert3s fishing spot#: 2ames scribb ed a note on the feed chart# 9Than's#: .athan didn3t waste an! time getting bac' astride +idnight# He headed out across the west pasture in a hard ga op# (aige probab ! hadn3t ridden in a ong time# .o te ing what 'ind of troub e she cou d ha%e gotten herse f into# amn. The woman cou d gi%e a gu! an u cer# When he neared the ri%er, .athan s owed his mount to as eas! gait# He pushed his Stetson bac' and sAuinted towards the trees in the distance# The appa oosa gra"ed near a thic'et of trees# .athan sighed with re ief# He urged the horse forward, sta!ing at a s ow trot# When +idnight neared the other horse, he dismounted and dropped the reins# He ga%e the spotted mare a friend ! pat as he wa 'ed past her# The occasiona ca of a bird and the tric' ing of water sounded in the otherwise tota si ence around him# He scanned the ri%er ban' for (aige# 9,oo'ing for someone in particu ar, 1 ac'rope8: .athan spun toward her %oice# She sat under the shade of an o d oa'# He ignored the sense of onging that surged through him at the mere sight of her# 92ames was worried# He thought ma!be !ou3d gotten !ourse f ost,: .athan to d her with feigned indifference# He dropped to the ground at her feet and propped his hat on one 'nee# 9-f 2ames was so worried, wh! didn3t he come oo'ing for me8: she as'ed, uncon%inced# 9Too bus! to trif e with cit! gir s who get themse %es ost,: he teased# .athan cou dn3t restrain the grin that surfaced#

(aige drew in a ong breath and set her prett! b ue e!es on his# .athan he d her ga"e and pra!ed he wou d ha%e the strength not to do something foo ish, i'e ta'ing her in his arms and 'issing her again# 9- guess it3s time to ta ', huh8: (aige dropped her ga"e to the grass# She twisted se%era b ades between her fingers, tearing tin! pieces from the ground# 9/an - go first8: he as'ed# 9Sure#: 9When did !ou stop wor'ing for !our dadd!8: (aige shot him a ba efu oo'# 9/ou dn3t we start with something simp er8: .athan shoo' his head# She sighed and twisted the grass a itt e more# 9-t too' me about si= months to rea i"e that - wasn3t cut out for his 'ind of aw#: She oo'ed an!where but at .athan# 9wanted to he p rea peop e who needed me for more than a ta= write&off#: .athan smi ed# That was the (aige he used to 'now# 9Are !ou happ! now8: She smi ed# 9Yes# - o%e m! 7ob# - wor' with 7u%eni es a ot and - rea ! en7o! ma'ing a difference#: 9-3m sure E iott was a itt e disappointed#: .athan watched her reaction c ose !# The! hadn3t been ab e to ha%e a reasonab e con%ersation regarding her father in more than a decade# This might %er! we end what cou d ha%e otherwise been a nice chat# 9At first he pretended it hadn3t happened,: she began# 9Then he tried to coerce me into coming bac' to wor' for him# $ina ! we 7ust stopped ta 'ing#: A sheen of tears g a"ed her e!es, regret tinged her %oice# 9-3m sorr!, (aige# As much as - despise !our dadd!, - wou d ha%e ne%er wanted this#: He too' the hand she3d been using to torture the grass# He sAuee"ed and a owed her warmth to f ow through him# His chest ached at the pain in her e!es# How cou d E iott Weston do this to his own daughter8 The man was scum# 9.athan, - ne%er meant to hurt !ou,: she said Auic' !# 9When +other died, cou dn3t turn m! bac' on m! father# He needed me so much# +a!be for the first time in m! ife# - cou dn3t wa ' awa! and !ou refused to understand#: (aige shoo' her head# 9You were so angr! and - fe t sure there was nothing eft between us>that !ou didn3t want me an!more after that#: She fe si ent for a whi e, then %isib ! stee ed herse f before she spo'e again# 9When .a in died, - rea i"ed what a mista'e -3d made# ->: 9We don3t ha%e to ta ' about that,: .athan cut in# He didn3t want to discuss the night his mother died# That night had damaged his heart be!ond repair# He had o%ed (aige so much, consummating that o%e had ruined him for an!one e se# And then she had wa 'ed awa! i'e it ne%er happened# .athan forced bac' the anger that wanted to rise# He didn3t want to hate (aige an!more and he didn3t want her to hate him, either# 9- waited,: (aige went on despite his protests# 92ust i'e - promised !ou - wou d#: Her e!es begged him to understand# 9- ne%er wanted an!one e se# You were>: .athan sprang to his feet and turned his bac' to her# 9- don3t want to ta ' about this#: (ictures, words and memories tumb ed into his mind# 9- thought !ou wanted to go from here, not rehash the past#: .athan tried to sti the Aua'ing he fe t, but it came from deep inside and he cou dn3t pre%ent it# 9- need !ou to understand,: (aige insisted# She got to her feet and mo%ed around to face him# Too c ose# He didn3t want her so c ose# He a most too' a step bac', but her e!es

he d him sti # 9- can3t bear a this bitterness an! onger#: The wind shifted her soft hair o%er her shou ders, tempting his fingers# (aige hesitant ! touched his arm and he shrugged awa! her touch# .athan didn3t want her to touch him# Her touch made him fee things he didn3t want to fee and ong for something he cou dn3t ha%e# 9.athan, !ou don3t understand how much !ou hurt me>: 9- hurt !ou8: His anger f ared# -t consumed him, pushed awa! e%er! other emotion, e%en the pain# 9You 7ust don3t get it, do !ou8: He sho%ed his hands through his hair and tried to ca m himse f, before he e=p oded into a thousand, screaming pieces# 9You wa 'ed awa! from me,: he ground out# 9And ne%er came bac'# - thought<: He cou dn3t sa! the words# 9Wh! wou d - want to come bac'8: (aige3s %oce rose sharp !# 9You didn3t need me#: 9- didn3t need !ou8: he as'ed, ama"ed that she cou d sa! such a thing# He suppressed the shudder that threatened to sha'e him# 9Do !ou ha%e an! idea how>: His breath 7ammed in his chest# He c osed his e!es and concentrated on what he needed to sa!# He et out a defeated itt e augh before fina ! a owing his ga"e to meet hers again# 9- e%en pra!ed#: He shoo' his head# 9(ra!ed for a mirac e that ne%er came#: 9You shou d3%e been pra!ing for !our own two&timing sou , !ou arrogant idiotD: she shouted# The woman was cra"!D He hadn3t done a damned thing# She was the oneD The one who eft# The one who ne%er came bac'# 9What3d !ou e=pect, (aige8: He f ung his arms hea%enward# 9Did !ou thin' -3d come craw ing to +emphis and beg !ou to ha%e me8: He shoo' his head and p anted his hands firm ! on his hips# 9.ot in this ifetime, 1 ondie#: He pointed his finger at her# 9We made o%e and !ou ne%er came bac'#: His words were f at and bitter# (aige f attened her pa ms against his chest and pushed hard, forcing him to ta'e a step bac'ward# 9You mu e&headed 7er'D - tried to comfort !ou and !ou too' ad%antage of me#: 9Too' ad%antage of !ou8: .athan huffed an indignant breath# 9.obod! twisted !our arm# You practica ! threw !ourse f at me#: 9And it meant nothing to !ouD: She sho%ed at him again, prope ing him bac' another step# 9You had !our fun# 1ut as soon as - was bac' in +emphis !ou married the gir friend !ou fai ed to mention whi e !ou were ma'ing o%e to me#: 9What the he are !ou ta 'ing about8: He grabbed her wrists and pre%ented her ne=t sho%e# She wrest ed to free herse f, but he he d her tighter# 9What are !ou ta 'ing about, (aige8: She g ared at him through a sheen of tears# Her ips tremb ed# .athan had to restrain himse f from co%ering her ips with his own and soothing them into a sweet ob i%ion# 9Te me what !ou3re ta 'ing about,: he demanded, more gent ! this time# He oosened his grasp on her wrists when she stopped fighting him# 9A few wee's ater<-<- came bac'#: She shuddered and tears spi ed past her thic' ashes# 9Robert to d me !ou3d a read! married someone e se#: (aige pu ed herse f free of his re a=ed ho d# 9+! father to d me - shou d ha%e e=pected it<- shou dn3t ha%e trusted !ou:

.athan3s mind whir ed# He mo%ed his head from side to side in denia # She cou dn3t be ie%e that# (aige drew in a sharp breath, drawing his attention bac' to her confused e!es# Tears streamed down her chee's# This 7ust cou dn3t be# A these !ears# 9(aige, - didn3t e%en meet her unti a month after !ou eft# - waited, hoped, pra!ed e%en that !ou wou d come bac'# When !ou didn3t, - ost contro and married the first woman who showed interest# - thought - cou d forget !ou#: 91ut<: (aige shoo' her head and bac'ed awa! a step# 9You weren3t a read! engaged when we<8: Her Auestioning ga"e oc'ed on his# 9.o,: he answered her unfinished Auestion# The past that shou d ha%e been f ashed before his e!es as he stood there oo'ing at (aige# .athan fe t as if a twister had ripped through him, ea%ing a gaping ho e where his sou used to be# She was a he e%er wanted and his stupid pride had ta'en her from him# She had come for him and he had a read! made the mista'e that wou d ruin both their i%es# 9A this time, - thought !ou<: (aige3s e=pression c uttered with confusion# .athan3s who e bod! grie%ed# His heart dropped into his boots# (ride had 'ept him from ca ing her or going to +emphis to get her immediate ! after she had eft# When she didn3t come bac', he had sought re%enge# He had ruined their i%es# He too' a tentati%e step toward her# Her e!es fi ed with the same pain and regret he fe t# .athan reached out and caressed her chee'# He tried to te her with his e!es what he cou dn3t find the words to sa!# He s id his arms around her and pu ed her c ose# She fit perfect ! against him, as she a wa!s had# Her chee' against his chest, his chin against her soft hair# Her warm bod! soothed the deep, dar' ache inside him# (aige c ung to .athan, cried soft ! into his shirt# He pressed his ips to her hair# 9Shh, don3t cr!,: he whispered# 9-t3s o%er now# We can<We can sti be friends#: At east the! cou d ha%e that# .athan fe t (aige tense in his arms# She ti ted her tear&stained face up to his# Her sweet ips entire ! too c ose<too in%iting# 9Do !ou mean that8 We can forget the past and tr! to be friends8: He smi ed# She was so beautifu # -f she wou d sti accept his friendship, it was hers# She ne%er had to 'now the truth>that he wou d go to his gra%e o%ing her# 9Yes# -3d i'e that#: She smi ed then# 9-3m so g ad, .athan# There3s so much - need to te !ou#: He pressed her chee' against his chest and sAuee"ed her tight# 9,et3s not ta ' an!more right now# There wi be time ater#: She nodded against him# He cou dn3t dea with an!thing e se right now# .athan fe t some sense of re ief that (aige seemed so happ!, but somehow he didn3t fee happ! at a # BCB (aige fumb ed through the dar', tr!ing to find her wa! down the stairs# The storm had 'noc'ed the power out# She shi%ered# She hated the dar'# She wasn3t rea ! afraid# .ot rea !, she reminded herse f# -t was 7ust the idea of not being ab e to turn the ights on# She had ne%er s ept with a night ight or an!thing i'e that, not e%en as a chi d# 1ut she often awo'e in the midd e of the night and turned the bedside amp on 7ust to ma'e sure she cou d send awa! the dar'ness if she chose to# (aige fe t her wa! into the 'itchen and opened one drawer at a time, carefu !

e=amining and identif!ing the contents b! touch# There had to be a cand e or f ash ight around here somep ace# ,ightning f ashed, temporari ! i uminating the room# A boom of thunder fo owed a few seconds ater# She hated storms, too# She had gone to bed o%er an hour ago, but cou dn3t s eep# Her mind ree ed with a that had happened# She and .athan were actua ! going to tr! to be friends# (aige had been shoc'ed to disco%er that he hadn3t made o%e to her whi e engaged to someone e se# -f she had on ! 'nown, things wou d ha%e been so different# She and .athan wou d ha%e been raising 2esse together# 1ut she cou dn3t change the past# She pra!ed with a her heart that when she to d .athan about 2esse it wou dn3t undo the progress the! had made toda!# 2ust to be sure, she3d gi%e it a few more da!s to set before she tested their new friendship# She had been prepared to te him toda!, but he had seemed ta 'ed out# She supposed it was the best to et this soa' in and then ta'e the ne=t step# Her mind con7ured up the memor! of .athan3s arms around her# How on earth cou d she e%er be 7ust his friend8 She sighed# She o%ed to oo' at him, to hear him spea'<to sme his e=c usi%e scent# 2ust watching him wa ' sent her heart into an acrobatic act# (aige frowned# What wou d she do when he actua ! fe in o%e with someone e se8 Like (eline% she thought with disgust# .o matter how she had pretended to hate .athan, (aige 'new deep down inside that she didn3t# 1ut it was too ate# Too much time had passed# And then, of course, there was 2esse# When .athan found out she3d 'ept his son from him, he rea ! wou d hate her# She fe t certain of that# $ee ing the tremendous weight of her error, (aige sagged against the 'itchen cabinet# She had done this to herse f# .athan had been right a a ong# -t was a her fau t# She shou d ne%er ha%e eft after that night the! spent together or she shou d ha%e come bac' sooner# 1ut she3d wanted him to be the one to ma'e the mo%e, to as' her to come bac'# She c osed her e!es against the o%erwhe ming dar'ness# How she hated not being ab e to turn the ight on# A 'noc' at the front door made her 7ump# She ca med her runawa! heart, then fe t her wa! to the entr! ha # She hadn3t heard a car dri%e up, which wasn3t surprising, considering the storm raging outside# Another 'noc' echoed in the ha as she neared the door# Wh! did an!one bother 'noc'ing, she wondered8 .ear ! e%er!one in town seemed to ha%e a 'e!# (aige opened the door hesitant ! on ! an inch or so, and then wider# .athan stood before her, his b ac' hat and ong duster dripping water on the porch# He he d a 'erosene antern in one hand# A bright f ash of ightning it up the dar'ness behind him, si houetting his ta frame# 9.athan, what are !ou doing out in this storm8: The dim ight from the antern cast a g ow o%er his features# His dar' e!es burned into her sou with a heat that threatened to de%our her right where she stood# 9- remembered that !ou didn3t i'e the dar', so - brought !ou a antern,: he said in that ow, sensua %oice that sent shi%ers o%er her s'in# 9/ome in#: She he d the door open wider# A f ame sprang to ife inside her as his ga"e f ic'ered o%er her# 9-3 7ust ea%e the antern,: he offered tentati%e !# 9.o, don3t be si !#: (aige too' his free hand and pu ed him inside# The fee of his hard, ca used pa m sent a wa%e of heat up her arm# 9You don3t want to go bac' out into

that storm#: She too' the antern so he cou d get out of his wet coat# .athan hung his hat and coat on the ha tree# He ra'ed his fingers through his damp hairE musc e bunched and f e=ed beneath his shirt as he mo%ed# (aige tried her best not to notice the wa! his 7eans fit against a that made him ma e, but it was impossib e not to# Her nipp es stood at attention, rubbing against her pin' night shirt# 9/ome into the par or and we3 ha%e a brand! to chase awa! the chi #: She smi ed and then ed the wa!# Sure ! with the dim ight, he cou dn3t see the ph!sica response his presence had caused# She set the antern on the sofa tab e and gestured for .athan to ha%e a seat# She poured them each a brand!# $riends wou d do this# (aige handed .athan a snifter and then too' a seat ne=t to him, but not too c ose# She pu ed the hem of her night shirt o%er her thighs as she tuc'ed her feet under her bottom# 9Did !ou hear from Robert toda!8: .athan as'ed as if that3s what he3d come through the rain and the storm to find out# 9Yes# He and *inn! are ha%ing a great time# ?egas ma! become as annua affair#: (aige aughed soft !# 9- thin' the!3re going to be rea ! good together#: 9- thin' so, too,: .athan agreed before ta'ing a sip of his brand!# 9You ha%en3t said much about how things are going at !our p ace,: she %entured when he didn3t sa! an!thing e se# 9We ha%en3t rea ! done much ta 'ing unti toda!, now ha%e we8: He smi ed a se=!, heart&stopping 'ind of smi e# 9.o, - guess we ha%en3t# We3%e been too bus! tr!ing to ta'e each other3s heads off#: (aige re eased a sigh and dran' down the ast of the fier! iAuid# -t eft a trai of warmth as it f owed downward# Where the brand!3s effects eft off, .athan3s began# She wondered if she had an! effect on him ph!sica !# (robab ! not# His e%e of se=ua sophistication i'e ! surpassed becoming aroused b! the mere sight of a scanti ! c ad fema e# She waited for .athan to spea' again, but he didn3t# She supposed that ma!be he was waiting for her, but she didn3t 'now what e se to sa!# She had spo'en ast# The si ence in the room seemed deafening# The rain whipped around the e=terior of the house with the same force as her bod! temperature appeared determined to rise# She fe t warm and moist in p aces that had nothing to do with the c imate# He sme ed good, i'e eather and rain# Re uctant !, she surrendered and a owed her ga"e to wander o%er his profi e whi e he stared into his brand!# E%er! feature spo'e of strength and beaut!# She had ne%er met another man i'e .athan 1 ac'rope# And no one e se had e%er made her fee the wa! 7ust oo'ing at him did# E%er!thing about him appea ed to her senses# The wa! his c othes fit his ean, sinew! bod!# His ong, si '! b ac' hair# The heat in his e!es that spo'e of passion and fire# She sighed# 1ut it was not to be# 9- shou d go,: .athan muttered then stood# He wa 'ed to the bar and set down his g ass# Disappointed that he was ea%ing so soon, she deposited her g ass on the tab e and fo owed him to the front door, the trust! antern in her right hand# 9Than' !ou# -t was %er! sweet of !ou to bring me a ight#: He shrugged into his duster and too' his hat in his hands# He offered a strained

smi e# 9-t was 7ust one of those spontaneous things, !ou 'now<: His %oice tai ed off as his ga"e dropped to her mouth and then 7er'ed bac' up to her e!es# (aige3s heart eapt in her chest when she recogni"ed the hunger in his e!es# .eed radiated from his entire bod!# She cou d a most fee the %ibrations# The rea i"ation ratt ed her# She fe t breath ess# Nathan wanted her# He sett ed the hat on his dar' head# 9*ood night#: 1efore (aige cou d catch her breath, he had opened the door and wa 'ed across the porch# She stood, rooted in the doorwa!# 9*ood night, .athan,: she ca ed to his retreating bac'# He paused on the bottom step and turned around# The wa! he oo'ed at her had her fee ing wea' and sudden ! too far awa!# Rain dripped from the edge of his Stetson, but sti he stood there< oo'ing at her i'e no one e se had e%er oo'ed at her, with a need and a hunger that dwarfed e%er!thing e se into utter insignificance# Ri%u ets of water s ipped down his rain&s ic'ed duster# She wanted to run to him, but she cou dn3t mo%e# She pra!ed he wou d run bac' to her, but he remained perfect ! sti >motion ess in the fa ing rain# A b a"e of ightning f ashed through the dar' s'!, and (aige saw in his e!es, for 7ust the briefest fraction of a second, the o%e that had once bound her to him# 1efore her heart too' another beat she sensed that that bond was as strong and powerfu as if it had ne%er been bro'en# 1ut sudden ! the spe shattered# .athan turned and strode to his truc'# +ute with regret, she watched him dri%e awa!# (ould he-no %no he couldn#t. on#t build $ourself up for this kind of letdown% "irl. )t was .ust ph$sical. * man and a woman with a past "ettin" a little too close for comfort. That#s all it could be# (aige shi%ered as the coo spring night swept awa! the warmth he had e icited# She c osed her e!es and inha ed the ast of his ingering scent# Her bod! echoed with need# She wanted him so much she fe t i'e cr!ing# /ou d she ha%e had .athan tonight8 2ust one ast time# 1efore she to d him the things that wou d fore%er change his fee ings toward her# .ow she wou d ne%er 'now# Wh! cou dn3t she>7ust this once>ta'e what she wanted and to hec' with the conseAuences8 ,i%e for toda! and forget about tomorrow# She grasped the antern, suc'ed in a breath and hit the dar'ness and rain in a dead run# With no neighbors for as far as the e!e cou d see and no traffic on the ong stretch of countr! road, (aige dashed through the night with no worr! of being seen in the now rain&soa'ed nightshirt# She didn3t s ow down<didn3t oo' bac'# She ran through the wet grass and across the b ac'top, a the wa! to his house# (aige shi%ered when she at ast stopped at the bottom of the steps that ed to his porch# She too' a moment to catch her breath# The rain had decreased to a s ow dri"" e# A car she didn3t recogni"e sat ne=t to .athan3s truc'# +a!be it be onged to one of his ranch hands# She shrugged and bound up the porch steps two at a time# ,ight poured from the windows# The power was bac' on# She g anced bac' at Robert3s house# Two rectang es of ight g owed from her bedroom windows# She smi ed# She cou d chase awa! the dar'ness now# (aige set the antern down and swiped at the water running down her face# 1efore she reached .athan3s door, she came to an abrupt ha t# Through the window she saw /e ine, her ong arms draped around .athan3s nec'# His duster had been tossed on the f oor and /e ine was unbuttoning his shirt# Anger and bitterness we ing inside her, (aige

swa owed bac' the tears she wou d not a ow to fa and turned awa!# What had she e=pected8 The hunger she had seen in his e!es wasn3t e=c usi%e ! for her>an! warm bod! wou d do# 2ust i'e before# (aige had gone bac' to +emphis and .athan had Auic' ! rep aced her# She had been a foo to be ie%e an!thing e se# Si ent !, she s ipped bac' into the dar'ness# BCB 9/e ine, !ou are going home,: .athan insisted for the third time# 9This isn3t going to happen#: He pu ed her e=p oring hands from his chest and urged her toward the door# 9- don3t get it, .athan,: she whined breath ess !# 9- thought we wou d be good together#: 92ust go home, /e ine# - don3t appreciate !ou showing up unin%ited i'e this#: He was Auic' ! osing patience with the push! fema e# As'ing her out had pro%en to be a big mista'e# .ow she wou dn3t ea%e him a one# 9$ine,: she huffed# 9Ob%ious ! !ou3%e got big prob ems, .athan#: She 7er'ed on her trans ucent raincoat and pinned him with a oathsome g are# 91igger than !ou 'now, /e ine,: he agreed as he ushered her out the door# 9Don3t e=pect me to come bac' the ne=t time !ou get onesome,: she ca ed bac' o%er her shou der as she stamped down the steps# .athan shoo' his head# The gent eman in him wou dn3t et him c ose the door unti he had seen her safe ! in her car# /e ine spun awa! in a spra! of gra%e and mud# .athan f ipped off his porch ight and started to c ose the door# -t was then that he noticed the antern# The air rushed from his ungs# His gut wrenched when he rea i"ed what must ha%e happened# ,ai"e# He sagged against the door frame and c osed his e!es with a frustrated groan# (aige had fo owed him home#

