A pang shot through his belly. He didn’t want her pulling away from him, keeping her distance, banning him from her life. The realization came quickly—its force a shock that actually made his eyes widen.
He wanted her, physically, sexually, of course…but her energy and casual personality intrigued him against his will, bringing an air of the unexpected into his staid world.
He realized that, in spite of himself, he enjoyed that about her.
And he wanted toknowher.
That conclusion both lightened the regret that had clouded his life for the last week, and scared the hell out of him. He’d been playing the game of hard to get, carrying the need to be in control like a shield in front of him…but in that moment of clarity, he realized he couldn’t do that with Fiona.
She was too open, too honest…and crazy though it was, she had begun to insinuate herself into his mind. He couldn’t shake her loose.
That simple warning—the sound of her speaking his name—made something click inside him. He realized how foolish it would be to hold onto a non-relationship with Rachel just so that it didn’t appear he was capitulating to Fiona’s demands…and in the process, lose the opportunity to be with her.
To get to know her.
Just then, a knock at the front door—which still displayed the Closed sign—drew his attention.
He followed Fiona to the door, unable to help admiring the back view of her jeans.
“Captain Longbow. Thank you for coming.”
“This is Officer Helga van Hest,” the police chief said, introducing his companion. “She worked a few homicide cases in Detroit before moving back home to Wicks Hollow.”
A young woman in her late twenties, Helga was tall and toned, and wore a uniform that was pressed and creased and starched to within an inch of its life. Her honey-streaked blond hair was pinned back in a no-nonsense bun at the nape of her neck, and the smattering of freckles over her cheeks and nose did nothing to detract from the professionalism that exuded from her.
“Van Hest?” Fiona asked, shaking the woman’s hand. “Any relation to Orbra?”
“My grandmother,” replied Helga with a smile, then gestured to the yawning opening of the hidden room. “Because it’s a homicide, the sheriff will be here too, and we’ve got a forensics team on its way. We’re going to be here a while.”
“I understand,” Fiona said. “Though there’s not much left to her but bones.”
She showed them the hidden alcove, and Longbow and Gideon pried the rest of the boards away from the space under the stairs. Helga took photographs of the bones, and she and the captain searched the small area to be certain there weren’t any other items in there.
“Pretty obvious cause of death,” Longbow said, kneeling next to the skeleton.
“Massive head wound,” Helga said, crouching next to him. “Blow to the back of the head.”
Gideon felt Fiona give a little shudder, but she, too, looked down when Longbow gently tipped the skull forward—which clearly showed the injury at the back.
“The question will be accidental or murder,” Helga said, pulling to her feet. “And that will be up to forensics to determine.” She smoothed back her hair, which hadn’t moved that Gideon could see, and said, “You don’t have to stay here any longer than you want to, Ms. Murphy. We have everything we need from you, and to be honest, you look wiped.”
“Fiona,” she said. “Thank you. I’ll stay a little longer, then I’ll leave you to your work.”
Helga nodded. “Whenever you like, you’re free to leave. We’ll have you make a formal report tomorrow, once we have everything finished here.”
But Fiona stayed until nearly seven o’clock in the evening—until all of the police and detective personnel had filed out.
She was surprised to find that Gideon was still there. He’d been beside her all along, of course, fielding questions, helping Longbow and Helga, and keeping the peace in his own direct, structured way, and it felt natural for him to be there…but when the activity finally settled down hours later, Fiona realized that she should be surprised that he’d stayed.
“You’re so busy,” she said, suddenly feeling awkward now that they were alone in the store. “I can’t believe you’re still here.”
“I wouldn’t have left you to handle such a thing on your own.” He looked at her, and she felt the weight of desire in his gaze, warming her, but she also saw something softer there. Concern, and tenderness…not merely attraction or desire.
“Thank you, Gideon. I can’t imagine what sort of havoc being here today wreaked on your schedule.”
The truth was, when she found the skeleton, she’d had one coherent thought: get to Gideon.
In that instant, she’d forgotten her need to stay away from him, ignoring her resolve that, as attracted to him as she was, she couldn’t give in and share him with another woman. When she looked up at him now, and her attention rested on the planes of his face, gliding over the firm, manly chin and to his mouth, she felt that resolve falter.
