Hiding Out At The Circle C

Chapter 6

That night, Haley stood in the center of the kitchen, despairing of ever managing to pull together something edible. Then her white knight entered in the form of Nellie, toting a large, foil-lined bag that smelled heavenly.

"It's fried chicken," she said, smiling apologetically. "I hope you didn't already start something, because I couldn't resist."

"Are you kidding? I could kiss you," Haley told her, meaning every word. "I had no idea what I was going to make."

"You would have come up with something," Nellie said confidently. "That lasagna last night was terrific."

Even Haley had to agree, it had been pretty terrific. And surprisingly easy. Noodles, cheese, sauce. Noodles, cheese, sauce. Formulas again. Good thing she was so good at that. She reached for the bag of chicken. "Your neighbor called. He said it's beef time again. He wanted your order."

"Great I'll call him later. Anything special you want me to buy?"

"Wait a minute." Haley stopped in the act of opening the foil. "You run a ranch with cows on it-and you buy your beef?"

"That's right." Nellie grabbed a wing and sniffed appreciatively, sighing a little. She bit into the chicken without getting a plate, moaning with obvious pleasure, and then quickly took another bite. "We buy our pork and chicken, too." She picked up a drumstick with her other hand and laughed. "See?"

"But you have both right here on the ranch," Haley said, watching Nellie stuff her face indelicately. "I've seen them."

Nellie finished off the wing and laughed again, holding her belly with one hand, the drumstick with the other. "You're catching on to the Reeves way."

"I don't get it."

"The ranch makes money only on the horses. Cam's rule."

Strangely touched, Haley sat down and looked at Nellie. "Let me get this straight. You have all these animals, but you don't use them for meat?"

"Cam won't let us kill anything. We bought the pigs and chickens… oh, at least two years ago now, and he named every one of them. Jason told him that was his first mistake, but Cam held firm."

Haley didn't want to think about why that brought a smile to her face and made her feel… mushy.

"The piglets we get each year think Cam's their daddy. Before we sell them, they follow him around the pen faithfully. You should see it."

Haley tried to picture that; the big, tall, rangy Cam, leading the baby pigs around like a mama duck. Sadness speared her when she realized she'd probably never see that. She'd be gone in a few days. She had to make a move, had to face this thing. She'd go first to the USGS, then to South America, hopefully with an escort, and hopefully as a witness, not as a suspect. But it had to be done.

Alda had to be stopped.

Nellie stuffed her mouth again. "The foals eat right from his hand." She grabbed a biscuit, split it open and slathered butter all over it.

"Would you sit?" Haley demanded, with a small laugh, forcing the ache away. "And use a plate-you're making crumbs everywhere."

Nellie did, then smiled apologetically. "I'm starved."

"What's new?" Haley smiled, too. What they said about expectant mothers seemed to be true; Nellie positively glowed. "You're feeling as good as you look?"

"Yep." She proudly patted the baby. "Doctor says everyone's doing great. Even poor Jas, who turns green whenever the doctor discusses childbirth." She took a sip from her water and gave a huge sigh, absently rubbing her tummy in a gesture Haley thought sweetly maternal. She wondered if all pregnant women did that-held their babies before they were even born. She tried to picture her own mother pregnant, caressing Haley in her swollen stomach, and couldn't.

"Have you seen the guys?" Nellie asked. "Let's call them in before I eat all the food by myself."

"Zach's studying. Jason's chopping wood and-"

"Oh, God- Chopping wood?" Nellie groaned, then stood awkwardly. "We've got to stop him. He'll cut something off, for sure."

"He'll… what?"

Nellie's smile was fond and full of such love that Haley felt an unexpected pang of envy. "He's a wonderful man. They all are. Beautiful inside and out. But my Jas, he's not too careful. He tends to break things. Like his own bones."

"Oh, no." Haley stood. She remembered that first night when Cam and Nellie had told her about Jason falling off the roof, how she hadn't wanted to believe it could be true.

"What did you say Cam's doing?" Nellie asked. "Maybe I can get him to take over and save us all a trip to the hospital."

"Oh, he's working real hard," Haley said, tongue firmly in cheek. "You should see him." She tossed her head toward the window where Cam could be seen in the yard, lying still in a hammock that swung gently between two large pines. Beneath the hat that covered his face, his sun-streaked hair lifted in the breeze. His hands lay lightly clasped, low on his belly. Even now, Haley could remember exactly how flat that beautiful stomach was beneath his shirt, how strong and long his legs were, and it had her jerking away from the window.

"Poor baby," Nellie said, looking at Cam. "He's exhausted. Must have worked all night. But mm-hmm, he does look fine, doesn't he?"