/hapter Si= (aige paced the ength of sidewa ' in front of /a %in3s house once more# She ignored the stares bestowed upon her b! /a %in3s neighbors# She oo'ed as out of p ace in this neighborhood as /a %in wou d oo' on her father3s front awn in /entra *ardens# ,oo's of curiosit! and disappro%a stopped bothering her ong ago# 1etween her father3s condemning g ances and other peop e3s curiosit! about 2esse3s heritage, (aige had recei%ed more than her share of stares# She rep a!ed the te ephone con%ersation she had gotten from +!ers o%er and o%er in her head# Wh! wou d /a %in ta'e off with two 'nown fe ons8 -t didn3t ma'e sense# The 'id had 'ept his nose c ean unti this drug possession incident and (aige sti thought the who e incident sme ed a itt e fish!# /a %in didn3t do drugs# Her instincts cou dn3t be that wrong# (acing in the other direction, she shoo' her head# Someone wanted to get /a %in in troub e# Someone who stood to gain b! putting him between a roc' and a hard p ace#

(aige 'new +!ers was wor'ing doub e time to bring down one of the biggest drug dea ers in +emphis# There had to be a connection# +!ers seemed to thin' one e=isted# And he was too smart to waste his time chasing dead ends# She sti cou dn3t be ie%e that +!ers actua ! had one of /a %in3s neighbors 'eeping an e!e on him# Winning his case wou d mean a tremendous career boost for the newest addition to the DA3s office# Ob%ious ! the man intended to co%er a the bases to ensure a %ictor!# The bree"e shifted and (aige shi%ered# The image of .athan standing in the dri"" ing rain distracted her concentration# She hadn3t eft the antern on his porch as a message, but its presence had ob%ious ! a erted him that she had been there# He had ca ed a do"en times and when it fina ! became c ear to him that she had no intention of answering, he had dri%en o%er to pound on her door# .athan had ca ed her name o%er and o%er# She c osed her e!es and fought the memor!# She had hudd ed in her dar'ened room, staring out the open window and cr!ing tears she had sworn she wou d ne%er again shed# 1efore .athan had gotten bac' in his truc', he had stood there>in the rain> staring up at her window# He cou dn3t possib ! see her in the dar'ness, but she cou d see him# E%er! f ash of ightning had re%ea ed a c ear picture of rain pe ting down against him# The roar of a car3s engine 7er'ed (aige from her tortured thoughts# A cherr!&red +ustang s'idded to a stop on the street in front of /a %in3s house# Dar' ! tinted windows concea ed the %ehic e3s occupants# The powerfu engine purred and then re%%ed as the passenger&side door opened# ,oud, thumping music %ibrated, fi ing the entire neighborhood with its beat# (aige watched with growing apprehension as a pair of high&top snea'er&c ad feet sett ed to the ground before the owner of those feet raised himse f from the car3s interior# E%en with the mirrored sung asses and the baseba cap pu ed down ow, (aige recogni"ed /a %in# She re eased an unstead! breath and he d her ground at the bottom of the steps eading to his front door# He amb ed up the sidewa ' in her direction# The +ustang sped awa! in a sAuea of tires and a scream of fue &in7ected horsepower# /a %in 7er'ed off his sung asses and g ared at her# 9+iss (#, what are !ou doing here8: He shot an an=ious oo' right to eft# 9-3m chec'ing up on !ou, /a %in,: she to d him b unt !# She crossed her arms o%er her chest and fi=ed the si= foot, eighteen&!ear&o d with a firm oo'# /a %in towered o%er her in his bagg!, ow&s ung 7eans and b ac' T&shirt that disp a!ed a arge ghost i'e F, but (aige fe t nothing that resemb ed fear# Right now the on ! thing coursing through her %eins was irritation# 9Wh! !ou chec'ing up on me8 - ain3t done nothing#: He c ipped his sung asses on the nec' of his shirt and then propped his hands on his s im hips# 9/a %in, !ou promised me that - cou d count on !ou#: She matched his defiant stance# 9- to d !ou - ain3t done nothing wrong, 7ust too' a ride that3s a #: He defended himse f with t!pica ado escent arrogance# 9Who3d !ou ta'e a ride with8: She oo'ed him straight in the e!e# -f he ied she wou d 'now it# /a %in wasn3t %er! good at hiding his true fee ings# He dropped his ga"e to the crac'ed sidewa '# 9You don3t want to 'now,: he

mumb ed, defeated# 9/a %in, if !ou need he p, -3m !our attorne!# -3m the person to as',: she spo'e firm !, gent !# 9You don3t want no part of this, +iss (aige#: He shoo' his bowed head in defeat# 9- don3t want no part of it either, but - ain3t got no choice#: 9There3s a wa!s a choice, /a %in#: /a %in ifted his ga"e bac' to hers# 9The! gonna hurt me bad if - ta '# 1ut if - don3t ta ' the DA won3t drop the charges against me#: Hope essness registered in his e!es, his %oice, e%en in his posture# 9+!ers made !ou an offer8: (aige as'ed in disbe ief# /a %in nodded# She e=pe ed a hot curse under her breath# -f the charges stood against /a %in, he wou d ose the ath etic scho arship he had been awarded for co ege# -f he ta 'ed to +!ers he wou d ose something much more persona , ma!be his ife# 9Do !ou 'now something that important8: /a %in g anced ner%ous ! from side to side again# 9Somebod! seems to thin' so#: 9Those two gu!s who ga%e !ou a ride, did the! threaten !ou8: (aige he d her breath as she waited for his response# /a %in s ow ! nodded# She thought about her options, on ! one seemed feasib e at the moment# 9.e=t wee' is spring brea', right8: /a %in nodded again# 9O'a!# - want !ou to pac' up a few things, !ou3re ta'ing a itt e %acation# /a !our boss at (i""a Hut and te him !ou3%e got the f u#: /a %in frowned# 9- ain3t sic'#: 9Do it, /a %in,: she ordered# He re uctant ! obe!ed# Whi e /a %in pac'ed what he wou d need for a few da!s, (aige ca ed his grandmother# Twent! minutes ater, the! were on their wa! to Trinit!# Steam practica ! bi owed from her ears as she considered that +!ers had made her c ient an offer behind her bac'# He wou d regret that mo%e# .ot on ! had he beha%ed in an unethica manner, he had endangered her c ient3s ife>a bo! bare ! o d enough to be treated as an adu t in the e!es of the aw# Somehow (aige had to 'eep /a %in safe unti the! cou d sort a of this out# BCB Once (aige had gotten /a %in sett ed into Robert3s guest room, there had been p ent! of time to ta'e a ong, re a=ing ride# /a %in had ne%er been on a horse, and the 'id had thorough ! en7o!ed himse f# With dus' beginning to sett e, the! sti had time to groom the horses before dinner# 9One of the things !ou a wa!s do for !our horse after a ride is gi%e her a good brushing and rubdown,: (aige to d /a %in# He watched c ose ! as she smoothed the brush o%er Arie 3s broad bac'# 9- do the same on +oonbeam8: 9That3s right,: she said with a smi e# The e=citement in his e!es reaffirmed the decision she had made in bringing /a %in to her unc e3s ranch# /a %in too' a brush and stro'ed the horse3s %e %et! white bac'# 9,i'e this8: he

as'ed, oo'ing to (aige for appro%a # He brushed with ong, smooth stro'es 7ust as she3d shown him# 9That3s right,: (aige praised# 9Ta ' to him whi e !ou wor',: she added, continuing to groom the mare# 9Ta ' to the horse8: /a %in as'ed, he scrunched up his face in disbe ief# 9You gotta be 'idding8 This ain3t +r# Ed, !ou 'now#: 9-t3s common practice, /a %in#: (aige smi ed# 9Some peop e be ie%e that if !ou ta ' 7ust right to a horse it can understand what !ou3re sa!ing#: 9Do $ou be ie%e that8: His cinnamon&co ored ga"e connected with hers# His hand sti ed on the horse3s bac'# (aige considered his Auestion for a moment# She had a wa!s ta 'ed to the horses without stopping to as' herse f what she be ie%ed# She had simp ! fo owed Robert3s e=amp e# Robert treated the anima s as if the! were human# The image of .athan whispering in +idnight3s ear and the horse3s ardent response eaped to mind# Her ner%es 7ang ed as she reca ed the ow, gent e sound of his %oice as he spo'e soft ! to the anima # 9Of course she be ie%es it#: (aige 7er'ed her head around as .athan3s words echoed through her sou , the sound resurrecting the emotions she wanted to den!# He entered the barn with s ow, de iberate strides# (aige saw /a %in stiffen as .athan mo%ed out of the shadows and into a shaft of ight# He made an intimidating picture# Ta , dar', and dangerous& oo'ing# .athan ga%e /a %in a thorough appraisa before shifting his ga"e to her# Her pu se reacted instant !# (aige summoned the image of /e ine to mind to counter the impact his presence had on her senses# 9Where the he ha%e !ou been, (aige8: .athan demanded when he stopped, c ose enough to oom o%er her# The fire in his e!es and the irritation in his %oice be ied his casua stanceE thumbs ooped in his front poc'ets, his weight shifted to one eg# 9Where - go and what - do is none of !our business, .athan,: she to d him with a smi e on her ips and a bite in her words# She turned her bac' to him and continued to brush Arie # 9- thought we were going to at east act i'e friends#: 9You a read! ha%e a friend#: 9Dammit, (aige, isten to me,: he ground out# She ignored him# 9You don3t understand# - tried to e=p ain ast night, but !ou wou dn3t answer the te ephone or the door#: (aige whir ed to face him# She had to retreat a step to 'eep from being breast to chest with him# Arie nic'ered in protest and sid ed awa!# 9What3s to e=p ain8 - 'now what - saw#: 9You don3t 'now>: .athan began hot !, but /a %in darted between them, interrupting# 9What3s !our prob em, Tonto8: he as'ed in that be igerent tone teenagers were famous for# His posture ref ected his streetwise instincts and warned that he wou d fight if he had to# He g ared up at .athan, who stood two inches ta er, with no fear# (aige p aced her hand on /a %in3s rigid forearm and mo%ed to his side# 9-t3s o'a!, /a %in#: She too' one oo' at the c enched fists hanging at .athan3s sides and that etha oo' in his e!es and Auic' ! s ipped between the two angr! men#

9Who the he is he8: .athan demanded# 9What3s it to !ou, /hief8: /a %in as'ed in his coc'iest tone, reaching o%er (aige and 7abbing .athan in the chest with a ong, mahogan! finger# A musc e twitched in .athan3s 7aw as he 7er'ed his ga"e from /a %in to (aige# She doubted she wou d e%er forget the co ection of e=pressions she saw f ash across his face in that ne=t instantE surprise, outrage, disbe ief, restraint# 9.athan 1 ac'rope, meet /a %in 2efferson#: (aige he d .athan3s ga"e, tr!ing to diffuse the emotiona ! charged situation with her ca mness# 9This dude a friend of !ours, +iss (aige8: /a %in oo'ed at her in astonishment and then bac' at .athan in a%ersion# 9He3s 'ind of mean oo'ing if !ou as' me#: (aige had to bite her ip to pre%ent a grin# The urge to grin dissipated immediate ! when she heard .athan3s ragged inta'e of breath# 9Yes, /a %in, he3s a friend#: She ushered /a %in toward the barn door# 9Wh! don3t !ou go ha%e a co a or something8 And ma!be start dinner# -3 7oin !ou in a itt e whi e#: /a %in ga%e .athan a coo once o%er before he sauntered out of the barn# (aige re eased the breath she had been ho ding when the 'id disappeared# 9What do !ou want8: She g ared at .athan with a the anger she had suppressed since seeing /e ine in his arms the night before# 9Who is that itt e>8: 9/a %in is a c ient of mine and a friend,: she interrupted coo !, 9if that3s an! of !our business# He3s going to be spending a few da!s with me#: (aige wa 'ed bac' to the mare she had been grooming# 9You3re etting him sta! here8: 9Yes#: She turned her attention to brushing Arie , her wide stro'es rust ing in the tense si ence# .athan stood behind her, his bod! so c ose she cou d fee his simmering agitation# 9-t wasn3t what it oo'ed i'e,: he aid Auiet !, though not comp ete ! composed# 9- didn3t in%ite /e ine o%er# She 7ust>: 9-3m rea ! not interested, .athan,: she bro'e in# He sighed, frustrated# (aige ignored him# He cou d stand there a night, and sti she wou dn3t care# 9(aige, - 7ust want>: 9- don3t care what !ou want, .athan#: 9Stop stro'ing that damned horse,: he thundered, snatching her hand and pu ing her around to face him# 9$ine#: She pu ed her hand free of his, put the brush down and fo ded her arms o%er her chest# 9You ha%e m! attention, now ta '>fast>before - change m! mind#: He b ew out a hea%! breath and p owed a hand through his hair# His e!es g owed i'e hot coa s# (aige didn3t oo' direct ! into his e!es for fear of igniting herse f# She 'ept her ga"e on his fu ips, which was probab ! an e%en bigger mista'e# 9- don3t want there to be an! more misunderstandings between us,: he began hesitant !# 9-f we3re going to start this friendship off right, - want to 'eep it that wa!#: /riendship# (aige a most sighed, but caught herse f# -f on ! friendship was enough# -t wou d ha%e to be enough# She cou dn3t 'eep acting i'e a 7ea ous o%er# 9-3m sorr!, .athan# You3re right# We don3t need an! more misunderstandings#: The ast one had ruined an! possibi it! of her e%er finding happiness# $or 2esse3s sa'e she had to ma'e

sure it didn3t happen again# 9We3 ma'e that ru e number one,: she added# .athan nodded, the fire in his e!es coo ing somewhat# 9When - got home ast night, she was waiting# - as'ed her to ea%e and she eft#: He e=ha ed some of the frustration and re a=ed a bit# 9-f !ou sa! that3s what happened, than - suppose that3s the case,: (aige rep ied noncommitta !# 9That is what happened#: 9- can3t te !ou how much better - fee , .athan, .ow that !ou3%e shared that with me, - mean,: she said sarcastica !# Did he rea ! e=pect her to be ie%e that oad of bu 8 What hea th!, unattached man wou d turn down a woman who oo'ed i'e /e ine and who was ob%ious ! read! to 7ump his bones8 .athan sAuee"ed his e!es shut and swore# -t wasn3t Eng ish# 9.ow -3m rea ! impressed#: -n a mo%e so ightning fast that (aige didn3t see it coming, .athan c asped her face in his hands# 9-3 show !ou impressi%e,: he grow ed before ta'ing her mouth with his# A thought ceased# His ips fe t firm and hot !et unbe ie%ab ! tender# S ow and eas!, he 'issed her, cupping her face gent !# His tongue s'immed o%er her ips<traced and prodded unti she opened for him# His taste, strong and wi d, fi ed her# Oh, he tasted so good# She moaned soft ! and ba ed her fists at her sides# She he d her bod! rigid and awa! from his# She wou d not respond<She wou d not respondD 9(aige,: he murmured, his ips sti caressing hers# 9Touch me, p ease#: His p ea sent a shi%er of awareness sweeping o%er her# She re a=ed the fists her hands had become# How cou d she den! him8 Den! what she fe t herse f8 9- can3t< where8: she as'ed, ost in his 'iss and he p ess to resist his reAuest# 9Somewhere<an!where#: His ips continued to torment hers# 92ust touch me, p ease#: His tongue teased and tortured her mouth# He stro'ed her nec', her hair# His fingers sent tendri s of fire racing through her# S ow !, hesitant !, she p aced her hands against his musc ed chest# .athan groaned, the sound fi ed her, me ted her# Desire, strong and hot, surged through her bod!# He s id his hands o%er her shou ders and down her bac', pressing her>mo ding her>to him# He cupped her bottom and crushed her to his hardened ength# (aige fe t him tremb e with need and she tremb ed herse f# His 'iss grew harder, deeper>more demanding and she ne%er wanted him to stop# 1ut he had to stop, she pushed at the roc' wa of his chest# (ushed as hard as she cou d# This cou dn3t happen# -t wou d on ! ma'e matters worse when she to d him about 2esse# .athan wou d fee e%en more betra!ed# She cou dn3t bear to hurt him an! worse# The! had both a read! suffered enough# And e%en if he didn3t hate her when she to d him about 2esse, he wou d ne%er want her# .ot now# She had nothing to offer him# She wou d spend the rest of her ife a one# She pushed again with what itt e force remained in her seeming ! bone ess bod!# 9You want me to stop8: His words were taut, ragged# His ga"e darted from her ips to her e!es and bac'# 9Yes,: she said hoarse !# 9- want !ou to stop#: Want had nothing to do with it# She stepped out of his embrace and crossed her arms o%er her midd e# Her ips fair ! si"" ed# Desire coursed through her bod!, but she had to stop before things got comp ete ! out of hand# This cou dn3t happen#

.athan started to sa! something, thought better of it and c osed his mouth# Hunger b a"ed in his dar' e!es# He ic'ed his ips, no doubt tasting the 'iss the! had 7ust shared and dropped his head# 9- guess that was a mista'e#: No% it wasn#t, she wanted to scream# (aige searched her brain for an appropriate response to his statement# Something neutra # .othing came# /or ,ete#s sake% ,ai"e% $ou#re a law$er-words are $our business. Sa$ somethin"# 9Ru e number two,: she said, as ca m ! as possib e considering she3s 7ust had her soc's 'issed off# 9$riends don3t 'iss friends i'e that#: He smi ed s ight ! and nodded# 9You3re right#: He sho%ed his hands into his bac' poc'ets, unconscious ! ma'ing his arousa e%en more %isib e# 9Sorr!# -3 do better, swear#: (aige forced her e!es to sta! abo%e his be t buc' e# 9- guess it3 ta'e a whi e to wor' out the 'in's in this re ationship, but we can do it#: Her words came out more hopefu than confident# .athan too' her hand in his and ga%e her one of his heart&stopping smi es# 9We can do it, 1 ondie#: His %oice was ow, caressing, reassuring# 9He p me with the horses and -3 et !ou sta! for dinner,: she offered, her heart sti beating a itt e tattoo# Somehow she had to shift the focus awa! from what had 7ust happened# 9A right#: He sAuee"ed her hand one ast time before etting go# .athan3s e!es spar' ed with some emotion that (aige cou dn3t Auite define# At that moment, she wou d ha%e wagered a the chips in ?egas that a friendship with .athan 1 ac'rope wou d ne%er wor'>not in a mi ion !ears# E%er! instinct she had to d her she wou d win that bet# Or wou d she rea ! be osing8 BCB (aige said grace as Auic' ! as possib e for fear that whi e she had her e!es c osed the two men sitting on either side of her might go at each other3s throats across the tab e# Her ga"e mo%ed from one agitated ma e to the other as she pu ed her inen nap'in across her ap# .athan sat on her eft and /a %in on her right# The two g ared at each other without sa!ing a word# Each fi ed his p ate without ta'ing his e!es off the other# 9.athan, do !ou sti ha%e that o d /or%ette8: (aige as'ed, brea'ing the tense si ence and hoping to estab ish a con%ersation to which both men cou d re ate# 9Oh<ah, !eah, sure,: He shoo' his head distracted ! and then ga%e (aige a hard oo'# 9O d8 -t3s not o d, it3s a c assic#: 90e has a ?ette8: /a %in b urted, shoc'ed# 9Yes#: (aige menta ! 'ept her fingers crossed and hoped this wou d be a sub7ect the two men cou d reach common ground on# 9.athan i%es 7ust across the road, ma!be he3 ta'e !ou for a spin#: .athan3s ga"e shot bac' to (aige, his e!es widened with disbe ief and then narrowed into a warning# 9That wou d be awesome,: /a %in e=c aimed# 9You i%e across the road in that mansion8: he as'ed .athan# 9+an, that p ace oo's i'e *race and# You rich, too8 What 'ind of wor' do !ou do8: 9/a %in,: (aige sco ded, sha'ing her head#

