paperrose

by

DiannaPalmer

"Iwouldn'tbeinnocentifyou'dcooperateforanhour,"shemutteredoutrageously.

"You'lltemptmeoncetoooften,"hebitoff.

"Thisteasingismoredangerousthanyourealize."

"Nobody tops Diana Palmer...! love her stories." -Jayne Arm Krentz Award-winning author Diana
Palmerstartedasanewspaperreporterandcolumnist,apathshefollowedforsixteenyears.Herfirst
novelwaspublishedin1980.Shenowhasover40millioncopiesofherbooksinprintwhichhave
earnedherinternationalacclaim.

PaperRoseisDianaPalmer'sfifthnovelforMIRA'Books.

A/soavailableinMIRABooksFireandIceTheAustralianEnamouredOnceinParis

MIRABOOKS

DIDYOUPURCHASETHISBOOKWITHOUTACOVER?

If you did, you should be aware it is stolen property as it was reported unsold and destroyed by a
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Allthecharactersinthisbookhavenoexistenceoutsidetheimaginationoftheauthor,andhaveno
relationwhatsoevertoanyonebearingthesamenameornames.Theyarenotevendistantlyinspired
byanyindividualknownorunknowntotheauthor,andalltheincidentsarepureinvention.

AllRightsReservedincludingtherightofreproductioninwholeorinpartinanyform.Thisedition
ispublishedbyarrangementwithHarlequinEnterprisesIIB.V.Thetextofthispublicationoranypart
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This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent,
resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of
bindingorcoverotherthanthatinwhichitispublishedandwithoutasimilarconditionincludingthis
conditionbeingimposedonthesubsequentpurchaser.

MIRAisaregisteredtrademarkofHarlequinEnterprisesLimited,usedunderlicence.

FirstpublishedinGreatBritain2000MIRABooks,EtonHouse,18-24

ParadiseRoad,Richmond,Surrey,TW91SR

DianaPalmer1999ISBN1551665395580003PrintedandboundinSpainbyLitografiaRosesis-A,
BarcelonaForGlendaandDoris,withlove.

(-^ecilyPetersontwirledabeautifulredpaperrosebetweenherfingers,staringatitsperfectionwith
eyesfullofshattereddreams.

Shewasinlovewithamanwhowasnevergoingtobeabletoreturnthatlove.Herlifewasapaper
rose,animitationofbeautyforevercapturedinamediumthatwouldnotage,ordecay,ordie.

But it was cold. It was dead and yet it had never lived. Tate Winthrop had brought her the delicate
crimsonrosefromJapan.Atthetime,ithadgivenherhopethathemightonedaylearntocarefor
her.Butastheyearspassed,andhopedwindled,shefinallyrealizedthatthepaperrosewasmakinga
statementforhim.Hewastellingherinthenicestpossiblewaythathisfeelingsforherwereonlyan
imitationofpassionandlove.Hewassaying,withoutspeakingoneword,thatfondnesswouldnever
beasubstituteforlove.Sherememberedsovividlyhowtheirturbulentrelationshipbegansomany
years ago. Eight years earlier. There was dust coming up the long winding road from Corryville,
South Dakota. Tate Winthrop's black eyes narrowed as he turned on the top rung of the makeshift
corralfencetowatchtheprogressofabeatupgraypickuptruck.Thatwouldbecarryingtheorder
he'dplacedwiththeBlakeFeedCompanyintown.

Nosenseinstartinghisyoungmareontheleadingreinrightnow,hethought,climbingbackdown.
Theoldjeansheworeclungclosetohistall,powerfulbody.Hewasleanandfit,witheleganthands
andbigfeet.Hisstraightblackhair,whichfelltohiswaistwhenitwasloosened,wasbraidedandheld
by a black band at his nape. His mother's grandfather had been at the Little Bighorn and later went
withadelegationtoWashington,D.C."forTeddyRoosevelt'sinauguration.

OneoftheelderssaidthatTateresembledtheoldwarriorinsomeways.

HepulledoutthebarelytouchedCubancigarhe'dplacedinitscarrierinthepocketofhischambray
shirtandstruckamatchtolightitbetweenhiscuppedhands.Theboysattheagencyalwayswantedto
knowhowhemanagedtogetcontrabandcigars.Henevertoldthemanything.

Keepingsecretswasawayoflifewithhim.Theywentwithhisjob.

Thetruckpulledupontotheriseandcameinsightofthesmallhouseandbigbarn,andthemakeshift
corralwhereasnow-whitefillywasprancingimpatiently,tossinghermane.

Ayoung,slendergirlgotoutoftheoldtruck'scab.Shehadblondhaircutshortandgreeneyes.He
wastoofarawaytoseethoseeyes,butheknewthembetterthanhewantedto.HernamewasCecily
Peterson.ShewasthestepdaughterofArnoldBlake,themanwho'djustinheritedfullownershipof
the Blake Feed Company; and the only employee who wasn't afraid to come up here with Tate
Winthrop'sorder.

NottoomanymilesfromthePineRidgeSiouxReservation,Tate'sranchsatjustoutsidethesouthern
boundaryoftheWapitiRidgeSiouxReservation.CorryvilleitselfsatontheBigWapitiRiver,juxta
positionedbetweentheBadlandsandthereservation.

Tate'smother,Leta,livedontheWapitiReservation,whichwasjustastone'sthrowfromCorryville.
Tatehadgrownupwithdiscrimination.

Perhapsthatwaswhy,whenhecouldaffordit,he'dboughtaranchoutsidethetribe'sboundaries.

TateWinthropdidn'tlikemostpeople,andhesteeredclearofwhitewomen.ButCecilyhadbecome
hissoftspot.Shewasagentle,kindgirlofseventeen,andshe'dhadahardlife.Herinvalidmother
haddiedashortwhileagoandshewasnowlivingwithherstepfatherandoneofhisbrothers.The
brotherwasadecentsort,oldenoughtobeCecily'sgrandfather,butthestepfatherwasalayaboutand
adrunkard.

EveryoneknewthatCecilydidmostoftheworkatthefeedstorethathadbeenherlatefather's.Her
stepfatherhadinheriteditwhenCecily'smotherdiedrecently,andhewasapparentlydoingeverything
inhispowertobankruptit.

Cecilywasjustalittleovermediumheightandslenderasareed.

Shewouldneverbebeautiful,butshehadaninnerlightthatchangedhergreeneyesandmadethem
likeperidotsinthesunlight.

He scoffed at his own fancies. She was just a child and his only contact with her was through the
ordersheplacedatthefeedstore.

Itpleasedhimthatshewasinterestedinhisancestry,andnotinanyfaddishwaylikesomeaficionados
ofNativeAmericanswhodressedinbuckskinsandboughttrinketsandtapesandtriedtoactasifthey
belonged there. He had no time for Sunday Indians from the city. But Cecily was another matter
entirely.SheknewsomethingofthecultureoftheOglalaLakotaandshehadafeelforitshistory.

He'dfoundhimselfinstructingherinlittle-knowncustomsandmoresbeforeherealizedit,Buther
bondwithhimdidn'tbecomereallyapparentuntilhermother'sdeath.Itwasn'ttoherstepfatherorher
stepuncleoranyofthetownspeoplethatshewentthedayhermotherdied.ItwastoTate,hereyes
red-rimmed, her face tear-streaked. And he, who never let anyone get close to him except his own
mother, had held her and comforted her while she cried. It had been the most natural thing in the
worldtodryhertears.Butlater,hewasworriedbyhergrowingattachmenttohim.Thelastthingin
theworldhecouldallowwasforhertofallinlovewithhim.Itwasn'tonlythelifeheled,dangerous
and nomadic and solitary. It was the scarcity of pure Lakota blood left in the world. In order to
preserveit,hemustmarrywithintheSiouxtribesomewhere.Notamonghisrelatives,butamongthe
otherSioux.Ifhemarried.Hismindcamebacktothepresent,toCecilystoppingthetrucknearbyand
gettingout.Hedeliberatelydidn'tgotomeether.

Shenoticedthatwithawrysmileandwenttohim.Shebroughtaninvoiceforhimtosign.Herhands
wereshakingalittlewiththeusualeffecthehadonher,butshetightenedthemonthepenandpaperas
sheapproachedhim.Eveninherthick-heeledworkingboots,hewasfartallerthanshewas.Shehad
onacheckedman'sshirtandjeans.

He'dneverseenherwearanythingrevealingorfeminine.

Shehandedhimtheinvoicewithoutmeetinghiseyes.

"Mystepdadsaidthiswaswhatyouordered,buttocheckwithyoubeforeIunloadedit,"shesaid.

"Whydoeshealwayssendyou?"Tateaskedthegirldeliberatelyashescannedthelist.

"BecauseheknowsI'mnotafraidofyou,"shesaid.

Hisblackeyesliftedfromthepaperandmethers.Theywerescarysometimes;likeacobra's,steady
and intent and unblinking. They'd made her want to back away when she first met him. They didn't
frightenheranymore,though.He'dbeentenderwithher,morethananyoneinherlifehadeverbeen.
Sheknew,asmostotherpeoplelocallydidn't,thattherewasmoreontheinsideofTateWinthropthan
heeverallowedtoshow.

"Areyousurethatyouaren'tafraidofme?"heaskedinasoftdrawl.

Sheonlysmiled.

"You wouldn't slug me over a messed-up order," she said dryly, because she'd heard that he did
exactlythatonce,whenherstepfatherhadneglectedtobringthefeedhe'dorderedinablizzardand
he'dlostsomecalvesbecauseofit.

She was right. He would never hit Cecily for any reason. He took the pen from her and signed the
invoicebeforehehandeditback.

"That'severythingIordered,allright."

"Okay,"shesaidbrightly.

"I'llunloadit."

Hedidn'tsayaword.Heputoutthecigar,stuckitbackintohispocketandfollowedhertothetruck.

Shegavehimahardlook.

"I'mnocreampuff,"shescoffed.

"Icanunloadafewlittlebagsoffeed."

"Sureyoucan."Heglancedatherandasmilelithisblackeyesforafewseconds.

"Butyou'renotgoingto.Nothere."

"Tate,"shegroaned.

"Youshouldn'tbedoingthis!Mystepfatheroughttobehere.Ifhe'sgoingtoruntheplace,whywon't
herunit?"

"Becausehe'sgotyoutodoitforhim."Hestoppedsuddenlyintheactofreachingforaheavybagof
fertilizerandstaredatherintently.

"Whathappenedtoyourthroat,Cecily?"heaskedabruptly.

Sheputahandtoit,feelingthebruisethere.She'dhadhercollarbuttoned,butithadbeentoohotto
keepitthatway.Shedidn'trealizethatitwouldshow.

He took off his work gloves, tossed them into the bed of the pickup with the feed and began to
unbuttonherblouse.

"Stopthat!"sheexclaimed.

"Tate,youcan't...!"

Buthealreadyhad.Hiseyesblazedlikeblackdiamondsinfire.Hishandsgrippedhardonthefabric
ashesawtheotherbruisesjustathercollarbone,abovethetatteredlittlebrashewore--bruiseslike
theimprintofaman'sfingers.Hisjawclenchedhard.Itinfuriatedhimtoseebruisesonthatpaleskin.
It was almost as bad to see the state of her clothes--he knew that she hadn't had anything new for a
verylongtime.Presumablyherstepfatherkeptherdestitute,andprobablyonpurposesohewouldn't
losehismainstay.Hiseyesshotbackuptocatchhersandheldthemrelentlessly.Shewasflushedand
bitingherlip.

"Iwon'tembarrassyouanymorethanthis,butyou'regoingtotellmeifthosesamekindofbruises
areonyourbreasts."

Hereyesclosedandtearsslidpasttheclosedeyelids.

"Yes,"shebitoff.

"Wasityourstepfather?"heaskedshortly.

Sheswallowed.Sinceshecouldn'tmeethiseyes,shemerelynodded.

"Talktome."

"Hewastryingtofeelme...there.Hewasalwaystrying,evenwhenhefirstmarriedMama.Itriedto
tellher,butshedidn'twanttohear.

Heflatteredherandtheybothlikedtodrink."Shefoldedherarmsoverherbreasts.

"Lastnighthegotstinkingdrunkandcameintomyroom."Shefeltnauseatedfromthememory.

"Iwasasleep."

Shelookedupathimwiththerepulsionshefeltshowinginhereyes.

"Whyaremensuchanimals?"sheaskedwithacynicalmaturityfarbeyondheryears.

"Notallofusare,"hereplied,andhisvoicewaslikeice.Hebuttonedherblousewithadeftnessthat
hintedofexperience.

"Youdon'tevenhaveaproperbra."

Sheflushed.

"Youweren'tsupposedtoseeit,"shesaidmutinously.

He buttoned her up to her chin and then rested his hands lightly on her shoulders. They were good
hands,leananddarkandwarmandstrong.

Shelovedthefeelofthem.

"Youaren'tbeingsubjectedtothatsortoflecheryagain."

Hereyeswidened.

"What?"

"Youheardme.Comeon.Let'sgetthisunloaded.Thenwe'lltalkandmakedecisions."

Ashorttimelater,hehadherbythehandandallbutdraggedherintothehouse.Hepulledoutachair
forher,pouredcoffeefromacoffeemakerintoacupandputitinfrontofher.

Stunned by his actions, she sat and stared around her. She'd never been in his house, and it was
surprising to find that it wasn't at all what it appeared to be on the outside. It was full of electronic
equipment, computers and laptops and printers, a funny-looking telephone setup and several short-
waveradios.Therewasevenahamradioset.Onthewallwerecollectionsofpistolsandrifles,none
ofwhichlookedlikeanythingshe'deverseen.

The furnishings were impressive, too. She remembered then the whispers she'd heard about this
reclusivemanwhowasLakotabutdidn'tliveonareservation,whohadamysteriousbackgroundand
an even more mysterious profession. Unlike many Lakota who were victims of prejudice, nobody
pushedTateWinthrop.Infact,mostpeoplearoundCorryvillewerealittleafraidofhim.

Sheglancedathistaciturnface,wonderingwhyshe'dbeenhijackedintohishouse.Heusuallysigned
the invoice, unloaded the supplies, and when they talked, it was always outside. Not that he didn't
watch her like a hawk when he was in town and she was anywhere around. Over the past year, he'd
alwaysseemedtobewatchingher.Andtodayhe'dseenthetruthofhermiserablehomelifealltoo
starkly.

Hesatdownandleanedbackinhischair.Hedroppedhishatonthefloorandstaredatherintently.

Hemadeanangrysoundandtookanotherdrawfromthecigar.

"Didhehaveyoulastnight?"heaskedbluntly.

Sheblushedviolentlyandclosedhereyes.Itwasuselessnottotellhimthetruth.

"Hetriedto,"shechoked.

"Ihithimandhe...grabbedme.Hewasprettydrunk,orI'dneverhavegotaway,evenifIgotpretty
bruiseddoingit.He'dalwaysbotheredme,butitwasn'tuntillastnight..."Sheliftedananguishedface
tohis.

"I

hidinthewoodsuntilhepassedout,butIdidn'tdaregobacktosleep."Herfacetautened.

"I'dratherstarvetodeaththanlethimdoit,"shebitoff.

"Imeanit!"

Hewatchedherquietlywhilethesmokefromhiscigarwentsailingupintothefan.He'dseenenough
of her to know that she never shirked her duties, never complained, never asked for anything. He
admiredher.Thatwasrare,becausehehadafinecontemptformostwomen.

Especiallywhiteones.Thethoughtofherstepfatherassaultinghermadehimlivid.He'dneverwanted
sobadlytohurtaman.

Heflickedashesintoabigglassashtrayanddidn'tsayanythingforaminuteortwo.

Shesippedcoffee,feelinguncomfortable.Hewasstillalmostastrangertoherandhe'dseenherin
her underwear. It was a new, odd uneasiness she couldn't remember feeling with anyone else,
especiallywithanotherman.

"Whatdoyouwanttodowithyourlife,Cecily?"heaskedunexpectedly.

"Beanarchaeologist,"sheblurtedout.

Hiseyebrowsarched.

"Why?"

"We had a science teacher just before I graduated. He was an archaeologist. He'd actually help
excavate Mayan ruins down in the Yucatan." Her green eyes almost glowed with excitement and
enthusiasm.

"Ithoughthowwonderfulitwouldbe,tobringanancientcivilizationoutintothelightandshowitto
the world like that..." Her voice trailed off as she realized how impossible that dream was. She
shrugged.

"There'snomoneyforthat,though.Mamahadalittlesavings,buthespentitall.Shesaidhehadno
businesssense,andIguessit'strue,becausehe'sallbutruineddaddy'sbusiness."

"Howlonghasyourfatherbeendead?"

"Sixyears,"shesaid.

"ThenMamamarriedhimlastyear."Sheclosedhereyesandshivered.

"She said she was lonely, and he paid her a lot of attention. I saw right through him. Why couldn't
she?"

"Becausesomepeoplelackperception."Hisblackeyesnarrowedastheymeasuredher.

"Whatsortofgradesdidyoumakeinschool?"

"A'sandB's,"shereplied.

"Iwasgoodinscience."Shehadasuddenunpleasantthought.

"Areyougoingtotrytohavemystepfatherlockedup?"sheaskedworriedly.

"Everybodywouldknow,"sheadded,feelingashamed.

Hesearchedhereyes,feelingthefearshehadofpublicrecrimination,thetrial,theeyesstaringather.

"Youdon'tthinkrapewarrantsit?"

"Hedidn't,"shesaid.

"Butyou'reright.He'sprobablybeensittingathomethinkingaboutitallday.Bytonight,Iwon'tstand
achance.NotevenifIhideinthewoods."

He leaned forward, one elbow on the beautiful cherry wood of the table, and stared right into her
eyes.

She felt nauseous. She folded her arms over her breasts and stared into space, shivering. It was the
worstnightmareshe'dfacedinheryounglife.

"Allright,don'tgointomentalconvulsionsoverit,"hesaidquietly.

Helookedasifnothingeverruffledhim.Infact,verylittledid.

"Hewon'ttouchyou,Iguaranteeit.Ihaveasolution."

"Asolution?"Hergreeneyeswerewideandwet,andfullofhope.

"IknowofascholarshipyoucangetatGeorgeWashingtonUniversity,outsideWashington,D.C.,"he
said,thinkinghowgooditwasthathe'dlearnedtoliewithsuchastraightface,andneverthinkingthis
liemightcomebacktohaunthim.

"Booksandboardincluded.It'sforneedycases.You'dcertainlyqualify.Interested?"

Shewashesitant.

"Yes.But...well,howwouldIgetthere,andapply?"

"Forget the logistics for now. They aren't important. They have a good archaeology program and
you'dbewelloutofreachofyourstepfather.Ifyouwantit,saytheword."

"Yes,Iwantit!"shesaid.

"ButI'llhavetogobackhome..."

"No,youwon't,"hesaidshortly.

"Noteveragain."Hethrewhislegsoffthechairandgotup,reachingforthetelephone.Hepunched
inanumber,waited,andthenbegantospeakinalanguagethatwaspositivelynotEnglish.

She'dlivedaroundLakotapeoplemostofheryounglife,butshe'dneverheardthelanguagespoken
likethis.Itwasfullofrisingandfallingtones,andsangofancientplacesandthesoundofthewind.

Shelovedthesoundofitinhisdeepvoice.

Alltoosoonheendedtheconversation.

"Let'sgo."

"Thetruck,theotherorders,"sheprotestedweakly.

"I'll have the truck taken back to your stepfather, along with a message." He didn't mention that he
plannedtodeliverboth.

"ButwhereamIgoing?"

"Tomymotheronthereservation,"hesaid.

"Myfatherdiedearlierthisyear,soshe'salone.She'llenjoyyourcompany."

"Idon'thaveclothes,"sheprotested.

"I'llgetyoursfromyourstepfather."

"Youmakethissoundsoeasy,"shesaid,amazed.

"Mostthingsareeasyifyoucangetpasttheredtape.Ilearnedlongagotocutitclosetothebone."

Heopenedthedoor.

"Coming?"

Shegotup,feelingsuddenlyfreeandfullofhope.

Itwaslikeoneofthoseeverydaymiraclespeopletalkedabout.

"Yes..."

ChapterOne

Present day Washington, D. C. (cameras were flashing all around Cecily Peterson. Microphones
wieldedbyacrobatictelevisionjournalistswerebeingthrustinherfaceasshewalkedquitecalmly
outofthefund-raisingdinnerthatSenatorMattHoldenwashosting.

Behindher,afurioustallmanwithalongbraidofblackhairwaswaitingforatureenofexpensive
crabbisquetocompleteitstripdowntheonce-spotlessdressslacksofhistuxedobeforehetriedto
move.

Thediamond-festoonedblondsocialitewithhimwasglaringdaggersatCecily'sback.

Cecilykeptwalking.

"Filmateleven,"shemurmuredtonooneinparticular,andwithabrightlittlesmile.

Shedidn'treallylooklikeawomanwhoseentirelifehadcrashedandburnedinthespaceofafew
minutes.HerlifewaslikeTateWinthrop'stuxedo-inruins.Everythingwasgoingtochangenow.

Shewenttothebigblackutilityvehiclethatherdatehaddrivenherherein,towaitforhimtojoin
her.Herhighheelsweredampfromthegrass.Shecouldfeelhermediumblondhaircomingdown
fromitshigh,complicatedcoiffure.Thestreetandtrafficlightswereblursofcolortoherpalegreen
eyesbecauseshewasn'twearingherglassesandshecouldn'tusecontacts.Shehadonablackdress
withtinylittlestraps,andtheblackshawlshewaswearingwithitdidn'tprovidemuchwarmth.She
couldn'tgetintothevehiclewithoutthekey,butthatdidn'tmatter.Shewastoonumbtofeelthechill
ofthenightairanyway,orcareaboutthebusyWashington,D.C.

streettrafficbehindher.Shewasfuriousthatshe'dhadtolearnthetruthaboutherfinancialstatusand
hersupposededucationalgrantfromthatdyedblondewhoTateWinthropwasescortingaroundtown
thesedays.Hermindwanderedbacktoadaytwoyearsago,wheneverythinghadseemedsoperfect,
and her dreams had hovered on the cusp of fulfillment. The airport in Tulsa was crowded. Cecily
juggledhercarry-onbagwithaduffelbagfullofequipment,scanningthemillingrusharoundher
forTateWinthropShewaswearingherusualfieldgear:boots,akhakisuitwithasafarijacketanda
bushhathangingbehindherheadbyarawhidestring.Hernaturalblondhairwasinaneatbraided
bun atop her head, and through her big-lensed glasses, her green eyes twinkled with anticipation. It
wasn'toftenthatTateWinthropaskedhertohelphimonacase.Itwasanoccasion.

Suddenlytherehewas,toweringoverthepeoplearoundhim.HewasLakotaSioux,andlookedit.He
hadhighcheekbonesandbigblack,deep-seteyesunderajuttingbrow.Hismouthwaswideandsexy,
withathinupperlipandachiseledloweroneandhehadperfectteeth.

Hishairwasstraightandjet-black;

it fell to his waist when he wasn't wearing it in a braid, as he was now. He was lean and striking,
muscularwithoutbeingobvious.Andhe'donceworkedforasecretgovernmentagency.Ofcourse,

Cecily wasn't supposed to know that; or that he was consulting with them on the sly right now in a
hush-hushmurdercaseinOklahoma.

"Where'syourluggage?"Tateaskedinhisdeep,crispvoice.

Shegavehimapertlook,takingintheeleganceofhisvestedsuit.

"Where'syourfieldgear?"shecounteredwiththeeaseoflongacquaintance.

Tatehadsavedherfromtheunsavoryadvancesofadrunkenstepfatherwhenshewasjustseventeen.
He'dtakenhertohismotherontheWapitiRidgeSiouxReservationneartheBlackHills,andthere
she'd stayed until he got her a scholarship and a grant and enrolled her in George Washington
University, down the street from his apartment in Washington, D. C. He'd been her guardian angel
through four years of college and the master's program she was beginning now---doing forensic
archaeology. She was already earning respect for her work. She was an honors student all the way,
notsurprisingsinceshehadnosociallifeandcoulddevoteallhertimetoherstudies.Shedidn'tneed
todate;shehadeyesfornomanintheworldexceptTate.

"I'msecuritychiefoftheButtoncorporation,"heremindedher.

"ThisisafreelancefavorI'mdoingforacoupleofoldfriends.Sothisismyworkinggear."

Shemadeaface.

"You'llgetalldusty."

Hemadeasounddeepinhisthroat.

"Youcanbrushmeoff."

Shegrinnedwickedly.

"Nowthat'swhatIcallincentive!"

Hechuckled.

"Cutitout.We'vegotaseriousandsensitivesituationhere."

"Soyouintimatedonthephone."Sheglancedaroundtheairport.

"Where'sbaggageclaim?Ibroughtsometoolsandelectronicequipment,too."

"Howaboutclothes?"

Shestaredathimblankly.

"WhatdoIneedwithalotofclothesclutteringupmyequipmentcase?

Thesearewash-and-wear."

Hemadeanothersound.

"Youcan'texpecttogotoarestaurantinthat!"

"Whynot?Andwho'stakingmetoanyrestaurant?"shedemanded.

"Youneverdo."

Heshrugged.

"I'mgoingtodopenancewhilewe'reouthere."

Hereyessparkled.

"Great!Yourbedormine?"

Helaughedinspiteofhimself.Shewastheonlypersoninhislifewho'deverbeenabletomakehim
feelcarefree,evenbriefly.Shelitfiresinsidehim,althoughhewascarefulnottoletthemshowtoo
much."rYounevergiveup,doyou?"

"Somedayyou'llweaken,"sheassuredhim.

"AndI'mprepared.Ihaveaweek'ssupplyofTrojansinmyfannypack...."

Hemanagedtolookshocked.

"Cecily!"

Sheshrugged.

"Womenhavetothinkaboutthesethings.I'mtwenty-three,youknow."

Sheadded,"Youcameintomylifeataformativetimeandrescuedmefromsomethingterrible.CanI
helpitifyoumakeotherpotentialloverslooklikefriedseabassbycomparison?"

"I didn't bring you out here to discuss your lack of lovers," he pointed out. "And here I hoped you
wereofferingyourselfupasaneducationalexperience,"shesighed.

Heglareddownatherastheywalkedtowardbaggageclaim.

"Okay,"shesaidglumly.

"I'll give up, for now. What do you want me to do out here?" she added, and sounded like the
professionalshereallywas.

"Youmentionedsomethingaboutskeletalremains."

Helookedaroundthembeforehespoke."Wehadatip,"hetoldher,

"that a murder could be solved if we looked in a certain place. About twenty years ago, a foreign
doubleagentwentmissingnearTulsa.Hewascarryingapieceofmicrofilmthatidentifiedamolein
theCIA.

Itwouldbeembarrassingforeverybodyifthisishimandthemicrofilmsurfacednow."

"Igatherthatyourmolehasmovedupintheworld?"

"Don't even ask," he told her, then, with a smile he added, "I don't want to have to put you in the
witnessprotectionprogram.AllyouhavetodoistellmeifthisDBistheonewe'relookingfor."

"Deadbody,"shetranslated.Thenshefrowned.

"Ithoughtyouhadanexpertouthere."

"Youcan'timaginewhatsortofdamnedexperttheseguysbroughtwiththem."

Yes,shecould,butshedidn'tsayanything.

"Besides,"headdedwithaquickglance,"you'rediscreet.Iknowfromexperiencethatyoudon'ttell
everythingyouknow."

"Whatdidyourexperttellyouaboutthebody?"

"Thatit'sveryold,"hesaidwithexaggeratedawe.

"Probablythousandsofyearsold!"

"Whydoyouthinkitisn't?"

"Foronething,there'sa.32caliberbulletintheskull."

"Well,thatratherletsoutaPaleo-Indianhunter,"sheagreed.

"Sure it does. But I need an expert to say so, or the case will be summarily dropped. I don't know
aboutyou,butIdon'twantaformerKGBmolemakingpolicyforme."

"Me,neither,"shesaidinelegantly.

"Youdorealizethatsomebodycouldhavebeenouttothesiteandusedtheskullfortargetpractice?"

Henodded.

"Canyoudatetheremains?"

"Idon'tknow.Carbondatingisbest,butittakestime.I'lldothebestIcan."

"That's good enough for me. Experts in PaleoIndian archaeology aren't thick on the ground in the
'company'thesedays.YouweretheonlypersonIcouldthinkoftocall."

"I'mflattered."

"You'regood,"hesaid.

"That'snotflattery."Changingthesubject,heasked,"Whathaveyougotinthosecasesifyoudidn't
bringclothes?"

"A laptop computer with a modem and fax, a cellular phone, assorted digging tools, including a
collapsibleshovel,tworeferenceworksonhumanskeletalremains."

Shewasstrugglingwiththecase.Hereachedoutandtookitfromher,testingtheweight."GoodGod,
you'llgetaherniadraggingthisthingaround.Haven'tyoueverheardofluggagecarriers?"

"Sure.Ihavethree.They'reallbackinD.C.inmycloset."

Heledthewaytoasportutilityvehicle.Heputherbagsinthebackandopenedthedoorforher.

Cecily wasn't beautiful, but she had a way about her. She was intelligent, lively, outrageous and she
madehimfeelgoodinside.Shecouldhavebecomehisworld,ifhe'dallowedherto.

ButhewasfullbloodedLakota,andshewasnot.Ifheevermarried,somethinghisprofessionmade
unlikely,hedidn'tliketheideaofmixedblood.

Hegotinbesideherandimpatientlyreachedforherseatbelt,snappingitinplace.

"Youalwaysforget,"hemurmured,meetinghereyes.

Herbreathcameuneasilythroughherlipsasshemetthatlevelstareandrespondedhelplesslytoit.
Hewashandsomeandsexyandshelovedhimmorethanherownlife.Shehadforyears.Butitwasa
hopeless,unreturnedadorationthatleftherunfulfilled.He'dnevertouchedher,noteveninthemost
innocentway.Heonlylooked.

"Ishouldclosemydoortoyou,"shesaidhuskily.

"Refusetospeaktoyou,refusetoseeyou,andgetonwithmylife.

You'reaconstanttorment."

Unexpectedlyhereachedoutandtouchedhersoftcheekwithjusthisfingertips.Theysmootheddown
toherfull,softmouthandteasedthelowerlipawayfromtheupperone.

"I'mLakota,"hesaidquietly.

"You'rewhite."

"Thereis,"shesaidunsteadily,"suchathingasbirthcontrol."

Hisfacewasverysolemnandhiseyeswerenarrowandintentonhers.

"Andsexisallyouwantfromme,Cecily?"heaskedmockingly."Nokids,ever?"

Itwasthemostseriousconversationthey'deverhad.Shecouldn'tlookawayfromhisdarkeyes.She
wantedhim.Butshewantedchildren,too,eventually.Herexpressiontoldhimso.

"No,Cecily,"hecontinuedgently.

"Sexisn'twhatyouwantatall.

And what you really want, I can't give you. We have no future together. If I marry one day, it's
importanttomethatImarryawomanwiththesamebackgroundasmyown.AndIdon'twanttolive
withayoung,andalltooinnocent,whitewoman."

"Iwouldn'tbeinnocentifyou'dcooperateforanhour,"shemutteredoutrageously.

Hisdarkeyestwinkled.

"Under different circumstances, I would," he said, and there was suddenly something hot and
dangerousinthewayhelookedatherasthesmilefadedfromhischiseledlips,somethingthatmade
herheartraceevenfaster.

"I'dlovetostripyouandthrowyouontoabedandbendyoulikeawillowtwigundermybody."

"Stop!"shewhisperedtheatrically.

"I'llswoon!"Anditwasn'tallacting.

Hishandslidbehindhernapeandcontracted,draggingherraptfacejustunderhis,soclosethatshe
could smell the coffee that clung to his clean breath, so close that her breasts almost touched his
jacket.

"You'lltemptmeoncetoooften,"hebitoff.

"Thisteasingismoredangerousthanyourealize."

Shedidn'treply.Shecouldn't.Shewasthrobbing,aroused,sickwithdesire.Inallherlife,therehad
been only this man who made her feel alive, who made her feel passion. Despite the traumatic
experienceofherteens,shehadafiercephysicalattractiontoTatethatshewasincapableoffeeling
withanyotherman.

Shetouchedhisleancheekwithcoldfingertips,slidthemback,aroundhisneckintothethickmaneof
longhairthathekepttightlybound--likehisownpassions.

"Youcouldkissme,"shewhisperedunsteadily,"justtoseehowitfeels."

He tensed. His mouth poised just above her parted lips. The silence in the car was pregnant, tense,
alivewithpossibilitiesandanticipation.Helookedintoherwide,pale,eagergreeneyesandsawthe
heat she couldn't disguise. His own body felt the pressure and warmth of hers and began to swell,
againsthiswill.

"Tate,"shebreathed,pushingupward,towardhismouth,hischiseled,beautifulmouththatpromised
heaven,promisedsatisfaction,promisedparadise.

Hisdarkfingerscordedinherhair.Theyhurt,andshedidn'tcare.

Herwholebodyached.

"Cecily,youlittlefool,"hegroundout.

Her lips parted even more. He was weak. This once, he was weak. She could tempt him. It could
happen.Shecouldfeelhismouth,tasteit,breatheit.Shefelthimwaver.Shefeltthesharpexplosion
ofhisbreathagainstherlipsashelethiscontrolslip.Hismouthpartedandhisheadbent.Shewanted
it. Oh, God, she wanted it, wanted it, wanted it. * * * The sudden blare of a horn made her jump,
brought her back to the painful present in the chill of the nation's capitol, outside the exclusive
restaurantwhereshe'djustmadetheeveningnewsbyattackingTateWinthropwithatureenofcrab
bisque.

Shestretched,hurtingassheletthememoryofthepastreluctantlyslipaway.Acarhornhadseparated
herfromTatetwoyearsago,too.

He'd withdrawn from her at once, and that had been the end of her dreams. She'd helped solve his
murdermystery,whichwasnomorethanaPaleo-Indianskullwithabulletinit,usedinanattemptto
frameanunpopularmemberofcongress.Anyanthropologistworthhersaltwouldhaveknownthe
race from the dentition and the approximate age from the patination and the projectile points and
potterythatthewould-beframerhadn'trealizedwouldhelpdatetheremains.

TatehadinvolvedCecily,astudent,andthathadgivenherhope.Butfatehadquicklytakenhopeaway
withablarefromanimpatientdriver'shorn.Fromthatmomenton,Tatehadputheratadistanceand
kept her there, for the two years of her master's studies in forensic archaeology. Their close
friendshiphadallbutvanished.

Andtonighthadshatteredherworld.

Herdoctoratewasafadingdreamalready.SinceTatehadrescuedherfromherabusivestepfatherat
the age of seventeen and taken her to live with his mother on the Wapiti Ridge Sioux reservation,
whichwasnearthePineRidgeSiouxReservation,he'dactedinsteadofaguardian.Buthe'dtoldher
that she had a grant to pay for her education, her apartment, her clothing and food and other
necessities.

Shehadabankaccountthatitpaidinto.Allherexpenseshadbeencoveredforthepastsixyearsby
thatanonymousfoundationthathelpedpennilessyoungwomengetaneducation.Atleastthat'swhat
Tatehadtoldher.Andtonightshe'ddiscoveredthatithadallbeenalie.

Tatehadbeenpayingforit,allofit,outofhisownpocket.

She pulled the shawl closer as a tall, lithe figure cut across the parking lot and joined her at the
passengerdoor.

"You'realreadyfamous,"ColbyLanetoldher,hisdarkeyestwinklinginhislean,scarredface.

"You'llseeyourselfontheeveningnews,ifyoulivelongenoughtowatchit."Hejerkedathumbover
hisshoulder.

"Tate'sonhiswayrightnow."

"Unlockthisthingandgetmeoutofhere!"shesqueaked.

Hechuckled.

"Coward."

Heunlockedthedoorandletherclimbin.Bythetimehegotbehindthewheelandtookoff,Tatewas
stridingacrosstheparkinglotwithbloodinhiseye.

CecilyblewhimakissasColbygunnedtheenginedownthebusystreet.

"You'relivingdangerouslytonight,"Colbytoldher.

"Heknowswhereyoulive,"headded.

"Heshould.Hepaidfortheapartment,"sheaddedinasharp,hurttone.Shewrappedherarmscloser
aroundher.

"Idon'twanttogohome,Colby.CanIstaywithyoutonight?"

She knew, as few other people did, that Colby Lane was still passionately in love with his ex-wife,
Maureen.Hehadnothingtodowithotherwomeneventwoyearsafterhisdivorcewasfinal.Hedrank
toexcessfromtimetotime,buthewasn'tdangerous.Cecilytrustednoonemore.He'dbeenagood
friendtoher,aswellastoTate,overtheyears.

"Hewon'tlikeit,"hesaid.

Sheletoutalongbreath.

"Whatdoesitmatternow?"sheaskedwearily.

"I'veburnedmybridges."

"Idon'tknowwhythatsocialiteAudreyhadtotellyou,"hemutteredirritably.

"Itwasnoneofherbusiness."

"Maybeshewantsabigdiamondengagementring,andTatecan'tafforditbecausehe'skeepingme,"
shesaidbitterly.

Heglancedatherrigidprofile.

"Hewon'tmarryher."

Shemadeasounddeepinherthroat.

"Whynot?She'sgoteverything...money,power,positionandbeauty--andadegreefromVassar."

"Inpsychology,"Colbymused.

"She'sbeengoingaroundwithTateforseveralmonths."

"Hegoesaroundwithalotofwomen.Hewon'tmarryanyofthem."

"Well,hecertainlywon'tmarryme,"sheassuredhim.

"I'mwhite."

"Moreanice,softtan,"hetoldher.

"Youcanmarryme.I'lltakecareofyou."

Shemadeafaceathim.

"You'dcallmeMaureeninyoursleepandI'dlayyourheadopenwiththelamp.Itwouldneverwork."

Hedrewinalongbreath.Hisleanhandstightenedonthewheel.Oneofthemwasartificial.Colbyhad
lostanarminAfrica.Hewasamercenary,aprofessionalsoldier.Sometimesheworkedforvarious
covert government agencies, sometimes he freelanced. She never asked about his frequent travels.
Theywerecompanionswhowentouttogetheroccasionally,fellowsufferersofunrequitedpassions
forotherpeople.

Itmadeforaclosefriendship.

"Tate'sadamnedfool,"hesaidflatly.

"Idon'tappealtohim,"shecorrected.

"It'sashameI'mnotLakota."

"LetaWinthropwouldarguethatpoint,"hemurmuredwithanamusedglance.

"Didn'tyoulobbyforsovereigntyatthatSenatehearinglastmonth?"

"Meandseveralotheractivists.SomeoftheLa-kotaresenthavingawhitewomanpleadtheircase,

butI'vebeentryingmybest."

"Iknow."

"Thanksforyoursupport."Sheleanedbackagainstthecarseat.

"It'sbeenahorriblenight.IguessSenatorHoldenwillneverspeaktomeagain,muchlessinviteme
toanotherpoliticalbanquet."

"He'lllovethepublicityhegetsfromyourexit,"hecorrectedwithachuckle.

"AndIbelievehe'sbeentryingtopersuadeyoutoassumethepositionofassistantcuratorincharge
ofacquisitionswithhisnewNativeAmericanMuseumprojectinD.C."

"Soheis.Imayhavetotakeitnow.Ican'tseegoingonwithmystudiesunderthecircumstances."

"I'vegotsomecashinSwissbanks.I'llhelpyou."

"Thanks,butno,thanks.I'mgoingtobetotallyindependent."

"Suityourself."Heglancedather.

"Ifyoutakethatjob,itwon'tgetyouanypointswithTate.HeandMattHoldenarebitterenemies."

"SenatorHoldendoesn'tfavorallowingacasinoontheWapitireservation.Tatedoes.They'vealmost
cometoblowsontheissuetwice."

"SoIheard.Andthat'snotallI'veheard.Holdenisstickinghisnoseintoahornet'snestintheIndian
Affairscommittee,andhe'shadsomepublicandallbutslanderousthingstosayaboutthepushfora
casinoatWapiti."

"ThereareotherSiouxcasinosinSouthDakota,"shereplied."ButSenatorHoldenisfightingthisone
alltheway.Nobodyknowswhy.HeandTatehavehadsomerealbattlesoverthis."

"That's just an excuse and you know it. Tate hates the man." Colby pushed back a strand of straight
blackhairthatfellintohiseyes.

UnlikeTate,hishairwasshort.

"IknowIsaidthisbefore,butitbearsrepeating.YouknowTatewon'tlikeyoustayingwithme."

"Idon'tcare,"shesaidbitterly.

"Idon'ttellhimwheretosleep.

It'snoneofhisbusinesswhatIdoanymore."

Hemadearoughsound.

"Wouldyouliketoguesswhathe'sgoingtoassumeifyoustaythenightinmyapartment?

"Shedrewinalongbreath.

"Okay.Idon'twanttocauseproblemsbetweenyou,notafteralltheyearsyou'vebeenfriends.Take
metoahotelinstead."

Hehesitateduncharacteristically.

"Icantaketheheat,ifyoucan."

"I don't know that I can. I've got enough turmoil in my life right now. Besides, he'll look for me at
yourplace.Idon'twanttobefoundforacoupleofdays,untilIcangetusedtomynewsituationand
makesomedecisionsaboutmyfuture.IwanttoseeSenatorHoldenandfindanotherapartment.Ican
doallthatfromahotel."

"Suityourself."

"Makeitamoderatelypricedone,"sheaddedwithgraveyardhumor.

"I'm no longer a woman of means. From now on, I'm going to have to be responsible for my own
bills."

"Youshouldhavepouredthesoupintherightlap,"hemurmured.

"Whichwas?"

"AudreyGannon's,"hesaidcurtly.

"ShehadnorighttotellyouthatTatewasyourbenefactor.Shediditforpurespite,todriveawedge
betweenyouandTate.She'snothingbuttrouble.OnedayTateisgoingtobesorrythatheevermet
her."

"She'slastedlongerthantheothers."

"Youhaven'tspentenoughtimetalkingtohertoknowwhatshe'slike.

Ihave,"headdeddarkly.

"Shehasenemies,amongthemanex-husbandwho'slivinginaduplexbecauseshegothishouse,his
Mercedes,andhisSwissbankaccountinthedivorcesettlement."

"Sothat'swhereallthoseprettydiamondscamefrom,"shesaidwickedly.

"Her parents had money, too, but they spent most of it before they died in a plane crash. She likes
unusualmen,theysay,andTate'sunusual."

"Shewon'tgotothereservationtoseeLeta,"shecommented.

"Ofcoursenot."Heleanedtowardherashestoppedatatrafficlight.

"It'saNativeAmericanreservation!"

Shestuckhertongueoutathim.

"Leta'sworthtwoofAudrey."

"Three,"hereturned.

"Okay.I'llfindyouahotel.ThenI'mleavingtownbeforeTatecomeslookingforme!"

"Youmighthangacrabonyourfrontdoor,"shesaid,tongue-in-cheek.

"Itjustmightwardhimoff."

"Ha!"

Sheturnedhereyestowardthebrightlightsofthecity.Shefeltcoldandaloneandalittlefrightened.
Buteverythingwouldworkout.

Sheknewitwould.Shewasagrownwomanandshecouldtakecareofherself.Thiswasherchance
toproveit.

ChapterTwo.herewasfilmateleven.SenatorHoldenfoundithilarious,andwhenCecilyphonedto
ask him about the job at the new museum that he'd offered her, he told her so. He didn't ask any
questions.Heacceptedherapplicationoverthephoneandgaveherthejobonthespot.

EarlyMondaymommg,Cecilyfoundasmallapartmentthatshecouldmanageonthesalaryshe'dbe
makingandshemovedoutoftheapartmentTatehadbeenpayingfor.Shepulledoutofhermaster's
classesandwithdrewfromcollege.Fromnowon,shewaspayingherownway.Andoneday,she'd
pay Tate back, every penny. For the time being, shellshocked and sick at heart that she was nothing
morethanacharitycasetohim,shewantednomoretodowiththemanshe'dlovedforsolong.No
wonder he'd thought of her as his ward. She was obligated to him for every crumb she put in her
mouth. But no more. She was her own woman now. She'd support herself. Maybe later she could
finishhermaster'sdegree.Shehadplentyoftimeforthat.Atleastshehadajobtoseeherthrough
thisdifficulttransition.

She was forced to use her small bank account to pay the deposit on the new apartment, to pay for
moverstotransportherfewpossessionsandforenoughfoodtokeephergoinguntilshedrewher
firstpaycheck.

Shewassosickatheartthatshehatedthewholeworld.

Shecouldn'teventalktoTate'smother,Leta.

Thenewapartmentwassmall,andnotmuchtolookat,butatleastshe'dberesponsibleforherself.
Unlike the old one, it was unfurnished, so she started out with very little. She didn't even have a

televisionset.Atleastthenewplacewasclosertothemuseum.Shecouldridethebustoworkevery
day,oreventakethemetroifsheliked.

Colby came by to help her unpack, bringing a pizza with him and a small boom box with some
cassettesasahouse-warmingpresent.Theymunchedwhiletheyunwrappedlampsanddishes,sipping
beerbecauseitwasallhebroughtforthemtodrink.

"Ihatebeer,"shemoaned.

"Ifyoudrinkenoughofit,youwon'tcareaboutthetaste,"heassuredher.

Shegavethecanadubiousstare,shrugged,closedhereyes,heldherbreathanddrankheavily.

"Yuck!"shesaid.

"Keepgoing."

Shefinishedhalfofthecanandatesomemorepizza.Afterafewminutes,sureenough,itdidn'ttaste
half-bad.

Hewatchedhergrinandnodded.

"That'sthefirstsmileI'veseenindays."

"I'mgettingthroughit,"sheassuredhim.

"IstartworknextMonday.

Ican'twait."

"IwishIcouldbearoundtohearaboutyourfirstday,butI'vegotanotheroverseasassignment."

Shesuspendedthepizzaathermouth.Puttingitdown,shesaidworriedly,"Colby,you'vealreadylost
anarm..."

"Anditwillmakememorecareful,"hetoldher.

"IlostitbecauseIgotdrunk.Iwon'tletthathappenagain."Heglancedatthecan.

"Beerdoesn'taffectmethesedays.It'sjustapleasantdiversion."

Helookedather.

"I'mthroughmyworsttime.NowI'mgoingtohelpyouthroughyours.

WhenIgetback."

Shegrimaced.

"Well,don'tgetkilled,okay?"

Hechuckled.

"Okay."

DuringColby'sabsence,shecelebratedhertwenty-fifthbirthdaywithacupcake,acandleandacard
fromLeta,whoneverforgot.Tateapparentlyhad,orhewasholdingagrudge.Forthefirsttimein
eightyears,herbirthdaypassedunnoticedbyhim.

Shewasnowfirmlyentrenchedatthemuseumandhavingthetimeofherlife.Shemissedcollegeand
herclassmates,butshelovedtheworkshewasdoing.

Acquisitionswouldbepartofherdutiesasassistantcurator,andshegottoworkinherownforensic
archaeology field, Paleo-Indian archaeology. She didn't really miss forensics as much as she'd
expectedto.ItwasalmostasexcitingtohaveaccesstorarecollectionsofFolsomClovis,andother
projectilepoints,whichwerethousandsofyearsold,alongwithbolastones,chippersandotherstone
toolsandpotteryfashionedbylong-deadhands.

Hernewphonenumberwasunlisted,butTatecalledheronceatthemuseum.Sheputthephonedown,
gentlybutfirmly.Hedidn'tcallagain.

SenatorHoldendid.

"It'smybirthdaySaturdaynight,"hesaid.

"I

wantyouandColbytocome."

"He'soutoftown.ButI'dloveto."

"Great!WecantalkaboutsomenewprojectsI'vegotinmind."

"Wecan?"sheasked,grinningbecausesheknewhowmuchhelovedthemuseum;ithadbeenhisidea
toopenit.HewasafanaticinthefieldofNativeAmericanculture.Hewasn'tSioux,buthismother
hadtaughtontheWapitiSiouxreservation.LikeCe-city,hehadanaffinityfortheLakotanation.

Hechuckled.

"I'lltellyouallaboutitonSaturday.Sixsharpatmyhouse.Don'tbelate.It'sabuffet."

"Iwon'teatfordays,"shepromised.

Whenshehungupsherealizedwhatshe'dsaid.Shedideatmorefrugallythanbefore.Shespentmore
frugallythanbefore.Hersurroundingsweren'tlavish.

Butshewasn'thavingtodependonanyone'scharity.Shewastwenty-fiveandself-supporting.Itfelt

good.

Cecily phoned Leta to let her know that she planned to fly out to Rapid City and drive over to the
Wapiti Ridge Sioux Reservation near Custer State Park in South Dakota for the tribe's annual
celebrations. There would be a large contingent of Lakota at the three-day September event, and
nativedancingandsingingaswell.

She'd already bought her plane ticket and reserved a rental car. She wasn't going to back out of the
eventjustbecausesheandTateweren'tspeaking.Anyway,therewasn'tachancethatTatewouldgo
now.

"Tatehasn'tcalledrecently,"Letamentionedwhenthey'ddiscussedtheevent.

"Iphonedtoseeifhewasathisapartment,andthatAudreyGannonanswered.Shetoldmehewasout
ofthecountryonsomejobforhisboss.PierceButton."

Cecilyfeltalumpinherthroat.Sheswallowedbeforeshereplied.

"Ididn'tknowshewaslivingwithhim,"shesaid,tryingtosoundnonchalant.

"He'ssecretive,isn'the,baby?Iguesshemustfeelsomethingforher,"Letarepliedirritably.

"Shehateswhatheis,shehatesthereservationandshewasbarelyciviltomewhenItoldherwhoI
was.

Ifhe'sascrazyaboutherasshesaysheis,shecouldturnhimagainsthisownpeople,evenagainst
me."

"Surelyshewouldn't,"Cecilytriedtoreassureher.

"Surelyshewould.She'sagainstnativesovereignty."Therewasahesitation.

"I'mgladyou'recomingouthere.Imissseeingyou.

SinceyouwenttoliveinWashington,Ihardlygettohaveyououthereatall."

"Imissyou,too,"Cecilysaidwarmly.

"Ineedsomethingtoliftmyspirits,"Letacontinued.

"We'vejustlostthehopeofgettinganambulanceandanewcommunityclinic,becausethefundsthat
werebudgetedhavedisappeared."

"Disappeared?Whereto?"Cecilysaid.

"Nobodyknows,"Letasaid.

"Tom Black Knife, you remember our tribal chief, says it's probably a math error. I'm not so sure.

There are some real suspicious comings and goings around here lately. Especially since the
paperworkfortheproposedcasinowassentoff.Iguessyouhaven'tbeenabletogetSenatorHolden
tolistentoyouaboutoursideofthestory?"sheadded,acuriousinflectioninhervoice.

"MattHoldenisonehundredpercentagainstthecasino,despiteallmypleading,"Cecilysaidsadly.

"Not that I haven't bombarded him with information. I'm going to his birthday party. Maybe I can
waylayhimthereanddoussomegood."

"Yes.Hisbirthday.He'sinflexiblewhenanythinggoesagainsthisprinciples,"Letamurmured.

"You sound as if you know him!" Cecily teased. There was a long pause and when Leta spoke, her
voicewasstrained."Iknowofhim.

Everybodyheredoes."

"Whydon'tyoucometoWashingtonlaterintheyearandtalktohimpersonally?"Cecilyasked.

"Youcanstaywithme."

"What,inthatfancyapartment?"shesaid,distracted.

Cecilywinced.

"I've...moved.Ihaveanewplace.It'ssmaller,andalittleshabby,butit'shomey.You'lllikeit.Ihavea
sofathatfoldsoutintoabed.Icansleepthereandyoucanhavethebedroom."

Letapaused.

"I'dlovetoseeyou.ButIdon'tknowaboutgettingonanairplane.

I'llhavetothinkaboutthat.YouandTateandIcouldgoonthetown,ifIdid.Itmightbefun,atthat!"

Cecilyhesitated.

"TateandIaren'tspeaking,Leta,"shesaidtautly.

"Whynot?"

"Ifoundoutwho'sbeenpayingallmyexpenses."

"It'ssomefoundation,isn'tit?"Letaaskedinallinnocence.

"WhatwouldthathavetodowithyouandTatenotspeaking?So,who'sreallybehindit?"sheaddedin
ateasingtone.

"Isitsomegunrunnerormaybeoneofthoseinternationalterroristswereadabout?"

Letadidn'tknowthatTatehadbeensupportingher!Wellshecouldn'tdiscussitonthephone.Timefor
thatwhensheflewouttoSouthDakota.

"I'lltellyouallaboutitwhenIgetthere,"Cecilypromised.

"Seeyousoon."

"Okay.Takecare,baby."

"Youtakecare,too."Sheputdownthereceiver.

Letawasgoingtobehurtthather"children"wereatwar.Shefrowned,rememberingwhatLetahad
saidaboutlosingsometribalfunds.

ShewonderedwhatwasgoingonatWapiti.

SaturdaycameandColbywasunexpectedlybackinthecountry,sosheaskedhimtogowithherto
SenatorHolden'sbirthdayparty.Heagreed,buthesoundedsolemn.Whenhecametopickherup,she
couldseehowtiredhewas.

"Ishouldn'thaveaskedyou,"shesaidgently,knowingbetterthantoaskhimwhatwaswrong.

Heshrugged.

"Itbeatssittingathome,thinking."Hesmiledwanly.

"I'mbadcompany.ButI'llgiveitashot."

TheyleftCecily'sapartmentanddrovetotheSenator'sresidence.

Cecily stared around her at the elegant company of politicians, millionaires and other guests
assembled in the huge ballroom of Senator Matt Holden's Maryland home. Her up swept medium
blondhairwasneatlydoneandherknee-lengthblackcocktaildress,whileofftherack,wastasteful.
But her pale green eyes were restless. She felt vulnerable without her glasses. She hadn't wanted to
botherwiththem,sinceColbywasdriving.Andshehatedtheworryoftryingtowearcontactlenses.
Besides,whodidsheneedtosee,anyway?SheandColbyhadarrivedjustintimetowanderthrough
thebuffetandnibbleatthedeliciousspread.Therewaseverythingfromcaviartochampagne.

Now that they'd finished eating, she wished he would hurry back with the coffee. She was
uncomfortableamongpeoplewhosecasualconversationcenteredaroundinvestments,foreigntravel
and upcoming appropriation bills. She didn't travel in monied circles. As she studied the people
around her being offered drinks by a white-coated, white-gloved waiter, she grinned to herself
thinkingthatherusualcompanionsthesedayswereskeletons.Sheglancedatthetureeninthewaiter's
handsandhadanattackofconscience.

She draped her small evening bag over one shoulder and wandered quietly through the room of
guests, nodding and smiling politely at people she knew mainly from the nightly news. She was in

glitteringcompany,butshewasastranger,aloneinthispackedgathering.

She'dhavebeenmoreathomeinherofficeatthemuseum.OronthereservationwithLeta.

Itwasanunusuallyquietcocktailparty,shethought,andconversationwasmutedandsomberaround
her.RecentturmoilinWashington,D.C."

hadthrownashroudoverthecelebrationofSenatorHolden'sbirthday.

Holden was the senior Republican senator from South Dakota, a fiery, difficult man who made
enemiesaseasilyasherantheSenateCommitteeonIndianAffairs,ofwhichhewaschairman.

Hehadhisfingerinplentyofpoliticalpiesandsomeprivateones.

His most recent private one was private sector funding for his pet project, the newly created
AnthropologicalandArchaeologicalMuseumoftheNativeAmericanwhereCecilynowworked.

ShespottedMattHoldenandhereyesbegantotwinkle.Hewasahandsomedevil,evenathisage.His
wifehaddiedtheyearbefore,andthehuskyblack-eyedpoliticianwithhisglimmeringsilverhairand
elegantbroad-shoulderedphysiquewasnowoneverywidow'slistofeligibles.Evennow,twolovely
elderlysocietydameswereattackingfrombothsideswithexpensiveperfumeanddaringcleavage.

Atleastoneofthemshouldhavewornsomethinghigh-necked,shemused,withhercollarboneand
skinnynecksoprominent.

Anotherpairofeyesfollowedheramusedgaze.

"Doesn'titremindyouofsharkattacks?"apleasantvoicemurmuredinherear.

Shejumped,andlookedupathercompanionfortheevening.

"Goodgrief,Colby,youscaredmeoutofayear'sgrowth!"sheburstoutwithahelplesslaugh.

Colbyonlysmiled.

"Here'syourcoffee.It'snotbad,either."

Hehandedherthecupandsippedfromhisown.Shewonderedwhyhe'dbeenoutofthecountryatthe
sametimeasTate,andwhy.ThensheshutTateoutofhermind.Shewasn'tgoingtothinkabouthim
tonight.

"Youneverdidsaywhereyouwent,"shetoldthelithecongenialmanatherside.

Hementionedawar-torncountryinAfrica,thenmurmured,"Andyoudidn'thearthatfromme."

She sobered quickly. Everyone knew about the strife and the terrible aftermath of surreptitious
bombings.Itwasallthatpeopletalkedabout."Thosepoorpeople."

"Amen."

Sheglancedupathim.

"Isupposeyouwereinvolvedsomehowinthecaptureofthesuspects?"

He only smiled. He would never talk about assignments. Colby wasn't a handsome man, especially
withallthescarsonhisleanface.Histhick,faintlywavyshortblackhairwashisbestasset.Stillhe
didhaveadangerousmagnetismthatCecilyknewdidn'tgounnoticedbytheladies.Unfortunatelyhe
wastoostuckinthepasttoevenlookatanotherwomantwice.Hiswifeoffiveyearshadlefthimtwo
yearsbackandfoundsomeoneelse;someonewhowasathomemore,alreadyhadtwochildrenofhis
own and didn't risk his life for his job. His benders since her departure were legendary. Cecily's
intervention with the Maryland psychologist had saved him from certain alcoholism, but he still
teetereddangerouslyontheedgeofruin.Apity,shethought,tolovesomeonesomuchandlosethem
andbeunabletoletgo.JustlikeherselfmooningoverTate,shethoughtwithbitterness.

"SeenTatelately?"Colbyaskedcarelessly.

Shestiffened.

"No."

He looked down at her with a wry grin. "It was a boring banquet, anyway. You made all the news
showsthatnight,andIhearoneofthebiggerlatenighttelevisionhostsdidamonologueaboutit!"

"Goahead,"sheinvitedwithagesture.

"Rubitin."

"Ican'thelpmyself,"hesaidwithaninvoluntarychuckle.

"I

believeit'sthefirsttimeinAmericanpoliticalhistorythatanex-CIAagentwasbaptizedwithatureen
ofcrabbisquerightinthemiddleofatelevisedpoliticalaffair."Colbyhadtoworkhardnottocrack
a smile. He sipped his coffee instead. Before he met Cecily, he couldn't have imagined any woman
doingthattotall,handsome,elegantTateWinthrop.

"MattHoldenseemstohaveforgivenyou,"headded.

Shesmiledwickedly.

"Helovedit,"shesaid.

"Justbetweenyouandme,hethrivesonpublicity."

Colby'sdarkeyeswenttoHolden.

"YoumightalsohavebeeninvitedbecausehelikesembarrassingTate,"

hemused.

"Talkaboutnaturalenemies!"

Cecilyshiftedfromonelegtotheother.Herhighheeledshoesweregettinguncomfortable.Shedidn't
gooutmuchformally.

"Iknow.

Tate's gung ho for that proposed casino on the Wapiti Ridge Sioux Reservation in South Dakota to
help raise tribal funds and support more programs for teens, to help cut down on alcoholism and
violence.

Thesenator,ontheotherhand,isviolentlyopposedtothecasinoprojectonWapiti.They'velocked
hornsoverthatissueandseveralothersinvolvingLakotasovereignty."

Colby'sbrowsdrewtogether.

"Isn'tthesenatorLakota?"

Cecilygrinned.

"HisfatherwasfromMorocco,"shesaid.

"Hehasn'tgotadropofLakotablood.Buthelooksit,doesn'the?

Maybe that's why he gets the Lakota vote every election. That, and the fact that his mother used to
teachat the Lakotaschool on WapitiRidge, or so I'veheard." Thinking aboutthat, she wondered if
LetahadevermetMattinheryouth.Theywereaboutthesameage.

"DidheknowTate'sfamilythen?"

"He may have known of them, but he ran for congress before Tate was even born, and he came to
D.C.asafreshmansenatorthesameyearinalandslidevictory."

"Youdidn'tknowhimuntilthismuseumthingcameup."

"That'strue."Shesmootheddownthenarrowskirtofherdressandglancedwithirritationatamud
spotonherblacksuedesling-backs.

"Dam,"shesaid.

"ItwasrainingandIhadtowalkonthegrass.

I'vegotmudallovermyshoes.They'rebrand-new,too."

"I'llcarryyouacrossthegrassonthereturntrip,ifyoulike,"

Colbyofferedwithtwinklingeyes.

"Itwouldhavetobeoveroneshoulder,ofcourse,"headdedwithawryglanceathisartificialarm.

She frowned at the bitterness in his tone. He was a little fuzzy because she needed glasses to see at
distances."Listen,nobodyinherrightmindwouldevertakeyouforacripple,"shesaidgentlyand
with a warm smile. She laid a hand on his sleeve. "Anyway," she added with a wicked grin, "I've
already given the news media enough to gossip about just recently. I don't need any more
complicationsinmylife.

I'veonlyjustgottenridofonebigone."

Colbystudiedherwithanamusedsmile.Shewastheonlywomanhe'deverknownthathegenuinely
liked. He was about to speak when he happened to glance over her shoulder at a man approaching
them.

"Aboutthatbigcomplication,Cecily."

"Whataboutit?"sheasked.

"I'd say it's just reappeared with a vengeance. No, don't turn around," he said, suddenly jerking her
closetohimwiththeartificialarmthatlookedsoreal,asouvenirofoneofhisforeignassignments.

"Justkeeplookingatmeandpretendtobefascinatedwithmynose,andwe'llgivehimsomethingto
thinkabout."

ShelaughedinspiteoftheracingpulsethatalwaysaccompaniedTate'sappearancesinherlife.She
studiedColby'slean,scarredface.Hewasn'tanybody'sideaofapinup,buthehadstyleandgutsandif
ithadn'tbeenforTate,shewouldhavefoundhimveryattractive.

"Yournosehasbeenbrokentwice,Isee,"shetoldColby.

"Threetimes,butwho'scounting?"Heliftedhiseyesandhiseyebrowsatsomeonebehindher.

"Well,hi,Tate!Ididn'texpecttoseeyouheretonight."

"Obviously,"cameadeep,gruffvoicethatcutlikeaknife.

ColbyloosenedhisgriponCecilyandmovedbackalittle.

"Ithoughtyouweren'tcoming,"hesaid.

Tate moved into Cecily's line of view, half a head taller than Colby Lane. He was wearing evening
clothes,liketheothermenpresent,buthehadanelegancethatmadehimstandapart.Shenevertired
ofgazingintohislargeblackeyeswhichweredeepsetinadark,handsomefacewithastraightnose,
andawide,narrow,sexymouthandfaintlycleftchin.Hewasthemostbeautifulman.Helookedasif

allheneededwasabreastplateandfeathersinhishairtobringbacktheheydayoftheLakotawarrior
inthenineteenthcentury.

Cecily remembered him that way from the ceremonial gatherings at Wapiti Ridge, and the image
stuckstubbornlyinhermind.

"Audreylikestorubelbowswiththerichandfamous,"Tatereturned.

HisdarkeyesmetCecily'sfiercegreenones.

"Iseeyou'restillinHolden'sgoodgraces.Hasheboughtyouaringyet?"

"What'sthematterwithyou,Tate?"Cecilyaskedwithacoldsmile.

"Feeling...crabby?"

Hiseyessmolderedasheglaredather."WhatdidyougiveHoldentogetthatjobatthemuseum?"he
askedwithpuremalice.

Anger at the vicious insinuation caused her to draw back her hand holding the half-full coffee cup,
and Colby caught her wrist smoothly before she could sling the contents at the man towering over
her.

TateignoredColby.HiseyesbegantoglitterashelookedatCecily.

"Don'tmakethatmistakeagain,"hesaidinavoicesoquietitwasbarelyaudible.Helookedasifall
hislatenthostilitieswerewaitingforanexcusetoturnonher."Ifyouthrowthatcupatme,sohelp
me,I'llcarryyouoverandputyoudowninthepunchbowl!"