She'd choke before admitting it. "I don't know what you mean," Haley said primly, fussing with the chicken.

Which only made Nellie grin. "Sure you do, honey. You're a woman, aren't you?" Her smile faded some as Haley sniffed indifferently. "You don't like him much, do you?"

Haley shrugged. How, oh how, had she gotten herself into this conversation? She felt like she was in high school, only she'd never been in a regular school, with regular friends who would have teased her about the male species. She was in foreign territory without a map and she felt at a total loss.

Nellie was still looking at her, worried. "Has he… done something to offend you?"

"No, nothing like that," Haley said quickly. She looked at Cam again, sleeping so peacefully in the sun, like he didn't have a care in the world. Something inside her ached. "He wouldn't."

Nellie's gaze followed Haley's. "No, you're right, he wouldn't. At least, not on purpose. Cam's the nicest, most gentle, caring man I know," she said faithfully. "And the most easygoing, laid-back-" She broke off at the look on Haley's face. "That's it, isn't it? He's out there sleeping the day away and it bothers you."

She hated to admit it was true. "It just seems so… leisurely," Haley finished lamely. "I'm sorry. I have no right to say something like that." She sank back into a chair. "Can we just forget it? And go rescue Jason, maybe?"

Nellie looked at her, her disappointment obvious. "Yes, of course." She started to move away, then hesitated. "You know, Haley, I've seen you work. I know how seriously you take things, how hard you try, and how much effort you put into each thing you do. You're a planner, I'd guess." She smiled. "It's wonderful, really. Those are traits I wish I had more of, believe me. But those are also some pretty tough standards to judge others by."

"I'm not-"

"Aren't you?" Nellie sat and took her hand. "Please, please, don't take this wrong, Haley. It's easy to underestimate that clever mind of Cam's. I know. I did it, too, at first. It's so easy to be dazzled by the looks, the voice, the overall outer package. But you'll just have to trust me on this-it'd be a shame if you made that same mistake. You really can't judge a book by its cover."

"I know that. But Cam's not exactly a book."

"No, he's not," Nellie said quietly. "But if you're thinking he's slow and lazy, you couldn't be further from the truth."

"I wasn't thinking slow," Haley told her, remembering exactly how quick he could be. "Lazy? Maybe." She thought of the lemonade he'd called out to her for, an hour ago, when he'd seen her through the window. He'd given her that indolent smile of this and looked at her with eyes that would have melted the Arctic. The crazy thing was, she'd actually done this bidding and brought him the drink. "And definitely spoiled," she added.

At Nellie's stricken look, Haley relented. "I'm kidding, Nellie."

"He's not spoiled."

"I know. I know he's had it rough. He told me about his wife."

"He- He told you?" Nellie sputtered. "He never talks about Lorraine. Certainly you can't believe he's lazy now-not if you know how hard he worked."

Haley didn't know what she believed, except that maybe it was better not to have loved at all than to have loved and been destroyed, like he had. "I guess I don't understand how he can be happy here, doing so little, after the busy life-style he had."

But couldn't she? Wasn't that exactly what she was doing?

Nellie looked sad, but for whom, Haley couldn't tell.

"Things aren't always as they appear, Haley. And I'm not minding my own business very well," she said. "Jas would tell me to shut my trap." She took a big bite from a chicken leg.

Jason appeared in the doorway, shirtless, damp with sweat from chopping wood, and looking every bit as good as a cover model showing off his stuff. He waved his slingless arm, looking proud of himself.

"Check it out, baby," he told Nellie, flexing his muscles. "Everything works just fine. Healed and ready to go." He gave her the once-over with his eyes and both women laughed.

"It's only a matter of time, cowboy," Nellie told him. "You'll trip over your feet, break something and be out of commission again." She ran her gaze up and down his body from beneath coyly lowered lashes. "Speaking of that… maybe we ought to make the most of the time we've got."

Jason grinned broadly and wrapped his long arms around her, steering her toward the door. "I do like the way you think, Nel. I like the way you think very much."

"Oh, man," Zach complained as he passed them and came into the kitchen. "They're at it again."

Haley laughed. "Yes, they are." She'd gotten past the embarrassment days ago, and now knew that what Nellie and Jason shared was very special and unbelievably good.

And honest.

She'd never had anything like that. Her gaze fell to the window again, and to Cam, still asleep. A yearning, surprisingly strong, swept through her.

"Look at that," Zach said, shaking this head in disgust as he caught sight of his brother. "Sleeping the day away again."

"He worked all night," Haley said quickly, coming to Cam's defense without thinking. "He's exhausted."