.athan oo'ed from her to /a %in# 9- breed horses and run a few head of catt e#: 9.athan breeds and trains champion Auarter horses,: she e=p ained# 9+an, -3d rea ! i'e to see that ?ette,: /a %in said eager !, more interested in the car than what .athan did for a i%ing# .athan fina ! drew his ga"e from (aige to /a %in# 9- suppose that can be arranged#: 9A rightD: /a %in threw up his hand for a high fi%e# 9On one condition,: .athan added# /a %in3s e=pression fe # 9+! name is not Tonto or /hief, it3s .athan, -3d appreciate it if !ou ca ed me that,: he said e%en !# /a %in nodded# 9O'a! man>.athan# - can do that#: 9*ood#: .athan breathed a sigh of re ief# /a %in ran with the con%ersation# He ta 'ed incessant ! about cars and motorc!c es# .athan seemed to en7o! ta 'ing about gu! things with him# (aige i'ed watching the two of them# So different, !et so intrinsica ! the same# $u of enthusiasm and tota ! animated, /a %in3s who e bod! seemed to be a part of his anguage# .athan sat %er! sti , spea'ing on ! with his mouth and e!es# Yet the two thought a great dea a i'e, inherent ! ma e# After dinner, with the 'itchen c eaned and the dishes put awa!, /a %in e=cused himse f to watch some te e%ision# 9Than's for dinner,: .athan to d her# 9- had a nice time#: 9- 'new !ou3d i'e /a %in>once !ou got to 'now him#: (aige fo owed .athan onto the porch# A fu moon it the !ard and a surprising ! warm bree"e stirred the air# 9-t3s nice out tonight,: he noted as he s ipped on his Stetson# 9Yes, it is#: (aige hugged her arms around herse f and fought the shi%er that being a one with .athan generated# .athan stared at the p an' porch f oor for a ong moment# ,lease "o home% Nathan# She cou dn3t bear this much onger# 9*ood night,: he fina ! said# His ga"e rested on hers, but he made no mo%e to ea%e# 9*ood night#: (aige smi ed a ner%ous itt e smi e# -f he oo'ed at her i'e that much onger, she3d simp ! die on the spot# .athan touched the brim of his hat with two fingers and turned awa!, She c osed her e!es and breathed a tin! sigh of re ief>or perhaps regret# 9Oh, b! the wa!,: .athan turned around on the first tread of the steps# 9Send /a %in around tomorrow and -3 ta'e him for a ride in the ?ette#: 9That3s be great, .athan#: She hurried across the porch# With .athan down a step, she stood a most at e!e e%e with him# 9- didn3t want to as' !ou in front of /a %in, but ha%e court in the morning# -3d rea ! appreciate it if !ou wou d et him hang out with !ou unti - return# - don3t want him to be a one#: A frown creased .athan3s brow# 9What3s his stor!8: 9- don3t 'now a the detai s !et, but we3re going to ta ' tonight# - wou d 7ust fee better if - 'new !ou were with him#: .athan nodded# 9.o prob em#:

9Than's#: 9- ha%e one Auestion#: 9Yes8: 9On ru e number two, when !ou said friends don3t 'iss friends i'e that, did !ou mean there was some other wa! of 'issing that wou d be acceptab e8: -f he on ! 'new how much she wanted him to 'iss her again# Right now# 1ut that wou d be a mista'e# She sighed and tried to read the emotion behind the intensit! in his ga"e# What did he rea ! want from her8 He probab ! didn3t 'now what he wanted an! more than she 'new what she wanted# 9- didn3t mean to comp icate the issue,: he said soft !# (aige eaned forward the few inches necessar! and 'issed him on the chee'# 9*ood night, .athan#: He smi ed and brought his fingers to the spot she had 'issed# 9*ood night#: (aige turned and wa 'ed into the house without oo'ing bac'# She c osed the door and sagged against it# She wou d ha%e to te him about 2esse soon# .o wa! cou d she to erate this 'ind of tension# He wanted more than friendship and he wasn3t dong a %er! good 7ob of hiding it# (ushing awa! from the door, (aige headed for the par or# She had one more issue to dea with tonight# She crossed the new ! carpeted room and shut the te e%ision off# She had awa'ened at se%en this morning to find the carpet insta ers in the par or# Of course, the! possessed a 'e!# 9What3s up8: /a %in straightened from his supine position on the couch# He propped his forearms on his widespread 'nees# (aige sat down beside him# 9- need to 'now wh! !ou3re so popu ar, /a %in#: He dropped his head and b ew out a hea%! breath# 9+! cousin A#2# wor's for the man#: 9- assume !ou mean +a co m Reed, the drug dea er8: 9Yeah#: He paused# 9- was running ate for wor'# +! car wou dn3t start and didn3t want to get into troub e with m! boss so - hitched a ride with A#2#: 9-s A#2# one of the gu!s who too' !ou for a ride toda!8: 9Yeah# Him and 1ab! Da%e#: /a %in shifted and c asped his hands, twidd ing his thumbs around each other# 9Did A#2# te !ou something or show !ou something he shou dn3t ha%e8: 9.aw, he3s too smart for that# That da! he too' me to wor' he got a ca on his ce phone# The ca er wasn3t none too happ!# So A#2# said he had to ma'e a Auic' stop#: /a %in shifted again# 9What cou d - sa!8 1eggars can3t be choosers, !ou 'now8: 9- understand,: (aige assured him# 9When we got to the p ace, - waited in the car for a ong time i'e he to d me to#: /a %in shrugged# 91ut - was gonna be ate for wor', so - got ner%ous# - went on in the pawn shop to see what was 'eeping m! cu"#: He et out a ong breath and paused again# 9The man running the p ace said ga%e A#2# a pac'age and to d him he shou d be especia ! carefu with it#: He fe si ent then# 9What happened then, /a %in8: 9A#2# !e ed at me for coming in# To d me to go bac' to the car#: /a %in rubbed his hands o%er his face# 9He said if - e%er to d an!bod! what - saw that -3d be histor!# Said he had a hard time ta 'ing to the man into etting me wa ' as it was#:

9Do !ou thin' A#2# had an!thing to do with the drugs p anted in !our oc'er8: 9- figure the! did that to ma'e sure - understood the! were serious#: He shoo' his head s ow ! from side to side# 9- wish -3d 7ust went on and ca ed in ate for wor' that da!#: (aige put her arm around his shou ders and sAuee"ed# 9Don3t worr!, we3 wor' this out, /a %in#: 9- appreciate e%er!thing !ou doing for me, +iss (# 1ut - don3t want to cause !ou no troub e#: He ga"ed at her with the saddest e!es she had e%er seen# 9You3re no troub e, /a %in#: She smi ed# /a %in returned her smi e and then his e=pression grew somber# 9What3s the dea between !ou and Tonto>- mean .athan8: 9.o dea , 7ust o d friends# We3%e 'nown each other since we were 'ids#: 9Yeah, right and m! cousin A#2#3s the (ope#: /a %in chuc' ed# 9- got e!es, +iss (#: 9We , - thin' !ou need to ha%e !our e!es chec'ed, because we3re on ! friends#: /a %in snorted# 9The man3s got it bad for !ou and !ou3re on ! friends# Yeah, right#: (aige shoo' her head# 9Don3t be ridicu ous, /a %in#: 92ust @cause !ou b ind, don3t mean - am# - read the signa s oud and c ear# O d .athan thin's !ou3re his woman#: 9We , o d .athan is wrong and so are !ou# -3m m! own woman,: (aige stated firm !# 9Whate%er !ou sa!, +iss (#: /a %in shrugged# 9(ersona !, - don3t see what women see in the ta , si ent t!pe# The man don3t ha%e a sense of humor at a #: (aige aughed# And when she started she cou dn3t stop# Tears streamed down her chee's she aughed so hard# She hugged her abdomen and tried to compose herse f, but nothing wor'ed# 9Don3t strain !ourse f, +iss (#, it ain3t that funn!#: 9-3m sorr!, /a %in,: She cho'ed out, her breath catching on e%er! other word# 9You3re right# .athan doesn3t ha%e a sense of humor# E%er!thing3s serious to him#: She suc'ed in a ong breath and swiped her e!es# 9- 'now -3m right,: /a %in informed her# He 7utted his chin stubborn !# 9-3m right about the other part, too# O d Tonto3s cra"! about !ou and !ou 'now it#: (aige didn3t augh this time# -t wasn3t funn!, because she 'new /a %in had hit the nai on the head#

/hapter Se%en 9- can3t be ie%e this,: she muttered to herse f as she bo ted from her car# (aige too' a deep breath, grasped her briefcase a itt e tighter and headed for the courthouse as fast as she cou d in hee s# She had fifteen minutes to meet her assistant Denise, get the fi e on the Redmond case, and be in court# (aige had eft Trinit! in p ent! of time, but she had somehow managed to get behind e%er! farm tractor between Trinit! and the interstate# She cursed p anting season, 2ohn Deere, and the in%entor of high hee shoes as she ha f&ran, ha f&stumb ed down the bus! sidewa '# She muttered 9e=cuse&me3s: as she pushed her wa! through the going&to&

wor' crowd# .othing ri ed 2udge +attson more than tardiness# *od, she was so ate# Her hee s tapped against stone as she hurried ! c imbed the steps to the courthouse# She g anced at her wrist watch# Ten minutes# She might ma'e it >7ust bare !# She oo'ed up 7ust in time to see a heft! figure before it co ided with her# A wa%e of something co d and wet f owed down her chest# She gasped from the co d and the impact# (aige teetered for a moment, read! to tumb e down the steps she3d 7ust c imbed# A beef! hand grasped her arm and steadied her# Her ga"e darted from the robust man before her to the carr!&out tra! and St!rofoam cups scattered around her feet# She winced at the mess in between# Orange 7uice stained her white b ouse and mint green b a"er# *rape 7e ! smeared her breasts and midriff as ha f a 7e ! biscuit oo"ed down the materia # He3d ob%ious ! been eating the biscuit at the time of the co ision# 9-3m so sorr!,: the man e=c aimed, p uc'ing the stic'! biscuit from the waistband of her s'irt# 9- guess - wasn3t oo'ing where - was going#: (aige stared down at herse f and then up at him in disbe ief# This cou dn3t be happening# .ot toda!# 9-3 be happ! to pa! !our dr! c eaning bi ,: he added apo ogetica !# The man a !an'ed a c ean, white hand'erchief from his poc'et and swiped at the purp e 7e !# His hands fumb ing o%er her breasts snapped (aige bac' to rea it!# 9-t3s a right,: she assured and mo%ed awa! from his he pfu hands# 9- shou d ha%e been watching where - was going# Sorr! about !our brea'fast,: she added, rushing past him# The man ca ed bac' another apo og!, but (aige 'ept going# She bounded through the courtroom doors, sweeping her ga"e o%er the mi ing crowd for Denise# Her hands fe t i'e ice and e%er! ner%e ending in her bod! %ibrated# One pair of curious e!es after the other inspected her dishe%e ed appearance# 9What happened to !ou8: Denise as'ed as she emerged from the throng of peop e# 9Don3t as'# What am - going to do8: She peered down at herse f and shoo' her head# 9- can3t go to court oo'ing i'e this and there3s no time for me to go home and change#: 9/ome with me,: Denise ordered# She pu ed (aige into the adies3 room and oc'ed the door behind them# 9Water won3t he p,: (aige protested, tr!ing to decide on some sort of strateg!# 9Ta'e !our c othes off,: Denise to d her, a read! remo%ing her own# 9E=cuse me8: Tota ! confused, her ga"e shot to Denise# 9Hurr!, (aige,: Denise urged# 9You can wear m! outfit to court and -3 wear !ours home and change#: 9- can3t wear !our c othes,: (aige denied# She stripped off her b a"er despite the denia she3d 7ust uttered# 9We3re the same si"e,: Denise insisted# 9Si"e isn3t the prob em#: (aige shuc'ed her b ouse and s'irt, her bod! doing the on ! ogica thing whi e her brain strugg ed to arri%e at an! other a ternati%e# She Auic' ! s ipped on the a%ender dress Denise had ta'en off# 9Oh, m! *od,: (aige muttered as she %iewed herse f in the mirror# The dress hugged e%er!thing from co ar to hem# Denise3s taste in fashion %aried great ! from (aige3s# .ight and da! wou d be a good comparison# 9This is wh! - can3t wear !our c othes,: she muttered, sti tr!ing to con%ince

herse f she cou dn3t do this e%en though she 'new she had no other choice# Denise stuc' (aige3s briefcase in her hand# 9You3re due in court right now#: She pushed (aige out the door# 91! the wa!, +r# Redmond won3t be here this morning#: 9What8: (aige pi%oted to face her# 9He had to be rushed to the emergenc! room ear ! this morning for an appendectom!# -t was too ate to reach !ou when - recei%ed the ca # He3 be out in a few da!s#: (aige shoo' her head %igorous ! in an effort to force her gre! matter into acti%it! and out of its current catatonic state# 9-3 ha%e to as' for a continuance#: 9That3s right, counse or# See !ou ater#: Denise patted her on the bac' and scurried awa!# 9Than's#: (aige smoothed her hand o%er the soft, c ing! fabric of the dress she now wore# She stee ed herse f and strode in the direction of the courtroom# She was sti a professiona no matter what she wore# Right8 Si ence echoed inside her head, effecti%e ! diminishing her a read! waning confidence# Look at the bri"ht side% ,ai"e. When $ou "et throu"h this $ou can be with 1esse. She smi ed# .ow there was something to oo' forward to# 2udge +attson had 7ust gi%en the order to be seated when (aige entered the fi ed& to&capacit! room# The 7udge3s mouth gaped, as did +r# +!ers3s when their e!es came to rest on (aige# (aige hurried to her p ace on the eft side of the bench# 9The peop e %ersus Redmond,: the bai iff announced# 9Your Honor, defense reAuests a continuance due to +r# Redmond3s une=pected hospita i"ation# He was ta'en ear ! this morning for an emergenc! appendectom!# - am prepared to proceedE howe%er, in ight of m! c ient3s una%oidab e absence, - fee a continuance is warranted#: (aige too' a breath and tried to 'eep her e=pression ca m though humi iation had consumed her# She fe t e%er! e!e on the courtroom on her bac'# 9Your Honor, - ha%e no ob7ection to the defense3s reAuest,: 2oe +!ers stated, his e!es hard ! ea%ing (aige ong enough to gi%e the 7udge a compu sor! g ance# 9+iss Weston, approach the bench,: 2udge +attson reAuested# (aige moistened her parched ips and stepped forward# Her face burned with embarrassment# 9Yes, !our Honor8: The 7udge eaned forward, his ga"e fu of concern# 9Somehow !ou don3t Auite oo' !ourse f toda!# -s there something - shou d 'now8: he as'ed for her ears on !# 9- had a itt e accident on the wa! into the courthouse, !our Honor,: (aige whispered, mortified# 9- had to change c othes with Denise#: 9Oh,: he said 'nowing !, a smi e pee'ing past his 7udicia demeanor# 92ust so ong as !our attire wasn3t a p o! to throw +r# +!ers off ba ance#: (aige shot a side ong g ance at +!ers, who Auic' ! a%erted his ga"e# 9.o, !our Honor, - can assure !ou there3s no hidden agenda behind m! appearance this morning,: she to d him mee' !# 9*ood,: he whispered, and then eaned c oser# 9(ersona !, - 'ind of i'e it#: (aige smi ed and returned to the defense3s tab e# 9This case wi be reschedu ed at such time as +r# Redmond is ph!sica ! ab e to be present# /ounse wi coordinate a new date with the court#: (aige snatched up her briefcase and strode out of the court room as the bai iff

ca ed the ne=t case# +!ers dogged her step# Once out in the marb e&f oored ha , (aige whir ed to face him# 9-s there something !ou need, +r# +!ers8: 9That3s some dress, counse or#: +!ers ga%e her another s ow perusa # 9That3s an inappropriate remar', +r# +!ers,: (aige said frosti !# 9Sorr!,: he offered humb !# 9- was 7ust wondering about /a %in 2efferson# His emp o!er sa!s he3s been out sic' for a few da!s and no one3s seen him around his grandmother3s house#: 9+! c ient3s hea th is no concern of !ours,: (aige to d him bris' !# 9*ood da!, +r# +!ers#: (aige stormed awa!# Oh, how she had wanted to ight into him about the itt e dea he had offered /a %in, but she he d bac'# She didn3t want +!ers to 'now that she 'new 7ust !et# The beginning of a p an had formed in her mind# (aige smi ed# +a!be the morning hadn3t been a tota oss after a # BCB She par'ed in front of Robert3s garage, got out of her car and s ammed the door shut# E=cept for her time with 2esse, the da! had been the pits so far# Sure ! it cou dn3t get an! worse# .athan3s white /or%ette roared up behind (aige3s car# 9Whoa, +ama,: /a %in shouted as he hopped from the con%ertib e# 9That3s one bad dress, +iss (D: Oh, !es, it had 7ust gotten worse# .ow her humi iation was comp ete# 9Don3t gi%e me an! ip, /a %in# -3%e had a bad da! and this dress represents on ! part of the o%era disaster#: Her ga"e s'ittered o%er to where .athan stood# He eaned against the car, crossed his arms o%er his chest and crossed his feet at the an' es# The bree"e shifted a strand of ong, si '! b ac' hair across one shou der# His ga"e s id o%er (aige as if she were an enticing entrGe and he were a star%ing man# .athan3s smi e was s ow and eas!, but the heat in his e!es f ashed strong and wi d# He nodded a si ent he o# .ot one word# The man ne%er uttered a sing e s! ab e, !et (aige3s pu se reacted as if he had to d her he intended to throw her across the shin!, c assic car and ma'e o%e to her# She didn3t need this# She sta 'ed across the !ard, up the steps and to the door# She 7ammed the 'e! into the oc' and et herse f in# Her 'e!s anded on the ha tab e with a hea%! ratt e as (aige headed toward the stairs# /a %in fo owed right behind her# +a!be if she ignored him, he3d go awa!# She didn3t want to ta ' right now# She on ! wanted to get out of Denise3s c othes and into something of her own# Something comfortab e< something with abso ute ! no se= appea # 9+e and .athan rode o%er to 2ac'son to oo' at a hose he3s gonna bu!,: /a %in to d her as he continued to trai her up the stairs# 9That3s one tough car# -t3 f !#: (aige stopped and turned to face himE she had to oo' down since he had stopped three steps be ow her# 92ust how fast is f !ing8: she as'ed, irritated that .athan wou d dri%e too fast, thus brea'ing the aw, with a teenager in the car# 9Ah, - don3t 'now<prett! fast, - guess,: he stuttered# 9-3m te ing !ou that .athan is one coo dude# E%er!bod! respects him# And the adies:>/a %in shoo' his head and shrugged dramatica !>9the! 7ust cra"! about the man# E%er!where we went he got the oo'#:

9The oo'8: (aige as'ed, putting the Auestion of speed aside# 9You 'now,: /a %in urged# 9The -&want&!ou oo'# The bab!&!ou&hot oo'#: (aige shoo' her head# 9- get the picture#: She he d up a hand to pre%ent an! further e=p anation# 9-3m g ad !ou had a nice da!# 1ut, if !ou3 e=cuse me - ha%e to get changed# - ha%e a meeting with Si as in thirt! minutes# You can te me a about !our da! at dinner tonight# O'a!8: She ga%e /a %in the best smi e she cou d manage in her fou mood# 9Sure thing, +iss (#: /a %in returned her smi e and started bac' down the stairs# He was a good 'id# She sure hoped she cou d get him out of the mess that circumstances and poor 7udgment had gotten him into# She hurried up the remaining steps# And somehow she had to straighten out the mess she had made of tr!ing to te .athan about 2esse# 9He!,: /a %in ca ed from the foot of the staircase# (aige paused and oo'ed down at him from the anding# 9Yes#: 9He ignored a of @em#: 9What8: 9He didn3t oo' at nobod! the wa! he oo's at !ou#: With that said, /a %in sauntered across the entr! ha and out the door# (aige remained perfect ! sti for a ong whi e# She c osed her e!es and wi ed bac' the surge of emotions tugging at her heart# Tonight# She had to te .athan tonight# An! further de a!s were on ! going to ead to troub e# Heart troub e# With renewed determination, (aige cut a trai to her bedroom# She Auic' ! shed her borrowed c othing and s ipped into a comfortab e pair of worn 7eans and a pin' cotton shirt# Her snea'ers tied, she trotted down the ha and then the stairs# She wou d run her idea about /a %in and +!ers b! Si as to get his feedbac'# (ersona !, she thought the p an wou d wor', but it ne%er hurt to get an ob7ecti%e opinion# (aige oc'ed and pu ed the door c osed behind her, then bounded off the porch toward the car# The gu!s had disappeared# (robab ! in the barn chec'ing on the horses, (aige decided# She sat down behind the whee and reached for the ignition# .o 'e!s# 91 ast,: she hissed# (aige got out and ran bac' to the house# She turned the door'nob and pushed# 1ric'&wa resistance met her# The door didn3t budge# (aige turned the 'nob again and at once rea i"ed her mista'e# She had oc'ed the door behind her# An unconscious habit of cit! ife# 9Oh, ,ord,: she muttered, sudden ! picturing her 'e!s !ing on the ha tab e# She was oc'ed out# A fi%e 'e!s to Robert3s house were inside# Each contractor had turned o%er their respecti%e 'e! when the! had finished the 7ob# How cou d an!one oc' themse %es out with that man! 'e!s !ing around8 (aige shot a wear! g ance toward the barn# .o wa! wou d she te .athan or /a %in what a stupid thing she had done# She3d had a the humi iation she cou d stand for one da!# What cou d she do8 0se the phone in the barn to ca a oc'smith8 .o, then .athan and /a %in wou d figure it out for sure# A smi e spread across her face# 0er bedroom window# She dashed to the far end of the house# A huge o d map e towered ne=t to the house# ,imbs from the tree scraped at the siding and her bedroom window in the bree"e# She3d done it hundreds of times growing

up, (aige reminded herse f# She cou d do it now# She wasn3t that o d# (aige hoisted herse f up onto the owest imb and began to c imb up the tree# She and .athan had used this route for after curfew %isits and midnight rende"%ous when the! were 'ids> ong before the tang ed web of emotions had snared them# The c imb pro%ed eas! enough# (aige paused to catch her breath before ma'ing he 7ump to the roof# The roof that co%ered the wraparound porch s oped gent !, a owing for a fair ! e%en anding# She shot another g ance toward the barn# A c ear# The curtains in her bedroom window shifted in the bree"e, bec'oning her inside# (aige too' a deep, fortif!ing breath and tried to forget that she was thirt! !ears o d, not thirteen# Three steps out the imb shifted beneath her# Time to 7ump# -t cou dn3t be more than three or four feet, she to d herse f# (aige eaped to the roof# She anded sAuare ! on her feet# She smi ed at her success and re eased a pent&up breath# That wasn3t so difficu t# She reached for the window edge but ost her footing# $or two or three seconds she teetered, off ba ance# Her heart surged into her throat, her stomach p ummeted to her feet, and then it was o%er# (aige fe forward# Down and across the aspha t shing es she s id# She c utched at the sandpaper& i'e surface to no a%ai # Her bod! dropped o%er the edge, egs dang ed# She grasped the gutter in desperation# 9Oh, *od: She he d on tight !, g anced at the ground some ten or so feet beneath her and then bac' at her white&'nuc' ed ho d on the gutter# A distinct groan sounded as the gutter shifted awa! from the fascia# 9.o<: She tried to scream, but her %oice trapped in her throat# She was going to fa # (aige tried to swing her eg up onto the roof# The gutter shifted again# Her heart urched and she 'new it was o%er# The gutter ga%e wa! and she fe t herse f fa ing# $ear coursed through her bod!# She 'new when she hit the ground, though it didn3t hurt a much as she had e=pected# The air rushed out of her ungs on impact# She stared up at the tang ed ength of gutter and b in'ed# Robert wou dn3t be too happ! about that# She b in'ed again# She3d ha%e to ma'e sure 2esse ne%er did an!thing stupid i'e this# She suc'ed in a breath# (ain "ipped through her as she tried to push up to a sitting position# 9Don3t mo%e,: .athan commanded# He was on his 'nees at her side# (aige wondered %ague ! how he3d gotten there# He seemed to be e=amining her# His hands mo%ed o%er her bod!, touching, testing# 9-3m o'a!,: she mumb ed and tried to sit up again# .athan didn3t protest, instead he he ped her up# (ain shot through her bac'side and she winced# Her head throbbed insistent !# 9What the he were !ou doing8: (aige ifted her ga"e to his and the intensit! of the fear she saw there tied her insides into 'nots# 9- oc'ed m!se f out# - thought - cou d>: 9Dammit, don3t !ou 'now how dangerous that was8: Anger rep acing the fear in his e!es, he stood, pu ing (aige up with him# 9You cou d3%e bro'en !our foo nec'#: She tried for a smi e, but didn3t Auite ma'e it# 9-3m o'a!# 2ust sha'en#: Her face heated with de a!ed humi iation# And here she3d thought this da! cou dn3t possib ! get an! worse# *roaning, she stretched her nec' and shou ders 7ust to ma'e sure e%er!thing sti wor'ed proper !# *od, what an idiot she must oo' i'e, she rea i"ed as she dusted herse f off#