"YouandtheCIA,maybe!"Cecilyhissed.

"Goaheadandtry...!"

TateactuallytookasteptowardherjustasColbymanagedtogetbetweenthem.

"Now,now,"hecautioned.

Cecilywasn'tbackingdownaninch.NeitherwasTate.He'dgonefromlazyaffectionandindulgent
amusementtobristlingantagonisminthespaceofweeks.LatelyheflewintoarageifCecily'sname
wasmentioned,butColbyhadn'ttoldherthat.

"Youhavenorighttomakethatkindofinsinuationaboutme,"shesaidthroughherteeth.

"Idon'tgetjobslyingonmyback,andyouknowit!"

Tate's black eyes narrowed. He looked formidable, but Cecily wasn't intimidated by him. She never
had been. He glanced at her hands, which were clenched on her cup, and then back to her rigid
features.

It had infuriated him to be the object of televised ridicule at the political dinner, and Audrey's
commentshadonlymadethingsworse.

He was carrying a grudge. But as he looked at Cecily, he felt an emptiness in his very soul. This
womanhadbeenathorninhissideforyears,eversinceanimpulsiveactofcompassionhadmade
herhisresponsibility.Inthosedays,she'dbeendemureandsweetanddependentonhim,andhershy
heroworshiphadbeenvaguelyflattering.

Now, she was a fiery, independent woman who didn't give a damn about his disapproval or,
apparently,hiscompany,andshehaddoneeverythingexceptleavetowntokeepoutofhisway.

Shewasstilllikeanadopteddaughtertohismother,butTatecouldn'tgetnearhernow.Hedidn'tlike
admittinghowmuchithurttohaveCecilyturnherbackonhim.AllAudrey'scharmshadn'tbeenable
toerasethememoryofCecily'swounded,accusingeyeswhenAudreyhadtoldherthetruthabouther
so-calledgrant.Hewishedhe'dneverconfidedinthesocialite.Intheearlydaysoftheirrelationship,
he'd been more forthcoming about the past than he should have been. It never occurred to him that
Audreywouldtelleverythingsheknewtoeveryonewhocamewithinspeakingdistance.

Amazing that he could be so easily taken in by a pretty face. Not that he hadn't learned his lesson.
Audrey heard nothing from him now that he wouldn't mind having the media overhear. But the
damagewasdone.

Itwasstandinginfrontofhimwithblazinggreeneyesandclenchedhands.AndtohaveColbyLane,
hisfriend,onthevergeofanaffairwithCecily."Whyareyouintown?"heaskedColbyabruptly.

"Iwasn'tneededanylonger,"theothermanrepliedwithagrin.

"Apparently my methods of interrogation were a little too... intense for some of our politically
correctcolleagues.

Theysentmehome."

"Marshmallows,"Tatemuttered.

"Anddidyouseewhowashandlingtheinvestigation?"

"Idid."Colbyfinishedhiscoffee.

"Whatever happened to the good old days when the " company" handled overseas intelligence?" he
wondered.

"Oh, no," Audrey said in her husky voice as she joined them, ravishing in a red satin dress with a
matchingchiffonoverlay.Itlookedlikecouture,andfrightfullyexpensive.Itprobablywas.Shewas
drippingdiamonds.

"No shop talk," she continued, pressing Tate's arm to her breasts. She gave Cecily a cursory,
contemptuousglanceandtransferredherblueeyestoColbywithaflirtatioussmile.

"Hi,Colby.Longtime,nosee."

Hesmiledback,buthiseyesdidn't.

"I'vebeenbusy.""Toobusytocomeandseeyourbestfriend?"shechided.

"We'veinvitedyoufordinnertwiceandyoualwayshaveanexcuse."

Insinuating,ofcourse,thatsheandTatewerelivingtogether,whichCecilyalreadyknewbecauseof
whatLetahadtoldher.Cecilydidn'treactvisibly.Inside,shewasslowlydyingattheimagesofTate
andAudreytogether.

"I'vebeenoutofthecountryforaweek,myself,upgradingthesecurityononeofournewoilrigpro
rjectsintheCaspianSea,"

Tatereplied.

"We'vehadafewproblems."

"SoIheard,"Colbysaid.

"Brauer had friends, didn't he?" he added, mentioning the German national who'd involved Tate's
employerinakidnappingscheme.

"Iguessevenfromprisonhecanhirecleaners."

Tateshrugged.

"PierceandIcanhandleit."HesmileddownatAudrey.

"I'mnotreadytocashinmychipsyet."

Cecily unobtrusively slid her free hand into Colby's real one for comfort. Surprised, his fingers
tightenedaroundit.

"Well,itwasnicetoseeyou,"Colbysaid,readingthetinysignal,

"butweneedtoleaveprettysoon."

Atthecouplingoftheirnames,Tateglancedspeculativelyfromoneofthemtotheother.Everyone
knew that Colby was still in love with his ex-wife, but he was holding Cecily's hand and acting
protectiveofher.

He didn't like that. Colby was teetering on alcoholism, and Tate didn't want Cecily's life ruined by
him.He'dhavetothinkofsomewaytohandlethis;forherowngood,ofcourse,hedecidedfirmly.

"Soyoudidshowup,afterall,"MattHoldensaidshortly,joiningthesmallgroup.HeglaredatTate.

"I'mnotgivingoneinchonthecasinoissue,justincaseyouwondered,"hesaidwithoutpreamble.

Tateglaredbackathim.

"You'reoneman.Youwon'tstopprogress."

"Yes,Iwill,"Holdensaidinaclipped,hostiletone.

"I'mnothavingorganizedcrimeatWapitiRidge,andifyoudon'tlikeit,youknowwhatyoucando."

"Bull!There'snoconnectiontoorganizedcrimeatWapiti.That'sjustanexcuse.Butyoudon'town
thegovernororthestateattorneygeneral,"Tatetoldhim.

"Andyouhavenoinfluencewhatsoeverontheres."

"Do you really want to be partners with men who'll take eighty percent of the profit and shoot
anybodywhotriestostopthem?"

Holdenasked.

"I won't have organized crime making a living at the expense of children's food and clothing and
housing!"

Tatetookasteptowardtheman,whowasaheadshorterthanhewas,andhisblackeyeswereevery
bitasintimidatingasHolden's.

"That's strong talk from a big shot Washington bureaucrat who rides around in chauffeured
limousinesandhashismealsonchinaplates!

Whatthehelldoyouknowaboutchildrenwhoseparentscan'tevenaffordheatinthewinter,wholive
onareservationthathasn'tevengotadamnedambulancetotakeinjuredpeopletotheclinic?"

"Iknowmoreaboutitthanyouthinkyoudo,"Holdenshotback.

"Listenhere..."

Cecily walked between them, just as Colby had gotten between her and Tate minutes earlier. She
smiledatHolden.

"My boss at the museum told me that you had a collection of projectile points dating back to the
Folsompoint,"shesaid.

"Idon'tsupposethere'sanychanceofyourshowingthemtome?"

Holden stood for a moment vibrating with unexpressed anger, but as he looked at Cecily, his rigid
featuresrelaxedandhesmiledself-consciously.

"Yes,Idohavesuchacollection.Youreallywanttoseeit?"

"Paleo-Indianarchaeologyisstillmyfirstlove,"shereplied.

"Yes,I'dverymuchenjoythat."

Hetookherarm.

"Ifyou'llexcuseus?"

Cecilydidn'tlookback.Shewentrightalongwiththesenator,apparentlyhangingoneveryword.

"Whydoyoudothingslikethat?"Audreyaskedsnappily,glancingaroundtofindsomepeoplestill
watchingtheminthewakeoftheveryaudibledisagreement.

"He's a very powerful man, you know. And I think he's right about casinos." She tossed back her
shoulder-lengthblondhair.

"Thereshouldn'tevenbeanyreservationsinthefirstplace,"shemuttered,missingTate'sangrystare.

"We're all Americans. It's stupid to support a bunch of people who'd rather live with bears than in
cities.Theyshouldjustphaseoutthereservationsandleteverybodylivetogether."

ColbypursedhislipsandglancedatTate.Hespokeafewwords,softly,inagutterallanguagethat
theothermanunderstoodverywell.

"WhyareyoudatingCecily?"Tateaskedinsteadofansweringthequestionhe'dbeenaskedinLakota.

Colbylookednonchalant.

"She'ssingle.I'msingle.Ilikeher."

"Ican'timaginewhyyou'dagreetobeseenwithherinpublic,"Audreysniffed.

"Shehasnobreedingandshe'sasocialdisaster."

"Listen,shedidn'tpourcrabbisquealloverme,"Colbysaidwithadeliberatelyprovokingglanceat
Tate.

"Shewouldn'thavepoureditonyouifyou'dtoldherthetruthfromthebeginning.Cecilyhateslies.I
can'timaginethatyou'veknownherforeightyearswithoutrealizingthat."

"ShehastheprideofLucifer,"hereturned.

"She'd never have gone to college in the first place if I hadn't paid for it. She's self-supporting and
abletotakecareofherself.Itwaswortheverypenny."

"Sheisgoingtopayyouback,nowthatsheknows,isn'tshe?"Audreyasked.

"You don't owe her anything, Tate. You were stuck with her, and you're certainly not a relative or

anything."

"TherearethingsaboutmyobligationtoCecilythatyoudon'tunderstand,"Tatetoldthewoman.He
drewinashortbreathashewatchedCecilyclingtoHolden'sarmonthewayoutoftheroom.

"Likewhat?"Audreypersisted.

"Don'ttellmeyouwerelovers!"

"Ofcoursenot,"Tatesaidirritably.

"Andthat'sallI'mgoingtosayonthesubject."

"She'snotmuchtolookatevennow."AudreywasalsostaringafterCecilyandHolden.

"Hedoeslikeher,doesn'the?"shedrawled.

"He could afford to keep her. They must spend a lot of time together now that he's involved in that
museum."

ThathadjustoccurredtoTate,too,andhedidn'tlikeit.HoldenwasyearstoooldforCecily.

Colbycaughtthatdisapprovalinhisface,buthedidn'tremarkonit.

Hehelduphisemptycup.

"Ineedarefill.Excuseme."

Heleftthemtogether.AudreyleanedagainstTate'smusculararmwithasoftsigh.

"Whydidyouwanttocometothisboringparty?"sheasked.

"WecouldhavegonetotheballetwiththeCarsonsinstead."

"Ihateballet."

"Youlikeopera."

"There's a difference." He was still glaring at the doorway through which Holden and Cecily had
vanished.

"Whatdoessheseeinhim?"hewondered.

"Maybehelikestodigupdeadpeople,too,"shesaidwithacontemptuouslaugh.

Tatecouldfeeltheheatrisingoverhischeekbones.

"I'mstilltryingtounderstandwhyyoutoldCecilythatIpaidforhereducation."

She looked up at him innocently. "You never said I couldn't. She's too old to need a guardian, you
know.Itwasonlyeverjustanexcusetohangaroundyou,gettinginmy...inourway.She'llgetover
it."

"Getoverwhat?"heaskedwithascowl.

"Herinfatuation."Shepattedhisarm,oblivioustotheshockonhisface."Allyounggirlsgothrough
it.Someonehadtoshowherthatshehasnoplaceinyourlifenow."Shelookedupathimadoringly.

"Youhaveme,now."

Hewentwithhertothepunchbowl,stillfrowningandfeelingvaguedisquiet.Audreywasconstantly
inhisface,gettingthemanagertoletherintohisapartmentatallhours,evenphoninghimatwork.
She was possessive to a frightening degree. He didn't understand why. She was someone to take
around,buthewasn'tintimatelyinvolvedwithher.

She was acting as if they were attached at the hip, and he didn't like it. Her attitude toward Cecily
chafed.

"Whatmakesyouthinkshe'sinfatuatedwithme?"heaskedconversationally.

"Oh,Colbytoldmeonce,whenhewasalittletipsy.Itwasbeforetheystartedgoingaroundtogether,"
shesaidairily.

"Hefeltsorryforher,butIdon't.Thereareplentyofeligiblemenintheworld.

Sheisn'tveryattractive,butshe'llfindsomeoneofherownoneday.

MaybeevenColby,"sheaddedthoughtfully.

"Theyseemveryclose,don'tthey-evencloserthansheandMattHolden.

Shemightbejustthewomantohelphimgetoverhisex-wife!"

ChapterThree

1heannualPowWowontheWapitiRidgeSiouxreservationinsouthwesternSouthDakotawasCe-
cily'sfavoriteevent.She'dpromisedLetathatshe'dshowupforit,andshehad,begginganextraday
offpasttheweekendontheexcusethatshewasgoingtolookintobuyingsomehandicraftsfromthe
reservationforthemuseum.

Tatewasn'tlikelytobehere.Colbyhadmentionedthathewasabroadagain,soCecilyfeltsafe,for
themoment.ItwouldhavehurtLeta'sfeelingsifshehadn'tcome,sinceLetadidn'tknowwhythere
wasariftbetweenhersonandCe-city.

Shelookedaroundatthebeautifulcostumes,manymadeoffringedbuckskinandveryold,someof
morerecentvintage.MostPowWowswereheldinthesummermonths.Thensheremindedherself
thatmid3

Septemberwasstillsummer,eveniftherewasanipintheairhere.

Shedidn'thaveadropofLakotablood,butshehadcloserconnectionstothisbranchoftheOglala
tribethanmostwhites.TateWinthropandhismotherLetahadgivenCecilyrefugewhenshewasstill
in her teens. She and Tate still weren't speaking after the crab bisque attack, but Leta was like the
mothershe'dlost.

"Iseealotmorepeopleherethisyear,"CecilytoldLeta,scanningthecolorfulcrowdwhilesittingon
haybalesaroundacirclewhereadancecompetitionwasbeingheldtothethrobbingbeatandchantof
thedrummers.

"Theyadvertiseditmorethisyear,"Letarepliedwithagrin.Shewasyoung-lookingforfifty-four,a
little plump but with a pretty face, dark brown eyes and braided silver-flecked dark hair. She was
dressed in fawn buckskins and boots with beaded, feathered ornaments in her hair. One of the
ornamentswasacirclewithacrossinside,denotingthecircleoflife.

"Youlooklovely,"Cecilysaidwithgenuineaffection.

Letamadeaface.

"I'mfat.You'velostweight,"sheadded.Hereyesnarrowed.

Cecilystretchedlazily.Shewaswearingasimplebluecheckedshirtwithadenimskirtandboots.Her
longblondhairwasbraidedandcircledaroundthecrownofherhead.Palegreeneyesbehindlarge
framedglassesstaredintonothing.

"RememberwhatItoldyouonthephone,thatIfoundoutthetruthaboutthegrantthatwaspayingall
myexpenses?"sheasked.

Letanodded.

"Well, it wasn't a grant that was paying for my education and living expenses." She took a harsh
breath.

"ItwasTate."

Letascowled.

"Areyousure?"

"I'mverysure."Sheglancedattheolderwoman.

"I found out in the middle of Senator Matt Holden's political fund-raiser, and I lost my temper. I
poured crab bisque all over your son and there were television cameras covering the event." She
turnedherwoundedeyestowardthedancers.

"IwasdevastatedwhenIfoundoutI'mnothingmorethanacharitycasetohim."

"Thatisn'ttrue,"Letasaidgently,butalittleremotely.

"YouknowTate'sveryfondofyou."

"Yes.Veryfond,thewayaguardianisfondofaward.Heownedme."

Shestaredatthebrowngrassunderherfeet,grimacingatthememory.

"Icouldn'tbearthehumiliationofknowingthat.IguesshethoughtIwouldn'tbeabletomakeiton
myown.Iwasn'treallyverymatureatseventeen.Buthecouldhavetoldmethetruth.Itwashorrible
tofinditoutthatway,especiallyatmyage."Shetookadeepbreath.

"Iquitschool,movedoutoftheapartmentandtookthejobSenatorHoldenwasaskingmetotakeat
thenewmuseumhehelpedopen.He'saniceman."

Letalookedawaynervously.

"Ishe?"sheaskedinacuriouslystrainedtone.

"You'dlikehim,"shesaidwithasmile,"eventhoughTatedoesn't."

Leta'sshouldersmovedasifsheweresuddenlyuncomfortable.

"Yes, I know there's friction between them. They don't agree on any Native American issues, most
especiallyontherighttoopenacasinoonWapitiRidge."

"The senator seems to think that organized crime would love to move in, but I don't think there's
muchdangerofthat.OtherSiouxreservationsinthestatehaveperfectlygoodcasinos.Anyway,it's
the tribes in other states trying to open casinos that are drawing all the heat from gambling
syndicates."

Letahesitated.

"Yes,butjustlately..."Shecaughtherselfandsmiled.

"Well,there'snousetalkingaboutthatrightnow.But,Cecily,whataboutyoureducation?"

Of course, Leta knew that Tate had enrolled her in George Washington University near his
Washington,D.C."apartment,sothathecouldkeepaneyeonher.Heworkedassecuritychieffor
PierceButton'sbuildingconglomeratenow,ahighlypaid,hecticandsometimesdangerousjob.Butit
waslesswearingonLeta'snervesthanwhenheworkedforthegovernment.

"IcangobackwhenIcanaffordtopayforitmyself,"Cecilyreturned.

"There'ssomethingmore,isn'tthere?"Letaaskedinhersoftvoice.

"Comeon,baby.TellMama."

Cecilygrimaced.Shesmiledwarmlyattheolderwoman.She'djustturnedtwenty-five,butLetahad
been"Mama"sincehershaddiedandleftherpenniless,atthemercyofadrunken,lustingstepfather.

"Tate'snewgirl,"shesaidafteraminute.

"She'sreallybeautiful.

She'sthirty,divorcedandshelookslikeamodel.Blond,blue-eyed,perfectfigure,socialgracesand
she'srich."

"Bummer,"Letasaiddrolly.

Cecilyburstoutlaughingatthedrawledslang.Letawasoneofthemosteducatedwomensheknew,
politicallyactiveonsovereigntyissuesforhertribeandanadvocateofliteracyprogramsforyoung
Lakotapeople.Herhusbandhaddiedyearsbefore,andshe'dchanged.JackYellowbirdWinthrophad
been a brutal man, very much like Cecily's stepfather. During the time she spent with Leta, he was
awayonaconstructionjobinChicagoorshe'dneverhavebeenabletostayinthehousewiththem.

"Tate'saman,"Letacontinued.

"You can't expect him to live like a recluse. His job involves a lot of social events. Where Button
goes,hegoes."

"Yes,butthisis...different,"Cecilycontinued.Sheshrugged.

"I

saw him with her last week, at a coffeehouse near my apartment. They were holding hands. She's
captivatedhim."

"The Lakota Captive." Leta made a line in the air with her hand. "I can see it now, the wily, brave

Lakota warrior with the brazen white woman pioneer. She carries him off into the sunset over her
shoulder..."

Cecilywhackedherwithastrandofgrassshe'dpulled.

"Youwritehistoryyourway,I'llwriteitmyway,"Letasaidwickedly.

"NativeAmericansarestoicandunemotional,"Cecilyremindedher.

"Allthebookssayso."

"Weneverreadmanybooksintheolddays,sowedidn'tknowthat,"

camethedryexplanation.Sheshookherhead.

"Whatasadstereotypesomanymakeofus--abloodthirstyignorantpeoplewhoneversmilebecause
they'retoobusytorturingpeopleoverhotfires."

"Wrongtribe,"Cecilycorrected.Shefrownedthoughtfully.

"Thatwasthenortheasternnativepeople."

"Who'stheNativeAmericanhere,youorme?"

Cecilyshrugged.

"I'mGerman-American."Shebrightened.

"ButIhadagrandmotherwhodatedaCherokeemanonce.Doesthatcount?"

Letahuggedherwarmly.

"You'remyadopteddaughter.You'reLakota,evenifyouhaven'tgotmyblood."

CecilylethercheekfalltoLeta'sshoulderandhuggedherback.Itfeltsonicetobelovedbysomeone
intheworld.Sincehermother'sdeath,she'dhadnooneofherown.Itwasalonelylife,despitethe
excitementandadventureherworkheldforher.Shewasn'topenlyaffectionateatall,exceptwithLeta.

"For God's sake, next you'll be rocking her to sleep at night!" came a deep, disgusted voice at Ce-
cily'sback,andCecilystiffenedbecausesherecognizeditimmediately.

"She'smybabygirl,"Letatoldhertall,handsomesonwithagrin.

"Shutup."

Cecilyturnedalittleawkwardly.Shehadn'texpectedthis.TateWinthroptoweredoverbothofthem.
His jet-black hair was loose as he never wore it in the city, falling thick and straight almost to his
waist.Hewaswearingabreastplatewithbuckskinleggingsandhigh-toppedmocassins.Therewere

two feathers straight up in his hair with notches that had meaning among his people, marks of
bravery.

Cecily tried not to stare at him. He was the most beautiful man she'd ever known. Since her
seventeenthbirthday,Tatehadbeenherworld.

Fortunatelyhedidn'trealizethathermadflirtinghidatrueemotion.

Infact,hetreatedherexactlyashehadwhenshecametohimforcomfortafterhermotherhaddied
suddenly;ashehadwhenshecametohimagainwithbruisesalloverherthin,youngbodyfromher
drunkenstepfather'sviolentattack.Althoughshedated,she'dneverhadaseriousboyfriend.Shehad
secretterrorsofintimacythathadneverreallygoneaway,exceptwhenshethoughtofTatethatway.
She loved him. "Why aren't you dressed properly?" Tate asked, scowling at her skirt and blouse. "I
boughtyoubuckskinsforyourbirthday,didn'tI?"

"Threeyearsago,"shesaidwithoutmeetinghisprobingeyes.Shedidn'tlikerememberingthathe'd
forgottenherbirthdaythisyear.

"Igainedweightsincethen."

"Oh.Well,findsomethingyoulikehere..."

Sheheldupahand.

"I don't want you to buy me anything else," she said flatly, and didn't back down from the sudden
menaceinhisdarkeyes.

"I'mnotdressinguplikeaLakotawoman.Incaseyouhaven'tnoticed,I'mblond.Idon'twanttobe
mistakenforsomesortofoverstimulatedNativeAmericangroupiebuyingupartificialartifactsand
enthusingovercitifiedNativeAmericanflutemusic,tryingtoactlikeamemberofthetribe."

"Youbelongtoit,"hereturned.

"Weadoptedyouyearsago."

"Soyoudid,"shesaid.Thatwashowhethoughtofher--asister.

Thatwasn'tthewayshewantedhimtothinkofher.Shesmiledfaintly.

"ButIwon'tpassforaLakota,whateverIwear."

"Youcouldtakeyourhairdown,"hecontinuedthoughtfully.

She shook her head. She only let her hair loose at night, when she went to bed. Perhaps she kept it
tightlycoiledforpurespite,becausehelovedlonghairandsheknewit.

"Howoldareyou?"heasked,tryingtoremember.

"Twenty,isn'tit?"

"Iwas,fiveyearsago,"shesaid,exasperated.

"You used to work for the CIA. I seem to remember that you went to college, too, and got a law
degree.Didn'ttheyteachyouhowtocount?"

Helookedsurprised.Wherehadtheyearsgone?Shehadn'taged,notvisibly.

"Where's Audrey?" she asked brightly, trying to sound nonchalant about it when her heart was
breaking.

Somethingchangedinhisface.Helookedbrieflydisturbed.

"Shecouldn'tgetaway,"hesaidinatonethatdidn'tinvitequestions.

"Oneofherfriendswashavingatea,andshepromisedtohelp.Iflewoutalone."

CecilywonderedifitwasreallybecauseofapartythatAudreyhadstayedbehind,orifhissociety
girlfriend didn't want to be seen on an Native American reservation. Tate had mentioned once or
twicethatAudreyhadaskedhimrepeatedlytogetaconservativehaircut.Asifhe'devercuthishair
willingly. It was a part of his heritage, of which he was fiercely proud. At least she didn't have to
worryabouthimmarryingAudrey.Hemightbesmitten,buthe'dsaidforyearsthathewasn'tgoing
to dilute his Lakota blood by mingling it with a white woman. He wanted a child who was purely
Lakota,likehimself.

Ifheevermarried,itwouldbetoaLakotawoman.Thefirsttimehe'dsaidthat,ithadbrokenCecily's
heart.Butshe'dcometoacceptit.

WhensherealizedthatshewasnevergoingtobeabletohaveTate,shegaveupanddevotedherself
toherstudies.Atleastshewasgoodatarchaeology,shemused,evenifshewasadismalfailureasa
womaninTate'seyes.

"She'sbeenbroodyeversincewegothere,"LetasaidwithpursedlipsassheglancedfromTateto
Ce-city."Youtwohadablowup,huh?"

sheasked,pretendinginnocence.

Tatedrewinashortbreath.

"Shepouredcrabbisqueonmeinfrontoftelevisioncameras."

Cecilydrewherselfuptoherfullheight."Pityitwasn'tflamingshishkebab!"shereturnedfiercely.

Letamovedbetweenthem.

"TheSiouxwarsareover,"sheannounced.

"That'swhatyouthink,"Cecilymuttered,glaringaroundheratthetallman.

Tate'sdarkeyesbegantotwinkle.He'dmissedherinhislife.Eveninatemper,shewasrefreshing,
invigorating.

She averted her eyes to the large grass circle outlined by thick corded string. All around it were
makeshift shelters on poles, some with canvas tops, with bales of hay to make seats for spectators.
The first competition of the day was over and the winners were being announced. A women-only
dance came next, and Leta grimaced as she glanced from one warring face to the other. If she left,
therewasnotellingwhatmighthappen.

"That'sme,"shesaidreluctantly,adjustingthenumberonherback.

"Gottorun.Wishmeluck."

"YouknowIdo,"Cecilysaid,smilingather.

"Don'tdisgraceus,"Tateaddedwithlaughterinhiseyes.

Letamadeafaceathim,butsmiled.

"Nofighting,"shesaid,shakingafingeratthemasshewenttojointheothercompetitors.

Tate'sgranitelikefacehadsoftenedashewatchedhismother.

Whateverhisfaults,hewasagoodson.

"She'sdifferentsinceyourfatherdied,"Cecilycommented,sittingdownononeofthebalesofhay,
gratefulforthediversion.

"I'veneverseenhersoanimated."

"Myfatherwasahardmantolivewith,"herepliedquietly.

"Ifhehadn'tspentmostofhislifeawayonconstructionjobs,I'dprobablyhavekilledhim."

Sheknewhewasn'tkidding.JackWinthrophadbeatenLetaonce,andTatehadwipedthefloorwith
him after coming home unexpectedly and finding his mother cut and bruised. By then, he'd been in
espionage work for some time. Jack Winthrop, big and tough as he was, was no match for the
experiencedyoungerman.ItwasthelasttimeLetaeversufferedabeating,too.Jackbecameafraidof
hisson.CecilyrememberedthatJackhadneverspokenonekindwordabouthisonlychild.Oddlyhe
seemedtohateTate.

"Youdidn'tlikeyourfathermuch,didyou?"Ce-cityremembered.

"Hewasn'talikableman."Hesatdownbesideher.

She felt the warm strength of him and closed her eyes briefly to savor it. He hardly ever touched

people,notevenhismother.Inallthelongyearsshe'dbeenpartofhislife,he'dnevertouchedher
withintent.Nottoholdherhand,kissherevenonthecheek,brushbackherhair.Thatonetime,when
she'dflowntoOklahomatohelphimwithhiscasewastheclosestthey'dcometointimacy,andthat
wasanticlimactic,evenifshehadlivedonitforweeksafterward.

She'd ached for any contact at all, but that wasn't Tate's way. Yet she'd seen him holding hands with
Audreythatdayinthecoffeeshop.

Nothinghadeverhurtsomuch.Itwasanindicationoftheattractionhefeltforthegorgeoussocialite.

ShesmiledasshewatchedLetadoingtheintricatestepsofthedanceinsidethecircle.Allthewomen
werewearingbuckskins,afeatofendurancebecauseitwasalmostninetydegreesintheSouthDakota
Septembersun.

"ThatwasanastycrackImadeaboutyouandSenatorHoldenathisbirthdayparty,"hesaidaftera
minute.

"Ididn'tmeanit."

Itwastheclosesthecametoanapology.Shewastiredofarguing,soshetooktheolivebranchfor
whatitwas.

"Iknow."

The mention of birthdays reminded him that he'd deliberately ignored Cecily's this year. It wasn't a
pleasantmemory.Heshiftedonthehay,staringathismotherinthecircle."Doyoulikethejobatthe
museum?"

"Verymuch.I'llbeinchargeofacquisitions,whichisonereasonIcameouthere.Iwanttoexhibit
someOglalapotteryandbeadwork."

Hedidn'tlookather.

"HowdidyougettoknowHolden?"

"He'sgoodfriendswithamemberofthefacultyatGeorgeWashingtonUniversity,"shesaid.

"Iranintohiminthehalloneday.Heknewmefromoneofthehearings..."Shestopped,becausethis
waspartofherlifeshehadn'tsharedwithTate.

"Hearings?"heprompted.

Shefoldedherhandsonthewarmfabricofherskirt.Thesunwasbeatingdownonheruncovered
head.

"It was a public hearing on Native American sovereignty. I went to speak in favor of it before the
SenateCommitteeonIndianAffairs,speakingforacommitteefromtheWapitireservation.Holdenis
thechairmanoftheSenatecommittee."Shekepthereyesonthecircleofdancers.

"ItwasLeta'sidea,"sheaddedquickly.

"She said Senator Holden was impressed by anthropology graduates, and I was the only one they
coulddigupatsuchshortnotice."

"Ididn'tknowyouinvolvedyourselfinpoliticalissues."

Sheglancedathimwryly.

"Ofcourseyoudidn't.Youdon'tknowalotaboutme."

Hescowledasheturnedhisattentiontothecircleandwatchedhismotherdance,resplendentinher
beautifulbuckskins.No,hedidn'tknowalotaboutCecily,buthedidknowhowdevastatedshe'dbeen
todiscoverhe'dpaidherwaythroughcollege,absorbedallherexpensesoutofpityforhersituation.
Hewassorryforhowmuchthathadhurther.Butoverthepasttwoyears,he'ddeliberatelydistanced
himself from her. He wondered why. "I had dinner with Senator Holden last week," she said
conversationally,deliberatelytryingtoirritatehim.

"Hewantedtopointmetowardsomespecialcollectionsforthemuseum."

Hestaredathismotherinthecircle,buthewasfrowning,deepinthought.

"Idon'tlikeHolden,"hesaidcurtly.

"Yes,Iknow.You'llbedelightedtohearthathereturnedyoursentiment,"shesaidwithachuckleat
hisscowl.

"He'sreallystubbornontheissueofacasinoontheWapitireservation.We'vepointedoutthebenefits
tothetribetimeandtimeagain,buthewon'tgiveaninch,"sherecalled.

"Wecouldbuildabiggerclinic,buyanambulanceandtrainandhireanEMTtodriveit.Wecould
fundrecreationalprogramsforteenstokeepthemfromdrinkingandgettingintotrouble.Wecould
haveprenatalprograms..."

Hewasstaringatheropenly."Whendidyoutalktohimaboutthat?"

heasked.

"I'vebeenathorninhissideformonths,"shesaideasily.

"I'velefthime-mailmessages,putnotesunderhisdoor,leftvoicemail,senttapesofthepovertyon
thereservationthroughthemail.Heknowsmeverywellindeed.ButmostrecentlyIgothimtolisten
tomeoveranicedinneratthelocalcafeteriabetweenSenatesessions,"sherecalled.

"He's afraid of organized crime. He seems to have some suspicions about the motives of the tribal
chiefwho'ssodeterminedtogetthecasinoapprovedbythestategovernmentforClassIIIgambling."

"Tom Black Knife," he said, nodding, because he knew the tribal chief, and there had been some
gossipaboutthewayheearmarkedtribalfunds.

Notalotofmoneywasgoingintothereservation'sprojectsrightnow,andnobodyseemedtoknow
exactly where the money was going. Some was even missing, if Tate had understood a random
comment one of his cousins had made earlier today. Tom was a good man with a kind heart, the
softesttouchonthereservation.Oddthathisnamewouldbeconnectedwithanythingasunsavoryas
embezzlement."ButHoldenisoverlookingthebenefitsofthemoneythecasinowouldbringin.

SeveralNativeAmericantribeshaveinstitutedcasinosandhadtofightstategovernmentalltheway
togetthem.ThereareothercasinosonSiouxlandrighthereinourownstate,butHoldenisfighting
our proposed compact with everything he's got. Holden's opposition hurts us in South Dakota,
becausehehaspowerfulpoliticalalliesinPierreandnoscruplesaboutusingthemagainstus.Oneof
them,"headdeddarkly,"isthestateattorneygeneralherself!"

"Iknow,"shesaid.Herpaleeyesgazedintohisdarkones.

"ButI'mworkingonthesenator."

Hedidn'tevenblink.

"Workingonhim,how?"

Herewegoagain,shethoughtwithresignation.Hereyebrowslifted.

He was acting as if she'd already seduced the man! On second thought, why not live down to that
image?Sheleanedforwardavidly.

"Well,firstIsmearedhimwithhoneyandlickedmywaydowntohisthroat..."shebeganearnestly.

Hecursedsharply.

Shelaughedhelplessly.

"Allright,itwasjustdinner.Buthereallyisaveryniceman,Tate,"shesaid.

Hegaveherahardglare.

"Listen, Cecily, going around with a man old enough to be your father isn't the way to fight your
hang-ups."

"Myhang-ups?"Sheglaredathim.

"Dofeelfreetoelaborate."

"Youhavefriendsinsteadoflovers,"hesaidcurtly.

"I'mamodernwoman,"shesaidcoolly.

"ThatmeansIhavetherighttodecidewhatIdowithmybody.Somewomen,Imightadd,advocate
usingmenonlyforbreedingpurposes.Imyselfthinkthey'dbemoreusefulashousepets."

Hisblackeyestwinkled.Hewavedtohismotherwhowasjustdancingpastthemwithaneartoear
smile.

"Allthesame,Idon'tlikeseeingyouwithHolden."

"Idon'tparticularlycarewhatyoulike,"shesaidandsmiledsweetlyathim.

Hehatedthatdamnedsmile.Itwaslikearedflag.

"Listen,kid,youdon'tknowbeansaboutsomeofthepoliticalsuperstarsinCongress,andHoldenis
anunknowncommodity.Heguardshisprivacylikeamercenary.Idon'tlikehimandIdon'ttrusthim.

He'stoosecretive."

"Lookwho'stalking!"sheexclaimed.

"Youcouldprobablytopplegovernmentswiththingsyouknowanddon'ttell!"

"SureIcould,"heagreed.

"ButI'mnotshady."

Shejustlookedathim.Itwasaspeakinglook.

"Maybealittleshady,"heconcededfinally.

"Amanhastohaveafewsecrets."

"Sodoesawoman."

Hesmoothedahanddownthebuckskinleggingsononeofhispowerfulthighs.

"Ihopeyouaren'tgoingtoletwhathappenedtoyouinCorryvilleruintherestofyourlife,"hesaid
withoutlookingather.

"Youshouldgoaroundwithmenyourownage."

Shemethisnarrowedeyes.

"IhadmyshareofdateswhenIstartedcollege.It'samazingthateverysingleoneofthemthoughthe
wasentitledtomybedinreturnforanicedinnerandsomedancing.AndyouknowwhatIgotwhenI
saidno?TheytoldmeIwasn'tliberated."

Shethrewupherhands.

"Whatdoesliberationhavetodowithrejectingamanwithbadbreathwholookslikealabrat?"

"Youwon'tgetaroundmebychangingthesubject,"hecontinueddoggedly.

"Holdenisn'tthesortofmanyouneedinyourlifeandneitherisColbyLane."

The silence beside her was thick with suppressed anger. Colby was ex-CIA, too, now a mercenary
who did freelance work for various organizations, including, so rumor had it, the government. He
wasalmostastoughasTate.Buthehadafewmorevisibleflaws.Tatewashisfriendandhecouldn't
missthefactthatCecilyandColbywereclose--evenAudreyhadpointeditouttohim.Buthedidn't
likehavingCecilydatingtheman,andCecilyknewitbyhisverysilence.

Sheheldupahandbeforehecouldcontinue.

"Iknowhe'shadhisproblemsinthepast..."

"Hecan'tkeephishandsoffaliquorbottleatthebestoftimes,andhestillhasn'tacceptedthelossof
hiswife!"

"IsenthimtoatherapistoverinBaltimore,"shecontinued.

"He'snarrowedhishabitdowntoasixpackofbeeronSaturdays."

"Whatdoeshegetforareward?"heaskedinsolently.

Shesighedirritably.

"Nobodysuitsyou!Youdon'tevenlikepooroldlonelySenatorHolden."

"Likehim?Holden?"heasked,aghast.

"GoodGod,he'stheonemaninCongressI'dliketoburnatthestake!

I'dfurnishthewoodandthematches!"

"YouandLeta,"shesaid,shakingherhead.

"Now,listencarefully.

TheLakotadidn'tburnpeopleatthestake,"shesaidfirmly.Shewentontoexplainwhodid,andhow,
andwhy.

Hesearchedherenthusiasticeyes."YoureallydoloveNativeAmericanhistory,don'tyou?"

Shenodded.

"Thewayyourancestorslivedforthousandsofyearswassological.

Theyhonoredthemaninthetribewhowasthepoorest,becausehegaveawaymorethantheothers
did.

Theysharedeverything.Theygavegifts,eventothepointofbankruptingthemselves.Theyneverhit
a little child to discipline it. They accepted even the most blatant differences in people without
condemningthem."SheglancedatTateandfoundhimwatchingher.Shesmiledself-consciously.

"Ilikeyourwaybetter."

"Mostwhitesnevercomeclosetounderstandingus,nomatterhowhardtheytry."

"IhadyouandLetatoteachme,"shesaidsimply."TheywerewonderfullessonsthatIlearned,here
onthereservation.Ifeel...

atpeacehere.Athome.Ibelong,eventhoughIshouldn't."

Henodded.

"Youbelong,"hesaid,andtherewasanoteinhisdeepvoicethatshehadn'theardbefore.

Unexpectedlyhecaughthersmallchinandturnedherfaceuptohis.

Hesearchedhereyesuntilshefeltasifherheartmightexplodefromtheexcitementofthewayhe
waslookingather.Histhumbwhispereduptothesoftbowofhermouthwithitslightcoveringof
palepinklipstick.Hecaressedthelowerlipawayfromherteethandscowledasifthefeelofitmade
somesortofconfusioninhim.

Helookedstraightintohereyes.Themomentwasalmostintimate,andshecouldn'tbreakit.Herlips
partedandhisthumbpressedagainstthem,hard.

"Now,isn'tthatinteresting?"hesaidtohimselfinalow,deepwhisper.

"Wh.-what?"shestammered.

Hiseyeswereonherbarethroat,whereherpulsewashammeringwildly.

Hishandmoveddown,andhepressedhisthumbtothevisiblethrobofthearterythere.Hecouldfeel
himself going taut at the unexpected reaction. It was Oklahoma all over again, when he'd promised
himself he wouldn't ever touch her again. Impulses, he told himself firmly, were stupid and
sometimesdangerous.AndCecilywasofflimits.

Period.

He pulled his hand back and stood up, grateful that the loose fit of his buckskins hid his physical
reactiontoher.

"Mother'swonaprize,"hesaid.Hisvoicesoundedoddlystrained.Heforcedanonchalantsmileand
turnedtoCecily.Shewasvisiblyshaken.Heshouldn'thavelookedather.Herreactionskindlednew

firesinhim.

Hereacheddownsuddenlyandcaughtherarms,pullingherupwithhim,deliberatelycloserthanhe
neededto.Hedrewherastepcloser,sothathecouldfeelthewhipofherexcitedbreathagainsthis
throat.

Hisfingerstightenedonherarms,almostbruisingthem.

Time seemed to stop for a space of seconds. He didn't even hear the drums or the chants or the
murmurofconversationaroundthem.Forthefirsttimeinmemory,hewantedtocrushCecilydown
thelengthofhisbodyandgrindhismouthintohers.Thethoughtshockedhimsobadlythathelether
goallatonce,turnedandwalkedtowardthecirclewithoutevenlookingback.

Cecily stared after him and her legs shook. She must have dreamed what just happened, she told
herself.ItwasyearsofhungerforTatethathadmadehermindsnap.Besides,hewasn'tevenattracted
to her. Yes, she thought, moving toward Leta like a sleepwalker, it had only been a dream. Only
anotherhopelesswakingdream.

Cecilyhadplannedtostayovernightandflyoutthenextmorning,butwhensheandLetawentbackto
the small frame house in the headquarters village where Leta lived, Tate was sprawled in the easy
chairwatchingthecolortelevisionhe'dgivenLetalastChristmas.

Shehadgoodfurnitureandpropanegasheat,oneofthefewhousestoboastsuchluxuries.Tatemade
sure Leta lacked for nothing. It was a different story elsewhere, with elderly people trying to keep
warm in fifty-below-zero temperatures with woodstoves in houses that were never tight enough to
keepintheheat.Thereservationwassmallandpoor,despitetheeffortsofvariousmissionarygroups
andsomegovernmentassistance.Education,Cecilythought,wascertainlythekeytoprosperity,but
thatwasanotherdifficultythatneededtobeovercome.

NativeAmericancollegeswerespringingupthesedayswhenfundingcouldbehad,placeswherethe
people could keep their traditions and their culture alive while learning the skills that would give
themgoodjobs.ItwasoneofLeta'sdreamstohavesuchaplaceontheWapitiRidge.

"Youstillhere?"Letaaskedhersonwithabroadgrin.

"IthoughtI'dstayuntiltomorrow,"herepliedwithoutlookingatCecily.

"Ihavetogettotheairport,"Cecilyremarkedcheerfully,hereyescautioningLetanottocontradict
her.

"I'mduebackatworkMondaymorning."

SheandLetaknewthatwasn'ttrue,butCecilycouldn'timaginestayingunderthesameroofwithTate.
Notnow.

"How about some coffee?" Tate asked his mother as he rose from the chair and turned off the
television.

"I'llmakeit,"Letavolunteeredandhurriedtothesmallkitchentohideherglee.

Tate moved close to Cecily, an unusual thing for him to do. He never liked her closer than arm's
length.Havinghimsoclosenowmadehernervous.

"There'sadancetonight,"hetoldher.

"We'regoing."

"IthinkLeta'shadenoughdancing,"shebegan.

Heshookhishead.

"YouandIaregoing."

Hereyebrowslifted.

"Iwasn'tasked."

Withoutcountingthecost,heframedherfaceinhislean,warmhandsandbroughthismouthdown
gentlyonhershockedlips.

She made a sound that aroused and delighted him. He gathered her in, riveting her to the length of
himwhilethekisssuddenlybecamehungry,demanding,intimate.

Itwaslikefalling.Itwaslikehavingeverysingledreamofheradultlifecometrue.Hismouthwas
hardandslowandexquisitelysensuous.Shedidn'tlikeknowinghowhe'dgottentheexperiencethat
madehimsuchatenderlover,butthewonderofiterasedthejealousy.

Sheheldtohishardarmstokeepfromfallingdownandtriedtorespondenthusiastically,ifalittle
inexperienced. He tasted of heaven. She opened her lips a little more to tempt him, and her hands
tightened on the hard muscles of his arms, trying to hold him where he was. Years of dreaming of
this,waiting,hoping,anditwasactuallyhappening!Hewaskissingherasifhelovedhermouth.His
headlifted.Hisblackeyestoldhernothingastheysearchedherfaceintently.Hishandsonherarms
werebruising.

"We'llhavesupperbeforewegotothedance,"hesaid,hisvoicealittlestrained."Whatdoyouwant
toeat?"Letacalledsuddenlyfromthekitchen.

"Sandwiches,"hecalledback.

"Okay?"

"Okay!I'llmakesome."

Tate'seyeswentbacktoCecily.Shewaslookingathimasifheweretheverysecretoflife.Hewasin
overhisheadalready,hereasoned.

Hemightaswellgotherestoftheway.Hisbodythrobbedalloverwithjustthatonesmalltasteof
her.Hehadtohavemore.

Hehadto,anddamntheconsequences!

Hebent,liftingherinhisarmslikeprecioustreasure,andcarriedherbacktothearmchairwithhis
heartthreateningtopushthroughhischest.Hesettleddowninit,hishandpressinghercheektohis
buckskin-cladshoulderashebentagaintohermouthbeforeshecouldspeak.

Thesecondslengthened,sweetened.Cecily'shandsexploredhislonghair,hischeeks,hiseyebrows,
hisnoseasifshe'dnevertouchedamaninherlife.Itwasdelicious,taboo,forbidden.Itwasexquisite.
Shemoanedsoftly,unabletocontainthesheerjoyofbeinginTate'sarmsatlast.Heheardthetiny
soundandhismouthsuddenlybecamedemanding,insistent.

Kissing was suddenly no longer enough. His lean hand went to her rib cage and slowly worked its
wayupoveroneofhersmall,firmbreasts.

He lifted his head to search her eyes as he touched the hardness there, because this was difficult
territoryfor her, withher memories ofher stepfather. The manhad all butraped her. Even therapy
hadn'tcompletelyhealedherfearsofintimacyaftereightyears.

Shereadthatthoughtinhiseyes.

"It'sallright,"shewhispered,worriedthathewasgoingtostop.

Infact,hewas.Hesearchedherbrighteyesandsmoothedhishanddeliberatelyoverhersmall,hard-
tippedbreast,butguiltconsumedhim.She'dneverevenhadalover.Itwasn'tfairtotreatherlikethis,
notwhenhehadnofuturetoofferher.

"Youshouldn'thaveletmedothat,Cecily,"hesaidquietly.

He propelled her out of the chair and onto her feet, holding her firmly by the shoulders for a few
seconds"untilhecouldbreathenormally.

"GohelpLetainthekitchen."

"Bossy,"sheaccusedbreathlessly.Thekisseshadherreelingvisibly.

"Thousandsofyearsofconditioningdon'tvanishovernight,"hemused.

Hesearchedherfacewithtracesofhungerstillinhiseyes."Doyoustillcarrythatweek'ssupplyof
prophylacticsaroundwithyou?"headdedwickedly.

Sheactuallyblushed.

"Igaveuponyouandthrewthemoutyearsago."

Hiseyeswentupanddownhersoftbodylikehands.

"Pity."

"Yousaidyouwouldn't,ever!"sheprotested.

Oneeyebrowarchedandhislipspursed.Hewastryingtolightenthetension,butjustlookingather
nowarousedhim.

"SoIdid.

Eloquently,too."

Shewastrembling.Shewrappedbotharmsaroundherselftofighttheemotionthatwasconsuming
her.Shelookedupathimaccusingly.

"Youenjoytormentingme,don'tyou?"

Hescowled.

"MaybeIdo."

Sheturnedaway.

"I'mflyingouttonight."

"No need. I'm not staying." He went around her to the kitchen and kissed Leta goodbye where she
stoodatthecountermakingsandwiches.

"Makeupbeforeyougo,"shepleadedwithherson.

"Idid,"helied.

Shetouchedhischeeksadly.

"Stubborn,"shemurmured,thenshesmiled.

"Likeyourfather."

ThementionofJackWinthropclosedhisface.

"I'veneverhityou."

Shecaughtherbreathandherhandcamedown.Shegnawedherlowerlip.

"Someday,"shesaidhesitantly,"wemusthaveatalk."

"Nottoday,"hecountered,oblivioustotheguiltinherface.

"I'vegottogetbacktowork."

"Youdon'tlikeSenatorHolden."Shesaiditabruptlyandwithoutthinking,justasshe'dsaidhewas
likehisfather.Hedidn'tknowwhohisfatherwas.Shestillcouldn'tbringherselftotellhim.

Heturned.

"There'snooneIlikeless,"heagreed.

"He's wrong down the line about Wapiti Ridge and what's good for us, but he won't see reason. He
doesn'tknowathingabouttheLakota,andhecouldn'tcareless!"

"Hegrewuphere,"shesaidslowly.

"What?"

"Hegrewuphere,"shecontinued.

"Beforehismotherwasawidow,shecameheretoteachattheschool.

Hehadfriendsonthereservation,includingBlackKnife."

"Younevertoldmethatyouknewhim,"heaccused.

"Youneveraskedme.I'veknownhimforalongtime."

He stared at her curiously. "If he knows the situation here, why is he fighting us on the idea of the
casino?"

"Hehatesgambling,"shesaid.

"Ihaven'tseenhiminmanyyears,"sheadded,"notsincehemarriedthatprettywhitewomanandran
forthesenatethefirsttime."

"Hiswifeisdead."

Shenodded.

"Ireaditinthepapers."Hereyessearchedhis.

"Cecilysaysyouhaveaprettywhitewomanofyourown."

"Damn Cecily!" he said through his teeth, hating his own stupidity for touching Cecily in the first
placeandfrustratedbythepainfulattractionhecouldn'tsatisfy.

"WhatIdoisnobusinessofhers!Itneverwas,anditneverwillbe!"

"Amentothat,"Cecilysaidfromthedoorway,alittlelessconfidentbecauseofhisbitingremarks,but
calmjustthesame.

"Whydon'tyougohometoAudrey?"

"Idon'tunderstandthis,"Letasaidworriedlyasshestudiedherson.

"Youkeepsayingyoudon'twanttobeinvolvedwithawhitewoman..."

"Onlywithaplainwhitewoman,"Cecilycorrected."Isn'tthatright,Tate?ButAudreyisbeautiful."

ItwasonlythenthatherealizedhowCecilymustfeelabouthisrelationshipwiththeotherwoman,as
ifhe'dbypassedherbecauseshewasnobeauty.Itwasn'ttrue.He'dbeenresponsibleforherforyears,
even if she hadn't known it until recently. He'd fought his attraction to her because it was like
exploitingher,takingadvantageofhergratitudeforwhathe'ddoneforher.Howdidheexplainthat
withoutmakingmattersworsethantheyalreadywere?

LetacouldhaveweptforCecily,standingtherewithsuchdignityandpoise,eveninthefaceofTate
hostility.

"Ithasnothingtodowithbeauty,"Tatesaidfinally.

Cecilyonlysmiled.

"I'llfinishthesandwicheswhileyouseeTateoff,"shetoldLeta.

"Cecily..."Tatebeganhesitantly.

"Weallactonimpulseoccasionally,"shesaid,meetinghiseyesbravely.

"It's no big thing. Really." She smiled, avoiding Leta's probing gaze, and turned to the refrigerator.
"Areyoueatingbeforeyougo?"

He scowled fiercely. She thought he regretted touching her. Perhaps he did. He couldn't remember
beingsoconfused.

"No,"hesaidafteraminute.

"I'llgetsomethingattheairport."

Letawentwithhimandwaitedwhilehegothissuitcaseandcarrieditouttohisrentalcar,whichwas
parkedbesidetheoneCecilyhadrented.Thereservationwasalongdrivefromtheairport,soacar
wasanecessity.

"Youtwousedtogetalongsowell,"Letamurmured.

"I'vebeenblind,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.

"Starkstaringblind."

"Whatdoyoumean?"

Hestaredoutacrosstherollinghillsthatwereturninggoldenasautumnapproached.

"She'sinlovewithme."

Itwasashocktohearhimselfsayit.Untilthen,hehadn'treallyconsideredit.ButCecilyhadlainin
hisarmsastrustingasachild,clingingtohim.Hereyeshadbeenraptwithpleasure,joyglisteningin
them.Whyhadn'theknown?Orwasitthathehadn'twantedtoknow?

"Youmustn'tletherseethatyouknow,"Letainstructedgrimly.

"Sheisproud."

"Yes."Hetouchedhismother'sshoulder.

"There are so few of us left who are full-bloods," he said, wondering why Leta grimaced. Perhaps
she'dhopedthathemightmarryCecilyoneday,despiteherprideintheirheritage.

"Andyouwon'tmarryawhitegirl,"shesaid.

Henoddedsolemnly.

"Audreyiscostumejewelry.Iwearheronmyarm.

She'ssophisticatedandsavvyandshallow.Itmeansnothing.Justastheotherhandfulmeantnothing."

Leta'seyesfelltohischest.

"Thatisn'tall."

Hesighed.

"I'vetakencareofCecilyforeightyears,"heremindedher.

"Evenwithouttheculturaldifferences,I'minthepositionofaguardiantoher,whethershelikesitor
not.Ican'ttakeadvantageofwhatshefeelsforme."

"Ofcourseyoucan't."Letalinkedherfingerstogether.

"Drivesafely."

Hepulledasmallpackagefromhisjacketpocket.

"GivethistoherafterI'mgone.It'sherbirthdaypresent."Hesmiledruefully.

"Weweren'tspeaking,soshedidn'tgetitonherbirthday."

"Shemaynotwantit."

Heknewthat.Ithurt.

"Try."

She watched him drive away down the winding dirt road that cut through to the main highway. She
knew that one day soon she was going to have to share a painful truth with him. Things were
happeningthathedidn'tknowabout.ThingsthatinvolvedherselfandMattHoldenandsomevicious
meninchauffeuredlimousinesandthetribalchief.

Itwasnotaprospectsherelished.

ChapterFour

Cecilylivedondreamsforaweekwhileshetriedtocometogripswiththemonumentalchangein
herrelationshipwithTate.Evenifhe'dresortedtobadtempertogetoutofapotentiallyembarrassing
situation,he'dfeltsomething.Lyinginhisarms,feelinghishungrykissesonhermouth,thetouchof
hishandsonherfaceandherthroat,shecouldsensehishungerforher.Thewonderfulthingwasthat
shehadn'tbeenafraid.Itoccurredtoherthattherevulsionshefeltwithothermenwasn'tcompletely
becauseofhertraumaticflightfromhome.PartofitwasbecauseherheartwassetonTate.

Hewastheonlymanforher.She'dalwaysknownthathewasfondofher.Untilhekissedher,though,
shehadn'tknownthathewantedher,too.

But it was obvious that Tate wasn't going to give in to his feelings, regardless of how strong they
were.

Inawayshecouldn'tblamehim.They'dhadthisdiscussionbefore,almosttwoyearsago,whenshe'd
teasedhimaboutthemythicalprophylacticsshecarriedaroundwithher.Byexaggeratingherfeelings
forhim,she'dhiddenthem.Butnow,afterherheadlongresponse,heprobablyknewthetruth.Ithad
been,sherecalled,muchtooobviousthatshelovedhiskisses.

Shewasn'tsurethatshecouldhandleseeinghimagainsosoon.Shestayedawayfromthecoffeeshop
she'dseenhimfrequent.Therewasanicelittleseafoodrestaurantnearhernewofficeatthemuseum,
andshestartedhavinglunchthere,sincesheknewTatedidn'tcareforfish.

But one day at lunch she did spot a familiar face. Senator Matt Holden was standing just inside the
doorway, with his hands jammed deep in his pockets and a ferocious scowl on his face. He was
lookingaroundasifsearchingforsomeonewhenhespottedherandmadeabeelineforhertable.

Shepausedwithherforkinmidair.

"Why,Senator..."shebegan.

Heheldupahand,pulledachairupclosetoherandleanedforwardwithhisforearmsonthetable.

"Cecily,I'muptomyneckintrouble.Ineedtospeakwithyouprivately,assoonaspossible."

Thiswasunprecedented,andalittleflattering.Ifhehadaproblemshecouldhelphimwith,certainly
shewould,althoughshecouldn'tthinkhowsomeonelikeherselfcouldhelpapowerfulseniorUnited
Statessenator.Stillsheowedhimhernewjob.So,havingalreadypaidforherlunch,sheputdown
herfork,andfollowedhimouttohiswaitinglimousine.

Heclosedthecurtainbetweenthemandthedriverandleanedback.

"Whatisit?"Cecilyasked.

Heheldupahandandshookhishead."Ithoughtyoumightappreciatearidebacktoyouroffice,"he

saidlazily,asifhedidn'thaveaproblemintheworld.

"AndIneedtospeakwithyourbossaboutthatnewexhibitintheSiouxsection."

Cecilycaughtonatonce.

"I'm grateful for the lift. In fact, I wanted to ask what you thought of the beaded moccasins and the
textilesamplesIbroughtbackfrommytriptotheWapitiRidgereservation."

"I'dlovetoseethem!"hesaidwithagrin.

Theyrodeinsilencethefewblockstothenewmuseum,wherethedriverletthemout.SenatorHolden
senthimoffwithinstructionstoreturninanhour.HetookCecily'sarmandledherupthestepstothe
shiningnewbuilding,whereworkmenwerestillscatteredaroundaddingglasspanelsandwallpaper
andpainttothefewareasthathadn'tbeencompletedonschedule.Theinteriordecoratorwasthere,
too, pointing out flaws in workmanship while a morose man in white painter's clothing sighed
helplessly.

Cecily opened the door to her office, noting that her secretary, Beatrice, had left a note on the
computerkeyboardreading.GoneToLunch.

Senator Holden glanced at it before he followed Cecily inside and closed the door. He leaned back
againstit,staringatCecilyasshedroppedintoherswivelchairandwaited.

"You'requick,"hesaidwithadmiration.

"Ididn'twanttotalkinfrontofthechauffeur.He'sareplacementformyregularoneandIdon'ttrust
him.Hell,Idon'ttrustanyonerightnowexceptyou."

"I'mflattered.What'swrong?"

"HasLetamentionedanythingaboutagamblingsyndicatesniffingaroundthereservation?"heasked
bluntly.

Shefrowned.

"Gamblingsyndicate?"

Hesighedangrily.

"She hasn't. Maybe she doesn't even know what's going on." He ran a hand through his thick silver
hairandbegantopace.

"I'llbedamnedifIknowwhattodo!Ican'tbackdownnow.

Thesepeoplearedangerous.Iftheyaren'tstopped,they'llgetastrangleholdonthereservationthat
nothing can ever break. Besides that," he continued, oblivious to Cecily's puzzled stare, " I've just
given a freelance job to Tate Winthrop, upgrading the security in my office after the attempted

shootingafewmonthsagointhecapitalbuilding.Ifthatgetsout,Icouldfindmyselfinfrontofan
investigating committee. I have to pull him off the job, and he isn't going to understand why. And I
can'ttellhim!"Heglancedatherandsawherconfusedexpression.Hesmiledwanly.

"Youhaven'tgotacluewhatI'mtalkingabout."

"Fairassessment,"sheagreed.

"Whydon'tyousitdownandstoppacing?"

"I'llgomad."

"Please?"

Hehesitatedforafewsecondsbeforeheresignedhimselftosittinginthechairbesideherdesk.He
leanedforward,deeplytroubled."WhatdoyouknowaboutTateWinthrop's...father?"

Thepausebetweenthosewordswascurious,butsheansweredhimwithoutponderingthem.

"Notalot.HewasmostlyawayonconstructionjobswhileIstayedwithLeta,andIonlyknowabout
himfromher.HewasabrutalmanwhodranktoexcesswhenhewasathomeandbeatLetaandhated
hisonlychild,"shesaidsimply.

"LetasaidthatJackWinthroptormentedTateeverychancehegot,andifsheinterfered,heknocked
heraround.Atleast,hediduntilonedayTatecamehomeunexpectedlyandfoundherafterJackhad
finishedwithher.TheystilltalkaboutJackWinthroprunninglikeamadmanfromhissonafterward,
barelyabletogetoutofthewayintheconditionhewasin."ShewonderedaboutthelookonHolden's
face.

Hewasfurious.

"TatesaidoncethatifJackWinthrophadn'tdiedofnaturalcauses,he'dprobablyhavekilledhimone
day.Idon'tthinkhewaskidding."

Holdenstaredathisbighands.

"Leta'ssuchatinylittlething,"hesaidquietly,almosttohimself.

"Ican'timagineanyonebrutalenough,cruelenough,tohurtherdeliberately."

"YouknowLeta?"sheaskedabruptly.

"Mostofmylife,"herepliedgruffly.

"Mymothertaughtattheschoolonthereservationaftermyfatherdied.IgrewuparoundtheLakota.
Infact,TomBlackKnifeandIservedtogether."Heglancedather.

"I'veheardrumorsthathe'sonthetake.I'llneverbelieveit.He'soneofthemosthonestmenI'veever

known.Hewantsthecasino,buthewouldn'tresorttounderhandedmeanstogetit,andhe'sthelast
manwho'dembezzletribalfunds."

"WhatdoesanyofthishavetodowithLetaandTate?"sheasked,genuinelypuzzled.

Heleanedforward.

"Canyoukeepasecret?Abigsecret?"

"Ifkeepingitwon'thurtanyone,"shesaidfinally.

"Tellingitwillhurtpeoplemore,"heassuredher.

"Cecily,thirty-sixyearsago,aboutthetimeIwonmyfirstsenaterace,Ihadanaffairwithalovely
LakotagirlI'dknownsincechildhood.

ButIhadjustmarriedandmywifewasmychiefbackerinthecampaign.

Icouldn'thavewonwithouthersupport."Hepickedatafingernail.

"Ichosepositionabovepassion,andtherehasn'tbeenadayinmylifethatIhaven'tregrettedit."He
lookedup.

"Buttherewasacomplicationthatshenevertoldmeabout.Therewasachild.

Andnowthere'sarenegadegamblingsyndicateontheoutswiththeVegasgroupthat'stryingtoleech
itswayontoWapitiRidge,whereitcanhavetotalcontroloverthecasinoitwantsthere.SinceWapiti
issmall,andnearamajortouristattraction,ithasthepotentialtodrawalotofcustomers.There'sbig
moneyinvolvedandthissyndicatehastiestosomerathernastypeopleupnorth."

"GoodLord,"sheexclaimed.

"Ihadnoidea."

"NeitherdidIuntilaboutamonthagowhenIstartedhearingrumorsaboutit.Ididsomeinvestigating
and dug out enough to warrant an investigation. But the syndicate got wind of it, and now it's
threateningtogopublicwiththewholesordidmessunlessIstoplookingformissingtribalfundsand
supportthecasino.Andthetrickypartisthatmysondoesn'tevenknowaboutme.Hethinksanother
manwashisfather."

Cecily's face paled. She stared at Holden, and it suddenly occurred to her that he was talking about
Leta,andthathehadmorethanasurfaceresemblancetoTateWinthrop.Infact,whenhescowled,he
lookedjustlikeTate.

"Tate..."shewhispered.

"Ismyson,"hesaid,almoststranglingontheword.

"Myson!AndIdidn'tknowuntiltoday,untilthismorning,whenIhadavisitfromamanwhoworks
forthegamblingsyndicate.IfIdon'tbackdown,he'sgoingtothemediawithit."

Cecilysatbackinherchairwitharoughsigh.

"Tatethinkshe'sfull-bloodedLakota.He'sfanaticalaboutit,obsessedwithpreservingthebloodlines
ofhisculture.He'llgomadifheknowsthetruth!"

"Hecan'tknow,"Holdensaidshortly.

"Notyet."Helookedeveryyearofhisage."Maybenotever,ifIcanfindawayoutofthismessI'm
in."Heranhishandsrestlesslythroughhishairagain.

"IthoughtI'ddiechildless,Cecily.Mywifeneverwantedchildren."

Hiseyesclosed.

"Letadidn'ttellme.Shewasprobablyafraidtotellme,becausesheknewmypoliticalcareermeant
everythingtome."Helookedup."Andyouknowwhat?Moneyandpowerarehollow,emptythings
whenyoucan'tsharethem.Ihaveason,andIcan'ttellhim."Helaughedmirthlessly.

"Ironic,isn'tit?"

Shewinced.

"Itisn'tfairtolethimgothroughlifethinkingJackWinthropwashisfather."

"Itisn'tfairtodestroyhisillusionsofwhoheis,either.That'swhyI'vegottostopthesepeople,while
there'sstilltime.Ineedhelp.You'retheonlypersonIcanturnto,Cecily.Ican'thaveLetaandTate
publiclyhumiliatedforsomethingthat'sbasicallymyowndamnedfault.Ontheotherhand,Ican'tlet
organizedcrimegetafootholdonthereservation."Hisdarkeyesmethers.

"Ithinkthekeyiswhatthey'reholdingoverTomBlackKnife.They'vegotsomethingonhim,too,
maybe,andthey'reusingittodipintogovernmentallotmentsthetribereceivesfromgrazingrights
andleasedland.Willyouhelpme?"

"DoIhaveachoice?"sherepliedwithasmile.

"Atleastyouhadgoodtasteinwomen,"sheaddeddryly.

"Shedidn'thavegoodtasteinmen,though,"hereturnedcurtly.

"I

lovedher,butIwaswillingtosacrificeherforagloriouscareer.