Zach flashed her that Reeves grin, mixed with startled wonder. "I know that, Haley."

"You- Oh." Embarrassed and flustered by Zach's curious gaze, she looked away. "I just thought… Actually, I don't know what I thought."

"You were defending him to me." Zach laughed. "Oh, man. You've got it bad. Don't worry. I'm told we're pretty irresistible, but it'll pass soon enough."

Haley managed to roll her eyes and laugh it off, but his comment stuck long after he'd filled a plate and left. Did she have it bad? She sure didn't want to. She thought of little else as she prepared a plateful of chicken and struck out for the yard, some half-baked idea in her head that she could take out these feelings on the person who'd caused them-Cameron Reeves.

Dusk settled quickly in the mountains. Locked into that short, glorious period between day and night, long shadows fell over the grass as she walked. She wouldn't mind the dark, which would hit at any moment. She'd discovered she liked the nights here, once she'd gotten past the fear of what she couldn't see. Colorado nights were like none other on earth. The smooth black sky flowed with stars so bright and clear they looked like scattered diamonds on black velvet.

But she wasn't outside now to enjoy the sights.

Miffed at herself, and thoroughly prepared to share it, she stopped before the hammock and cleared her throat. Cam didn't budge. None too gently, she set the plate on his stomach, watching with amusement as he started, then lifted the hat from this far-too-alert eyes.

"You weren't sleeping," she accused.

"Nope. Just thinking." He picked up the plate and smiled as he carefully sat up. "Thanks. I'm starving."

"Really," she said dryly. When wasn't he? The man ate constantly, as did his brothers. She could only imagine their food bill.

"You served me." He grinned. "I think you're falling for me."

"Don't bet on it." She watched this teeth sink into the chicken, trying to remember when she last ate. His cheek muscles bunched as he chewed, and he sighed in pleasure, going for more. Her mouth watered hungrily and she suddenly wished she'd brought two plates.

He must have read her mind, because he scooted over. "Come on, share mine."

She eyed the narrow hammock. "I couldn't."

"Sure, you can. You just open your mouth and chew."

"No," she said, rolling her eyes. "I mean, I couldn't. I couldn't possibly fit in there with you."

Almost before she'd finished the sentence, he'd lifted the plate in one hand and scooped his other around her waist, heaving her up and in with him. For one horrifying second, the cotton hammock shifted wildly from side to side and Haley thought they were going down. She screeched and clutched at Cam, who just laughed.

"Have more faith, darlin'. I'm a hungry man. Do you think I'd dump my plate?" He lifted a piece of wonderful-smelling chicken to her mouth. "Eat," he commanded.

She shook her head, and she was so close to him that even that small movement had her hair flying in his face. They were touching everywhere; shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip, thigh to thigh. It seemed incredibly intimate-certainly more than she'd bargained for when she'd brought him the plate of food.

And since when, she thought helplessly, had she been so constantly aware of another body like she was his? She saw everything: the way his shirtsleeves had been rolled back, revealing strong, tanned forearms, how his soft, faded jeans molded his long legs.

"Eat," he repeated, gently touching the chicken to her lips.

How could she when she could hardly breathe? But somehow, she managed to take a bite. He watched her mouth intently as she chewed and when she swallowed, his lips curved. "You're a sight, Haley Williams."

She felt a pang as she heard the false name on his lips. Another lie for the man who hated them. But it had to be that way. "I'm sure I am. I'm wearing clothes that don't fit me, my hair smells like the lemon I accidentally squirted all over myself while making iced tea, and I've got circles under my eyes." She gave him a look daring him to defy her description.

"You're beautiful."

Her heart somersaulted crazily. "I wasn't fishing for compliments."

"And compassionate. You have a sense of humor, too, though it's got a wicked streak-"

"No. Don't." She struggled to get out.

Without warning, and very quickly for a man who claimed he liked to move slowly, he cupped her head, pulled her toward him and nibbled at her lips. "Mmm, you're wearing that lip gloss. Tastes like strawberries."

She pushed back, bracing against his chest, and tried not to spill the plate. "Don't do that. You said you were walking away from me, remember?"

"Yes, but you came to me. I can't resist that, I'm afraid."

Good Lord, he was something, all rugged man and sweet smile. "You'll make me forget I'm mad at you."

"That was the idea… but okay," he said agreeably, settling back. "Then just eat."

"You keep pushing me to eat. You sound like a mom." But she took the bite he'd put to her mouth.

"A mom? Not your Mom?"

She stilled, the chicken a solid, unswallowable lump in her throat. His gaze searched her features and something he must have read there made him take pity.