Sha'ing his head, .athan turned his bac' on her and too' a coup e of steps toward the house# He ran his fingers through his hair, then braced his hands against the side of the house# Hesitant ! and wincing with e%er! step, (aige mo%ed to his side# 9Rea !, .athan, -3m a right#: He wou dn3t oo' at her, he 7ust 'ept staring at the ground# 9- 'now it was a stupid thing to do, but ->: The oo' in those b ac' Apache e!es when his ga"e connected with hers si enced her# (aige recoi ed from the mi=ture of rage and fear she saw there# He straightened and too' the step she3d retreated# 9You scared the he out of me, (aige#: A musc e f e=ed in his tense 7aw, He too' another step, and (aige found herse f trapped between him and the house# 9Do !ou ha%e an! idea what went through m! head when - saw !ou fa 8: She shoo' her head, then wished she hadn3t# He focused that hot, piercing ga"e 7ust past her shou der for a time whi e he ob%ious ! strugg ed with his anger# -t didn3t he p# 9- can3t>: He c osed his e!es and e=ha ed# When he tried to draw in his ne=t breath, he tremb ed# She3d ne%er seen him this wa! before# .othing scared .athan# She reached up to touch his face# His e!es opened and in that instant she 'new for certain that he sti cared# Deep !# -t was more than she cou d ha%e hoped for# Her heart reacted# And she sudden ! wanted to show him how much she sti cared# BCB .athan cou dn3t ta'e this# He cou dn3t ose her###not again# Didn3t she understand8 He had ne%er stopped o%ing her# He wou dn3t unti the da! he died# 9(aige,: he whispered against her fingers as the! trai ed o%er his ips# S ow !, he owered his head unti his ips brushed hers in the promise of a 'iss# She tiptoed to ma'e the contact comp ete# She s id her arms around his nec' and time stood sti for him# The on ! sensation he fe t was her soft, sweet ips on his# Her tongue s ipped into his mouth and he groaned with p easure as she stro'ed his tongue# Desire f owed swift ! through him, hardening his se=# He cupped her bottom and pressed her intimate !, against him# Her responsi%e moan pro%ed his undoing# He 'new he shou d be the strong one and stop before the! did something (aige wou d regret, but he cou dn3t do it# He 7ust cou dn3t do it# 9Ta'e me home with !ou, .athan,: she breathed against his ips# 9- want !ou to ma'e o%e to me# Now#: His heart hammered in his chest, near ! read! to e=p ode# He had waited so ong to hear her sa! those words, for a second he cou dn3t be ie%e he3d heard right# 1ut when she arched against his hardened bod!, he 'new he had# Want si"" ed inside him# He he d her tighter, 'issed her harder# He stabbed his tongue into her mouth and e=p ored, teasing and thrusting# He ground his hips against hers# (aige p unged her fingers into his hair and he d him firm ! against her mouth, demanding more# 9.athan, - need !ou now,: she said soft ! between desperate 'isses# He sti ed# This was a wrong# She hadn3t said Nathan% ) love $ou>she had said need $ou# .o matter what the! shared right now, she wou d be ea%ing and he 7ust

cou dn3t endure e=posing his heart to that 'ind of pain again# Who was he 'idding8 He didn3t ha%e to ose her again# She was a read! ost to him# 9.athan8: She caressed his chee', tried to read him# He searched her e!es, saw the desire and uncertaint!# The fa had sha'en her# She cou dn3t be thin'ing straight# As much as he wanted her, this 7ust didn3t fee right# He pu ed out of her arms# His who e bod! shuddered at the oss of contact with hers# He had to c ose his e!es for a ong moment to stead! himse f against the ache# 9- don3t understand,: she said Auiet !# .athan shoo' his head, then opened his e!es# 9- can3t do this# When !ou went awa! to co ege and ne%er came bac' here, - a most ost m! mind# Then m! mother died and !ou sudden ! reappeared# When !ou eft that time, !ou too'<: He cou dn3t form the words to e=p ain the pain that had fo owed, 9Twice -3%e ost !ou# Twice -3%e grie%ed the oss# - can3t do that again#: 9-3m sorr!# - ne%er intended to hurt !ou# - did come bac',: she reminded gent !, 9but it was too ate#: He oo'ed awa!# 9- shou d go# ,et /a %in dri%e !ou to Si as3s office# You too' a prett! hard fa # -f !ou need me for an!thing, 7ust ca # - need<: He swa owed hard and met her ga"e# 9- ha%e to go#: He turned and wa 'ed awa! from the on ! woman he3d e%er wanted# The one he sti wanted# He didn3t stop unti he was in his car# He turned the ignition and the engine roared to ife# -f he didn3t mo%e fast, he might change his mind and he cou dn3t a ow that to happen# He cou dn3t sur%i%e osing (aige again# The best thing he cou d do was sta! awa! unti she went bac' to +emphis# He wou d be doing her a fa%or as we # .o matter how much she had thought she wanted to ma'e o%e with him, she wou d ha%e regretted it tomorrow# The! had no future together# .othing that bound them e=cept efto%er fee ings from the past#

/hapter Eight 9,itigate8 What 'ind of fi%e&do ar word is that8: /a %in huffed a disgrunt ed sound# 9This ain3t the ega categor! in 2eopard!#: 9There3s no ru e, /a %in, e=cept that it has to be a word Webster3s wou d officia ! recogni"e,: (aige returned coo !# 9,itigate means>: 9- 'now what it means,: he snapped# 9We then, what3s the prob em8: 9-t3s supposed to be a word !ou can guess in this centur!, +iss (#: /a %in fo ded his arms o%er his chest# 9- don3t want to p a! no more# - thin' that bump on !our head done ruined !our sense of humor,: he grumb ed# She e=ha ed a wear! breath and eaned bac' against the couch# 9You3re right, /a %in# - ha%en3t been m!se f a wee'end#: 9-t ain3t got nothing to do with o%er bo!, has it8: /a %in oo'ed her straight in the e!e# 9- noticed he ain3t been around#: 9.o,: she ied, straight&faced she hoped# 9-3m 7ust fee ing out of sorts#:

9-s it because we3re going to pu that tric' on +r# +!ers8: 9.o,: (aige said with much more con%iction# 9+r# +!ers deser%es 7ust e=act ! what he3s going to get#: 9,ong as !ou 'now what !ou3re doing, -3m game#: She smi ed at /a %in3s ob%ious uneasiness with deception# .o wa! was this 'id bad gu! materia # 9Trust me, /a %in#: 9- do trust !ou#: He oo'ed at her so emn !# 9With m! ife,: he added# (aige he d his serious ga"e for a moment before she busied herse f putting awa! the penci s and tab ets the! had used to p a! a homemade %ersion of (assword# She sure hoped this itt e p an she and Si as had coo'ed up wou d wor'# -f /a %in cou d get +!ers to repeat his offer, the! wou d ha%e him o%er a barre # The con%ersation wou d be taped, thus gi%ing (aige the e%idence she needed to gain a itt e a itt e e%erage with the o%er ! ambitious man# 9Want another g ass of tea8: /a %in as'ed, getting to his feet# 9.o than's,: (aige muttered distracted !# /a %in had pro%en entire ! too insightfu for an eighteen&!ear&o d# His estimation that the bump on her head had itt e to do with her state of depression was right on the target# .athan was the prob em# He hadn3t ca ed or come b! a wee'end# -t had on ! been two da!s, but it fe t i'e fore%er since she had seen him# She had menta ! 'ic'ed herse f a do"en times for beha%ing i'e a se=&star%ed n!mph# She sti cou dn3t be ie%e that she had actua ! as'ed him to ma'e o%e to her# .ot hinted, mind !ou# $ at out as'ed# Demanded, rea !# She c osed her e!es and reca ed the mind&bogg ing 'isses the! had shared before .athan had come to his senses# Warmth f owed through her instant ! as the e%ent rep a!ed in her mind# .o other man, not that she had dated that man!, had e%er swept her into such passion with a 'iss# -t fe t right with .athan# .atura # The fee of his hard bod! against hers fi ed her with such need that she cou d scream with want# 1ut .athan had been right# She sighed, a hea%!, fatigued sound# He had 'ept his head on straight when she had ost it comp ete !# +a!be the fa had scramb ed her brains# She rubbed the sti &tender spot on the bac' of her head# Whate%er had possessed her at that instant she wou d ne%er understand# The on ! thing she 'new at the time was that she wanted him more than she had e%er wanted an!thing in her ife# Her first o%ema'ing e=perience had been with .athan and there hadn3t been an!one since# (aige hadn3t wanted an!one e se# She had tried, but her heart wou d accept no one e se# She pra!ed she hadn3t ruined the chance of their being ab e to maintain a friendship# And she sti had to te him about 2esse# What a mess she had made# /a %in as he sauntered bac' into the room# Sorting out other peop e3s i%es seemed so much simp er than straightening out her own# He stretched out on the couch with his iced tea and turned his attention to his fa%orite sitcom# A 'noc' at the door, fo owed b! se%era chimes of the doorbe start ed (aige from her disturbing ref ection# 9Oh, man,: /a %in protested# 9That3s prob3 ! .athan and m! show ain3t o%er !et#: He set his ha f&empt! g ass of tea on a coaster on the side tab e# 9.athan8: (aige as'ed, her spirits ifting# Yeah, he in%ited me to go to the poo ha with him tonight,: /a %in said as he aced up his high&top snea'ers# 9Hogan3s (oo Ha 8:

9Yeah, that3s the p ace#: He stood to go# 9You 7ust sit tight,: (aige ordered# 9- need to ha%e a word with .athan in pri%ate#: She sta 'ed into the entr! ha and opened the door, prepared to gi%e .athan a piece of her mind on the sub7ect of bad inf uence# On ! it wasn3t .athan at the door# (aige found herse f face to face with two !oung men who oo'ed more menacing than 7un'!ard dogs# 9+a! - he p !ou8: She centered herse f in the doorwa!, effecti%e ! b oc'ing their entrance# 9-3m here to see m! cu",: the shorter and stoc'ier of the two informed her# 9-3m sorr!, - ha%e no idea who !ou3re ta 'ing about#: (aige attempted to c ose the door as an a arm sent adrena ine racing through her %eins# This might be the two men who had threatened /a %in# She cou dn3t et them fund him# A arge, dar' hand forced the door open# 9Oh, - thin' !ou 'now e=act ! who we3re ta 'ing about,: the much arger man insisted# (aige stared up at him# She stumb ed bac' a step when he pushed past her into the entr! ha # 9*ent emen, if !ou don3t ea%e, - wi ca the po ice,: she announced in the sternest tone she cou d muster# 9Yo, /a %in, get out here,: the shorter gu! shouted past (aige# 9You chic'en sh>: 9What !ou want, A#2#8: /a %in interrupted as he burst into the ha , hands on his s'inn! hips# 91o!, !ou got some e=p aining to do,: A#2# threatened# He swung his arm around /a %in3s nec' and ushered him toward the door# 91ab! Da%e, !ou 'eep the ad! aw!er compan! whi e - ha%e a ta ' with m! home!#: 1ab! Da%e grunted, ne%er ta'ing his eering ga"e off (aige# A#2# and /a %in disappeared from %iew, ea%ing the front door wide open# (aige wi ed herse f to remain ca m# The two men seemed on ! to be interested in ta 'ing at this point# .o need to get e=cited 7ust !et# +a!be the! wou d ha%e their sa! and ea%e# 1ab! Da%e3s oathsome ga"e dropped to (aige3s bare midriff and then to her egs# She swa owed hard# Of a da!s to decide to dress for comfort# She had pu ed on an o d cropped T&shirt and ragged cutoffs# She shifted under the man3s intense perusa # Tin! beaded braids crowned his head# His b ac' sweatshirt oo'ed to be about fi%e si"es too big and a trif e warm# 1agg!, wide& egged 7eans co%ered his ong egs and pudd ed in fo ds around his snea'ers# A fearfu p ea from /a %in reached (aige3s ears# Her pu se rate Auic'ened as a new surge of adrena ine raced through her bod!# +a!be ta 'ing wasn3t a A#2# came to do# She had to get to /a %in# He trusted her<depended on her# (aige shot a side ong g ance at the front door# /ou d she outrun the hood um og ing her8 9.ow !ou ain3t thin'ing of ma'ing a run for it, are !ou8: 1ab! Da%e stepped c oser and s'immed a hand o%er her arm# (aige shuddered and 7er'ed awa! from his touch# 9Don3t touch me,: she warned# 9And 7ust whatcha gonna do about it if - do8: He eased a step c oser, grabbed a handfu of her hair and a owed the strands to s ip through his fingers# 9- guess !ou ain3t gonna do nothing#: She a owed him to mo%e another step c oser before she brought her 'nee up into his groin with e%er! pound of force in her bod!# 9*uess again,: she muttered and shot out the open door# A#2# had /a %in bac'ed up against the red +ustang# (aige s'idded to a stop se%era

feet awa! when she saw the 'nife he he d to /a %in3s throat# Her heart thudded in her chest# How cou d she stop this8 9Stop right now, A#2#, before !ou do something !ou3 regret,: (aige to d him ca m !, inching a itt e c oser# He g ared at her# /a %in oo'ed scared to death# She had to do something# The phone in the barn# She had to get to that phone# Strong arms sudden ! wrapped around her nec', pre%enting her escape# (aige shrie'ed# 9)eep that bitch AuietD: A#2# ordered# 9+! p easure,: 1ab! Da%e responded, gi%ing (aige3s head a bac'ward 7er' as he started bac' into the house# 9.o,: (aige screamed# She dug her bare hee s into the ground and tried to s ow him down# 9,et her go,: a ow, mascu ine %oice grow ed# Nathan# Oh, than' *od, .athanD The sound of his %oice sent re ief through (aige3s tremb ing bod!# Hot tears s ipped down her chee's# 1ab! Da%e sti ed, but didn3t re ease her# (aige heard a thud, then a grunt from 1ab! Da%e# The ne=t thing she 'new 1ab! Da%e was on the ground with her spraw ed on top of him# .athan pu ed her to her feet# 9*o in the house and ca the po ice#: He turned and strode toward A#2# and /a %in# 91ac' off, man,: A#2# shouted o%er his shou der, the 'nife sti pressed to /a %in3s throat# (aige stood stoc'&sti , unab e to mo%e, her e!es g ued to /a %in3s wide&e!ed e=pression# Her heart odged in her throat as the scene e%o %ed before her e!es# 9-f !ou don3t bac' off, man, - swear -3 cut him,: A#2# warned in a ner%ous, high& pitched %oice# 9-f !ou hurt /a %in, -3m going to hurt !ou>a ot,: .athan to d him in a %oice so co d and dangerous that chi s ran o%er (aige# 9/a %in, te !our budd! to bac' off,: A#2# threatened# 9This is between !ou and me#: /a %in oo'ed from A#2# to .athan# E%en in the dus'! ight, (aige cou d see the fear g ittering in /a %in3s e!es, but he said nothing# (aige 'new he trusted .athan to he p him# Rea i"ing she was wasting time, (aige turned and ran into the house# Than' *od the ;66 ser%ice was bac' on ine# $i%e minutes# The po ice wou d be there in fi%e minutes, but an!thing cou d happen in that ength of time# She rushed bac' outside# 1ab! Da%e sti a! motion ess on the ground# (aige oo'ed up from his sti form to see an enraged A#2# sho%e /a %in to the ground and turn on .athan# .athan bac'ed awa! from the 'nife# (aige g anced from /a %in3s crump ed form to the two men circ ing each other# She inched s ow ! toward /a %in# He had to be o'a!# Renewed fear craw ed up her spine# A#2# sputtered cease ess profanities# .athan said nothing# His etha ga"e spo'e for him# A#2# unged at .athan# (aige fe t the scream burst from her as time seemed to apse into s ow motion# The sound of her scream echoed around her ea%ing her wea' with fear# A#2# unged again# (aige saw the s it in .athan3s shirt caused b! the 'nife, saw the b ood

oo"e forth# Nathan#s blood# Her breath whooshed from her bod!# 1efore she cou d re ease an anguished cr!, A#2# was on the ground and .athan had the 'nife# Sirens b ared in the distance# /a %in stirred and tried to sit up# (aige crouched beside him and did a Auic' %isua e=am# .o %isib e signs of harm# Than' *od# She ga%e her ner%e ess imbs the command to mo%e and then she was at .athan3s side# 9Are !ou a right8: She touched his chee'# 1 ood tric' ed from the corner of his ips# .athan he d his hand against the side where the 'nife had s ashed him# 9,et me see, .athan,: she demanded# (anic c awed at her throat# 9-t3s not bad,: he insisted, though he winced with pain# 9-3m ta'ing !ou to the hospita #: She c enched her hands into fists to he p contro her con%u si%e tremb ing# A de a!ed reaction to the fear, she to d herse f# 9-3m o'a!, (aige,: .athan s id his free arm around her shou der and sAuee"ed reassuring !# 9/a %in, are !ou o'a!8: he as'ed as the 'id staggered o%er to 7oin them# 9Yeah, m! head hit the car when A#2# sho%ed me down# -t 'indda stunned me,: he muttered, shoo' his head and then rubbed it# 91ut -3m o'a! now# +an, .athan,: /a %in oo'ed at .athan in admiration, 9!ou3re a regu ar superhero#: .athan aughed and then grimaced# 1 ood seeped between his fingers# 9Damn, /a %in:>he g anced down at the scar et staining his shirt>9!our friend ruined m! on ! b ue shirt#: /a %in3s response was muff ed b! the two officia cruisers that ground to a stop in the dri%ewa!# $our po icemen scramb ed from the tan and brown %ehic es# (aige fe t sudden ! ightheaded# She oo'ed from .athan to /a %in and then to the two men on the ground# She c osed her e!es and re eased a breath# The! cou d ha%e a been 'i ed# She opened her e!es and rested her ga"e on .athan# She cou d ha%e ost him toda!# ,ost him fore%er# And he wou d ne%er ha%e 'nown that he had a son# BCB 9Aren3t !ou through !et8: .athan comp ained# 9With that part - am,: (aige to d him after securing the bandage on the 'nife wound A#2# had inf icted# -t wasn3t deep, but there had been so much b ood# She shuddered# $orcing her attention on his in7ur!, she too' a moment to admire her handiwor', tr!ing not to notice the smooth contours of his bare chest or the ripp ing ridges of his abdomen# .athan had the 'ind of bod! that was hard to ignore# 9What now8: She reached behind him to soa' another washc oth with coo water# 9Has an!one e%er to d !ou that patience is a %irtue8: 9(atience is not m! strong point#: He eaned against the sin' and re eased a ong breath# 9Te me something - don3t 'now#: She dabbed at his b ood! ips with the wet c oth# She mo%ed c oser between his spread egs# She wor'ed hard to 'eep her e=pression neutra since simp ! touching him generated such a heat that she fe t certain she wou d brea' out into a sweat at an! moment# 9Do !ou 'now this8: .athan3s ong fingers encirc ed her wrist and sti ed her hand# (aige a owed her ga"e to meet his# She cou dn3t read the m!riad emotions she saw there#