Ispentmostofitmarriedtoawomanwhodranklikeafish,cursedlikeasailorandhatedmebecause
Icouldn'tloveher.Icheatedbothofus.Eventuallyshedrankherselftodeath."

"Somepeopleareself-destructive,"Cecilytoldhim.

"It'safactoflife.Youdowhatyoucantohelp,buttheyhavetowanttohelpthemselves.Otherwise,
notreatmentwilleverwork."

Hisblackeyesnarrowed.

"TatepracticallyraisedyoufromwhatIhear.Youlovehim,don'tyou?"

Herfaceclosedup.

"Forallthegooditwilleverdome,yes,"shesaidsoftly.

"Hewon'thavetheexcuseofpureLakotabloodmuchlonger,"headvised.

"I'mnotholdingoutformiraclesanymore,"shevowed.

"I'mgoingtostopwantingwhatIcanneverhave.Fromnowon,I'lltakewhatIcangetfromlifeand
besatisfiedwithit.Tatewillhavetofindhisownway."

"That'ssourgrapes,"heobserved.

"Youbetitis.Whatdoyouwantmetodotohelp?"

"It'sdangerous,"hepointedout,hesitatingasheconsideredheryouth.

"Idon'tknow..."

"I'macard-carryingarchaeologist,"sheremindedhim.

"Haven'tyoueverwatchedanIndianaJonesmovie?We'realllikethat,"shetoldhimwithawicked
grin."Mild-manneredontheoutsideandveritableworld-tamersinside.Icangetawhipandafedora,
too,ifyoulike,"sheadded.

Hechuckled.

"Okay.Butonlyontheconditionthatyouletmeknowifyoufindyourselfindanger."

"I'llcallColbyLaneifIdo,"shesaid.

"He'snotTate,buthecomesprettyclose."

Hesearchedhereyes.

"Areyousureyouwanttotakesucharisk?"

Shenodded.

"Sowhat'stheplan?"

"IwantyoutofindanexcusetogotoWapitiRidgeandkeepaneyeonTomBlackKnife.Iwantto
knowwhyhe'scooperatingwiththesepeopleandexactlywhatthey'retryingtodooutthere.Tryto
findwherethosemissingtribalfundsaregoingwhileItryafewpoliticalmaneuvershere.Youstay
with Leta from time to time, and everyone knows that you're involved with the new museum. You
won't attract attention while you're snooping around. If I can discover exactly who these people are
andwheretheyare,Icangettothembeforetheystartpublishingmypastsins."

"Goodthinking,"sheagreed.Thenshehesitated.

"WhatdoItellLeta?"

Hestudiedhislinkedhandsontheedgeofherdesk.

"GoodGod,Ihaven'ttheslightestidea.Shehadmychild,andshenevertoldme."

Heclosedhiseyes,asifinanguish.

"Ihadason,andIdidn'tknow.IguessI'dneverhaveknownifthishadn'tcomeup.NowonderJack
Winthropwassocrueltoher,andtoTate."Hedrewinasteadyingbreath.Foraninstanthelooked
defeated.Thenhisheadlifted.

"Thehellofitisthatmyson,myonlychild,hastoturnouttobe,"

headdedwithareturnofhisoldspirit,blackeyesflashing,"theonemaninWashington,D.C.who
hatesmyguts!"

"Youweren'ttoofondofhim,either,ifyourecall,"shepointedout.

Heglaredather.

"He'shot-temperedandarrogantandstubborn!"

"Lookwhohegetsitfrom,"shesaidwithagrin.

Heunlinkedhishandsasheconsideredthat.

"Thosecanbedesirabletraits,"heagreedwithafaintsmile.

"Anyway,it'snicetoknowIwon'tdiechildless,"hesaidafteraminute.Heliftedhiseyestoherface.

"Letacan'tknowanyofthis.Whenandifthetimecomes,I'lltellher."

"Who'sgoingtotellhim?"sheventured.

"You?"hesuggested.

"Inyourdreams,"shesaidwithasweetsmile.

Hestuffedhishandsbackintohispockets.

"We'llcrossthatbridgewhentherivercomesoverit.You'llbecareful,doyouhearme?I'veinvested
alotoftimeandenergyintohijackingyouformymuseum.

Don'ttaketheslightestrisk.Ifyouthinkyou'vebeendiscovered,getoutandtakeLetawithyou."

"She'safraidtofly,"shepointedout.

"Shewon'tgetinanairplaneunlessit'sanemergency."

"ThenI'llcomeoutandstuffherintoacaranddrivehertotheairportandputheronaplane,"hesaid
firmly.

Shepursedherlips.HewasverylikeTate.

"Iguessyouwould,atthat."

Hestartedbacktowardthedoor.Hepausedwithhishandonthedoorknob.

"Sincethisismyfishingexpedition,I'llhavemysecretaryarrangeforyourticketstobesentover."

"You'llbeinfrontofaninvestigatingcommitteeforsure..."

"I'mpayingforthem,notmyoffice,"heinterrupted.

"I'mnotabouttotakeadvantageofthetravelbudget.Afterall,Idon'twanttotarnishmyhalo."

"That'llbetheday,whenyouwearahalo,"shemurmureddryly.

Hechuckledwithamusement.

"I'llbeintouch.Seeyou."

"Seeyou."

He closed the door and Cecily sat back in her chair and stared blankly at the mass of unfinished
paperworkonherdesk,sharingspacewithsomeoftheculturalhandiworkshewasacquiringforthe
lifestyleexhibit.

HoldenwastakingitforgrantedthathecouldsolvethisproblemwithoutevertellingTatethetruthof
hisparentage,butCecilywasn'tsurehecould.Itwouldcomeoutsoonerorlater,regardlessofwhat
happenedwiththesyndicate,ifthepressgotwindofevenahintofimpropriety.ThatwouldhurtTate,
lowerhismotherinhisestimationandgivehimanotherreasontohateHolden.Itwould,also,give
him a reason to hate Cecily, because she knew the truth before he did, and she hadn't told him. He
hatedliesasmuchasshedid.

She hoped she could live with the contempt he was going to feel for her. She'd share it, she was

certain,withbothhisparents.Letadidn'tevenknowthatHoldenknew.Whatatangledweb!

But meanwhile, she was going to help Senator Holden solve his little problem and she hoped she
could do it before the nasties went to the media with their show-and-tell story. She'd spent enough
timearoundspiestoknowtheropes,atleast.Colbyhadtoldherplentyaboutcovertops.Shewished
hewasn'taway.He'dbetheverypersontohelpferretoutthebadguysanddiscovertheextentoftheir
plans.

Senator Holden sent her tickets over the next day, following a staff meeting with the curator of the
museum,Dr.Phillips.

Jock Phillips was a tall, balding man with Cherokee blood, a gentle personality and a genuine
reverenceforNativeAmericanculture.

Everythingtheyaddedtothecollectionfascinatedhim.Hehadtotouchtheobjects,asifbymaking
physical contact he could almost absorb them through his fingertips. He was an old bachelor with
plentyoffriends,andCecilyadoredhim.

"Matt says you're going out to South Dakota on another acquisition trip, but this time he's got
somethingspecificinmind,"Phillipstoldherwithwide,brighteyes.

"Caretotelltheoldmanwhatitis?"

"Somethingunusual,"shesaid,hopingshecouldfillthatorder.

"Andyou'regoingtoloveit."

Hegrinnedfromeartoear.

"Howmuchisthisunusualthinggoingtocostme?"heasked.

"Cheapattheprice,Ipromise,"shesaidwithasmile.

"I'llmakethetripworthwhile."

"Iknowthat.You'requiteabonustous,youknow.YouhaveaknackforPaleo-Indianarchaeology.
You'dhavebeenwastedinforensics,Cecily,"headdedsolemnly.

"Thatsortofthingkillsthesoul."

"Why,Dr.Phillips,"shesaid,surprised,searchingforwords.

"Iwasaforensicscientistinmyyouth,"hesaidinagrimtone."Ithoughtitwouldbelikedetective
work.Itwas.ButoneofthefirstvictimsIhadtoidentifyturnedouttobeamissingfriend.Igaveitup
andwentintoarchaeology."Hesmiledsadly.

"It'smuchmorerewarding."

"Yes,itistome,too,"sheassuredhim.

"Iloveworkinghere."

"SodoI,"heconfidedwithasmile.

"Go to South Dakota and bring me back something that will make us famous. We're very young,
remember.

Wehavetobeabletocompetewiththebigguys."

"I'lldomybest,"shepromised.

She packed that evening after she finished dinner. She was sipping coffee when the doorbell rang.
PerhapsColbyhadcomebackearly!

ShewasthinkingwhatagodsendthatwouldbewhensheopenedthedoorandfoundTateontheother
side.

Hewaswearingjeansandablackturtlenecksweaterwithasilkjacket.

Helookedverysophisticated,andshewasveryawarethatshewasbarefootedintatteredjeanswitha
blouse that had been washed until the red had faded to a tie-died sort of pink. She stared up at him
withoutspeaking.

"DoIgettocomein?"heasked.

Sheshruggedandstoodaside.

"I'mjustpacking."

"Movingagain?"heaskedwithfaintsarcasm.

"Youusedtobeeasiertokeeptrackof."

"Because I was living in a nest of spies!" she threw at him, having only recently gleaned that bit of
informationfromColby.

"Yougotmeanapartmentsurroundedbygovernmentagents!"

"Itwasthesafestplaceforyou,"hesaidsimply.

"SomeonewasalwayswatchingyouwhenIcouldn't."

"Ididn'tneedwatching!"

"Youdid,"hereturned,perchingonthearmofherbigeasychairtostareatherintently."Younever
realizedit,butyouwereaconstanttargetforanyonewhohadagrudgeagainstme.Intheend,itwas

why I gave up government work and got a job in the private sector." He folded his arms over his
broadchest,watchingsurpriseclaimherfeatures.

"Therewasacommunistagentwithahigh-poweredrifleoneday,andaSouthAmericangentleman
withanautomaticpistolthefollowingweek.

Youwerenevertoldaboutthem.Butyouhadtwoclosecalls.Ifyouhadn'tbeenlivingina'nestof
spies,"I'dhaveburiedyou.Funeralsareexpensive,"headdedwithacoldsmile.

Shestaredathimblankly.

"Whydidn'tyoujustsendmebacktoSouthDakota?"sheasked."Toyourstepfather?"hedrawled.

Thatwasstillasorespotwithher,andshewascertainthatheknewit.Butshewouldn'tgivehimthe
satisfactionofarguing.Heseemedtobespoilingforafight.Sheturnedawaytothekitchen."Wanta
cupofcoffee?"

Hegotupandtookherbytheshoulders.

"I'msorry,"hesaid.

"Thatwasalowblow."

"Anotherinalonglineofthemlately,"shesaidwithoutmeetinghiseyes.

"Iseemtodonothingexceptrubyouthewrongway."

"Andyoudon'tknowwhy?"heaskedcurtly,lettinghergo.

Shemovedoneshoulderasshewentaboutthebusinessofgettingdownacupandsaucer.

"Ataguess,you'remadatsomebodyyoucan'tgetto,andI'mthestand-in."

Hechuckled."Howdoyouseethroughmesoeasily?Evenmymothercan'tdothat."

Ifhethoughtaboutit,he'dknow,shethoughtmiserably.

"Whopulledyourchaintoday?"shepersisted.

"Holden,"hebitoff.

Shewasproudthatshedidn'tflinch.

"Oh?"sheaskednonchalantly.

"He'dcontractedwithmetodoafreelancesecurityupdateonhisoffices.Todayhephonedandsaid
he'dreconsidered."

"Youcan'tbemissingthecheck,"shemused,rememberingthathedroveanewJaguarsportscar,and
frequentlyworeArmanisuits.Ithurttorememberthathercollegefeeshadprobablybeenlittlemore
thanpocketchangetohim.HenotonlyhadmoneyfromhisjobwithPierceButton,buthealsohad
moneyeverywherefromfreelancecovertworkinhispre-intelligenceservicedays.

"I'mnot.It'stheprincipleofthething.Hediditdeliberately,evenifhewon'tadmitit.Holdenisaguy
whocarriesgrudges.Isupposehewasstillsteamingfromthetalkwehadathisbirthdayparty."

Shebitherlowerlip.MattHoldenhadputherinaterriblepositionbyswearinghertosecrecy."You
didn'ttalkathisbirthdayparty,"

shepointedout.

"Youyelledateachother."

Hechangedthesubject.

"Justwhereareyougoing,ifyou'renotmovingagain?"heaskedabruptly.

Sheputthefreshcupofblackcoffeeonthecoffeetableinfrontofthesofa.Sheknewthathedidn't
takemilkorsugar.Shecurledupinthearmchairashemovedtositonthesofa.

"ActuallyI'mgoingbackouttoseeLeta,"shetoldhim,whichwaspartiallytrue.

"I'vegotalineonanancientartifactIwantforthemuseum."Whichwasn'ttrue.

Therewasalongpause.

"Ancientartifactshaveasacredmeaningforourpeople,"hetoldherirritably.

"Theydon'tbelonginmuseums.They'repartofourculture."

Hedidn'tknowyetthathehadonlyapartialclaimtothatculture.

Hewassoproudofhisancestry.Thetruthwasgoingtohurthimbadly.

"It'snotthatsortofartifact,"shelied.Infact,shehadnoideawhatshewasgoingtocomeupwiththat
would satisfy Dr. Phillips and Tate both as well as justify her spying trip for Senator Holden. "You
werejustinSouthDakotaacoupleofweeksago,"hepointedout.

"Whydidn'tyougetitthen?"

"Itwasn'tavailablethen."Shebrushedbackatinystrandofloosehair.

"Don'tcross-examineme,okay?It'sbeenalongday."

Heranahandaroundthebackofhisneck,underhisbraidofhair,andstaredatherownhairinthe
tightbunathernapeasshereplacedtheerrantstrand.

"Ithoughtyoutookitdownatnight."

"Atbedtime,"shecorrected.

Hiseyesnarrowed.

"LuckyColby,"hesaiddeliberately.

Shewasn'tgoingtogivehimanyropetohangherwith.Shejustsmiled.

Heglaredather.

"Hewon'tchange,"hesaidflatly.

"Idon'tcare,"shesaid.

"Iappreciateallyou'vedoneforme,Tate,butmyprivatelifeismyownbusiness,notyours."

"That'sahellofawaytotalktome."

"That works both ways," she replied, eyes narrow ring "What gives you the right to ask questions
aboutthemenIdate?"

Her words made him mad. His lips compressed until they made a straight line. He looked like his
fatherwhenhewasangry.Hefinishedhiscoffeeinatensesilenceandgottohisfeet.Heglancedat
hiswatch.

"I'vegottogo.Ijustwantedtoseehowyouwere."

"You just wanted to see if Colby was here," she corrected and smiled mirthlessly when he blinked.
"YouknowIdon'tapproveofColby,"hetoldher.

"LikeIcare!"shesaid.

Hetookasteptowardher.Hisblackeyesglitteredwithconflictingemotions.Shearousedhimmore
latelythananywomanhe'deverknown.

Justlookingathersenthimovertheedge.

Onsomelevelsherecognizedthetensioninhim,theneedthathewasdenying.Hewasupsetabout
Matt Holden pulling him out of the security work, not because of the money, but rather because it
seemed nothing more than spite. Actually Holden was saving them both from a political upheaval
becausehecouldhavebeenaccusedofnepotism.

Butdeeperthanthatwasafrustrationbecausehewantedawomanhecouldn'thave.Cecilyknewthat
atsomelevel.Hewastryingtostartafight.Shecouldn'tlethim.

"Colbyisasweetman,"shesaidgently.

"He'sgoodcompanyandhedoesn'tdrinkaroundme,ever."

"He'sanalcoholic,"hesaidquietly,tryingtocontroltheanger.

"Itoldyoubefore,he'sintherapy,"shesaid.

"He'strying,Tate."

"So you expect me not to worry about you? After what my own father put me and my mother
through?"

ChapterFive

Ohesawthehurtasifitwerevisibleonhisexpressionlessface.Shegotoutofthechairandstoodjust
infrontofhim.

"Peoplearen'tbasicallycruel,"shesaidinasoft,sympathetictone.

"Sometimestheyjusthurtsomuchinsidethattheycan'tbearthepain.

Theycan'tcopewiththeordinarypressuresofday-to-daylife,andtheyturntodrugsoralcoholfor
comfort."

"Whatreasondidmyfatherhavetohurtinside?"hedemandedharshly.

Thathissonwasn'thissonandhiswifelovedanotherman,shethought.Shelookedathim,seeing
plainly how the years of torment and anguish had formed the man he'd become. His face was like
granite,buteveryline,everyfurrow,concealedanemotionalwoundfromyearspast.

"Steeltemperedbyfire,"shesaidaloud,withoutthinking.

"AmI?"heasked.

Shesmiledsadly.

"Aren'tyou?"

He let out a long, slow breath and some of the tension drained out of him. He looked at her
quizzically.

"Yougivemepeace,"hesaidunexpectedly.

"TheonlytimeIeverfeelitiswhenI'mwithyou.

Godknowswhy,whenyousetmeofflikeabomb."

Shesearchedhiseyes.

"Tate,SenatorHoldenhasareasonforwhathedid,"shetoldhimseriously.

"Idon'tpretendtoknowwhatitis,butIknowhim.He'snotlikesomepoliticianswholiewhenthe
truthwouldsuitbetter.Hehasintegrity.Hedoesn'tholdgrudgesandhedoesn'tbackstabYouknow
that,"sheaddedwithconviction.

Hescowled.

"Yes,Ido."Hisnarroweyessearchedhers.

"Whatdoyouknow,Cecily?"

"Iknowarchaeology,"shereplied.

Hereachedoutandtouchedherfirmlittlechinwithhardfingers.

"You'rekeepingsomethingfromme,"hesaidinalow,deeptone.

"I'mnotsurewhyIsensethat,butIdo."

"Youthinkyouknowallaboutme,"shereplied,tryingtodrawback.

"Don't...dothat,"shemuttered,reachinguptocatchhishair-roughenedwristinherwarmfingers.

Hisbreathcaught.

"Fatalerror,Cecily,"hesaidhuskily,movingin,givingintothehungerthathadreallybroughthim
toherapartmentatthishourofthenight.

"Youshouldn'thavetouchedme..."

Beforeshecouldaskwhathemeant,hismouthwasChapterFive

^>hesawthehurtasifitwerevisibleonhisexpressionlessface.

Shegotoutofthechairandstoodjustinfrontofhim.

"Peoplearen'tbasicallycruel,"shesaidinasoft,sympathetictone.

' "Sometimes they just hurt so much inside that they can't bear the pain. They can't cope with the
ordinarypressuresofday-to-daylife,andtheyturntodrugsoralcoholforcomfort."

"Whatreasondidmyfatherhavetohurtinside?"hedemandedharshly.

Thathissonwasn'thissonandhiswifelovedanotherman,shethought.Shelookedathim,seeing
plainly how the years of torment and anguish had formed the man he'd become. His face was like
granite,buteveryline,everyfurrow,concealedanemotionalwoundfromyearspast.

"Steeltemperedbyfire,"shesaidaloud,withoutthinking.

"Ami?"heasked.

Shesmiledsadly.

"Aren'tyou?"

He let out a long, slow breath and some of the tension drained out of him. He looked at her
quizzically.

"Yougivemepeace,"hesaidunexpectedly.

"TheonlytimeIeverfeelitiswhenI'mwithyou.

Godknowswhy,whenyousetmeofflikeabomb."

Shesearchedhiseyes.

"Tate,SenatorHoldenhasareasonforwhathedid,"shetoldhimseriously.

"Idon'tpretendtoknowwhatitis,butIknowhim.He'snotlikesomepoliticianswholiewhenthe
truthwouldsuitbetter.Hehasintegrity.Hedoesn'tholdgrudgesandhedoesn'tbackstabYouknow
that,"sheaddedwithconviction.

Hescowled.

"Yes,Ido."Hisnarroweyessearchedhers.

"Whatdoyouknow,Cecily?"

"Iknowarchaeology,"shereplied.

Hereachedoutandtouchedherfirmlittlechinwithhardfingers.

"You'rekeepingsomethingfromme,"hesaidinalow,deeptone.

"I'mnotsurewhyIsensethat,butIdo."

"Youthinkyouknowallaboutme,"shereplied,tryingtodrawback.

"Don't...dothat,"shemuttered,reachinguptocatchhishair-roughenedwristinherwarmfingers.

Hisbreathcaught.

"Fatalerror,Cecily,"hesaidhuskily,movingin,givingintothehungerthathadreallybroughthim
toherapartmentatthishourofthenight.

"Youshouldn'thavetouchedme..."

Beforeshecouldaskwhathemeant,hismouthwasChapterFive

Ohesawthehurtasifitwerevisibleonhisexpressionlessface.Shegotoutofthechairandstoodjust
infrontofhim.

"Peoplearen'tbasicallycruel,"shesaidinasoft,sympathetictone.

"Sometimestheyjusthurtsomuchinsidethattheycan'tbearthepain.

Theycan'tcopewiththeordinarypressuresofday-to-daylife,andtheyturntodrugsoralcoholfor

comfort."

"Whatreasondidmyfatherhavetohurtinside?"hedemandedharshly.

Thathissonwasn'thissonandhiswifelovedanotherman,shethought.Shelookedathim,seeing
plainly how the years of torment and anguish had formed the man he'd become. His face was like
granite,buteveryline,everyfurrow,concealedanemotionalwoundfromyearspast.

"Steeltemperedbyfire,"shesaidaloud,withoutthinking.

"AmI?"heasked.

Shesmiledsadly.

"Aren'tyou?"

He let out a long, slow breath and some of the tension drained out of him. He looked at her
quizzically.

"Yougivemepeace,"hesaidunexpectedly.

"TheonlytimeIeverfeelitiswhenI'mwithyou.

Godknowswhy,whenyousetmeofflikeabomb."

Shesearchedhiseyes.

"Tate,SenatorHoldenhasareasonforwhathedid,"shetoldhimseriously.

"Idon'tpretendtoknowwhatitis,butIknowhim.He'snotlikesomepoliticianswholiewhenthe
truthwouldsuitbetter.Hehasintegrity.Hedoesn'tholdgrudgesandhedoesn'tbackstabYouknow
that,"sheaddedwithconviction.

Hescowled.

"Yes,Ido."Hisnarroweyessearchedhers.

"Whatdoyouknow,Cecily?"

"Iknowarchaeology,"shereplied.

Hereachedoutandtouchedherfirmlittlechinwithhardfingers.

"You'rekeepingsomethingfromme,"hesaidinalow,deeptone.

"I'mnotsurewhyIsensethat,butIdo."

"Youthinkyouknowallaboutme,"shereplied,tryingtodrawback.

"Don't...dothat,"shemuttered,reachinguptocatchhishair-roughenedwristinherwarmfingers.

Hisbreathcaught.

"Fatalerror,Cecily,"hesaidhuskily,movingin,givingintothehungerthathadreallybroughthim
toherapartmentatthishourofthenight.

"Youshouldn'thavetouchedme..."

Beforeshecouldaskwhathemeant,hismouthwashardonherlips.Hegroanedandbackedherup
againstthewallwhilehislipsdidunspeakablyeroticthingstoheropenmouth.Shefelthispowerful
thighpartingherlegs,felthislean,fitbodypressitselfhungrilytohersashecrushedhersensuously
intothewallbehindher.

Shehadnodefensewhatsoever.Shewasonfireforhim.Hernailsdugintothelong,hardmusclesof
his back and she moaned harshly against his demanding mouth. There was a rhythm that she didn't
recognize.Itmadelittledartsofpleasurerunupintoherbodyfromsomesecretrecessofjoy.One
leanhandwasatherhip,teachinghertherhythm.

Hiswholebodywasaninstrumentofdelicioustorture,takingherfarbeyondanysmallpleasureshe'd
had in her life. She sobbed under his mouth as her body began to swell with it. And at the same
moment,shefeltthechangeinhimaswell,aphysicalchangethatwasalltoonoticeablegiventheir
proximity.

Heknewtheyweregettinginovertheirheads.Hepulledback,despitetheintensepainitcausedhim
to stop. His eyes were dazed, ferocious as they met her own from a space of inches. He exhaled
roughly, unsteadily, at her swollen mouth. He looked down to find her body so close that barely a
breathcouldgetbetweenthem.Hewasarousedandsheknew.He'dletherknow,forthefirsttime.

Helookedbackupintohermistyeyes.

"Youhavetostoplettingmedothis,"hebitoff,half-angrily.

"Ifyou'llstopleaningonmesothatIcangetmyhandsonabluntobject,I'llbehappyto...!"

Hekissedthewordsintooblivion.

"Itisn'tajoke,"hemurmuredintohermouth.Hishipsmovedinagentle,sensuoussweepagainsther
hips.Hefelthershiver.

"That's...new,"shesaidwithastrainedattemptathumor.

"Itisn't,"hecorrected.

"I'vejustneverletyoufeelitbefore."

Hekissedherslowly,savoringthesubmissionofhersoft,warmlips.

Hishandssweptundertheblouseandupunderherbreastsintheirlacycovering.Hewasgoingover
theedge.Ifhedid,hewasgoingtotakeherwithhim,anditwoulddamagebothofthem.Hehadto
stopit,now,whilehecould."IsthiswhatColbygetswhenhecomestoseeyou?"hewhisperedwith
deliberatesarcasm.

It worked. She stepped on his foot as hard as she could with her bare instep. It surprised him more
thanithurthim,butwhileherecoiled,shepushedhimandtoreoutofhisarms.Hereyeswerelividly
greenthroughherglasses,herhairindisarray.Sheglaredathimlikeafemalepanther.

"WhatColbygetsisnoneofyourbusiness!Yougetoutofmyapartment!"sheragedathim.

Shewasmagnificent,hethought,watchingherwithhelplessdelight.

Therewasn'tamanalivewhocouldcowher,orbendhertohiswill.

Evenherdrunken,brutalstepfatherhadn'tbeenabletoforcehertodosomethingshedidn'twantto
do.

"Oh,Ihatethatdamnedsmuggrin,"shethrewathim,swallowingherfury.

"Man,theconqueror!"

"Thatisn'twhatIwasthinkingatall."Hesoberedlittlebylittle.

"Mymotherwasameeklittlethingwhenshewasyounger,"herecalled.

"Butshewasforeverthrowingherselfinfrontofmetokeepmyfatherfromkillingme.Itwasalong
timeuntilIgrewbigenoughtoprotecther."

Shestaredathimcuriously,stillshaken.

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Youhaveafiercespirit,"hesaidquietly.

"Iadmireit,evenwhenitexasperatesme.Butitwouldn'tbeenoughtosaveyoufromamanbenton
hurtingyou."

Hesighedheavily.

"You'vebeen...myresponsibility...foralongtime,"hesaid,choosinghiswordscarefully.

"Nomatterhowoldyougrow,I'llstillfeelprotectiveaboutyou.It'sthewayI'mmade."

Hemeanttocomfort,butthewordshurt.Shesmiledanyway.

"Icantakecareofmyself."

"Canyou?"hesaidsoftly.Hesearchedhereyes.

"Inaweakmoment..."

"Idon'thavetoomanyofthose.Mostly,you'reresponsibleforthem,"

shesaidwithblackhumor.

"Willyougoaway?I'msupposedtotrytoseduceyou,notthereverse.

You'rebreakingtherules."

Hiseyebrowlifted.Hersenseofhumoralwaysseemedtomendwhatwaswrongbetweenthem.

"Youstoppedtryingtoseduceme."

"Youkeptturningmedown,"shepointedout.

"Awoman'segocanonlytakesomuchrejection."

Hiseyesranoverherhungrily.

"I couldn't get it out of my mind," he said, almost to himself, "the way it felt, back at my mother's
house.Iwasneversohungryforanyone,butitwasn'tcompletelyphysical,eventhen."Hefrowned.

"Iwantyou,Cecily,andIhatemyselfforit."

"Whatelseisnew?"Shegesturedtowardthedoor.

"Gohome.AndIhopeyoudon'tsleepawink."

"Iprobablywon't,"hesaidruefully.Hemovedtowardthedoor,hesitating.

"Goodnight,"shesaidfirmly,notmoving.

Hestoodwithhisbacktoher,hisspineverystraight.

"I can trace my ancestors back before the Mexican War in the early 1800s, pure Lakota blood,
undilutedevenbywhitesettlement.Therearesofewofusleft..."

Shecouldhaveweptforwhatsheknew,andhedidn'tknow.

"Youdon'thavetoexplainittome,"shesaidsolemnly.

"Iknowhowyoufeel."

"Youdon't,"hebitoff.Hestraightenedagain.

"I'd die to have you, just once." He turned, and the fire was in his eyes as they met hers, glittering

acrosstheroom.

"It'slikethatforyou,too."

"It'sacorruptionofthesenses.Youdon'tloveme,"shesaidquietly.

"Withoutlove,it'sjustsex."

Hebreatheddeliberately,slowly.Hedidn'twanttoask.Hecouldn'thelpit.

"Somethingyouknow?"

"Yes.SomethingIknow,"shesaid,lyingwithastraightfaceandasmilethatshehopedwasworldly.
She was not going to settle for crumbs from him, stolen hours in his bed. Men were devious when
desirerodethem,evenmenlikeTate.Shecouldn'taffordforhimtoknowthatshewasincapableof
wantinganymanexcepthim.

Thewordsstung.Theyweremeantto.Hehesitated,onlyforaminute,beforehejerkedopenthedoor
and went out. Cecily closed her eyes and thanked providence that she'd had the good sense to deny
herselfwhatshewantedmostintheworld.Tatehadsaidoncethatsexalonewasn'tenough.Hewas
right.Sherepeatedit,likeamantra,toherstarvingbodyuntilshefinallyfellasleep.

CecilydroveuptoLeta'ssmallhouseontheWapitiRidgereservationlatethenextafternoon.Ithad
takenachangeofplanesinDenvertogetaflightuptoRapidCity,SouthDakota,andshe'ddrivento
thereservationfromthere.

Letacameoutontheporchwipingherhandsonanapron,grinning.

"I

barely had time to do a nice supper. You bad girl, you should have phoned yesterday, not from the
airport!"

"Iwantedtosurpriseyou."

Letagrimacedattheword"surprise."

"What'swrong?"Cecilyaskedwhenshewalkedontotheporchwithherbag.

"Iforgottogiveittoyou."

"Givemewhat?"

"Tategavemeyourbirthdaypresentwhenyouwereherebefore,"sheconfessed.

"Iputitontopofthecabinetinthediningroomandforgottogiveittoyou.Here,I'llfetchit!"

Cecilyfeltasifshe'dhadthewindknockedoutofherjustatthesoundofhisname.Shecouldalmost

taste him on her mouth, feel the fierce hunger of his body as he pressed her into the wall. "He
rememberedmybirthday,"shesaidfaintly,touched.

"Healwaysremembersit,buthesaidyouweren'tspeakingthen."ShehandedthesmallboxtoCecily.

"Goon,"shesaidwhentheyoungerwomanhesitated.

"Openit."

Cecily'shandswentcoldandtrembledasshetoreoffthewrappings.

Itwasajewelrybox.Itwasn'taring,ofcourse,shetoldherselfassheforcedupthehingedlid.He
certainlywouldn'tbuyhera."Thebeast!"sheexclaimed.

"Oh,howcouldhe?"

Letalookedoverhershoulderatwhatwasintheboxanddissolvedintogalesoflaughter.

Cecilyglaredather.

"Itisn'tfunny."

"Oh,yesitis!"

Cecilylookedbackdownatthesilvercrabwithitsrubyeyesandpearlclaws,andonecornerofher
mouthtuggedup.

"Heispretty,isn'the?"

Shetookthepinoutoftheboxandstudiedit.Itwasn'tsilver.Itwaswhitegold.Thosewererealrubies
and pearls, too. This hadn't been an impulse purr chase. He'd had this custom-made for her. Tears
stung her eyes. It was the sort of present you gave to someone who meant something to you. She
rememberedhispassionatekisses,andwishedwithallherheartthathe'dmeantthose,too.

Shepinnedthesmallcrabontothecollarofherblouseandknewthatshe'dtreasureitaslongasshe
lived.

"Now. Why are you here?" Leta asked pointedly while they ate the supper she'd cooked and drank
blackcoffee.

"I'vegotalineonanancientartifact,"shebeganglibly.

Letalookedather.

"There is no ancient artifact here, except the sacred bundle, and you know very well that it's never
displayed except on ceremonial occasions. Nor would any member of the tribe allow you even to
touchit,muchlesscarryitofftoamuseum."

Cecilysighedandsippedcoffee."Leta,itwouldbesomucheasierifyou'djustbelievemewhenIlie."

Letachuckled.

"Youdon'tdoitwell."

"Ican'ttellyoueverything,"shesaid.

"ButI'lltellyouwhatIcan.I'mheretodosomesnooping."

Leta'seyeswidened.

"Covertops,"shesaidenthusiastically.

"Oh,boy.Whatdowedo?"

"Listen,thisisseriousstuff,"camethereply.

"Therearesomebadpeoplerunningaroundhere."

"Goingbackandforthinchauffeuredlimousineswithout-of-statelicenseplates,"Letasaid.

"And every time they come and go, Tom Black Knife goes down to his nephew's house and has
severaljiggersofwhisky."

Cecily'smouthfellopen.

Letagaveheraspeakinglook.

"Iknoweverythingthatgoeson.Iknowwhensomething'snotright.

Tribalfundsarevanishing,andIcan'tbelieveTomwouldsteal.He'smycousin."

"He'salsothegoodfriendofapowerfulmaninWashington,"Cecilysaidcarefully,"who'sgoingto
blowthewhistleonthewholeoperationifhecangetenoughevidence."

Letasilentlypickedatherfood.

"Thesepeopledon'tcomeatyouhead-on,"shesaid.

"Theycomefrombehind,orbothsides.Theypreyonpeoplewithsecrets."

"Notpeoplelikeyou,"Cecilyteaseddeliberately.

"Youdon'thavesecrets."

Letawassilentagain.

"HaveyouseenTate?"

Herheartjumped.

"Isawhimlastnight,infact."

"Ishewell?"

Shegrimaced.

"Verywell,thanks.Hedoesn'tlikeitthatIgooutwithColbyLane."

Letaliftedaneyebrowexpressively.

"Itisn'tlikethat,Leta.He'sconcernedforme.Colbyusedtodrinkalot.Hedoesn'tanymore,butTate
thinkshe'sabadinfluence."Shesippedcoffee.

"BigbrotherTate,totherescue."

"Hecaresaboutyoualot."

"Likehe'dcareaboutakidsister,Leta,andwebothknowit,"shesaidcurtly.

"Audreyisthewomaninhislife,andsheshowsnosignsofgoingaway.

Ifithadn'tbeenforhisobsessionaboutnotmarryingintoanotherrace,she'dprobablybewearinga
ringrightnow.She'sgloriouslybeautiful."

"ShehatesNativeAmericans,"Letasaidcoldly.

"Just like another socialite I once knew. I've heard it all before--we're dirty, ignorant, primitive
savageswhositdownandletthegovernmentsupportus...."

Cecilygotupandputherarmsaroundthewomanwho'dtakentheplaceofhermotherinherlife.

"You'reaclean,intelligent,modernwomanwithmanyskillsandagreatbigheart!"shesaid.

"AndI'llknockdownthefirstpersonwhosaysdifferent!"

"Youdoalotforus,Cecily,"Letasaidsolemnly.

"Morethanyouknow."Shestudiedheradoptivechildwithapuzzlingscrutiny.

"Howdidyourfacegetscratched,thereonyourcheek?"

She remembered the faint rasp of Tate unshaven cheek against hers the night before with shocking
clarity.Sheflushed.

Letapursedherlips.

"Sothat'swhat'sbeengoingon,"shemused.

"I

thought so. I was making sandwiches and it got real quiet in the living room that night before Tate
left."

"Stopthat,"Cecilymuttered,sittingbackdown.

"Itdidn'tmeananythingtohim."

Letashookherhead.

"Hewantsyou."

Theyoungerwomantookasharpbreath."Wantingisn'tenough,"shesaidfirmly.

"I'mnotgoingtobecomeadiversion."

Thedarkeyesthatmetherswerewiseandsad,fullofbitterwisdom.

"Yousticktoyourguns,"shesaidunexpectedly.

"It'seasytogivein,Cecily.Butthenyoupaytheprice.Sometimesit'sveryhigh."

As Leta had reason to know, left pregnant by an ambitious politician who married to advance his
career.CecilycouldfeelLeta'spain.

ShereachedacrossthetableandgentlyclaspedLeta'shands.

"Perhapsitis,"shesaid.

"Buttherearesomerewardsworththeprice."

Letafrowned.Sheseemedtostopbreathing.

"Whatdoyouknow?"sheaskedCecily.Fainthorrorclaimedherfeaturesherhandswentcold."Ce-
city..."

Cecily'shandstightened.

"Ihavenosecretsfromyou,"shesaid.

"ButImadeapromisenottosayanything.Ihavetokeepit."

Letawasbadlyshaken.

"Thismanwhosentyououthere...asenator?"

"Ican'tanswerthat."

"AseniorsenatorfromSouthDakota?"

"Leta..."

"MattHolden?"

Cecily'seyesclosed.Shecouldn't.Shewouldn't.

"MyGod,"Letawhispered,lettinggoofCecily'shands.

"MyGod,heknows.Heknows,doesn'the?"

Cecilybitherlowerlip.

"I'm sorry. Yes, he does. The people I came out here to help investigate know the whole story. And
they'rethreateningtogotothemediawithit.

Considering Holden's prestige in the Senate, it could destroy his career, to say nothing of what it
woulddotoyouandTatetohavethetruthcomeoutthatway."

Letaputherfaceinherhandsandweptsilently.Onceagain,Cecilygotoutofherchairandwentto
comforttheolderwoman.

"It'sgoingtobeallright.SenatorHoldenthinkswecanstopthemintime,ifwecanfindoutexactly
whotheyareandwhatthey'reholdingoverTomBlackKnife.Wearen'tbeaten,Leta.We'regoingto
getthroughthis.Reallyweare!"

Letaclungtoher."Iwantedtotellthem.Iwantedtotellmyson,andhisrealfather.ButIwaitedand
then waited some more, for the right time, the right place. But Matt was married and Tate was so
proudofhisheritage..."Shesatupanddriedhereyes.

"JackknewthatIwaspregnantwhenImarriedhim,buthedidn'tknowwhothefatherwas.Hesaidhe
lovedmeenoughtotakeusbothon."

SheliftedpainedeyestoCecily.

"Buthedidn't,Cecily.Itatehimalivetoknowthatsomeothermanhadfatheredmychild,especially
when we discovered that I was unable to conceive again with him. He hated me, he hated Tate. He
punishedusforhisownsterility.Hestartedtodrinkandheturnedfromakindmanintoamonster.I
didthattohim,"shesaidsimply.

"Tomakemattersworse,IdeniedMatttheknowledgeofhisson,andIdeniedTatetheknowledgeof
his real father. And now he's going to find out about it in some newspaper or on some television
station.

He'llhateme."

"He'llprobablyhateusallforalittlewhile,whenitcomesout,"

Cecilysaidcomfortingly.

"He'llgetoverit."

Letashookherheadandwipedherred,swolleneyesagain.

"Hewon't.

He'slikeyouaboutlies.Hewon'tforgiveus."

Cecilyfeltsicktohersoulatthosewords.Itwasprobablythetruth.

"Wecan'tguessthefuture,"Cecilysaidquietly."Wecandosomethingaboutit,ifwetry.Youhaveto
lookatthepositiveside."

"Isthereone?"Letaaskedonasob.

"Certainly. We're going to single-handedly foil a renegade gambling syndicate and save the tribal
chiefandthetribalfundsfromembezzlement.We'llmaketheeveningnewsshows!"

"Again,"Letamused,rememberinghowCecilyhadmadeitbefore.

Cecily'sfingerstouchedthedaintylittlecrabfixedtohercollar.

"Thistimewillbemuchmorepoliticallycorrect,"shesaid.

"HowdoesMattlook?"Letaasked,whenshe'dnevermeanttoaskthequestion.

"Wickedlyhandsome.Silver-hairedandarrogant,stubbornandhot-tempered--justlikesomeoneelse
weknow,"shesaidwithasmile.

"Hespeakshighlyofyou.Heregretswhathedid,youknow,"sheadded.

"Hesaidthathemadebadchoices."

"HehatesmefornottellinghimaboutTate,doesn'the?"

"No!Notatall!"Cecilymettheolderwoman'smiserablegaze.

"Leta, he only feels guilty at what you both suffered at Jack Winthrop's hands. He certainly
understandswhyyoukeptthesecretfromhim.

It'sjustthat.well,heandTatearebitterenemies.Itwasashockforhim."

"Ilovedhim,"Letarecalled,hereyessoftandfaraway.

"HeandIgrewuptogether.Hewasolderthanme,buthewassocenteredonhowhewasgoingtolive
hislife,sodedicatedtohelpingpeoplehere.Iwasamazedwhenhestartedtakingmeplaces.Iwould

havedoneanythingforhim.Thenhesaidhewasgoingtomarrythatrichsocietywomanandrun;

foroffice.Weargued.Butaftertheelection,beforeheleftforWashington,hecametoseemeonelast
time.We'dbeenapartforsolong,andI'dmissedhimsomuch.Westartedkissingandcouldn'tstop."
Shecolored,embarrassed.

"Thenhetoldmehewasalreadymarried.Hewasashamedandsorry,butIwasn't.ItwasallI'dever
have,andIknewit.Afewweeksafterheleft,IknewIwaspregnant."

Letasmiled.

"You can't imagine the joy it gave me. I knew I could never tell him, but I was happy. Then Jack
WinthropofferedmeahomeandItookit."

Sheshookherheadsadly.

"Ishouldhaveknownbetter.Ipaid,andTatepaid.Itriedtorunawayonce,butJackbeatmesobadly
thatIcouldn'tevenwalk.HethreatenedtohurtTateifItriedagain,soIstayed."SheglancedatCecily.

"Theysayit'seasytoleaveanabusivehusband,youjustwalkout.

Cecily,ifI'dwalkedout,he'dhavecomeaftermeandkilledusboth.

Hesaidso,andhemeantit.Drunk,hewascapableofcold-bloodedmurder.Inthosedays,therewere
no shelters for battered women, nobody to protect us. Now, things are different. But Tate has many
scars,insidewheretheydon'tshow.SodoI."

"Youdon'tregrethavingTate,"Cecilysaid.Letashookherhead.

"I'llneverregretit.ButitmakesmesadthatMatthadtofindoutlikethis.Hehasn'ttoldTate?"she
addedworriedly.

"No.HesaidIcould,"shemurmureddryly.

"AndIsaidforhimnottoholdhisbreathwaiting."

"Tatewon'tlikeitthatwekeptthetruthfromhim."

"I'mresignedtothat,"Cecilysaidhalf-truthfully.

"Hewouldneverhaveturnedtome,anyway,evenifheknewhehadmixedblood.I'vebeenlivingon
dreamstoolongalready."

"Ifyougoawayfromhim,he'llfollowyou,"Letasaidunexpectedly.

"There'satie,abond,betweenyouthatcan'tbebroken."

"There'sAudrey,"Cecilypointedout.

"Honey,therehavebeenotherAudreys,"shereplied.

"He never brought them home or talked about them. They were loose relationships, and not very
manyatall--neveranywhowereinnocent."

"Audrey'slastedalongtime."

Letasearchedhereyes.

"Ifhe'ssleepingwithAudrey,Cecily,whycan'thekeephishandsoffyou?"

Cecily'sheartturnedovertwice.

"Wh...what?"

"Simplequestion,"camethedrollreply.Shegrinnedattheyoungerwoman'sembarrassment.

"Whenyoucameinthekitchenthatlasttimeyouwerehere,beforeTateleft,yourmouthwasswollen
and you wouldn't look straight at him. He was badly shaken. It doesn't take a mind-reader to know
whatwasgoingoninmylivingroom.Itisn'tlikeTatetoplaygameswithinnocentgirls."

"Hedoesn'tthinkIam,anymore,"shereturnedcurtly.

"IlethimthinkthatColbyandIare...veryclose."

"Uh-oh."

Shescowled.

"Uh-oh,what?"

"The only thing that's kept him away from you this long is that he didn't want to take advantage of
you,"Letareplied.

"If he thinks you're even slightly experienced, he'll find a reason not to hold back anymore. You're
playingadangerousgame.Yourownlovewillbeyourdownfallifheputsontheheat.Iknow.HowI
know!"

Cecilyrefusedtothinkaboutit.She'dputTateoutofhermind,andshewasgoingtokeephimthere
forthetimebeing.

"I'llworryaboutthatwhenIhaveto,"shesaidfinally.

"Nowyoudryupthosetearsanddrinksomemorecoffee.Thenwehavetoplanstrategy.We'regoing
totakedowntheenemybyanymeanspossible!"

ChapterSix

Inthedaysthatfollowed,CecilywasintroducedtoTomBlackKnife,anelderlymanwithtwinkling
darkeyesandakinddisposition,aswellastoseveralmembersofthetribalcouncil.Noneofthem
seemedshadyorunderhandedinanyway.Cecilywasalmostcertainthatwhateverwasgoingonhere,
theyweren'tpartofit.

ShesharedherthoughtswithLetaonenight.

"Theproblemis,they'renotgoingtowanttoconfideinme,"Cecilyreplied,thinkinghard.

"IwishColbyhadcomeback.Hecouldgetin,poseassomeoneinadifferentgamblingsyndicateand
infiltrate.Ican'tdothat."

"Don'tlookatme,"Letamused.

"Ican'tevenwinatginrummy!"

"I'mgoingtocallColby,"shesaid,reachingforthetelephonethatTatehadorderedinstalledforhis
motheryearsagoandstillpaidfor.

"Ifhe'shome,he'llhelpus."

Shedialedhisnumber,direct,andwaitedwhileitrangseveraltimes.

Shewasabouttohangupwhenadeepvoicecameontheline.

"Lane,"itsaidcurtly.

"Iwasafraidyouwerestilloutofthecountry,"Cecilysaidwithrelief.

"Areyouallright?"

"Afewnewscars,"hesaid,withlightnessinhistone.

"Howaboutapizza?I'llpickyouup..."

"I'minSouthDakota."

"What?"

"It'salongstory.Letahasacomfortablesofa.Canyoucomeouthererightaway?"

Therewasapause.

"Ifyoumissmethatmuch,maybewe'dbettergetmarried,"hepointedout.

"I'mnotmarryingamanwhoshootspeopleforaliving,"sherepliedwithagrin.

"Ionlyshootbadpeople,"heprotested.

"Besides...!knowwhataforamenmagnumis."

"Darling!"sheexclaimedtheatrically.

"Getthelicense!"

Hechuckled.

"That'llbetheday,whenyoutakemeon.Whatsortofmischiefareyouupto,Cecily?"

"Nomischief.Justanartifact-buyingtrip.ButIneedyou."

"Inthatcase,I'montheway.I'llrentacarattheairport.Seeyousoon."

Hehungup.

"You'renotgoingtomarryColbyLane,"Letasaidlikeadisapprovingparent.

"Butheknowswhataforamenmagnumis,"shesaidteasingly.

"Awho?"

"It'sthelargeopeningatthebackoftheskull,"Cecilysaid.

"Gorystuff."

"Nottoanarchaeologist,"Cecilysaid.

"Didyouknowthatwecanidentifyatleastoneracebythedentitionofaskull?NativeAmericansare
mongoloidandtheyhaveshovel-shapedincisors."

This caused Leta to feel her teeth and ask more questions, which kept her from thinking too much
aboutColby'smockproposal.

Colbyarrivedthenextday,withstitchesdownoneleancheekandanewprosthesis.Hehelditupas
Cecilycameouttothecartogreethim.

"Nice,huh?Doesn'titlookmorerealisticthanthelastone?"

"Whathappenedtothelastone?"sheasked.

"Gotblownoff.Don'taskwhere,"headdeddarkly.

"Iknownothing,"sheassuredhim.

"Comeonin.Letamadesandwiches."

LetahadonlyseenColbyonce,onavisitwithTate.Shewaspolite,butalittleremote,anditshowed.

"Shedoesn'tlikeme,"ColbytoldCecilywhentheyweresittingonthestepslaterthatevening.

"ShethinksI'msleepingwithyou,"shesaidsimply.

"SodoesTate."

"Why?"

"BecauseIlethimthinkIwas,"shesaidbluntly.

Hegaveherahardlook.

"Badmove,Cecily."

"Iwon'tlethimthinkI'mwaitingaroundforhimtonoticeme,"shesaidicily.

"He'salreadyconvincedthatI'minlovewithhim,andthat'sbadenough.Ican'thavehimknowthat
I'm...well,whatIam.

Idohavealittlepride."

"I'mperfectlywilling,ifyou'reserious,"hesaidmatter-of-factly.

Hisfacebrokeintoagrin,belyingthesolemnityofthewords.

"OrareyouworriedthatImightnotbeabletohandleitwithonearm?"

Sheburstoutlaughingandpressedaffectionatelyagainsthisside.

"Iadoreyou,Ireallydo.ButIhadabadexperienceinmyteens.

I'vehadtherapyandall,butit'sstillsortoftraumaticformetothinkaboutrealintimacy."

"EvenwithTate?"heprobedgently.

Shewasn'ttouchingthatlinewithapole.

"Tatedoesn'twantme."

"Youkeepsayingthat,andhekeepsmakingaliarofyou."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Hecametoseemelastnight.JustafterIspoketoyou."Heranhisfingersdownhisdamagedcheek.

Shecaughtherbreath.

"Ithoughtyougotthatoverseas!"

"Tatewearsabigsilverturquoiseringonhismid3dierightfinger,"heremindedher.

"Itdoesabitofdamagewhenhehitspeoplewithit."

"Hehityou?Why?"sheexclaimed.

"Becauseyoutoldhimweweresleepingtogether,"hesaidsimply.

"Honest to God, Cecily, I wish you'd tell me first when you plan to play games. I was caught off
guard."

"Whatdidhedoafterhehityou?"

"Ihithim,andonethingledtoanother.Idon'thaveacoffeetableanymore.Wewon'tevendiscuss
whathedidtomybestashtray."

"I'msosorry!"

"TateandIareprettymuchmatchedinafight,"hesaid.

"Notthatwe'veeverbeeninmany.HehitsharderthanPierceButtondoesinatemper."Hescowled
downather.

"AreyousureTatedoesn'twantyou?Ican'tthinkofanotherreasonhe'dtrytohammermyfloorwith
myhead."

"BigbrotherTate,totherescue,"shesaidmiserably.Shelaughedbitterly.

"Hethinksyou'reabadrisk."

"Iam,"hesaideasily.

"Ilikehavingyouasmyfriend."

Hesmiled.

"Me,too.Therearen'tmanypeoplewhostuckbymeovertheyears,youknow.WhenMaureenleft
me,Iwentcrazy.Icouldn'tlivewiththepain,soIfoundwaystonumbit."Heshookhishead.

"I don't think I came to my senses until you sent me to that psychologist over in Baltimore." He
glanceddownather.

"Didyouknowshekeepssnakes?"headded.

"Weallhaveourlittlequirks."

"Anyway,sheconvincedmethatyoucan'townpeople.Maureencouldn'tlivewithwhatIwas.She's
happynow,"headdedwithonlyatraceofbitterness."Hernewhusbandisabankvicepresidentwith
twochildrenfromhisfirstmarriage.Verysettled.Notlikelytogetshotupingunbattles,either."

"I'msorry,Colby."

Heleanedforwardwithhisforearmsonhissplayedthighs.

"Ilovedher."

"IloveTate.Butatleastyouhadamarriagetoremember.I'llneverhavethat."

"You'rebetteroffwithoutanythingtoremember,"hesaidharshly.

"Tate'safool.Hedoesn'tknowwhoheis,Cecily,"hesaidunexpectedly.

"Whydoyousaythat?"

"Heputstoomuchemphasisontheculture.He'sdefensiveaboutit.

Heusesittoidentifyhimself.Heritageisimportant,butitisn'tthewholeman.Tatelivesinawhite
world, makes his living in a white world. Surely it's occurred to you that a man with such an
obsessionabouthisrootswouldlogicallyliveinthatworld?"

ShewonderedifTatehadeverthoughtofthat.Shehadn't.

"Youmean,hedoesn'tlivewithLeta,ornearhisownpeople."

"Exactly. Some of the people he's associated with have made him self-conscious about his
background.

They'vemadehimuncomfortable,remindedhimthathe'spartofaminorityculture,intimatedthatit's
justnotquitesophisticatedorurbaneenoughtobeproudof."

"Colby..."

Helookeddownather.

"You're white. You have no idea what it's like to be a minority, be treated like a minority. You can
neverknow,Cecily.Eventhoughyouworkfornativesovereignty,eventhoughyouunderstandand
admireTate'sculture,youcannever,never,bepartofit!"

She was uneasy. Even Tate had never said such things to her. She ran a hand over her forehead
absently,disturbedbythetruthinthoseharshwords.

"YouwanttoknowhowIknowthat."Henoddedatherquickglance.

"I'mApache,Cecily,"hesaid.

"Youcan'tseeitplainly,becauseI'mlight-skinnedthroughtheadditionofalittleScotchandGerman
bloodagenerationback,butI'malmostfull-blooded.IqualifyforApachestatus.Icouldliveonthe
WhiteMountainreservationifIwantedto."

"Youneversaidthatbefore,"shemurmured.

"I didn't know you well enough before. It's almost funny. Tate's a fanatic about his roots, and I'm
ashamedofmine.Idon'tevenvisitmypeople.Ihatehavingtoseehowtheylive."

Theconfessionrockedhertothesolesofherfeet.Shedidn'tknowhowtotalktohimanymore.The
Colbyshethoughtsheknewhadvanished.

"That'swhyMaureenreallyleftme,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.

"Notbecauseofmyjob,orevenbecauseItookanoccasionaldrink.Sheleftme...becauseshedidn't
wanthalf-breedchildren.Yousee,Ididn'ttellherthatIwasalmostafull-blooduntilafterwe'dbeen
married for a year. A little drop of Native American blood was exciting and unique. But a full-
bloodedNativeAmerican...shewashorrified."

Cecily'sopinionofthelegendaryMaureendroppedeightypoints.Shegroundherteethtogether.She
couldn'timagineanyonebeingashamedofsuchaproudheritage.

Helookeddownatherandlaugheddespitehimself.

"Icanhearyouboilingover.No,youwouldn'tbeashamedofme.Butyou'reunique.

Youhelp,howeveryoucan.Youseethepovertyaroundyou,andyoudon'tstickyournoseupatit.
Yourollupyoursleevesanddowhatyoucantohelpalleviateit.You'vemademeashamed,Cecily."

"Ashamed?But,why?"

"BecauseyouseebeautyandhopewhereIseehopelessness."Herubbedhisartificialarm,asifithurt
him.

"I've got about half as much as Tate has in foreign banks. I'm going to start using some of it for
somethingbesidesexoticliquor.Onepersoncanmakeadifference.Ididn'tknowthat,untilyoucame
along."

Shesmiledandtouchedhisarmgently.

"I'mglad."

"Youcouldmarryme,"heventured,lookingdownatherwithasmile.

"I'mnobargain,butI'dbegoodtoyou.

I'dneverevendrinkabeeragain."

"Youneedsomeonetoloveyou,Colby.Ican't."

Hegrimaced.

"Icouldsaythesamethingtoyou.ButIcouldloveyou,Ithink,giventime."

"You'dneverbeTate."

Hedrewinalongbreath.

"Lifeisneversimple.It'slikeapuzzle.

Justwhenwethinkwe'vegotitsolved,piecesofitflyinalldirections."

"When you get philosophical, it's time to go in. Tomorrow, we have to talk about what's going on
aroundhere.There'ssomethingveryshady.

LetaandIneedyoutohelpusfindoutwhatitis."

"Whatarefriendsfor?"heaskedaffectionately.

"I'lldothesameforyouoneday."

Hedidn'tanswerher.Cecilyhadnoideaatallhowstronglyherpertremarkaboutbeingintimatewith
ColbyhadaffectedTate.Theblack-eyed,almosthomicidalmanwho'dcometohisdoorlastnighthad
hardlybeenrecognizableashisfriendandcolleagueofmanyyears.

Tatehadbarelybeencoherent,andbothmenwereexhaustedandbloodybythetimethefightendedin
adraw.MaybeTatedidn'twanttomarryCecily,butColbyknewstarkjealousywhenhesawit.That
hadn'tbeenanyoutdatedattempttoavengeCecily'schastity.Ithadbeenrevenge,becausehethought
Colbyhadsleptwithherandhewantedtomakehimpay.Ithadbeenjealousy,notprotectiveness,the
jealousyofamanwhowaspassionatelyinlove;anddidn'tevenknowit.

***ItwastwodayslaterthatTateWinthrop,stillnursingafewbruisesandasorejaw,wenttothe
museumtofindoutwhyCecilyhadreallygonetoSouthDakotaHeknewithadnothingtodowith
artifacts.

Somethingwasgoingon,andshewasactingoddly-justlikeherparamour,ColbyLane.Hewasgoing
tofindoutwhy.

He talked to Dr. Phillips, who said blandly that Cecily had located some unusual artifact that would
make the museum famous and she'd gone to South Dakota to acquire it. In fact. Senator Holden
thoughtsohighlyofthatprojectthathe'devenpaidherairfare!

Armedwiththattidbit,TatewentstormingintoMattHolden'soffice,pasthisaffrontedsecretary.

"It'sallright,Katy,"Holdentoldtheyoungwoman.

"Closethedoor,willyou?"

Shedid,withobviousapprehension.Tatelookedlikeamadman.

Itwasthefirsttimethey'dseeneachotherface-to-facesinceMattHoldenhadlearnedthattheman
acrossthedeskfromhimwashisson.

HestudiedTate'sfaceintently,seeingresemblances,seeinggenerationsofhispeopleinthoseblack
eyes,thatfirmjaw,thetall,elegantbuildofhim.Tatewouldn'tknowthathehadFrenchbloodaswell
as Lakota, that his grandfather had been a minor royal in Morocco, that his grandmother had been
French aristocracy. Tate was the continuation of a proud line, and he couldn't tell him. If things
workedoutinSouthDakotaTatewouldneverhavetoknowatall.Thethoughtsaddenedhim.He'd
made so many mistakes. "Well?" Holden asked, trying to sound as antagonistic as he usually did,
despitethefaintcrackinhisheart.

"WhydidyousendCecilytoSouthDakota?"

Holden caught his breath. He looked around the room, certain that the office had at least one bug,
even if he'd had some agents search it with sophisticated electronic equipment. He didn't dare say
anythinghere.

Tate intercepted that concerned look. With a curt laugh, he retrieved some complicated electronic
devicefromhisinsidepocket,openedit,activateditandputitonthedeskinfrontofhim.

Heleanedback.

"Setaspytocatchaspy,Holden,"hesaideasily.

"You can talk. It's safe. That" -he nodded at the device "--will give anyone listening a hell of a
headache."

Holdenrelaxedalittle.

"Ican'ttellyoumuch,"hesaid.

"It's complicated, and there are innocent people involved." Certainly there were; Tate was one of
them.

"Tellmewhatyoucan,"Tatesaidafteraminute.Odd,thathesitationinHolden,thatutterlackofreal
hostility.He'dchanged.Tatewonderedwhy.

Holdensatbackinhisburgundyleatherchairandstaredathisson.

"There's a little cloak and dagger stuff going on at the reservation. I promised someone I'd have a
lookaround,soCecily'saskingafewquestionsforme."

"Thatwouldbeatribalmatter,sowhyareyoustickingyournosein?"

Tate said with a scowl, looking so much like his father that, to the man across the desk, it was like
lookinginayouthfulmirror.

"Youdon'thaveanyinfluencethere."

Holden's high cheekbones flushed ruddy. He averted his dark eyes. His jaw tautened so that the
musclesmovedinvoluntarily.

"It'sapersonalmatter.Adelicatepersonalmatter.Cecilyis...

findingoutafewthingsforme.Watchingsomepeople,that'sall.

Nothingdangerous."

Tateleanedforwardabruptly,eyesflashingwithanger.

"Ifyouwantedsomebodywatched,whydidn'tyoucometome?I'vegotcontactseverywhere!Icould
havedoneaninvestigationforyou,withoutinvolvingCecily."

Holdenclosedhiseyes.

"Youdon'tunderstand.Icouldn't...haveyouinvolved."

Thiswasgettingstrangerandstranger.

"Whynot?"

HestaredataportraitofAndrewJacksononthewallofhisoffice.

AbsentlyhethoughtofthescandalJacksonhadenduredoverhisbelovedRachel.

"Ican'ttellyou."Heturnedhisattentionbacktohisson."Youhavetokeeprightoutofthis.Youcan't
becomeinvolvedinanyway,notevencasually!"

Tate'sscowlgrewblacker.

"Youaren'tmakingsense."

"Damnit...!"Hepushedbackastraystrandofsilverhairandranhishandsoverhisface."Allright,
it'sapoliticalthreat,"hesaidslowly,choosingeveryword.

"There's something in my past that I don't want known. It involves an innocent woman whose life
wouldbedestroyed.SomepeoplearethreateningtogopublicwithitifIdon'tdo...certainthingsfor
them."

"Icanbediscreet,"Tatesaid,puzzled.

"Iknowthat."Hedrewinabreaththatsoundedpainful.Hesearchedthefaceoftheothermanwith
concernineverylineofhisown.

"ButIcan'tinvolveyou.Iwon't.Ifyouhaveanyrespectformeatall,honorwhatI'maskingofyou.I
wantyououtofthis.Asfaroutasyoucanget!"

The oddest sensation washed over Tate. He felt a sudden strong bond to this man, this enemy. He
didn't understand it. It was almost as if Holden were trying to protect him. But why would he need
protection?

"IworkedfortheCIA,"Tatepointedout.

"Iknowhowtotakecareofmyself."

"Iknowthat.Ithasnothingtodowithsurvivalskills."Holdenputhisbroadfaceinhishandsagain.

"I'veneverbeeninasituationlikethis,neverhadmyhandstiedlikethis.IdeservewhateverIget.I
broughtitonmyself.ButIcan'tletherpayformysins.Ihavetoprotecther,whateverthecost."

Tatehadneverthoughtofthetersesenatorasasensitiveman.Hisvoicewasvibrantwithpain,with
loss.

"Youstillloveher."

"OfcourseIstillloveher!"hebitoff,raisinghiswornface.

"I'vealwayslovedher.ButIwassodamnedambitious.Ihadtobepowerful,rich,aworld-beater.I
married money and sacrificed everything for this office. Now, here I sit, with my sins spread out
beforeme,waitingfortheaxtofall.AndI'vegotnobodytoblameforitexceptmyself."

Tatestaredathimforalongtime.

"Doesthishavesomethingtodowiththereasonyoubackedoutofthesecurityupgradeyouaskedme
todoforyou?"

Holdendidn'tlookathim,buthenodded,aquickjerkofhishead.

"Noneofthismakessense."

"I hope it never will," Holden said solemnly. He leaned back wearily in his chair, his big hands
grippingthearmsuntilhisknuckleswentwhite.

"Ihaven'tsentCecilyintoanydanger,Ipromiseyou.Ihavefriendsshedoesn'tevenknowaboutwho
arewatchingoutforher."

Thiswaspuzzling.

"YouhavefriendsatWapiti?"

Holden'seyesavertedagain.

"MymothertaughtschooltherewhenIwasaboywhilemyfatherwasservinginthemilitary,soshe
wouldn'thavetodragmeallovertheworldtobeeducated.Igrewuponthereservation."

Therewassomething.Tatecouldalmostbringitoutofhismind,butnotquite.Therewassomething
herememberedhearing,something.

Holdengottohisfeet,interruptingtheflowofthoughts.

"Don'tgotoSouthDakota,"hesaid.

"Don'tgetmixedupinthis.Youmaydoirreparabledamageifyoudo.

It'sa...delicatesituation."

Tategotup,buthedidn'tmovetowardthedoor.

"Itwasawomanonthereservation,"hesaidsuddenly.

Holdendidn'tanswerhim."Wereyouashamedofher,isthatwhyyoukeptitsecret?"

Holden'sdarkeyesmethis.

"She isn't the sort of woman a man could be ashamed of," he said softly. "Quite the contrary. But I
madebadchoices,andlosther."