"Take my mom, for instance," he said easily into the awkward silence. "She didn't have to nag us boys to eat. We ate her out of house and home."

"Mine didn't have that problem," Haley said carefully, pushing away the next bite. She'd lost her appetite. "And you're changing the subject. We were discussing my being mad at you."

He crunched into the corn on the cob, licked the butter off his wet lips and smiled innocently. "What does your mother think of your eating habits now?"

Her mother could care less, but because that hurt to admit, she forced a smile. "Wouldn't you rather know why I'm mad at you?"

"Oh, I already know that. I'd rather know why you won't talk about yourself."

"You're impossible." She sat up, determined to wriggle her way out of the hammock, but once again, she'd underestimated him. With one fluid move, he'd gotten rid of the plate and had her stretched out, flat beneath him. They rocked gently from the movement, every inch of her body touching every inch of his. There was something incredibly erotic about the motion.

"So you don't want to talk about yourself." He played with her hair and smiled into her stormy, furious eyes. "We can do something else. Anything. You pick, darlin'."

"I don't think so. You're crowding me, Cameron."

"Ah, we're back to formalities." He cupped her face, wishing those eyes didn't hold so many secrets, wishing she didn't resist him so. He didn't like how pale she seemed, how fragile she felt under him. Or how weary she looked. "Is your stomach better?"

"There's nothing wrong with my stomach."

Every muscle tightened. "I thought you said you weren't a liar."

She pushed at him, stiff with anger, embarrassment, and who knew what else. "Move. Just move."

Frustration purled from deep within, and for once, he couldn't find his patience, his gentleness, his innate kindness. "Damn it, Haley. How can you let yourself go like this?" He gripped her shoulders tightly. "You shudder in fear when you think no one is watching and you jump if someone so much as walks up behind you. I know you're frightened and you won't let me help. Now, I've agreed not to push, even though you admit you're on the run, but you've been clutching at your stomach like you're going to die. I can't just stand by while you're in pain. Don't ask me to."

Since he still lay over her, he was well aware of the fact that she'd gone rigid with tension. Her eyes closed, and she inhaled deeply. He felt her slowly relax, then her eyes opened on his. "I'm sorry. I've not been very fair, have I?"

He shook his head, waiting. The day had fully disappeared into night, but he had no trouble reading the misgivings in her expression. "Do you need a doctor for the ulcer?"

"No, it's better." Her smile seemed bright-too bright, as if, once again, she associated her pain with weakness. "Much better."

He just looked at her.

"It is," she insisted. "I haven't had any trouble in days. You set your food down. I thought you were hungry."

"Now who's changing the subject?" He kissed her once because he couldn't help himself, then because she seemed so uncomfortable with him plastered to her, he sat and pulled her up next to him. Immediately he felt the loss of her soft, warm body. "Now tell me why you're mad at me."

She crossed her arms and gave him that sassy look he was so fond of. "I thought you said you already knew."

"I do. I just want to hear you admit it." Idly, he pushed his foot to the ground and set them into a gentle rocking motion. He tugged her hair. "I want to hear you admit you're mad because you can't stop thinking about me."

She sputtered with that, then finally tipped her head back and laughed. "You're something."

"I thought I was impossible."

"That, too." She tilted her head and studied him. "I've never known anyone like you, Cameron Reeves."

"I'm not sure that's a compliment."

Her smile had a touch of wistfulness in it. "It's not. Your ego's big enough without my help."

"A little confidence never hurt anyone."

She shook her head. "You've got more than a little confidence. All of you Reeveses do."

"And that's a bad thing?"

She looked at him and inhaled deeply. "No, actually. I find yours unsettlingly comforting sometimes."

He gave her a quick squeeze, touched. But she stiffened on him.

"I've got to go."

With his arm around her, the beautiful night making soft sounds all around them, and swinging in his favorite hammock. Cam was hard-pressed to think of anything more important to do. "Do you now? How come?"

"I've got-"

"Work." he finished for her, at the same time she said the word. "You always have work. Haven't you learned yet?" He was absolutely earnest about this, desperate for her to understand. "Work will wait. Life won't."

Before his eyes, her face changed. Her sorrow became a weight even he could feel burdened under.

"You're right," she said softly. "Life is precious. It won't wait and it should never be taken for granted." She rose. "Excuse me," she whispered. And then, without another word, she ran off.

He watched her go, wondering, worrying, at the glint of tears he'd seen.

He didn't wonder long. Early the next morning, rising before everyone else, Cam picked up the morning paper, needing a distraction from the woman he couldn't stop thinking about. He'd promised himself he'd stay clear of her, he'd get over whatever strange, unaccountable sense of lust he felt.

