“I’d like to see.”
“Why?”
“We’ve just established that it’s an interest of mine.” He released her camera. “I’m going to spend more time on it while I’m here. And I’d like to see your work. Like you said, it’s ... connected to my father.”
It was the right tack to take. He could almost see her mind change from automatic refusal to agreement. “I brought some with me. You could take a look sometime, I suppose.”
“Good. How about now? I was heading over to Sanctuary anyway.”
“All right, but I don’t have a lot of time. I’m still on housekeeping duty.” She started to bend to pick up her camera bag, but he beat her to it.
“I’ve got it.”
Jo walked with him, dug her cigarettes out of her jacket pocket. “This isn’t another come-on, is it?”
“It would be if I’d thought of it. I’ve still got that steak waiting.”
“It’s going to get freezer burn.” She exhaled, studied him through narrowed eyes. “Why did your wife leave you?”
“What makes you think she left me?”
“Okay—why did you leave her?”
“We left each other.” He brushed some low-hanging moss out of their way. “Marriage canceled through lack of interest. Are you trying to gauge what kind of husband I was before you let me grill you a piece of meat?”
“No.” But the annoyance in his tone made her lips twitch. “But I would have if I’d thought of it. Why don’t we leave that topic, and I’ll ask you how you’ve enjoyed your first week on Desire.”
He stopped, turned, looked at her. “Isn’t this just about where you fell into the water that summer?”
She lifted a brow. “No, actually, it was quite a bit farther downriver that youpushedme into the water. And if you’ve got a notion to repeat yourself, I’d think again.”
“You know, one of the reasons I’m here is to revisit some of those days, and nights.” He took a step forward, she took a step back. “Are you sure it wasn’t here that you went in?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” He backed her up another step. She slapped a hand on his chest but found herself maneuvered nearer the bank. “Just like I’m sure I’m not going in again.”
“Don’t be too sure.” As her feet skidded on the wet grass, he hauled her back and against him. “Oops.” And grinning, locked his arms comfortably around her waist. “Not much to you, is there?”
She gripped his arms firmly, just in case. “There’s enough.”
“I guess I’ll have to take your word for that ... and anticipate finding out for myself. Anticipation’s half the fun.”
“What?” She felt her blood drain down to the soles of her feet.I’m a big fan of anticipation.“What did you say?”
“That I’d take your word for it. Hey.” He shifted his weight, pulled her closer as she struggled against him. “Watch out, or we’re both going to be taking a morning dip.”
He managed to pull her back from the edge. Her face had gone sheet-white, and tremors jerked from her so that her skin seemed to bump against his palms.
“Steady,” he murmured and gathered her against him. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No.” The fear had come and gone rapidly, and left her feeling like a fool. Because her heart was still thumping, she let herself be held—wondered how long it had been since anyone had put arms around her and let her rest there. “No, it was nothing. Stupid. There was a guy at the campground a couple of nights ago. He said something similar. He scared me.”
“I’m sorry.”
She let out a long sigh. “Not your fault, really. My nerves are a little close to the surface these days.”
“He didn’t hurt you?”
“No, no, he never touched me. It was just creepy.”