Tatewassurprisedthatthemanwouldconfideinhim.Itdidn'tmakesense.Ofcourse,nothingelse
Holdenhadsaidmadesense,either.

Tate lifted a hand to his forehead. The big silver turquoise ring caught Holden's eye. Funny, it was
almostasifthemanrecognizedit.

"Mymothergaveittomeaftermyfatherdied,"Tatetoldtheotherman,whowasobviouslycurious
aboutthepieceofjewelry.

"She said it had been my father's. She gave it to him when they first started going together. I hated
him.ButIwearittohonorher.Itwasobviouslysomethingshecherished."

Holden remembered the ring. She'd given it to him, the day before he was forced to confess to her
thattherewasnochanceforthemtobetogether.He'dgivenitbacktoherwhenheconfessed.She'd
givenittotheirson.Theirson.Hecouldhardlybearthepain.

TatewonderedatHolden'sreactiontothestory.Hiseyesnarrowed.

"Didyouknowmymother?"

Holdenlookedathimwithdeterminedblankness.

"Cecilytalksabouther.HernameisLeta,isn'tit?"

Henodded."Iknewalotofpeopleonthereservation,butatmyage,namesdon'tconnectwithfaces
anymore,"Holdensaid.

"Didn'tyouwastetimecampaigningatWapitiRidge?"Tateaskedcaustically.

Holdendrewhimselfuptohisfullheight.

"No,Ididn't,"heconfessedcoldly.

"Yousee,mywifedidn'tlikeNativeAmericans.Shewasashamedforpeopletoevenknowthatmy
motherhadoncetaughtschoolthere."

Holden'seyesbegantokindlewithbadtemper.

"In case you don't recognize that attitude, you might ask your friend Audrey why she won't go out
therewithyou.Orareyouafraidoftheanswer?"

Tatestiffenedandhiseyesglitteredattheolderman.Hisfistsballedathisleanhips.

"Gotohell."

Holdendidn'tbackdownaninch.

"IwasabattalioncommanderinVietnam,"hesaidinadeceptivelysofttone.

"Specialforces.Don'tmakethemistakeofthinkingI'dbeapushoverinafightwithayoungerman."

Tate stared at Holden curiously, not intimidated, but recognizing something about the stance of the
man,aboutthelookofhim.Odd,theseflashesofintuition.Thismanwastheworstenemyhehadon
theHill.Butherespectedhim.No.

Therewassomethingmorethanrespect,buthecouldn'tgraspwhatitwas.

"BringCecilyhome,"hesaidcurtly.

"Iwon'thaveheratrisk,evenintheslightestway."

"I'lltakecareofCecily,"camethetersereply.

"She'sbetteroffwithoutyouinherlife."

Tate'seyeswidened.

"Ibegyourpardon?"heasked,affronted.

"YouknowwhatImean,"Holdensaid.

"Let her heal. She's too young to consign herself to spinsterhood over a man who doesn't even see
her."

"Infatuationdies,"Tatesaid.

Holdennodded.

"Yes,itdoes.Goodbye."

"Sodoesheroworship,"hecontinued,laboringthepoint.

"Andthat'swhyaftereightyears,Cecilyhashadoneragingaffairaftertheother,"hesaidfacetiously.

Thewordshadpower.Theywounded.

"Youfool,"Holdensaidinasofttone.

"Doyoureallythinkshe'dletanymantouchherexceptyou?"Hewenttohisofficedoorandgestured
towardthedesk.

"Don'tforgetyourgadget,"headdedquietly.

"Wait!"

Holdenpausedwithhishandonthedoorknobandturned.

"What?"

Tateheldthedeviceinhishands,watchingthelightsflickeronit.

"Mixingtwocultureswhenoneofthemisallbutextinctisaselfishthing,"hesaidafteraminute.

"Ithasnothingtodowithpersonalfeelings.It'samatterofnecessity."

HoldenletgoofthedoorknobandmovedtostanddirectlyinfrontofTate.

"If I had a son," he said, almost choking on the word, "I'd tell him that there are things even more
importantthanloftyprinciples.I'dtellhim...thatloveisarareandpreciousthing,andthatsubstitutes
arenotoriouslyunfulfilling."

Tatesearchedtheolderman'seyes.

"You'reafineonetotalk."

Holden'sfacefell.

"Yes,that'strue."Heturnedaway.

Whyshouldhefeelguilty?Buthedid.

"Ididn'tmeantosaythat,"Tatesaid,irritatedbyhisremorseandtheotherman'sdefeatedposture.

"Ican'thelpthewayIfeelaboutmyculture."

"Ifitweren'tfortheculturaldifference,howwouldyoufeelaboutCecily?"

Tatehesitated.

"Itwouldn'tchangeanything.She'sbeenmyresponsibility.I'vetakencareofher.Itwouldbegratitude
onherpart,evenalittleheroworship,nothingmore.Icouldn'ttakeadvantageofthat.

Besides,she'sinvolvedwithColby."

"Andyoucouldn'tlivewithbeingthesecondman."

Tate'sfacehardened.Hiseyesflashed.

Holdenshookhishead.

"You'rejustbrimmingoverwithexcuses,aren'tyou?Itisn'ttheracething,itisn'ttheculturething,it
isn'teventheguardian-wardthing.You'reafraid."

Tate'smouthmadeathinline.Hedidn'treply.

"Whenyoulovesomeone,yougiveupcontrolofyourself,"hecontinuedquietly.

"You have to consider the other person's needs, wants, fears. What you do affects the other person.
There'sacertainlossoffreedomaswell."Hemovedastepcloser.

"The point I'm making is that Cecily already fills that place in your life. You're still protecting her,
anditdoesn'tmatterthatthere'sanotherman.

Because you can't stop looking out for her. Everything you said in this office proves that. " He
searchedTate'sturbulenteyes.

"Youdon'tlikeColbyLane,anditisn'tbecauseyouthinkCecily'sinvolvedwithhim.It'sbecausehe's
been tied to one woman so tight that he can't struggle free of his love for her, even after years of
divorce. That's how you feel, isn't it, Tate? You can't get free of Cecily, either. But Colby's always
aroundandsheindulgeshim.Shemightmarryhiminanactofdesperation.Andthenwhatwillyou
do?

Willyournobleexcusesmatteradamnthen?"

Tateflickedofftheswitchofhisdeviceandwalkedoutthedoorwithoutanotherwordorabackward
glance.Itdidn'toccurtohimuntilmuchlaterthatMattHoldenhadcalledhimbyhisfirstname.

MattHoldensatbackdownathisdesk,consideringwhathe'dsaidtohisson.Well,itwouldn'tmake

Cecily any more miserable for Tate to understand why he kept pushing her away. And it had
accomplished one important thing--it had diverted his son from asking any more questions about
whatCecilywasreallydoinginSouthDakota.

ChapterSeven

1heautumnsunwasbright,evenifthedaywascold.Colbyhadputonastylishjacketwithhisshirt
andslacks,andLetaandCecilyintroducedhimtoTomBlackKnife.

"Youhavemuchcompanythesedays,"theelderly,slightTomsaidtoLetawithasmile.

"Oh,thesetwoareclose,"Letasaidwithagrinatthecouplenearher.

"Colbyisbetweenjobs,yousee,sohespendsalittletimewithCecilywheremysonwon'tseethem
together.Tateisveryprotectiveofher,likeabigbrother."

"IrememberTate,"Tomsaid.HestudiedColby."Whatsortofajobdoyoudo?"

"I'macroupier,"Colbyliedglibly.

"ButIcandealfaroandblackjackequallywell.IworkedfortheCherokeenationintheircasinoin
NorthCarolina."

Tomlookeduncomfortable.

"Isee."

"They'retryingtogetacasinohere,Ihear,"Colbysaidcarelessly.

"I just thought I might throw my name in the hat. I might get lucky, having a job in a place where
Cecilyspendsalotoftime."

Tombithislowerlip.HemovedclosetoColbyandtookhimbythearm.

"Thecasinois...isnothiringoutsiders.Thatis,ifitevengetsbuilt.Youshouldgoaway.Youshould
notstayhere.Norshouldyou,"headded,glancingatCecily.

"Youcouldbeindanger?"

Colby'seyesnarrowed.

"Whatsortofdanger?"

"I can say nothing more," the proud old man said miserably. He let go of Colby's arm. "I pray for
guidance,butIamtoldnothing.Itisasifeveryonehasdesertedme."

ColbysuddenlydrewtheoldmanawayfromthewomenandspoketohiminaLakotadialect,softly,
sothatnoneoftheneighborscouldoverhear.

TomBlackKnife'seyeswidenedwithsurprise.

"Youspeakmytongue!"

hesaidinLakota.

"Yoursandmyown--Apache,"Colbyreplied.

"IwillsaynothingtoCecily,nortoTate.Youhavemyword.Tellme."

Thestorycametumblingout.Thegamblingpeopleknewofamurderthathadbeencommittedonthe
reservationduringthetimeofthemilitantuprisingontheSiouxreservationsintheseventies.They
couldconnectTomwithoneoftheunsolvedmurders.Hecouldgotoprison.

Therewasenoughcircumstantialevidencetoconvicthim.

Althoughithadbeenafairfight,he'dbeendrinkingatthetimeandsomeofthedetailsescapedhim.
Thosemenhadbroughtevidencewiththemofhiscrime,gleanedfromhisowngrandsonwho'dsold
thecasinoideatothesyndicateasawaytosavehislife.Heowedthemenahugegamblingdebt.He
told them about his grandfather's past and the ideal location of the small reservation and the old
notion of the casino. Then he turned them loose on the old man. They had dipped into the funds
earmarkedforthereservationanddaredTomtotellaboutit.Theyhadevenhiredasurveyoranda
builder,andtheyhadstartedgreasingpoliticalpalmstogetthecasinoapproved.

"Theirnames,"Colbypersisted.

"Itismorethanmylifeisworthtospeakthem,"Tomsaid.

"Allright.Thentellmewhentheycomeagain."

"Icannot,"camethereplyinadeadtone.

"And you must not be here when they come. They are using our money to hire surveyors and do
marketingstudies.WhenItriedtostopthem,theythreatenedtocalltheFBI."

Colbyknewtheterrorthosethreatswouldstrikeintheheartofanoldmanwho'dlivedfreeallhis
life.Hewantedtogetthesemen.

"Saynothingtoanyone,"heconcluded.

"I'llwatch.I'lldosomething."

TomBlackKnifelookedolderthantheveryhills.

"Youarenotagambler,Ithink,"hespeculated.

"No,I'mnot."

"Butyouareagoodman."

"Notanymore,"Colbysaidgrimly.

"But I have friends who are." He thought of something else. "There must be something on paper,
somerecordofthesefunds..."

Theoldmanlookedworried.

"Yes,butIkeepthemlockedinmyoffice.Icannotshowthemtoyou.

Theywouldknow."

Probablytheywould,Colbythoughtastheoldmanwentonhisway.

Butnotuntilitwastoolate.Hehadagoodideaofhowtogethishandsonthepaperwork,without
evenTomBlackKnifeknowingthathehad.

"Tellme!"Cecilyinsistedlater,shakingColbybybotharms.

"Cutitout,you'lldismemberme,"Colbysaid,chuckling.

Sheletgooftheartificialarmandwrappedbothhandsaroundthegoodone."Iwanttoknow.Listen,
thisismycovertoperation.

You'rejustastand-in!"

"IpromisedIwouldn'ttell."

"YoupromisedinLakota.TellmeinEnglishwhatyoupromisedinLakota."

He gave in. He did tell her, but not Leta, what was said, but only about the men coming to the
reservationsoon.

"We'llneedthelicenseplatenumber,"shesaid.

"Itcanbetraced."

"Oh,ofcourse,"hesaidfacetiously.

"They'llcertainlycomeherewiththeirownlicenseplateonthecarsothateveryoneknowswhothey
are!"

"Damn!"

Hechuckledatherirritation.Hewasabouttotellherabouthisalternativemethodwhenabigsport
utilityvehiclecameflyingdownthedirtroadandpulleduprightinfrontofLeta'ssmallhouse.

TateWinthopgotout,wearingjeansandabuckskinjacketandsunglasses.Histhickhairfellaround
his shoulders and down his back like a straight black silk curtain. Cecily stared at it with curious

fascination.Inalltheyearsshe'dknownhim,she'dveryrarelyseenhishairdown.

"Allyouneedisthewarpaint,"Colbysaidinaresignedtone.Heturnedtheuninjuredcheektoward
thenewcomer.

"Goahead.Ilikematchingscars."

TatetookoffthedarkglassesandlookedfromCe-citytoColbywithoutsmiling.

"Holdenwon'ttellmeadamnedthing.Iwantanswers."

"Comeinside,then,"Cecilyreplied.

"We'reattractingenoughattentionasitis."

Sheledthewayintothehouse,whichwasempty.

"Where'smymother?"Tateaskedatonce.

"At her craft co-op, passing out new instruction sheets for the women to follow. They're making
earringsandabuckskindressformyexhibit."

Hesathishandsonhishipsandstaredather.

Colbyclearedhisthroat.

"I'mgoingtodrivedowntoRedElk'stradingpostandgetsomesoftdrinksandstuff.Anythingyou
want?"

Tateshookhishead.

"Cecily?"

Sheshookherhead,too.

"I'llbebackinanhourorso."Heleft.

"Iwantananswer,"TatetoldCecily.

Shemovedintothelivingroom,avoidingthethickarmchairshe'doncesharedwithhimtositonthe
edgeofthesofa.

"You'llhavetoaskMattHolden.Ionlyknowalittlepartofwhat'sgoingonhere.Iwastryingtoshake
anotherpartoutofColbywhenyoudroveupandsavedhim."

Heputhissunglassesonthecoffeetableandsatdownnexttoher.

"What'shedoinghere?"

"I asked him to come. I needed someone who wasn't known on the reservation to pose as a... as a
gamblerandasksomequestions.Whyareyouwearingyourhairdown?"

"Nevermindmyhair.Whyagambler?"

"SenatorHoldenwasrightaboutthegamblingsyndicatetryingtomoveinhere,Ithink.TomBlack
Knifeknowsalotaboutit,andhe'sscared.Ican'tspeakLakota,butIcanreadfaces.TomtoldColby
thewholestoryinLakota."

"That'swhatyouweretryingtogetoutofColby."

Shenodded.

Helookedatherinawayheneverhadbefore.

"Youaskedhimforhelpinsteadofme."

Sheloweredhereyestoherlapuncharacteristically.

"Yes.Idid."

Hedidn'tsayanythingforaminute.Heslidclosertoher.Hishandswentupintothethickbraidofher
hairandbegantounfastenit.

"Tate...!"sheexclaimed,shockedandresisting.

"Don'tfightme."Heunwoundthebraidandtookoutthepins,lettingherlong,silkyhairfalltobelow
herwaist,allaroundherface.Hereachedforherglassesandtookthemoff,placingthembesidehis
darkonesonthetable.

Hegotupfromthesofa,stillstaringdownather,andwenttocloseandlockthefrontdoor.Asan
afterthought,heputonthechainlatch.

"Howlongwillmymotherbeaway?"heasked.

Shecouldhardlyspeak.Herheartwasbeatinghertodeath.

"Sheonlyleftafewminutesago.She'shavinglunchwithhergroup."

Henoddedandhiseyesneverlefthers.

"Colbywon'tbebackforawhile,either."

Hemovedtowardherwithanintentthatevenablindvirginwouldhaverecognized.Shegottoher
feetandtriedtobackaway,buthepulledhertohimgentlyandheldherthere.

"Coldfeet,Cecily?"heaskedatherlips.

"Orgenuinefear?"

"I...don'tknow."Sherestedherclammy,nervoushandsonhischest.

Hetiltedherchinupsothathecouldseehereyes.

"Iwouldnevertrytoforceyou,"hesaidsolemnly.

"Notinanyway."

Herbreathingeased,butjustalittle.Shedroppedhereyesandstaredatthetopbuttonofhisshirt.A
longstrandofhisblackhairalmostcoveredthepocket.Shereachedupandtouchedit,savoringits
coolness.

Hehadn'tmoved.Herposture,herskittishness,wasgivingawaysecrets.

"You'reafraidofme."

Shehadtowaituntilshecouldgetwordspastherdrythroat.

"No.

OfcourseI'mnot."

Hishandwenthesitantlytoherownloosenedhair,weavingthroughit.

He stared over her head, breathing deliberately, aware of her warmth against him, the soft, excited
sighofherbreathathisthroat.

"WhydidyoutellmeColbyhadhadyou?"heaskedtightly.

"Now,listenhere...!"shebeganheatedly.

Heputalong,leanfingeroverherlipsandmetherangrygaze.

"I

beatthehelloutofhimoverit.Didhetellyou?"

"Notoverme,youdidn't,"shesaid.

"I'mnotthatimportanttoyou."

Helaughedcurtly.

"Youhavenoidea."

"How'sAudrey?"sheaskeddeliberately.

"HowwouldIknow?"Hecaughtthethickhaironbothsidesofherneckandusedittoleverherface
uptohis.

"Ihaven'tseenherlately.AndI'veneversleptwithher."

"That'sanicefairytale,"shebitoff.

"Imeanit.""Younevergoaroundwithanyoneelse,"shesaid.

"Haveyouevertakenagoodlookather?"heaskedquietly.

"She'sslight.Blond.Light-eyed."

Hewastellinghersomethingshecouldn'tbelieve.Sheliftedhereyestohisdark,intentones.

"IthoughtIcouldhaveyou,"hesaidinahauntedtone.

"I've dreamed about it, ached for it, since I kissed you. I came all the way out here bristling with
sexualtension,sojealousofColbyLanethatIcouldhaveusedhimasabrushbroom.Butevenso,if
he'd had you, you wouldn't still be innocent. I could have had you, without complications, without...
guilt."Hesighedharshlyandlethergo.Hemovedawaytothewindowandstoodlookingoutit."I
must have been out of my mind. I should have realized that what happened to you would make
intimacyarealobstacle,withanyman."

Shedidn'tmove.Hereyesweregluedtohislong,broadback.

"Healwayslikedtotrytofondleme,evenwhenMamawasalive.Aftershedied..."Sheloweredher
eyes.

"Thatwasn'ttheonlytimehetriedtorapeme.IguessIwasjustlucky,thatlasttime.Idon'tknowwhat
Iwouldhavedonewithoutyou.Yousavedme."

Whenheturnedtostareather,hiseyeswereterrible.Hewasalmostshakingwithrage.She'dnever
toldhimthat.

"Iwasn'tsurewhatyouwouldhavedonetomystepfatherifI'dtoldyou,"shecontinued.

"I didn't want you to hurt him and get in trouble with the law. I figured I got off lucky. Anyway, it
taughtmenottotrustmen.Andlateron,Ihadaverybadreactiontoboyswhotriedtograbmeorget
toointimatewithme."Shemanagedafaintsmile.

"Acoupleofmydatesincollegegotalittleoutofhand.Ihurtoneofthem,withoneofthosedefenses
you taught me. After that, nobody wanted to go out with me. The therapist said that even with the
sessions,itmighttaketimeformetotrustamanenoughtolethimmakelovetomecompletely.The
memories I have of intimacy are warped and sickening, and there's still some guilt there. I should
haverunawaysooner...."

"Don't."

Shelookedupathim.Hisvoicewasharsh,chokedwithanger.

"Youhavetoknowthis,"shesaidfirmly.

"Ican'ttalktoanyoneelseaboutit,leastofalltoyourmother.

Whenyoukissme,Igethotallover.IwantyoucloserthanIcangettoyou.Iloveitwhenyourbody
swellsagainstmeandIknowIcausedit.Butit'sneverbeenmorethanthatbetweenus."Shesmoothed
backherloosenedhair."ItwasfunnythatyoubelievedI'dsleptwithColby,althoughI'msorryitmade
youhithimforsomethinghedidn'tdo."Sheglancedathimwitharuefulsmile.

"Idon'tknowifIcanfunctionsexually.

Notevenwithyou."

Hestuckhishandsintothepocketsofhisslacks.Inthesilenceoftheroom,sheheardthefaintjingle
ofloosecoinsashetouchedthem.

"Iwishyou'dtoldmethisbefore."

"Itwouldn'thavechangedanything."

"Maybenot.Buttalkingaboutwoundscanhelphealthem."

"Youdon'ttalkaboutyours,"shepointedout.

Hesatdownonthesofafacingherandleanedforward.

"ButIdo,"hesaidseriously.

"Italktoyou.I'venevertoldanyoneelseaboutthewaymyfathertreatedus.That'sadeeplypersonal
thing.Idon'tshareit.Ican'tshareitwithanyonebutyou."

"I'mpartofyourlife,"shesaidheavily,smoothingherhairbackagain."Neitherofuscanhelpthat.
You were my comfort when Mama died, my very salvation when my stepfather hurt me. But I can't
expectyoutogoontakingcareofme.I'mtwenty-fiveyearsold,Tate.Ihavetoletgoofyou."

"No,youdon't."Hecaughtherwristsandpulledhercloser.Hewasmoresolemnthanshe'deverseen
him.

"I'mtiredoffightingit.

Let'sfindouthowdeepyourscarsgo.Cometobedwithme,Cecily.Iknowenoughtomakeiteasy
foryou."

Shestaredathimblankly.

"Tate..."Shetouchedhisleancheekhesitantly.Hewasofferingherparadise,ifshecouldfaceherown
demonsinbedwithhim.

"Thiswillonlymakethingsworse,whateverhappens."

"Youwantme,"hesaidgently.

"AndIwantyou.Let'sgetridoftheghosts.Ifyoucangetpastthefear,Iwon'thaveanyoneelsefrom
nowonexceptyou.I'llcometoyouwhenI'mhappy,whenI'msad,whentheworldfallsonme.I'lllie
inyourarmsandcomfortyouwhenyou'resad,whenyou'refrightened.

Youcancometomewhenyouneedtobeheld,whenyouneedme.I'llcherishyou."

"Andyou'llmakesureInevergetpregnant."

Hisfacetautened.

"You know how I feel about that. I've never made a secret of it. I won't compromise on that issue,
ever."

Shetouchedhislonghair,thinkinghowbeautifulhewas,howbeloved.

Couldshelivewithonlyapartofhim,watchhimleaveheronedaytomarryanotherwoman?Ifhe
neverknewthetruthabouthisfather,hemightdothat.Shecouldn'ttellhimaboutMattHolden,even
toinsureherownhappiness.

Heglancedather,puzzledbytheexpressiononherface.

"I'llbecareful,"hesaid.

"Andveryslow.Iwon'thurtyou,inanyway."

"Colbymightcomeback...."

Heshookhishead.

"No.Hewon't."Hestoodup,pullingherwithhim.

Hesawthefaintindecisioninherface.

"Iwon'taskformorethanyoucangiveme,"hesaidquietly.

"Ifyouonlywanttolieinmyarmsandbekissed,that'swhatwe'lldo."

Shelookedupintohisdarkeyesandanunsteadysighpassedherlips.

"Iwouldgive...anything...toletyouloveme,"shesaidhuskily.

"Foreightlongyears...!"

His mouth covered the painful words, stilling them. He delighted in her immediate response. Even
withoutknowingthewholetruthofhertraumaticexperience,he'dwonderedsometimesifshe'dever
be capable of complete intimacy. He'd worried about it, because some men were insensitive with
women.Suchamanwouldhavescarredherpermanently.

Hewouldn't.Evenifshewasn'tcapableofgivingherselfcompletelyhewasgoingtomakeherfirst
intimacyajoyfulexperience.

Hesmiledashefelthermouthopenunderhis,withmoreenthusiasmthanexperience.Yes,shewanted
him.Thatwasthefirststep.

Shefeltthesmileanddrewback,herwideeyesmeetinghisanxiously.

"We'reallbeginnersonce,"hesaidgently.Hisleanhandsframedherfaceandhesearchedhereyes
warmly.Hismouthbrushedlightly,teasingly,overhers,nibblingatfirstherupperlipandthenher
lower one with lazy pleasure. His thumb drew over the corner of her mouth, feeling the kisses
sensuouslyashecoaxedhertorelaxagainsthim.

Herfingershadatightgriponhisshirtfront.Shehungathislips,feedingontheslow,sensualtracing
ofhismouthinthesilenceofthelivingroom.

Hishandsleftherfacetosmoothoverhershouldersanddownherback,bringingherslowlyagainst
histautbody.Thetouchofherhipsagainsthishadapredictableeffectandhisbreathdrewinatthe
impactofit.

Shemovedawaytolookathisface,seeingthenewrigidityinit,theflareofhisnarrowedeyes.He
didn'tseemtobeteasingnow.Shecouldfeelafainttremorinhispowerfulbodyashisheadbentto
hers again. His lean hands pulled a little roughly at her hips, dragging them against his while his
mouthbegantodevourherswithkissesthatwerenolongerplayful.This,shethoughtdazedly,was
pureseduction.

Evenifshe'dneverexperienceditbefore,sherecognizedtheskillthatdroveit.Shemoanedasnew
sensationsbegantoripplethroughheruntouchedbody.Herhandscontracted.Shebegantolifttoward
him,encouragingthefiercehandsthatweremovingherhipssensuallyagainstthehardthrustofhim.

She went on her toes to prolong the contact, shivering as she felt the first wave of desire send a
tremorthroughher.

His hands pressed her closer while he deepened the kiss. He could hear her heartbeat. She was
gasping, moaning, sobbing under the ardor of his mouth. He smoothed his hands under her blouse
andaroundher,slowlytracingtheslopeofherbreastsbeforeheeasedsteadilytowardthehardpeaks
withhisthumbs.

Shemoanedagainandherarmswentuparoundhisneck,pulling,pleading,hermouthansweringhis
kisseswithuttersubmission.

Hebitherlowerlipandliftedhismouthafractionofaninchawaytolookintohereyes.Shelooked
feverish,socompletelyyieldedthathecouldhaveherwhereshestood.

"Ifyouwantmetostop,tellmenow."

Shecouldn'tthink,couldbarelybreathe.Themainthing,shethoughtdazedly,wasthathemustn'tstop.

"Don'(...stop,"shechoked.Herbodytrembledasshetriedtodraghismouthbackoverherswollen
lips.

"Iloveyou,"shewhimpered.

Hegroanedharshlyashekissedheragain.Heliftedherlikepricelessglass,andcarriedherdownthe
halltotheguestroomsheoccupied,pausingjustlongenoughtokickthedoorshutandreachdownto
lockit.

She lay on the quilted coverlet in the tiny room, vibrating with sensations she'd never felt before
while he stood over her and slowly stripped the clothing from his powerful body. Then he stood
beside the bed, letting her look at him, indulging her curiosity about the raging arousal that even a
virgincouldn'tmistake.

"You'veseenphotographslikethis,Iimagine,"hemurmuredashebenttoremoveherownthings.

"Notlikeyou,"sherepliedhuskily,hereyeswideandcurious.

Hesmiled.

"Nolast-minutereservations?"heaskedsoftly,movingthelastflimsypieceoffabricfromherwarm,
prettybody.

"No,"shesaid.Shewatchedhimsmoothaleanhanddownherbareflesh,watchedhimsmiletenderly
as his dark eyes enjoyed her for the first time without clothing. It wasn't embarrassing at all. It was
exciting.

Hebentandpressedhismouthgentlytohersoftbelly,movinglazilyontothebedwithherashislips
traveledupandsuddenlybegantosucklehungrilyatherbreast.Hersoftcryofpleasuremadehim
ripple with delicious anticipation. Her hands caught in his long hair, tangled in it as she held his
mouthtoherbody,frightenedthathemightstop.

He smiled against her damp body. It was going to take a long time, but he wasn't worried about it
anymore.Shewantedhim.Itwouldbeallright.

Heslowedtherhythmofhiscaressestosuitherinexperience,teachingherhowtotouchhim,howto
givebackthepleasurehewasgivingher.

Sheclungtohim,fascinatedwiththenewnessofphysicalpleasure,overwhelmedbythemasteryof
his lean hands as he gave her little tastes of fulfillment that lifted her completely off the bed in

mindlessdelight.

Finally, when she was trembling with unexpected urgency, her eyes wide and dazed with the tiny
burstsofpleasurehe'dalreadycoaxedfromhertautbody,heeaseddownagainsther.Hesawhereyes
widenmoreashepositionedher.

"Thisisariteofpassage,"hewhisperedashenibbledatherlips,movinghishipsintostarkcontact
withthethresholdofherinnocence.

"Don'tbeafraidofit.IfIhavetohurtyou,I'llmakeupforit.

Allright?"Shenodded,andashishipsmoveddowntenderly,shelookedstraightintohiseyes.Her
handscontractedaroundhisstrongfingerswheretheypressedintohersateithersideofherhead.She
tensed at the first tiny stab of pain. She'd never dreamed that he'd be looking into her eyes when it
happened.Orthathavinghiseyesonherfacewouldexcitehersomuch.

"Areyouafraid?"hewhisperedsoftly.

"Oh,no,"shewhisperedbacklovingly,surprisedthattheycouldtalkduringsuchintimacy.Herlegs
trembledashepushedagainstheroncemore.Itwas.incredible,thewayitfelt.Shemovedherlegsto
accommodatehim,watchinghisfacetautenasheeasedcloserandshefeltthestingofhissoft,slow
invasion.

Whenshegaspedandherfingersclutchedwildlyathis,hesmiled.Hemovedsensuallyandfelther
bodylifttowardhis.

"There?Rightthere?"

"Yesshecried,gaspingagain.

Heshiftedwithmutedpassionandlaugheddeepinhisthroatathersoft,throbbingmoan,apredatory
sortofdelightthatechoedintheroughkisshepressedagainstheropenmouth.Hiseyesglitteredas
heliftedaboveherandlookeddownthelengthofthemastheyjoined.

Shegaspedagain.Shecouldn'tseehimclearly,butshefelthimmovedeeperwitheverysharpthrust
ofhiships.Shefelthim,deepandpowerfulandso.welcome.inthehungryemptinessofherbody.

Shearchedsensuallyasshefeltthestabofecstacycomeagainandagainwitheachmovementofhis
leanhips.Sheclungtohim,sobbing.

Shehadn'tdreamedthatitwouldbesopleasurable.

"I've never enjoyed anything in my life so much," he whispered to her, clenching his teeth as the
pleasure shot through him, too. His eyes met hers. He was breathing roughly, raggedly. His hand
sweptdown,tracinghersoftthighasheincreasedtherhythm.Hereyesclosedandshecriedoutashe
touchedher.Hismouthgroundintohers.Hiseyesclosedtoo,finally,asthegloryoftheirintimacy
washedoverhimlikefire.Deep,andsoft,hethought,deepandsoftandslow,likeariverofmolten

lavaflowing,flowing,flowing.

Hisbodybegantoshudder.Hecouldfeelhertwistingunderhim,reachingforfulfillment,desperate
forfulfillment,hergaspingpleaslostinthefiercethunderofhisownheartbeat.Hernamepulsedout
ofhistightthroatashedroveagainstherdesperatelyinsearchofthathot,sweet,oblivion.

"Cecily...Cecily...Cecily!"

She cried out and she didn't even recognize her own voice. The pleasure was unbelievable,
unbearable!Shecouldn'tletitgo,notyet

.oh,notyet!Shearcheduptohimwithfailingstrength,whisperingtohim,begginghim.Herbody
wasaromancandlewiththefuseburning,burning,andthere,yes,there,was.the.explosion!

"Tate!" She heard his name pulse out of her mouth in startled triumph as what her body had been
searching for was suddenly, shockingly, found. Waves of pleasure throbbed in her legs, her belly,
waves that lifted her, that convulsed her. She stared at his face above her with blind ecstasy, saw it
contortandclenchasifinadream.

Hecriedouthoarselyashisleanbodyarcheddownviolentlyintohers.

Itcordedandstilledaboveher.Asoundlikeahoarsesobaccompaniedtheharshconvulsionofhim
aboveher.Heshudderedandshuddered.

Forasecondhiseyesopened,blackasnight,stabbingdownintoherown.

"Never...thisintense..."hebitoff,shiveringoverandoveragain.

"Oh...God...neverthisdeep,never...!"

Heconvulsed,asshehad.Sheheldhim,comfortedhim,whilethewavesmadehimgroanhoarsely,
momentarilyhelplessinhersoftarms.

Shewhisperedtohim,kissedhisface,hiseyes,adoredhimwithhermouth.

Itwasalongtimebeforehewasstill.Shefelthiseyelashes,thickandsoft,againsthercheek.They
couldhavemadeababy,shethoughtsuddenly.Hehadn'taskedifshewasprotected.Shehadn'tasked
if he was protecting her. She wouldn't say a word. He would never have to know. Then she
rememberedSenatorHoldenwhohadasonthatLetahadnevertoldhimabout,andfeltguiltytoher
soul.

Hestirredslowly,movingagainstherinrememberedpleasure,hisbodythrobbingdeliciouslyinthe
aftermath,everymovementrekindlingthedelight.

Hishandsweptdownthesideofher,lingeringonhersoftskin,exploringlazily.Heliftedhishead
anddrewslowlyawayfromher,watchingthefaintshockandembarrassmentinhereyes,smilingat
herfascination.Forafirsttime,hethought,ithadbeenfairlyvolcanic.

Herolledoverontohisbackandstretchedahandtocatchherwaist.

"Comedownhere."

He drew her against him with possession, smoothing a hand down the length of her hair. He was
satiated,andhewishedhecouldfeelguiltyaboutwhatamountedtopureseduction,buthecouldn't.
Shelovedhim.He'denticedherinhereandmadebeautifullovetoher.

Nowheknewwhatitmeanttoloveawomanphysically,andhewasshockedandawedandfrightened
by the ecstasy she'd given him. That he'd given it back was pleasing, but he felt as if he'd taken
advantageofsomethingshecouldn'thelp.Hehadn'tusedanything.Hehopedthatshewasonthepill.
Hehadn'tasked.Hedidn'twanttoask.

He'dbeenirresponsibleandshewastoogreenandfartooarousedtorealizeit.Amazing,hethought,
thathewassuchafanaticaboutbirthcontrol,andhe'dhadthissuddenlapse.Withavirgin.Hisvirgin.
Hiswoman.Hedrewinalong,slowbreath,amazedatthepridehefelt.Ofallthemenintheworld,
she'dchosenhim.

Consideringhertraumaticpast,ithumbledhimtorealizethemagnitudeofhergift.

"Guilt.Torment.Sorrow.Shock.Which?"sheaskedagainsthischest.

"I'mtrying,"hemurmuredonawearychuckle.

"ButallIcanmanageispride,"headdedsoftly.

"Isatisfiedyoucompletely,didn'tI?"

"Morethancompletely,"shemurmuredagainsthisdampshoulder.Herhandtracedhischest,feeling
thecoolnessofhisskin,therippleofmuscle."Holdmeclose."

Hewrappedbotharmsaroundheranddrewherontopofhim,holdingherhungrilytohim,theirlegs
lazilyentwined.

"Iseducedyou."

Shepressedasoftkisstohiscollarbone.

"Mmm-hmm."

Hecaughthisbreathasthetiny,insignificantmovementproducedasudden,ragingarousal.

Sheliftedherhead.

"DidIdosomethingwrong?"

Heliftedaneyebrowandnoddedtowardhisflatstomach.Shefollowedhisamusedglanceandcaught
herbreath.

Hedrewhermouthdownoverhisandkissedherferociouslybeforehesatupandmovedoffthebed.

"Whereareyougoing?"sheasked,startled.

Hedrewonhisbriefsandhisslacks,glancingdownatherwithamuseddelight.

"Oneofushastobesensible,"hetoldher.

"Colby'sprobablyonhiswaybackrightnow."

"Buthejustleft..."

"Almostanhourago,"hefinishedforher,noddingtowardtheclockonthebedsidetable.

Shesatup,hereyeswidewithsurprise.

"Itookalongtimewithyou,"hesaidgently.

"Didn'tyounotice?"

Shelaughedself-consciously.

"Well,yes,butIdidn'trealizeitwasthatlong."

Hedrewheroffthebedandbenttokisshertenderly,nuzzlingherfacewithhis."WasIworthwaiting
for?"heasked.

Shesmiled.

"Whatasillyquestion."

Hekissedheragain,butwhenheliftedhisheadhewasn'tsmiling.

"Ilovedwhatwedidtogether,"hesaidquietly.

"ButIshouldhavebeenmoreresponsible."

She knew what he was thinking. He hadn't used anything, and he surely knew that she wasn't. She
flattenedherhandagainsthisbarechest.

"There's a mo ming-after pill. I'll drive into the city tomorrow and get one," she said, lying like a
sailor.Shehadnointentionofdoingthat,butitwouldcomforthim.

Hefoundthathedidn'tlikethatidea.Ithurtsomethingdeeplyprimitiveinhim.Hescowled.

"Thatcouldbedangerous."

"No,it'snot."

Hetracedherfingernailswhilehetriedtothink.Itseemedlikeafantasy,adream.He'dneverhadsuch
anexperiencewithawomaninhislife.

Sheclosedhereyesandmovedclosertohim.

"Icouldneverhavedonethatwithanyoneelse,"shewhispered.

"Itwasevenmorebeautifulthanmydreams."

Hisheartjumped.Thatwashowitfelttohim,too.Hetiltedherfacesothathecouldsearchhersoft
eyes.Shewasradiant;shealmostglowed.

"Kissme,"hemurmuredsoftly.

Shedid.Buthewasn'tsmiling.Shecouldalmostseethethoughtsinhisface.

"Youdidn'tforceme,Tate,"shesaidgently.

"I made a conscious decision. I made a choice. I needed to know if what had happened to me had
destroyed me as a woman. I found out in the most wonderful way that it hadn't. I'm not ashamed of
whatwedidtogether."

"NeitheramI."Heturned,hisfacestilltormented.

"Butitwasn'tmyright."

"Tobethefirst?"Shesmiledgently.

"Itwouldhavebeenyoueightyearsagooreightyearsfromnow.Idon'twantanyoneelsenotthat
way.Ineverdid."

Heactuallywinced.

"Cecily..."

"I'mnotaskingfordeclarationsofundyinglove.Iwon'tcling.I'mnotthetype."Shemovedinfront
ofhim.

"Youhavetogohome,"shetoldhim.

Heseemedpuzzled.

"Iamhome."

"YouknowwhatImean.I'lldigwhateverColby'sdiscoveredoutofhim,andI'lltelltherightpeople
whattheyneedtoknow."Shereachedupandtangledherhandsinhislong,thickhair,lovingthefeel
ofitinherfingers.Shesmiledandthentouchedhismouthgently."Yousaidthatitwouldbethetwo
ofusfromnowon,ifthishappened.ThattherewouldbenomoreAudrey,nootherwoman.

Thatyou'dcometometobecomforted,tobecaredfor."

Hetookgreathandfulsofherownwonderfullysofthairandframedherfaceinhisleanhands.He
benttokissherwithbreathlesstenderness,savoringherwarmmouth.

"Iwill.EvenifIdon'tknowthatIcancopewiththatagain,"hesaidhuskily.

"Withlovemaking?"

Hetookalong,longlookather.

"Youdon'tknowmuchaboutthis,"hesaidfinally.

"Thereare...degreesofpleasure.Sometimesit'sgood,sometimesit'sevengreat.Onceinalifetime
orso,it'ssacred."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"You were a virgin," he whispered solemnly. "But we joined souls. I was inside you, but you were
insideme,too."Henuzzledhernosewithhis.

"Irememberwonderingifamancoulddieofpleasure,justatthelast.

Itwassogoodthatitwasalmostpainful."

Shesmiled.

"Iknow.Iloveyou,"shesaidsoftly.

Helookedawayfromher.Hishandsonhershoulderswerebruising.

"Sorry,"shemurmured,pullingaway.

"Youdon'twanttohearthat.

Butit'safactoflife,likemiddensandprojectilepointsandhorizonsinarchaeology.Ican'thelpit,
anditisn'tasifyoudidn'talreadyknow.Icouldn'thavesleptwithyouonlybecauseIwantedyou.Not
withmypast."

Heknewthat.Heknewittothesolesofhisfeet.Hewasconfusedandafraidandoverwhelmedbythe
passionthey'dshared.Itwasanaddictive,narcoticexperiencethatlefthimshakenanduncertainfor
thefirsttimeinhislife.

Shelookedupathim,matter-of-factnow,evenifshewasshatteredinside.

"Listen to me, you have to go home," she said quietly, "There's a reason, a good one, that you
shouldn'tbehere."

"That'swhatHoldensaid.Why?Iknowhowtobediscreet.Ifthere'ssomethinggoingonhere,Ihave
everyrighttohelpfindoutwhat.

You know how I feel about the casino. How can you be sure that Holden hasn't engineered this so-
calledrenegadegamblingsyndicateideatogetsupportagainstgamblingontheres?"

"I'msurehehasn't,"shereplied.

"Buteitherway,itisn'tmysecrettotell,"shelied.

"Justbybeinghere,you'rejeopardizinganinnocentperson'sfuture."

Hefrowneddownather,withbothhandsinhispockets.Helookedasifhehadn'treallyheardher.

"Cecily, I want you to move in with me when you come back to Washington," he said with sudden
decisiveness.

Herheartturnedover,butsheshookherhead'Whynot?"

"I've already been your financial responsibility for too long. I'm my own woman now. I'm
independent.Icantakecareofmyself."

"Andoncewithme,likethat,wasenough?"heaskedinasoft,sensualtone.

Shesmiled.

"Itwouldneverbeenoughifwediditfourtimesadayfortherestofourlives,andyouknowit,"she
said.

"ButIwon'tbeyourmistress,Tate."

"Cecily..."hebeganhesitantly."Gohomeandstopfeelingguiltyaboutsomethingwebothwanted.

I'mnotgoingtointrudeinyourlife.Ihaven'taskedforanything,andIwon't."Shereachedupand
kissedhimjustbelowthejaw."

Andyouneedn'tworryaboutconsequences.Therewon'tbeany.Okay?

"

He felt those words right through the heart. He'd forced her into that decision with his fanaticism
aboutnotmixingblood.Heknewthatifshedidanything,she'dneverbeabletolivewithit.Shewasn't
thetypetoputherownneedsfirst,regardlessofthetroubleitcaused.

Hefinisheddressingwhileshegotherownthingsbackon.

Hedidn'tspeak,buthewasthinking,worrying.Whentheywerebackinthelivingroom,hehesitated.

"Listen,youdon'tneedtodoanything,"hesaidabruptly.

"What?"

"Thatpill,"hesaidstiffly.

"Idon'tliketheideaofit."

She liked having him worry about her. She wondered if he usually made love like that, to other
women.Shewishedsheknewmoreaboutmen.

Ithadbeenanincredibleexperienceforher,themostbeautifulofherentirelife.Shefeltwhole.But
shedidn'twantTatetosuspectthatshehadnointentionoftakinganysortofpreventativemeasures.

Hervoicewassoothing.

"Whateveryousay.Gohome."Shecaughthishandinhers,openedthefrontdoorandledhimright
outtothesideofhisrentedsportutilityvehicle.

"Everything'sfine.Youhavenothingtoworryabout."

"Stoppushingmetowardtheairport,damnit!"hesaidangrily.

"I'mnotpushing.I'mcoaxing."

"Idon'twanttogo,"hesaid,andwhetherornotsherealizedit,thatstatementcamestraightfromhis
heart.

"Sometimesweallhavetodothingswedon'twantto,"sheremindedhim.

"I'm going to be all right. It's absolutely the wrong time of the month for anything unexpected to
happen,"sheaddedfirmly,lyingthroughherteeth.

"Itis?"heasked,withsomevaguesenseofdisappointment.

Shesmiledandnodded.

"Itis.Nowhaveanicetrip."

Hegavein.Hegotinunderthewheelandslammedthedoor.

"Ifit'sthewrongtimeofmonth,thenyouwon'tneedtoputyourselfatriskwithsomechemical,will
you?"

"No,Iwon't,"sheassuredhim.

"Oranyotherway?"hepersisted.

Shesmiledathim.

"No,"shepromised.

Hesmiledback,framingherinhismemorylikethat,withhergloriouslongblondhairloosenedand
blowingaroundhersoftovalface.Herglasseswerestilloff,andhewonderedifshecouldseehim
clearly.

"Ifyouneedme,I'llcomeback.Allyouhavetodoiscallme."

"Iknowthat."Shemovedclosersothatshecouldsearchhisblackeyes.Itwasdifferent,thewayhe
lookedathernow.Itwas.

possessive,butnotintheoldway.

Hereachedoutandtouchedthecollarofherblouse,thecleanoneshe'dgrabbedupfromthechairin
herroom,theonethatshe'dputthecrabpinon.

"Doyoulikeit?"heasked.

Shesmiled.

"Yes.Thankyou.He'sbeautiful.I'm,uh,sorryaboutthelapfulofcrabbisque,"shesaidbelatedlyand
withahelplesschuckle.

"As you saw in the bedroom," he said with a wicked glance, "it didn't do any lasting damage to the
areaitflooded."

Sheflushedandhelaughed.

"IsupposeI'mleaving,"hemurmureddryly.

"ComehereandkissmegoodbyeandI'llgo,ifImust."

Shesteppedontherunningboardandlethimkissher,savoringthewealthofblackhairinherhands
andtheslow,sweethungerofhismouth.

"Whydidyoutakeyourhairdown?"sheaskedbreathlesslywhenhisheadlifted.

"Youdon'tknow?Askmymother."Hepursedhislips.

"Orbetteryet,askColby.HeknewtheminutehesawmewhyI'ddoneit."Hiseyesbegantodarken.

"Ifhetouchesyou,I'llcosthimmorethanafewstitchesnexttime.

Youbelongtomenow."

Hestartedthevehicleandshemovedback.Hewavedonelasttimeashedroveawaybeforeshecould

givehimaspeechaboutpeoplenotbeingpossessions.Shewatchedhimgowithvestigesofpleasure
stillripplingthroughherbody.Shewishedshecouldgowithhim.He'dhavetimetothink,andhe'd
convincehimselfthathe'dtakenadvantageofher.Ormaybe,shethoughtoptimistically,he'dconvince
himselfthathecouldn'tlivewithouther.Afterall,hehadaskedhertomovein.

Sheturnedwithasigh,troubled.Shedidn'twanttolivewithhimunlesstheyweremarried.Itmightbe
amodernworld,butCecilywasn'tmodern.Andhewouldn'tmarryher.Sheknewthatforafact.

Hewouldn'tmarryherbecausethereweren'tgoingtobeanychildren;notanythatheknewabout,she
amended.

Asshestarteduptheporchsherecalledabruptlywhatloosenedhairmeant.Intheolddays,justbefore
goingtowar,somePlainswarriorsunboundtheirhairevenastheyaddedwarpaintpatternstotheir
faces, their own special "medicine" to protect them from wounds in battle. She laughed softly to
herselfassherealizedthesignificanceofwhatTatehaddone.Withoutaword,he'dtoldColbythathe
wasinforafight.

ChapterEight

C^ecilywasverycalmbythetimeColbyreturned,despitetheshatteringeventsofthepasthour.

"Howdidyougethimtoleave?"heaskedamusedly.

"Igavehimaquarter,"shemurmureddryly.

"Thatneverworkedforme."

"Iwouldn'ttryitifIwereyou,"sheadvisedwithaforcedsmile.

Hegrinnedather.

"I can't help but agree, considering that unbound hair. Nice of him to make his intentions clear. I
supposeyou'reoff-limitsnow."

Shechuckled.

"That'swhathemeant.ButI'lldecidethatformyself."

Hesmiled,buthecouldseethelookinhereyes.TherewasnevergoingtobeanyoneexceptTatefor
her.Heunderstood.Hehadhisownghosts.ButitwasnicethatTatehadfinallyrealizedandaccepted
Cecily'simportanceinhislife.

Shemotionedhimtoaseatonthecouch."Iwanttoknow,Ihavetoknow,whatTomtoldyou."

"IpromisedIwouldn't,"hesaid.

"You'llhavetotrustthathe'sbeingthreatenedwithsomethingconcrete.Hestandstoloseeverythingif
he'sexposed."

Tom,SenatorHolden,Leta,Tate.everyonestoodtolosesomething.

Shefeltfuriouslyimpotent."Ihateblackmailers,"shesaidthroughherteeth.

"Theremustbesomethingwecando!"

"Thereis,"heassuredher.

"I'mgoingtodoablack-bagjob."

"Awho?"

"You'vebeenhangingaroundTatelongenoughtoknowwhatI'mtalkingabout.It'scovertops.And
I'mnottellingyouanythingmore,"headdedfirmly.

"I'llhaveyouanamebytomorrow.Maybeevenalocation.Willthatdo?"

Shebrightened.

"Oh,yes.Thatwilldo."

TatehadameetingwithPierceButtoninWashingtonthedayafterheflewbackfromSouthDakota.
Hisheadwasstillspinning,andhestillfeltguiltyabouttakingadvantageofCecily'sfeelingsforhim-
inbetweenexquisitedreamsofherthatgotworsebythehour.

"Yourmindisn'tonthis,"hisbroad-shouldered,dark-headedbossmutteredwhenhekeptstaringinto
space.

"Sorry,"Tatesaidatonce.

"I'vehada...diversionlately."

"SoIrecall."Hiseyesnarrowed.

"Ihearshe'sstayingwithyourmotherandlookingfornewexhibitsforthemuseum."

Tategloweredathim.

"Whydon'tyoutakeafewdaysoffandgooutthere?"

"Idid.Shepracticallyliftedmeintomytruckandsentmeonmyway."

"Amazinggirl.Carriedyouthere,didshe?"Piercemused.

Tategavehimahardglare.

"She'sdoingsomethingrisky.Idon'tknowwhat.Nobodywilltellmeanything."

"It'sprobablyanelaboratebirthdaycelebrationintheplanningstages,"hecommented,stretchingout
hislonglegsinadeckchair.

"Briannedidthesamethingtomeonmybirthday."Hegrinned.

"We had a major opera star and two famous baseball players, not to mention a string quartet and a
Frenchchef."

"Decadent,absolutelydecadent,"Tatescoffed.

"Youcancometothenextone.BringCecily."

ThethoughtofgoingoutwithCecilymadehimfeelwarminside.

They'drarelygoneanywheretogether.Asshe'doncesaid,heorderedinfoodtoherapartmentand

theywatchedtelevisiononhisfreedays.

Hislifehadbeenunspeakablylonelywithouther.Now,itwasworse.

Intheolddays,he'dneverhadanyintimatememoriestotormenthim.

He missed her badly, in every way there was. He thought ahead to a time when she might fit quite
nicelyintohislife.

"Imightdothat,"hemusedabsently.Pierceleanedback.

"Now,ifyoucansparethetimetolisten,I'lltellyouwhatneedsdoing."Tateleanedforwardwitha
faintlyapologeticsmile.

"Sorry.Gorightahead."

When he got back to his apartment, it was unlocked. Frowning, he opened it and walked inside.
Audreywasinthesmallkitchen,takingfoodoutoftheoven.

"There you are," she said brightly, as if he'd never told her their relationship, superficial though it
was,hadended.

"Howdidyougetin?"heaskedcurtly.Hewasangrybecauseshehadahabitofinvadinghisprivacy
andhe'djusthadthelockschanged."Themanagerletmein,ofcourse,justashealwaysdoes,"she
said.

"Here,Ifixedsupper."

"I'vehadsupper,"hesaidflatly.

"Ihaditwithmyboss.Youcanleavewheneveryoulike."

Shelookedshockedandtherewasastrangeglitterinhereyes.

"Why?

Tate,I'mcultured,I'mtalented,I'mquitebeautiful,andI'dbewillingtodoanythingyoulikedinbed."

Hejuststaredather.Hiseyeswerecolderthanthey'deverbeen.

"We've been friends, Audrey. I hope we still are. But no one encroaches on my privacy without an
invitation.Thatincludesyou."

Shetookofftheovenmittandturnedofftheoven.Secondslater,tearswererunningdownhercheeks.

"Oh,dear,"shesaid.Herlowerliptrembledandshemanagedabravelittlesmile.

"AreyoumadatlittleAudrey?"

He opened the door and stood holding it. He couldn't imagine touching her again, even innocently,
after what he'd shared with Cecily. He was still reeling mentally from an experience that surpassed
anyinterludehe'deverhadwithawoman.

Seeingthattherusewasn'tworking,Audreywipedthecrocodiletearsoffhercheekandshrugged.

"Well,don'tthinkI'mgivingup,"shesaidasshesweptuphercoatandstartedpasthim.Herblueeyes
liftedtohisandshesmiledcoquettishly.

"Justimaginehowmanymenwouldlovetobeinyourshoes.I'mrich."

Onherex-husband'smoney,hethought,buthedidn'tsayit.

"Soam

I."

Shelaughedalittlehollowly.

"You'reNativeAmerican,"shesaid.

"Theyaren'trich."

"Thisoneis."Herbelittlingwordswoundedhim,butitdidn'tshowonhisface.

"Goodnight,Audrey."

"You aren't going to humiliate me with the brushoff," she said suddenly, staring at him with fixed
eyes.

"Iwon'tbedumpedbyamanwithyourbackground!I'mnotsomepitifullittlearchaeologynerdthat
youcanjustcastoffwhenyoufeellikeit!"

Hecouldhavecursedhisownstupidityatthatmoment.Whathadheeverseeninthiswomanthathad
madehimletherintohislife,eveninaminorway?

"You'llneverbehalfthewomanthatCecilyis,"hesaidcurtly.

She smiled coldly. He couldn't know that Cecily had phoned while he was out; that Audrey had
answeredthephone.Hedidn'tknowthatshe'dtoldCe-cityallaboutthedesignerweddingdressshe
washavingmade,orthepurringinsinuationabouthowwonderfulaloverTatewas.Andhewouldn't
know.Cecily'spridewouldn'tlethermentionittohim,andAudreywasn'ttalking.Tatebelongedto
her.Shewasn'tgoingtolosehim.

"I'llbearoundwhenyoucometoyoursenses,darling,"Audreypurred.

"But,ofcourse,youdon'treallymeantothrowmeoutofyourlife.

You'llcomeback.Theyalwaysdo."

Hegesturedtowardthehall.Shewentoutandheclosedthedoor.

Tomorrow,hepromisedhimself,hewaschangingthelockagainandhavingaheart-to-heartwithhis
soft-touch apartment manager. He wondered at the way Audrey had behaved, like someone with an
almost psychotic fixation. He'd run into that sort of thing at least once when he was in covert
operations.Awomanhadchasedafriendofhisuntilthemanwasforcedtohaveherarrested.She'd
actuallytriedtokillhiswife.Ofcourse,Audreywasn'tthatunbalanced.Shewasjustapoorloser.He
startedtotelephonehismother'shouseandtalktoCecily,buthehadalotofworktodo.Therewould
be plenty of time to consider the problem of his relationship with her later, when he was less
uncomfortableaboutwhathadhappened.

CecilywasunusuallyquietwhensheandLetasatdownalonetothesuppertable.Colbyhadgoneout
withoutsayingwherehe'dbe,orwhenhe'dreturn.

Letastaredatheruntilshelookedup."SomebodysaidthatTatewashereyesterday,"shesaid.

"Younevermentionedit."

"Imadehimgohome."Cecilytriedtoputthephonecallshe'dmadeoutofhermind.

"Whycouldn'thestayhere?"Letawantedtoknow.

"Because Senator Holden doesn't want him involved, in any way. He's afraid he might find out
somethingifhestartedlookingaround."

"That'strueenough,"Letasaidsadly.

"ButIwouldlovetohaveseenhim."Shelookedup.

"You'reveryquiettonight.Something'swrong."

Sheshrugged.

"Nothingmuch.IphonedtomakesureTatewashomesafelyandgotAudrey."

"Shemustlivewithhim.I'dhopedIwaswrong."

"Apparentlyshedoes,"Cecilysaidcoldly.SherememberedTatedenyingthathewasintimatewiththe
womanatall.He'dlied.Audreywascookinghissupper,andthey'donlyjustgottenoutofbed.Cecily
wassosickthatshedidn'tthinkshecouldeveneat.WhyhadTateliedtoher?Haditonlybeentoget
herintobed?Sheknewthathewasalmostobsessedwithherphysically,thatithaddrivenhimtofind
her,thathe'dbeenjealousofColby.Butmenweredeviouswhentheywantedawoman.

Couldhehavebeenrationalizing?Hesaidhefeltguiltyaboutit,andheprobablydid,butbecausehe'd
beenunfaithfultoAudrey.

Nothinghadeverhurtsomuch!"WhatdidAudreyhavetosay?"Letapersisted.

"That he got back safely and he's a wonderful lover and she's having a wedding gown made." She
lookedup.

"Luckyyou.Whatabeautifuldaughter-in-lawyou'regoingtohave."

"Hewon'tmarryher,"Letasaidfirmly.

"Andyouknowwhy."

"Shethinkshewill.SodoI,whenhelearnsthetruth."ShemetLeta'sworriedeyes.

"I'msorry,butyoumustknowit'sgoingtocomeoutsoonerorlater.

Evenifthepressdoesn'tgetholdofthestory,it'sinevitablethathe'sgoingtofindout."

"Idon'tliketothinkaboutit."

"Iknow."

"He'llhateme."

"Hewillnot,"Cecilysaidfirmly.

"He'llbeupset,andangry,andhe'llgoawayandsulkforafewdays.

Thenhe'llacceptitandcomehome.Youknowhim,"shesaidsadly,andsmiled.

"Yes,Ido."ShesearchedCecily'swanface.

"Youshouldtellhimhowyoufeel."

"HeknowshowIfeel,"Cecilysaid.

"Butitdoesn'tchangeanything.

Hestillsayshedoesn'twanttomarryawhitewoman.IguessAudrey'stheexception."

"Somethingfishyisgoingonhere."

"Iknow.Itinvolvesatribalchief."

"Cecily!"

Cecilysmiledgently.

"Wedon'thavetimetoworryaboutmyproblemsrightnow.WehavetosaveSenatorHolden."She
sighedsadly.

"He'sgoingtobefuriouswithmewhenheknowsI'vetoldyouthatheknowsaboutTate.Hemademe
promisenotto."

"We'llcrossthatbridgewhenwecometoit.Eatyourpudding.You'rewaytoothin."

Cecilysmiledandliftedherspoon.

It didn't take Colby long to riffle through Tom Black Knife's locked desk and find everything he
needed. He photographed ledgers, vouchers and an unsigned letter with a New Jersey postmark. He
photographed an address book with phone numbers. Then he closed the drawer and locked it back,
witheverypaperexactlyinitsplace.Helethimselfoutandblendedinwiththenight.

"Here,"ColbytoldCecilythenextmorning.Itwasasmallrolloffilm.

"GivethattoyourcontactinD.C.withmyblessings.It'severythingyouneedtofindtherightpeople."

"You'reawonder,Colby.Areyoucomingbackwithme?"

"NotuntilTatecoolsoff.IthinkI'llgoonouttoArizonaforacoupleofdaysandseemycousins."

Shegrinnedathim.

"Goodforyou!Thanks,Colby,"sheaddedsincerely.

"Wecouldn'thavedonethiswithoutyourhelp."

"Itwasapleasure.I'llseeyouinD.C."

"Youbet."

CecilyleftLetawithawarmhugandstarteddownthewindingroadtothehighwaywhenitdawnedon
herthatshe'dforgottenthevaluableunusualrelicthatshe'dpromisedtobringDr.Phillips.

Withasinkingheartsherealizedthatshecouldn'taskforanythingfromthetribe,becauseoldthings
weresacred.Itwouldbelikeaskingforaperson'slivingheart.Butthensomethingoccurredtoher.
SheturnedthecarinthedirectionofRedElk'slittletradingpostnearby.Sheknewtheoldman,who
had no family. Perhaps he could suggest something for the museum that she hadn't even thought
about.

RedElkwasanelderlySioux,soelderlythatnobodylikedaskinghisage.Theyshookhandslikeold
friends,whichtheywere.

"Ineedsomethingunusual,"Cecilytoldhim,glancingatacouplewhowerejustgettingoutoftheir
dustyvanatthesteps."Ineedarelicforourmuseum.We'remakingadisplayofLakotahandicrafts
and artifacts, but I can't ask the tribe for anything sacred. What can you sell me that won't give
offense?"

Hesmiledatherwithagapinhisteeth.

"Ihavetheverything,Cecily."

He went into the back of the shop and came out with a parfleche bag, very old and stained, with
discoloredfringeallarounditandaholeinit.Hehandedittoherwithgreatceremony.

Thecouplefromthevan,amanandawoman,middle-agedanddressedliketourists,hoverednearby.
Themanwasstaringcuriouslyatwhattheoldmanhadinhishands.

"Thisbelongedtomygrandfather,"RedElktoldCecily."Ihavenofamilylefttohanditdownto,and
mysmallbandhadnoconnectiontoTomBlackKnife'stribe.Iwouldlikeittohaveasafeplace.I
wouldlikepeopletoseeit.Itsavedmygrandfather'slifeattheGreasyGrass.Hehadplacedastone
pipeinit,aceremonialpipeofgreatpower.Asoldier'sbulletshatteredthestone,butdidnotpenetrate
thechestofmygrandfatherwhowasholdingitoverhisshoulderinpreparationforbattle."Helaidit
inCe-cily'shands.

Shetoucheditwithawe.

"MayIopenit?"sheasked.

Henodded.

She opened the flap with excited hands. Inside were remnants of a pipe carved from red pipestone,
alongwithsmallpiecesofwood,somewitholdpigmentsclingingtoit.

"Thisis...beyondmywildestexpectations.Youcannameanypriceforit."

Hewavedheraway.

"Iwouldnotsellit,"hesaid.

"It would cheapen it. You take it for your museum. I would like you to put my grandfather's name.
CrowShield,belowit,inaplacard,andsaythathewasoneoftheWaistandSkirtIndianswhofought
attheGreasyGrass."

"Iwilldothat,"shepromised.

"IstheresomethingIcangiveyouinreturn,somethingyouwouldliketohave?"sheadded,becauseit
wascustomtogiveagiftofequalvalueinreturnforonereceived.

"Yes,"theoldmansaidwithareminiscentsmile.

"IwouldlikeaGermanpipe.Isawamancomethroughherewithone.

Ithadanenormousbigboleandacurvedstem.Itwasmagnificent."

Sheknewexactlywhathewastalkingabout.

"IlivenearatobacconistinD.C.,"shesaid.

"Iknowthekindyoumean.I'llsendittoLetaWarwomanWinthropandshewillbringittoyou."

"IknowLeta.Abravewoman.Adaughterofabravefamily."

Sheshookhandswithhim."Pilamayayelo."

Hechuckled.

"Pilamayaye,"hecorrected.

"I would say pilamaya yelo, for I am male. You forget that a woman speaks one way and a man
another."

"I'mstilllearning,"shetoldhim.

"Andverywell."HegavehertheLakotaforyou'rewelcome.

"Haveagoodjourney,"headded.

She took his gnarled hand in hers. "And you keep well. Thank you for this." She indicated the
parflechebagheldrespectfullyinbothherhands.

Assheleft,heturnedtospeaktothefemaletouristwhohadcomeinandstood,listeningtowhatthe
oldmanhadsaidtoCecily.Theothertourist,theman,stoppedherasshewentoutontotheporch.

"Ididn'tunderstandwhathewassaying,"hesaidwithapolitesmile,noddingtowardRedElk.

"I'dliketoknowwhatitmeant.HesaidhisgrandfatherfoughtattheGreasyGrass.Ineverheardof
suchaplace,orofWaistandSkirtIndians.Canyouexplain?I'mahistorybuff,butIguessIhaven't
beenreadingtherightbooks."

Shesmiled.

"I'mananthropologist,"shetoldhim.

"A lot of people haven't heard these expressions unless they're very deep into Native American
history.TheGreasyGrassiswhattheSiouxcalledtheLittleBighornRiver.WaistandSkirtIndians
areSanteeSioux.

Sioux is actually a misnomer, because the people call themselves Lakota in this region. There are
various bands of Lakota, like Minneconjou and Hunkpapa and Oglala. What I said to Red Elk was
"thankyou,"inLakota,butIusedthewrongpersonalpronoun,"shesaidwithagrin.

"I'mstillastudent.HerepliedthatIwaswelcome."

"Doyouteach?"heaskedcuriously.

Sheshookherhead.

"I'massistantcuratorinchargeofacquisitionsforanewmuseuminWashington.It'samuseumofthe
indiginouspeoplesoftheUnitedStates.Ihopethatyou'llstopbyifyoucometothenation'scapital.
We'reveryproudofourfacility."

"We'lldothat."Heglancedattheparflecheheldsolovinglyinherhands.

"History,"hemurmured.