It hadn't happened. Even his suspicion of all her lies and secrets had dissipated in the face of her fear. He'd convinced himself-nearly-that Haley was fiercely protecting someone by keeping her troubles to herself, and he had the uneasy feeling that someone was him.

It got to him, as little else could have. He felt something for her, something deep and abiding, and he had come to the realization it wasn't going to go away. Hell, if he was going to be honest, he had to admit he'd never felt like this before.

Mentally skipping away from that thought, he skimmed his eyes over the paper. His heart stopped when he saw the headline. Fear and fury raced with equal strength through his veins but he forced himself to read the report, even though every word was like a knife to his chest.

When he was done, he folded the newspaper.

Haley had told him the truth. She was a geologist, and undoubtedly on the run. But she had left out several critical little facts. Like her real last name. And the fact that the South American authorities wanted her for questioning in association with several bombings, the missing uranium and several murders.

She was a criminal.

God, she wasn't like Lorraine; she was far worse.

Cooking breakfast, Haley couldn't get the night before out of her head. The way Cam had looked at her with warmth, affection and hunger; the way his body had felt strong and hard over hers in the hammock. She crashed a pot down on the stove, taking pleasure in the loud, satisfying noise.

He had no right to remind her how wonderful life should be. How precious. She knew that. Just as she knew that she'd always feel partially to blame for the uncountable number of deaths her undersea system had caused.

But, dammit, it had been someone else who had killed and destroyed-not her. Someone had used her, and with the discovery of uranium, that person was going to be very wealthy.

She knew Cam's computer had on-line capabilities, but she didn't want to risk being caught or traced. She wondered about the library in town. Would it be updated regularly with newspapers? Trade magazines? Certainly, there would have been a story about Bob. Maybe it would have more info. She had to do something, take some action.

She yawned. It had been a long night. Even writing in her journal hadn't given her the release it had before. Now her words sounded pathetic and full of self-pity. She'd written about how she wanted to ease the strange, unbearable ache Cam caused, how she'd seduce him if necessary. But when she'd reread what she'd written, she'd had to burst out laughing. She couldn't do it. She'd thrown the tablet across the room into the trash, vowing to give up writing if she couldn't come up with something better than fantasizing about her boss.

Nellie popped her head into the kitchen, a big, warm smile on her face. "Hey, Haley. I dreamed about pancakes. Big, thick, mouthwatering, delicious pancakes. Do you think you could… Oh, never mind." She cut herself off, obviously glimpsing Haley's horrified expression. "It's too much trouble, I'm sure."

She looked so hungry, Haley thought, with rising compassion for anyone who had to waddle rather than walk. She managed a smile. "You want pancakes, you got pancakes. Just give me a few minutes, all right?"

"Really?"

"Really," Haley promised, wondering what in the hell pancakes were made of. "They're easy to make."

The second Nellie had disappeared, Haley whipped out the thick cookbook, opened it to the pancake page and started memorizing. Formulas, she reminded herself. It was all formulas.

"Whatcha doing?"

Haley jumped, then turned around and forced a smile for Zach. "Just looking something up."

"Nellie said something about pancakes." He looked around hopefully.

"They're not ready yet," she said between clenched teeth forced into a smile. "But I'll let you know as soon as they are."

"Well, since I'm here, I'll help." He looked over his shoulder to make sure they were alone. "Don't tell anyone, but I cook great pancakes."

"Why wouldn't you want anyone to know?" she asked desperately, with a last, longing look at her cookbook.

He grinned that bone-melting, Reeves smile. "Because then I'd have to make them. Nellie would hound me day and night."

"Oh," she said, torn between wanting his help and wanting him to leave so he wouldn't guess how helpless she was. "Don't you have work to do? The horses-"

"Can wait a few minutes. It's early yet."

Great, she thought, beginning to panic. He took out a bowl, went to the cupboard and pulled out a container.

"What's that?"

He looked at her strangely. "The pancake mix." Then, because she didn't move or make any effort to stop him, he measured some out. "Am I stepping on your toes?"

She knew he was asking if she wanted him to leave. But if he could really come up with pancakes, she sure as hell didn't. "No. With bacon or sausage?"

Flashing that killer smile, he licked his lips. "Both."

Relieved, she left the pancakes to him and started the meat. She had it sizzling in the skillet when she realized Zach was staring at her.

"What?" she asked, self-conscious. She looked around. "Why are you staring at me?"

"It's nothing." He turned back to the pancakes, flipping them high into the air and catching them in the pan with an ease that surprised her.