9-3%e aid awa'e thousands of times and tried to figure out how - cou d ha%e changed things between us#: He shrugged# 9+ade things turn out different ! or ma!be e%en a%oided fa ing in o%e with !ou a together#: His ga"e dropped to the hand he he d and then bac' to her e!es# 9-3m g ad - didn3t 'now how it wou d end# E%en if - cou d go bac', -3d do the same things a o%er again#: $or a ong time neither she nor .athan spo'e e=cept with their e!es# She saw the tremendous need in his, fe t the desire radiating from his bod!# His e!es c osed as she gent ! traced the out ine of his 7aw# Such a strong man, !et capab e of such sweet words# She tiptoed and p aced a soft 'iss on his bruised ips# His dar' e!es f uttered open as she s'immed her hand down his taut chest ma'ing him shi%er# She smi ed at the power she cou d wie d o%er this big, powerfu man# She ga%e his hungr! mouth another 'iss# .athan3s hands sna'ed around her waist and he pu ed her tight against him# His mouth too' hers in a 'iss so hard she tasted the b ood from his in7ured ip# 9(aige,: he whispered against her mouth# 9- want !ou so much#: He crad ed her in his arms# 9E%en if !ou ea%e and ne%er come bac'# E%en if - spend the rest of m! ife a one# - don3t care#: He pressed his forehead against hers# 9- 7ust want to ho d !ou and o%e !ou right now, toda!#: She too' his face in her hands and e%e ed her ga"e on his# 9- want !ou, too, .athan#: He ifted her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom# He sett ed her on her feet ne=t to the bed# $or ong moments he simp ! stared, as if memori"ing e%er! aspect of her# She shuddered when he fina ! touched her# His pa m caressed her chee', the pad of his thumb traced her ips# She pu ed the shirt o%er her head and dropped it to the f oor# She watched the desire in his e!es intensif! as her cutoffs fe to her an' es and she 'ic'ed them aside# .athan remained motion ess# Seeming ! content to oo' at her# 1ut that wasn3t enough for her# She wanted him to touch her>touch her now# She too' his hand and pressed it to her breast# He b in'ed and then s ipped the satin fabric o%er her nipp e# He stro'ed the pea' with his thumb, soft at first, then harder# Heat swir ed through her breast and then san' ower# With painsta'ing s owness he eaned down and tasted her# (aige gasped at the contact of his hot mouth on her breast<the whisper of b ac' si ' against her abdomen# She threaded her fingers through his ong hair# He nibb ed and then suc' ed, drawing desire up from the deepest part of her# She had wanted this for so ong# Wanted .athan for as ong as she cou d remember# She pu ed his mouth from her breast and pressed her ips to his in a desperate 'iss# She wanted to ose herse f in his heat# His hands went behind her bac' and unfastened her bra# He s ipped the satin garment off and crushed her to him# The fee of his wa of musc e against her soft breasts sent fire searing through her midd e# She cou d ho d him i'e this fore%er and be happ! 7ust hearing his heart beat, fee ing his breath on her bare s'in# He s ipped his hands inside the coo si ' of her panties and eased them o%er her hips and down her thighs and o%er the swe of her bottom# His wor'&toughened pa ms caused a sensuous friction on her tender f esh# She smoothed her hands o%er his powerfu bac', re%e ing in the fee of his strong bod!# .o matter how she tried to pretend otherwise, she had ne%er wanted an!one e se i'e she wanted .athan 1 ac'rope# Her heart and sou be onged on ! to him# She cou d ha%e toda! with him e%en if tomorrow ne%er came# And she wanted toda!>this moment

in his arms# .athan3s tongue continued to tease and stro'e hers, his ips ra%ishing and at the same time soothing# (aige tuc'ed her fingers into the waistband of his 7eans and circ ed his waist, stopping on the snap# She popped the snap and then s id the "ipper down# .athan groaned into her mouth as she reached inside and touched him# Ho ding him so intimate ! sent a surge of pure feminine possessi%eness through her that para e ed the fee ing she had e=perienced when she had he d her bab! son in her arms for the first time# .athan was part of her>he a wa!s had been and he a wa!s wou d be# (aige pu ed herse f free of his 'iss and 'ne t before him# She carefu ! eased his 7eans down, freeing him# .athan ne%er wore underwear>7ust musc e and denim# The thought sent another sphere of heat spira ing between her thighs# (aige tugged his pants the rest of the wa! off and f ung them awa!# Her ga"e mo%ed up his muscu ar thighs# Her heart s'ipped a beat when her e!es paused on his hea%! arousa , si '! s'in pu ed tight across his hardened need# .athan3s hands fisted at his sides whi e she too' her time e=p oring his bod!# (aige g ided her hands o%er his narrow hips and taut stomach in a whisper of s'in against s'in# Her ga"e swept o%er his smooth, broad chest to the arms that cou d crad e tender ! or ho d passionate !# She smi ed up at his handsome face# A face so ama"ing that it too' her breath awa!# His hair a! against his shou ders and chest, a curtain of si ' that bec'oned to her touch# .athan 1 ac'rope# E%en his name made her insides twist with desire# His e!es remained c osed# He was waiting# Waiting patient ! for her to ha%e her fi of oo'ing at him# She pressed her ips to his stomach, ne=t to his na%a # A ragged breath s ipped past his ips into the Auietness of the room# 9Are !ou sure this wi be o'a!8: she as'ed, out ining the bandage with her fingertips# 9Yes,: he said hoarse !# (aige stood and s ipped her arms around his nec', a igning her bod! a ong the ength of his# She c osed her e!es and g orified in the wonderfu fee of his strong bod!# .athan mo%ed his hands o%er her a read! heated f esh, touching, caressing# He nu"" ed the ho ow of her nec' and inha ed deep !# His hands tang ed in her hair as he too' her mouth# She opened for him as his tongue p unged into her waiting mouth# He caressed<e=p ored# His hardened ength nudged her be !# She arched into him# He groaned and 'issed her more deep !# 9-3%e wanted !ou for so ong,: he whispered against her chee'# 9You can3t 'now how much this means to me#: She tightened her ho d on his nec'# 9- 'now how much it means to me#: She pressed a 'iss to the pounding pu se at the base of his nec'# Her chest fe t so hea%!# She wanted to te him things she didn3t e%en understand herse f# She wanted to shout h!sterica ! with 7o! and at the same time she fe t the o%erwhe ming need to cr!# 1ut a conscious thought ceased when .athan owered her onto the bed# His s'in fe t so hot against hers# She inha ed his uniAue scent# Drew that specia essence into her, fi ing herse f, aware of on ! him eaning o%er her, oo'ing into her e!es# Her heart pounded, defeating an! ingering doubts# She arched against him# 9-3m on fire,: she whispered against his nec'# 9- can3t wait an! onger#: He pinned her hands abo%e her head# His intense ga"e sett ed on hers# 91urn for

me, (aige,: he murmured as he nibb ed her ower ip and then mo%ed to her nec'# His tongue and teeth wor'ing in perfect harmon!, i'e magic# Torturing and then soothing her f esh as he made his wa! downward# He ic'ed one pebb ed nipp e, and too' it between his teeth and tugged# Teased it with the tip of his tongue before opening his mouth to ta'e as much of her breast as possib e, then suc'ing# She moaned and tried to pu her hands free to touch him, but he he d her firm !, heightening her need# .athan mo%ed to the other breast and wor'ed the same magic# Heat poo ed between her thighs as his hungr! mouth mo%ed o%er her be ! and circ ed her na%e # He pu ed her arms down to her sides, but sti 'ept them gent ! pinned to the bed# 9.athan,: she gasped when he mo%ed ower sti # She desperate ! wanted to touch him# 9( ease,: she moaned# His hands s ipped free of hers and she immediate ! buried her fingers in his hair# He pushed her thighs up against her be ! and wider apart# One hand on the bac' of each thigh, .athan sAuee"ed methodica ! as he owered his head to p ease her in a wa! she had ne%er 'nown before# His breath on the sensiti%e, e=posed area sent a shoc' rumb ing through her# He f ic'ed his tongue between the fo ds of her most feminine f esh# He e=p ored s ow !, patient ! unti he found the budding heart of her desire# He paid specia attention there# Her b ood pounded in her ears# She arched wanton ! against his mouth# 9.athan, p ease,: she begged# She cou dn3t ta'e much more of this# He s ipped his tongue inside her in response# She writhed uncontro ab ! at his stunning ! erotic in%asion# He circ ed her and thrust, again and again# Wa%e after wa%e of sensations swept o%er her, focusing on the center he continued to torture# When the tightening began he thrust his tongue harder, deeper and then he drew it across her pu sing nub# (aige cried out as re ease roc'ed her# 1efore the wa%es subsided, .athan buried himse f fu !, comp ete ! inside her# His ips found hers and he 'issed her with such need that she thought she might cr!# The sensation of being fi ed b! him o%erwhe med a other sensor! perceptions# She was one with him at ast and she wanted to ho d him inside her and cherish him fore%er# .athan didn3t thrust for a ong whi e, satisf!ing his immediate need with grinding himse f against her, pausing and then grinding again# Her heart constricted when she rea i"ed what he was doing# He was gi%ing her time to ad7ust to his si"e, restraining his own needs for her comfort# She did cr! then# Hard as she tried not to, the tears s ipped out# He 'issed her chee's, her e!es# He drew bac' and stared down at her in the semi& dar' room# 9Wh! are !ou cr!ing8 Am - hurting !ou8: He shifted to withdraw# 9.o,: she said Auic' !, tightening her ho d on his waist and wrapping her egs around his# 9You3re not hurting me#: He brushed his ips to hers# 9Then wh! are !ou cr!ing8: he as'ed again, ho ding his ower bod! sti sa%e for the throbbing inside her# 91ecause !ou3re so gent e and it3s been so ong,: she murmured# 9(aige#: He oo'ed deep ! into her e!es# 9What3re !ou sa!ing8: 9There3s ne%er been an!one but !ou#: She tried to s ow her racing heart and the thri that "ipped through her bod! when she saw the impact of those words in his e!es#

He brought his ips bac' to hers and 'issed her s ow !, re%erent !# With great care, he began to thrust inside her# With each ong, s ow stro'e he whispered sweet words to her# She didn3t 'now what the words meant, she on ! 'new that he spo'e to her in the anguage he used when he wanted to e=press an emotion so strong that he cou dn3t find the words to do so in Eng ish# The wa%es crashed down on her again# The tremors started so deep<so far awa!# .athan mo%ed faster, harder, urged on b! her responsi%e sounds# / oser and more powerfu the tremors came unti she cou d hard ! bear the pressure# She c utched him to her and begged him to hurr!# He uttered a tormented phrase# His bod! fe t rigid and unconAuerab e# He fisted his hands in the sheets and increased the force of his mo%ements# He cried out her name and then her own c ima= too' her# A ifetime of memories f ashed through her mind as she ac'now edged what her heart had 'nown a a ong# She o%ed .athan with a her heart and sou and nothing wou d e%er change that# .ot time, not misunderstandings, not her father, nothing# .athan3s own re ease came hard# He co apsed, grinding his hips into hers one ast time# The! he d each other unti their breathing had returned to norma # .athan eased onto the mattress ne=t to her and rested his head against her be !# 1 ue&b ac' si ' fanned o%er her s'in# He caressed her sweat&dampened bod!# Ta 'ing wasn3t necessar!# She cou d fee what he fe t# .athan sti o%ed her, too# She 'new from the words he had spo'en to her during their o%ema'ing, though she had no idea what he had said# She 'new b! the wa! he had oo'ed at her when he rea i"ed there had been no one e se but him# And she a so 'new b! the tender wa! he he d her now# He o%ed her# Her heart re7oiced# 9What3s this8: he as'ed, raising his head to oo' more c ose ! in the dim ight# 9What8: (aige as'ed with a dream! smi e# 9This#: He traced the s ight ! raised mar' of her caesarean scar# The same ine of f esh that had been reopened to remo%e a that made her who e# (aige sti ed# She had forgotten about that# How cou d she answer that Auestion8 There had been comp ications and she hadn3t been ab e to ha%e 2esse natura !# $ear s ipped into her an=ious heart# .o matter how much .athan sti o%ed her, he wou d hate her when he found out the truth about his son# This wonderfu fee ing the! shared right now wou d on ! be temporar!# (aige3s heart ached# And e%en if he forga%e her for that, he wou d ne%er want her now# .athan wanted ots of chi dren and (aige cou d on ! gi%e him one# The one she had 'ept from him for four !ears# 9(aige,: he whispered# 9What3s wrong8: 9Oh, nothing,: she muttered# 9-t3s a surgica scar# -<- had surger!# You 'now, fema e stuff#: 9What 'ind of fema e stuff8: he as'ed, frowning# (aige 'issed him on the chee'# 9- hope !ou3re not in too much pain,: she said, changing the sub7ect# She g anced at the bandage on his stomach and winced when she saw the bright red# 9.athan, !ou3re b eeding again# We shou dn3t ha%e>: 91e ie%e me,: .athan interrupted, 9- didn3t fee an! pain#:

/hapter .ine (aige smi ed p easant ! at each person she met as she strode eisure ! down the corridor to the District Attorne!3s office# A g orious morning for re%enge, she thought# She g anced at her watch# .ine fifteen# Her timing was perfect# (aige opened the door and entered the DA3s domain# She greeted the receptionist in the obb! as she crossed the room# There was no need to as' directions# She had been to 2oe +!ers3s office before# She strode down the ong ha that separated the indi%idua suites# At suite 46H she entered the office of +!ers3s persona secretar!# 9*ood morning, +iss Weston,: Sandra, a p ump ad! in her mid&fifties, greeted (aige with an efficient smi e# 9*ood morning, Sandra,: (aige said, returning the smi e# 9-3d i'e the see +r# +!ers, if he3s a%ai ab e#: 9He3s on the te ephone right now, but as soon as he3s finished, -3m sure +r# +!ers wi be happ! to see !ou# Wou d !ou i'e some coffee, +iss Weston8: 9.o, than' !ou#: (aige sat down in one of the three chairs in the sma waiting area, crossed her egs and smoothed the gra! shirt of her suit# She directed her ga"e to +!ers through the g ass wa that separated his office from Sandra3s# He sat, reared bac', in his eather e=ecuti%e chair that certain ! wasn3t go%ernment&issue# He had a read! noticed (aige and nodded, ac'now edging her presence# She cou dn3t hear his con%ersation with the door c osed, but she cou d see the changing e=pressions on his face as he spo'e# She 'new perfect ! we that the person on the other end of the ine was her c ient# 1efore ea%ing Trinit!, (aige and Si as had s!nchroni"ed their watches# /a %in had p aced his ca from Si as3s office at e=act ! twe %e minutes past nine and (aige had timed her arri%a perfect ! three minutes ater# +!ers cou dn3t possib e suspect that (aige had put /a %in up to ma'ing the ca when she sat right before his e!es# She smi ed a secret smi e and pic'ed up a maga"ine to occup! her hands and e!es unti +!ers finished tightening the noose around his e egant nec'# After se%era minutes of con%ersing with /a %in, the door to 2oe3s office opened and he stuc' his head out# 9(aige, come in,: he announced enthusiastica !# 9Than' !ou#: She rose and fo owed him into his office# +!ers c osed the door behind them# 9Ha%e a seat#: He gestured toward the chair in front of his des'# When (aige had made herse f comfortab e, +!ers too' his seat# 9What can - do for !ou toda!, counse or8: he as'ed, with a roguish smi e# 9Actua !, - thin' there3s something - can do for !ou,: she said# Her ce phone chirped on schedu e# 9E=cuse me, 2oe#: (aige retrie%ed the compact phone from her purse# 9Yes,: she said to her ca er# :*reat#: She c osed the phone and deposited it bac' into her purse# She straightened in her chair and set her ga"e bac' on +!ers# 9You were sa!ing8: 9-3d i'e !ou to drop the charges against m! c ient, /a %in 2efferson,: she said pointed !# 2oe aughed ong and oud# 9You must be 'idding# He3s an important in' in our

case against +a co m Reed#: 9You 'now those drugs were p anted in his oc'er as sure ! as - do# The combination on his oc'er has been tampered with# The 'id is as c ean as the! come# You 'now he3s innocent#: Renewed fur! swept through (aige when she considered the unfairness of the case against /a %in# 9-f - were a betting man, -3d bet !ou3re right#: He smi ed and raised one e!ebrow# 91ut !ou see, - need /a %in and - ha%e abso ute ! no intention of gi%ing him up#: 9O'a!, if that3s the wa! !ou want to p a!,: she warned# The intercom bu""ed# 1efore +!ers cou d press the button to answer, (aige inter7ected, 9That3 be /a %in#: +!ers frowned at her and then pressed the button# 9Yes8: 9You ha%e a ca on ine one, +r# +!ers#: +!ers reached for the te ephone without ta'ing his e!es off (aige# 92oe +!ers,: he said into the recei%er# As he istened, a pa or s id o%er his sa on&tanned face# (aige 'new /a %in was p a!ing the tape he and Si as had made of +!ers3s unethica offer# When +!ers dropped the recei%er bac' into the crad e, rage g ittered in his e!es# 92ust what do !ou hope to accomp ish, (aige8: 9- don3t want to stir up an! troub e, 2oe# - thin' we can wor' this out amiab !# You drop the charges against /a %in and -3 forget about !our itt e offer#: 9.o wa!# - need /a %in#: 9How about - sweeten the dea for !ou, 2oe8: 9What do !ou mean8: 9There are two gu!s who wor' direct ! for +a co m Reed sitting in Ha!wood /ount! 2ai # Sheriff Ho t sa!s the two are %er! an=ious to cut a dea , especia ! since one3s up on an assau t charge# That wou d be assau t with a dead ! weapon#: +!ers straightened in his cordo%an eather chair# The anger in his e!es Auic' ! changed to eagerness# 9You3d better not be 7er'ing m! chain,: he said wari !# 9A#2# Da%is, /a %in3s cousin, is probab ! the one who p anted the drugs if - had m! guess, with 1ab! Da%e Simmons# A#2# is a %er! c ose associate of +a co m3s, b! his own account and according to /a %in# 1ab! Da%e seems to be A#2#3s confidant#: 9You rea i"e that -3 ha%e to chec' into this before - can gi%e !ou an! assurances,: +!ers to d her s'eptica !# 9You ha%e twent!&four hours#: (aige stood# 9After that, - ta ' to 2udge +attson about !our itt e offer#: 91e reasonab e, (aige,: +!er shot to his feet# 9These things ta'e time#: 9Sheriff Ho t can ho d A#2# and 1ab! Da%e for twent!&four more hours# After that can3t promise !ou an!thing e=tra# *ood da!, 2oe#: (aige hurried to her car, then s ipped behind the whee and buc' ed her seat be t# She cou dn3t wait to see 2esse# +a!be she wou d 7ust spend the rest of the da! with her itt e bo!# She and 2esse cou d treat 1eatrice to unch# Somep ace besides +cDona d3s# After that she wou d go bac' to Trinit!# To Nathan# She eaned her head bac' against the headrest and c osed her e!es# She re i%ed the memor! of .athan3s hands on her bod!, touching her e%er!where# Heat simmered in her %eins and she smi ed# She too' a ong, deep breath# She moistened her ips and reca ed the taste of his s'in# 1eing with .athan made her fee comp ete#

That one night the! shared together so ong ago had been beautifu >specia # (aige had been comp ete ! ine=perienced in the art of ma'ing o%e, but .athan3s abi it! as a o%er had more than made up for her ac' of s'i # .athan had been patient as best he cou d, considering the state of mind he had been in at the time# He had needed (aige so much that night and she had needed him# The! had c ung to each other as if the wor d wou d end in the ne=t minute# When she had thought that .athan had turned to someone e se, re7ected her, (aige assumed that her father had been right, that .athan didn3t o%e her# She had ne%er been ab e to get c ose to an!one e se# .ot that she feared inadeAuac!, but because she had a wa!s o%ed .athan, e%en if he didn3t o%e her# And then, of course, there was 2esse# The birth of her son had turned her wor d upside down, sent her on a new 7ourne!# A 7ourne! that a tered the course of her ife fore%er# (aige had b oomed i'e a rose opening to the sun, become the true person she wanted to be# .ot the carbon cop! her father had wanted her to be# .ow, she sighed and opened her e!es# A she had to do was straighten this mess out with .athan# She had prepared herse f for his hatred# She o%ed .athan more than ife itse f, but she cou d endure his hatred for 2esse3s sa'e# Her son needed his father a great dea more than (aige needed a o%er# She started her car and pu ed out onto the bus! street# She had a wa!s 'nown what a! in store for her# One night of o%e and tenderness hadn3t changed an!thing# 1ut at east she had a memor! or two to ho d in her heart# She wou dn3t 'id herse f about the future# .athan wou d hate her when she to d him# And she wou d te him# 2ust not toda!, she decided# BCB Sweat ro ed down .athan3s bac' as he stac'ed the ast of the ha! ba es nearest to the oft door# The winter supp ! was a most dep eted as a wa!s at thus time of !ear# With the pastures growing greener e%er! da!, ha!ing the horses wou dn3t be necessar! much onger# He pee ed off his shirt and wiped the sweat from his nec' and chest, then ad7usted the red bandana tied around his forehead# He pitched his shirt on a ba e and drew in a ong breath of barn scents# An! one of the men who wor'ed for him wou d be happ! to tid! the ha! oft for .athan, but he i'ed doing this particu ar chore himse f# Wor'ing in the barn and caring for the horses came second on ! to his o%e of riding# He smi ed# And a that too' a bac' seat to ma'ing o%e with (aige# He hadn3t s ept at a ast night# He had tossed and turned and re i%ed their o%ema'ing o%er and o%er again# The %er! idea that he had been the on ! man to e%er touch her did strange things to his heart# He had wa 'ed the f oors for hours tr!ing to wear off his insatiab e need to ma'e o%e to her again# He cou dn3t possib ! bang on her door in the midd e of the night as he onged to do with /a %in there# $ina !, desperate to re ie%e the ache in his oins he had ta'en a ong wa ' in the coo night air# .athan had ta'en numerous other women to his bed o%er the !ears after (aige had gone off to co ege and forsa'en him# Each time he had hoped that it wou d be different# That he wou dn3t thin' of (aige when he shou d ha%e been thin'ing of the woman in his arms# And each time he had desperate ! hoped that he wou dn3t fee empt! inside when it

was o%er, but he a wa!s did# He had ne%er been ab e to o%e an!one e se# Hadn3t e%en wanted to# .ot e%en his doomed marriage had changed that fact# .athan sur%e!ed the oft for an!thing e se that needed doing# He 7ust wasn3t read! to ca it a da! !et# He ginger ! touched the bandage on his abdomen# (aige had insisted on coming b! this morning and redressing the bare !&more&than&a&nic' in7ur!# The wa! she acted, !ou wou d thin' that he had been near fata ! in7ured# .athan smi ed# She had gi%en him the sweetest 'iss before ea%ing for +emphis# He frowned when he thought of the conser%ati%e suit she had worn to wor'# The damned thing co%ered up e%er!thing from nec' to 'nee# Then again, that might be good, he decided# He didn3t want other men seeing too much of her# Especia ! that +!ers gu!, whom /a %in seemed to thin' had the hots for (aige# .athan didn3t 'now +!ers, but he didn3t i'e him# He didn3t i'e him at a # He had seen him that one time in court# And, come to thin' of it, there had been something about the wa! he oo'ed at (aige that .athan found unsett ing# The man had damned sure better sta! awa! from her# 1ecause somehow, some wa! .athan intended to ma'e her his again# 9.o da!dreaming a owed, 1 ac'rope#: He snapped his head around at the sound of (aige3s !rica %oice# His smi e returned at the sight of her o%e ! face# She stepped off the adder and into the oft, smoothing the dust from her tastefu but prim suit# 9So, how3d it go with +!ers8: he as'ed, watching her mo%e toward him# She remo%ed the c asp restraining her hair and the ong, b ond tresses cascaded o%er her shou ders# .athan onged to run his fingers through that softness# 9Without a g itch,: she to d him, sounding breath ess# She stopped midwa! across the oft, tossed the c asp aside, then unfastened the shin! button at her waist# She shrugged out of her 7ac'et and dropped it to the ha!&strewn f oor# .athan stared at the 7ac'et on the f oor and then at her# Something was up# He had ne%er 'nown (aige to beha%e so<so seducti%e !# 9- fe t i'e a fema e 2ames 1ond#: She smi ed a se=! smi e, her pin' ips begging to be 'issed# 9-t was a rea rush, arousing<a most#: She s ow !, one b! one, unfastened the tin! pear buttons of her b ouse# 90h<good# -3m>-3m g ad !our itt e scheme wor'ed,: he stammered# His throat tightened as he tried to swa ow with his mouth fee ing i'e a dust! corra # $ire shot to his groin when the pa e si %er b ouse fe to the wide p an's at her feet# 9+!ers didn3t 'now what hit him,: she purred, s iding the s'irt down her thighs# (aige stepped out of the circ e her s'irt made on the f oor and mo%ed a step c oser to him# .athan3s mouth fe open and his heart hammered unmercifu ! as his ga"e mo%ed o%er her bod!# A b ac' si ' tedd! dipped breathta'ing ! ow between her breasts and arched high on her hips# Sheer, b ac' stoc'ings stopped mid&thigh in a band of b ac' ace# .athan sudden ! found it difficu t to breathe# 9After that,: she s ipped off one b ac' hee and propped her foot on a ba e of ha!, 9a - cou d thin' about was !ou#: She ro ed her stoc'ing down e%er so s ow !, pausing brief ! at her an' e# (aige pu ed the sheer stoc'ing from her foot, a owing it to g ide o%er her smooth thigh before she tossed the scrap of b ac' nothing to the f oor# 9+e8: he as'ed ame !# His brain had stopped functioning# .athan sAuee"ed his hands into fists and tried to ca m the %o cano erupting inside him# He ic'ed his ips and forced his ga"e awa! from the ong, shape ! egs tanta i"ing him#