"Historyyoucanseeandtouch.You'reverylucky.Igottoreadasixteenthcenturyilluminatedmanur
scriptwearingglovesandamask.

Itisn'tthesamething."

Shesmiledathim.

"Iknow.Butprotectingthelegacyofthepastisahugeresponsibility.Ifeveryonegottotouchthings,
theywouldn'tlastlong.Oilinthefingertips,yousee."

Hechuckledself-consciously.

"Idonow."Shewishedthemasafetrip,climbedinthecarwithherpreciouscargo,anddrovetothe
airport.

SheshowedheracquisitiontoDr.Phillips,whowasbesidehimselfwithdelight.

"Ourfirstrealartifact,Cecily,"hesaidbreathlessly.

"Andwhatanartifact!PerhapswecanhaveRedElkflownupheretospeakaboutitwhenweopenour
doorstothepublic!"

"Whatamarvelousidea,"sheagreed.

"AndIhaveanotherone.Whynothaveasimilarparflechemadethatpeoplecantouch,sothatthey
haveatactileideaofhowonefeels?"

"Anothergreatidea,"hesaidatonce.

"Canyouhaveonemadeforus?"

"I'llgetmyadoptedmamarightonit."

ButbeforeshephonedLeta,shetookthatspooloffilmtoSenatorHolden'sofficeandhandeditto
himwithoutaword.

Hesmiledfromeartoear."Picturesofthereservation,hmm?"

"Ofanancientartifact,"sheliedglibly.

"Aparflechebagthatcontainedasacredpipe.ItsaveditsownerfromacavalrybulletattheLittleBig
Horn."

"I'vegottoseetherealthing,"Holdensaidatonce.

"Comeoverwheneveryoulike.We'llbedelightedtoshowittoyou."

Heheldupthefilm,andhisfacewassolemn.Henodded,andsmiled.

Shesmiledback.Atleastsomethinggoodhadcomeoutofhertrip.

InevitablyTatephonedheratherofficewhenshe'dreturned.

"LetasaidyouandColbyleftsuddenly,"hesaidsoftly."Whatdidyoufindout?"

"Thisisn'tasecureline,"shetoldhimwithoutexpressioninhervoice.Ithurttohearhimtalkingto
herinthatalmostintimatetoneafterwhatAudreyhadtoldher.

"Stoptalkinglikeasecretagent,"heteased.

"Youstartthinkinglikeoneagain,"shetoldhim.

"I'llmeetyouforcoffeeintheusualplace."

"Whatusualplace?"

"WhereyouandAudreygo,ofcourse."

Thathadn'tbeenateasingtoneinhervoice.

"Ionlytookherthereonce,Cecily,thedayyouranintous..."

"Tenminutes."Shehungup,gotherjacketandwentout,tellinghersecretarythatshehadameeting
and would be back in an hour. She dreaded seeing him again. But if she could just keep her head,
perhapsshecouldbluffherwaythrough.Shefeltbetrayed.

I***;.

Tatewassittingimpatientlyatasmalltablenearthewindowwithacupofblackcoffee.Helookedup,
watchinghergetcoffeeatthecounter.Shepaidforitandcametositdownbesidehim.Itwasdifficult
to pretend that they hadn't been intimate. She looked ; at him now and felt the weight of him in her
arms, the heat of his body, the fierce passion as it moved on her. He'd said that there wouldn't be
anyone else afterward, but Audrey had been in his apartment, right at home. She swallowed some
coffeethatwastoohotandburnedhertonguetryingtoforget.

"Whyhere?"heaskedatonce.

Shestudiedhimcovertlyoverhercup.Hishairwasbackinitsbraid.

HewaswearingagrayArmanisilksuitwithaturtleneckshirt.Helookedaselegantashealwayshad.
Hewaslikethemansherememberedfromherteenstoday,becausehedidn'tsmile.

"Ithoughtyoulikedgoodcoffee,"sherepliedfinally,staringdownintohers.

"TheyhaveJamaicanBlueMountaincoffeehere.It'swonderful."

"I like coffee that a spoon will stand in. I'm not particular about the brand." He sipped his own,
wonderingatthechangeinCecily.

They'dbeenintimateandtheysatherelikepoliteacquaintances.Shewasasremoteashe'doncebeen.
Her behavior puzzled him, made him uneasy. They were lovers, but she was pushing him away as
certainlyasifshe'ddoneitphysically.

"Iwanttoknowwhat'sgoingon,Cecily."

"Youdoknow."

Heshookhishead.

"Insinuations,gossip,rumors.Nobodywilltalktome.It'slikeacodeofsilence."

Hewasfrustrated.Shecouldhearitinhisvoice.

"Colbyfoundoutsomethings,"shesaidfinally.

"I'vegiventheinformationtotheappropriateperson.Nowwesitbackandhopethatwhatwe'vegotis
enoughtopreventahumdingerofapoliticalscandal."

"InvolvingHolden."

Herfacelifted.Herpalegreeneyesintheirbiglenseswereveryintent."Howdidyouknowthat?"

"Doyouknowwhatthey'vegotonhim?"

"Oh,sure,I'mgoingtotellhisworstenemythat,"shesaidcurtly.

"Youmightnotbelievethis,buthetoldmehimself,"hesaid.

Shewasevenmorestillthanbefore.Shelookedapprehensive.

"Hetoldyou...everything?"

Fishing,hethought,wasanenjoyablesport.Hecarefullylookedatthecoffeecupshewasholdingin
herneatlymanicuredhands.

"Howisitthatyouknow?"heasked.

She put down her cup carefully. She looked at the white linen tablecloth instead of him. Softly a
Viennesewaltzplayedinthebackgroundfromspeakersovertheirheads.

"SenatorHoldenhadtotellmeeverythingtogetmetohelphim,"shesaidafteraminute.Shelooked
upintohisleanface.

"You'reverycalmaboutit,"shesaid.

"Andyouaren'tangrywithme?"

Hesmiledcarelessly.

"WhywouldIbe?"

"Ithoughtitwouldbemoretraumaticthanthis,"sheventured.Helookedpuzzled,andshewondered
ifshe'dbeendeliberatelyled.

"SupposeyoutellmewhatMattHoldentoldyou?"

"Holdensayshe'sbeingblackmailedbecauseofawomaninhispast,"hesaid.

"Theyhadanaffairwhilehewasmarried,andthewomanlivesonthereservation."

Shenodded,reassured.

"Yes.And?"

Hescowled.

"Andwhat?"

He didn't know! She hadn't thought he'd take the news of his true parentage so calmly. Now she'd
almostgivenitaway.

"Thesenatorwillhavetotellyoutherest,"shesaidflatly.

"I'vesaidallI'mgoingto.Whydidyouwanttoseeme?"

Hestudiedherfacecuriously.

"WhydoIalwayswanttoseeyou?"hecountered.Hisvoicewaslikevelvet.

"You'repartofmenow,Cecily."

Shecolored.Shecouldn'tmeethiseyes.Didhethinkshedidn'tknowaboutAudrey?

"Andyouwouldn'tlietome,"shesaid.

"Anymorethanyou'dlietome,"herepliedsoftly.

Sotheywerebothliars.Shestaredatthebigsilver-and-turquoiseringonhisleanfinger.Letaworea
matchingone,smallerofcourse.

Shesippedhercoffeewithoutspeaking.Itwashardtotalktohim.

Shecouldn'tmakethetransitionthathe'dmadesoeasily,fromaffectiontointimacy.Thatmustbethe
differencebetweenexperienceandnaivete,shethoughtglumly.

Theydranktherestoftheircoffeeinsilence.Shesmiledpolitelyandgottoherfeet.

"Ihavetogetback.I'mworkingonanewdisplay,andIhavealotofphonecallstomake."

Hestoodupwithher,scowling.Hisexpressionwasuneasy.

"What'sgonewrongbetweenus?"heaskedabruptly.

Shesearchedhiseyeswithsadnessinherown.

"Notathing."

"Talktome!"

Shedrewinabreath."Audreywascookingsupperforyou,"shesaid,unabletohidethepainofitthat
showedinhervoice.

"Shesaidshe'dpickedoutaweddinggown.Andthatyou'reterrificinbed,ofcourse."

"DamnAudrey!"hesaidunderhisbreath.

Shemovedoneshoulder.

"Ihavetogo."Shenoticedthathewasn'tdenyinganything.

He could barely get his mind to work. He fell into step beside her as they reached the sidewalk,
reluctanttolethergountilthey'dsmoothedthingsout.

"You'regoingthewrongway,"shepointedout.

"PierceHutton'sofficesarethatway."

"Yourofficeisthisway,"hereflected.

"I'mnotgoingawayuntilyoufinishthataccusation."

Sheturnedtohim,pullingherjacketcloseragainstthechillintheair.

"Youwentbacktoher."

"Ididnot."

"Icalledyou.Shewasthere,inyourapartment...!"

"Shegottheapartmentmanagertoopenthedoorforher.ShewaswaitingformewhenIgothome.I
threwherout."Helookedcompletelyinflexible.

"I'veonlyliedtoyouaboutonething--whowaspayingyourbills.

Otherthanthat,I'vealwaysbeentruthfultoyou.Butifyoudon'tbelieveme,youdon't."

Itremindedherthatshe'dliedtohim,byomission,aboutthethreattohimandhisrealfather.

"Audreyisbeautiful,"shesaid.

"Soisarattlesnake,intherightlight."

Shesmiledinspiteofherself.

Hesighed.

"We'vestillgotalongwaytogo.Areyousureyouwon'tmoveinwithme?"

Sheshookherhead.

Hiseyesnarrowed.

"Howaboutdinnertonight.Maybeaplay."

Shestaredathischest.

"Itisn'tagoodidea."

"Iwantyou!"

"Iwantyou,too,desperately."Shelookedupathimhungrily,butwitheyesthatheldsadness.

"Butyoudon'twantmepermanently,Tate.Soonerorlater,you'dtireofmeandfindsomeoneelse.
Isn't that how it's done? You live with someone until they bore you and then you just find another
lover."

Hisfacetautened.Shemadehimsoundlikearounder,whichheneverhadbeen.

"What are you going to do, Cecily, walk away from me and pretend that nothing happened in my
mother'sguestroom?"

"That'sexactlywhatI'mgoingtodo,"sherepliedquietly.

"BecauseIcan'tbearthethoughtoflivingdaybydaywithamanwhodoesn'tsharemydreamforthe

future."

Hedughishandsintohispockets."Youcouldgiveitachance."

"I'lllivewithamanwhenIgetmarried,"shesaidabruptly.

"That'stheonlywayIeverwill."

Andheneverwould.

"It's the twentieth century," he said coldly. "Marriage is no longer a necessity for people to be
together.I'vetoldyouthatIhavenoplanswhatsoevertomarry,noworever.Andwhatthehellisthe
differencewhenyou'vealreadysleptwithme?"

"Ifyoucan'tseethedifference,Icouldneverexplainittoyou."

Sheturnedaway.

"Cecily."

Sheglancedathimoverhershoulder."Didyougototheclinic?"heasked.

Hewantedtoknowiftherewasanyriskofhergettingpregnant.

Actuallytherewasaterrificchance,andshehadn'tgonetoanyclinic.Butiftherewasababy,shewas
goingtohaveitandloveit.

Shewasn'tgoingtopresenthimwithachildwhowasn'tLakota.

Presumablythatwaswhatfrightenedhimmost.

"Youhaveabsolutelynothingtoworryabout,"shelied.

"Seeyouaround,Tate."

Shewalkedaway.Hestoodandwatchedherwithhishandsstillinhispockets.Hecouldn'tremember
atimewhenhe'deverfeltsoalone.Hedidn'twantheroutofhislife,butshewasmakingdemandshe
couldn'tmeet.Marriagewassimplyoutofthequestion;sowerechildren.Sheknewthatalready.So
what was wrong with two consenting adults living together? Especially two adults who could share
suchapassion,suchafeastofthesenses.Whywasshebeingsostubborn?

HewonderedexactlywhatsheandColbyhadfoundinSouthDakota.Hewantedtophonehismother
andtrytodigitoutofher,butifColbyhadn'ttoldCecily,hewasn'tlikelytotellLeta.

Tate was frustrated. But he was feeling something else as well: curiosity. Cecily knew something
more about Holden's past that she wasn't telling him, something that would apparently make him
angrywithher.Hewonderedwhatitwas.Hewasgoingtodosomediggingofhisown.Asforhis
future with Cecily, that would have to wait. She was as stubborn as he was, but perhaps she'd come

aroundyetwhenshebecamelonelyenough.Hisjob,hisheritage,hisloveoffreedomcombinedto
make marriage a distasteful prospect, but he loved the feel of Cecily in his arms. Even if his
consciencewaskillinghimbydegreesforseducingher,hecouldn'tstopwantingher.Andhewasn't
givingupuntilshecametohersenses.

ChapterNineweweekslater.MattHoldencametoseeCecilyatherapartment.

"Sorryaboutthis,"hesaidassheledhimintothesmalllivingroomandofferedhimhereasychair.

"Ithinkmyofficeisbugged.IhadtogetastrangertoupgrademysecurityandnowIthinkitmaybe
worsethanitwasbefore.AtleastTatewouldknowiftherewerebugshereinyourapartment."

"Onlyifhe'spsychic,"shesaiddarkly.

"Hedoesn'tcomehereanymore,"sheaddedinasubduedtone.

Hesighed.

"Igatheryou'veseentheringAudrey'sflashingaround."

Sheswallowedhard.

"Ring?"

"Acopyoftheturquoiseonethathewears."Heleanedbackinthechairandcrossedhislonglegs,
lookingunspeakablyirritated.

"Everyoneintownknowsthatshe'saman-eater.Assoonasshe'ssureofTate,she'llbeofflooking
fornewmentoconquer.Shewon'treallymarryhim."

Heleanedforward.

"He'sNativeAmerican!"

Shegrimacedandcurleduponthesofa."Hetoldmeflatlythattheywerenolongerinvolvedandthat
her being in his apartment the last time I called was innocent. But there was a photo in the tabloid
yesterdayofthemtogetheratsomegalabenefit."

"Iknow.Isawit."

"Don'ttakethisthewrongway,butwhyareyouhere?"sheasked.

"I'vegotnamesanddatesandledgersheetsandplaces,"hesaid.

"I

handedthemovertoamemberofmystaffthatItrustwithmylife.

Hehasabrotherwithadetectiveagency.It'stakenalittlemoreinvestigation,butIhaveeverythingI
need. The fire is about to hit the fan. There's a risk that the media may get hold of it in spite of
everythingIdo.WhenIexposetheserats,they'reboundtoretaliate.

Ican'tstandbetweenthemandeveryreporterinthecountry."

"You'reworriedabouthowitwillaffectTateandLeta."

Henodded.

"Letawillmanage.She'stough.ButTateisgoingtolearnsomethingsthatwillhurthimbadly.Ithink
heshouldhearitfromhismother."Hesighedangrily.

"SoIcalledheruponapayphoneandtoldherIkneweverything,andthatsheshouldtellTatethe
truth before he hears it on the evening news. After thirty-six years of silence, she suddenly became
veryvocal.ShecalledmeanameIwon'trepeat,toldmewhatshethoughtofmeandmycareerand
hungup.WhenIrangback,shewouldn'tpickupthephone."Heranhishandsthroughhishair.

"WhatdoIdo?"

"SupposeIinviteherheretostaywithme,foravisit,"shesuggested.

"Thenyoucantalktoheragain..."

"There'snotime,Cecily."Hespreadhishandsonhisthighsandalookoftormentlinedhisbroad,
strongface'."I'mgoingtohavetotellhimmyself."

Shewinced.

"I'msorry."

Hesighed.

"I'm sorry, too. He's going to hate all of us for a little while, even Leta. I told her that. It made her
furious,butit'sthetruth.

We'regoingtohaveabadthunderstormthatwilllastforafewweeks,andthentherewillbearayof
sunshine."

Shesmiled.

"Wemayhaveatornadoinstead."

Hegotup.

"Ijustwantedtokeepyouupdated.IthoughtforawhilethatImightbeabletostickmyheadinthe
sand. I thought I could take the heat off Tom Black Knife, get the gambling syndicate off the
reservation, and Tate would never have to know the truth. I was daydreaming. You can't keep a lie

forever."

"It'sgoingtohurthim."

"It'sgoingtohurtyou,too,youknowthat,don'tyou?"hesaidgently.

"Youknewthetruthandyoudidn'ttellhim.Heholdsgrudges.Heisn'tparticularlyforgiving,either.
Likehismother,"headdeddarkly.

"Letaisn'tlikethat."

"Nottoyou,ofcourse.Shehatesmyguts,"hesaid,andlookedasifithadwoundedhimdeeplyto
knowit.

"Idon'tblameher.Ihatemyself.Tatewillreallyhavesomethingincommonwithherwhenheknows
thewholestory.IhopeIcanfindtherightwordstominimizethedamage.Itwillhurtherterriblyto
haveTateturnhisbackonher."

"You'lldotherightthing.WhataboutTom?"MattHoldenhadfilledCecilyinonTom'sstory.

"I'vegotthebestinvestigatorsIcanfindlookingforaloopholeforhim.Therearestilltwowitnesses
livingwhosawwhathappenedbackintheseventies.Oneofthemisinprison,andwemaybeableto
cookadealtogethimtotellwhatheknows.It'sthebestIcando.IspoketoTom.Heunderstands.A
braveman."

"Yes.Andasadstory."

"Well,heregoesnothing."Hemovedtothedoor.

"Since nobody else has the guts to do the dirty work, I'm going to see Tate tomorrow and tell him
whohisfatheris."

"Goodluck."

Heshrugged.Hisglanceatherwaswryandfullofself-contempt.

"Itwilltakemorethanluck,I'mafraid."

Tatewashavingabeer.Hedidn'tdrinkasarule,butlatelyhewasmoroseandbroody.Hecouldn'tgo
toapartywithoutfindingAudreynearby,readytolaunchherselfathimeverytimeacameraflashed.
ShedeniedeventalkingtoCecily,butheknewbetter.Cecilydidn'tlie.

HewishedhecouldbringhimselftogoandseeCecily,butshewasadamant.Shewantednothingto
dowithhimsincehe'dputmarriageoutofreach.Itmadehimmadthatshewaswillingtodenythem
bothfulfillmentofaperfectlynormaldesirebecausehewasn'twillingtostandinfrontofaminister
withher.Shemightcomearoundeventually,butmeanwhilehisenforcedabstinencewasmakinghim
hostiletoeveryonearoundhim.

The sharp ring of the doorbell diverted him from his thoughts. He put down the beer and padded
across the carpeted floor in his socks. He was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, hardly the garb for
visitors.IfitwasAudrey,hewasn'tevengoingtoopenthedamneddoor.He'dhadthelockchanged
andthreatenedtheapartmentmanagerwithhomicideifheeverletherintheapartmentagain.

Butthesightthatmethiseyeswasasurprise.ItwasSenatorMattHolden,whowasalsowearingjeans
andasweatshirt.Well,itwasSundayafternoon.Maybethemandidn'tliveinsuitsontheweekend.

Heopenedthedoorwithobviousreluctanceandmorethanalittlehostility.

"Lostyourway?"heaskedHolden.

"TheSenateOfficeBuildingisafewblockseast."

Holdenstudiedthetallermanquietly.

"Ineedtotalktoyou.Myofficehasbugs.ThesecurityguyIhiredaddedafewmoretotheonethat
wasalreadythere."

"Notmyfault,"Tatetoldhim.

"Iwouldhavefoundthemall."

"I know that." He averted his eyes to the wall. Mandelas and dream catchers, a parfleche bag and a
medicineshieldadornedonedark-paneledwall.

"Nicedecor,"headded.

"Themedicineshieldissupposedtowardoffevil,"Tatesaid,standingasidetoletHoldenin.

"Doesn'twork,doesit?"headdedwithaspeakingglanceattheman.

"I'mnotevil.I'mcaughtupinsomethingthatIcan'tavoid.Iwanttotellyouaboutitbeforeyouseeit
onCNN."

"Whatbusinessisitofmine?"Tatewantedtoknow.

"AndIseemtorememberthatyouthriveonpublicity.YougotplentyoutofBrauer'scapture,notto
mentionCecily'ssleightofhandwiththecrabbisqueatyourfundraiser."

Holdenwenttothewindowinsteadoftakingthechairhewasoffered.

Hestuckhisthumbsinthebackpocketsofhisjeansandstaredatthecityskyline.Thecapitolbuilding
wasvisibleinthedistance.

"Thiswon'tbebeneficialpublicity."

"CecilysaidsheandColbyfoundsomethingatWapitiRidge."

He nodded. "They found hard evidence of embezzled funds and mob-related gambling ties to plans
foracasino."Heturned.

"I'vecontactedthestateattorneygeneralbackhomeandgivenherthedetails.I'vealsospokentoTom
BlackKnifeandthetribalcouncil.

TheyallknowthestoryandIhaveevidencethatcanputtheperpetratorsaway.Butthey'regoingto
retaliate.TomBlackKnifemaygotoprisondespitemybesteffortstosavehim,notbecausehedid
anything willingly, but because of something he did during the uprisings of the seventies that got
coveredup."

Tateperchedhimselfontheedgeofthedeskheusedathomeandfrowned.

"Sothat'showtheygothimtocooperate."

Holdennodded.

"Theyblackmailedhim.Justastheythreatenedtoblackmailme."Heturnedtowardhisson.

"Itriedtogetyourmothertotellyou,butshehungupandrefusedtoevendiscusscominghere.

Shewon'ttalktoyouaboutit.Cecilywon't,either.SinceI'mtheonlymemberofthefamilywiththe
ballstodoit,I'mgoingtotellyouwhatyoushouldhavebeentoldyearsago."

* "That the woman you had the affair with was my mother," Tate said, having worked that out for
himself.

Holdenblinked.

"Well,yes.Howdidyouknow?"

"It was the only reason you could have wanted me out of it, to protect my mother. Not that I think
muchofyouforthewayyoutreatedher,"

headdedcoldly.

"Even you couldn't have been a worse husband than my father was. Of course, you wouldn't have
wantedtomarrybeneathyou,wouldyou?ALakotaIndianinyourbloodlineswouldhave"--"You're
makingthisharder!"Holdeninterrupted.Heranahandthroughhishair,disarrangingit.

"Youcantellmymothernottoworry,"Tatesaidshortly.

"Anyonecanmakeamistake.Iwon'tblameher.AndI'lldowhatIcantoprotectherfromthemedia."

"You'retheonewho'sgoingtoneedprotecting,damnit!"Holdensnapped.Hiseyeswereblazing,as
fierceasTate'shadeverbeen.

"There'smoretothisthanathirty-six-year-oldaffair!Therewasachild!Letawaspregnantwhenshe

marriedJackWinthrop!"

Tate didn't move. He didn't breathe. He didn't blink. All the flyaway pieces of the puzzle of his life
suddenlyconverged.WhyJackWinthrophadputawaysomuchwhiskey.WhyhebeatLeta.Whyhe
hatedTate.

"JackWinthropwasn'tmyfather."Tatesaiditinanunnaturallymatter-of-fact,calmvoice.

"No.Thesonofabitchwasn'tyourfather."Heclenchedhisjaw.Itwasharderthanhe'deverdreamed
itwouldbe.

"IwentmywholelifethinkingthatLetamarriedthemanbecauseshereallylovedhim.

Whenshehadachildalittlelater,itseemedthatshe'dfoundagoodlifeforherself.Sheneverblamed
me for marrying money, for putting my career above her own happiness. She let me go and never
toldme,never,thatshewas.pregnant!"

Hisvoicebroke.Heturnedawayfromhisson,unabletolookattheman,eventospeakuntilhegot
controlofhimself.Whichwasjustaswell,becauseTate'sfacehadgonewhiteunderitstan.

"WhatahellofawaytolearnthatIhadachild,"Holdensaidfinally.

"Whatahellofaway!Amemberofthegamblingsyndicatecameandsatdowninmyofficeandtold
me that he was going to make me a political scandal poster-boy with my Lakota mistress and my
bastardson."

Tate still hadn't said a word. He was trying to cope with what the older man was saying, and not
managingverywellatall.Henotedidlythestanceoftheman,thewayhishairgrew,thenosethatwas
hisnose,theblackeyesthatwerehiseyes.Theresemblancehadalwaysbeenthere,andatsomelevel,
he'dknownthat.Butnotconsciously.

Notuntilnow."Youaren'tLakota,"Tatesaidafteratensesilence.

"MymotherwasFrench,"Holdensaidheavily."MyfatherwasMoroccan.

TheycametothiscountrywhenIwasthreeyearsoldandbecamenaturalizedcitizens."

"Whichmakesmeahalf-breed,"Tatesaid,hisvoicechokedwithanger.

Holdenturned.

"Oh, it's a little worse than that," he said, nettled. "It makes you the illegitimate son of the senior
RepublicansenatorfromSouthDakota.Andthepresswilleatyoualivewhenitcomesout.You,Leta,
me, everyone our lives touch. Including Cecily. She'll make a damned great sidebar, with her
anthropologydegree!"

"You'lllosefacewithyourconstituents,"Tatesaidcoldly.

"Oh,tohellwiththat!MaybeI'lllosemyjob,sowhat?"Holdensaid,glaringathim.

"It wouldn't matter if your mother would speak to me! She cut me off before I got two complete
sentencesout.Shewouldn'tcomeouthereandhelpmetellyouthetruth.Shehunguponme!"

"Goodforher!Whatapityshedidn'ttrythatthirty-sixyearsago."

Theolderman'seyesdarkened.

"Ilovedher,"hesaidveryquietly.

"I still love her. I made the mistake of my life when I thought money and power would be worth
marryingaviciousdamnedsocialitewhocouldhelpmepolitically.Yourmotherwasworthtenofmy
latewife.

I never knew what hell was until I tried to live with the devil's deal I made to get my office. " He
turnedawayagainandsatdownonthesofawearily,glancingatthebeer.

"Youshouldn'tdrink,"hesaidabsently.

Tateignoredhim.Hepickedupthebeer,finisheditwithpurespiteandcrushedtheemptycan.

"Aren'tyouleavingnow?"heaskedtheothermanwithbitingcontempt.

Holdenletoutalongbreath."WherewouldIgo?IliveinabigemptyhousewithaJacuzziandtwo
Siamesecats.Untilafewweeksago,IthoughtIhadnofamilyleftalive."

Tate wouldn't have mentioned to save himself that he wanted to know more about his real
background,hisgrandparents.Hestoodscowlingatthemanwho'djustdestroyedhislife.

Holdenstaredathimwithhelplesspride.

"One of your great-grandfathers was a Berber," he recalled. "He rode with the Rizouli, who was a
revolutionaryinMoroccoabouttheturnofthecentury.There'sapaintingofhimoverthemantelin
mystudy.

I'veactuallybeentoseetheRizouli'spalace,inAsilah,downthecoastfromTangier.It'sabeautiful
littletown."

Tatewasquiet.Hestuckhishandsinhispockets.Hismindwasworkingagain."Thisiswhyyouwent
backonthesecuritycontract,"

hesaid.

"Itwouldhavebeennepotism."

Holdennodded.

"Andit'swhyyoudidn'twantmeatWapiti."

Holdennoddedagain.

"ButCecilyknew.She'sknownfromthebeginning,hasn'tshe?"hedemanded,rememberingtidbitsof
conversationthathadpuzzledhimuntilnow.

Holdengotupfromhisseat,lookingeveryyearofhisage.Thingswouldonlydeterioratefromnow
on.Hehadtogo,hehadtogiveTatetimetoworkthroughit.Itmusthavecomeastheworstkindof
shock.

He remembered how he'd felt when a complete stranger had confided that the senator had a son.
Holdenhadn'ttakenhiswordforit,ofcourse.

He'ddugintotherecordsofTate'sbirthforhiswholename,whichwasTateReneWinthrop.Holden's
fatherwhomheadoredwascalledRene,andLetaknewit.Hisbloodtype,arareone,wasalsoshared
withTate.Therewasn'tmuchguessworkafterthat.

"Iwantedyoutoknowthetruthbeforeyouhearditontheeveningnews,"hesaidcurtlyashepaused
atthedoor,meetinghisson'shostilegazeevenly.

"You'llneverknowhowIfeltwhenIlearnedaboutyou.Ihatedyourmotherforawhile.Ihadachild
I'd never seen. I missed his first steps, his first words, I missed his whole damned life! And while I
wassittinguphereonmynicewhitecloud.

JackWinthropwasplayinghellwiththefamilyIdidn'thave.Whileyou'rehatingme,thinkaboutthat.
Icouldhavesparedyou,andher,ifI'donlyknownthetruth!"

Heopenedthedoorandwentout,closingitsharplybehindhim.

Tateopenedanotherbeer.Hewasgladhehadseveral.Heheldupthebeertohisimageinthemirror.

"Tobastardseverywhere!"hesaidsarcastically,andchuggeditdown.

Later,whenhewascalmenoughtousethetelephone,hecalledhismother.

"Guesswhojustpaidmeavisit?"heaskedherwithafaintslurinhisangryvoice.

"Mydad."

Therewasalong,heavypause.

"Yourfather...hedid?"shestammered,shocked.She'dneverdreamedwhenMattHoldencalledher
thathemightbewillingtotellTatethetruthhimself.Shewassicktohersoul,tohaveherchildknow
thathiswholelifewasalie.Shefeltguilty,asshehadwhenshe'dheardMatt'sdeep,belovedvoice
afterthirty-oddyears.She'dbeentooflusteredtosaymuchtohim,andintheend,regretfully,she'd
hunguponhimoutofsheerembarrassment."Whydidn'tyoutellme?"hedemanded."Why?"

Therewasanotherpause.

"Ican'ttellyouhowsorryIam,butnow'snotthetimetodiscussthis.We'lltalkaboutitoneday,when
you'rereadytolisten.Callmebackaftertheshock'swornoff.

Pleaseforgiveme.Iloveyou!"

Shehungup.

Hedialedthenumberagain.Shedidn'tanswer.Hetorethetelephonecordoutofthewallandthrew
the phone. It shattered with a nice noise. He wondered a little dimly if that had been his father's
reactionwhenLetahadhunguponhim.

Hisfather.Hisfather!Heputhisheadinhishands,fightingthesicknessthatwelledupinhisbelly.
He'dbeenunique,amemberofavanishingrace,avanishingtribe,anindividualinanancientsociety.

Nowhewasoneofthousandswithmixedblood,notuniqueanymore,notevenLakota.Hewaspart
Moroccan,partBerberifhebelievedthesenator.Theillegitimatesonofasenator,howwasthatfora
shocker?Andifithadn'tbeenforarenegadegamblingsyndicatetryingtogetacasinoonSiouxland
thattheycouldsiphonoffprofitsfrom,he'dhavegonetherestofhislifewithouteverknowingthe
truth.Hismotherhadkepthersecretforthirty-sixyears.Hiswholelife.

HerememberedJackWinthrop'stemper,theviciousattacks,thehatefulattitude.Nowondertheman
hatedhim.Itmadesensenow,whenitwastoolatetomatter.Leta'sfault.Hismother'sfault.Notthat
shehadn'tsuffered,too.

Heleanedhisheadagainstthewall.Hedidn'twantittoclear.Hedidn'twanttothinkaboutwhathe'd
learned.Notnow.Itwastoomuch.Heneededtosleep.

Hefellintohisbedandallbutpassedoutonasinglesix-packofbeer,whichhadhithimhardbecause
he didn't ordinarily drink. The next morning he woke with a headache and a renewed burst of bad
temper.

Cecilyhadliedtohim.She'dliedtohim.Well,shewasn'tgoingtogetawaywithit.Hewasgoingto
herofficeandhewasgoingtotellherathingortwo!

ItwasmiddayofanotherwiseunremarkabledaywhenCecily'sheadliftedwithsurpriseattheforce
withwhichherofficedoorwaspushedopenandthenclosed.Hersecretarywasatlunch.Theoffice
was deserted. And a furious black-eyed man stood over her desk looking as if he planned to come
rightacrossitafterher.Sheknewwhathadhappened,evenbeforeaweepingLetahadphonedherthe
nightbeforetogiveherthelatestnews.She'dcoaxedLetaintogettingonaplaneTuesdayandcoming
tostaywithherbeforethenewsmediaranthescandalanddestroyedherprivacyatWapiti.

"DidyouthinkIwouldn'tfindouteventually?"Tateaskedinabittertone.

Shewasn'tsurehowtohandlehim.Helookedcompletelyoutofcontrol.

"Findoutwhat?"sheasked,eventhoughshehadaprettygoodidea.

"MattHoldenfinallygotaroundtotellingmewhomyfatherwas,"hesaidwithanunpleasantsmile.
Hiscalmvoicebeliedthestormsinhiseyes.

Itwasnousepretendinginnocenceanymore.Shesighedheavily.

"We were all trying to protect you," she began. "If we could have gotten enough on the syndicate,
they'd never have dared print what they knew. But we didn't count on them doing it for revenge
becauseMattthrewaspannerintotheirnastyplan.Mattdecidedthatyouhadtobetold,andtherewas
onlyhimtodoit.Yourmotherwouldn't."

"Mymotherhadnorighttokeepsuchasecretfromme.Neitherdidhe.

Neitherdidyou!"Hepointedather.

"Youhadnoright,Cecily!"

"IgavemywordtoSenatorHolden,andtoyourmother,thatIwouldn'tsayanything,"shesaidsoftly,
rising from her desk. She walked around it slowly, approached him cautiously as if he were
completelywild.Infact,hewas.Hewasvibratingwithfrustration,shock,hurt,fury.

"Iknewitwasgoingtobeimpossibletokeepthesecret,buttheywantedtotry,tospareyouthetruth."

"Allmylife,IknewwhoIwas,"hetoldher.

"I

knew what I was, where I belonged, where I was going in life. In the space of a day, I've been set
adrift.SuddenlyI'manoutsideramongmyownpeople.Myancestryisalie.Mylife.isalie!"

"Thatisn'ttrue,"sherepliedgently.

"Yourmotherdidn'tdaretellyourfatherthetruth.HiswifehatedNativeAmericans.Shecouldhave
hurt your mother. She could have hurt you. Even the knowledge of you could have cost him his
career."

"JackWinthropknewthetruth,"hesaidhuskily.

"It'swhyhehatedussomuch--herforlovinganotherman,mefornotbeinghischild.Hemadeus
payeverydaywelived,anduntilyesterday,Ineverknewwhy!"

Shewinced,feelinghispain.Shestartedtoreachouttohim.Hebackedupastep.

"Don't," he warned softly, his eyes glittering with conflicting emotions. "So help me God, if you
touchme,"hebreathed,"I'llhaveyourighthereonthecarpet!"

He made it sound like a threat, but in fact, it was what he needed, perhaps why he'd come here. He

neededcomfortandhe'dcometoherforit,bristlingwithbadtempertodisguisetheneed.Shewasn't
afraidofhim.Shelovedhimtoomuchtobebotheredbysizzlingblackeyesandastraightlineofa
mouth.Hehadeveryreasontobeangry,tobehurt.Butwhatheneededfromherwasn'twords.She
could give him what he really yearned for. It might be the last time he ever would touch her, now,
whenhewasoutofcontrolandnotthinkingclearly.Hewasn'taparticularlyforgivingman,andshe'd
betrayedhim.

Shewenttolockthedoorbeforeshewentbacktohim.Shereachedupandpulledhismouthdown
overherswithoutaword.

He actually trembled before his arms caught her, held her, lifted her into the viciously aroused
contours of his body. His mouth was devouring on her lips. He was bruising her a little with the
ferocity of the embrace, but it was oh, so sweet, to be needed like that. She sighed into his lips. It
seemedlikeforeversincehe'dkissedher.

Itseemedthatwaytohimaswell.Hewaslosinghimselfinherandshewasseducinghimdeliberately.
Hedidn'twanttodothis.Itwasn'tright.Buthewantedhertothepointofmadness,neededher,ached
tohaveher.He'dcometoherforcomfort,evenifhecouldn'tadmitit.Allthelongweekshe'ddenied
himselfwereover.Feastafterthefamine,evenifhewasangry.Somehow,theangerwastranslated
intothehottest,fiercestpassionhe'deverexpressedtoawoman.

Inevitablykissesweren'tenough.Oblivioustothetime,theplace,theirsurroundings,hecarriedher
downwithhimtothefloor.

Fasteningswereloosened,obstaclesmovedaside,handssearchingforbareskininafrenzyofheat.

Thenshelayundertheslow,hardthrustofhisbodyontheimportedPersianrugwithhereyesclosed,
hermouthansweringthedeep,hungrykisses,smilingundertheferocityofhislips.Itwasfeverish
androughandevenalittledangerous,hereinherownoffice,evenwiththedoorlocked.Thedanger
made it even more passionate. She pulled him closer, dimly aware that they were still almost fully
clothed.Itdidn'tmatter.Nothingmatteredexceptthe.pleasure!

Hecoveredhermouthquicklytostiflethesurprisedsobofjoythatprefacedtheviolenttremorofher
bodyunderhim.Heheldhertohimwithaleanhandatherhip,jerkingheruptohimastherhythm
grewmoreviolent,moredemanding.Hegroanedintoherwelcomingmouthasthefeverrosehigh
and bright and suddenly exploded into fiery particles of pleasure that shot through his body like
cellular fireworks. He stiffened helplessly as the spasms shook him and felt her eyes on him. He
groanedharshlyattheoverwhelmingpleasureitprovokedtoknowthatshewaswatchinghim.

Whenhecouldbreatheagain,heliftedhisfacefromherthroatandlookeddownintohereyes,his
owneyesstrangeandturbulent.

"Youwatched,"hesaidcoldly.

"Yes." She opened the buttons of his shirt and slid her hand over his smooth muscles to where she
couldfeelhisheartbeating.Shecouldfeelhimintimatelyandshemoveddeliberately,knowingthat
hewasstillfiercelyarousedandthathermovementswouldrenewthepassion.

Sheliftedherhips,gaspedatthesensation.

"Areyou...goingtowatch...thistime?"shewhispered,pullinghisheadbackdowntoher.

Hewentrightovertheedge.Hiseyeswereashostileasthelookonhisfacewhenhepusheddown
withafiercesurge,impalingherfurther.

Itarousedhimevenmorethanherrestlessmovementshad.Hediditagain.Hiseyesblazed.Hisbody
shuddered.

"Yes,that'sit,"shewhisperedfeverishly.Herhandssliddownhisback,underhisslacks."Yes.Doit
again.Makeitlast.Makeitlastforever!Youcanwatchme,too...!"

"Damn you, Cecily," he bit off with helpless desire, trembling with new urgency as he found her
mouthandhistautbodymovedhelplesslyonhersalloveragain.Itshouldn'tevenhavebeenpossible.
She was demanding this time, fiercely enjoying everything he did to her, and he'd never been so
aroused.

Heliftedhishead,andhedidwatch.Shelaughedwithshockedpleasure,lookedupathimwithlove
blazingoutofhergreeneyes.

When she lifted into his body with a sharp, funny little cry, he saw her eyes dilate until they were
almostblack.Sheclungtohim,sobbing.

Herfacewasbeautiful,likethat,hethoughtwhilehecould.Shewascompletelyuninhibited,asifthe
pasthadneverhappened,asifshewereawholewoman.Inthebackofhismindheknewthatthere
wasn'tanothermanintheworldshecouldgivethatresponseto,andithumbledhim.Hercontorted
featuresandthosepulsinglittlesobstookhimovertheprecipicesothathecouldfallwithher,into
that exquisite hot void that beckoned so seductively. He heard himself cry out huskily with ecstasy
beforehefinallycollapsedinanexhausted,belovedweightoverher.

"Whydidyoudothat?"heaskedroughly,whenhewasabletospeak.

"Whydidyouknockmeoffbalancelikethat?"

"Youknowwhy,"shesaidsoftly,brushingbackastrandofloosedarkhairfromhisbroadforehead.

"Youneededme."

Heliftedhisheadandlookeddownatthem.

"Itwassupposedtobeapunishment!"

Sheliftedbotheyebrowsandsmiledalittlewickedly.

"Wasitreally?

Ididn'tnotice.Doitagain,"shewhisperedboldly,"andI'lltrytolookchastised."

Shealwayscouldknockhimoffbalancewhennooneelsecouldtouchhim.Butthiswastoosolemn
forhumor.Hewasstillbristlingwithwhathe'dlearnedandherpartinit.Besidesthat,hehatedhaving
herknowhowhelplesshewaswithher.He'dcometotellherhedidn'twantsuchawomaninhislife,
awomanwho'dlietohim.Ithadbeenpurefantasytothinkhecouldgetwithinfivefeetofherafter
weeksofabstinenceandtalkrationally.Heachedforherevennow,whenhewassatiated.

Hispridegnawedathim.Hepulledawayfromherwithoutmeetinghereyesandgottohisfeet.He
didn'tevenlookatherwhileherearrangedhisclothingwithvagueshameandalotofguilt.

She got up from the floor gracefully, glad that the cleaning woman had done such a good job, and
rearrangedanddustedoffherownclothing.

It had been an exciting little interlude, and if he'd known that she suspected that she was pregnant--
whichshedid--shesupposeditwouldhavebeenthelaststrawforhim.He'dhadquiteenoughshocks
already.

"Ican'tbelieveIdidthat,"hesaidalmosttohimself.Heturnedonher,furious.

"Ican'tbelieveyouletmedothat!Onthedamnedrug!

Haveyounopride,noshame?"

Sheleanedbackagainstherdeskwithawearybutsatisfiedsigh.

"I

guess not. We both know I'd crawl to you over broken glass to do anything you liked," she said
simply.

"Whyshouldyoubeshockedatwhatjusthappened?"

Heglaredather.

"Youwouldn'tmoveinwithmebecauseIwouldn'tmarryyou.ButnowthatIknowI'mhalfwhite,you
thinkImightbeinthemarketforawhitewife.Soyouseducemeonyourofficefloortoshowme
whatIcouldhaveifIgaveyouaring.Isthathowyouseeit?"

Sheshookherhead.Thementionofaringhurt.SherememberedwhatHoldenhadsaidaboutAudrey
wearingacopyofTateSherememberedthetabloidphotoofAudreywithTateaswell.Itwasn'ttoo
hardtoguessthathewasprobablygoingtomarrythehorridwomanoutofsheerspite.Therewasn't
anythingshecoulddoaboutthat.Although,shemusedsadly,hecertainlydidn'tactlikeamanwho
wasgettingwhatheneededinanybody'sbedroom.

"You'reinnoconditiontothinkatall,"shesaid.

"Mattsaidyou'dfeelbetrayedandhateusallforawhile.Iunderstand.It'sallright."

"IwishthethreeofyouwouldstoptryingtoguesswhatthehellIwillorwon'tdo."Heglaredather.

"Mymotherhunguponme.Shehunguponhim,too.Idon'tguessyou'vespokentoher?"

"Yes,Ihave,"shesaid.

"She'sveryworriedandmiserable.Iaskedhertocomeandstaywithmebeforethemediadecidesto
breakthestory.I'mmeetingherattheairporttomorrow."

"Idon'twanttoseeeitherofthem,"hesaidshortly.

"Idon'twanttoseeyouagain,either."

"Okay."Shenodded.Sheraisedhereyebrows.

"Whatcomesnext,thehairshirtortheleatherflail?"

Hewasn'tgoingtogiveaninch.Hewasstillfuriouswithher,anditshowed.

"Whydidn'tyoutellme,Cecily?"

"Itwasn'tmysecrettotell,"sherepliedsolemnly.

"I'msorryyouhadtolearnitlikethis.Butitcouldhavebeenmuchworse.Youcouldhavelearnedit
on the evening news. That was the plan, if your father hadn't given in to the syndicate's demands.
That'swhyIwenttoWapiti.That'swhyColbywasthere."

Hestaredather.

"You'resorry.Andyouthinkanapologywillmakeeverythingallright?"

Hereyeswerequiet,andverysad.

"Idon't,"shesaidwearily,searchinghisface.

"Wedon'talwaysgetthethingswewantmostinlife.Youknowthatitwasn'treallyforaracialreason
thatyoudidn'twanttomarryme,"

sheaddedunexpectedly.

"Itwas because youwant to beself-sufficient. You don't wantto have todepend on people, because
peoplehaveletyoudownsomanytimes.

Theworkyoudidforthegovernmentmadeyoucynical,distancedyoufromnormalordinaryfolk.

Nowyoufeelthatyourownmotherhasbetrayedyouwithyourworstenemy.And,ofcourse,there's
me.I'veletyoudown,too."

Hedidn'tspeak.Hejustglaredather.

"Iwillloveyou,"shesaidsoftly,"fortherestofmylife.ButIcan'tlivealone,workalone,diealone.
I'mnotgoingtogrieveforyouuntilmyhairturnsgray.Youlikebeingalone.Idon't.Iwantahome
ofmyownandchildrentoraise.Youcan'tgivemethosethings.Ittookmealongtimetorealizewhy
youwentaroundwithAudrey,butIthinkIunderstandnow.Itwasbecauseshedidn'tmakeanyinroads
intoyourprivacy.Shecouldmarryyouandshe'dneverwantclosenessexceptmaybeinbed.That's
notmuchofarelationship,butthen,youdon'twantarealone.Youhavenothingtogive.Youonly
take."

Thewordswentthroughhimwiththeforceofahammer.Heturnedaway.

Hishandrestingonthedoorknob,heturnedandglaredbackather.

"Iwon'tbeabletoforgetthatyoubetrayedme,"hesaid.

"I

won'tbeabletoforgiveit,either."

"Iknowthat,Tate,"shesaidwithdeliberatecalmness.Inside,shewasscreaming.

"You don't forgive people. It was inevitable that you'd find something eventually that you couldn't
forgive me for. It's as good an excuse as any to cut me out of your life before you find yourself
addictedtome."

"Don'tflatteryourself,"hesaidwithafaintmockingsmile.

"Youweren'tmyfirstwoman.Youwon'tbemylast,"headdedwithpurevenom.

"And I know that, too," she agreed, holding on to the remnants of her smile as she absorbed the
emotionalblowthatshewasalreadyexpecting.Butherfacedidn'tshowhergrief.

Itirritatedhimthathecouldn'thurther.Heknewhewasactingoutofcharacter.Hecouldn'thelpit.
He'dlosteverythinghevalued.

She'd betrayed him. She'd lied to him. Nothing had hurt as much, not even his mother's silence for
thirty-sixyears.

Hisblackeyessearchedoverheronelasttimebeforetheymethers.

"Goodbye,Cecily,"hesaidcurtly.

Shekeptsmiling.

"Goodbye,Tate."

He closed the door behind him. The artificial smile went away, leaving her drained of energy and

emotion.Shesatdownwearilybehindherdeskandcaughtherbreath.Theskirtwassotightthatshe
couldn'tfastenthebutton,sosheletthezipperdownunderheroverblouseandbreathedinfreshair.
Sheputahandonherslightlyswollenbellyandsmiledtenderly.Itdidn'ttakemuchimaginationto
understand why her waistline had increased. Here was another secret that Tate didn't know. But this
washerownprecioussecret.Shewouldn'tshareit.

Evenifheneverforgaveher,shehadatinypartofhimthatwouldlastherallherlife.Shehadhis
child.

"It'sokay,"shethoughttothetinycreatureunderherheart.

"I

wantyouandI'llloveyou.We'llbefine.justthetwoofus."

ChapterTen

=Secilyboughttwonewskirtsandsomesweatersthatwereoversizetowearwiththem.Shecouldn't
affordtoletLetafindoutwhatshesuspectedaboutthecauseofherwideningwaistline.Thiswasone
secretshedidn'tdareshare.

Letawassubduedwhenshearrived.

"My son hates me," she said sadly when they were in the kitchen fixing a light supper in Cecily's
apartment.ItwasTuesday,andCecilywasgoinginlatethenextmorningtowork.

"Hewasfuriouswhenhecalledmeonthephone."

"Hehatesallofus,"Cecilyremindedherwithawarmsmile.

"He'llgetoverit."

"I'vedonenothingrightinmylife,"camethegrimreply.

"Thereareerasersonpencilsbecausepeoplearen'tperfect,"Cecilycommented.

"Yes,well,youhaven'tmessedupyourfamilythewayIhave."

Cecilycouldhavearguedthatpoint.Sheslicedonionandtomatoandradishesintothelettuceinthe
salad she was making and prayed that the queasiness she'd felt lately wouldn't reappear at an
inopportunetime.Peoplewhocalledit"morningsickness"mustbenormal,shemused,becausehers
came more often at night and in the evenings. She was tired a lot, too. She'd bought one of those
home-pregnancytestsandwastryingtoworkupenoughnervetouseit.Shewantedachildsobadly.
"Cecily!"Letaexclaimedsuddenly,gapingather.

"Cecily,you'vecutyourbeautifullonghairoff!"

She'dwonderedwhenLetawouldnotice.She'dhadherlonglockssnippedthedayafterTatewalked
outofherlife.Itwaslikeanewbeginning.Shefeltthepixiehaircutwitharuefulsmile.Actuallythe
beauticianhadsaidthatitsuitedher,anditdid.Itgaveherovalfaceanewmaturityandthemakeup
she'dlearnedtousehadhighlightedtheattractivefeaturesinherface.She'dmadeonelastconcession:
anewkindofcontactlensesthatshecouldactuallywearwithoutgettingeyeinfections.Shewasso
differentthatLetahadtohavebeenreallydevastatedandwithdrawnnottohavenoticeditbeforenow.

"I'vemadesomeminorimprovements,"Cecilysaidwithagrin.ShetookthefettuccineAlfredooutof
theoven,alongwithsomeapplepastriesshe'dmade.

"Bytheway,Ididn'tmentionthatwe'rehavinganotherdinnerguest.

Youdon'tmind?"

Letashookherhead.

"IlikeColby."

Thatwasaniceassumption,anditwasgoingtosaveCecily'slifeforthetimebeing.Sheglancedat
Letainherprettyautumn-leafpatternedskirtwiththecreamsweateroverit.Herhairwasdoneina
complicatedtopknot.Shedidlookherage,butshehadtracesofbeautyinherhigh-cheekbonedface
andherdarkeyeswerefulloflife,evenwhenshewassad.

"DoIlookokay?"Letaaskedworriedly.

"Youlooklovely."

Thedoorbellrang.Cecilyturnedbacktothestovedeliberately.

"Couldyoulethimin?"sheaskedinnocently.

"Ican'tleavetheAlfredo."

"Sure."

LetawalkedtothedoorandopeneditwithareadysmileforColbyLane.Andfoundherselflooking
straightintotheeyesofamanshehadn'tseenfaceto-faceinthirty-sixyears.

MattHoldenmatchedherfaceagainsthismemoriesofayoung,slight,beautifulwomanwhoseeyes
lovedhimeverytimetheylookedathim.

Hisheartspunlikeacartwheelinhischest.

"CecilysaiditwasColby,"Letasaidunsteadily.

"Strange.ShephonedmeandaskedifIwasfreethisevening."Hisbroadshouldersshruggedandhe
smiledfaintly.

"I'mfreeeveryevening."

"Thatdoesn'tsoundlikethelifeofaplayboywidower,"Letasaidcaustically.

"Mywifewasavampire,"hesaid.

"Shesuckedmedryoflifeandhope.Herdrinkingworemedown.Herdeathwasareliefforbothof
us.DoIgettocomein?"headded,glancingdownthehall.

"I'm going to collect dust if I stand out here much longer, and I'm hungry. A sack of McDonald's
hamburgersandfriesdoesn'tdoalotforme."

"Ihearit'sapresidentialfavorite,"Cecilymused,joiningthem.

"Comein,SenatorHolden."

"ItwasMattbefore,"hepointedout.

"Orareyoutryingtobuttermeupforabiggerdonationtothemuseum?"

Sheshrugged.

"Pickareason."

He looked at Leta, who was uncomfortable. "Well, at least you can't hang up on me here. You'll be
glad to know that our son isn't speaking to me. He isn't speaking to you, either, or so he said," he
added.

"Isupposehewon'ttalktoyou?"headdedtoCecily.

"Hesaidgoodbyeveryfinally,aftertellingmethatIwasanidiottothinkhe'dchangehismindand
wanttomarrymejustbecauseheturnedouttohavemixedblood,"shesaid,notrelatingtheshocking
intimacythathadprefacedhisremarks.

"I'llpunchhimforthat,"Mattsaiddarkly.

"Ex-specialforces,"Letaspokeupwithafaintattemptathumor,noddingtowardMatt.

"Hewasinuniformwhenwewentonourfirstdate."

"Youworeawhitecottondresswithatieredskirt,"herecalled,"andletyourhairdown.Hair..."

HeturnedbacktoCecilyandgrimaced.

"GoodGod,whatdidyoudothatfor?"

"Tatelikeslonghair,that'swhatIdiditfor,"shesaid,venominherwholelook.

"Ican'twaitforhimtoseeit,evenifIhavetosettleforsendinghimaphoto!"

"Ihopeyounevergetmadatme,"Mattsaid.

"Fatchance.Youtwocomeonintothediningroom.I'vegotsupperonthetable."

Mattwasalittleawkward.SowasLeta.Butafterafewminutes,thefoodandthenicebottleofwine
Cecilyhadboughttogowithsupperhadloosenedthemupalittlebit.

"Youaren'tdrinking?"Mattasked.

"Irritablestomach,"shesaid,whichwasthetruth.

"Ican'thandleacidsthesedays,whetherthey'reinwineorcitrusfruits."

"Tough,"hesaid.HelookedatLetawithsoft,darkeyes.

"RemembertheorangesthatRedElkusedtosellatthetradingpost?

Theywerealwaysthesweetestones,especiallyaroundtheholidays."

"Iremember."

Hesighedwithsadness.

"I'msorryforthewastedyears.I'msorrythatIcheatedyouandmyself.

"I'djustcomehomefromthewarwithmedalsandaspirations,andshehadarichdaddy,"hesaidwith
bittercynicism.

"Imarriedherinasmallceremonyandstartedplanningmysenatecampaign.ThenImetyouagain
andrealizedwhatafoolI'dbeen.ImeanttotellyouIwasmarried,butIputitofftoolate.Likenow."

"It'shistory,"Letasaidwithgenuinesorrow.

"Wecan'tgobackandchangethings."

"WillyoubelievemeifItellyouIwishIcould?"heaskedgently.

Shesmiledalittlemorewarmly."Yes,butitdoesnogood."

Hepickedupherhandandsawtheringthathe'dgivenhersolongago,stillonherfinger.

"Inevertakeitoff,"shesaidself-consciously.

Heliftedittohischiseledmouthandkisseditsoftly.

"YougaveminetoTate."

"Yes.Hishandsarethesamesizeyoursare.Hedoesn'tknowaboutthering,"sheadded.

"Anymorethanheknewaboutyou.I'msorry.IwasdoingwhatIthoughtwasbest."

He let go of her hand. "I realize that. Funny, there was always a sort of pleasure in having Tate
around,evenwhenheirritatedthehelloutofme.Weargued,butIalwaysknewwhereIstoodwith
him.

Andtheonetimehereallyneededhelp,hecametome,"herecalled.

"HeandPierceButtonandBrianne,thegirlButtonmarried,cametomewithanArabrefugeewho
wasabletoblowthehornonawickedlittleinsurrectionthatcouldhavedraggedthiscountryintoa
war.Icalledafriendatthetelevisionstationandpulledtheirironsoutofthefire."Hesmiledalittle
withmemory.

"Imagine that. I'd never thought of it before. There were other avenues he could have taken. But he
cametome."

"He may not like you," Cecily murmured dryly, "but he's always respected you. He thinks you're
arrogantandstubborn,"sheaddedwickedly.

"Weallknowwhohegetsthatfrom,don'twe?"heasked,andtherewasanoteofprideinhisdeep
voice.

Nobody argued with him. He stayed a long time, sitting on the sofa with Leta while they discussed
peoplethey'dknown,placesthey'dseentogether.Theybehavedasifthepastthirty-oddyearshadn't
even happened. Minutes later, they were holding hands. They talked about Tate, but sadly. Cecily,
observing,couldonlyimaginehowharditwasforthemtohavehadtotelltheirsontheirsecret.She
touchedherabdomenlightlyandworriedaboutherownsecret.Historywaslikelytorepeatitselfwith
her.

"Hemadehermad,"LetaventuredwhenMatthadtriedandfailedtogetCecily'sattention.

"She'sinasnit."

"Nicechoiceofwords,"heagreed,smilingatCe-city,whocameoutofhertrancewithalaugh.

"I'mnotmadathim,"shesaid.

"Well,I'mnotterriblymad.He'shadablow.Itwilltaketimeforhimtogetoverit."

"Moretimethanwemayhaveleft,I'mafraid."HeglancedathisRolex,grimacedandgottohisfeet.

"I'vegottogiveacolleaguehellaboutastandhe'stakingonthenewbudget.Sorry,buthe'sahard
guytoreachexceptlateatnight."

Cecilyshookhands.

"I'mgladyoucame.We'llhavetodoitagain."

"Youcanbothcometomyplacetomorrownight.Ican'tcook,butIhaveachefwho'swonderfulwith
chicken.Howaboutit?I'llevensendthecarforyou."

"Isn'titriskyrightnow?"Cecilyaskedworriedly.

"It'salloutintheopen,"hetoldher.

"They can do what the hell they like with the information. I've got people working for Tom Black
Knifeandhisthievinggrandsonisalreadybehindbars.Tateknowsthetruth.LetaandIcantakethe
heat.

Can'twe?"heaskedtheolderwomanwithasmilethatwrappedherupincotton.

Years of taking all sorts of punishment were in the lines of her face, but she smiled back with her
heartinhereyes.

"Icantakeanything."

Henodded,thesameprideinhiseyeswhenhelookedatherthathefeltabouthisson.

"Yes."

"We'llcome."

"BringColbyifheshowsup,"headded.

"Idon'tknowwhereColbyis,"shesaid,frowning,becausehe'dbeenawayalongtime.

"HesaidhewasgoingtoArizona,butthatwasjustbeforeIleftWapiti.Hewouldn'thavebeenthere
thislong,surely."

"He's probably out of the country," came the reply, which was just a little too careless, but Cecily
didn'tnotice.

"Butifheshowsup,he'swelcome."

"Thanks."Cecilystartedclearingthetable,asignalthatLetashouldseetheirguestout.

HoldenopenedthedoorandimpulsivelypulledLetaoutintothedesertedhallwithhim,closingthe
doorbehindthem.

"Matt..."sheprotested.

Hejerkedherintohisarmsandbenttokissherwiththepent-uphungerhe'dfeltforyears.Shefelt
just as she had all those years ago, she tasted like nectar. His arms enveloped her, his mouth
demanded.Shestiffenedjustforaminuteandthensighed,andpushedcloser,reachingaroundhimto
bringhimnear.

Finallyheliftedhishead.Hisheartbeatwasasaudibleashers.Hesearchedhermistyeyeshungrily.

"Yougavemeachild.Yougavemeason."Heframedherfaceinhisbig,leanhands.

"Itwasn'tanaffair,Leta.Ilovedyou!"

"Iknowthat."Tearsstunghereyelids.

"Ilovedyou,too.Butyouweremarried.WhatcouldIsay?ShewouldhavemadeyoupayforTate."

"Andyou.AndTate.ButI'velostsomuch,honey,somanyyears."Hebrushedawaythetears.

"Don't cry. It's all right. We lost each other for a little while, but we're through being miserable.

Neitherofuswillbealonenow,andnothingwilleverhurtyouagain,aslongasthere'sabreathin
mybody!"

Shecouldn'tstop.Itwasfunny,shehadn'tcriedatalluntilnow,bravelypressingbackthepainofher
son'sanger.ButMattwasholdingherandshewasn'taloneanymore.

Shelaidhercheekagainsthisjacketandgaveintotheagonyofallthelonelyyearswithouthim,of
Tate'shostility.

Hedabbedathereyeswithahandkerchief.Hisowneyesweresuspiciouslybright.

"Yougavehimmyfather'sname.Rene."

Shesmiledwetly.

"Yes.Iremembermeetinghimjustonce.IthoughtTateshouldhavehisname."

"He moved back to Morocco after I got into the Senate. My mother was dead by then. He said he
couldn'tstayinthehousewithMaviswhenwemovedtoMaryland,"hesaidruefully.

"Hehatedher.Heneverreallyforgavemeforlettingyougetaway."

"Regrets,"shesaid,"donogood."

"Iknow.Butyouhavetocauterizeawoundbeforeitwillheal."Hesmileddownather.

"I'llexpectyoutomorrownight.""Didyoueverloveher?"shehadtoknow.

"Igrewfondofher,andIpitiedher.Shewasn'tlovable.LovewasneverthereasonImarriedher.I
made a huge mistake, Leta, and we've both suffered for it. Now our son is suffering, too. But I
wouldn'thaveknownabouthimifthissituationhadn'tarisen,wouldI?"

Shedrewinasteadyingbreath.

"Iwantedtotellyou.Iwasafraid.

Ithadbeentoolong.Ithoughtyoumighthateme."

Heshookhishead.

"Icouldneverhateyou.Ihaveapaleideaofwhatyouwentthroughwithyourhusband,"hereturned.

"Didyoueverlovehim?"

"Icouldn't,"sheconfessed.

"Hewasn'tlovable,either.HeknewIwaspregnant,althoughnotwhothefatherwas,andhesaidhe
lovedmeenoughtoacceptthechildandme.Hethoughthislovewasstrongenoughtomakeupfor

Tate,butitwasn't.Andwhenhelearnedthathecouldn'tfatherachildofhisown,itmadehimcruel.
Hehatedbothofusintheend.Tatehadahardchildhood."

Matt'sfacehadhardened.

"I'msorryforthat.Butit'smadehimthemanheis,"hesaid.

"We'reallproductsofourhardtimes.Firetemperssteel."

"Sotheysay."Shetracedthelinesofhisfacewithherfingertips,relearninghimbytouch."Ithought
ofyouwhileIlayaloneinthedarkness,withonlyTatetoconsolemewhenIfeltlostandafraid."

"Ithoughtofyou,"hesaid.Hiseyeswereblazingwithfeelingastheysearchedhers.

"I'vebeenalone,too.Whileshewasalive.Sinceshedied."

Shenodded."Whatacurse,towantonlyoneperson."

Hedrewherintohisarmsandkissedheragain,hungrily."Whatagloriousblessing,towantonlyone
personandbewantedback,evenafterthirty-sixlongyears,"hewhispered.

Eventuallyheleft.Letacamebackintotheapartmentwithaswollenmouthandbrighteyes.

"So that's how you knew," Cecily said with pursed lips and twinkling eyes, remembering Leta's
knowinglookafterCecilyandTatehadbeenalonetogetherinthelivingroomthatdayatherhouse.

"Huh?"Letamurmured,dazed.

"Nevermind.I'lljustfinishupinthekitchen.Weneedanearlynight."

"Yes,"Letasaid,hereyesfullofdreams.

"Tomorrowisgoingtobelovely."

Itwas.LetaandMattwentovereveryinchofthehousetogetherwhileCecilywasgivencoffeeona
silvertrayinthelivingroom.

Shebeggedoffthetour,knowingthatthetwoolderpeoplewouldenjoyhavingalittletimetogether.

Whatshedidn'tknowwasthatthefirstroomtheyenteredhappenedtobeMatt's,andthattheybarely
hadthepresenceofmindtolockthedoorbeforetheyfellacrosshisbig,king-sizebedinatangleof
armsandlegsandmouths.

"Inhere...didyou...withher?"shegaspedashismouthworkeditswaydownherbody.

"Neverinhere,"hebitoff.

"Neverwithher.Neverwith...anyone!"

Whilehewasspeaking,barelyabletogetwordspasthistightthroat,hewasstrippingher.Herbody
wasassoftandprettyandwelcomingasithadbeenallthoseyearsago.Herhandswereworking,too,
movingfabric,tuggingatfastenings.

They kissed and touched and then laughed as stiff joints couldn't quite cope with remembered
positions.Buthelovedherassweetlyashehadinherteens,takinghistime,coaxingherbodyinto
need,thenhunger,thenuninhibitedpassion.

Hekissedherashepossessedher,hearinghersoftgaspasherbodyyieldedtoaman'sforthefirst
timeinyears.Heliftedhisheadandlookedintoherlovingeyesandsmiled.

"Oldpeopledon'tmakelove,didyouknow?"hewhisperedashebegantomoveagain,moregently.

"Ireaditinabook."

Herfingersthreadedthroughhisthick,coolhair.

"Stopreadingbooks."