"Okay." But before she'd turned back to her pan, he was looking at her again. She set down her fork and put her hands on her hips. "Zach. What?"

"You don't know how to cook, do you?"

Oh, God. What had she done to give herself away? "What- What do you mean?"

"Haley," he said in a gentle voice that made her want to cry. "You have to separate the bacon before you put it in the pan."

She glanced at the pan, then back at Zach. "Oh."

He raised his eyebrows, obviously expecting a better answer.

She sighed and busied herself separating the bacon. "So I don't know how to cook bacon. Maybe I don't like it."

"Maybe," he conceded. "But I think there's probably another reason."

What would she do if they demanded the truth? These people she'd grown to care about in such a short time would never stay idle if they knew the truth. They could never understand the danger-Zach and Cam would butt in and get hurt. Or killed.

"What other reason would there be?" she asked in a tone of defiance she didn't feel.

Zach's eyes were calm and quiet, as was his voice. There wasn't any accusation when he said, "Such as maybe you're not really a housekeeper."

"I thought you weren't a cop anymore. You sure sound like one."

"Do I?" he asked in that same mild voice. "Hmm. It's just natural to me, I guess. So… are you a housekeeper?"

She laughed weakly and rubbed her temples. "Did I mention your one-track mind?"

A corner of his mouth turned up. He deftly flipped the next batch of pancakes with a skill she could never have faked. "That goes along with the lawyer thing. It's a requirement. Are you, Haley? A housekeeper?"

"You doubt it. Have I done a poor job, then?"

"Of course not." With a small sound of dismay, he turned back to his pancakes and lifted an edge of one. Sighing with obvious relief that he hadn't burned them, he scooped them out and poured more batter. "But that's not the point."

She hated liars and she'd become one. The thought of what that would do to Cam killed her. "What is your point?"

"I think something's wrong."

"You've been talking to Cameron," she stated flatly. She should have guessed; they were family, after all.

"No," Zach said. "I haven't been talking to Cam about you." He searched through the cabinets, slamming things around until he found the syrup, which he plopped down on the table. "Listen, Haley, I care about him and his feelings. I also care about yours. All I'm trying to say is that if there's trouble, or you need something, maybe I can help."

The meat sizzled in the pans. So did her pride. "Maybe I don't need help."

Cam came in at that moment, and found them that way. His brother and the woman he couldn't decide whether to strangle or kiss, facing off with cooking utensils in their hands as though preparing to do battle. "Problem?"

"No," Haley said quickly.

"Yes," Zach said at the same time. Zach and Haley exchanged a stubborn look until Zach added, "I burned the pancakes."

Cam didn't know what the hell to think, but Zach shot him a glance that said, Don't ask, before saying carefully, "Haley told me I would. But that's what I get for showing off."

Haley's look of muted surprise had Cam wondering, but he was so churned up with emotion from the newspaper report, he couldn't think about it. "Zach thinks he's a man of all trades," he told her. "Truth is, we only keep him around because no one else will have him." Zach growled and Cam went on. "Now, Thea, that pretty librarian in town, she just doesn't know better. I'd go down there and tell her myself, but for some reason she doesn't have eyes for anyone but Zach, here."

"Oh, shut up." Zach scraped the pan clean and poured more batter into it.

Nellie and Jason came in, wrapped in each other's arms. "Oh, great, it's you two," Zach said. "I thought Cam told you to have that damn bed of yours moved away from the wall. You kept me up, again. Don't you people ever sleep?"

Cam watched Haley bite back a smile. God, he hurt. Don't believe it, a little part of his brain commanded. The report was wrong somehow. She's not a criminal. Be patient and she'll tell you the truth.

"I did move the bed," Jason claimed, after muffling Nellie's giggle against his chest. "I guess I didn't move it far enough."

"Build that couple a guesthouse," Zach said, with heartfelt disgust to the room in general. "Please."

Cam watched his family coax smiles and even a laugh out of Haley while they ate. As usual, she didn't prepare a plate for herself, so for some reason he couldn't have explained to save his life, he did it for her, even managing to cajole her into actually having a few bites.

He had no idea why he cared. "I know this isn't the junk food you seem to prefer," he told her as they cleared the dishes a little while later, after everyone else had left. "But you've got to eat more." Please, tell me, he nearly demanded. Tell me everything.

She stopped at the sink and looked at him, her hands on her hips. There was a hint of amusement in her eyes when she asked, "Why? So I could look more like Nellie?"