(aige smi ed# 9Of course, !ou,: she said sweet ! as she remo%ed the other stoc'ing with the same painsta'ing s owness as she had the first# 1arefoot and a but na'ed, she turned and too' the few steps that separated them, her s ender hips swa!ing pro%ocati%e !# The contrast of her porce ain s'in against the b ac' tedd! made his bod! hum with white&hot desire# A new ine of sweat seeped into his bandana# His hardening f esh pressed painfu ! against his 7eans# 9(aige,: he murmured# 9You3re dri%ing me cra"!#: She s id her hands across his bare chest# He c osed his e!es and shuddered with need# Her hot mouth c osed o%er one nipp e# .athan c enched his teeth against the groan that rose in his throat# Whate%er he had done to deser%e this, he pra!ed he wou d i%e to do it again# When she3d had her fi of torturing that nipp e, she traced a path with her tongue to the other one# She suc'ed hard and this time .athan cou dn3t pre%ent the groan from escaping# Her fingers tugged at his be t and then the snap of his 7eans# She s id his "ipper down and reached inside# He grunted a start ed, strained sound as her fingers wrapped around his se=# 9(aige#: $or the first time since she had entered the oft, .athan a owed himse f to touch her# The coo si ' sent spar's of heat discharging in his rigid bod!# He s ipped his fingers beneath the fabric he found incredib ! erotic to touch her smooth, warm s'in# He stro'ed one firm, fu breast# (aige pushed his 7eans o%er his hips# She dropped to her 'nees in front of him and dipped her tongue into his na%a # 9Wait,: he protested, tr!ing to pu her bac' up# He suc'ed in a harsh breath as her soft mouth mo%ed ower# 9You don3t ha%e to do this,: he strugg ed to sa!# 9- want to,: she to d him# (assion g ittered in her b ue e!es when she stared up at him# She smi ed and then ic'ed his ength in one ong, e%en stro'e# .athan c osed his e!es and groaned a surrendering sound as (aige continued to p easure him in the wa! e%er! man dreamed his woman wou d# His heart pounded and his senses too' f ight, soaring hea%enward i'e an eag e# .othing e se e=isted, on ! time and space as (aige too' him higher# Desire twisted through his bod!, simu taneous ! ra%aging and restoring# He reached a p ateau of p easure he had ne%er dreamed of and sudden ! he wanted desperate ! to bring (aige there with him# His passion&c ouded ga"e dropped to her# His breath caught at the oo' of o%e on her face as she gifted his bod! se f ess !# .athan too' her face in his hands and brought her ga"e to his# 9/ome with me,: he whispered hoarse !# Her wide&e!ed, sensuous e=pression wrenched his heart# .athan pu ed (aige to her feet and s id his arms around her waist# He too' her mouth as gent ! as he cou d considering he fe t read! to b ast off# Her arms went around his nec', her tongue in%aded his mouth# She moaned soft ! as he cou d wait no onger# He cupped her bottom and ifted her# (aige wrapped her egs around his hips and arched into his groin# .athan ha f stumb ed to the stac' of ha! some si= or se%en feet awa!# His mouth ne%er eft hers as he positioned her on the stac'# He fumb ed between her thighs to find her specia softness# (aige arched against his hand# 9Hurr!, .athan#: He 'issed her harder, fi ed her hungr! mouth with his tongue, drin'ing in the

sweet taste of her# He found the s ic' heat he had been searching for with tremb ing fingers# He tested her readiness and a most ost himse f in the fire# His 'nees went wea' with emotion# 9.owD: 9O'a!<o'a!,: he mumb ed against her ips# .athan pu ed aside the scant strip of si ' and thrust inside her we coming bod!# A deep, guttura sound echoed in the %ast oft as he buried his need deep inside (aige# She ca ed out his name and tightened her ho d on him# She showered his face, nec', and shou ders with 'isses as he mo%ed s ow ! inside her# The sensation of being inside her was incredib e# E%er! musc e in his bod! fe t hardened, e%er! ner%e ending acute ! sensiti"ed# He he d her hips firm ! in p ace, his ips pressing against her soft hair# He cou dn3t ho d out<He was going to oose it, but he wanted to ma'e this ast# He c enched his 7aw and withdrew a the wa! to the tip e%er so s ow !# -t too' e%er!thing he had to ease himse f unhurried ! bac' into her fire# She threaded her fingers into his hair and thrust her hips upward# 9Harder, .athan,: she whispered# 9- don3t want to wait#: The mo%e sent him o%er the edge# .athan thrust harder, faster, tension si"" ing up the ength of him each time he dro%e into her wet heat# His wor d ti ted when she cried out with re ease, her feminine musc es gripping him i'e a hot %ise# 9- o%e !ou, (aige,: he whispered hoarse ! as re ease too' him# 9) love $ou,: he repeated# On ! then did he rea i"e he hadn3t spo'en in Eng ish# 9.athan,: (aige whispered and too' his face in her hands# Her ga"e oc'ed with his# She 'issed his ips# He searched her e!es# He waited for her to sa! the words he so wanted to hear# 1ut the! ne%er came# He saw the o%e on her face, in her e!es# Wh! wou dn3t she sa! what she fe t8 How cou d he ris' te ing her when she he d bac'8 He had to d her he o%ed her in the throes of passion, it 7ust came out in Apache# 1ut now, his rationa side reemerged# (ride he d him si ent# (aige tightened her egs around his hips, pressing him more deep ! inside her# 9You3re ama"ing, .athan 1 ac'rope#: She traced the ine of his 7aw# 9Tru ! ama"ing#: She too' his ips with hers and .athan fe t himse f harden once more# He groaned and began the s ow, eas! rh!thm again# BCB (aige paced the entr! ha once more as she waited for 2oe +!ers to ca # /a %in shifted rest ess ! from his propped position against the newe post at the bottom of the stairs# He ran a hand o%er his face# 9Wh! don3t he ca 8: /a %in as'ed for the fifth time, an=iet! tingeing his %oice# 9He3 ca ,: (aige assured# The te ephone rang, start ing her despite her anticipation of its ring# She !an'ed the recei%er up and answered with a breath ess he o# /a %in watched as she istened# 9That3s 7ust what - wanted to hear# O'a!, -3 te him# And 2oe, than's#: (aige smi ed as she hung up the recei%er# 9YesD: 9We 8: /a %in as'ed, his e!es wide with anticipation# 9The charges ha%e been droppedD You3re off the hoo', /a %inD: She hugged him

and the! spun around in the midd e of Robert3s entr! ha # 9Than' !ou, +iss (# - owe !ou#: 9- sa! we ce ebrateD *et !our part!ing shoes on, /a %in, we3re going to 1ubba3s#: (aige snatched up the recei%er to in%ite .athan and Si as# 9A right,: /a %in agreed, s apping (aige a high fi%e# BCB Two hours ater the four sat around a tab e at 1ubba3s ha%ing an after dinner beer, e=cept for /a %in, who had co a# E%en on +onda! night, most of the booths and tab es were fi ed and countr! music b ared from the 7u'ebo=# 9To Si as,: (aige announced, raising her frost! mug, 9the mastermind#: She had come up with the initia idea to trap +!ers, but Si as had de%ised the method# * asses c in'ed in agreement# 9What3s this - hear about !ou retiring, Si as8: .athan as'ed after downing a ong swa ow of foam! brew# (aige3s ga"e f ew to her friend# 9You3re retiring8: 9-t3 time, itt e gir , -3m si=t!&fi%e# - want to see some of this o d wor d before ea%e it#: 9This doesn3t ha%e an!thing to do with Robert getting married, does it8: .athan as'ed pointed !# 9(erhaps#: Si as shrugged# 9-3m sure he3 be too bus! with his new wife to p a! po'er with me three nights a wee'#: (aige3s heart went out to Si as# 9We3 7ust ha%e to find !ou a gir friend,: she offered# 91ite !our tongue,: Si as bar'ed# 9-3m m! own man# - don3t need a woman te ing me how to i%e m! ife#: His incensed e=pression generated a burst of aughter from e%er!one# 9-3m sorr!# -t was 7ust a suggestion,: (aige amended# An attracti%e, midd e&aged waitress sid ed up to Si as3s p ace at the tab e# 9/ou d get an!thing e se for !ou, dar ing8: 9.o, than's# -3m fine#: Si as smi ed up at the woman, who practica ! me ted right before his e!es# 9He!, the!3re p a!ing our song,: .athan said# He too' (aige3s hand and pu ed her up# 9What song8: she as'ed, dumbfounded# She tried to decipher the me od! and the odd oo' on .athan3s face# 9- didn3t 'now we had a song#: .athan eaned toward (aige to whisper in her ear, 9We do now#: He smi ed a wic'ed, heart&stopping smi e and ed her out onto the dance f oor# 91esides, this cou d be our song#: She concentrated on identif!ing the song as .athan fo ded her in his arms and pu ed her c ose# 9,i'e - to d !ou before, e%en if -3d 'nown -3d ose !ou, - wou dn3t ha%e done an!thing different !#: She nodded, the words of the song sin'ing in# 9- wou dn3t ha%e missed this dance for an!thing#: His ips touched hers, ight !,

o%ing !# 9- 'now !ou3 be ea%ing>: 9.athan>: He touched a finger to her ips and shoo' his head# 9Don3t sa! an!thing, (aige# $or 7ust a itt e whi e et3s pretend that e%er!thing3s right between us#: He pu ed her c ose and he d her tight !# Tears we ed in her e!es as she rea i"ed that he was right# This moment was a the! had# Her heart urched# Time was running out for her# The !rics of o%e f oating from the 7u'ebo= taunted her# She c osed her e!es and c ung to him for what might be the ast time# He was hers right now# 9- i'e !our dress,: .athan whispered against her hair# 9Than' !ou,: she whispered bac'# She smi ed to herse f# She had rushed into town after ca ing .athan to this informa ce ebration and searched e%er! shop on +ain Street for this f ims! itt e sundress# -f tonight was going to be her ast night with .athan, she wanted to ma'e it specia # She absorbed the heat coming from his bod!# $e t the power of his strong arms# -nha ed the essence that was his a one# She ost herse f in his instincti%e rh!thm to the music# ) love $ou% Nathan Blackrope, she said si ent !# ) alwa$s will# BCB (aige watched /a %in disappear into Robert3s house# She oo'ed up at .athan, who stood watching her without spea'ing# He had come around to the passenger side of his truc' to assist her in getting out, but that3s as far as the! had gotten# The truc'3s interior ight cast a dim g ow, then faded to dar'ness# The! both stood in the near dar'ness, not sa!ing an!thing# She cou d sense that .athan understood their time together was a most o%er# 9- had a great time,: he said fina !# 9Than's for in%iting me#: His b ac' e!es pierced the dar'ness, sending a spear of heat through her# 9/a %in and - cou dn3t ha%e done it without !ou, .athan#: She smi ed and p aced a tentati%e hand against his tense 7aw# Oh, how she wished she cou d change the e%ents that were about to ta'e p ace# He crushed her to him and 'issed her with an urgenc! that made her chest ache with gui t and pain# (aige p unged her hands into his beautifu hair, fe t its si 'iness# She wanted so for this to ast fore%er# To te him that she o%ed him# 1ut that wou d on ! ma'e matters worse when she to d him about 2esse# She cou d ne%er et him 'now how desperate ! she needed him# She 'new she had to et him go> et him find someone e se# Her heart grie%ed at the thought# .athan deser%ed someone who wou dn3t hurt him the wa! she was about to# He 'issed her harder, and (aige fe t the desperation in his rigid bod!# Tasted the despair on his ips# She ached for him, for what she 'new he wanted# Tears stung behind her ids# -f she cou d on ! undo the past, she cou d ma'e him happ!>she 'new she cou d# 1ut she cou dn3t change what had happened# -nstead she he d this moment in the pa m of her hand, her dar' secret poised to crush them both# .athan s id his hands under her dress and sAuee"ed her bottom# He ifted her and p aced her on the edge of the truc' seat# 9- need !ou, (aige,: he groaned into her mouth, then eaned her bac' onto the seat, imprisoning her with his strong bod!# Desire gripped her with such urgenc! that (aige dared not spea' for fear of what

she might sa!# She ripped his shirt open, buttons c ic'ed against the dash and to the f oor# Her fingers sp a!ed o%er his chest# She wou d ne%er forget how his s'in fe t beneath her touch# Smooth, hot, stretched taut o%er rugged musc e# This had to be the ast time# After tonight .athan3s fee ings toward her wou d be irre%ocab ! changed# He wou d ne%er again be hers# Desperate 'isses# Hands e%er!where at once# Ragged breaths and ripping c oth sounded in the si ence# And then he was inside her, fi ing her# .athan groaned and too' her mouth with his# His 'iss was ong and deep, heart wrenching# His hands tormented her breast, massaging and stro'ing as her thrust rh!thmica ! inside her# 9- need !ou so much,: he murmured against her ips# She ran her hands o%er his bac' and down to his waist urging him on# 9- need !ou, .athan,: she confessed, read! to burst into tears of pain<of 7o!<of need<of desperation# She fe t a distant ting ing# Sensations f ooded her mind and bod!# She matched his mo%ements, thrust for thrust# He gasped for breath when the tremors started to sha'e her# His own mo%ements became more urgent as her tightening began# Harder he p unged into her# / ima= crashed through her at his fina , urgent thrusts# Tension sti %ibrated inside him when his bod! at ast rested against hers, the same tension that threatened to suffocate her with its intensit!# 9( ease don3t ea%e me, (aige,: he whispered in the dar'ness, his %oice raw with emotion# 9- can3t ose !ou again#: (aige he d him tight ! to her# How cou d she e%er ha%e et this happen8 She 'new when she came that she cou dn3t a ow herse f to get in%o %ed with him# And oo' what she had done# .athan drew bac' to oo' into her e!es# 9- o%e !ou, (aige# - ne%er stopped#:

/hapter Ten .athan c osed his e!es and too' a deep breath# (aige s id her arms around him from behind# 9-3m so g ad !ou sta!ed the night,: she said and p anted a 'iss on his shou der# She reached for the brush she had dropped on the bed and tugged it through his hair# 9- o%e !our hair# Remember when we were 'ids and - used to braid it for !ou8: 9How cou d - forget8: He smi ed in spite of the tremendous ache in his chest# 9E%er! time - sat sti for more than fi%e minutes !ou were twidd ing with m! hair#: 9You o%ed it and !ou 'now it#: 9- guess - did,: .athan admitted as she continued to smooth the ong strands# Though the! had made o%e again during the night, sti he wanted her now# He shifted, the 7eans he had pu ed on becoming uncomfortab ! snug# 9- thin' we shou d ca 1ubba3s and see if he wou d consider sending o%er a hot brea'fast,: (aige suggested p a!fu !# 9-3m star%ing# And after we eat, we need to ta '#: 9,et3s ta ' now,: he said# His smi e re a=ed into a frown when he considered that during their o%ema'ing he3d to d (aige how much he o%ed her and that he wanted her to

sta!E each time she had remained si ent# .athan 'new she o%ed him# He cou d fee it# He cou d see it in her e!es# 9You mean !ou aren3t hungr!8: (aige as'ed, surprised# 9Te me about the surger!#: She b in'ed, uncertaint! sho%ed aside the surprise in her e!es# 9That3s one of the things -3d p anned to ta ' to !ou about# - 7ust 'eep putting it off#: 9So te me#: 9/ancer# - ha%e<had cancer#: He hadn3t been prepared for that# The words s ammed into him with such force that .athan cou dn3t spea' for a ong moment# 9/ancer8: he repeated tight !# She nodded# 91ut !ou3re o'a! now8: He heard the desperation in his own %oice# He cou dn3t ose her now# He3d on ! 7ust found her again# 9Yes, but,:>she owered her ga"e>9- can3t ha%e chi dren now#: She ifted one shou der in a ha f shrug# 9The! had to:>her ga"e returned to his>9!ou 'now what the! had to do#: He c utched her shou ders, fear gripping him# 9You3re sure !ou3re o'a! now8 -t won3t come bac'8: 9There3s no reason to be ie%e it wi #: She too' his hands in hers# 9.athan, facing this disease made me rea i"e the mista'es -3%e made# -t made me see things more c ear !# - 'now - shou d ha%e to d !ou e%er!thing a ong time ago, but - thought>: 9To d me what8: he interrupted, fear and concern c ouding his abi it! to understand# 9When - found out, !ou had a read! married someone e se# - didn3t want to>: He shoo' his head# 9What are !ou ta 'ing about8: She too' a deep breath# 9.athan>: A ring from the te ephone cut her off# 9,et it ring#: 9-t might be important#: (aige re eased his hands and answered the anno!ing instrument# She istened Auiet ! for a few moments# .athan cou d hear the ca er spea'ing ouder than necessar!# He hoped nothing had bac'fired for /a %in# 91eatrice, - don3t understand# S ow down#: (aige stood, c ear ! distressed# .athan got up and stood beside her, watching her c ose !# Who the he was 1eatrice8 What cou d she want8 92esse8: (aige pa ed as she uttered the name# 9Yes, -3m on m! wa!# .oD: She threaded her fingers ner%ous ! through her hair# 9-3 be there in two hours# 2ust ma'e sure 2esse3s o'a!#: 1esse# A 'not twisted in .athan3s gut and a sense of foreboding sett ed o%er him# Who was 2esse8 (aige had not mentioned that name before# .athan had a bad fee ing about this 2esse# She pressed the disconnect button and p aced the recei%er bac' on its base# 9- ha%e to go bac' to +emphis,: she to d him Auic' ! without oo'ing at him# 9What3s going on8: .athan mo%ed up behind her# $ear gripped his heart# She was ea%ing and someone named 2esse had something to do with it# She b in'ed and shoo' her head# 9- don3t ha%e time to e=p ain# -3 ca !ou ater#: She rushed to the dresser and 7er'ed out something to wear#