Hehadherhairdownaroundhershoulders.Hegathereditinonehandandbroughtittohismouthas
hisbodymovedwarmly,sensuously,onhers.

Shekissedhisthroat,lettinghertongueslipagainstit.Shefelthisheartbeatstopandthenaccelerate.

"IthoughtIrememberedthatyoulikedthat,"shewhispered.

"Andthis..."

Hegroaned.

"Oh, yes." She arched up to him, feeling his body surge down into hers in a fast, hard rhythm that
veryquicklyliftedherrightupoffthebed.Shegaspedatthesensationsthatshe'dforgottenshecould
feel.

"At...myage...!"shechoked,grittingherteethastheecstasysweptthroughherinhotwaves.

"Matt!"

His name was a long, sweet little sob against his throat, which he barely heard through the mad
poundingofhisownheart.He'dbarelybeenabletoholdbacklongenoughtosatisfyher.Shehadno
ideahowmanyyearshadpassedsincehe'dbeenwithawoman.AndbeingwithLeta,whomheloved,
whomhe'dalwaysloved.Hesobbedagainsthermouthasconvulsionafterconvulsionrackedhim.He
couldn'tbreathe.

It was like dying, being born, sailing through fire. He choked her name and stiffened, wondering
dimlyifhewasgoingtolivethroughit.

Shelaughed.Heheardthetinklingchimesofitfromalongwayaway.

Heopenedhiseyes.Hewaslyingonhisback,hisbigbodycompletelynude,opentohersoftgaze.

"You're as beautiful as you were the night we made our son," she whispered, bending to kiss him
tenderly.

Hisfingerstracedherdarkeyebrows,hercheeks,hermouth.

"Iwishwecouldhaveanotherbaby,"hesaidheavily.

"SodoI.ButI'mtooold,"shesaidsadly.Shelayhercheekagainsthisbroad,dampchestandstroked
thesilver-tippedhairthatcoveredit.

"We'llhavetohopeforgrandchildren,ifheeverforgivesus."

Heheldhertightly,asifbyholdingherhecouldkeephersafe.

Whathefeltforherwasferociouslyprotective.

Shemisunderstoodthetighteningofhisarms.Shesmiledandsighed.

"Wecan't,again.Cecilywillthinkwe'vedesertedher."

Hishandsmoothedherlonghair.

"Sheprobablyknowsexactlywhatwe'redoing,"hesaidonachuckle.

"Shelovesyou."

"Shelikesyou.Maybewecouldadopther."

"Betterifoursonmarriesher."

Shegrinned.

"Wecanhope."Shesatupandstretched,likingthewayhewatchedherstill-firmbreasts.

"ThelasttimeIfeltlikethiswasthirty-sixyearsago,"sheconfided.

"Thesameistrueforme,"hereplied.

She searched his eyes, already facing her departure. She would have to go back to the reservation,
home.

Hecouldstillreadherbetterthansheknew.Hedrewherhandtohismouth.

"It'stoolate,butIwanttomarryyou.Thisweek.Assoonaspossible."

Shewassurprised.Shedidn'tknowwhattosay.

"Iloveyou,"hesaid.

"Ineverstopped.Forgivemeandsayyes."

Sheconsideredtheenormityofwhatshewouldbeagreeingtodo.Behishostess.Meethisfriends.
Gotofund-raisingevents.Wearfancyclothes.Actsophisticated.

"Yourlifeissodifferentfrommine,"shebegan.

"Don'tyoustart,"hemurmured.

"I'veseenwhatitdidtoCecilywhenTateusedthatsameargumentwithheraboutallthedifferences.It
won'tworkwithme.Weloveeachothertoomuchtoworryabouttrivialthings.Sayyes.We'llwork
outallthedetailslater."

"Therewillbeparties,benefits..."

Hepulledherdownintohisarmsandkissedhertenderly.

"Idon'tknowmuchaboutetiquette,"shetriedagain.

Herolledherover,pinninghergently.Onelongleginserteditselfbetweenbothofhersashekissed
her.

"Oh,whatthehell,"shemurmured,andwrappedherlegsaroundhis,groaningasthejointsprotested.

"Arthritis?"heasked.

"Osteoarthritis."

"Me,too."Heshifted,groaningalittlehimselfasheeaseddown.

"We'llworkonnewpositionsoneday.Butit's...toolate...now.

Leta."hegasped.

She didn't have enough breath to answer him. He didn't seem to notice that she hadn't. Bad joints
notwithstanding, they managed to do quite a few things that weren't recommended for people their
ages.Andsomethatweren'tinthebookatall.

Cecilyknewbeforetheytoldherthattheyweregoingtobemarried.

Itwasinthewaytheylookedateachother,withfascinatedawe.

Theycouldn'tseemtobearbeingoutofeachothers'sight.Sheenviedthemwithallherheart.

Leta didn't go home with her, and she hadn't expected her to. She was well and truly Matt Holden's
greatesttreasurenow,andshewasgoingtostaylockedawayinhisarmsuntilhecouldgetaringon

herfinger.Itwastouching.

ThedoorbellrangjustasCecilycameoutoftheshowerthefollowingmorning.Shehadonherslip
and a thick bathrobe, and she was expecting Leta. It was Colby instead, looking more battered than
ever.

"Comein!"shesaidenthusiastically,dragginghimintotheapartment.

"I'vegotsomuchtotellyou!"

"I'vegotsomethingtotellyou,too,"hesaidheavilyandwithoutsmiling.

"AndI'mafraidyou'renotgoingtolikeit."

Shegavehimahardstareashecamein.Helookedcompletelyoutofsorts.

"Wherehaveyoubeen?"sheasked.

"Mostrecently,overatMattHolden'shouse,"hesaid.

"Why?"

"I'vebeendoingsomeworkforhimontheQT,tryingtohelpourfriendTom.Imanagedtogetan
eyewitnesstotalk.Tom'sgoingtobeokay."

HegrimacedashelookedatCecily."Iletmyselfgetpersuadedtostayforcoffee,orIwouldn'thave
endedupinthemiddle."

"Middleofwhat?"

"ThesenatorandoneboilingmadTateWinthrop"

ChapterEleven

(-^ecilypulledherrobetighteraroundherselfandsatdown.

"Goahead.Tellme."

"Justaminute."Hetookoutthesamesortofdeviceshe'dseenusedbefore,activatedit,andputiton
thetable.

"Justincase,"hesaid.

"Youmayhaveeavesdroppers,andIcan'tbetoocareful."

"Thanks,"shesaid.

"Thesenatorhadamancomeoverandsweepmyofficeatwork.It'stheonlyotherplaceIfeelsafe."
Shehesitated.

"HowisTate?"

Hedroppedintothechairacrossfromherwithanirritatedsound.

"Well,heisn'tthemanIusedtoknow."

Hereyesheldasoftsadness.

"Youdon'tknowwhy,Colby."

"Liketobet?"heaskedwithawrygrin.

"HecalledMattHoldeneverythingexceptaman,andthenhestartedonhismother.Hewaslividthat
she'dkeptthetruthabouthisrealfatherfromhimallthoseyears,andthatshehunguponhimwhen
hecalledtogetthetruthoutofher.Buthewasevenmadderwhenhefoundoutthatshe'dmovedinto
Holden'shouseandwaslivingwithhim.

HecalledheranameIwon'trepeat."

"Whathappened?"Cecilypromptedimpatientlywhenhepaused."SenatorHoldenknockedhimover
thesofa.Letagotinthewayandbrokeitup,butTateleftinaredrage,swearingthathe'dneverspeak
toeitherofthemagain."

Itwasnolessthanshe'dexpected,havingknownTateforsomanyyears.ButshefeltsorryforLeta
andMatt.

"Doyouknowwherehewent?"sheasked.

"Hedidn'tsay.Iwasn'twillingtoriskaskinghim,either,"headdedruefully.

"TateandIhavehadourdifferenceslately."

"Whatamess."

"It'llblowover,"hesaid.

"Peoplegetmad,theygetoverit."

"Tatedoesn't."

"Well,hecanworkonjoiningthehumanrace,can'the?"Hescowled.

"Whatareyoudoingathome?It'sMondaymorning."

Shepickedatathreadontherobe.

"Justalittlemorningsickness.

It'llpasseventuallyandI'llgotowork.""Morning.sickness?"

Shemethisshockedgaze.

"That'sright."Shecockedherhead."Goahead.Askmewhothefatheris."

Heonlysmiled.

"DoIlookthatstupidtoyou?"

Shepushedbackhershorthairwithasigh.

"He doesn't know, and you're not to tell him. In English, Apache or Lakota," she emphasized,
coveringallherbases.

Henodded.

"Whatareyougoingtodo?"

"Ihaven'ttheslightestidea,"sheconfessed.

"Ionlyusedthehome-pregnancytestthismorning,butIwasprettysurebeforethen.

I'vegottofindaplacetolivewhereLetawon'tseemeforawhile.

Ican'triskhavinghertellTate."Sheglancedathim.

"Wherewereyouallthistime?"shewantedtoknow."Sittingcalmlyinawingchairsippingcoffee
andtryingtolookinvisible."Heliftedhiseyebrowsatherdisbelievingexpression.

"Somebodyhadtokeephishead."

"There'sanoldsayingthat,ifyoucankeepyourheadwheneveryonearoundyouislosingtheirs,you
don'thaveacluewhat'sgoingon,"

shemisquoted.

"Couldbe.ButI'mnotsportingabruisedface,likesomeIcouldname."Heleanedforward.

"Wanttomarryme?"

"Thanks,Colby,"shesaidsoftly.

"Ireallymeanit.Butitwouldn'tbefairtoanyofus.Especiallyyou."

Hefoldedhisarmsandleanedback.

"Theofferdoesn'thaveatimelimit.Ireallydolovechildren."

"SodoI,"shesaiddreamily.

"Boysandgirls.I'llbehappywithwhateverIget."

"Andyou'renotgoingtotellTate."

Herfacereflectedtheturmoilthequestioncaused.

"Well,notanytimesoon.Heisn'tspeakingtome,actually.Hesaidhe'dneverforgetorforgivethatI
knewabouthisfatherandwouldn'ttellhim.

I'msurehemeantit."

Her expression said more than that calm tone. Colby's face tautened a little as he considered Tate's
inflexibility.

"Amanwhocan'tforgiveisn'thuman."

"Gotellhimthat,ifyoucanfindhim.I'vetalkedmyselfhoarse.Hedoesn'thearwhathedoesn'tlike."
Shegotup.

"I'mgoingtochangeandmakesometoast.Wantsome?"

"I'llmakeit."Hewentintothekitchenwhileshepulledonaloosedressandhermules.

Shewentintothekitchenafterhim,feelingoddlynumb.Hewasusingthetoastertomaketoast,and
coffeewassteamingfragrantlyinthecoffeemaker.

"Ihopethat'sstrong,"shemurmured.

"It'stheonlythingthatsettlesmystomach."

"Imadedecaf,"hesaid.

"Caffeineisn'tgoodforyou."

"Thankyou.MamaLane."

Hemadeafaceather.

"TateandIusedtoshareeverything.Lethimgooffinasnit.I'llsharehisbaby.Ifhedoesn'tcome
back,I'llappropriateit,andyou."

"That'soneareawhereallyourcommandoskillswillfail,dearman,"

shesaidaffectionately.

"Ilikeyouverymuch,andyoucanbebaby'sgodfather.ButI'mraisingthischildmyself."

"Godfather."Hewassavoringthewordwhenthetoastpoppedup.

"Badchoiceofwords,"shemurmured.

"Iwouldn'twanttogiveyouanybadideas.Idon'twantmychildoutfittedinafedoraandamachine
gun."

"Commandogodfathersareadifferentbreed."

"Blackbagsandcamogeararen'tmuchbetter,"sheinformedhim.

"Spoilsport.Where'syoursenseofadventure?"

"Hangingintheshowertryingtodryout."Shepouredcoffeeandtheysatdown,withtheplateoftoast
he'dbutteredbetweenthem.

"Noideawherehemightbe?"sheaskedinspiteofherresolutionnotto.

"Sorry."

"PoorLeta."

"Mattwilltakecareofher."

"Andviceversa."Shestaredoverhercoffeecupathim."Youcanseehowtheyfeelabouteachothera
roomawayfromthem.Imaginethat,afterthirty-sixyears."

"Yes."Henibbledtoast,stilllookingworried.

"Whatisitnow?"

"Ihaven'ttoldyouwhatIreallycameheretosay."

"Well?"sheprompted."Thestorybrokethismorning.Itwasontheseveno'clocknews.Isupposeby
nowit'sinmostofthenewspapers,too."

"AboutSenatorHolden?"sheaskedtautly.

"Yes. And his illegitimate son. That's what set Tate off, unless I miss my guess. You of all people
shouldknowhowhehatespublicity."

Shegroanedaloud,droppingthetoast.

"Damn!"

"They'llfindyou,too,soonerorlater.Youcanmoveorgotoahotel,butyouhavetogotoworkand
they'llfindyouthere.We'dbetterhaveafewsessionstoprepareyouforthequestionsyou'regoingto
get."Hisfacewasgrim.

"Itisn'tgoingtobepleasant."

"GoodthingIdidn'tgotoadoctoryet,Isuppose,"sheaddeduneasily.

"Good thing, indeed. A baby, if they found out about it, would certainly add a nice touch to the
scandal.HowwouldyouguessTatewouldtakefindingoutaboutthatonthemorningnews?"

Sheshivered.

"Biteyourtongue."Sheputdownthelastlittlebitofhertoastandtookasipofcoffee.

"HowdoyouthinkthesenatorandLetaaretakingit?"

"Asyou'dexpect--badly."Hiseyeswerecompassionateastheymethers."Thatwastheotherthingthat
setTateoff,havingtofindoutonthemorningnewsthathismotherhadmovedinwithhisrealfather.

HehadbloodinhiseyewhenhewentforHolden."

"PityMattdidn'thelphimthroughawindowinsteadofoverasofa,"

shegrumbled.

"Heneedsanattitudeadjustment."

"Youcan'tblamehim,Cecily.Hiswholeworldisupsidedown."

"Soismine,"shesaidmiserably.

"Soishisparents'.Andallbecauseofonelittlelie,actuallyonelittleomission,thirty-sixyearsago.
It'strue,isn'tit,aboutourpastindiscretionscomingbacktohauntus?Isupposeit'salwaysbesttotell
thetruthinthefirstplace,howeverpainful.Lookathowhehurtmebynottellingmethathewasmy

benefactor.Iguessheforgotaboutthat."

"Fewpeoplecanseefarenoughaheadtoanticipatetheconsequencesofwhattheydo,"hereminded
her.

Thatstatementremindedherofsomething.Tatehadneverthoughtaboutprecautionswhentheywere
together.Neitherhadshe;but,then,shelovedhimandshewouldhavelovedababy.Hewasafanatic
about no mixed bloodlines, and their first time together, he hadn't known his blood was mixed.
Curious, that a man who kept saying he didn't want to risk fathering a child was so careless about
prevention. Perhaps he thought she was taking something. That, she mused, would have required
industrial-strengthoptimismonhispart.

Hewasn'tastupidman.Hadhesimplylosthishead,orcouldtherebeareasonhewasn'tadmitting
for that lack of forethought? It was an intriguing possibility. What if he did want a child with her,
subconsciously? Then she remembered the coldness of his eyes as he said good 9 bye to her, with
suchfinality.He'dsaidthathewouldn'tforgiveher.Shehadtobelievehe'dmeantit.

"Areyoulistening?"Colbyasked.

"Ihavetobeonaplaneoutofhereatsixo'clockthiseveningandIwon'tbebackfortwoorthree
weeks."

"Oh.Sorry.Away?"

"Yes,andIcan'ttellyouwhere."Hefinishedhiscoffee.

"Letaaskedmetotellyouthatsheandthesenatorarehavingasmallweddingserviceatthatpretty
little Catholic church near the White House at ten next Friday morning. She'd have called you, but
she'safraidyourphonemightbebugged."

"Itwouldn'tsurpriseme,"shesaiddarkly.

"I'llsweeptheroombeforeIleave,"hepromised.

"Fornow,that"-heindicatedthedeviceonthecoffeetableinthelivingroom"--willdothejob.Now,
howaboutanothercupofcoffee,andI'llbeonmyway!"

Therewasonebug.Colbydisposedofitandwarnedheraboutlettingrepairpeopleintotheapartment
unlesssheconfirmedtheiridentities.

Hecouldn'ttellherwho'dputthelisteningdevicethere.Themediawouldn'tbequitethatrash,hewas
fairlycertain.

ThatleftthegamblingsyndicateorwhicheveragencywouldberesponsibleforMattHolden'ssafety
afterthestorybroke.Eitherway,itdisturbedhimtoknowthatpeoplecouldbewatchingorlistening
toeverythingshesaid.Hedidn'tmakeheavyweatherofit,buthecautionedhernottogoanywherede
rsertedbyherself.Andshe'dalsohavetobeverycarefulaboutmentioningherconditiontoanyone

whocametovisit.

Thestorywasonthefrontpageofallthemorningdailieswhenshewentintoherofficelaterinthe
morning.Itwasmoresedateinsomethaninothers,buttherewasnogettingaroundthefactthatthe
seniorRepublicansenatorfromSouthDakotahadanillegitimateson.

PierceButtonwas,apparently,abletotakesomeoftheheatoffTatebysendinghimoutofthecountry
on assignment for the first few days after the story broke. Matt Holden, Leta and Cecily weren't so
fortunate.NeitherwasAudrey,butsheseemedtobeenjoyingthepublicity,andsheexaggeratedher
relationshipwiththesenator'ssonwiththetabloidpress.

AndthenthemediadescendedonCecily,andshelearnedhowterrifyingitcouldbetofindherselfin
the public eye. Reporters wanted to know about her connection to Tate and her connection to Matt
HoldenandLeta.WhentheylearnedthatTatehadpaidherbills,theyassumedshe'dbeenhislover.It
was the truth, in a sense, but not in the sense they were trying to portray. She found herself on the
frontpageofoneofthetabloids,asTate'sformerteenageloveslave.

Audreyphonedherofficeinarage,tocondemnherforgivingoutfalseinformation.

"Youneedn'tthinkTatewillappreciateit,either,"thewomansaidscathingly.

"IphonedhiminNassauandtoldhimwhatyou'ddone.He'sfuriouswithyouformakinghimlook
likesomesortofcradlerobber!Whatapatheticattempttogethisattention!"

"Itoldthemnothing,"Cecilysaidthroughherteeth.

"WhichismorethanIcansayforyou.MissGannon."

"Ihardlyneedtostretchthetruth,sinceTateismarryingme,"shesaidinasmoothassilktone.

"PoorlittleCecily.Didyoureallythinkyouhadachancewithhim?

Hefeelssorryforyou,buthelovesme.He'llnevergivemeupnow.

Thefactthatheisn'tafull-bloodedSiouxmeansthathedoesn'thavetobeconcernedaboutmarrying
awhitewomananymore.He'smostlywhitehimself."

Cecilycouldhavestrangledher.

"You'dliketothinkso,wouldn'tyou?Butwhateverhemaybe,hismotherisafull-bloodedLakota!"

"His mother is an embarrassment," Audrey said, "but since he isn't speaking to her anymore, she
doesn'tcount.YoustayawayfromTateorI'llmakeyousorry,"sheaddedinahusky-tonedfury.

"Don'tphonehim,don'tcometoseehim.Anddon'texpectaninvitationtoourwedding,either!We're
planningaChristmasweddingandthat'sonestorythenewspapersgotright!"

ShehungupthephonebeforeCecilycouldgetthewordspasthertightthroat.Sohe'dgonethatfar.

Hewasactuallygoingtomarrythehorriblewoman.Shegroundherteethtogetherandslammedthe
receiverdownsohardthatithurtherhand.

"You're a worse punishment than even he deserves, lady," she bit off as she turned away from the
phone.

"Iwouldn'twishyouonmyworstenemy!"

Thephonerangagainandshepickeditup,readytogiveAudreyafiercepieceofhermind.Butitwas
ajournalistwantingtoknowifthestoryinthetabloidswastrue,aboutTateandCecilybeinglovers
whenshewasstillinschool.

"Itmostcertainlyisnot,"shesaidcurtly.

"But I'll tell you what is. Tate Winthrop is marrying Washington socialite Miss Audrey Gannon at
Christmas.Youcanprintthat,withmyblessing!"Andshehungupagain.

Thestoryhitthepaperswiththeforceofabombblast,andCecilyhadtofighttearseverytimeshe
sawAudrey'slovelyfaceonthefrontpageofthepaper.Theonlyblessingwasthatittooktheheatoff
herself. The media, having decided that Audrey was much more photogenic and willing to talk,
dumpedCecilylikeoldnews.AudreyrevealedintimatedetailsoftheirrelationshipthatmadeCecily
sick.

Sherefusedtoreadanythingelseabouttheforthcomingwedding.Tatehadmadehischoice.Hecould
livewithit.

MattandLeta'sweddingtookplaceaweeklater.ColbyhadheardandphonedCecilytooffertocome
backfortheeventincaseTateshowedup,butshewouldn'tlethim.

"I'mnotafraidofhim,Colby,"shesaidcurtly.

"Idoubtveryseriouslyifhe'llevenshowup.Youdon'thavetorushbackonmyaccount,althoughit's
sweetofyoutooffer."

"Youbecareful,"hesaidcoolly.

"Idon'tliketheideathatsomeoneplantedabuginyourapartment.Istilldon'tthinkitwasanybody
fromthemedia.Itworriesme."

"I'mfine,"sheassuredhim.

"IhavedeadboltsonthedoorsandIdoknowhowtocallthepoliceifIhaveanyproblems."

Hewassilent.

"Justwatchyourstep.Promiseme."

"Iwill."Shehesitated.

"Colby,doyouknowsomethingthatyouaren'ttellingme?"

Therewasanotherpause."Let'sjustsaythatifyouexpecttrouble,you'rebetteroff.Andthat'sallIcan
sayfornow.Becareful.Beextracareful."

"Iwill.Youdothesame,"sheaddedwithachuckle.

"I'matougholdbird,"hetoldher.

"Otherwise,Iwouldn'tstillbealiveinthefirstplace,"heassuredher.

"Youeatproperlyandtakeyourprenatalvitamins."

"Stopmotheringme,"shemuttered.

Hegrinned.

"Somebodyhasto.Seeyou,kid."

"Sure."Shehungup.ItwasgoingtobelonelywithoutColbyforcompany,butshehadplentyofwork
tokeepherbusy.ShewonderedwhereTatewas,andhowhewashandlingtheshockwavesthathad
reverberatedthroughhislife.Eventuallyhe'dhavetoacceptthetruthandgetoverit.Butjudgingby
theconditionhe'dbeeninthedayhecametoheroffice,hewasalongwayfromacceptance.

She did go to the wedding, in a pretty blue sheath dress a size larger than she usually wore. It was
cold, too, so she could wear her leather coat and a neat little hat over her pixie hairdo. The coat, a
trenchstylethatwasbulky,madeagooddisguiseforhergrowingwaistline.

Sheenteredthechurchtryingtoturnablindeyetothecamerasandjournalistsmakingahumangate
outside.

Since she wasn't directly related to anyone involved in the scandal, and especially Since Audrey's
engagementtoTatehadbeenannounced,themediahadn'tbeenquiteaspersistentasshe'dbeenafraid
ofatfirst.Butshedidgetphonecallsatheroffice,andatherapartment.Shewaspolite,butfirm.She
wasn'ttellinganybodyanythingelse.

She'd seen on the evening news how fiercely the media had chased the senator, though. He finally
gaveinandtoldthestoryexclusivelytooneofthemoreconservativenewspapers.Afterthat,itwasa
little easier for him to go out with Leta in public. Leta used the publicity to focus on the problems
back at the Wapiti Ridge reservation. It was a prime example of turning bad publicity to good, and
CecilywasproudofthewayLetausedtheincidenttobenefitthereservation.

SowasMatt,judgingbythewidegrinonhisfaceashewatchedheratthemicrophones.

Thechurchwassparselyoccupied,mostlybyfriendsofMart'sfromCongresswho'dbravedthepress
tosupporthim.Cecilyhesitatedjustinsidethedoor,andLetaandMattHoldencameforwardtogreet
her.

Mattstillhadamarkonhischeekfromthefightwithhisson,buthealmostglowedwithhappinessin
hisformalsuit,andhewasholdingLeta'shandasifhethoughtshemightescape.Letaherselfworean
oyster-coloredsuitandafancyhairdo.Shelookedelegant.Cecilytoldhersoastheyembraced.

"Hewon'tcome,"Letasaidsadly.

"Wesenthimaninvitation,buthe'llignoreit."

Cecilyknewshemeantherson.Shepattedtheolderwoman'sshoulderreassuringly.

"Well,Icame."

Mattstudiedher,lookingsomuchlikehissonthatCecilyfeltherheartjump."Areyouokay?"

"Asgoodascanbeexpected,"shesaidwryly.

"IhadhopedthatTatemightshowupandIcouldtalktohim."

"Fatchance,"Mattsaidgruffly.

"Iguessyouheardwhathappened?"

Shenodded.

"Goodforyou,"sherepliedwithasmile.

Hegrimaced.

"Inevermeanttolosemytemperlikethat."HeslidaprotectivearmaroundLeta.

"Ijustmadethingsworse."

"Theycouldn'tgetworse,"Letamurmured.

"Lookoutthedoorandyou'llseewhatImean."

"At least we've got police officers keeping them out of here," Matt inserted. He turned toward the
altar,sawthepriestinplaceandsmiled.

"Heregoes,"headded,smilinggentlyatLeta.

"Comeon."

Sheclungtohishand,pausingtosmileatCecily.

"Wishusluck."

"Youdon'tneedit,"Cecilyreturnedwarmly.

"I'mgladthingsworkedoutforbothofyou."

"We'renotoutofthewoods,yet,"Mattsaid.

"But we'll have to talk about that later. We're going over to the Carlton for lunch with a few senior
membersofCongresswhocametolendsupport,"headded,wavingahandinthegeneraldirectionof
severaldignified-lookingmeninthefrontpews.

"Wanttocome?"

Sheshookherhead.

"Thanks,butIbeggedoffjustlongenoughtocometotheceremony.Dr.

PhillipsisoutoftownandI'mexpectingadelegationatthemuseumtotalkaboutfutureexhibits."

"Don'tletthemtalkyouintoanythingyoudon'tlike,andtellPhillipsIsaidso,"Mattinstructed.

"Asamajorprivatecontributortothemuseum,IthinkIhavealittlesayoverthedirectionittakes."

"Okay."

Shesatdowninthebackpewwhiletheywenttothealtarandthesmall,tastefulceremonybegan.

Shewasn'tsurewhensherealizedthatshewasn'talone.She'dheardaloudermurmurfromthecrowd
outside,butshehadn'tconnecteditwiththedooropening.ShelookedoverhershoulderandsawTate
standingagainstthebackwall.HewaswearingoneofthoseArmanisuitsthatlookedsosplendidon
hislithebuild,andhehadhistrenchcoatoveronearm.Hewasleaningback,glaringattheceremony.
Somethingwasdifferentabouthim,butCecilycouldn'tthinkwhat.Itwasn'tthevividbruisehighup
onhischeekwhereMatthadhithim.Butitwassomething.Thenitdawnedonher.Hishairwascut
short,likeherown.Heglaredather.

Cecilywasn'tgoingtocowerinherseatandlethimthinkshewasafraidtofacehim.Mindfulofthe
solemnityoftheoccasion,shegotupandjoinedTatebythedoor.

"Soyouactuallycame.Bruisesandall,"shewhisperedwithafaintlymockingsmile,eyeingthevery
prominentgreen-and-yellowpatchonhisjawthatMattHoldenhadputthere.

Helookeddownatherfromturbulentblackeyes.Hedidn'treplyforaminutewhilehestudiedher,
takinginthedifferencesinherappearance,too.Hiseyesnarrowedonhershorthair.Shethoughthis
eyelidsflinched,butitmighthavebeenthelight.

Hiseyeswentbacktotheceremony.Hedidn'tsayanotherword.Hedidn'treallyneedto.He'dcuthis
hair.Inhisculture---theonethatpartofhimstillbelongedto--cuttingthehairwasasignofgrief.

Shecouldfeelthewayitwashurtinghimtoknowthatthepeoplehelovedmostintheworldhadlied
tohim.Shewantedtotellhimthatthepainwouldeasedaybyday,thatitwasbettertoknowthetruth
thangothroughlifelivingalie.Shewantedtotellhimthathavingafootintwocultureswasn'tthe

endoftheworld.Buthestoodtherelikeapaintedstonestatue,hisjawsotensethatthemusclesinit
werenoticeable.Herefusedtoacknowledgeherpresenceatall.

"Congratulationsonyourengagement,bytheway,"shesaidwithoutatraceofbitternessinhertone.

"I'mveryhappyforyou."

Hiseyesmethersevenly.

"Thatisn'twhatyoutoldthepress,"hesaidinacoldundertone.

"I'mamazedthatyou'dgotosuchlengthstogetbackatme."

"Whatlengths?"sheasked.

"Plantingthatstoryinthetabloids,"hereturned.

"Icouldhateyouforthat."

Theteenagesexslavestory,sheguessed.Sheglaredbackathim.

"AndIcouldhateyou,forbelievingIwoulddosomethingsounderhanded,"shereturned.

He scowled down at her. The anger he felt was almost tangible. She'd sold him out in every way
possible and now she'd embarrassed him publicly, again, first by confessing to the media that she'd
beenhisteenagelover--aloadofbullifevertherewasone.Thenshe'dcompoundeditbyaddingthat
he was marrying Audrey at Christmas. He wondered how she could be so vindictive. Audrey was
stickingtohimlikeglueandshe'dtoldeveryoneaboutthewedding.Notthatmanypeoplehadn'tread
italreadyinthepapers.Hefeltsickallover.

Hewouldn'thaveAudreyatanyprice.NotthathewasabouttoconfessthattoCecilynow,aftershe'd
soldhimout.

Hestartedtospeak,buthethoughtbetterofit,andturnedhisangryeyesbacktowardthecoupleatthe
altar.

Afteraminute,Cecilyturnedandwentbacktoherseat.Shedidn'tlookathimagain.

Hestoodaloneinthebackofthechurch,withhisresentmentsmakingacocoonaroundhim.Hehated
themanwhowashisrealfather,hehatedhismotherforlyingtohimhiswholelife,hehatedCecily
forbeingapartytoit.Hedidn'tknowwhyhewashereatall,exceptthatithadseemedtherightthing
todo,despitehisfury.

HeglancedatCecilywithnarrowedeyes.He'dnoticedimmediatelythatshe'dcutherhair,justashe'd
cuthisown.Hewonderedwhy.Hisexcusewasgrief,buthedoubtedshehadsimilarfeelings.Shewas
spendingplentyoftimewithColby.Maybehelikeditshort.ThethoughtofCecilywithanotherman,
afterwhatthey'dshared,hurt.

Latelyeverythingdid.Somethinginsidehimwasgladtoknowthetruthofhisparentageatlast,butit
couldn'tgetthroughtherageofbetrayal.Heglanceddownatthefloorwhilethemurmurofvoices
buzzedaroundhisearslikebees.Hewonderedifthepainwouldeverstop.

Minuteslater,whenthepriestpronouncedLetaandMattHoldenmanandwife,Cecilywascarefulnot
to look toward the back of the church as she drifted down to the front of the altar to congratulate
them.

Matthuggedher,too,beforehelookedoverhershoulderandhiseyesbegantodarken.

"JustwhatIneed,"hemuttered.

"That!"

Cecily'seyesfollowedhisdisgustedstareandherheartjumpedasshesawAudreyclingingtoTate's
arm.Sothatwaswhyhe'dbeensouncommunicative.HewaswaitingforAudrey.Cecilyfeltlossto
thesolesofhershoes.NowsheknewthatAudreyhadbeentellingthetruthabouttheirrelationship.
TheygaveonelastlooktowardLetaandMattbeforeleavingthechurch.Tatedidn'tevenlookback.

Audreydid,withasmuglittlesmileonherlipsthatCecilywasmeanttosee.

"Atleasthecame,"Letasaid,tryingtosoundcheerful.

"Itwasniceofhim,underthecircumstances."

Mattlookedasifhewantedtosaysomething,buthedidn't.HecaughtLeta'shandinhisandignored
thebackofthechurch.

Threeweekspassedwithincredibleslowness.Tatehadapparentlygoneoutofthecountryagainand
Ce-citydidn'thearfromColby,either.

One Friday afternoon, as she was fielding complaints from a group of indigenous people from
Montana, sleet began to pepper the grass outside her office window. She was tired already as her
pregnancyadvanced.

ButafterlunchthisNativeAmericandelegationfromMontanahadgatheredinheroffice,protesting
anexhibitthathadbeengiventothemuseumbytheeldersoftheirtribe.Theyweren'tmembersofthe
tribal council, and they had militant connections. But Cecily was able to reason with them by
promisingsomemuch-neededpublicitywhentheexhibitformallyopened.

This surprised them. Having had dealings with other bureaucrats, they were expecting excuses and
dismissal.ButCecilyspokewithintimateknowledgeoftheirproblems.

One positive thing that had occurred in the past few decades was the renewed pride of the Native
Americanpeopleintheirheritageanditslegacyofstewardshipoftheland.Theresurgenceofpride
had resulted in native peoples speaking out in favor of sovereignty, demanding change, demanding
accountabilityfromtheagenciesthathadjurisdictionoverthem.Thingsweregettingbetter,littleby

little.

MoreNativeAmericanswerestudyinglawaswell,andatleastoneorganizationwasquiteactivein
thedefenseofindigenouspeoplewhoranafoulofthecourts.

Cecilywasproudthatsheunderstoodenoughabouttheirproblemstospeakwithauthorityaboutthe
methodswhichmightbeusedtoimproveconditionsontheirreservation.Sheevenmadesuggestions
thatdelightedthem.

Oneoftheoldermembersofthetribeactuallygrinnedatheronthewayoutofheroffice.

"You'renothalf-bad,"hemurmured.

Shegrinnedback,recognizingthisasacompliment.

"Thankyou."

The sleet kept coming down. It wasn't such an odd thing for November in Washington, but Cecily
hadn't listened to the weather reports and now she was sorry. She was wearing slick-soled little
stacked-heelshoesanditwasgoingtobetheverydeviltogettohercarintheparkinglot.

ShewonderedifTatehadgottenthemessageshe'dleftonhisansweringmachine,aboutthestoriesin
thepaper.Shewantedhimtoknowthatshehadn'tgivensuchasensationallietothepress,butshealso
wantedhimtoknowthatAudreyhadtoldheraboutthewedding.She'donlypassedalongwhatshe'd
heardfromthewoman.Itprobablywouldn'tmakeanydifference,butshewantedtoclearhername.
Shewasn'tviciousenoughtodosomethinglikethattohim,knowinghowsacredhisprivacywasto
him.

Sheneversawthedarkcarthathadbeensittingintheparkinglotforseveralminutesbeforeshecame
outthedoor.Shedidn'tknowthatitsdriverhadbeenstudyinghermovementsallweek.

Whenshestartedtowardhercar,thevehiclewithitsengineidlingsuddenlyshotintogearandsped
towardher,itschainsholdingitintherutsmadebyotherdepartingcars.

Cecily,hermindonthepleasantendtothemeetinginheroffice,waswatchingherfeet.Sheheardthe
car,butonlywhenthenoisebecamedisturbingdidshelookup,justintimetoseeitheadingstraight
forher,withitsheadlightsblindingher.

Shethrewupanarmandgasped,leapingtoonesidejustinthenickoftimetoavoidbeinghithead3
on. Her feet, predictably, went right out from under her on the slick ice coating the pavement. She
cried out as she fell over the concrete bar of an empty parking spot and went careening down the
smallrisethatborderedtheparkinglotandrightintothepathofanoncomingcar.Thelastthingshe
rememberedwasthehorriblesquealoftiresonslickpavement.

Shecametointheemergencyroom.Herhandswentimmediatelytoherbellyandshelookedaround
foradoctor,anurse,anyonewhocouldreassureher.

Anursecaughthereyesandsmiled.

"It'sallright,"shesaidgently.

"Thebaby'sfine."

Cecilyletoutthebreathshe'dbeenholding.ThankGodformiracles!

"Butyou'vegotsomenastybruisesandasprainedwrist,"thenursecontinued.

"Thedoctorwantsyouadmittedsothatwecanobserveyouovernight.

Youwereconcussed,youknow."

"I'vegotadreadfulheadache,"Cecilymurmured,shaken.

"He'llgiveyousomethingforthatpresently.Slippedontheice,didyou?"

Cecilyhesitated.

"Sortof."Shedidn'twanttosaywhathadreallyhappened,notuntilshehadachancetotalktoMatt
Holden. The car had deliberately tried to hit her. If she hadn't jumped in time, she might have been
killed.Asitwas,fallingintothepathoftraffichadalmostcostherherlifeanyway.Shewastooupset
todiscussitnow.

Thenursesmiled."Istheresomeonewecannotifyforyou?Anyfamily?"

Cecily'seyesclosedasthedrugsthey'dgivenherbegantowork.

"I

havenofamily,"shemumbleddrowsily.

"Noneatall."

Itwastrue,althoughLetawouldhavebeenastonishedtohearhersayit.Letawouldhavecomeright
over, but Cecily wasn't doing that to her, not on her honeymoon. She and Matt had slipped off to
Nassauforafewdays,andCecilywasn'tgoingtobethecauseofbringingthemback.Besides,she
thought,thebabywasherfamilynow.Sheplacedherhandsoverherthickenedwaistwithadreamy
smile,pushingtothebackofhermindtherealityofwhathadalmosthappened.

Two days later, they let her out, after a battery of tests and with a bandage on her wrist to keep it
straightwhileithealed.Fortunatelyitwasherlefthand,notherrightone,soshewouldbeabletoget
onwithherwork.

Thereportershadn'tcomelookingforherinthehospital,thankGod.

Butthen,therewasajuicynewscandalgoingoninWashington,andMattHolden'swickedpasthad

justbeenrelegatedtohistory.

Cecily did wonder where Tate had gone. Probably he'd taken Audrey off to some hideaway. It was
something of a statement of intent that he'd brought her to his parents' wedding. Every time she
thought about that, for the rest of her life, Cecily was going to see Tate turning away from her.
Nothinghadeverhurtquiteasmuch.

Notthatshe'dforgottenwhathadhappenedintheparkinglotatwork.

Shedidn'tknowwhattodo.Sheshouldprobablytellsomeone,becauseifthedriverhadmeanttokill
her,he'dprobablytryagain.

The only people she could think of who had a reason to hurt her were the gambling people whose
leaderwasinjailpendingtrial.Itwasascarythoughtthatsomeoneouttheremightwantherdead.

Shedressedintoloosesweatpantsandamatchingbluesweatshirtandmadeherselfapotofdecafin
thekitchen.Shefixedherselfhalfabagelwithsomeno-fatcreamcheeseandnibbledithalfheartedly
atthekitchentablewhileshewaitedforthescaldingcoffeetocool.

Shewasn'treallyhungry,butshehadtoeatforthebaby'ssake.

"Sorry,littleguy,"shemurmured,staringattheunappetizingbagel.

Sheputitdown.

"It should be vegetables and fruits and fish and high-protein dried beans, huh? I'll go shopping
tomorrow..."

Thedoorbellrang.SurelythatwouldbeColby.Hewasalreadyoverduebackfromhistrip.Shecould
tellhimwhathadhappened,andhe'dtakecareofit.Shefeltaburstofreliefassheopenedthedoor
withasmilethatwentintoimmediateeclipse.AndfoundTatethere.

Hestaredather,takinginherwancomplexion,hershorthair,herglassesperchedbackonhernose
becauseshewasn'tabletomanagethecontactswiththebandageonherwrist.Hewaswearingablack
turtleneck with black slacks. He looked very sophisticated. With his hair short, he didn't look very
muchlikeaLakotaatall.

"Whatdoyouwant?"Cecilyaskedquietly,andwithoutwelcome.

Hischestexpandedandfell.

"Ineedtotalktoyou."

"We don't have anything to talk about," she said stiffly, remembering his harsh words at their last
meeting,atLeta'swedding.

"Likehellwedon't.You'vebeeninthehospital,"hesaidsharply.

"Theytookyouoffinanambulancetwodaysago."

Howhadheknownthat?

"Ifellontheice,"shesaid,quicklyavertinghereyes.

"I'mfine."

Hejuststaredather,lookingdisturbedandworried.

"Youtoldthestaffatthehospitalthatyouhadnofamilytonotify."

"Ihaven't,"shesaidmatter-of-factlyandglaredupathim.

"ExceptmaybeLeta.SheandMattareinNassauonabelatedhoneymoon,andIwasn'tabouttohave
thembothered."

Thatseemedtobotherhim.Heleanedagainstthedoorjamb,frowning.

"Nomatterwhatdisagreementswehave,you'llalwaysbefamilytome."

Shewonderedhowhe'dfeltaboutherphonemessage.Shealmostasked,buttherewasn'tmuchpoint.

Sheliftedherchin.Shedidn'tsmile.

"I'mverytired,"shesaid.

"Ifthat'sallyouwantedtosay..."

Hewasoddlyhesitant.

"Well,no,itisn't.Cecily,itwouldbemorecomfortableifwetalkedsittingdown.Wouldn'tit?"

Shedidn'twanthiminherapartment.Shewaswornandsoreandhalfsick,andthesightofhimhurt
her.Hereyestoldhimso.

"Pleasegoaway,Tate,"shesaidwearily.

"We've already said everything that needs saying. You get on with your life, and let me try to find
somepeaceinmine."

"Ican'tdothat,"hesaid,hisvoiceevenmorestrained.Hepropelledhergentlybackintotheapartment
andclosedthedoorwithasnap.Hisexpressionwasn'teasilyread.Itranthegamutfromconcernto
woundedcuriosity.

"I'vehadamanwatchingyousincethestorybroke.Youdidn'ttakeafallontheice,Cecily.Acartried
torunyoudown,anddamnednearsucceeded.You'regoingtotellmewhat'sgoingon.Rightnow!"

ChapterTwelve

v_/ecilyglaredatTate,butshegavein.Sheledhimintothesmalllivingroomandofferedhimaseat
onthesofa.Shecurledupinherarmchair,fullofresentmentandhurtandtryingnottoletitshow.

Ifonlyherheartbeatwouldslowdown.Ifonlyshecouldforgethowitfelttobeclosetohim,heldby
him.Buthewasonlyconcernedaboutherforoldtime'ssake.

"Anytimetoday,"hepromptedtersely,tossinghisovercoatontotheseatbesidehim."Iwaswalkingto
mycarwhenIlookedupandadark-coloredsedanseemedtobeaimingitselfrightatme.Ijumped
outoftheway,slidontheice,rolleddownasmallgrassyembankmentand,apparently,rightintothe
pathofanoncomingcar.Itmusthavehadchainsandgoodbrakes,becauseitbarelybrushedme.Ihad
aconcussionandIsprainedmywristfromthewayIlanded."Sheheldituptoshowhimthebandage.

"Theykeptmeforobservation,andbandagedmywrist.I'mallright."

She was giving him only the bare bones. She looked paler than ever, drawn, worried. He hated
knowingthatshecouldhavebeenkilled.

"Didyoutellthedoctornottoreleasetheinformationonyourcharttoanyone?"heasked.

Sheblinked.

"Yes."Shehad,becauseshewasafraidTatemightfindoutabouttheaccidentandstartdigging.She
didn'twanthimtoknowaboutthechild.

"Why?"heaskedcurtly.

Shemethiseyes,tryingnottolettheuneasinessshefeltshow.

"Becauseit'snobody'sbusinessbutmine,"sherepliedemphatically.

His expression was so grim that she added, "I don't have anything fatal, if that's why you look so
worried."

Heseemedtorelaxalittle.Notmuch.Heleanedforwardtostudyher.Thebruisehighuponhischeek
whereMatthadhithimhadgoneaway."Whohasareasontowanttokillyou?"

Shelinkedherhandstogetherinherlap.

"I can't imagine that I have enemies myself. Maybe somebody was after Colby," she added, voicing
onefearshehadn'tbeenabletoshake.

"Hedoessomefreelancework,andpeopleknowthathespendsalotoftimehere,"sheaddedmatter-
offactly

"Yes.Hespendsalotoftimehere,"hesaidicily.

"So,inotherwords,maybetheyweretryingtogetatColbythroughyou."

Shenodded.

"It'sratherfar-fetched,though."

"Not so far-fetched. It could even have been someone trying to settle a score with me," he said
irritably,runningarestlesshandthroughhisshorthair.Heglancedather.

"Thenthere'sMattHolden."

Shenodded.

"That'swhatIthought.Alotofshadypeoplelostalotoftheirill-gottengainsbecauseofhim,and
severalofthemarefacingjailtermsoverwhathappenedatWapiti."Sheshiftedherlegs.

"They want revenge. They can't get to Matt or Leta. He has around-the-clock protection. It's highly
unlikelythatthey'dtargetTomBlackKnifeagain.Andonlyanidiotwouldgoafteryou,"shemused.

"Iseemtobetheoneweaklinkinthechain,andLetaandMattarefondofme.Maybetheydecidedto
goaftersomeonetheycouldget.Atleast,that'showitseemstome."

Henoddedsolemnly.

"That'sthesameconclusionthemanwho'swatchingyourapartmentandIcameto."

Sheshiftedagain,tryingtogetmorecomfortable.

"Whataretheoddsofgettingmeinthewitnessprotectionprogram?"

she jibed. "About as good as my odds of getting the lead in the next Batman movie. You didn't see
anythingthatyoucouldtestifyto."

Shesighed.

"Then if you've got someone watching me, can I assume that he can use a gun if he needs to?" she
askeduneasily.

"Yes.Butyou'remyresponsibility..."

"Iamnot."Hervoicewasmuchcalmerthanherturbulenteyes.

"I'vebeenyourresponsibilityforthepasteightyears.That'sover.

Ilivealone.Onanynormalday,Icantakecareofmyself.AllIneedissomeonetowatchoutforme
untilthisblowsoverandtheringleadersoftheplotgotoprison."

Hisexpressionwasn'treassuring.

"Cecily, people escape prison terms all the time through technicalities or well-meaning jurors.
There'snoguaranteeofaconviction.Evenifthereis,thesepeoplehaveplentyofcloutontheoutside.
Theycanpaysomeonetogettoyou,orhavesomeoneontheoutsidedoitforthem."

Shefeltsicknesswhirlinthepitofherstomach.Hewasoutlininganightmare.Itwasworsethanhe
could imagine, too, because he didn't know about the baby she was carrying. She looked at him
hungrily,wishingshecouldtellhim.Butthenewswouldn'tbewelcome.Shedidn'tdaretellhimabout
thechild.

"I'mnotleavingyoualone,evenwithagoodshadow,"hesaidfirmly.

"Soeitheryoumoveinwithme,orIsleeponthecouchhere.Yourchoice."

"WherewillAudreysleep?"sheaskedcoldly.

Helookedoutraged.

"Atherownapartment,"hesaidflatly.

She was really in the fire now. She couldn't stay with him; she had morning sickness. Tate wasn't
stupid. It wouldn't take him long to connect her continual nausea and fatigue with pregnancy. She
couldn'thavethat.

"IcanstaywithMattandLetawhentheycomehome,"shelied.Letawouldseeherpregnancylong
beforeshewastoldaboutit.Shedidn'tdaregoandstaywithLeta,butshewasn'ttellinghimthat.

Tateknewshe'dbesafewithhisparents.Butitwoundedhimthatshewassodeterminednottolethim
protecther.HeandAudreyhadgonetogethertotheweddingbecausehedidn'twanttofaceitalone.

Perhapshe'ddoneitdeliberatelytowoundCecily,too,forhidingthetruthfromhimandtellinglies
tothepress.ButAudreyhadbecomesopossessiveandinsanelyjealousthathehadn'tseenthewoman
since the wedding. He wanted to tell Cecily that, but her expression told him she wasn't going to
believehim.Hecouldn'tblameher.He'dtradedonhisrelationship,suchasitwas,withAudreyfor
toolongalready.

He'dplayedhell,andhislackofforesightwascomingbacktohaunthim.

"OrIcanstaywithColbywhenhecomesback,"sheaddeddeliberately.

Sheevensmiled.

"He'lltakecareofme."

Hisblackeyesnarrowed."Hecanbarelytakecareofhimself,"hesaidflatly.

"He's a lost soul. He can't escape the past or face the future without Maureen. He isn't ready for a

relationshipwithanyoneelse,evenifhethinksheis!"

Shedidn'trisetothebait.

"IcancountonColby.He'llhelpmeifIneedit."

Helookedfrustrated.

"Butyouwon'tletmehelpyou."

"Colbyisn'tinvolvedwithanyonewho'dbejealousofthetimehespentlookingoutforme.That'sthe
difference."

Heletoutanangrybreathandhiseyesbegantoglitter.

"Youhavetobeatthesubjecttodeath,Iguess."

Shemanagedtolookindifferent.

"Youhaveyourownlifetolive,Tate.I'mnotpartofitanymore.

You'vemadethatquiteclear."

Histeethclenched.

"Isitreallythateasyforyoutothrowthepastaway?"heasked.

"That's what you want," she reminded him. There was a perverse pleasure in watching his eyes
narrow.

"Yousaidyou'dneverforgetorforgiveme,"sheaddedevenly.

"Itookyouatyourword.I'llalwayshavefondmemoriesofyouandLeta.ButI'magrownwoman.I
haveacareer,afuture.I'vedraggedyoudownfinanciallyforyears,withoutknowingit.NowthatI
do..."

"For God's sake!" he burst out, rising to pace with his hands clenched in his pockets. "I could have
sentyoutoHarvardifyou'dwantedtogothere,andneverfeltthecost!"

"You're missing the point," she said, feeling nausea rise in her throat and praying it wouldn't
overflow.

"Icouldhaveworkedmywaythroughschool,paidformyownapartmentandexpenses.Iwouldn't
haveminded.ButyoumademebeholdentoyouinawayIcanneverrepay."

Hestoppedpacingandglaredather."HaveIaskedforrepayment?"

Shesmiledinspiteofherself.

"YoulookjustlikeMattwhenyouglowerthatway."

Theglaregotworse.

Sheheldupahand.

"Iknow.Youdon'twanttotalkaboutthat.

Sorry."

"Everyoneelsewantstotalkaboutit,"hesaidirritably.

"I'vedonenothingbutdodgereporterseversincethestorybroke.Whatahellofawaytodoit,on
nationaltelevision!"

"Mattdidn'thavemuchchoice,"shestated.

"Ifhe'dtriedtokeepitunderwraps,themediafrenzywouldhavebeenevenworse.He'sapowerful
memberoftheSenate.Hehadtothinkaboutdamagecontrolorkisshiscareergoodbye."

Tateknewthat,butitdidn'tmakehimfeelmuchbetter.

"Theyneedtogobacktonewsfourtimesadayinsteadofaround-the-clock,"hesaid.

"They'vegottoomuchtimetofillandnotenoughrealstoriestofillitwith."

"Don'ttellme,"shesaid.

"Tellthem."

Hestudiedherthin,wanface.

"Areyousick?"heaskedsuddenly.

"No.Why?"

Hemovedcloser.

"Yourfaceislikerice-paper."

"Ihadabadfall.Itshookmeup,butI'mfine,"sheassuredhim.

Hewasn'tbuyingit.Therewassomethingdifferentabouther.Itwasn'tjustthefall,orthescareshe'd
had.Hecouldn'tquitedecidewhatitwas.

"You'restaring,"shepointedoutwithgrowinguneasiness.

"Something'schanged,"herepliedslowly.

"There'sadifferenceinyou."

Sheforcedherselfnottoreacttohissuspicions.

"I've grown up. I have a responsible job and constant disagreements with various groups of people
overexhibits,"shesaid.

"Plus the very real competition of another Native American museum that has more contributors,
moreexhibitsandmorespacethanwedo.We'realmostredundant."

"You'reunique,"hedisagreed.

"It may be a small museum, but it has a real feel for native issues. It isn't as full of bureaucrats as
someoftheothers."

"Thankyou,"shesaid,surprised.

Heshrugged.Hestoppedjustinfrontofher,hiseyesnarrowedinthought.

"You'rehidingsomething,Cecily,"hesaid,andherheartjumpedbecausetherewasconvictioninit.
Therehadalwaysbeenabondbetweenthem,buthefeltitmorenowthaneverbefore.Anditwasn't
justbecausethey'dbeenintimate.Therewassomething.more.

Shefoldedherhandsonherpantsandtriedtolooknonchalant.

"I

can'thideanythingfromyou,"shesaid.

"You'dseerightthroughalie."

"Ididn'tseethroughyouwhenyoukeptthetruthaboutmyfatherfromme."

Shegrimaced.Thatwouldalwaysbeasorespotwithhim,sheknew,andtherewasnothingshecould
saythatwouldmakeagooddefense.

"Youseemtoforgetthatyoudidyourownbitoflying,Tate,"shereplied,liftinghereyestohis.

"YouwerekeepingmefromthetimeIwasseventeen,andIhadtofinditoutfromAudrey."

Hislipsmadeathinline.

"Ikeptitfromyouforyourowngood."

Sheheldoutahand,palmup.

"Exactly. What good would it have done you to know that Matt was your father until you had to be
told?"

Hedidn'tspeak.Hishandjiggledtheloosechangeinhispocket.

"Heagonizedoverhowtotellyou,youknow,"shesaid,hervoicealittlesofter."Ifhecouldhave,
he'dhavekepttheknowledgefromyoufortherestofyourlife.SowouldLeta."

"Why?"hedemanded.

"BecauseyouweresoproudofbeingafullbloodedLakota,"shesaidevenly.

"Nothingmatteredmoretoyou.Theyknewhowbadlyitwasgoingtohurtyou,andLetawasafraid
thatyoumighthateherwhenyouknewthetruth."

"JackWinthrophatedme,"hesaidcoldly.

"Yes.Becausehecouldn'thavechildrenofhisown.Youwereaconstantreminderofit.HelovedLeta
andshelovedsomeoneelse.

Youwereareminderofthat,too."

Helookedaway.

"Onelie.Anditstillmakesripples."

Shenodded.

"Evengoodliesdodamage,"shesaidintrospectively.

Hestaredatthewallforaminutebeforeheturnedbacktoher.

"Allright,"hesaiddecisively.

"Ifyou'redeterminedtostayhere,I'llputtwomennearbyandhaveyouwatchedaround-the-clock."
Heheldupahandwhenshestartedtoprotest.

"Colbyhasn'tcontactedanyofus,soIassumehe'sstillundercoversomewhereoutofthecountry.

Thisistheonlyworkablesolution.I'mnotgoingtoletyougetkilledoverthis."

"Thanks,"shemurmured.

"ButI'dlikeastraightanswertoonequestion."Sheponderedthat.

"IfIcan,"shesaidfinally.Hemovedcloser.

"Why don't you want me here?" That was a complicated question and she didn't dare give him a
truthfulanswer.Shesearchedhislean,belovedface.

"Youdon'tbelongtome,"shesaidfinally,choosingherreplycarefully.

"You'reengagedtoanotherwoman."

He frowned. That wasn't the answer he'd expected. He was going to tell her the truth about Audrey
when the doorbell rang. He turned, his hand smoothly going under his jacket to the . 45 bolstered
there.

HemotionedCecilybackintoherchairandmovedtowardthedoor.

Sherealizedatoncethatheexpectedtroubleandthathewasusedtohandlingdeadlysituations.Itwas
the first time she'd actually seen him do it, despite their long history. It gave her a new, adult
perspectiveonhislifestyle.Nowonderhecouldn'tsettledownandbecomeafamilyman.She'dbeen
crazy to expect it, even in her fantasies. He was used to danger and he enjoyed the challenges it
presented. It would be like housing a tiger in an apartment. She sighed as she saw the last tattered
dreamofafuturewithhimgoingupinsmoke.

Tatelookedthroughthetinypeepholeandtookhishandawayfromthepistol.HeglancedatCecily
withanexpressionshecouldn'tdefinebeforeheabruptlyopenedthedoor.

ColbyLanewalkedin,eyebrowsraised,newscarsonhisfaceandbonewearinessmakingnewlines
init.

"Colby!"Cecilyexclaimedwithexaggerateddelight.

"Welcomehome!"

Tate'sfacecontractedasifhe'dbeenhit.

Colbynoticedthat,andsmiledatCecily.

"AmIinterruptingsomething?"heasked,lookingfromonetensefacetotheother.

"No,"Tatesaidcoollyashereholsteredhispistol.

"Wewerediscussingsecurityoptions,butifyou'regoingtobearound,theywon'tbenecessary."

"What?"

"I'mfairlycertainthatthegamblingsyndicatetriedtokillher,"

Tatesaidsomberly,noddingtowardCecily."Acaralmostranherdowninherownparkinglot.She
endedupinthehospital.Anddecidednottotellanyoneaboutit,"headdedwithaviciousglareinher
direction.

"Waytogo,Cecily,"Colbysaidglumly.

"YoucouldhaveendedupfloatinginthePotomac.ItoldyoubeforeIlefttobecareful.

Didn'tyoulisten?"

Sheshothimaglare.

"I'mnotanidiot.Icancall9II,"shesaid,insulted.

ColbywasstillstaringatTate.

"You'vecutyourhair."

"Igottiredofbraids,"cametheshortreply.

"Ihavetogetbacktowork.Ifyouneedme,I'llbearound."Hepausedatthedoorway.

"Keepaneyeonher,"TatetoldColby.

"Shetakesrisks."

"Idon'tneedabigstrongmantolookoutforme.Icankeepmyselfoutoftrouble,thankyouvery
much,"sheinformedTate.

Hegaveheralong,painedlastlookandclosedthedoorbehindhim.

As he walked down the staircase from her apartment, he couldn't shake off the way she looked and
acted.Somethingwasdefinitelywrongwithher,andhewasgoingtofindoutwhat.

Cecily had made more coffee and Colby brought the tray into the living room before he sat down
acrossfromCecily,scowling.Heputtheelectronicjammerinplacewithawrysmile.

"Hestilldoesn'tknow,Igather?"heaskedatonce.

Sheshookherhead,liftinghermugfromthetrayandaddingcreamandsugartoit.

"Hewon'teverknowifIhavemyway."Sheleanedherheadbackagainsttheseat.

"MaybeIshouldjustfindajobsomewhereawayfromhere,inasmalltown."

"Idon'tthinkyoushouldleave."Heshiftedonthesofaasifithurthimtomove."Whathappenedto
you?"sheasked.

"Bulletshurt,"hesaid.

"It missed the artificial arm by two inches, damn the marksman. I hate people who can't shoot
straight."

"Howmanythistime?"sheaskedwithasmile.

"Justone,"hesaid.

"Intheshoulder.It'smuchbetternow."Heshookhishead.

"I'mgettingtoooldforthis.I'vegotsomanybrokenbonesthatIcan'tmovefastenoughanymore."

Shesmiledwider.

"Somedayyou'llfindawomanwho'sworthgivingupthedangerfor."Thesmilefaded.

"You'relikeTate.Heloveshiswork.Heprobablylivesonadrenaline.Funny.Ineverunderstoodthat
before.Nowsuddenlyeverythingisclear.Iwaslivingonpipedreams."

Hesighed."Itwasmorethanhisheritagethatkepthimawayfromyou,"hesaid.

"Iknew,butIcouldn'texplainittoyou.Worklikeoursdemandssacrifice.Anylovedonecanbecome
a hostage. Any relationship can take away the edge we need when we're under fire. A man with
somethingtoloseisn'tamantosendonapotentialsuicidemission.Takeyourmindofftheobjective
foroneminute,andyou'redead."

"Iunderstandthatnow,"shesaid.

Helethisgazedroptoherwaistline.

"Whatareyougoingtodo?"

"Goaway,"shesaidwithdetermination.

"You'regoingtohavetohelpme.Idon'twantLetaorMatttofindoutaboutthebaby,either.Ihaveto
haveanewjobinaremotelocation,sofarfromacitythatreporterswouldhavetohuntmewithpack
animals."

Hegrimaced.

"Thatisn'tthebestplaceforapregnantwomanalone."

"Neitherishere,"shesaidearnestly.

"AtleastifI'minaccessible,Istandabetterchanceofnotgettingkilled!"

"Oh,boy."Heputhisfaceinhishands.

"Cecily,thisisano-winsituation."

"Don'tIknowit?"shemuttered.

"AllthoselecturesTateusedtogivemeinmyteensaboutprevention,andlookatme!"

Hegrinnedinspiteofthegravityofthesituation.

"Itsuitsyou,"hesaid.

"Youhavearadianceaboutyou."

"It'sjustmorningsickness,"sheassuredhimdryly,"andatouchofheartburn."

"Youlookhealthyenough."

"I'mlivingondecaf,strawberrymilkshakesandcrushedice,actually.

Comeon,Colby.Youhavetohelpmefindaplacetohibernateuntilthisblowsover."

"ThebestplacewouldbewithTate,"hesaid.

Herheartjumped.

"Wedon'thaveafuturetogether."

Heletoutthebreathhe'dbeenkeepingback.

"Idounderstandhowyoufeel,believeme.Butrunningistheworstthingyoucando.Isawoneof
Tate'smenbytheentrancewhenIcameup.You'rewatchedconstantlynow.Iwon'tberesponsiblefor
helping you move someplace where you're at risk. For one thing, Tate would kill me if anything
happenedtoyou."

"Hemightmaimyoualittle..."

"I'mnotjoking,"Colbysaidquietly.

"Youdon'tunderstandhowheisaboutyou.Heisn'tnormalwhenyou'rethreatened,inanyway."

Hestudiedherforalongmoment.

"Cecily,howdoyouthinkitwouldaffecthimifheknewyouwerecarryinghischild?"

Her heart almost jumped out of her chest. She put a hand over her slightly swollen waistline and
sighed.

"I don't know. He ... loves little things," she said after a minute, smiling as she recalled Tate with a
successionofherpetsovertheyears.

"Helikeschildren,too.WealwayshadaChristmaspartyattheschoolontheWapitireservationevery
year,andTatewouldhelppassoutpresents.Thekidswerecrazyabouthim."

"Heloveschildren,"Colbyagreed.

"He'dwanthisownchild."

Sheloweredhereyestothecarpetwithasigh.

"Maybe.Ormaybeitwouldjustmakehimfeeltrappedalloveragain."

Sheputherheadinherhands.

"It'sallsuchamess,"shemurmured.

"Idon'tknowwhattodo."

"Inwhichcase,youshoulddonothing,"Colbysaidfirmly.

Shedidn'tquitemeethiseyesasshesmiled.

"Goodadvice."

Whichdidn'tmeanshewaswillingtotakeit,shethoughtanhourlaterasshepackedasuitcase.She
couldn't tell Colby her plans for fear he might tell Tate. She couldn't tell Matt or Leta for the same
reason. Her only logical solution was to get on a bus or a train or an airplane and just. vanish. So
that'swhatshedid.

ChapterThirteen

An airplane would have been a better choice, but Cecily had applied to and been hired by a small
communitymuseuminTennessee.Thetowninwhichitwaslocatedhadnoairport.She'dhavehadto
flyintoNashvilleandhireacartodrivetoCullenville.Itwaseasiertogetonthebuslinethatwent
throughthelittletown.

She'd put most of her things in storage and had all her utilities disconnected before she left
Washington.Shehadonlytheclothesshe'dneedandsomeofhermostimportantpapersandbooksto
carry.

Itwasalittleawkwardtouseherluggagecarrierwithasprainedwrist,butfellowtravelershadbeen
kindtoher.

Ithadbeenawrenchtoleaveherjobatthemuseum,andbeforeLetaandMattcamehome,too.Butit
was for the best. Tate had been suspicious about her reason for swearing her doctor to secrecy. He
didn'tlikemysteries,andhehadagoodtrackrecordforsolvingthem.

Shewasn'tabouttothrowaspannerintotheworksbylettinghimfindoutaboutthebaby.Notnow,
whenheandAudreywereplanningaChristmaswedding.

Itwasnicethathe'dbeenconcernedforhersafety,butthen,thatwasjustanoldhabit.Inthelongrun,
thismovewasforthebest.

Shecouldnevergetoverhimsolongastheywerelivinginthesamecity.Eventuallyhe'dmakeup
withLeta,ifnotwithMatt,andCecilywouldhavetohearabouthimandAudreysecondhandforthe
restofherlife.Runningwasbetterthanthat,ifcowardly.