He managed a laugh and came close to where she'd turned to start washing dishes. Moving up behind her, he grabbed her hips, then slid his hand over her flat stomach. He closed his eyes, every inch of him yearning, aching. "There's only one way you're going to look like Nellie, darlin'," he said with a lightness he didn't feel. "In fact, I have some interesting ideas on that."

She rolled her eyes. "You need help, Cam. Serious help."

He hugged her from behind, closing his eyes at the way her body fit to his. "Just an offer." His voice sounded husky, even to his own ears. God, he was pathetic. "I'd certainly be willing to oblige you in any way I can."

"Now why doesn't that surprise me?" She shouldered him away, then sent him a saucy look over her shoulder, soapsuds flying.

He'd never thought the mundane chore of dishwashing as particularly sexy before. But there was something about the way her hips wiggled slightly, the quick, precise movements of her arms… It became incredibly seductive. She reached for more dishes, stretching, and he lost track of what she said next.

"Well?" she asked, giving him another one of her smart-ass looks she had no idea made his blood hum.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you." He encircled her hips with his hands again, letting out his breath in one loud whoosh as she planted her elbow firmly in his stomach.

"I warned you not to crowd me."

He backed up, alert, hopeful. "Did you have something else in mind?" Would she tell him now?

"Actually, yes." She reached and flipped off the water before turning to look at him. "You have a library in town. How current is it?"

Her earnest expression wiped away his joke about Thea-the-Librarian. That busy mind of hers was whirling. "Hard to answer a question when you only asked half of it," he said carefully.

"Can't you just answer the part I asked?"

He reached for a large green apple from the fruit basket on the counter, biting into it to play for time. "It's current," he said finally. "What're you looking for?"

"Nothing important." She reached for a towel to dry her hands, but he put his apple down and captured her hands in his. Eyes narrowed, he studied her, ignoring her struggle to pull back from him.

"It's important enough," he guessed. And he wasn't going to miss it. "I'll drive you."

"You don't have to-"

"Yes, I do. Especially if it has anything to do with what's keeping you up at night." Short of coming right out with the newspaper he'd read, he couldn't have given her a better opening.

"I'm sleeping fine."

He touched the faint, purple shadow beneath one eye. "Another lie."

With a disparaging sound, she looked away, biting her lip. "Fine," she ground out. "I'm having a little trouble sleeping. Okay?"

"Not okay." Before she could evade him, he took her shoulders. "My guess is that you know damn well you're lying. You even know what it's doing to me. And you hate it. You also don't want me to know that, so you'll tell the truth wherever you can to ease your conscience."

"I'm not-"

"It only gets worse, Haley, I promise. You'll drown beneath the weight of them one of these days. Believe me, I know."

"I can't do this. I can't keep reminding you of Lorraine, having you wonder what kind of jerk I am that I can't tell you the truth." She sighed. "I want to look something up. Something in the newspaper."

"Something to do with what you're running from?"

"Yes," she whispered, resting fisted hands against his chest and bowing her head. "Yes."

"You'll let me in this time," he insisted, gently running his hands down her arms, massaging gently.

"No. No."

He studied her quietly, then murmured, "Let me put this another way." Tightening his hands on her, he pulled her closer. His mouth found hers.

Heaven. Hot, wet, deep heaven.

More shaken than he cared to admit, he slid his hands up to cup her face, pouring his fear for her, all his longing, into that kiss; and when she trembled and pushed closer to hold him tight, it only aroused him all the more. Her flavor, her scent, the feel of her beneath his fingertips-it wasn't enough. He wanted more, needed more.

"Haley," he whispered, sliding his lips over the soft firmness of her neck to nuzzle at her throat, licking the frantic beat he found there. "God. You're driving me crazy."

"I'm not ready for this. Not yet." But she still held him to her, tightly.

He rubbed his forehead against hers and took a deep breath. He said the words his heart already knew, for she was in serious trouble and he instinctively knew she wasn't a criminal. "You're not like Lorraine. I'm sorry I said you were."

Taking a steadying breath, she backed up, into the sink. "I told you as much as I could."

"But-"

"What I'm dealing with is dangerous, Cam. People have… died." Her voice broke. "I'm afraid for you."

Moving forward, he bracketed her hips with his hands against the tile. "I'm not going to walk away from this. Don't ask me to. Do you understand what I'm saying? I'm telling you that I'm here for you, no matter what it is."

"I don't need a hero."

"Good," he said with a little laugh. "Because I'm not hero material. But I'm your friend, and much more, if you'd only say the word. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

Her eyes seemed huge and luminous in the morning light. And full of shadowed, hopeful surprise. That she didn't expect anyone to back her had an unexpected tenderness and that strange possessiveness once again flowing through him.