9(aige, te me what3s going on,: he demanded more firm ! than he had intended, hands p anted on his hips# She wasn3t going an!where unti she to d him the dea # 9.athan, - don3t ha%e time#: She tugged on her 7eans and s ipped on a T&shirt# 9-3 go with !ou then,: he offered# 9.o,: she shot bac', sha'ing her head adamant !# 9.o# -3 ca !ou ater#: He 'new true fear when he saw it# (aige was scared# He watched as she pu ed on her shoes and tied them with tremb ing fingers# Something was %er! wrong# 9What does this 2esse character ha%e to do with whate%er3s going on8: (aige e%e ed her ga"e on his# 9.athan, - promise -3 e=p ain e%er!thing ater, but right now - ha%e to go# Te /a %in -3 come bac' for him ater this e%ening#: .athan bac'ed off when he saw the tears brimming# He wou dn3t ma'e things worse# Whate%er she had to dea with, he had no intention of adding to her an=iet!# 91!e,: she said hasti ! before dashing out the door# .athan dropped bac' on the foot of the bed# He p ess# He fe t he p ess to contro an! of this# He ra'ed his hands through his hair, pushed up from the bed and strode to the window# He watched, his hopes sin'ing, as (aige sped awa! in a c oud of dust and spra!ing gra%e # She had said she wou d ca # He sAuee"ed his e!es shut and considered his options once more# Sta! here and wait for her to ca or come bac'# 1ut he had done that before and oo' where it had gotten him# No# .athan wasn3t going to et histor! to repeat itse f# He wou d go to +emphis and find out 7ust e=act ! what the dea was himse f# /a %in was supposed to go home, .athan cou d drop him off and sa%e (aige the troub e# Yeah, he thought with a smi e# And that wou d be his e=cuse for fo owing (aige to +emphis# He wou d be doing her a fa%or# BCB (aige par'ed in the ong, ha f&moon dri%e that cur%ed across the awn of the Weston estate# She sighed, tr!ing to dispe some of the growing an=iet!# +erc!, she dreaded this encounter# Her father had returned home ear ier than anticipated and the man had f own into a rage upon hearing of (aige3s whereabouts# -t wasn3t i'e 1eatrice cou d ha%e ied# Wh! e se wou d her father3s house'eeper ha%e 2esse8 How cou d an!one ha%e 'nown that he wou d ha%e returned home une=pected !8 (aige got out of her car and wa 'ed up the sidewa ', past the e egant andscape and the bubb ing fountain# She c imbed the steps and crossed the immacu ate ! 'ept %eranda# (aige pressed the doorbe and he d her breath# ,lease% +od% she pra!ed, don#t let m$ father sa$ an$thin" that will hurt 1esse# Ra!mond opened the door# He smi ed with sincere affection# 9+iss Weston, so nice to see !ou#: He stepped bac', swinging the door wide open# 9Than' !ou, Ra!mond#: She produced a smi e as best she cou d and stepped into the rich ! decorated fo!er# Ra!mond had been the but er for the Westons for as ong as she cou d remember# 9-t3s nice to see !ou, too#: 9Your father is waiting for !ou in his stud!#: 9Than' !ou,: she rep ied, not fee ing than'fu at a # (aige wa 'ed down the marb e&f oored entr! ha unti she reached the door to her

father3s stud!# She moistened her ips and firmed her reso %e# She cou d hand e this situation# She had to hand e this situation# (aige turned the 'nob and pushed the door open# Her e!es came immediate ! to rest on 2esse, sitting Auiet ! on the sofa beside 1eatrice# (aige had waited si ent ! on that same couch man! times as a chi d# Waited for her father to gi%e her one ecture or the other regarding propriet!# A term she had earned was s!non!mous with E iott3s Ru es# 9+omm!,: 2esse cried, 7umping down to run into her embrace# (aige a most winced# Her father had ne%er a owed running in his house# 2esse3s arms f ew around her as she crouched down to meet him# She hugged him tight ! and inha ed his itt e&bo! scent# How she had missed him# 9Hi, sweetie#: 91eatrice, wou d !ou ta'e (aige3s son into the 'itchen for refreshments,: E iott Weston directed# E iott ne%er as'ed peop e to do things, he directed# 0er son# Anger shot through (aige at her father3s a%oidance of 2esse3s name# The ca m, ho ier&than&thou sound of E iott Weston3s %oice made her brist e# She and 1eatrice e=changed worried oo's# She pu ed free of 2esse3s o%ing arms and a owed 1eatrice to ead him from the room# He didn3t need to hear or see an! of this# The door c osed with an audib e c ic' behind them and (aige fina ! a owed her ga"e to meet her father3s# His disappro%ing ga"e swept o%er her# (aige 'new she oo'ed a mess# Worn 7eans and T&shirt hasti ! pu ed on# .athan3s scent si ingered on her s'in# 9( ease sit down, (aige,: her father issued the command soft !, but firm ! nonethe ess# 9- thin' -3 stand,: she rep ied without f inching# She wou dn3t fee Auite so %u nerab e standing# 9$ine,: he acAuiesced# He studied her for a ong whi e before he began# 9Wou d !ou care to e=p ain to me what fascination Trinit! has he d for !ou the past few da!s8: 9Actua !, no#: 9- be ie%e - ha%e the right to an e=p anation, especia ! since - arri%ed this morning to find !our son in 1eatrice3s care#: E%er the aw!er, (aige mused# 92esse is his name and he3s $our grandson,: she stated defiant !# 9.ot a da! goes b! that - don3t consider that fact#: 9-t3s nice to 'now !ou thin' of us often, $ather#: (aige pasted a smi e across her ips# How cou d he be so co d8 She too' a deep, stead!ing breath# She wou dn3t ose it, because that3s what he wanted# She had his number# (aige he d her tongue# 9You are m! daughter# Of course - thin' of !ou often# Especia ! since<: His %oice trai ed off# He straightened in his u=urious chair, 9And, as !ou sa!, 2esse is m! grandson# How cou d - not thin' of him8: 9-f it were on ! that simp e with !ou,: she said ruefu !# 9Since !ou ha%e no intention of te ing me wh! !ou went to Trinit!, wh! don3t ha"ard a guess8: 90nc e Robert is on his hone!moon# - went to o%ersee the reno%ations in his house,: (aige to d him in a tone 7ust a degree short of scathing# 91eatrice has a read! pro%ided that co%er stor!#: 9/o%er stor!8: (aige was a grown woman, thirt! !ears o d# She didn3t ha%e to answer to him# 9Do - ha%e to remind !ou that -3m we past the age of needing !our

consent8: 9- 'now how o d !ou are# E%en if !ou don3t act it#: 9This con%ersation is o%er, $ather,: (aige retorted# Enough was enough# She didn3t ha%e to stand here and ta'e this# Wh! did she8 1ecause he was her father and (aige wanted to gi%e him e%er! opportunit! to change his mind# E iott stood, rage b a"ing in his b ue e!es# 9- 'now wh! !ou went to Trinit!, (aige#: He rounded his des' and mo%ed c oser to her# He shoo' his aristocratic head in disgust# 9Didn3t !ou earn !our esson fi%e !ears ago8 .athan 1 ac'rope is no good# He wou dn3t ha%e an!thing if Amos /o ins hadn3t been foo ish enough to marr! his mother#: 9- won3t isten to this,: (aige said through c enched teeth# 9He3s nothing# A parasite i%ing on the misguided good intentions of a wea th! man# - can3t be ie%e !ou wou d ower !ourse f b! craw ing bac' to him# - raised !ou better than that# Your unc e fi ed !our head with ridicu ous notions a those !ears# shou d ne%er ha%e a owed !ou to spend one summer with Robert#: 9Stop itD: (aige shouted# 9You3re wrong# Wh! can3t !ou see how wrong !ou are8 Are !ou that b ind8: Her entire bod! shoo' with rage# How cou d this man be her father8 9You3%e thrown !our who e ife awa! o%er that damned man,: he be owed# 9-3 treat the chi d fair ! since Weston b ood runs through his %eins, but if !ou insist on ca%orting with the i'es of .athan 1 ac'rope, -3 >: 9You3 what8 Disown me8 Disinherit me8: (aige spat %ehement !# 9Ta'e !our pic'# - stopped caring ong ago#: 9This has gone on too ong, (aige,: he shouted# 9You3re m! daughter and -3m entit ed to !our respect# - wi not ha%e !ou ignore me or m! wishesD: 9Respect is something !ou earn, $ather# You don3t own me#: (aige shoo' her head# 9-3m not a piece of propert!#: 9You3re m! daughter, (aige# - won3t ose !ou o%er the i'es of .athan 1 ac'rope#: 1eatrice burst into the room# 9- can hear !ou two shouting c ear in the 'itchen# And so can 2esse#: (aige3s heart twisted with pain at the thought of her son hearing this e=change# Episodes i'e this were the reason she had stopped seeing her father more than a !ear ago# BCB .athan par'ed his truc' ne=t to (aige3s car# He had dropped /a %in off at his grandmother3s house first# The 'id3s ast words to him echoed in his head, 9She o%es !ou, /hief# Don3t et her get awa!#: He tried to te himse f that /a %in was right, but something 'ept eating at his insides# Something he saw in (aige3s e!es each time he oo'ed at her# -t was more than her re%e ation about the cancer and not being ab e to ha%e chi dren# He 7ust cou dn3t put his finger on it# En route /a %in had gotten a ca from his grandmother, she was the 1eatrice who3d ca ed (aige# Whate%er the woman had ca ed about, it had gone down at (aige3s father3s house# He too' a ong oo' at E iott Weston3s home# His stomach tied itse f in 'nots when he considered the possibi it! of coming face to face with that man again# (aige had said her dadd! was awa! on business# -f .athan were uc'!, ma!be he hadn3t returned !et# A

he wanted to do was see (aige and find out about this 2esse gu!# With a hea%! e=ha e, he emerged from his truc'# He s ipped on his Stetson and strode to the Westons3 front door# He stared at the intricate ! designed wood and g ass that stood between him and uncertaint!# .athan shoo' off the hate&fi ed memories of (aige3s dadd! and pressed the doorbe # A forma ! attired man of at east si=t! opened the door and greeted .athan# 9+a! he p !ou, sir8: 9-3m here to see (aige,: .athan to d him hesitant !# A but er, he rea i"ed# .athan a most aughed in spite of the tension he fe t# He , he thought those gu!s were e=tinct# 9-3m sorr!, sir, but she3s not a%ai ab e at the moment# Wou d !ou i'e to ea%e a message8: .either the man3s tone of %oice nor his facia e=pression %aried the s ightest when he spo'e# .athan smi ed# 9-3 wait#: He a owed his %oice to con%e! his e%e of determination# He wou d not ea%e unti he had seen (aige# 9- see,: the man noted# 9And whom sha - sa! is ca ing8: 9.athan 1 ac'rope#: He tightened his 7aw against the other words that wanted to tumb e out# -f (aige3s dadd! was home, he wou d soon 'now without ha%ing to as'# 9/ome in, sir#: The man a owed .athan into the ong ha # 9-3 inform +iss Weston of !our arri%a as soon as possib e#: .athan remo%ed his hat and than'ed him# The man turned and wa 'ed down the ong ha , an air of dignit! in his step# .athan shoo' his head# A but er# As if E iott Weston cou dn3t answer his own door# He sur%e!ed the rit"! digs# So this is how (aige had grown up# .o wonder she o%ed her summers in Trinit! so much# This 7oint was no p ace for a 'id# -t reminded .athan more of a fanc! funera par or or ma!be a museum# Heated %oices caught .athan3s ear# He istened# One be onged to (aige# The other he 'new to be E iott Weston3s# .athan3s s'in craw ed at the sound# He set his 7aw harder and wi ed the anger to retreat# He hadn3t come to ma'e a foo of himse f# .o matter how E iott pro%o'ed him, he wou d sta! ca m for (aige3s sa'e# 9He o#: .athan snapped his head around and then dropped his ga"e to find the source of the %oice# His e!es came to rest on a chi d and his heart stopped beating# * bo$# 1 ac' hair and e!es<dar' s'in# .athan3s head spun and his pu se pounded in his ears# He b oc'ed out a other stimu i and focused comp ete ! on the bo!# 9+! name3s 2esse#: The chi d stepped c oser and smi ed up at .athan# 9What3s !our name8: .athan san' to his 'nees# (art ! to get a c oser oo' at the bo! and part ! because is egs wou d no onger ho d his weight# His ga"e mo%ed s ow ! o%er the chi d, ta'ing in b ue 7eans and a Spiderman T&shirt# 1esse# He had said his name was 2esse# .athan tried to 'eep his %oice ca m# 9.ice to meet !ou, 2esse,: he managed to cho'e out and e=tend a sha'! hand# 9-3m .athan#: The itt e bo! atched onto his hand and shoo' it hard# His tooth! grim widened# .athan3s heart urched at the chi d3s touch# 2esse sudden ! dropped .athan3s hand and reached for a ong strand of b ac' hair# 9You -ndian, i'e me,: 2esse noted innocent !#

.athan nodded, unab e to spea'# This couldn#t be# 9- go to preschoo ,: 2esse said, reaching down to touch the hat .athan he d# 9$ran'ie said - was a -ndian# -3m four !ears o d now# Soon -3 go to big&'id schoo #: He too' .athan3s hat and set it on his head and then pushed it up so he cou d see# .athan swa owed hard and set his ga"e on the chi d3s ange ic face# 9When3s !our birthda!, 2esse8: .athan he d his breath as he waited for the answer# This .ust couldn#t be# 9- a read! had m! birthda!# -t was +arch,: he said happi !, ad7usting the arge hat on his head once more# .athan Auic' ! ca cu ated the time between the da! of his mother3s funera and 2esse3s birth month four !ears ago# .ine months# The room whir ed around him# His head pounded# His unstead! ga"e oc'ed on the itt e bo! wearing his hat# 2esse was his son# 0is son# How cou d (aige ha%e 'ept this from him8 There had to be some e=p anation< Angr! %oices sounded again from down the ha , ouder this time# .athan 7er'ed his ga"e in that direction# 9The!3re fighting# +omm! and *randfather a wa!s fight,: 2esse said sad !# .athan fe t an a most uncontro ab e urge to ho d him, but he didn3t dare for fear of scaring the chi d# 0is child# A chi d that oo'ed e=act ! i'e him# E=act !# .athan c osed his e!es to s ow the spinning# How cou d (aige ha%e done this to him8 .athan had been wrong# /a %in had been wrong# (aige didn3t o%e him# She hated him# The proof stood right before his %er! e!es# Otherwise she wou d ne%er ha%e done something i'e this to him# Rage and pain boi ed inside him, %!ing for possession of his senses# .athan opened his e!es and oo'ed at his son# 0is son# BCB 9-3m ea%ing now#: (aige spun awa! from her father3s angr! g are# She stormed out of his stud!, fo owed b! 1eatrice# 9+iss (aige,: Ra!mond said, then c eared his throat, 9!ou ha%e a %isitor#: 9What8: she as'ed, s owing momentari ! to g ance at Ra!mond# 9Who8: $rustrated and 'nowing that her father wou d fo ow at an! moment, (aige didn3t wait for Ra!mond3s response, but continued down the ha # 9.athan 1 ac'rope,: Ra!mond ca ed behind her# (aige stopped dead in her trac's# Her shoc'ed ga"e mo%ed from Ra!mond, to .athan who stood b! the front door and then dropped to 2esse who smi ed happi ! up at .athan# 9What are !ou doing here8: she breathed, her words bare ! audib e in the ensuing si ence# The oo' she saw in .athan3s e!es at that moment ripped her heat to shreds# 9*etting to 'now 2esse,: he said ici !# 9+omm!, .athan said - cou d ha%e his hat#: 2esse ran to her, disp a!ing the b ac' Stetson# 9-t3s rea ! coo # ,oo'#: He perched the hat atop his sweet head# 9That3s nice, sweetie#: (aige smi ed at her son# She strugg ed to ho d bac' the tears mounting in her e!es# 91eatrice:>(aige turned to the woman at her side wringing her hands>9p ease ta'e 2esse out bac' for a few minutes#:

1eatrice grasped 2esse3s hand and urged him toward her# 9/ome a ong, 2esse, we3 go into the garden and show !our new hat to +s# 2u ia# And ma!be she3 et us he p p ant petunias#: 91!e, .athan,: 2esse shouted as he was rushed awa!# 9So ong, 2esse,: .athan ca ed after him# His ga"e fo owed 2esse3s departure unti he was comp ete ! out of sight# .athan fina ! faced (aige when 2esse mo%ed out of earshot# She stee ed herse f for what she 'new wou d come ne=t# What she had done was unforgi%ab e# She had to face his wrath now<and Auite possib ! his hatred# He shoo' his head s ow !# 9How cou d !ou do this8: 9-3m sorr!, .athan,: (aige murmured, her heart crac'ing with each word# 9You3re sorr!8: he roared# 9You 'ept m! son<: .athan sAuee"ed his e!es shut and c enched his fists at his sides# When he opened his e!es again (aige saw the one thing she had pra!ed she wou dn3t>hatred# 9- wish it hadn3t happened this wa!# - wanted to e=p ain about 2esse<-3m so sorr!#: She saw the shudder that swept o%er him<saw the wa! he wor'ed to ho d onto contro # ear +od% what had she done8 9You 'ept m! son from me for more than four !ears and a !ou can do is sa! !ou3re sorr!8: 9.athan, !ou married someone e se before - e%en 'new - was pregnant#: (anic o%erwhe med her now# She cou dn3t thin' straight# E%er!thing was going wrong# 9When - found out, - cou dn3t te !ou and ris' brea'ing up !our marriage# And then:>she dropped her ga"e to the f oor>9e%er!thing got out of contro # +! father>: 9- don3t gi%e a damn about !our father#: He ra'ed a hand through his hair and shifted with agitation, his shoc' Auic' ! turning to rage# 9- can3t be ie%e !ou did this# You3re worse than !our fatherD: he added, his words i'e acid on her s'in# 9That3s enough,: E iott Weston commanded from somewhere behind (aige# 9- wi not a ow !ou to stand in m! house and spea' to m! daughter in that manner# The on ! reason - ha%en3t a read! ca ed the po ice is because - don3t want to turn this ridicu ous scene into a pub ic spectac e#: 9$ather, p ease# This is between me and .athan,: (aige appea ed as E iott mo%ed to her side# Her heart fe t read! to burst from her chest and her head %erged on e=p oding# The ast thing she needed was a showdown between .athan and her father# 9Don3t bother with him, (aige,: her father rep ied haughti !# 9Wh! waste !our time8 The man ob%ious ! has no fee ings for !ou# What did !ou e=pect from someone i'e him8: He turned his hatefu g are on .athan# 9/an3t !ou see that she3s been through enough8: (aige3s ga"e co ided with .athan3s# She saw the danger in his e!es# Her father was pushing too hard, treading on peri ous ! thin ice# 9.athan, ma!be we can ta ' somewhere e se,: she offered an=ious !# Somehow she had to get him awa! from her father# 9- ha%e nothing e se to sa! to !ou,: he said co d !# 9You see# He doesn3t care about !ou# The man has no right to e%en be here#: He turned his attention to .athan# 9,ea%e right now, +r# 1 ac'rope, before - ca the po ice and ha%e !ou escorted out of +emphis#: 91ut>: (aige started#

9You3re right,: .athan interrupted in a ow, ominous %oice# 9- ha%e no right to be here#: 9Then go,: E iott suggested contemptuous !# .athan stepped c oser to him, his own contempt etched across his angr! face# 9There3s 7ust one prob em# That3s m! son out there in !our garden and if !ou thin' !ou can 'eep me from him, !ou3re dead wrong#: 9.athan,: (aige gasped, her worst fears coming true# .athan mo%ed his caustic ga"e to her# 9You won3t 'eep him from me, (aige# You3%e depri%ed me of too much a read!#: 9You3d better find !ourse f a good attorne!, +r# 1 ac'rope#: E iott he d his ground under .athan3s g ower# 9You3 need one if !ou thin' !ou3re getting !our hands on that chi d# .ow, get out#: .athan oo'ed from E iott to her# 9- can3t be ie%e !ou did this, (aige#: 9We can wor' this out, .athan,: she to d him in a sha'! %oice# E%er!thing was fa ing apart around her# 9This is between !ou and me# +! father has no sa! in it#: .athan on ! g ared at her before turning to her father# 9+a'e no mista'e, - wi be bac' for m! son#: (aige watched, in si ent shoc', as .athan strode out the door, down the wa ' and then disappeared# Wh! hadn3t she to d him da!s ago8 Then none of this wou d ha%e happened# She cou d ha%e gi%en him the news gent !, e=p aining a the e=tenuating circumstances as she went a ong# .ow the damage was done# .athan hated her and she deser%ed it# She c osed her e!es and wi ed awa! the fresh f ood of tears gathering behind her ids# 9(aige, !ou ha%e got to get that<that man out of !our s!stem,: her father urged# 9He3 on ! drag !ou down# -t3s bad enough that he3s 2esse3s father#: She turned on her father then# 9- o%e .athan 1 ac'rope# Do !ou hear me8: Rage pushed awa! a other emotions# 9You can3t mean that# The man is a sa%age in e%er! sense of the word# He doesn3t e%en deser%e !our pit!#: 9.athan is 2esse3s father and - won3t isten to !ou spea' bad ! about him# You don3t ru e m! ife an!more# -f !ou can3t accept 2esse and .athan, then we ha%e nothing e se to discuss#: 9(aige, when - thought - might ose !ou fore%er, - cou dn3t bear it# We can3t et our re ationship continue this wa!#: 9.o:>(aige shoo' her head>9we can3t# - o%e !ou, $ather, - a wa!s wi # 1ut if !ou can3t accept m! son and the man - o%e, then we ha%e no re ationship#: (aige turned on her hee and sta 'ed awa! from E iott Weston# Enough had been said#