Colby had been furious at her when she phoned him from the bus station in Washington--without
sayingwhereshewas--andinformedhimthatshewasonherwayoutoftown.Hepleadedwithherto
lethimknowwhereshewasgoing,butshewouldn'ttellhimathing.Shehungupthephone.

Thebustripwaslonganddifficult,becauseofthenauseathatseemedtobeherconstantcompanion
now.Thefirstthingshe'dhavetodowastofindanobstetrician.Themuseumhadguaranteedhera
nicelittlerentalhousetolivein,withutilitiesincluded.Itasonlytwoblocksfromthemuseum,which
wasdedicatedtoPaleo-IndianartifactsintheTennesseeValley.Itwasn'tbig,norwasthesalary,butit
wouldsuither,andfitrightintoherareaofexpertise.

She'dbeenluckytofindajobsoquickly.

Inthebackofhermind,sheworriedthatshemightbeplacingherchild,nottomentionherself,in
danger.ButifshecoveredhertrackswellenoughthatColbycouldn'tfindher--andsheknewhewas
goingtotry--thenhopefullythegamblingsyndicatecouldn'tfindher,either.AsforTate,well,he'd
more than likely find her disappearance a relief. He could get on with his life with no further
distractions.

Tate Winthrop was having a long, and reluctant, telephone conversation with Audrey, who'd
convincedherselfthatsheandTateweregettingmarriedatChristmas.

"Wearen'tgettingmarried,"hesaidshortly.

"I'vetoldyouthat."

"Cecilyputitinthepaper,"shesaidhuskily.

"Youmusthavetoldher.Andaboutthatdreadfulepisodewhenshewasateenager,too.

Goodness,shemusthateyou,toembarrassyousobadlyinpublic."

Tatewasthinkingthesamething.ItinfuriatedhimthatCecilywouldn'tanswerherphoneorherdoor
tohimsincethedaythey'dtalked.Hefoundthathemissedherenoughtoaffecthisjobaswellashis
sleep. He was worried for her safety, despite the man he had watching her apartment now. He
shouldn'thavearguedwithher.HeshouldhavetoldherthetruthaboutAudrey.But,ofcourse,Cecily
haddugherowngravethere,embarrassinghiminprintwithnewsofaweddingthatwasn'tgoingto
takeplace.Shedeniedit,ofcourse.

"I'vegivenCecilyahardtime,"Tatesaidinherdefense.

"Butdespitethatstoryinthetabloids,Idon'thaveanyplanstogetmarried.Youknowthat.Wewere
friends,Audrey,andwedated.Itwasneveranythingmore."

Therewasanotherpause.

"Don'tthinkshe'lltakeyoubacknow,"Audreysaidinavenomoustone.

"Itoldheryoudidn'twanther.Itoldheryouwerenevergoingtomarryher,andthatsheneededto
getoutofyourlifeandleaveyoualone."

Hiscaughtbreathwasaudible.

"Youtoldherwhat?"

"Sheknowsyouhateher,"shepurred.

"She didn't even argue. She's such a fool. So besotted with you that she'll do anything to make you
happy,evenstandasidetoletyoumarrysomeoneelse.WhenItoldherweweregettingmarried,that
Ievenhadtheweddinggown,sheneverquestionedit.WhenItoldherIwaslivingwithyou,afteryou
camebackfromSouthDakota,sheneverquestionedthat,either."

HewasonlybeginningtorealizehowmuchdamageAudreywasresponsiblefor.NowonderCecily
wasbarelyciviltohim.Andhehadn'tevenexplained.

"Ifyoudon'tmarryme,"Audreycontinued,hervoiceslightlyslurred,

'yourreputationwillberuined.I'llgivethetabloidsamuchbetterstoryaboutyouandCecilywhen
shewasinherteens.Icanfindoutthingsabouther.I'mrich.Icanpayaprivatedetective,"sheadded,
threatening.

"Ifyouhurther,inanyway,"hesaidinadeceptivelysofttone,

"you'llpayforit.YoumightrememberwhatIdidforalivingbeforeIworkedforPierceButton.If
you have one skeleton in your closet, Audrey, you'll read about it in the same tabloids you used to
embarrassme."

"Youwouldn't!"

"Tryme."

He hung up, barely able to contain his fury, and phoned a reporter he knew. It was payback time.
Audrey could read about their "cancelled wedding" in all the morning papers, along with the lies
aboutCecity.

It wasn't much in the way of damage control, but perhaps it would help Cecily keep her job at the
museum.

He tried calling her again, but there was nothing, only a message that the phone had been
disconnected.Heslammedthereceiverdownfuriously.She'dunpluggedthedamnedthing.

HeranahandthroughhishairandthoughtabouttheturmoilofhislifesinceCecilyhaddumpedcrab
bisque in his lap. He'd lost his heritage, discovered that he had a father he didn't even know about,
seducedCecily,turnedagainsthisownmother,beencrucifiedbyAudreyinthetabloids.andontopof
that,Cecilydidn'twantanythingtodowithhim.Tatecouldn'tfindonesinglereasonforhertowant
him, especially after his smug certainty that she'd be willing to live with him after they'd been
intimate.He'dtreatedherveryshabbilyoverthepasttwoyears,especiallyoverthepasttwomonths.

Helookedaroundhishigh-techapartmentwithdeadeyes.Hehadhisworkandsomehowhewould
cometotermswithhisparentageand-makepeacewithhismother.Buthe'ddoneirreparabledamage
to his relationship with Cecily. It was the fear of love that had kept Cecily out of his life. He hadn't
wantedtoletherthatclose,forfearthatitwouldn'tlast.He'dhadsolittleloveinhislife,exceptfrom
hismother.Hedidn'ttrustittolast,mainlyfromseeinghismother'smiserywithJackWinthropand
rememberinghisowntormentedchildhoodattheman'shands.Ifthatwaslove,hewantednopartof
it.

ButthenherememberedCecily'ssoftarmspullinghimcloserinhisoffice,herlovinggenerosityata
timewhenhe'dneededcomfortsodesperately.Hegroaned.Cecilyhadwantedtolovehimforyears,
andhekeptpushingheraway.Evenwhenhe'dseducedher,hismotiveshadbeenselfish.He'deven
blamedthetabloidstoriesonher,whensomewhereinthebackofhismindhe'dknownthatAudrey
wasobsessedwithkeepingCecilyoutofhislife.

He'dmadesodamnedmanymistakes.Nowhewasfacedwithalifethatdidn'tcontainCecilyorhis
mother, the only two women in the world that he really loved; His father hated him, too. Well, he

couldn'tblamehisfatherforpunchinghim,notafterwhathe'dsaidtoLeta.

He smiled sadly. The man had a vicious temper. He was pretty good with his fists, too. He
rememberedwhatHoldenhadsaidaboutMorocco.

ImpulsivelyheturnedonhiscomputerandconnectedtotheInternettodosomesearching.

WhilehewassurfingtheInternetfortidbitsofinformationaboutMoroccoandBerbers,andhating
himselfforbeingsointerestedinhisfather'snativeland,thephonestartedringing.Thinkingitmight
beAudrey,heignoredit.Moroccowasafascinatingcountry,hehadtoadmit,andhewasn'tkeenon
beinginterrupted.Fortunatelyhiscomputermodemwasonaseparatephoneline,orthatcallwould
haveknockedhimrightoutoftheconnection.

Itdidn'tquit,evenaftertenrings.ItcouldbePierceButton,hethought.Maybeheshouldanswerit.
Irritablyhegotupandliftedthereceiver.

"Yes?"hesaidimpatiently.

Therewasapause.

"Youwouldn'tbelievehowmanypeopleIhadtobribetogetthisnewnumberofyours.ButIdidn't
thinkpastgettingyoutoanswerthephone,"Colbysaidreluctantly.

"Idon'tknowhowtotellyouthis."

"YouandCecilyaregettingmarried,"Tatedrawledsarcastically,hatingtheveryideaofitandtrying
nottoletitshow.

"Ican'tsayit'sanybigsurprise.Wasthereanythingelse?"

Therewasanotherpause.

"Cecilywon'tmarryme."

"Tough." Tate wasn't going to admit how much that admission pleased him, even if she wouldn't
answerherdamnedphonewhenhetriedtocallher.

"So?"

Colbylaughedmirthlessly."Ithoughtthiswastherightthingtodo.

Now,I'mnotsureifitis."

"I'mnotpleadingyourcaseforyou,"Tatereplied.Hisvoicewasicy.

Then he hesitated. His heart skipped a beat as another reason for this call occurred and chilled his
blood.

"Hassomethinghappenedtoher?"heaskedimmediately.

"She'snothurtoranything,"theothermanreplied.

"It'sjustthatIcan'tfindher.Maybetheycan'tfindher,either,"

hecontinued,soundingasifhewastalkingtohimself.

Tatehadaterriblesinkingfeelinginhisstomach.HebroketheInternetconnectionontheotherline
andturnedoffthecomputer.

"What'sup?"heasked,soundingthewayheusedto,whenheandColbywerecolleaguesintheold
days.

"Cecily'sdoneaflit,"Colbytoldhim.

"She's gone and I can't find her. Believe me, I've used every contact I could find or buy. She didn't
leaveatrail."

Tate'sabruptintakeofbreathwaselectric.

"She'sgone?"

"Apparently.Herphone'sbeendisconnectedandherapartmentmanagersaysshe'spaidtheleasefor
thenexttwomonthsuntilshecangetherstuffmoved."

"ForGod'ssake!"Tateburstout.

"Wedon'tknowwheresheisandthegamblingsyndicateismostlikelystillafterher.Didyoutellher
that?"

"Yes,Idid.ThenshetalkedaboutgettingoutoftownandIdidn'ttakeherseriously.Ithoughtshewas
justtalking.Itoldherhowdangerousitwouldbeforhertogowhereshewasn'tprotected,thatifthe
syndicatehadthreatenedheroncetheymightdoitagain.Shedidn'tlisten."

"Oh,God,"Tatesaidinastrangledtone.Hethoughtimmediatelyofallthedangers.Comingonthe
heelsofhernear-miss,itwasdevastatingtothinkofherallaloneinsomestrangetown.Whyhadn'tit
occurredtohimthatherphonemighthavebeendisconnectedinsteadofunplugged?

"MaybeshewenttoNassautoseeLeta."

"Nope.Icheckedtheairport--everyflight."

Hetriedtothink.

"Wapiti,"hesaid.

"Noluckthere,either.She'squitherjobandgivenupherapartment.

Shedidn'tleaveaforwardingaddress."

Astringofviciouscursescameovertheline.

"Howlonghasshebeengone?"

"That'sthething,Idon'tknow,"Colbysaidthroughhisteeth.

"I

hadaquickjobthattookmeoutoftown.Hell,Tate,Ithoughtyouwerehavingherwatched."

"Iwas!I'vehadamanwatchingherapartmentforoveraweek."

"Thenwhydidn'tyourmannoticethatshewasgone?"

"I'llgetbacktoyou.Areyouathome?"

"Yes."

Thelinewentdead.

Tatewastednotimeindialingthenumberofthemanhe'dhadwatchingCecily.Therewasnoanswer.
Thatwasdisturbing.Hetriedanothernumberandgotanotherofhisformerassociates.

"Where'sWallace?"heaskedwithoutpreamble.

"Waitaminute.I'llask.AnybodyheardfromWallace?"

Therewasamuffledreply.

"Damn.Youdon'tsay!Andnobodybotheredtotellus?"

"Whatisit?"Tatedemandedimpatiently."Sorry.Wallacehadaheartattackanddiedonthespot.Ican't
believenoneofusknewit!Threedaysago,apparently...hello?"

Tatewasoffthephone.Hespentthenexttenminutesinacoldsweat,callinginmarkers,talkingto
oldcolleagues,doingeverythingpossibletogetahandleonwhereCecilymighthavegone.

Hedrewacompleteblank.

HephonedColbyback.

"Ican'tfindoutanything,butI'veputtogetheranetwork.I'llfindher."

"Thethingis,shedoesn'twanttobefound.Thatisn'tgoingtomakethingsanyeasier."

Hedidn'twanttoask,buthehadtoknow.

"Whydoesn'tshewanttobefound?"

"Becauseyou'remarryingAudreyatChristmas,"Colbysaidsimply.

"I'mnotmarryingAudrey,"cametheshortreply."InevermeanttomarryAudrey.Sheoutflankedme
whileIwasgettingusedtotheideaofbeingamediasnack."

"Well,Cecilydoesn'tknowthat,"Colbyreplied.

"Great,"hemuttered.

"That'sjustgreat.IleavethecountryandcomehometofindmyselfengagedtoawomanIwouldn't
have,atanyprice!"

"That'snottheonlyreasonCecilyleft,"Colbysaidtersely.

"Sheknewyouwouldn'tforgiveherfornottellingyouaboutMattHolden."

Tateranahandthroughhishair,missingtheformerlengthofit.

"I'vehadaroughfewweeks."

"Sohasshe,"theothermansaidcurtly.

"ShecouldhavetoldmeaboutmymotherandHolden!"

"Cecilygivesherwordandkeepsit.Therearen'talotofpeopleontheplanetwhocouldmakethat
claim.Shepromisedthesenatorshewouldn'ttellyouanything."

Thesenator.Hisfather.Tatepacedwiththephonetohisear,hismindbusywithpossibleplacesshe
mighthavegoneto.

"Shemighthavetoldmymotherwhereshewasgoing."

"I'dbetgoodmoneythatshedidn't,"Colbyreturnedimmediately.

"Shedoesn'twantyoutofindher."ITatestoppedpacing.Hescowled.

"Shedoesn'twantmetofindher?"

"Actually,shedoesn'twantanyofustofindher.Especiallyyou."

Tate'seyesnarrowedthoughtfully.

"Anyparticularreasonforthat?

OtherthanwhatIalreadyknow?"

"Oh,boy."Colbymadearoughsoundinhisthroat.

"Istilldon'tthinkIshouldtellyou.Butifsomethingshouldhappentoher..."

"Damnyou,tellme!"

Colbytookabreathandwentforbroke.

"Allright.Cecily'spregnant.That'swhysheran."

"Yousonofabitch!"

ThephoneslammeddownsohardthatColbyshudderedatthenoise.Heputthereceiverdownwitha
grimace.Heshouldn'thaveblownCecily'scover.Butwhatelsecouldhedo?Shewaspregnantand
alone and an attempt had been made on her life. If Tate wasn't told, and Cecily was hurt or lost the
baby,hemightnevergetoverit.

ThatwentdoubleforTate.

Tate was throwing things. He couldn't remember ever feeling so betrayed. First by his mother, and
thenbyCecily,andnowbyColby.

Cecily was pregnant and she'd run away. Why hadn't Colby gone with her, for God's sake, to make
sureshewasallright?

Hestoppedheavingfurniturearoundandstoodgettinghisbreath,scowlingashethoughtbacktohis
passionateencounterwithCecilybackinSouthDakotaHehadn'tusedanything.Andwhataboutthat
incrediblybrashinterludeontheruginheroffice?Again,hehadn'ttriedtoprotecther.

Thebabycouldbehis.Hecaughthisbreath.Ofcourseitcouldbehis.Itwashis!Cecilyhadloved
him.Shewouldn'thavegonefromhimtoanotherman,regardlessoftheprovocation.

ButCecilybelievedhewasmarryingAudrey,soshewasbowingoutgracefully.Shewasgoingaway
to have his child, in order not to be an embarrassment to him. Just as his mother had kept the
knowledgeofherpregnancyfromMattHolden,Cecilywasdoingthesamethingtohim,supposedly
forthesakeofhisownhappiness.Forthefirsttime,herealizedhowhisfathermustfeel.Ithithimso
hardhefeltasifhisstomachhadbeenslammedwithabrick.

Cecilywascarryinghischild,andsomeonehadtriedtokillher.Hefeltsick.Hesatdown,horrifiedat
thethingshe'dsaidtoher,atthewayhe'dtreatedher.She'dcoveredhertracksanddisappeared.

What if he couldn't find her? Missing person cases were left unsolved every day. People vanished
withoutatraceforonereasonoranother,andwereneverfound.WhatifCecilybecameastatistic?

She'dhavehischildandhe'dneverseeit,orher.

Thephonerangagainandhepickeditupatonce.Therewasapause.

"IsthisTateWinthrop?"anunfamiliarvoicereplied.Tatescowled.

"Yes."

"Iworkforanacquaintanceofyours.It'saboutMissPeterson."

"Cecily?"Tateasked,surprised.

"Yes,"themansaidmatter-of-factly.

"Iknowwhotriedtorunoveryourex-ward,Winthrop.Itriedtostopit,butmycarwassittingoutof
thewayatthemuseumparkinglot.

Therewasn'ttimetoact."

"Isee."Tatewasgettinganexcessoffactualinformation,anditwasmakinghimsick.

"WhotriedtokillCecily?"

"AMr.Gabrini,"camethetautreply.

"Heworksforafactionofgamblersbasedinanearbystate.He'soutonbondandfacingastiffprison
sentenceforfraud,racketeeringandmoneylaundering.HewantsrevengeforSenatorHolden'spart
inhisarrest.MissPetersonisaneasytarget,andafriendofSenatorHolden's.Ishouldalsotellyou
that Mr. Gabrini hired a private detective to bug Miss Peterson's apartment. I didn't know that until
today,whenIfinallyranthedetectivetotheground."

Heletoutabreath.

"Where'sGabrini?"

"Idon'tknow,"thecurtvoicereplied.

"ButifIwereyou,I'dmakedamnedsureMissPetersonwaswatchedaround-the-clock..Gabrini'sgot
nothingtolose."

"Whoareyou?"

Therewasachuckle.

"Youdon'trememberme,doyou?I'mMicahSteele.Wehadamutualemployerabouttenyearsago."

Tatesearchedhismemoriesandfoundafacetogowiththem.Abattle-scarredblondmanthesizeofa
housewhospokefourlanguagesandwasagourmetcook.

"Yes.Irememberyou."

"Thought you might. I was working on a related case when Gabrini's name came up, and I started
tailinghim.GoodthingIdid.He'sbadnews."

"He'llbeluckyifhelivestogototrial,ifIfindhimfirst,"Tatesaid,blazingwithwrath.

"I'dfeelthesameway.YoumightmentionittoMissPeterson,justincase,sothatshecankeepher
eyesopen."

"I'dloveto,"Tatesaidheavily,addingsilently,ifIcanfindher.

"I'mattheJusticeDepartment,ifyouneedtotalktome."

"Thanks,Steele."

"Youdidmeafavoronce,althoughIimagineyou'velongforgottenit.

Iowedyouone.Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Tateputthephonedownandstoodup,feelinglikeatigerinatrap.

Soithadn'tbeensomeoneafterColbyorTate.Ithadbeenthegamblingsyndicateoutforrevenge.His
fistsclenchedathisside.

Gabrini was going to pay for that, one way or another. But for the moment, his only concern was
Cecily.ShewasindangeraslongasGabriniwasontheloose.Wherewasshe?Andhowintheworld
washegoingtofindher?Evenwithhiscontacts,itwasgoingtotaketime.

Hethoughtofthevengefulgambler,whosurelyhadhisowncontacts.

Hehadtofindherfirst.Hewouldn'tlethimselfthinkabouthercondition.He'dgomadifhedid.

The museum was delightful. Cecily celebrated Christmas with a tiny tree in her rented house and
invited her immediate neighbors, an elderly couple, in for pie and coffee on Christmas Eve. It was
lonely, but the Martins were kind people and they had a soft spot for an expectant mother whose
husbandhaddiedonanoilrig.

Cecilyfeltguiltyforthelie,butshehadtothinkofthefuture.

Itwasasmall,ruralcommunity,verytight,andshewasn'tgoingtostartherchild'slifewithscandal.

Her duties at the museum were mostly custodial, but she had some ideas that would fit within the
budgetforincreasingitsholdingsandattractingtourists.She'ddiscussedthemwiththeheadcurator
andhewasthrilledwithher.Hewasawidower,severalyearshersenior,withakindmanneranda
nicesmile.ShewasoptimisticaboutherchancesofmakingalifeforherselfhereinCullenville.God
knew,she'dhadsomebadbreakslately.Atleast,theprospectivestalkerwouldn'tknowwhereshewas
orhowtofindher,shehoped.Itwasarisktocomehere,butsofarTateandColbyhadn'tmanagedto
trackherdown.Perhapsthestalker,whoeverhewas,wouldgiveupnow.Sheputahandontheslight
swellofherbellyanddreamedofnextChristmas,whenshe'dhavealittleboyorgirltobuypresents
for.Itwouldbenicetohavesomeonetolove.

Itwasintothenewyearbeforeaseething,impatientTatewasfinallyabletotrackdownabusdriver
onextendedsickleavewhorememberedseeingayoungwomanwithabandagedwristandaluggage
carrierwhomatchedCecily'sdescription.

Themiddle-agedmangrinned.

"Hardtomissthatbandage,"herecalled.

"Shewastooproudtoaskforhelp,butnobodymindedliftingthesuitcasesforher.Shesaidoneof
themhadalotofbooksinit,andthatwaswhyitwassoheavy.

ShestudiedNativeAmericans,shesaid."

Tate'sheartjumpedwithdelight.

"Wheredidshego?"

"WenttoNashville,"themanrecalled.

"Ihadtoshowherwheretogointheterminal,becauseshehadtochangebuses.Letmesee,where
wasitshewantedtogo?Clarksville?

No. Sounded a little like that, though." He thought for a minute while Tate waited with barely
containedpatience.

"Cullenville.That'sit.Cullenville.Wasgoingtoworkinamuseumthere.Smartgirl.Knewallabout
thefirstNativeAmericanswholivedinthesemountains,too."

Tate thanked the man, gave him a twenty-dollar bill for his time, and went back to his apartment to
make an airplane reservation. Tate had gone to see Audrey to make his situation crystal clear.
Surprisingly she'd gone to pieces and admitted to a drug problem that had crippled her ability to
reason.SheapologizedforplantingthestoriesinthetabloidsaboutTateseducingateenageCecily
andAudrey'sengagementtohimandofferedtospeaktoCecilyonhisbehalf.Heputherintouchwith
apsychologistheknewandhelpedgetherintoatreatmentcenter,where,Tatehoped,shewasgoing
to stay for some time. He blamed her for contributing to Cecily's flight, but he knew he had to
shoulderalargepartoftheblame.

He'dspentalotoftimewithAudrey.Now,hehadtofacethefactthatithadonlybeentokeepCecily
fromseeinghowhereallyfelt.

He'dalsobeenabletoputtogetheraprofileofGambini,anditwasn'treassuring.Themanhadbeen
in trouble with the law since his teens, and he'd managed to slip out of two murder indictments. He
had a violent temper and a reputation for revenge, and it was said that he never gave up until he
finishedwhathestarted.TatefearedforCecily'ssafety.

ImpatientlyTatestartedtophonetheairporttogetaticketonthenextflighttoNashville.Itwasthen

herealizedthat,whenhefoundCecily,hedidn'tknowwhathewasgoingtosaytoher.Itstoppedhim,
butonlyforaminute.ShewasstillatriskfromGabriniandshedidn'tknowit.He'dhavetoworkout
hisapologyontheway.Hemadehisreservationforthenextmorningandthensatdowninhislonely
apartmentandrecountedhisrecentsins.

Hethoughtaboutthebabyandhisheartjumped.Hewonderedifitwouldhavehisfeaturesorhers,if
itwouldbeaboyoragirl.Hiseyessoftened,thinkingofhowCecilylovedchildren,ofhowtender
andlovingshe'dbewithhischild.She'dlovedhimforsolong.Hisgroanwasaudible.Sheprobably
didn'tlovehimnow;he'dseentothat.Hegotupandpacedandwishedheknewwhattosaytoher.
Thenitoccurredtohimthatthemanattheverycenterofthiswholedamnedmessmighthavesome
ideasonthattheme.Afterall,he'dcoaxedawomanintohisarmsafterathirty-six-yearabsenceanda
lotofresentment.Heshoulderedintohiscoatandwentoutthedoor.

Chapter Fourteen 1 ate rang Senator Holden's home on the way there, to be told that they'd arrived
homethenightbefore.Tatedidn'tasktospeaktohismotherorMatt.Butheneededadvice,andhis
fatherseemedlikethelogicalpersontogiveittohim,despitethebadbloodbetweenthem.

He drove himself to Maryland, thinking about Cecily in Tennessee with his baby, and worried sick
abouthowhewasevergoingtogetherbackandsalvageanyofhispride.Hewasevenmoreworried
aboutGabriniandhisattemptatrevenge,chillinglycertainthatthemanwouldeventuallytrackher.
Matt'shousekeeperlethiminwithagrimace.

"I'mharmlesstoday,"TateassuredthewomanassheledthewaytowhereMattHoldenwasstanding
justoutsidethestudydoor.

"Right. You and two odd species of cobra," Matt murmured sarcastically, glaring at his son from a
tannedface.

"Whatdoyouwant,abruisetomatchtheotherone?"

Tateheldupbothhands.

"Don'tstart,"hesaid.

Mattmovedoutofthewaywithreluctanceandclosedthestudydoorbehindthem.

"Yourmother'sgoneshopping,"hesaid.

"Good.Idon'twanttotalktoherjustyet."

Matt'seyebrowsleveredup.

"Oh?"

Tatedroppedintothewingchairacrossfromthesenator'sbulkyarmchair.

"Ineedsomeadvice."

Mattfelthisforehead.

"Ididn'tthinkasinglemaltwhiskeywasenoughtomakemehallucinate,"hesaidtohimself.

Tategloweredathim.

"You'renotoneofmyfavoritepeople,butyouknowCecilyalittlebetterthanIseemtolately."

"Cecilylovesyou,"Mattsaidshortly,droppingintohischair.

"That'snottheproblem,"Tatesaid.Heleanedforward,hishandsclaspedlooselybetweenhissplayed
knees.

"AlthoughIseemtohavedoneeverythinginmypowertomakeherstop."

Theoldermandidn'tspeakforaminuteortwo.

"Lovedoesn'tdiethateasily,"hesaid.

"YourmotherandIareacaseinpoint.Wehadn'tseeneachotherforthirty-sixyears,buttheinstant
wemetagain,theyearsfellaway.Wewereyoungagain,inloveagain."

"Ican'twaitthirty-sixyears,"Tatestated.Hestaredathishands,thenhedrewinalongbreath.

"Cecily'spregnant."

The other man was quiet for so long that Tate lifted his eyes, only to be met with barely contained
rageintheolderman'sface.

"Isityours?"Mattaskedcurtly.

Tategloweredathim.

"WhatkindofwomandoyouthinkCecilyis?Ofcourseit'smine!"

Mattchuckled.Heleanedbackintheeasychairandindulgedtheneedtolookathisson,tofindallthe
differencesandallthesimilaritiesinthatyoungerversionofhisface.Itpleasedhimtofindsomany
familiarthings.

"Welookalike,"Tatesaid,readingtheintentscrutinyhewasgetting.

"FunnythatInevernoticedthatbefore."

Mattsmiled.

"Wedidn'tgetalongverywell."

"Bothtoostubbornandinflexible,"Tatepointedout.

"Andarrogant."

Tatechuckleddryly.

"Maybe."

"I'vetoldLeta.MaybeIshouldtellyou,too,"Mattbegan.

"I'msorryforwhatyouwentthroughwhenyouwereakid...."

Tateheldupahand.

"Neitherofuscanchangewhatwas,"hesaidquietly.

"It was almost a relief to know Jack Winthrop wasn't my father. It helped me to understand why he
hatedmesomuch.Idon'tblameyou.Mymotherkeepssecretsverywell."

"Toowell,"Mattsaidgruffly.

"Iwishshehadn'tkeptthisone.I'vemissedsomuch."Headded,avertinghiseyes.Itwasdifficultto
saythesethings,buttheyneededtobesaid.

"IfI'dhadanyideathatyouweremyson,Iwouldhavesweptthefloorwithyourdamnedstepfather
yearsago!"

Tatetouchedhischeekboneandgrinned.

"Itakethepoint,aboutnotunderestimatingyoubecauseofyourage.

God,youhithard!"

"Ihadprovocation,"Mattremindedhim.

Tatesighed.

"Yes,youdid.Iwaswayoutofline.I'msorryIsaidthosethingstomymother.Whenshe'sreadyto
listen,I'llapologizeforeveryoneofthem."

"She'snotangry,"camethequietreply.

"Sheunderstoodwhatyouweregoingthrough.SodidI."

Hesmoothedaplaceonhisslacks."IgaveCecilyhell,too."

"Shedeserveditleastofall,"Mattpointedout.

"Shewasinvolvedstrictlybecauseshedidn'twanttoseeyouhurt.Shewouldhavedoneanythingto
spareyou."

"Lifehurts,"Tatesaidsimply.

"There'snowayaroundthepainofit."

"Sotheysay."

"Cecilywasinthehospital,didyouknow?"heaskedafteraminute.

Mattsatforwardscowling.

"What?"

"Acartriedtorunheroverintheparkinglotwheresheworks."

"Oh,goodGod!"Mattexploded.

"Who?"

"A man named Gabrini, apparently, one of the men in the gambling syndicate," he said with barely
containedfury.

"Well,isCecilyallright?"Mattpersisted.

"Shehadconcussionandafracturedwrist,butshe'sfine."Helookedupbriefly.

"Shetoldthehospitalthatshehadnofamily,"headded,loweringeyesthatwouldhaverevealedthe
painofthatmemory.

"Sheandthebabycouldhavediedandnoneofuswouldevenhaveknown."

Mattunderstoodwhythatwassopainful.CecilyhaddisownedTate;allofthem,maybe."Didyougo
toseeher?"theoldermanasked.

"Inevitably,"Taterepliedheavily.

"Forallthegooditdidme.Ididn'tknowaboutthebabythen."Hestaredatthecarpet.

"Shegaveupherjob,vacatedherapartmentandmovedtoTennesseewithouttellinganybodyexcept
Colby.It'stakentimetotrackherdown.NowthatIknowwheresheis,Idon'tknowwhattosaytoher,
howtogetherback.Idon'twanttofrightenheraboutGabrini,butshe'sindanger.Ican'tprotecther
ifI'mnotthere.Butgivenmytrackrecord,"headdedwithfainthumor,"Idon'tevenknowifshe'lllet
meinthedoor.Ithoughtyoumighthaveasuggestion."

Mattwasdeeplytouchedthathisestrangedsonwouldcometohimforadvice.Hewasn'tgoingtolet
itshow,ofcourse.Amanhadhispride.

"Isee."

Tate got up and jammed his hands into his pockets, pacing to the window that looked out over the
countryside.HepulledtheheavycurtainasideandlookedoutthroughtheelegantwhitePriscillasthat
framedthepicturewindow.

"Idon'tknowwhattodo.ShelefthereconvincedthatIhadplanstomarryAudrey."

Mattturnedinhischair,staringatthelong,leanback.

"IguessyouknowbynowthatAudreygavethepressquiteamouthfulofinformationaboutCecily
andtheso-calledChristmaswedding.Andshewaswearingaringliketheoneyouhave."

Tateglancedatitandturnedwithafrown.

"Younoticedthisringinyourofficethatday.Why?"

"YourmothergaveittomethenightbeforeItoldherIwasmarried,"

hesaidheavily.

"Igaveitbacktoher.Shewearsonelikeit,youknow."

So that was the mystery of the ring, Tate thought, staring at it. No wonder it had caught Matt's eye
whenhe'dfirstseenitonTate'sfinger.

"CecilyknowsaboutAudrey'sring,"Mattadded.

"Andit'shardtomissthatyou'vebeenphotographedwithherinallthebesttabloidslately."

Tate'sjawworked.

"Sheengineeredmostofthem.Notall.Iwasprettyhotateveryoneforawhile,andshewasmyego
salve.NowI'msorryIeverstartedanythingwithher.Shewastenaciousasallhell.EspeciallynowI'm
sonewsworthy."

"Youandtherestofus,"Mattagreedwithalongsigh.

"It'sbeenahellofamediablitz,hasn'tit?Butthecriminalsareallfacingtoughjailsentences,and
TomBlackKnifeisbackinpower,wherehebelongs.

TheRicostatutewasusedtoconfiscatethefundsthey'ddrainedfromthetribaltreasury,andit'sgoing
tobereplaced.ButTom'ssituationtooksomesleightofhand,letmetellyou!Istilldon'tknowwhere
Colbydugupthateyewitnesstotheoldmurderwhowasabletoclearhimofthecharges."

"Don'task,either,"Tatemused.

"Colby'sresourceful,I'llgivehimthat."

"Youusedtobegoodfriends."

"Wewere,untilhestartedhangingaroundCe-city,"cametheshortreply.

"I'mnotasangryathimasIwas.Butitseemsthathehastohaveawomantoprophimup."

"Notnecessarily,"Mattreplied.

"Sometimesagoodwomancansaveabadman.It'sanoldsaying,butfairlytruefromtimetotime.
ColbywasheadedstraighttohelluntilCecilyputhimontherighttrackIt'sgratitude,butIdon'tthink
hecanseethatjustyet.He'sinbetweenmourninghisex-wifeandfindingsomeonetoreplaceher."He
leanedbackagain.

"Ifeelsorryforhim.He'sbasicallyaone-womanman,buthelostthewoman."

Tatepacedbacktothewingchairandsatdownontheedge.

"He'snotgettingCecily.She'smine,evenifshedoesn'twanttoadmitit."

Mattstaredathim.

"Don'tyouknowanythingaboutwomeninlove?"

"Notalot,"theyoungermanconfessed.

"I'vespentthebetterpartofmylifeavoidingthem."

"EspeciallyCecily,"Mattagreed.

"She'sbeenlikeashadow.Youdidn'tmissheruntilyoucouldn'tseeherbehindyouanymore."

"She'sgrownawayfromme,"Tatesaid.

"Idon'tknowhowtoclosethegap.Iknowshestillfeelssomethingforme,butshewouldn'tstayand
fightforme."HeliftedhisgazetoMatt'shardface.

"She'scarryingmychild.Iwantbothofthem,regardlessoftheadjustmentsIhavetomake.Cecily's
theonlywomanI'veevertrulywanted."

Mattspreadhishandshelplessly."ThisisonemessIcan'thelpyousortout,"hesaidatlast.

"If Cecily loves you, she'll give in sooner or later. If it were me, I'd go find her and tell her how I
reallyfelt.Iimagineshe'lllisten."

Tatestaredathisshoes.Hecouldn'tfindtherightwordstoexpresswhathefelt.

"Tate,"hisfathersaidgently,"you'vehadalottogetusedtolately.Giveittime.Don'trushthings.I've
foundthatlifesortsitselfout,giventheopportunity."

Tate'sdarkeyeslifted.

"Maybeitdoes."Hesearchedtheotherman'squietgaze.

"It'snotasbadasIthoughtitwas,havingafootintwoworlds.I'mgettingusedtoit."

"Youstillhaveauniqueheritage,"Mattpointedout."NotmanymencanclaimBerberrevolutionaries
andLakotawarriorsasrelatives."

"Mymiddlename,"Tatesaidsuddenly.

"WhowasInamedfor?"

"Myfather,"Mattsaidwithpride.

"HewasrelatedtotheroyalfamilyofMorocco.Hiswife,mymother,"

heclarified,"wasthegranddaughterofamemberoftheFrencharistocracy."

"Doyouhaveanyphotographsofthem?"Tateasked.

"Twoalbumsfull,"theoldermansaidwithagrin.

"Whenyourmothercomeshome,we'lldragthemoutaftersupperandhavealook."Hepursedhis
lips.

"YoumightgoandbringCecilyhome.Maybeshe'dliketoseethem,too."

Tatehesitated.

"I'llhavetogotoTennessee."

"Iguessyouwill.

Wantsomecoffee?"

"Sure."Helikedthefactthathisfatherdidn'tpersist.Helikedthequicktemperthatwasoveralmostas
soonasitwasprovoked.Heevenlikedthewaytheoldermanhandledhimself.Hewasbeginningto
feelprideinhisfather.Hedidn'trealizethattheothermanwasfeelingthesamething.

TheyweredrinkingcoffeeandstilltalkingwhenLetacamehomewithashoppingbag.Shestopped
inthedoorwayofthelivingroomandhesitatedthere,gnawingherlowerlip.

Thechangeinherwasphenomenal,Tatethought,risingtogreether.

Shelookedhappy,radiant,yearsyounger.Untilthenhehadn'trealizedwhatadifferenceMattHolden
hadmadeinherlife.Itbecameclearatonce.

"I came for supper," Tate lied, smiling at her. Leta put the shopping bag down and glanced at Matt,
whogrinnedather.Shemadeaneffortatsmiling.

"It'snicetohaveyouhere,"shesaidfinally.

Tatetookhersmallhandsinhis,notinghowcoldtheywere.HegreetedherinLakotaandbenttokiss
hersoftcheek.

"IamhappywhenIseeyou,"hesaid.

Sheburstintotearsandthrewherarmsaroundhim.

"Ithoughtweweren'tevergoingtospeakagain!"

Hehadtofightbackthewetnessinhisowneyes.Hehuggedhercloseandkissedherhairtenderly.
She'd endured so much for him, when he was small. There was no way he could ever repay that
sacrifice.Hewasdeeplysorrythathe'dbeenharshwithher.

"Ijusthadtogetusedtotheidea,"hesaid.

"ButIhave.It'sallright.Everything'sgoingtobeallrightnow,"

heassuredher.

"Everything'sfine."

"ExceptthatCecily'spregnant,"MattHoldenoffered,grinningatTate'sexasperatedglareandLeta's
shockedgasp.

"Whatdoyoumean,Cecily'spregnant?"Letaburstout.Shehitherson'sarmwithheropenhand.She
hithimagain.

"Youhooligan,howcouldyou!Howcouldyou?"

Tatedefendedhimselfwithbotharms.

"Howdoyouknowitwasme?"heteased.

"Whoelsecoulditbe?"Letaraged.

"Do you think my baby would let another man touch her? Would she jump into bed with any other
manintheworldexceptyou?Areyoucrazy?"

Tateactuallylookedsheepish,andtherewasanewlightinhiseyes.

Matt,aftercontemplatingthetwoofthemforaminute,saunteredoffintothegeneraldirectionofthe
kitchen,leavingmotherandsonalonetogetherforthefirsttimesincethetempesthadstarted.

Tatestuckhishandsintohispocketsandstareddownathisprettylittlemother.

"Ifyouhaven'tfinishedhittingme,Ithinkthere'saspotortwoyoumissed,"hepointedout,touching

hisarmandgrimacing.Hesmiled.

"Atleastwe'respeakingagain."

"Thatwasyourdecision,"shesaidgently.

"Youneededtimetoadjusttothetruth."

Hespokeafteraminute.

"It wasn't easy at first, but it explains a lot about the past. I could never love Jack Winthrop and he
couldn'tloveme.NowIunderstandwhy."

Shesighed.

"You were always a good son. I wanted so many times to tell you about Matt, but I knew what you
weregoingtothinkofmewhenyoulearnedthetruth,"shesaid,droppinghergaze.

"Mattwouldhavelovedyou."

Tatewaslostforwords.Thatseemedtohappentohimalotlately.

Hetookhismotherbytheshouldersandbenttokissherforehead.

"Don'ttellhimIsaidthis,becausehe'sarrogantenoughasitis.

ButIwouldhavelovedhim,too."

Letahuggedhimhard.

"What'sthatsayingabouttangledwebs?"

Heclosedhisarmsaroundherwithasmileofpurerelief.

"Peoplegetcaughtinthem."Hesmiledagainstherhair.

"Howdoyoulikebeingasenator'swife?"

"ImarriedMattHolden.Thesenatorpartistakingsomegettingusedto.ButnowwhenItalkatrallies
orbeforecongressionalcommittees,bygolly,they'lllistentome!"sheaddedonachuckle.

"EvenifIlivehere,now,Icandoalotofgoodforourpeoplebackhome."

Heburstoutlaughing.

"Doesmyfatherknowyou'regoingtotradeonyourmarriednamelikethat?"

"Yourfather."Sherepeatedthewordssoftly.

"Youdon'tmindknowingabouthim,now?"

Heshookhishead.

"I'vealwaysadmiredhim,evenwhenIthoughtIdislikedhim."Hesearchedherfacequietly.

"Hebarelyknewmewhenallthiscameup,buthedideverythinginhispowertoprotectme,justthe
same.Itmakesmeproud,tohaveamanlikethatformyfather.So,no,Idon'tmind.Idon'tmindat
all."

Matt, standing in the doorway, hearing those words from his son, had to turn around and go away
until the wetness left his eyes. His son didn't hate him. It was more than he deserved, probably, but
therewasanewwarmplaceinhisheartthatwasworthalltheanguishofthepastfewweeks.

"I'mgladyou'renotstillangrywithme,"Letatoldhertallson.

Shereachedupandtouchedhisshorthairwithagrimace.

"YouandCecily,"shemuttered.

"Suchbeautifulhair,allwhackedoff."

"Iwasgrieving,"hesaidsimply.

"Sowasshe,"Letatoldhim.

"Youhaven'ttreatedherinanyhonorableway.IknowI'monetotalk,butIknowbetterthaneitherof
youhowitistomarryonemanandloveanotherandbepregnantwithhischild."Shesearchedhis
troubledeyes.

"Colbywantstomarryher,youknow."

Tate'seyesbegantoglitter.

"Inhisdreams,"hesaidcoldly.

"Theonlymanshe'smarryingisme."

"Really?"Shewasdelighted,butpuzzled.

"Audreytoldherabouttheringandtheweddingdress..."

"ItoldAudreyandthepressthatIdon'tplantomarryher,regardlessofringsandweddingdresses.
Audreyhasproblemsandittookmeawhiletofigureoutwhyshebehavedthewayshedid."Headded
quietly, "She's going to spend some time in a drug treatment center drying out. Maybe they can do
somethingforher.I'msorryforher,butshereallycomplicatedthingsforme."

Letafeltalmostweakwithrelief.

"Cecilythoughtthatsinceyouknowaboutyourrealheritage,marriagetoawhitewomanmightnot
besodistastefultoyou,"sheadded.

"AndAudreyisculturedandquitebeautiful."

Heactuallywinced.

"Cecilysaidsomethinglikethattome,whenItoldherthatIhadn'tseenAudreylately."Helooked,
andwasverytroubled.

"She's got it into her head that I wouldn't have wanted her, regardless of my heritage, because she
wasn'tbeautifulenough.That'snottrue.

I'vemadearealhashofthings."

"Yes,"hismothersaidflatly.

"AndnowCecily'spregnantandallalone."

"It gets worse. She was almost knocked down by a car while you were out of town on your
honeymoon,"hesaid,hisvoiceharshwithemotion.

"When?Issheallright?"Letawasfrantic.

"Shehadamildconcussionandasprainedwrist.Theykeptherovernightforobservation.Shetold
themthatshehadnofamilyliving,"headdedhuskily.Hedrewinalongbreathandsmiledcoolly.

"Youcan'timaginehowthathurt."

"Yes,Ican,"Letareplied.Shemovedtothesofaandsatdown,watchinghersondropintothewing
chairhe'dvacatedearlier.

"Arethetwoofyoustillspeaking?"

"Sheranaway,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.

"ShethoughtIwasmarryingAudrey,soshegaveupeverythingandmovedoutoftownsothatshe
andthebabywouldn'tinterferewithmylife."

Heglancedathismother.

"Doesn'tthatsoundfamiliar?"

Letagrimacedandputherfaceinherhands."Oh,mypoorCecily!"

"ThereallytragicpartofitisthatAudreywasneveranythingmorethanwindowdressing,someoneI
coulduseto..."

"To?"hismotherprompted,wipinghereyes.

Helookedathisclaspedhands,atthebigsilver-and-turquoiseringthathadoncebeenMatt's.

"Cecilywasgettingtome,"hesaid.

"Ihadtohaveawaytokeepheratarm'slength.ShekeptherdistancewhenIstartedgoingaround
withAudrey."

Letalookedworried.

"PoorCecily,"shesaidagain.

"I'vebeenfreetodowhatIpleased,"hesaid.

"Travel,takedangerousjobs,takerisks...I'veneverhadtoconsideranyoneexceptmyselfsinceIleft
home.I'vebeenindependentmostofmyadultlife.ItookresponsibilityforCecily,butIdiditfroma
distance,mostly.Ididn'twanttosharemylifewithanyone."

"Youdoseemtohavegottenyourwish,"Letatoldhimwithdisapprovalineverylineofherface.

"Itisn'twhatIwantnow,"hesaidquietly.

"I don't mind giving up the more dangerous jobs, or my independence. I want my child," he said
simply.

"IwantCecily.IonlywishIcouldthinkofawaytomakeherrealizeit.Ihavetohavesomeideaof
what I'm going to say to her before I go barreling off to Tennessee after her. There's too much at
stake."

Hegotup,restless,worried,andwentbacktothewindow.

Matt came back into the room, followed by the butler with a huge silver tray that held a silver
coffeepotandtheaccompanyingnecessities.

"Timeout,"hecalled,motioningTatebacktohisseat.

"Coffeesolvesmostproblems,I'vefound.I'vebroughtafullnewpot."Hesatdownonthesofabeside
Letaandbenttokissherwithvisibleaffection.

Tatesatdown,butreluctantly.Hefeltlost.

His father looked at him with pleasure, noting their resemblances. He was sorry for Tate's
unhappiness,butthatwasapersonalthingthattheyoungermanwouldhavetoworkthroughallon
hisown.Hecouldadvise,buthecouldn'treallyhelp.

"Decidedwhatyou'regoingtodo?"heaskedTatesoftly.

Theyoungermanacceptedacupofblackcoffeefromhismotherandslowlyshookhishead.

"Youneedabattleplan,"Mattadvised.

"Ineverleftthebasewithoutdetailedreconnaissanceandabattleplan.It'swhyIcamehomealive."

Tatechuckledinspiteofhimself.

"She'sawoman,notanenemystronghold."

"That'swhatyouthink,"Mattsaid,pointingaspoonintheotherman'sdirectionbeforeheloweredit
intohiscup.

"Mostwomenareenemystrongholds,"headded,withawickedglanceathissmilingwife.

"Youhavetostormthegatesproperly."

"Heknowsallaboutstorminggates,apparently,"Letasaidwithfaintsarcasm.

"Otherwise,wewouldn'tbeexpectingagrandchild..."ShegaspedandlookedatMatt.

"Agrandchild.Ourgrandchild,"sheemphasizedwithpurejoy.

MattglancedatTate."Thatputsawholenewfaceonthings,son,"hesaid,thewordslippingoutso
naturallythatitdidn'tevenseemtosurpriseTate,whosmiledthroughhismisery.

"YougotoTennesseeandtellCecilyshe'smarryingyou,"Letainstructedherson.

"Sure,"Tatesaidheavily.

"AfterallthetroubleI'vegivenherinthepastweeks,I'msureshecan'twaittorushdowntheaisle
withme."

"Honeycatchesmorefliesthanvinegar,"Mattsaidhelpfully.

"IfIgodowntherewithanyhoney,I'llcomehomewearingbees."

Letachuckled.

"Youaren'tgoingtogiveup?"Mattasked.

Tateshookhishead.

"Ican't.IhavetogettoherbeforeGabrinidoes,althoughI'mfairlysurehehasnomoreideawhere
shereallyisthanIdiduntiltoday.Ijusthavetofindanewapproachtogetherbackhome.Godknows
what." He sipped more coffee and glanced from one of his parents to the other. He felt as if he
belonged,forthefirsttimeinhislife.Itmadehimwarminsidetoconsiderhowdearthesetwopeople
suddenlyweretohim.Hisfather,hethought,wasquiteaguy.Notthathewasgoingtosayso.The

manwasfartooarrogantalready.

ChapterFifteen

ButifdecidingtogotoTennesseeandbringCecilyhomewaseasy,doingitwasnot.Tateaskedfora
weekofffromPierceButton,becauseheexpectedtohavetoworkatgettinghertocomeback,andhe
wasn'tleavingherinharm'swayalone.

PierceButtongavehimahighlyamusedsmileastheywentoverupdatedsecurityinformationfrom
theoilrigintheCaspianSea.

<aJ"Soyou'vefinallydecidedtodosomethingaboutCecily,"Piercemurmured.

"It'sabouttime.Iwasbeginningtogetusedtothatpermanentscowl."

Tate glanced at him wryly. "I thought I was doing a great job of keeping her at arm's length. She's
pregnant,now,ofcourse,"hevolunteered.

Theoldermanchuckledhelplessly."Somuchforkeepingheratarm'slength.When'sthewedding?"

Tate'ssmilefaded.

"That'spremature.Sheran.Ifinallytrackedherdown,butnowIhavetoconvinceherthatIwantto
getmarriedwithouthavingherthinkit'sonlybecauseofthebaby."

"Idon'tenvyyouthejob,"Piercereplied,hisblackeyestwinkling.

"Ihadmyownrockyroadtomarriage,ifyourecall."

"How'sthebabythesedays?"heasked.

Piercelaughedwithwholehearteddelight.

"Wewatchhiminsteadoftelevision.Ineverexpectedfatherhoodtomakesuchchangesinme,inmy
life."Heshookhishead,withafarawaylookclaiminghiseyes.

"SometimesI'mafraidit'salladreamandI'llwakeupalone."Heshifted,embarrassed.

"Youcanhavethetimeoff.Butwho'sgoingtohandleyourjobwhileyou'regone?"

"I thought I'd get you to put Colby Lane on the payroll." He held up his hand when Pierce looked
thunderous.

"He'sstoppeddrinking,"hetoldhim.

"Cecilygothimintotherapy.He'snotthemanhewas."

"You'resureofthat?"Piercewantedtoknow.

Tatesmiled.

"I'msure."

"Okay.Butifheeverthrowsapunchatmeagain,he'llbesmilingontheinsideofhismouth!"

Tatechuckled.

"Fairenough.I'llgivehimacallbeforeIleavetown."

Colby was quietly shocked to find Tate not only at his door the next morning, but smiling. He was
expectinganarmedassaultfollowingtheirrecenttelephoneconversation.

"I'mherewithajoboffer."

Colby'sdarkeyesnarrowed.

"Doesitcomewithacyanidecapsule?"heaskedwarily.

Tateclappedtheothermanontheshoulder.

"I'm sorry about the way I've treated you. I haven't been thinking straight. I'm obliged to you for
tellingmethetruthaboutCecily."

"Youknowthebaby'syours,Igather?"

Tatenodded.

"I'monmywaytoTennesseetobringherhome,"hereplied.

Colby'seyestwinkled.

"Doessheknowthis?"

"Notyet.I'msavingitforasurprise."

"Iimagineyou'retheonewho'sgoingtogetthesurprise,"Colbyinformedhim.

"She'schangedalotinthepastfewweeks."

"Inoticed."Tateleanedagainstthewallnearthedoor.

"I'vegotajobforyou."

"YouwantmetogotoTennessee?"Colbymurmureddryly.

"Inyourdreams.Lane,"Tatereturned.

"No,notthat.IwantyoutoheadupmysecurityforceforPierceButtonwhileI'maway."

Colbylookedaroundtheroom.

"MaybeI'mhallucinating."

"Youandmyfather,"Tatemuttered,shakinghishead.

"Listen,I'vechanged."

"Intowhat?"

"Payattention.It'sagoodjob.You'llhaveregularhours.Youcanlearntosleepwithoutagununder
your pillow. You won't lose any more arms." He added thoughtfully, "I've been a bad friend. I was
jealousofyou."

"Butwhy?"Colbywantedtoknow.

"Cecilyisspecial.Ilookoutforher,period.There'sneverbeenadaysinceImetherwhenshewasn't
inlovewithyou,oratimewhenIdidn'tknowit."

Tatefeltwarmthspreadthroughhisbodyattheremark.

"I'vegivenherhell.Shemaynotfeelthatway,now."

"Youcan'tkilllove,"Colbysaidheavily.

"Iknow.I'vetried."

Tatefeltsorryfortheman.Hedidn'tknowhowtoputitintowords.

Colbyshrugged.

"Anyway, I've learned to live with my ghosts, thanks to that psychologist Cecily pushed me into
seeing."Hescowled.

"Shekeepssnakes,canyouimagine?Iusedtoseeminecrawlingoutofwhiskeybottles,buthersare
real."

"Maybeshe'sallergictofur,"Tatepointedout.

Colbychuckled.

"Whoknows.WhendoIstart?"headded.

"Today."Heproducedamobilephoneanddialedanumber.

"I'msendingColbyLaneover.He'smyreliefwhileI'maway.Ifyouhaveanyproblems,reportthem
tohim."

He nodded as the person on the other end of the line replied in the affirmative. He closed up the
phone.

"Okay,here'swhatyouneedtodo..."

***Twohourslater,hewasonaplaneforNashville.Theflighthadbeendelayedduetosnowand
sleet,and he wasimpatient. He wasirritated beyond belief bythe time theflight disembarked at the
Nashvilleairport.Hewentstraighttotherentalcardeskandgotafour-wheel-drivevehicle.Thenhe
setout,inthesnow,forCullenville.

Themuseumwaseasytofind--itwasrightdowntown,pastoneofthetown'stwostoplights.Therehe
askedfordirectionstoCecily'shouseandwastoldthatshehadarentalhousetwodoorsdown.The
museumsecretarylookedathimwithpureawe.

"Areyouarelativeofherlatehusband?"thewomanasked.

Hiseyeswidened.

"Ibegyourpardon?"

"Itmustbesohardforher,pregnantandjustwidowed,"themiddle-agedwomancontinued.

"We've all done what we could to make her happy here. Mr. Johnson, the curator, is a widower
himself.He'salreadysweetonher.Butyou'reprobablyanxioustoseeMrs.

Peterson.ShallIringherandletherknowyou'recoming?"

Tate'seyeswereblazing.

"No,"hesaidwithforcedpoliteness.

"I

wanttosurpriseher!"

Hestalkedout,leavingtherentedvehiclewhereitwasashetrudgedthroughthesmalllayerofsnow
and glared contemptuously at the cars sliding around in the street as they passed. This little bit of
snowwasnothingcomparedtothesix-footsnowdriftsonthereservation.

Southerners, he considered, must not get much winter precipitation if this little bit of white dust
paralyzedtraffic!

As for Cecily's mythical dead husband, he considered, going up the walkway to the small brick
structurewhereshelived,hewasabouttomakeastartling,resurrectedappearance!

Heknockedonthedoorandwaited.

Therewasanirritatedmurmurbeyondthecloseddoorandthesoundofalockbeingunfastened.The

dooropenedandawanCecilylookedstraightintohiseyes.

Hemanagedtogetinsidethescreendoorandcatchherbeforeshepassedout.

ShecametoonthesofawithTatesittingbesideher,smoothingbackherdisheveledhair.Thenausea
climbedintoherthroatand,fortunately,stayedthere.Shelookedathimwithhelplessdelight,wishing
shecouldhidewhatthesightofhimwasdoingtoheraftersomanyempty,lonelyweeks.

He didn't speak. He touched her hair, her forehead, her eyes, her nose, her mouth, with fingers that
seemedbentonmemorizingher.

Thenhishandswenttotherobecarelesslyfastenedoverhercottonnightdressandpusheditaside.He
touchedherbelly,hisfaceradiantasheregisteredtheveryvisibleandtangiblesignsofhercondition.

"Whendidwemakehim?"heaskedwithoutpreamble.

Shefeltherworlddissolve.Heknewaboutthebaby.Ofcourse.Thatwaswhyhewashere.

Hemethereyes,foundhostilityandbitterdisillusionmentinthem.

Hishandpresseddownoverherbelly.

"IwouldhavecomeevenifIhadn'tknownaboutthebaby,"hesaidatonce.

"Thebabyismine."

"Andmine."

"Audreyisnotgettingheravariciouslittlehandsonmychild...!"

Hishandheldherdownfirmly."IamnotmarryingAudrey,"hesaidthroughhisteeth.

"AsifIwould!She'sinatreatmentcenter.Shewasbombedoutofhermindondrugs.Sheconfessed
thatshe'dplantedallthestonesinthetabloidsandblamedyou."

"Wh.-what?"shestammered,horrified.

Tateletoutalongbreath.

"Cecily,she'sunbalanced.Shewasspewingliesandthemediagobbledthemdownwhole.Ineverhad
planstomarryher,regardlessofwhatIletyouthink.Irejectedherandshewasoutforrevenge.It
wasnevermorethanthat."

His hand felt odd against her swollen belly. She started to speak at the same moment that the baby
suddenlymoved.

Tate's hand jerked back as if it had been stung. He stared at her stomach with pure horror as it
flutteredagain.

Shecouldn'thelpit.Sheburstoutlaughing.

"Isthat...normal?"hewantedtoknow.

"It'sababy,"shesaidsoftly.

"Theymovearound.Hekicksalittle.

Notmuch,justyet,butashegrows,he'llgetstronger."

"Ineverrealized..."Hedrewinalongbreathandputhishandbackagainstherbody."Cecily,doesit
hurtyouwhenhe..."Hehesitated.

Hisblack,stunnedeyesmethers.

"He?"

Shenodded.

"Theycantell,sosoon?"

"Yes,"shesaidsimply.

"Theydidanultrasound."

Hisfingersbecamecaressing.Ason.Hewasgoingtohaveason.Heswallowed.Itwasashock.He
hadn'tthoughtpastherpregnancy,butnowherealizedthattherewasgoingtobeaminiatureversion
ofhimselfandCecily,achildwhowouldembodythetraitsofallhisancestors.Allhisancestors.It
madehimfeelhumble.

"Howdidyoufindme?"sheasked.

Heglaredintohereyes.

"Notwithanyhelpfromyou,letmetellyou!Ittookmeforevertotrackdownthedriverwhobrought
you to Nashville. He was off on extended sick leave, and it wasn't until this week that anybody
rememberedhe'dworkedthatroutebeforeChristmas."

Sheavertedhereyes.

"Ididn'twanttobefound."

"SoInoticed.Butyouhavebeen,andyou'redamnedwellcominghome,"

hesaidfuriously.

"I'm damned if I'm going to leave you here at the mercy of people who go nuts over an inch of
snow!"

Shesatup,displacinghishand,noticedthatshewastooclosetohimforcomfort,swungherlegsoff
thesofaandgotup.

"I'mnotgoingasfarasthemailboxwithyou!"shetoldhimflatly.

"I'vemadeanewlifeformyselfhere,andI'mstaying!"

"That'swhatyouthink."Hegotup,too,andwenttowardthebedroom.

Hefoundhersuitcaseminuteslater,threwitopenonthebedandstartedfillingit.

"I'mnotgoingwithyou,"shetoldhimflatly.

"Youcanpack.Youcaneventakethesuitcaseandallmyclothes.ButI'mnotleaving.Thisismylife
now.Youhavenoplaceinit!"

Hewhirled.Hewasfurious.

"You'recarryingmychild!"

Thesightofhimwaskillingher.Shelovedhim,wantedhim,neededhim,buthewashereonlyoutof
asenseofduty,maybeevenoutofguilt.Sheknewhedidn'twanttiesorcommitments;he'dsaidso
oftenenough.Hedidn'tloveher,either,andthatwasthecoldestknowledgeofall.

"Colbyaskedmetomarryhimforthebaby'ssake,"shesaidbitterly.

"MaybeIshouldhave."

"Overmydeadbody,"heassuredher.

Shewinced.

"ThisiswhyIdidn'twantyoutoknow,"shesaidinawobblytone.

"You'redoingexactlywhatIexpectedyou'ddo.I'maresponsibilityalloveragain,aduty,aliability!"

Shedidn'tevencrynormally,hewasthinkingashewatchedthetearsrunsilently,inwaves,downher
palecheeks.

Hestoppedpackingandmovedtostandjustinfrontofher,hisfacedrawnandsomberashesearched
forthewordstotellherwhyhewasreallyhere.

Shebitherlowerlipinavainefforttostemthetears.

"Pleasegoaway,"shewhispered.

"Leavemeinpeace."

Hescowled.

"Cecily..."

"Please,Tate,"shepleadedgently.

"JustgohomeandforgetthatyouknowwhereIam.I'vebrokenallmytiesinWashington,I'veputit
allbehindme.It'sjustmeandthebabynow..."

"Youandthebabyandyourmythicaldeadhusband,"heshotback.

"WhatdoIhavetodotogetthroughtoyou?"

"There'snothingyoucando."Shesearchedhishardface."Youhavenoideawhatlimitationsababy
would place on you, how it would change your life. You're used to being a loner. You don't share
yourfeelings,yourfears,yourdreamswithanyone.Youlivealoneandyoulikeit.Babiescryatall
hours,theyhavetoconstantlybewatchedandfussedover.You'dresentthenoise,andtheconstraint,
andthelackofprivacy."Sheturnedaway.

"Intime,you'dhateusbothforbeinginyourway."

Hefeltsicktothesolesofhisshoesashewatchedherwalkbackintothelivingroom.

"Youdon'tthinkIwantyouandthebaby?"

Shelaughedmirthlessly.

"Everythingyou'vesaidanddoneforthepasteightyearshasshownmethatyoudon'twantaclose
relationshipwithawoman.Especially,me."

Hestuckhishandsintothepocketsofhisslacksandfrowned,searchingfortherightwords.

"YouknowwhyIpushedyouaway,Cecily,"hesaidquietly.

"Not only were we, as I thought at the time, from different cultural backgrounds, I'd been in the
positionofaguardiantoyou.Itwouldhavebeenliketakingadvantageofanaffectionyoucouldn't
help."

Shewasstaringoutthewindowatthesnowwithherarmsfolded.Herbacklookedabnormallyrigid.

"Iwasn'tbeautifulenoughforyou."

Nothing had ever hurt him as much as that simple, painfully honest remark. He just looked at her,
speechless. To him, she was the most beautiful woman on earth, inside and out, especially in her
presentcondition.

Sheturnedwithasadsmileonherface."Ifyou'reworriedaboutwhoevertriedtorunmedown,I've
hadnoproblemssinceI'vebeenhere.Idon'tthinktherewillbeanymoreattemptsonmylife.Youcan

safelyleavemewhereIam.I'mhappyhere,Tate.I'llletyouknowwhenthebabycomes,"sheadded
quietly.

"Certainly,you'llhaveaccesstohimanytimeyoulike."

Doorswereclosing.Wallsweregoinguparoundher.Heclenchedhisteethtogetherinimpotentfury.

"Iwantyou,"hesaidforcefully,whichwasnotatallwhathewantedtosay.

"I don't want you," she replied, lying through her teeth. She wasn't about to become an obligation
again.Sheevensmiled.

"Thanksforcomingtoseeaboutme.I'llphoneLetawhensheandMattcomehomefromNassau."

"They'realreadyhome,"hesaidflatly.

"I'vebeentomakepeacewiththem."

"Haveyou?"Shesmiledgently.

"I'mglad.I'msoglad.ItbrokeLeta'sheartthatyouwouldn'tspeaktoher."

"What do you think it's going to do to her when she hears that you won't marry the father of your
child?"

Shegapedathim.

"She...knows?"

"Theybothknow,Cecily,"hereturned.

"Theywerelookingforwardtomakingafussoveryou."Heturnedtowardthedoor,bristlingwith
hurtprideandrejection.

"You can call my mother and tell her yourself that you aren't coming back. Then you can live here
aloneinthemiddleof'blizzardcountry,"andIwishyouwell."Heturnedatthedoorwithhisblack
eyesflashing."Asforme,hellwillfreezeoverbeforeIcomenearyouagain!"

Hewentoutandslammedthedoor.Cecilystaredafterhimwithherheartinherthroat.Whywasheso
angrythatshe'drelievedhimofanyobligationsaboutthebaby?Hecouldn'twantherforherself.Ifhe
had,ifhe'dhadanyrealfeelingforher,he'dhavemarriedheryearsago.Itwasonlythebaby.

Sheletthetearsrushdownherfaceagainwithpuremiseryassheheardthefour-wheeldriveroarout
ofthedrivewayandacceleratedowntheroad.Shehopedhedidn'trunoveranybody.Herhandwent
toherstomachandsherememberedwithanguishthelookonhisfacewhenhe'dputhisbig,strong
handoverhischild.She'dsenthimawayforthesakeofhisownhappiness,didn'theknowthat?She
supposeditwasjusthurtpridethathadcausedhisoutburst.Butshewishedhehadn'tcome.Itwouldbe
somuchhardertoliveherenowthatshecouldseehiminthishouse,intheserooms,andbehaunted

bythememoryofhimalloveragain.Hewouldn'tcomeback.She'dburnedherbridges.

Therewasnowaytorebuildthem.