"What if I'm used to handling my own problems?" she asked tentatively.

"Independence is nice. But a little help never hurt."

"This will require more than a little help, Cam."

"You've got whatever it takes, darlin'. That's a promise."

No one had ever offered Haley so much, so simply. And genuinely. She didn't fool herself. She could read the steely determination in his gaze and knew he'd decided he was in. He'd never give up. If she didn't come clean, he'd go find out the truth on his own now. But she wanted him in. Wanted to share. The need to cling to him hit her hard. Useless to struggle against it, she decided. It seemed coy to pretend he didn't affect her when he did so very much. She reached for him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, and for the first time, she kissed him.

Hunger and passion, hope and promise-they were all there for the taking. She would have pulled away, stunned by the depth of her feelings, but Cam deepened the kiss. Even as she struggled to hold something back, she became aware that she wouldn't be able to do that for long. Had she ever been needed like this? Wanted like this? Her heart filled, and she just barely managed to rein it in, unbearably close to giving him everything.

"Too fast," she whispered, pulling back. The blood swam in her head. "Way too fast."

"No," he denied, but he stepped away, too, obviously as shaken as she was. "But taking you in my kitchen with my nosy family around isn't my usual style." He cupped her cheek with warm fingers and sent that sweet, irresistible smile her way. "Ready for a ride to the library?"

She smiled a little shakily.

"Good." He squeezed her to his side briefly. "Afterward, when you've gotten what you need, we talk, if I have to tie you down."

She owed him. "Yes," she whispered. "We'll talk."

The city library was not only a beautiful brick building, but held a surprisingly large selection and a wonderful, efficient staff.

Haley couldn't contain her small, knowing smile when Cam introduced her to Thea.

"Is she the one?" she whispered, when the pretty brunette had walked away to answer a question from another patron.

"Yeah." Cam grinned. "But I was teasing Zach before. He's the one that has a crush on her. She doesn't know he exists."

"Oh, how sad."

Cam laughed. "Don't feel sorry for my big brother, Haley. Women flock to him."

"That's what Nellie said about you."

"Did she, now?" He sent her a look with those sexy, dark eyes. "So how come you don't?"

Thankfully, she was spared having to answer by Thea's return. The librarian gave them an apologetic look. "Sorry, we're busy today. How can I help you?"

"Do you have the Los Angeles Times?" Haley asked.

"Of course. How far back do you need?"

"The past three weeks."

"Well, you're in luck. We just got our computer system up and running again. You can have any date you want. First room down the hall to the left."

Cam followed her, but at the door, Haley stopped and gave him a firm look. "Go find a book to look at," she suggested.

He grinned. "Shh, darlin', we're in a library."

Oh, he was in fine form today. "How about a magazine?"

"They don't carry the kind I like to read."

No matter that she'd promised to tell all, she simply wasn't prepared. "I'm sure there're picture books to entertain you. Try the children's section."

He let out a soft laugh that made her heart flip-flop. She glared at him, but at the look in his melting brown eyes, couldn't maintain it. He hadn't left her, despite the fact that she'd done nothing to earn his trust. He deserved much, much more from her.

She was going to give it. "Cam." She licked her suddenly dry lips. "I discovered something. Something that had much more power than I could ever have dreamed." She spoke the words in a soft rush before she lost her nerve. "Only someone evil got a hold of it and now I'm the only one left alive to tell."

He stared at her for a fraction of time, then moved so fast she could only let out a startled squeak as he hauled her close in a hug that spoke volumes. "God, Haley." He buried his face in her hair, ignoring the soft buzz of the busy library around them. "I thought you'd never tell me."

"You- You knew?"

"Some of it. You were in the paper, darlin'. I've been dividing my time between wanting to shake you silly and kiss you senseless."

"It's… a long story."

"But you'll tell me now. All of it. The entire truth."

"Yes." Having his warm, strong arms banding around her broke all resistance and for a moment, she squeezed tightly, never wanting to let go. "Stay," she whispered. "I want you to. I don't know why I keep pushing you away-"

"Shh." He kissed her once-a soft, tender kiss full of promise. "We've got work to do."

The computer was no problem. She'd mastered them long ago. And on her last job, she'd used one every day. With Cam silent and supportive, sitting next to her, Haley started reading files. She figured the story of Bob, who was well-known in their industry, would be first-section news, maybe second-page. What she didn't figure on was today's paper, and a full-blown picture of Alda on the front page, with a long article beneath the shocking headline.

Prominent Geologist, Alda Jones, Found Dead of Overdose

It got worse, far worse. The next article was on Haley herself. It seemed she was missing. And wanted-for murder.