/hapter E e%en (aige sat down on the shabb! but comfortab e sofa in her modest apartment and e=pe ed a ong, deep sigh# She had spent the entire wee' since the episode at her father3s house sorting out her thoughts# /a %in had ca ed to et her 'now that his ife was bac' to

norma # Denise had things under contro at the office# (aige had ca ed Robert and Si as to discuss the situation and her tentati%e p an# Her unc e had been %er! encouraging and he pfu , but he cou dn3t ma'e the decision for her# She3d had to do that a a one# Once the decision was behind her, Si as had started the ba ro ing in Trinit!# (aige had made the fina arrangements reAuired of her in +emphis# .ow a she had to do was ta'e the ne=t step necessar! to put her decision into action# (aige sighed as she watched her itt e bo!3s fierce determination to bui d a fort with ,egos# Hurt fee ings and poor choices made without oo'ing at the big picture or the future imp ications had robbed him of his father for four !ears# .ow she wou d ha%e to e=p ain wh! she had made those wrong choices# She had to ma'e this right# -t was past time# -f Si as had things in Trinit! read!, (aige cou d sure ! meet with .athan and ha%e her part of the p an in motion b!>she g anced at her watch>four this e%ening# That wou d gi%e her p ent! of time to brea' the news to 2esse# She didn3t 'now how much he wou d understand, but she had to tr!# (aige reached for the te ephone and entered Si as3s number# There was no time i'e the present to find out 7ust what it wou d ta'e to ma'e amends with .athan# (aige 'new he o%ed her# He had to d her o%er and o%er again 7ust how much he o%ed her# .ot to mention that he had shown her in no uncertain terms that he wanted her to sta!# He was angr! right now and right ! so, but he wou d ca m down# .o matter what she had to be for forgi%eness, she intended to win .athan bac'# $or 2esse3s sa'e and for the sa'e of her own heart# 1ut wou d he sti want her now that he 'new she cou dn3t ha%e an! more chi dren8 BCB With a frustrated puff of breath, .athan sho%ed the paperwor' he3d been putting off across the big oa' des'# He cou dn3t concentrate# His thoughts 'ept drifting bac' to +emphis# To (aige# To his son# 1esse# The bo!3s name echoed in the emptiness that fi ed his heart# .athan pushed up and crossed to the window that o%er oo'ed his east pasture# He had fe t read! to tear the wor d apart when he rea i"ed what (aige had done to him, but his o%e for her e%entua ! abated his anger# .athan cou d 7ust imagine how frightened (aige had been when she disco%ered that she was pregnant# He shoo' his head in deep regret that he hadn3t been ab e to be there for her# $acing her father a a one with that 'ind of news had to be the hardest thing she had e%er done# -f on ! he had gone after her# The! cou d ha%e shared their chi d together# (ride had cost him more than he had e%er imagined# And then to go through cancer# *od, how had she managed %irtua ! a one8 What cou d he do now to con%ince her to o%e him8 To gi%e a ife together another chance# She had a read! made a ife for herse f and their son in +emphis# .athan had serious doubts that Trinit! wou d ho d more than f eeting interest for her now# He swung awa! from the window# He c osed his e!es# Damn# He hurt a o%er# He o%ed her so much# She had hurt him, there was no den!ing that, but he o%ed her an!wa!# ,o%ed his son, though he had on ! been aware of his e=istence for a short time# E%er! night memories of ma'ing o%e with (aige had tormented him# She hadn3t

said the words, but he had fe t the emotions# (aige o%ed him# He 'new she did# 1ut she didn3t want a ife in Trinit!# He had seen her in the courtroom<seen her with /a %in# She had a specia 'nac' for he ping peop e# He dropped his ga"e to the mountain of paperwor' on his des'# Wor' he no onger fe t e%en remote ! interested in doing# (aige fe t needed in +emphis in a wa! that he cou dn3t hope to ma'e her fee in Trinit!# He had nothing to offer her here, e=cept his o%e and e%ident ! that wasn3t enough# .athan had made an e=ce ent reputation for himse f in the wor d of Auarter horses# He cou d more than pro%ide for his son3s needs# He aughed at himse f then, a harsh, hurting sound# What did his son need from him8 2esse had a wea th!, powerfu grandfather who cou d gi%e him e%er!thing# He shoo' his head in defeat and sta 'ed out of his office# Somehow>no matter the outcome of his re ationship with (aige>.athan intended to 'now his son# Somehow< He , he had done a the thin'ing he cou d do for one da!# His brain needed a rest# .athan paused at the front door to snatch up his Stetson# His hand ho%ered abo%e the hoo' on which it a wa!s hung and reco ection s ugged him right in the gut# The image of his beautifu itt e bo! wearing that big, b ac' hat in%aded his mind# .athan s ow ! owered his hand and fought bac' the o%erwhe ming need to cr! for the oss of something he had ne%er had# A 'noc' on the door 7er'ed him bac' to the present# He composed himse f and pu ed the door open to find (aige standing before him# She he d 2esse3s hand>and damn it>the 'id was wearing that hat# A smi e tugged at the corners of .athan3s mouth# His ga"e mo%ed bac' up to connect with hers# 9Hi#: 9Hi,: he managed despite the tightness in his throat# 9-3d i'e to gi%e !ou a proper introduction to someone %er! important,: she said with a harsh inta'e of breath, a most a sob# One so itar! tear s id down her soft chee'# .athan !earned to touch her, to comfort her, but he had to hear her out first# This was too important to screw up# He nodded, fighting his own tears# (aige bent and scooped 2esse into her arms# The hat tumb ed to the f oor amid 2esse3s oud protests# .athan Auic' ! retrie%ed the Stetson and handed it bac' to the bo!# His ga"e ri%eted to the animated chi d that oo'ed so %er! much i'e him# 9.athan, -3d i'e !ou to meet 2esse#: Her %oice crac'ed# 9And 2esse, this is .athan#: The chi d grinned wide !# 9+omm! sa!s !ou3re m! dadd!#: .athan3s ga"e shot to (aige who nodded an ac'now edgment# He c eared his throat and smi ed at 2esse# 9That3s right#: 9/an - ride a horse8: 2esse as'ed, oo'ing from .athan to (aige and then bac' to .athan# 9Sure, -3 ta'e !ou for a ride an!time !ou3d i'e,: .athan offered# 91e carefu what !ou sa!, .athan#: (aige inc ined her b ond head toward her son# 9This 'id ne%er forgets an!thing# (romises i'e that come bac' to haunt !ou#: .athan smi ed# He wou d promise the bo! an!thing# 9-s it o'a! if we come in8: 9Sure, -3m sorr!#: .athan bac'ed up and (aige stepped inside with 2esse sti in her arms#

9-3m thirst!,: 2esse piped up# 9What wou d !ou i'e8: .athan as'ed, eager to do whate%er he cou d for his son# 9What !ou got8: 2esse fired bac', coc'ing his itt e head# (aige aughed at the start ed e=pression .athan 'new had sto en across his face# 9You3 earn to narrow down the choices,: she warned# 9Wh! don3t we do into the 'itchen and see what3s in the fridge8: 2esse nodded enthusiastica !# (aige shifted toward .athan, offering him the bo!# 9Ta'e him,: she added# .athan hesitated, sudden ! afraid# 1ut when he he d out his arms, 2esse a but f ew into them# The bo!3s arms went up around .athan3s nec', his itt e bod! rested against his chest# .athan3s heart pounded at the fee of his chi d in his arms# He smi ed gratefu ! at (aige# 9Where3s !our 'itchen8: 2esse prompted# 9This wa!,: .athan to d him as the! headed in that direction# 9-s that a rea gun8: 2esse as'ed when he spotted the one hanging abo%e the mante # 9Yeah, it3s rea # -t3s an antiAue# A mus'et,: .athan to d him# 9ma!be ater -3 et !ou oo' at it#: 9A rightD: 2esse sAuea ed# BCB (aige watched the two peop e she o%ed most in the wor d ea%e the room# She had spent the ast four !ears secret ! pra!ing for this moment# -t made her heart g ad to see 2esse in .athan3s arms# She had done the right thing in coming here, though she had been scared to death of what might await her# She fe t sure .athan wou d be bitter and resentfu # That he wou d on ! be interested in seeing her across a courtroom in the ine%itab e batt e for custod! of 2esse# 1ut whate%er awaited her, she 'new she had to come and face it# She wou dn3t ma'e the same mista'e twice# She had no intention of osing .athan again if there was an! chance he sti wanted her# /at chance, she thought ruefu !# 1ut she wou d ne%er forgi%e herse f if she didn3t at east tr!# (aige wa 'ed to the 'itchen door to chec' on 2esse# He sat at .athan3s tab e with a co a, the big hat sti hanging oose ! on his itt e head# .athan3s e!es ne%er eft him# The mi=ture of emotions (aige saw on his face as he watched his son sent a wonderfu fee ing surging through her# .athan caught her ga"e and smi ed# 92esse, if !ou3 be o'a! for a minute, .athan and - need to ta ',: (aige to d them# 9/an - ride a horse now8: His e!es shined with hope# 9We3 ha%e to do that a itt e ater, o'a!8: 9O'a!, +omm!#: 9There wi be p ent! of time for us to ta'e a ride ater# (romise#: .athan stood and tapped the brim of 2esse3s hat# 9-3 be bac' in a minute, partner#: (aige ed the wa! bac' into the i%ing room, tension coi ing inside her# .ow came the hard part# She sat down on the couch and .athan dropped in a chair direct ! across from her# 91efore !ou sa! an!thing,: .athan began, de a!ing the speech she had opened her mouth to start, 9- 7ust want to than' !ou for bringing 2esse here and for te ing him that

-3m his father#: (aige a most bro'e down into tears again at the oo' in his e!es# So much pain, !et so much re ief# 9- was afraid after the things -3d said ast wee', that !ou might tr! to 'eep me from seeing 2esse at a #: 9.athan, - 'now - made a mista'e b! 'eeping him from !ou for so ong# 1ut honest ! thought - was doing the right thing and - can3t change that# 2esse wants to 'now !ou# - want !ou to be a part of his ife#: .athan eaned forward and braced his forearms on his widespread 'nees# He stared at the f oor for a ong moment, and (aige swa owed tight !# What if he didn3t want her now8 What if he hated her as she had feared he wou d when he found out about 2esse8 What if she had made a huge mista'e8 He fina ! ifted his ga"e to hers# (aige cou dn3t Auite read the tang e of emotions she saw in his e!es or the carefu ! contro ed e=pression on his face# $ear rose in her throat, ea%ing her stomach in 'nots and her pa ms damp# 9- can3t sa! that !ou didn3t hurt me>because !ou did#: He shoo' his head so s ight ! that she wou dn3t ha%e 'nown had she not been oo'ing at him so intent !# 9wish - cou d sa! that it doesn3t matter, but it does#: Tears we ed in her e!es# This was it# She cou d see the disappointment in his e!es<She cou d hear it in his %oice# He hated her# Dear ,ord, how wou d she e%er i%e without his o%e8 9-3m sorr!, .athan,: she said, her %oice a mere whisper# He c osed his e!es and et out a sha'! breath before opening them once more# 9'now# -3m as much to b ame in this as !ou are# - shou d ha%e protected !ou that first time, but - didn3t# And when !ou didn3t come bac', - shou d ha%e gone after !ou#: He pushed his hands o%er his face# 9At the %er! east - shou d ha%e seen that !ou were o'a! after< after what happened#: 9We can3t change the past, .athan,: she said, summoning her reso %e# 91ut we can change the future# 2esse and - want !ou to be part of our i%es#: 9You3re sure about that8: he as'ed, his ga"e oc'ed on hers# 9-3%e ne%er been so sure of an!thing in m! entire ife# -3m prepared to do whate%er is necessar! to ma'e that happen#: 9E%en to go against !our father8: 9-3%e a read! set m! father straight# What he wants or doesn3t want is no onger an issue# -t hasn3t been for a ong time now#: (aige c asped her hands together in her ap and tried to stead! herse f against the tremb ing her s ow ! subsiding fear eft in its wa'e# 9So, where do we go from here8: His Auestion hung in the air for se%era ong seconds# (aige g anced at her watch# -t was a most time# 9- ha%e something %er! important want to show !ou,: she said, as she got to her feet# Time to p a! her trump card# -f what she was about to do didn3t con%ince .athan of how sure she was, nothing wou d# 9What8: He stood, his Auestioning ga"e ne%er ea%ing hers# 9You3 see# .ow, get !our son so we can dri%e into town#: .athan raised a s'eptica e!ebrow# 9- can3t imagine an!thing that wou d be more important than this con%ersation#: 9Trust me,: she said, the two words carr!ing more significance than an! she had

spo'en in her ife# .athan stood stoc'&sti for a ong moment, his b ac' Apache e!es searching, hopefu , !et war!# 9- do trust !ou, (aige#: His ga"e ingered 7ust a itt e onger before he turned and wa 'ed into the 'itchen# (aige re eased the breath she had been ho ding# She c osed her e!es and than'ed *od for his trust# She heard 2esse repeating his reAuest to go horsebac' riding and .athan3s patient rep ! that when the! returned from town the! wou d go for a ride# ,lease let this work% she pra!ed# .athan dro%e (aige and 2esse into town in his truc'# 2esse sat in the midd e of the bench seat, sAuirming against his seat be t to see e%er!thing the! passed# -t too' twice as ong to get to town since .athan had to 'eep s owing down and e=p aining e%er!thing that captured 2esse3s attention# (aige smi ed at .athan3s unending patience# He was a wonderfu father# Deep down she had a wa!s 'nown he wou d be# Her hesitation in te ing him about 2esse had been more about her own cowardice# And 2esse seemed to adore .athan a read!# Her pu se Auic'ened# +erc!, the two of them oo'ed so much a i'e# 9(ar' right here,: (aige said Auic' !, a most a owing him to pass their destination# .athan frowned, but fo owed her instructions# The! par'ed in front of Si as Dutton3s aw office# The arge storefront window that had read Silas utton% *ttorne$ at Law for as ong as she cou d remember had been co%ered with a tarp# 9O'a!#: .athan 'i ed the engine and turned to (aige# 9Hop out#: She opened the passenger&side door and bounded out, fo owed b! 2esse# .athan rounded the hood to 7oin them# 9- wonder if Si as so d his practice8: he as'ed, staring at the co%ered sign# 9,oo's that wa!#: (aige urged them toward the office# 9(aige, m! dear, !ou3re right on time#: Si as met them at the door# .athan oo'ed from Si as to (aige in confusion# 9-s e%er!thing set8: 9-t sure is#: Si as eaned bac' through his office door# 9/hester, we3re read!# Sue E en, !ou come a ong, too#: /hester, a fift!ish man ugging a professiona & oo'ing camera around his nec', sauntered out onto the sidewa '# Sue E en, the waitress from 1ubba3s, came out smi ing i'e the cat that had swa owed the canar!# 9/hester, this is (aige Weston, .athan 1 ac'rope, and their son, 2esse#: Si as smi ed contented ! as the! a shoo' hands# 9And - thin' !ou a remember Sue E en#: (aige and .athan nodded and e=changed he os with Sue E en# She and Si as had seen Auite a ot of each other in the past wee'# .athan oo'ed e%en more confused at this point# (aige crossed her fingers behind her bac' and sent one more si ent pra!er hea%enward# 9/hester,: Si as to d them, 9is from the Trinit! Tribune# He3 be ta'ing the pictures#: 9We , et3s get started,: (aige said, impatient to see .athan3s reaction to her surprise# 9We can3t# We ha%e to wait for one more arri%a #: Si as craned his nec' to oo' be!ond them and down the street for whome%er e se it was he e=pected#

(aige frowned, confused herse f now# 9Who e se is>8: 9You wou dn3t start without me, now wou d !ou, itt e gir 8: (aige3s breath caught and she whir ed around# 2ncle 3obert# Robert pu ed her into his we coming embrace# 9What are !ou doing here8: she as'ed, hugging him fierce !# He sme ed of cigars, O d Spice, and precious memories# 9You weren3t supposed to be bac' unti the end of the wee'#: 9- wou dn3t ha%e missed this for the wor d,: he to d her, his e!es re a!ing his appro%a of the decision she had made# 9*inn!, !ou remember m! niece, (aige8: *inn! too' (aige3s hand and sAuee"ed# 9Of course - do#: 9And this is her bo!, 2esse#: Robert tous ed 2esse3s hair# 9.athan3s bo!,: he added with pride# 9-3m a itt e confused,: .athan said# 9Did !ou se !our practice, Si as8: 9E%er!one, 7ust step bac',: /hester put in before .athan cou d get his answer# The photographer3s commanding tone had e%er!one bac'ing up without his ha%ing to repeat himse f# 9(aige, !ou and Si as stand right here#: He motioned toward the co%ered window# (aige and Si as Auic' ! assemb ed themse %es as directed# 9.ow, Robert !ou and .athan stand at each end of this tarp and pu @er down when - gi%e the signa #: (aige smi ed at 2esse who a owed his Aunt *inn! to ho d his hand# (aige sAuee"ed Si as3 arm# 9Wish me uc',: she whispered to her partner in crime# 9You don3t need uc', itt e gir ,: he whispered, gi%ing her a win'# 9You3%e got o%e#: 9O'a!, bo!s, et her go,: /hester ordered# .athan and Robert pu ed and the tarp fe to the sidewa ' with a resounding thud# 9(aige, !ou and Si as sha'e hands and smi e#: Si as too' (aige3s hand in his and the! both smi ed for the camera# /hester snapped two Auic' shots# 9That3 do it,: he announced# Robert and *inn! were hugging (aige again, inc uding 2esse this time# (aige pu ed out of the group hug to find .athan# He stood before the arge, p ate g ass window staring up at the new ! painted words# 9- don3t understand,: he said, dumbfounded# 9-sn3t it perfect ! c ear8: (aige oo'ed from .athan to the window# 9(aige Weston, Attorne! at ,aw,: she read a oud# 9- bought Si as3 practice#: .athan turned to her, his e!es g ittered with a mi=ture of hope and uncertaint!# 9Wh!8 - thought !ou o%ed !our 7ob in +emphis#: 9-t was the on ! ogica thing to do# We both want our son in our i%es# - cou dn3t bear the thought of being separated from him for a wee' or e%en a da!>me in +emphis and him %isiting !ou in Trinit!#: (aige touched .athan3s chee' and traced the ine of his 7aw# The fee of his s'in sent a f ush of heat through her# 9You3d be happ! here8 (racticing aw in Trinit!8: He c utched her hand and pu ed it to her chest, a sense of wonder fi ing his e!es# (aige suc'ed in a sharp breath at the pounding of his heart beneath her pa m# She had to te him# .owD 9- o%e !ou, .athan# - 'now -3%e hurt !ou, but - sti be ie%e in us# E%en if friendship is a !ou can offer me, -3 sett e for that>for 2esse3s sa'e#:

9And what does !our father ha%e to sa! about this8: he as'ed, his words carefu ! measured# (aige sighed# 9,i'e - to d !ou, .athan, m! father isn3t the issue here# -t3 ta'e time for him to come to terms with the decision -3%e made, but that3s his prob em# He 'nows o%e him and - 'now that deep down he o%es me# Right now m! on ! concern is for 2esse and !ou#: .athan re eased her hand and speared his fingers through his ong hair# He oo'ed at the arge, bo d etters on the window once more and then bac' to (aige# 9- need a minute#: (aige nodded, unab e to spea'# .athan wa 'ed o%er to where 2esse stood ne=t to Robert# (aige3s unc e had the group deep ! engrossed in a hone!moon ta e of some sort# .athan too' 2esse3s hand and ed him down the sidewa ' awa! from the chatter>awa! from (aige# (aige3s heart f uttered in her chest as she watched .athan crouch down ne=t to 2esse and spea' to him# What cou d he be sa!ing8 2esse f ashed her a oo' that ga%e awa! nothing# /ou d she ha%e made a mista'e8 (aige shuddered at the thought that ma!be she had been a foo to be ie%e in an! 'ind of future with .athan# She had hurt him>he had said so himse f# +a!be he cou dn3t forgi%e her# She cou dn3t gi%e him the arge fami ! he had a wa!s ta 'ed about# Her thoughts trai ed off as .athan and 2esse wa 'ed toward her, hand in hand# 92esse and - ha%e discussed the situation and we3%e decided that !ou3re going to ha%e to get this window changed#: 9What do !ou mean8: (aige oo'ed from .athan to her son, who bit his ip to pre%ent what from showing8 $ear8 Worr!8 9- don3t understand#: She oo'ed bac' to .athan# 9- thought - was doing the right thing<that !ou3d be p eased#: Her heart banged once against her chest and then p unged to her stomach# 9- don3t want to be 7ust !our friend, (aige#: .athan3s ga"e burned into hers# He reached down and ifted 2esse into his arms# 9Two separate homes and two separate i%es isn3t good enough for m! son<or for me,: he added, determination set in his e!es, his %oice, and his posture# 9What are !ou sa!ing8: (aige3s %oice fa tered# Her breath caught in her throat, her chest tightened# 9-3m sa!ing that - don3t want to wa'e up a one e%er! morning#: He turned to 2esse, 9Right, partner8: 9RightD: 2esse agreed, grinning from ear to ear# (aige oo'ed from .athan to her son# What did he mean he didn3t want to wa'e up a one8 She ic'ed her parched ips# Did he want to wa'e up with her8 /ou d he mean>8 (aige tamped down the unfounded hope she fe t rising at the possibi it!# She had to be prepared for the worst# She too' a deep breath, sAuee"ed her hands into tight ba s at her sides and waited for him to continue# She3d had her sa!, now he wou d ha%e his# .athan sett ed 2esse bac' onto his feet# He straightened, turned his attention bac' to (aige and c osed the sma distance between them# 9We3%e wasted too man! !ears a read!, each waiting for the other to sa! the right words or ma'e the right mo%e# ,ife is too precious, - don3t want to wait an! onger# - won3t sett e for an!thing ess than ha%ing !ou as m! wife# That3s what -3m sa!ing#: .athan pu ed her into his embrace# 9- o%e !ou, (aige#: He threaded his fingers in her hair and ti ted her face up to his# He oo'ed

deep ! into her e!es# 9( ease sa! !ou3 marr! me#: Emotions f ooded (aige>re ief, o%e, happiness# He sti wanted herD 9Wait,: she whispered# Dread poo ed in her chest# 9- to d !ou - can3t ha%e an! more chi dren# That doesn3t matter to !ou8: He shoo' his head# 9Abso ute ! not# We ha%e 2esse# What e se cou d we possib ! want8: Hope b oomed in her chest, absorbing the dread# 9Then, !es, -3 marr! !ou,: she breathed the words, hard ! be ie%ing it cou d be rea # His ips eased into a s ow, se=! smi e# 9*ood,: he muttered# 9- can3t bear to go through another da! without !ou#: 9Ditto,: she murmured, smi ing up at him# (aige heard 2esse3s shri itt e %oice as he broadcast the news to an!one istening, but for the ife of her she cou dn3t ta'e her e!es off .athan# She watched his firm, sensuous mouth descend to co%er hers# His taste fi ed her, restored her# She pushed her arms around his nec' and pu ed him tight ! to her# His mane of b ac' si ' g ided o%er her s'in, tanta i"ing and heightening her awareness of the man she he d in her arms# Sensation after sensation e=p oded in her bod! and mind# She had o%ed this man for so ong<waited for this moment a her ife# She 'issed .athan for a the !ears the! had ost# )issed him with a the o%e that burst in her heart<for their son<and for the future the! wou d ha%e together#

Than' !ou for se ecting a Debra Webb stor!# -f !ou en7o!ed HERE TO STAY be sure to oo' for Debra3s other e=citing (in' House (ress re eases: Sass! and Spic! Romances $REE $A,,-.* TE+(T-.* TRA/E 0( /,OSE 1AS-/ -.ST-./TS )EE(-.* )E..EDY TA+-.* *- 2A.E *O-.* TO THE /HA(E, The 2ac'ie +ercer Sass!, Se=! +!ster! Series: D-RTY I series debut