Tategotasfarastherentedvehicleandslammedhishandhardagainsttheroof,scatteringthelight
coveringofsnowwherehishandhit.

He'dlosthistemper.Thatwasthelastthingheshouldhavedone,especiallywithapregnantwoman
whoalreadyfeltrejectedandunappealing.Hesighedangrily,staringbacktowardthehouse.Well,he
couldn'tupsetheranymorethanhealreadyhad,nottoday.He'dgetaroomatthelocalmotel,stash
hisequipmentandcomebackhereonfoot.He'dlivedoninstinctforalongtime.Hehadfinelyhoned
reflexes and he sometimes played hunches that seemed illogical to his colleagues. But he sensed
somehow that Cecily was in danger, that Gabrini was around, close, somewhere. Feeling that way,
therewasnochanceinhellthathewasgoingawayuntilCecilywassafe.Cecily,andhisbaby.

* * * He wondered if he could have been wrong for once as he huddled in a strategically placed
appliancecartonnearCecily'sbackstoop.Snowwasfallingagain.Hewascrampedwithhislonglegs
shovedintobarelyhalftherequiredspace,anditwascold.

Helookedaroundhimatthelightcoveringofsnowandregrettedhisfirstimpressionofthewaythe
southbehavedinalittleicyprecipitation.He'dbeenlisteningtohispolicescannerwithanearphone
andwhathelearnedwasalittlehumbling.Therehadbeentenwreckssincehe'dbeenintown,oneof
themfatal.ItoccurredtohimthatpeopleinSouthDakotalearnedtocopewithsnowbecauseitcame
andstayedallwinter.Here,wheretherewereonlyahandfulofdaysinthewinterwheniceorsnow
fell,peopledidn'tknowhowtodriveinit.Hewassadforthefamiliesofthetwopeoplewhohaddied
inwrecks.Hethoughtabouthowhe'dfeelifhelostCecily,andhisheartalmoststoppedinhischest.
She'd been part of him for so long that it would be unbearable to contemplate the rest of his life
withouther.

A sound caught his attention. It wasn't much of a sound. Just a faint crunch, the sound a foot might
makeinapatchofice.Hishandwenttothe45automatichecarriedinashoulderholster.Hetuggedit
out,gently,andwaitedfortheloudnoiseofapassingtrucktoreachitspeakbeforehecockeditand
thumbed off the safety. Wearing black, even a full face mask, he was well camouflaged here by the
garbagecan.

Itwasagoodthingthathewas,too.Asmallmanindarkclothingwearingafacemasklikehiswas
approachingthedarkenedhousewithanobjectinhishandthatcouldonlybeaweapon.

Hewasgood,Tatethoughtangrily.Hemovedlikeananimal,inshort,unevenstepsthatwouldn'thave
alertedadeerdeepintheforest,nottherhythmicmovementofahumanwalk.Helookedaroundhim
carefullyandkepttotheshadows.ItwaspainfullyapparenttoTate,whowouldknow,thatthemanhad
stalkedhumangamebeforewithdeadlyintent.

He didn't bother to try the back door. He went to a low window where the kitchen was and, still
watchingstealthily,unfastenedthescreenandjimmiedthewindowlatch.Onamoonlessnight,which
thiswas,withonlypatchesoficetoreflectthelittlebitoflightcomingfromthestreetinfrontofthe

house,themanwaspracticallyinvisible.

Tate's heart pounded violently. An adrenaline rush tautened every muscle in his body. He wanted to
fire now, to prevent there being any small chance that Cecily would be harmed. But he had to have
proof.

Sofarthemanhaddonenothingexceptforceopenawindow.HehadtobeinthehousebeforeTate
couldact.Andthenhe'dhavetoactquickly,orperhapscostCecilyherlife.Thethoughtstiffenedhis
resolve.Allhistraining,allhiscovertskills,hadcombinedtoleadhimtothisonebriefspanoftime,
whenhe alone couldsave the motherof his child fromcertain death. Hecouldn't afford one single
lapsenow.Hewatched,waitingforthemomenttostrike.

Insidethehouse,Cecilywaslyinginbedinherprettypinkflannelgownwide-awake,hereyesstill
redfromcrying.Tatehadcomeafterher,andjustwhenshe'dthoughttheremightbearealchancefor
them,he'dadmittedthathewasonlyhereoutofasenseofresponsibility.

Hedidn'tloveher.Hewantedthechild,perhaps,andhefeltitwashisdutytoprovideforCecily.It
wastheold,oldstoryagain.Tate,runninginterference.Hewouldneverloveher.Hewouldneverlet
himselfloveher.Hehadexcuseafterexcuse,butitallboileddowntothefactthathedidn'twantto
sharehislifewithanyone.Thatwasn'tgoingtochange,andthesoonersherealizedit.Shefroze.

Therehadbeenasound,likewoodbeingbroken.Shesatupinbed,herheartracing.CouldTatehave
comeback?Shegotoutofthebedandpaddedsoftlyonthecoldlinoleumfloortothehallway.

She listened, but she didn't hear anything. There was a faint slither, like someone moving in the
darkness.Herheartpoundedlikecrazyasshethoughtoftheshadowypersonwho'dtriedtorunher
down in Washington. Someone from the gambling syndicate, out for revenge? But how would he
havefoundher?Tatehadfoundher,sherealized.Someoneuptohisneckinorganizedcrimecould
havefoundher,too.

Sheswallowed.Herhandwenttotheswellofherbellyasshethoughtofherchildandwhatcouldhap
5pen.Sheshouldn'thaveletherprideforcehertodothisstupidthing.She'dneverrunawaybefore
in her life. She should have stayed where she was, where she could be protected. In normal
circumstances,shecouldtakecareofherself.

But she had no illusions about her ability to save herself from a professional criminal. She could
shootagun,butshedidn'townone.

Shehadafewkaratelessons,duringwhichTate,whohadabeltintastekwondo,hadshownherthat
sometimesevenalifetimeoflessonswasn'tenoughagainstagunoraknife.Hereyesclosedasshe
listened,shivering,formorenoises.Asalastresort,shecouldscream,orrun.Butshehadnoreally
closeneighbors,andhowwouldsheoutrunabulletifthemanwasarmed?

Tatewasprobablyonhiswaybacktothenation'scapitolrightnow,shethoughtmiserably.Hewould
have protected her, and her child, but she'd sent him off in a fury. Great going, Cecily, she told
herself.

What a headline they'll have now! Former Teenage Love Slave Killed By Vengeful Gambling
Syndicate.Thatwouldgivepeoplesomethingtoreadwiththeirmorningcoffee!

Shedrewinaslow,shakybreath,listening.Somethingrocked,asifherintruder--sheknewitwasan
intrudernow--hadknockedagainstthelittletelephonetablewherethelivingroomconnectedtothe
diningroom.Therewasanotherfaintnoise,andthenajerkingsound.

Theregoesthetelephonecord,shethought,andalmostpanicked.Whatcouldshedo?

Shedidn'thaveanythinginthebedroomthatwouldserveasaweapon.

Herfurniturewasmostlyoftheantiquesort,becauseshe'drentedthisoldhousefurnished.Ifonlyshe
hadaclubofsomesort,itmightgiveherachance.

She was at the wall beside one of the long, low windows that had disturbed her a little when she'd
rentedthehouse.Hersharpeyesfocusedonthehomemadewindowlockinthebedroom.Themetal
thumb-latch had broken in here, and the house's owner had taken a broomstick and cut it to fit
verticallyagainstthetopsectionofthewindowtokeepitfrombeingopenedfromoutside.Itwasjust
righttoknockagunoutofaman'shand,perhaps,ifshecouldgetitquicklyandsilentlyandnotget
herselfkilledintheprocess.Shewasonherown.Shehadtohelpherself.Oh,please.God,sheprayed
silently,givemestrength.Helpme!

Swallowingthenauseainherthroat,sheslidtothewindowsoft-footedandreacheduptotugatthe
stick.Itcameawaysmoothlyintoherhandandsheletoutafaintsighofrelief.Thefeelofthewood
inherhandgaveherconfidence.Itwasheavyandthick,andifsheuseditproperly,itmightsaveher
life.

Sheeasedbacktothedoorandbitherlowerliphardtokeeppanicatbay.Sheheardsoftfootfallsin
thehallnow,comingcloser.Thebedroomdoorwasstandingwideopen.Shewasjustbesideitand
herheartbeatwassoloudthatshefearedherattackerwouldhearit.Sheclosedhereyes,swallowed
againandgroundherteethtogether.Shecoulddothis.Shecould.

Ashadowmovedinthehall.Ithesitated.Herteethgroundtogetherharderasshewaited.Herhands
weretremblingonthestick.Shecouldn'tlethernervefailnow!Hermouthwassodrythatshecould
barelyswallow.Herhandsweresweatingonthestick.Shegrippedittighter.

The shadow began to move again. It came closer. She held the stick just at shoulder level, waiting,
waiting.AhandholdingapistolcamesuddenlyintoviewandCecilyactedwithouteventhinking.She
broughtthestickdownsohardthatthegunwentflying.Therewasacryofpaininastrangevoice,a
loudcurse,andshefoundherhandinamercilessgripasthestickwaswrenchedfromitandraised.

Adarkstreakcameflyingatherassailant,knockinghimfreeofCecilyandcarryinghimheadlongto
thefloor.Therewasaquick,fiercestruggleonthelinoleum.Thesmallermanwassuddenlydragged
to his feet and knocked down again, with such ferocity that Cecily knew her number was up. There
weretwoofthem,andtheonestillstandingwascomingtowardher.

Shecriedout,allhercouragegoneassherealizedtheskillofthisnewintruder.Shehadnoweapon.

Hewouldkillher.

"Cecily!"

That voice! She shivered with mingled relief and horror as she found herself pulled into a fierce
embrace,lockedtoahard,muscularbody,safe.Safe.Herarmswentunderhisandaroundhimand
sheburstintotears.

"Tate,"shewhisperedbrokenly.

"Oh,Tate!"

Hekissedherhungrily,hislipscoldfromthetimehe'dspentoutside.

"IwasafraidIwouldn'tbeintime,"hegroundout.

"I'mbiggerthanheis,andIhadtoforcethewindowup.Itstuck.

God,whataclosecall!Youdisarmedhim!"

"Ihithisarmwithastick,"shesaid,choking.Sheshuddered.

"Hehadagun."

"Yes."

Helethergoandrumbledforthelightswitch,throwingtheroomintobrilliance.Onthefloor,the
smallermanwashuddledwithhishandsagainsthischest,groaning.

Tatepulledoffhisfacemaskandretrievedtheman'sgun,asmallautomatic,beforehepulledaflip-
phonefromhispocketanddialedtheemergencyservicesnumber,addingarequestforanambulance
tobedispatchedbeforehehungup.

"Oh, do you think I broke his wrist?" Cecily asked, puzzled, as she wrapped her arms around her
chestandstaredatthewrithingformonthefloor.

"Youmighthave,"Tatereturnedinavoicelikesteel.

"ButIcalledtheambulancebecauseIbrokeseveralofhisribs."

He didn't sound sorry, either. He went down on one knee and jerked the mask off the intruder,
revealingathin,unremarkablefacenowcontortedwithpain.

"DidyouthinkIwasstupidenoughtoleadyouhereandthentakeoffwithoutabackwardglance?"
Tateaskedthemanfuriously.

"Icheckedwiththeairportandthecarrentalservice.Notthatmanypeoplerentautomobilesandask
fordirectionstoCullenville.Todayitwasjustmyself...andyou."

"Damn...you,"themanchoked.

"She...ruinedeverything.Everything!

Wehad.itmade!"HechokedagainandglaredatTate.

"We'll...gether...andyou!"

TatecaughtthemanbythehairandCecilyfeltherhandsgocoldatthewayhelookedathisfallen
enemy.

"DoyouknowMarcusCarrera?"

Theothermanseemedtogostillforaninstant.SureheknewCarrera.

Everybodydid.Themanwasadon,alegend,inmobcircles.

HemadeGabrinilooklikeapickpocket.Heswallowed.

"Yeah.IknowwhoCarrerais."

"Heknowswhereyoulive."

Alreadypale,theman'sfacewentwhite.

"Hey,youcan't...!"

"Ican.Ihave."Tateletgoofhishair.Hisfacewasrigid.

"IfonehaironCecily'sheadisdamaged,inanyway,Idon'thavetotellyouwhattoexpect.Youmight
tellyourfriendsthatyouaren'ttheonlymemberofyoursyndicatethatI'veinvestigated."

"You'rebluffing."

Tatejuststaredathim.

"Alotofpeopleowemefavors.Someofthemareinprison.You'llneverseeitcoming.

Neitherwillanyofyourcohorts."

"You'rejust...a...crazyNativeAmerican.Youworkforwagesforaconstructioncompany!Whatcan
youdotous!"themansaidcontemptuously.

"Waitandsee."Tategottohisfeet.

"Mynameis...Gabrini.Igotfamilyeverywhere!"TatewentbacktoCecily,checkingtomakesure
shewasallright.

"SohaveI,"hesaid,watchingher.

She was still too shaken to say much. She let Tate pull her close and hold her until the shaking
stopped.Reactionwasonlynowsettingin.

Itwasuncomfortabletofindouthowvulnerable,andfragile,shereallywas.

The ambulance arrived when the police cars did. They were accompanied by a man in a black suit
whohadthelookofafederalagent.Itdidn'tsurpriseCe-citythathewentrightuptoTateanddrew
himtooneside.

While Cecily was being checked over by a paramedic, Gabrini, who'd already been loaded onto a
gurney,wasbeingwatchedbytwopoliceofficers.

TatecamebacktoCecilywhilethefederalagentpausedbythepoliceofficers.

"Youcantakehimtothehospitaltohavehisribsstrapped,"themantoldtheambulanceattendant.

"Butwe'llhavetransportforhimtoNewJerseywithtwofederalmarshals."

"Marshals!"Gabriniexclaimed,holdinghisside,becausetheoutbursthadhurt.

"Marshals," the federal agent replied. There was something menacing about the smile that
accompaniedthewords.

"Itseemsthatyou'rewantedinJerseyformuchmoreseriouscrimesthanbreakinganenteringand
assaultwithadeadlyweapon,Mr.

Gabrini."

"NotinJersey,"Gabrinibegan.

"No,thoseothercharges,they'rein

D.C."

"You'llgettoD.C.eventually,"thefederalagentmurmured,thenthedarkmansmiled.AndGabrini
knewatoncethathewasn'tconnectedinanywayatalltothegovernment.

Gabriniwassuddenlyyellinghisheadoff,beggingforfederalprotection,butnobodypaidhimmuch
attention.Hewascarriedoffintheambulancewiththesedanfollowingclosebehind.CecilyandTate
filled out the police reports over cups of coffee in the kitchen while one of the officers closed the
windowandsecureditwithasmallcurtainrodcrosswaysatthetop.

Tatestaredatheroverhissecondcupofcoffeewithquiet,proudeyes.

"Youkeptyourhead,"hesaid.

"I'mproudofthewayyouhandledyourself.Wereyouafraid?"

Shesmiledattherarepraise.

"Terrified.ButIdidn'tknowyouwerestillintown.IthoughtI'dgodownfighting."

"Iunderestimatedthatfewsecondsofheadstarthehad.Icouldhavedroppedhimwithoneshot,butI
hadtoconsiderthathemighthavehadtimetoputabulletinyoubeforehefell."

"Yousavedme."

"Youhelped."

Shesippedherdecaf.

"Mr.Gabriniwasafraidofyou,"shesaid.

"Heshouldbe.Ihavesometiesthathedoesn'tknowabout,"headded.

"Hewon'tcometoanyharmaslongasheleavesyoualone."

Shesmiled.

"Thanks."

"Thedanger'sover.ButI'dstillratherhaveyoubackinD.C."whereIcankeepaneyeonyou."

Shehesitated.He'dsavedhertonight.Hedidcareabouther,too,inhisownway.Butifshewentback,
he'd feel obliged to look after her constantly. She knew how he felt about marriage, because he'd
madehisattitudeperfectlyclear.Helivedaloneandhelikedit.

She'dhadagoodlooktonightattheworldheoccupied,aworldofviolenceanddangerouspeople,a
worldinwhichheexcelled.Hewasn'tgoingtobeabletogiveuphisworkbecauseshemightworry
abouthim.

And what sort of life would she and the baby have, on the fringe of his life? He'd love his son,
certainly, but someday he might find a woman whom he could love. She'd cheat him by clinging.
She'dhadherperfectnightwithhim,anightshe'ddreamedofmostofherlife,andshehadhischild
growinginherbody.Shecouldliveonthepastallherlife.

"Iwanttostayhere,"shesaidquietly.

Hedrewinashortbreath,stillfullofadrenalinefromtheviolenceandstillfumingbecauseshewas
rejectinghim.

He looked into her eyes. "My parents want you to come home so that they can be near their first
grandchild."

Hereyebrowslifted.

"That'sanewangle,"shesaid.

"Pullingoutallthestops,areyou?"

Heglaredather.

"Don'tthinkIcan'tlivewithoutyou,evenifyouarecarryingmyson."

Sheshrugged,notlettinghersorrowshow.

"I'veneverthoughtthat,Tate,"shesaidwithforcedcheer.

"Howcouldamerewomancompetewithcovertops?"

"Idon'tdothatanymore,"hemuttered.

"Youdothateveryday,"shecountered.

"Youdiditthirtyminutesago.You'reverygood,"sheaddedwithameasureoffascinationintheeyes
thatsearchedoverhisleanface.

"IneverknewhowgooduntilIsawyouinaction.Youliveforthoseadrenalinerushes.

I'veneverseenyouashappyasyouwerewhenyoucamebackfromrescuingPierceButtonandhis
wifeintheMiddleEast.It'squiteachangefromthenutsandboltsofdailyroutinearoundD.C.And
youthinkyoucouldgivethatuptomarryme."

"Marryyou!"

Shecouldseetheshockinhisfaceandmisunderstoodit.

"Sorry,"shesaidquickly.

"Iknowyouwouldn'tdothat.Idon'twantmarriage,either,"sheliedglibly.

"But even though we'd be living apart, I don't want to raise my child in a combat zone with
prospectiveassassinsatthedooreverynight.Ifeelsafehere,now."

Hewasreelingfromthewayshe'ddiscountedmarriage.She'dalwayswantedtomarryhim,andnow
thatshewaspregnant,shedidn't?Hewasstaggeredbytheknowledge.

Hesmoothedhislongfingersoverhiscoffeecup.

"Ithoughtmarriagewastheonethingyoudidwant."

"Yourmistake,"shesaidwithoutmeetinghiseyes.

"I'mhappywithmylifethewayitis.I'lllovethebaby,"sheaddedsoftly.

"Youcanseehimwheneveryoulike...Tate?"

Hewasoutthedoorbeforeshecouldfinishthesentence.Heclosedthefrontdoorwithahardjerk
andsheheardthelockfallintoplace.

Bythetimeshereachedit,shesawTateatthecurbtalkingwithapoliceofficerandgesturingtoward
thehouse.Theothermannodded.

Shewasgoingtobewatched,apparently.

Shewentbackandcleanedupthekitchen.Well,hehadwhathewantednow,anexcusenottoofferher
marriage.Shefeltemptyandalone,butshecouldn'ttraphimintoamarriagethathedidn'twantwitha
childhe'dneverintendedtogiveherinthefirstplace.Itwasgoingtobealonelylife,butshehadthe
baby.Tatehadhisjob,andhisfreedom,forthefirsttimeineightyears.WithCecilyoutoftheway,
andsafe,hecouldtakeuphislifewhereherplaceinithadbegun.

Sureenough,thenextmorningapoliceofficercamebywithatelephonetechniciantofixherphone.
Mr.Winthrop,theofficerrelated,hadgonelastnightandmadearrangementsforaprivatesecurity
firmtolookafterCecily.Itwasnosurprisethathehadn'tcalledtosaygoodbye.Shehadn'texpected
him to. She thought of all the long, lonely years ahead and hoped her new job and the baby would
compensateforwhatshe'dlost.

ChapterSixteen

V-^olbyLaneandPierceButtonhadthemanagerofTate'sapartmentbuildingopenhisdoorforthem.
They knew that Tate had come back from Tennessee, and that he'd saved Cecily from Gabrini, but
nobodyhadseenhimforalmostaweek.Hisansweringmachinewasleftonpermanently.Hedidn't
answerknocksatthedoor.Itwassuchoddbehaviorthathiscolleagueandhisbossbecameactually
concerned.

Theyweremoreconcernedwhentheysawhimpassedoutonthecouchinaforestofbeercansand
discardedpizzaboxes.Hehadn'tshavedor,apparently,bathedsincehisreturn.

"GoodGod,"Piercesaidgruffly.

"That'safamiliarsight,"Colbymurmured.

"He'sturnedintome."

Pierceglaredathim.

"Don'tbeinsulting."HemovedtothesofaandshookTate.

"Wakeup!"hesnapped.

Tatedidn'topenhiseyes.Heshifted,groaning.

"Shewon'tcomeback,"hemumbled.

"Won'tcome.Hatesme..."

Hedriftedoffagain.PierceandColbyexchangedknowingglances.

Withoutaword,theyrolleduptheirsleevesandsettowork,firstontheapartment,andthenonTate.

Tatewassprawledacrossthebedinhisrobeearlythenextmorningwhenthesoundofthefrontdoor
opening penetrated his mind. There was an unholy commotion out there and his head was still
throbbing,despiteabath,severalcupsofcoffeeandahandfulofaspirinthathadbeenforcedonhim
thedaybeforebytwomenhe'dthoughtwerehisfriends.Hedidn'twanttosoberup.Heonlywanted
toforgetthatCecilydidn'twanthimanymore.

Hedraggedhimselfoffthebedandwentintothelivingroom,justintimetohearthedoorclose.

Cecilyandhersuitcasewerestandingwithmutualrigidityjustinsidethefrontdoor.Shewaswearing
a dress and boots and a coat and hat, red-faced and muttering words Tate had never heard her use
before.

Hescowled."Howdidyougethere?"heasked.

"Yourbossbroughtme!"sheraged.

"HeandthatturncoatColbyLaneandtwobodyguards,oneofwhomwasthefemalecounterpartof
Ivan the Terrible! They forcibly dressed me and packed me and flew me up here on Mr. Hutton's
Learjet!WhenIrefusedtogetoutofthecar,themalebodyguardsweptmeupandcarriedmehere!I
amgoingtokillpeopleassoonasIgetmybreathandmywitsback,andIamstartingwithyou!"

Heleanedagainstthewall,stillbleary-eyedandonlyhalfawake.

Shewasbeautifulwithherbodygentlyswollenandherlipspoutingandhergreeneyesintheirbig-
lensedframesglitteringathim.

Sheregisteredafteraminutethathewasn'thimself.

"What'sthematterwithyou?"sheaskedabruptly.

Hedidn'tanswer.Heputahandtohishead.

"You'redrunk!"sheexclaimedinshock.

"Ihavebeen,"herepliedinasubduedtone.

"For about a week, I think. Pierce and Colby got my landlord to let them in yesterday." He smiled
dimly.

"I'd made some threats about what I'd do if he ever let anybody else into my apartment, after he let
Audreyinthelasttime.

Iguesshebelievedthem,becauseColbyhadtoflashhiscompanyIDtogetin."Hechuckledweakly.

"NothingintimidatesthemasseslikeaCIAbadge,evenifitisn'tcurrent."

"You'vebeendrunk?"Shemovedalittlecloserintotheapartment.

"But,Tate,youdon't...youdon'tdrink,"shesaid.

"Idonow.Themotherofmychildwon'tmarryme,"hesaidsimply.

"Isaidyoucouldhaveaccess..."

Hisblackeyesslidoverherbodylikecaressinghands.He'dmissedherunbearably.Justthesightof
herwascalmingnow.

"Soyoudid."

Whydidshefeelguilty,forGod'ssake,shewondered.Shetriedtorecaptureherformeroutrage.

"I'vebeenkidnapped!"

"Apparently.Don'tlookatme.Untiltoday,Iwastoostonedtoliftmyhead."Helookedaround.

"Iguesstheythrewoutthebeercansandthepizzaboxes,"hemurmured.

"Pity.Ithinktherewasasliceofpizzaleft."Hesighed.

"I'mhungry.Ihaven'teatensinceyesterday."

"Yesterday!"

After all she'd been through, the thought of Tate starving chased all her irritation right out of her
mind.Shetookoffhercoatandwalkedpasthimtothekitchenandstarteddoingavisualinventoryof
the refrigerator. She made a face. "The milk is long since out of date, the bread all has mold and I
thinkyoucouldstartabacterialplaguewithwhat'sinthecrisperhere...."

"Orderapizza,"hesuggested.

"There'saplacedownonthecornerthatstillowesmetenpizzas,paidforinadvance."

"Youcan'teatpizzaforbreakfast!"

"Whycan'tI?I'vebeendoingitforaweek."

"Youcancook,"shesaidaccusingly.

"WhenI'msober,"heagreed.

Shegloweredathimandwentbacktoherchore.

"Well,theeggsarestilledible,barely,andthere'sanunopenedpoundofbacon.I'llmakeanomelet."

He collapsed into the chair at the kitchen table while she made a fresh pot of coffee and set about
breakingeggs.

"You look very domesticated like that," he pointed out with a faint smile. "After we have breakfast,
whydon'tyoucometobedwithme?"

Shegavehimashockedglance.

"I'mpregnant,"sheremindedhim.

Henoddedandlaughedsoftly.

"Yes,Iknow.It'sanincredibleturn-on."

Herhandstopped,poisedinmidairwithaspooninit.

"Wh...what?"

"Theeggsareburning,"hesaidpleasantly.

She stirred them quickly and turned the bacon, which was frying in another pan. He thought her
conditionwassexy?Shecouldn'tbelievehewasserious.

Butapparentlyhewas,becausehewatchedhersointentlyoverbreakfastthatshedoubtedifheknew
whathewaseating.

"Mr.ButtontoldthecuratorofthemuseuminTennesseethatIwasn'tcomingback,andhepaidoffthe
rentonmyhousethere,"shesaid.

"Idon'tevenhaveahometogoto..."

"Yes,youdo,"hesaidquietly.

"I'myourhome.Ialwayshavebeen."

She averted her eyes to her plate and hated the quick tears that her condition prompted. Her fists
clenched.

"Andhereweareagain,"shesaidhuskily.

"Where?"heasked.

Shedrewinaharshbreath.

"You'retakingresponsibilityforme,outofduty."

Heleanedbackinhischair.Therobecameawayfromhisbroad,bronzedchestashestaredather.

"Notthistime,"herepliedwithavoicesotenderthatitmaderipplesrightthroughherheart.

"Thistime,it'soutoflove,Cecily."

Cecilydoubtedherownears.Shecouldn'thaveheardTatesayingthathewantedtotakecareofher
becausehelovedher.

Hewasn'tteasing.Hisfacewasalmostgrim.

"Iknow,"hesaid.

"Youdon'tbelieveit.Butit'strue,justthesame."Hesearchedhersoft,shockedgreeneyes."Iloved
youwhenyouwereseventeen,Cecily,butIthoughtIhadnothingtoofferyouexceptanaffair."

Hesighedheavily.

"It was never completely for the reasons I told you, that I didn't want to get married. It was my
mother'smarriage.

Itwarpedme.It'stakenthiswholescandaltomakemerealizethatagoodmarriageisnothinglikethe
oneIgrewupwatching.IhadtoseemymotherandMatttogetherbeforeIunderstoodwhatmarriage
couldbe.

"

"Yourchildhoodwasterrible,"sherecalled.

"Sowasyours,"hereturnedcurtly.

"InevertoldyouthatIbeatthehelloutofyourstepfatherafterItookyouhometomymother,didI?"
headded.

Shebitherlip.

"No.Ireallydon'tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofmeifithadn'tbeenforyou.AfterMamadied,
mylifewasanightmare."

Hetoyedwithhiscoffeecup,hiseyesblackwithangrymemories."Thatnight,whileyouwereasleep,
Iunbuttonedyourpajamajacketandlookedatwhathe'ddonetoyou.Afterward,Idrovebacktohis
houseandverynearlykilledhim.Ifhehadn'tstartedcryingandbeggingmetostop,I..."Heletoutthe
angrybreath.

"That was when I realized how I felt about you," he added, his eyes meeting hers. "A man wants to
protectwhatheconsidershisown.Itstartedthen,thatnight."

Shewassurprisedbywhathewastellingher.

"You...lookedatme?"

Henodded.Hiseyesnarrowed."Youhadthemostbeautifullittlebreasts,"hesaidroughly.

"Andtheywerecoveredwithbruises.Iwantedtokissthebruises,takeyouintomybedandholdyou,
justholdyou,allnightlongsothatyou'dbesafe.Ididn'tdaregiveintotheimpulse,ofcourse,"

headdedwiththefirsttouchofamusementhe'dshownsinceherarrival.

"Mymotherwouldhavehorsewhippedme."

Shefeltwavesofsurprisedpleasurelancethroughherbody.

"Ineverknew."

"Iwasalwaysknownformypokerface,"hemurmured.

"Butitwassheeragonytobearoundyou.Theolderyougot,theworseitwas.Itwasinevitablethat
onedayI'dgomadandtakeyou."Hesighed."Themosthellishpartofthewholethingwasknowing
thatallIhadtodowastouchyouandyou'dletmedoanythingIlikedtoyou."

Shetracedthemouthofhercoffeecup."Ilovedyou,"shesaidquietly.

"Iknow."

There was a world of pain in the words. She looked up into his black eyes and saw an answering
emotioninthem.

"Younevertoldme."

"Icouldn't.Untilveryrecently,Iwasn'tsureIcouldeverthinkintermsofmarriage.Anditwasn'tto
maintainapurebloodline,"hetoldherfinallywithalaughthatwaspureself-contempt.

"Leta didn't tell you, because I made her promise not to. But one of my Lakota great-grandfathers
marriedayoungblondwhitewomanattheturnofthecentury.HewasamemberofBigfoot'sband."

Herlipsparted.

"ThebandthatwasdecimatedatWoundedKneein1890!"

Henodded.

"HemovedtoChicagoafterward.Hehatedhiscultureforawhile,andbecameadetective,tryingto
hidehisLakotabloodbylivingwhite.

But eventually he regained his pride and made his background public. He married the doctor's
daughterwho'dnursedhimafterthemassacreandshegavehimasonandadaughter.Shecouldspeak
Lakotalikeanativeandrideandshootlikeawarrior.Mymotherhasthenamethatwasgiventoher
afterhermarriage:

Warwoman."

Shewasenthralled.

"Sothebloodlinewasn'tpure."

Heshookhishead.

"Itwasanexcuse,likealltheotherexcuses.Ilikedmylifeasitwas.Ididn'twantties,especiallythe
sortI'dhavehadwithyou."

Helookedatherwithpureragingdesire."Iknewifwewereeverintimate,there'dbenogoingback.I
wasright.Ieat,breathe,sleepanddreamyou,especiallynow,withmybabygrowinginyourbelly."

Shesearchedhiseyeslikeawomancomingoutofnightmareintopurefantasy.

Hestoodupandshedtherobewithoutatraceofinhibition,lettingherlookathimforthesecondtime
intheirturbulentrelationship.

Shewassointenselypreoccupiedthatshehardlyrealizedwhathewasdoinguntilshewasstanding
equally nude before him. He lifted her into his arms and brought his mouth down tenderly on the
swelloftheirchildbeforehecarriedherintothebedroom.

Therewasonlyfainttrepidationinhereyes,buthesmiledasheeaseddownbesideherontheking-
sizebed.

"I'llbecareful,"hewhispered,bendingtohersoftmouth.

"There'snorush.Wehavetherestofourlivestoloveeachother."

Itwaslove,too.Everybriefkiss,everylight,caressingtouch,wasatestamenttowhathefeltforher.
In between soft kisses and tender endearments he coaxed her into the most exquisite intimacy she'd
eversharedwithhim,sothateachlong,slow,sensualmotionofhishipswaslikeballet.Shefelthim
shudderwiththeeffortittooktocontroltheragingarousalthatthreatenedtoburstsecondbysecond.

"Tate,"shemoanedhuskily,pullingathiships.

"No,"hebitoffagainstheropenmouth.

"Iwantitlikethis,"hebreathed.

"Iwantitslowandsweet,deeperthanit'severbeen,sotender...

thatyousob...whenIendit."

Shewasn'tcertainshecouldsurviveit.Thepleasurecameslowly,ingreathotthrobsofsensationlike
wavescrashingontoabeach.Sheclungtohisarmsandshiveredfromthetensionthatstretchedher
bodyundertheexquisitestrokeofhisown.

Hishandswereclenchedbesideherheadonthebed,andhemadearoughsoundinhisthroatashe
metherwide,glazedeyes.

"FeelhowdeepIam,"hewhisperedhoarsely,hisjawclenchingashemovedroughlyoverher.

"Feelhowdeep,howcompletelyI...fillyou..."Hiseyesclosedonaharshcry.

"Cecily...oh.God,Iloveyou...!"

Shewassobbing,too,feelingashedidthegreatriptideofpleasurethatwentrightoverthebanksof
thesensualdamandbrokeinconvulsiveripplesagainsttheirstraining,dampbodies.

I'lldie,shethoughtasshecriedoutinavoiceasalienashissounded,astheyshudderedrhythmically
together.

Whenshecouldfinallygiveupthelastsweetechoesofthemassiveecstasythathadtrembledinher
mostsecretplaces,shewept.Heheldher,smoothedhershorthair,comfortedherwithwordsandsoft
kissesashe,too,shiveredintheaftermath.

"Thatwas...scary,"shewhisperedintohisdampthroatasheheldher.

"Absolutely scary," he echoed, stunned by the vi r olence of the climax. His hand contracted in her
hair.

"Wedidn'thurtourbaby,didwe?"heasked,andsoundedappalledatthethought.

"No.It'salmostfivemonths,"shewhispereddrowsily.

"Anditwasn'trough.Itwas..."Sheshivered.

"Profound,"hewhisperedforher.

"Yes."

Hewrappedhercloseinafrenzyofsuddenfear.Ifhelosther.Andthatwastherealfear,rippedfrom
the camouflage of a dozen halfhearted excuses for keeping her at arm's length. It was the fear of
feelinglikethisandlosingherthathadkepthimfromher.

"Tate?"shewhispered,surprisedbytheconvulsivesweepofhisarms.

"I'mallright.Really,Iam!"

Hisbreathingbegantoslow,butthefearofitwasstillthere.HewasrememberingGabriniandhow
close he'd come to losing her in Tennessee that night. It had haunted him ever since, drove him to
drink-he, who only rarely even had a beer. He was afraid of nothing on earth except losing this
woman.Hiseyesclosedandheheldherfirmlyagainsthim.

"Ican'tloseyou,Cecily,"hebitoff,withoutlookingather.

"But, you're not going to, ever!" she said, surprised. She pulled back and met his wild eyes. Her
fingerstouchedhisfacegently."Iloveyoumorethanmylife,"shesaidunsteadily.

"Icouldneverleaveyou!"

"Youran,"hesaidharshly.

"Youleftme."

"Ididn'tthinkyou'deverloveme,"shechoked.

"Ionlywantedyoutobehappy,don'tyousee?

Iwasgettingoutoftheway"-Hervoicebrokeasthememoryofthoseagonizingweekswithouthim
camebacktohaunther.

Hiseyesclosedonawaveofpain,andhebroughtherbruisinglyclose.

"Itdidn'tmakemehappy.Mylifewasempty.Partofmewasdeadwithoutyou.Andthentolearnthat
you were carrying my baby, and in danger, and I couldn't find you!" His mouth buried itself in her
dampthroat.

"Iloveyousomuch,"hegroundout.

"Somuch,Cecily!"

Shefelttheripplegothroughhislean,fitbody,withfascination.

"Youcameafterme,though.Yousavedme,"shewhispered,stillfeelingthewonderofthosehusky
wordsasshebegantobelievethem.

"Iloveyou,too!Icouldn'tstop.Idon'tknowhow."

Thebreathhedrewinsoundedshaken.Hishandsmoothedgentlyoverhersofthair.

"I'llberightwithyouwhenthebabycomes.Iwon'tleaveyou,notforaninstant."

"I'mveryhealthyandsoisourchild,"shesaid.

"I'dtellyouiftherewereanyproblems.Therearen't.Except..."

Helookedatherworriedly.

"Except?"Shesmiledagainsthischest.

"I'msleepy."

"Oh." He smiled back. That wasn't a problem. He drew the sheet over them and began to relax. She
sighedandhekissedherforehead.

"Deepthoughts?"hemurmured."IwasjustthinkinghowgladIwasthatIwaitedforyou,"shesaid.
Shekissedtheshoulderhercheekwaspillowedagainst.

||"I'mgladyoudid,too,"hewhispered.

"Theway|1wemadelovewasalmostsacred,thatfirsttime.Wasthatwhenwemadethebaby?"

"Yes," she murmured drowsily. She touched his chest with drowsy content, loving the muscular
warmthofit.

"Ialwaysknewyou'dbeinaclassallyourownasalover.Iwasright."

Hekissedherforeheadtenderly.

"I'mglad.Butifyouwantitagain,you'regoingtohavetomarryme,"headdedonachuckle,moving
oneleglazilyagainsthersunderthesheet.

Thatbroughtherwide-awake.Sheliftedherselftolookdownintohisdancingblackeyes.

"What?"

"Youheardme,"hesaid.

"I'mnotgoingtobeseducedandabandoned.

You'veruinedme.Nowyouhavetomarryme."

Sheburstoutlaughing.

"You don't look ruined to me," she murmured dryly, letting her eyes feast on the long, muscular
length of his body from his strong neck down to his powerful legs and in between. "You look
absolutelyperfect."

"Flatterywon'twork,"heassuredher.

"Itellyou,I'mruined.Youhavetomarrymetosavemyreputation."

Shehesitated,awarethathewasdevouringherwithhiseyes,fromherswollenbreaststotheslight
swellofherabdomen.

"Iwantto.ButI'mnotsure."

"Iknowthat,"hereplied.

"Tellmewhyyoukeepholdingback."

"You'realoner,"shesaidsimply.

"ThebabyandIwouldimposerestraintsonyou,onthewayyoulive."

Heshrugged.

"He'salreadyimposedthem,"hesaidwithagrin.

"I

told Pierce Button he'd have to find someone else to undertake the dangerous missions. I'll remain
headofsecurity,butI'mthroughwithcommandomissions.IhiredColby,"headdedwithasmileat
hersurprisedexpression.

"It'sthesortofworkheloves,andhe'llhavefewerrisksthanhedoesinthejobhehasnow.Itmight
savehislife."

"IlikeColby."

"Ilikehim,too,nowthatIknowhewasonlyafriend."

Sheliftedhereyebrows.

"Howdoyouknow?"sheaskedsuspiciously.

Hegrinned.

"Amongotherreasons,becauseyouwerestarvingafewminutesago."

"Sowereyou,"shepointedout.

Hechuckled.

"I'malwaysstarvingforyou."Hestretchedlazilyandpulledherdownonhischest,rufflinghershort
blondhair.Thesmilefadedashesearchedhersofteyes.

"Iwantedyouwhenyouwereseventeen,"hesaidhuskily.

"ButIwasresponsibleforyou.Icouldn'ttakeadvantageofwhatyoufeltforme."

Shetracedapatternonhiscollarbone.

"DidyouknowhowIfelt,allthatlongago?"

"Yes."Hesmoothedaleanhandoverherbareback.

"Iignoreditatfirst.ButthatdayIbroughtyououttoOklahoma..."

Helaughedmirthlessly.

"Youdidn'trealizethatIalmosthadyourightthereinthefrontseatofthecar,didyou?"

"No."

Heheardthefascinationinhertone.

"If we'd been in a less public place, I couldn't have stopped. It was dangerous to tease me, but you
didn'tknowit."

"Whatawaste,"shemurmuredsadly.

"Notatall.Webothneededtimetoadjusttothechangesitwouldmeaninourlives,Cecily.AllIhad
wastheillusionofheritageandajobthatcouldhavecostmemylifeanyday.IthoughtitwaswhatI
wanted."

"Itwasn't?"shemused,smiling.

Hisarmtightenedaroundher.

"Iwantedyou.Ifounddozensofreasonsnottohaveyou,becauseIdidn'twanttobe,"hesearchedfor
aword,"owned."

"Peoplecan'townyou,"shereplied.

"Butyoucanbelongtopeople."

"Samething,"hemurmureddrowsily.

"I learned early that if you let your feelings show, you can be tormented for them. My father... my
stepfather,"hecorrected,"knewthatIlovedmymother.Hepunishedmebyhittingher,untilIgotold
enoughandbigenoughtostophim."

"Mattfeelsbadaboutthat."

"Iknowhedoes.Buthedidn'tknowaboutourrelationship.Mymotherdidallofusaninjusticeby
tryingtoprotectusfromthetruth."

"Shewasonlytryingtospareyouheartacheandembarrassment."

"Ofcourseshewas.Butyoudon'tdopeopleanyfavorsbylyingtothem,regardlessofthereason."

Shesmoothedhercheekagainsthiswarm,muscularchest.

"Wherearewegoingtolive?"sheasked,changingthesubject.

Therewasapause,andthenhelaughed.

"I suppose we're going to need a house. The baby will want one of those gaudy, godawful outside
swingsetswhenhe'soldenoughtoplay,nottomentionacollectionofequallygaudyplastictoys."

"They'resaferthanmetalorwoodones,"shepointedout.

"We'llseewhatsortofrealestatewecanfindinMaryland,nearMattandmymother."Hetoyedwitha
strandofherhair.

"They'realreadyshoppingforthingstogivetheirfirstgrandbaby.

They'llbeoverjoyedtoseeustogetheragain."

Sheclosedhereyeswithadrowsysmile."Allourbabyneedsisus."

Hishandcontractedgentlyinherhair.

"Youweren'tgoingtotellme."

"Iwouldhave,eventually."Shesighed.

"Iknewthatyoulovedme.Itdidn'ttakelongformetocometomysenses,"hemurmured.

"You'llbeboredwithadeskjob,"shesaidworriedly.

"No,Iwon't,"hedenied,rollingoversothatshewaslyinghalfunderhim.

"I'mgoingtobeafamilymannow,withnewresponsibilities."Hesearchedhersofteyesandsmiled.

"Iloveyou,Cecily.Andyouhavetomarrymeverysoon.Ireallycan'ttakethechancethatyoumight
cometoyoursensesonemorningandrealizehowmuchbetteryoucoulddoforahusband."

Herheartstoppedandthenranaway.Shehadtoswallowtheknotinherthroatbeforeshecouldeven
speak.

"Icouldn'tpossiblymarryanyoneelse.Youreallyloveme?"sheaskedsoftly.

"Youneversaidsobefore."

Hetracedthelineofherovalfaceintentlywithalongforefinger.

"Oh,butIthinkyouknewitatsomelevel."

"IsupposeImusthave,"shesaidsoftly.

"YouknewthatIhadn'texperimentedaround,soyouhadtocareaboutmealittletotakemetobedin
thefirstplace--andtoignoretakingprecautions,"sheaddeddryly.Shegrimaced.

"Buttherewasalwayssomethingstandingbetweenus."

"Iknow.IwishIcouldchangethepast,butIcan't.Youranbecauseofme,"hesaidtightly.

"Rightintotrouble.Gabriniwouldhavekilledyou."

Sheloopedherarmsaroundhisneck.

"Yousavedme.You'vebeensavingmeforyears,evenfromyourself."

Hesmiled.

"Youhelpedmesaveyou,"hepointedout,kissinghertenderly.

"You'rehandyinatightcorner."

"Ihadagoodteacher."Shetracedhiseyebrowswithtenderfingers.

"Ihopeourbabywillhaveyoureyes,"shesaid.

"They'resobeautiful."

"He'llbeaduke'smixture,"hesaidsoftly.

"IhaveBerbersinmyancestry,andFrenchroyalty."

Therewasanoteofprideinhisvoice."Matttoldyou?"

Henodded.

"He'lllovehavingagrandsontotalkto."

"Letawilllovehavingagrandson,too,"shemurmured.

"ShecanteachhimallaboutLakotatraditionsandculture."

Hekissedhereyelidsclosed.

"IwenttothemforadvicebeforeIwentafteryou.Wemadeourpeace."Heliftedhishead.

"Whichremindsme,"hesaidsternly,"Ineverdidgetanapologyforhavingcrabbisquedumpedin
mylap,andhavingitreportedonnationaltelevision!That'snowaytotreatyourfuturehusbandand,I
mightadd,thesonofanativesovereigntyadvocateandaUnitedStatessenator."

"You're absolutely right," she agreed, tracing a sensuous pattern just below his collarbone with a
teasingfinger.

"Tate,I'mreallysorryaboutthecrabbisque."

Hisheartbeatincreasedevenbeforeshestartedsmoothingonelong,barelegagainsttheinsideofone
;iofhis.Heliftedaneyebrowandpursedhislips.ll"Howsorry?"heaskedhuskily.KShegrinned
wickedly and smoothed her body completely against his, feeling his immediate response to } the
blatantseduction.

"Thissorry..."shewhisperedjintohismouth.'

ChapterSeventeen

=Art^Thenextday,TatebroughtCecilytoMattandLeta'shouse.Therewasiceonthedrivewayfrom
anearly-momingweathersystem,soTateliftedheroutofthepassengerseatlikefragiletreasureand
carriedherrightuptothefrontdoor.He'dwrappedherintheblackleathercoathe'dgivenherlast
Christmasandpulledthehoodupoverherhairsothatshewouldn'tgetchilled.Inthesoftbeigedress
shewaswearingwithbeigeboots,shelookedelegantandverypregnant.

"Pushthebell,"heinstructed,rubbinghisnosewithhers.

"No."Shesmiledathimteasingly.Shewaswearingherregularglassesinsteadofhercontacts,and
throughthem,hergreeneyeslookedevenmoremischievous.

Hischiseledlipstuggedupatthestandoff."Okay.

We'lldothisthehardway,"hemurmured,anddroppedhismouthdownoverherlips."Giveinand
pushthebell,"hewhispered.

Sheloopedherarmscloseraroundhisneckandkissedhimbackwithanenthusiasmthatmadehim
groanagainsthersoftmouth.

Secondslater,shewascrushedagainsthistanraincoat,holdinghisheadtohers,lostinthedelightof
beingheldbyhim,kissedbyhim,lovedbyhim.

Neitherofthemheardthedooropen.

"Wouldn'tyouliketositdownanddothat?"cameadeep,amusedvoicefrominfrontofthem.

Theybrokeapartwithself-consciouslaughter.Mattgavehissonaspeakingglancebeforeheturned
hisattentiontoCecily,surveyedhercuriouslyandthenlookedbackathisson.

"Istheresomethingyou'dliketotellyourmotherandme?"heaskedTate.

"We'regettingmarried,"Tateobligedwithagrin.

"No!"Mattsaidatonceinmocksurpriseandthenchuckledasheopenedthedoorwidetoadmitthem.

"SeewhatItoldyouaboutabattleplan,son?"heaskedTatewithglee.

"Workseverytime!"

"Somebattleplan,"Tatemurmureddryly."IwenttoTennesseetobringherhome,butshewouldn't
comebackwithme.SoIwenthomeandgotroyallydrunk,andwhenIfinallycameto.PierceButton
hadhadherdeliveredtomyapartmentlikealateChristmaspresent."

"That'ssomekindofaboss,"Mattsaidwithalaugh.

"Leta,we'vegotcompany!"heraisedhisvoice.

Tatecarriedhissoftburdenintothelivingroom.HewasjustputtingheronthesofawhenLetacame
flyinginfromthekitchen.

"Mybaby!"sheexclaimed,huggingCecilytheminuteTatesetherbackonherfeet."Mypoorbaby,
areyouallright?"

TheconcernmadeCecilyfeellikeawateringpot.Shedashedawaythetears.

"Oh,I'msuchamess,"shesaidbrokenly.

"Andsohappy!"

Leta looked at her tall son over Cecily's shoulder and smiled with pure joy. Tate only grinned,
supremelyhappy.

TaterelatedthestoryofGabrini'scapture,andhisprideinCecily'sfiercedefenseofherselfmadeher
flush.Aftertheexplanationswereover.MattandLetaleftCecilybrieflyalonewithTateatthetable
eatingpieandcoffeewhiletheydealtwithanunexpectedvisitor,acolleagueofMatt'sintheSenate.
TateseemedtofindCecilyfascinatingastheysatatthebigcherrywoodtabletogether.

"You'remakingmeself-conscious,"shemurmured,eatingwhilehesippedcoffeeandwatchedher.

"Pregnancyisamysticalexperiencetoaman,"hesaidsimply.

"I'mhypnotizedbyit."

Shegrinned.

"Inoticed."

Hechuckled.

"Allthattalkaboutnotmixingculturalbackgrounds,"hemused,"andthefirsttimeIhadyou,itnever
enteredmymindtodoanythingthatwouldpreventachild.Didn'tthatseemalittleirresponsibleto
you?"

"Yes,itdid.Butyoudidn'tknowIwasn'texperienced."

"Oh,Iknew,"hesaidquietly,studyingher.

"Iknewittothesolesofmyfeet,longbeforeyourbodyprovedittome."

Sheblushed,rememberingthesensationsshe'dexperiencedwithhim.

Herwholebodytingledwithmemories.

Heshookhishead.

"Itwasarevelation,thatfirsttime.IstillgetarousedeverytimeIrememberit.Thenonthefloorof
youroffice,"hesaidabruptly.

"Istillcan'tbelieveIdidthat."Hefrowned.

"Youwerealreadypregnantthen.Icouldhavehurtyouandthebaby."

"Youdidn't.And,ifyouremember,Ididtheseducing,"sheaddedwithagrin.

"Evenunderthecircumstances,itwassomethingtoremember."

Hesighed.

"Itstill makes mevaguely ashamed. Itreated you shabbily, Cecily,and not onlythen. You've put up
withalotfromme."

"Itwaswortheverytear,"sheteased.

"Ihavenoregrets."

"I wish I could say the same." He clasped his hands together behind his head and sat watching her
again.

"You'reverysexywiththatswellunderyourwaistline."

Shegavehimamockscowl.

"Pregnancyisn'tsupposedtobesexy."

"Butitis,"heremarked.

"You'reradiant.Youglow."Hesmiledather.

"I'm glad you want the baby, Cecily. I want it, too. I'm sorry I've given you such a hard time." He
movedhisclaspedhandstohiskneesandstaredatthefloor.

"Myworldturnedupsidedown.Iwasn'tpreparedforit.NothingwasasI'dbelieveditwas.Mywhole
lifeseemedtobealie.Itwashardtoadjust."

Sheputherforkdown.

"Iknow."Shesearchedhisgrimface."Noneofuswantedtohurtyou.

Wejustcouldn'tthinkofaneasywaytotellyou."Shemetthedark,searchingeyesthatcameup,and
thebreathseemedtocatchinherthroat.Hehadsuchbeautifuleyes.Shewonderedifthebaby'swould
bedarklikehisorlight,likeherown.

"Liesaredangerous,evenkindlies."

Henodded.Hisgazeranoverherfaceandhesmiledslowly."Iwonderwhichoneofusthebabywill
favor?"

"Iwasjustwonderingthesamething.Darkeyesaredominant,"sheremembered.

"Yourhairisblackandmineisblond,he'llprobablyhavebrownhair.

Ihopehehasyoureyes.Andyourheight."

"Areyoureallysurehe'sahe?"

"Yes,fromtheultrasound.Consideringthatyourfatherwasoneofthreeboysagirlwasprobablya
longshotanyway.DidMatttellyouabouthisbrothers?"

Thatwasinteresting.

"No,hedidn't."

"Oneofthemwasmucholderthanhewas.Phi-lippediedfightinginWorldWarII.Micheldiedofa
heart attack three years ago. They were the only family Matt had left. Or so he thought," she added
withatendersmile.

"Anyway,boysruninhisfamilyandthefather,notthemother,determinesthesexofthechild."

Hesmiledather.

"As long as we have a healthy baby, I don't care what sex it is." He let his gaze run down to her
waistline."ButImeantwhatIsaidaboutgettingmarriedsoon,"headdedquietly.

"I

don'tcareforcasualmodernarrangementswhenachildisinvolved,althoughI'dwanttomarryyou
now even if there could never be a child. Our son deserves a family name and two parents to raise
himandlovehim.Aswe'vealreadyagreed,Ineverconsideredpreventinghim.

"Hegrinnedwickedly.

"AndI'mnotsorry,either."

"NeitheramI.Okay,"shesaid,smiling.

"We'llgetmarriedwheneveryouwant."

Hesighedwithrelief,gladthatshewasn'tgoingtofighthimaboutit.

"I'llspeaktothepriesthereinD.C.whomarriedmyparents,ifyou'dlikethat.Wecouldhaveacivil

service...."

"No,"shesaidatonce.

"I'dlikeustobemarriedinchurch."

Hesmiled.

"Fine. And the sooner the better," he added with an amused smile, glancing once more, with
unmistakableprideanddelight,towardherwaistline.

They were married barely a week later, with Leta and Matt and Colby Lane for witnesses. Pierce
Button and his wife, Brianne, were there with their son, who was several months old. They seemed
radiantlyhappy.

CecilylookedupatTateasheliftedtheshortveiloftheoyster-coloredhatthatmatchedherneatsilk
suit,andthoughtthatshe'dneverseenanythingasbeautifulasthelookinhiseyesatthatmoment.He
smiledathisnewwifejustbeforehebenttokissher,withsuchtendernessthattearsrolleddownher
cheeks.

ThereceptionwasheldatMattHolden'shome,anditwaslongandrowdy.Anumberofstrangershad
shown up for the occasion, some of them very somber, wearing equally somber suits and looking
aroundasiftheyexpectedterroriststovaultthroughthewindowsanyminute.

Two other men, very scruffy- looking even in nice clothing, moved like wolves. A big blond man
withafaintarroganceofcarriagewatchedtheothermenwarily.

BrianneMartin,withhersleepingchildinherarms,movedclosetoCecilywithmischiefinhergreen
eyes.Shewasfair,likeCecily,butherhairwasadarkerblond.

"Those two over there belong to the government," she whispered, indicating the stiff men in suits.
"Theonesbythepunchbowlareex-mercenaries.Thebig,leanblondmanisMicahSteele.He'sthe
lastmanintheworldyoueverwanttomakeanenemyof.Andthatgirloverthere"-sheindicateda
slenderwomanwithbrownhair"--ishisstepsister,"sheaddedwithagrin.

"Theydon'tgetalongatall.That'swhyshe'scarefultokeeptheroombetweenthem."

"Boy,doesthatsoundfamiliar,"Cecilymutteredwithaglanceatherobliviousnewhusband.

"You,too,huh?"Brianneasked,shiftingthebabyinherarms.

"Yes,me,too.Tate'sbeenkeepinghisdistanceforyears."

She glanced at Cecily's noticeably unbuttoned skirt. "My, my, imagine a man being able to do that
fromadistance!"

Cecilyburstoutlaughing.Tateheardthesound,glancedatherandsmiledwithhiswholeheartinhis
darkeyes.

"Onsecondthought,"Briannewhispered,notingthelook,"maybeitispossible."

Cecily only smiled. She and Brianne moved to the sofa and Cecily took the little boy in her arms,
thinkingthatsoonshe'dhaveoneofherowntolove.Tatecameupbehindthem,momentarilyalone,
andlookeddownatthebabyinCecily'sarmswithasmile.

"His name is Edward Laurence, but we call him Laurence," Brianne volunteered, "and Pierce gets
absolutelymilitantifit'sshortened.

Helookslikehisdaddy."

"Yes,hedoes,"Tatemurmured,dreamingofhisownheirwholayunderCecily'sheart.

SenatorMattHoldensaunteredovertojointhem,placinganarmaroundTate'sshoulderswitheasy
affection.

"Good-lookingkid,"hemused.HeshookTate.

"Soismine,don'tyouthink?"headded.

"I

can'tthinkwhoheremindsmeof."

Tateelbowedhimwithagrin.

"Cutitout.I'mabetter-lookingcopyofyou."

"Better-looking?"

"Bettertempered,too,"Tatesaidwithawarmsmile.

"Onlyonoccasion."

"It's nice to see the two of them getting along so well, isn't it, Cecily?" Leta asked as she took her
husband'sarm.

"Yes,itis,"sheagreed.

"I'mgettingusedtopeaceandquiet."

"Thinkso?"Tatemused.Helookedathisfathermischievously.

"We'regettingthepapersfinalizedwiththestatetoopenthecasinoonWapiti."

"Youcanfinalizethemhowevermuchthehellyoulike,butI'llfightyoutoothandnailtotheverylast
fence!"Mattreturned.

"There'snooutsideinvolvementthistime,andwe'vegotareferendumcomingupontherestotakea
vote,"Tatetoldhim.

"Doyourworst."

"YouthinkIwon't?I'llbestandingrightoutsidethepollingplacewithaplacardandeveryprotestorI
canmuster.Infact,I'll...!"

"Stopit,"Letasaid,gettingbetweenthem.

"Thisisahappyoccasion.Youtwocangooutbackandhavethisoutlater."

Thetwogloweredateachother,neithergivinganinch.

"Don'ttheylookjustalikewhentheyglowerlikethat?"Letasighed,smiling.

Cecily'seyeswerelikesaucers.

"Oh,Tate...!"

Heglancedatherwithtwinklingeyes.Mattdidthesame.She'dbeenhad.

"Youtwo!"shemuttered,handingthebabybacktoBrianne.Shegotup.

"I'mgoingtocleanhousehere,"shesaid.

"IhavetotalktoSteele!"Tatesaidatonce.

"Idon'tknowhim,butI'msureIhavetotalktohim,too,"Mattagreed.

They retreated, chuckling like the devils they were, leaving a fuming Cecily beside her beaming
mother-in-law.

Letahuggedher.

"They'rejustpullingyourchain,"shesaid.

"Matt'scompromised,andsohasTate.We'llseewhathappensnow,butIthinkwe'llgetourcasino.
Actually,"shesaid,"it'smoreofabigbingopavilion.Nofarowheels,noslotmachines.Maybelater,
butwe'restartingsmall.Andthistimewe'redoingallthegroundwork,inthetribe."

Cecilyhuggedherback.

"Whataniceweddingpresent."

"Onlyverbal,butwehavesomethingbetterforlater.MattandIaregivingyouanursery,whenyou
moveintothatprettyhousedowntheroadfromusthatTatefoundyou."

"Wecanhavecoffeeeverymorninganddiscussnewcampaignsforsovereignty,"Cecilyagreedwith
agrin.

"BecausenowIreallyamfamily."

Letasighed.

"Reallyfamily,"sheagreedwithlovebeamingfromherface.

ShewentbacktoMattandBrianneglancedupatCecily.

"Ihopeyou'regoingtoforgivePierceforwhathedidtoyou,"shesaiddryly.

"He and Colby Lane should be shot. They had no business shocking you like that, especially since
you'repregnant."

"Iwasn'tshocked.Iwasoutraged.ParceledbacktoD.C.withmysuitcaseanddeliveredtothefatherof
mychild."Shesighedasshestaredatherhusbandacrosstheroom."Butwhatareunionitturnedout
tobe.Yourhusbandhasmyvoteformatchmakeroftheyear."

"Ilikehimmyself,"Briannechuckledandexchangedalong,sweetlookwithherownhusband.Pierce
ButtonhaddarkeyeslikeTate's,andhisloveforhisyoungwifewasveryevident,evenatadistance.

"Tate'sveryexcitedaboutthebaby,isn'the?"Brianneadded.

"I

heardhimtellingPiercethathewasalreadylookingatpotentialcolleges."

"He'llmakeagoodfather,"Cecilymused,smilingacrosstheroomathim.

"Andaverygoodhusband."

"Who'dhavethoughtit?"Brianneaskedsoftly.

"Healwaysseemedsoself-contained.Iguessyouneverreallyknowpeople,doyou?"

Cecilyshookherhead.

"That'spartofthefun,findingoutthelittlequirksandsurprisesthatmakeupcomplexpeople.The
moreIgettoknowhim,themoreIrealizehowlittleIactuallyknewabouthim.He'saveryprivate
person."

"SoisPierce.But,youknow,"Briannesaidwithmocksolemnity,Thenmayactuallybeworthallthe
troubletheycause,intheend."

Cecilylaughed,delightedtofindsuchakindredspirit.

"Theymightbeatthat!"

Thebabywasborninthesummer,onthehottestrecordeddayoftheyear.TatebarelygotCecilyto
thehospitalintime.LittleJosephMatthewWinthropwasborntheminutehismotherwastakeninto
the delivery room, with a waiting room bursting at the seams with family and some very wary-
lookingacquaintances.

PierceButtonmurmuredtohiswifethateverygovernmentofficeinWashingtonmustberepresented
in there. Leta and Matt were sharing a bench with Colby Lane, who was sharing some news about
Cecily'sstalker,Gabrini,who'djustbeenconvictedandsentencedtolifeonracketeeringchargesafter
makinganunexpectedconfessionofhispartintheWapitireservationscandal.Anurseinterruptedthe
conversation by appearing in the doorway to tell a beaming Matt Holden and Leta that they'd just
becomegrandparents.Itwasafine,healthyboy,andassoonastheyhadMrs.

Winthropinaroom,everyonecouldcomeandseehiminthenursery.

She darted a worried glance toward a group of taciturn men in sunglasses and dark suits, facing
anothergroupincasualdressbutlookingatwindowsasiftheymightbecontemplatingabreak-out.
Andoneofthosemenboreastrikingresemblancetoamobster.Shebeatahastyretreatbackintothe
safetyofthesurgicalward.

Thatbabywasgoingtohavesomeveryoddvisitors.

Inaprivateroomdownthehall,atiredbutdelightedCecilywaswatchingherhusbandwithhisbrand-
new son. Cecily had thought that the expression on Tate's face at their wedding would never be
duplicated.Butwhentheyplacedthetinylittleboyinhisfather'sgownedarmsinthedeliveryroom,
andhesawhischildforthefirsttime,thelookonhisfacewasindescribable.Tearswelledinhiseyes.
He'dtakenthetinylittlefistinhisbig,darkhandandsmoothedovertheperfectlittlefingersandthen
thetinylittleface,seekingresemblances.

"Generations of our families," he said softly, "all there, in that face." He'd looked down at his wife
withunashamedlyweteyes.

"Inourson'sface."

She wiped her own tears away with a corner of the sheet and coaxed Tate's head, down so that she
coulddothesameforhimwheretheywere,temporarily,bythemselves.

Nowshewascleanedup,liketheirbaby,anddrowsyasshelayoncleanwhitesheetsandwatchedher
husbandgetacquaintedwithhisfirstborn.

"Isn'thebeautiful?"hemurmured,stillawedbythechild.

"Nexttime,wehavetohavealittlegirl,"hesaidwithatendersmile,"sothatshecanlooklikeyou."

Herheartfeltneartoburstingasshestaredupatthatbelovedface,abovetheequallybelovedfaceof
theirfirstborn.

"MyheartishappywhenIseeyou,"shewhisperedinLakota.

Hechuckled,havingmomentarilyforgottenthathe'dtaughtherhowtosayit.

"MineisequallyhappywhenIseeyou,"herepliedinEnglish.

Shereachedoutandclaspedhisbighandwithhersmallone.Onthetablebesideherwasabouquetof
roses, red and crisp with a delightful soft perfume. Her eyes traced them, and she remembered the
firstrosehe'devergivenher,whenshewasseventeen:abeautifulredpaperrosethathe'dbroughther
from Japan. Now the roses were real, not imitation. Just as her love for him, and his for her, had
becomerealenoughtotouch.

Hefrownedslightlyatherexpression.

"Whatisit?"heaskedsoftly.

"IwasrememberingthepaperroseyoubroughtmefromJapan,justafterIwenttolivewithLeta."
Sheshruggedandsmiledself-consciously.

Hesmiledback.

"Andnowyou'recoveredinrealones,"hediscerned.

She nodded, delighted to see that he understood exactly what she was talking about. But, then, they
alwayshadseemedtoreadeachothers'

thoughts-nevermorethannow,withthebabywhowasaliving,breathingmanifestationoftheirlove.

"Yes,"shesaidcontentedly.

"Therosesarereal,now."

Outsidethewindow,rainwascomingdownintorrents,silverdropletsshatteringonthebrightgreen
leaves of the bushes. In the room, no one noticed. The baby was sleeping and his parents were
watchinghim,theireyesfullofwarm,softdreams.

TableofContents

ChapterOne
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen

TableofContents

ChapterOne
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen