I am introducing a new romantic intrigue today which is titled A RUNAWAY’S REUNION. The first four chapters are available for reading below.

A Runaway’s Reunion is about a woman (Deirdre Ingstrom) who runs a halfway house for runaways who want to reunite with their families.

In finding one runaway, she gains Robin Colter’s trust enough to contact her uncle, who is her legal guardian. Deirdre and Adam Colter start on bad footing during the phone call, but matters get worse when Adam shows up unannounced at the halfway house. Furious that Deirdre won’t give him information, Adam follows her as she goes about her business. When Adam saves her from being attacked, Deirdre realizes she should probably have more protection, especially after her dog is injured during Adam’s rescue of her. Deirdre, however, is reluctant to admit it.

Somebody keeps following her, though, and Deirdre believes it’s Adam. But she discovers it isn’t him tracking her. If it’s not, who could it be? And can she ever trust Adam enough to let him help her?

One

With a tired sigh, Deirdre Ingstrom clicked the cursor pointing to the printer icon on her computer screen. Anxious, she ran her fingers through her hair. How could she reunite this runaway teenager with her uncle who had filed her name with Missing and Exploited Children? It had taken several visits to the teen before Deirdre finally learned that Bobbie Thomas’s real name was Robin Colter. Deirdre had tried to convince the sixteen-year-old that Adam Colter wanted her home, but she had failed.

Although, that wasn’t unexpected. Reunions were often difficult to arrange, as one would be in Robin’s case. That was why Deirdre and her late husband had opened the halfway house for runaways. The setting gave teens time to prepare themselves, both emotionally and psychologically, for going home to their families. Many youngsters were either afraid of their parents or guardians, or the teen wanted nothing to do with them.

If only that were the pretty young waitress’s problem. Deirdre could understand fear or hatred. Home situations often contributed to teens running away in the first place. But how did she deal with someone who adored her guardian like Robin so obviously did Adam? Granted, Robin hadn’t said the words, but Deirdre could feel the emotional turmoil in Robin at the mere mention of Adam Colter’s name. She could see how much Robin loved him in her expression. Still, Robin had run away, and Deirdre was determined to solve the mystery as to why.

Their conversation had also brought back painful memories for Deirdre, and tears stung her eyes as she reflected on one of her meetings with the girl. Getting Robin to admit her true identity had been the most difficult part; but once she did, Deirdre found the girl outgoing and quite willing to talk.

Leaning on her desk, she thought back to their last conversation.

“How did you know my real name?” Robin asked as she accepted the business card Deirdre extended toward her.

“I run a halfway house for runaways,” Deirdre explained. “I have an old picture of you hanging on a bulletin board in my office, as well as a computerized age progression picture of what you could look like now. The picture is a very close resemblance, and my ward—Jared Ellis—recognized you when he was in here. Your uncle loves you very much if he’s been searching for you all these years.”

“I know he loves me,” she admitted as she flopped her long, dark blonde ponytail behind her shoulder, “but I can’t go back.”

“Of course, you can—if you want to badly enough. And I’m here to help you make the transition. You can live at the house while you emotionally prepare yourself to go home. I’m a psychotherapist, and we’ll talk any time you want—for as long as you want. I’ll even work with you and your family to make sure all the problems that made you run away in the first place are resolved. That will give you a good start to a successful reunion.”

“I can’t go back, Mrs. Ingstrom,” Robin insisted, glancing at the card. “Besides, the Thomases have been good to me. I even went to school until I turned sixteen a couple weeks ago. Then Glenn—that’s Mr. Thomas—got me this job here in the coffee shop.”

“Did you want to quit school?”

Robin answered without hesitation. “Oh, no! I always liked school. I had really good grades, too. I always brought home As and high Bs. My counselor even tried to talk Glenn into letting me stay.”

“Then at least come to the home, Robin. We’ll get you right back into school, while you can still make up what you’ve missed.”

“I wish I could,” Robin said. “But I can’t.”

Deirdre laid her hand on the teenager’s forearm to reassure her. “Don’t worry, Robin. I’m not going to force you to come. Will you at least let me call your uncle and tell him that you’re alive and well?”

Robin drew in a deep breath and shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. He’ll come looking for me, and I can’t go back.”

“I won’t tell him where you are—just that I talked to you and you’re doing fine. Remember something while you’re thinking about this, would you? I understand how you feel because I ran away myself when I was your age.”

“No kidding!” After a brief pause, she asked, “You promise that you won’t tell Uncle Adam where I am?”

“I won’t even give him a hint.” Deirdre’s heart ached with renewed memories of her own father. She’d loved him, but she’d refused go home because she loathed her mother. Quite obviously, Robin had the same kind of love for her uncle. Deirdre could hear it in the girl’s voice. “All I’ll tell him is that you’re fine.”

“All right then—as long as you promise.”

When the laser printer stopped, Deirdre took the paper then rolled her chair back to her desk. Poor Robin. The tone of her voice had spoken louder than the actual words. Robin wanted to reunite with her uncle, but something was holding her back. And Deirdre could think of only one thing that could be.

With a sigh, Deirdre turned to the seventeen-year-old boy across from her then sipped her coffee while examining the information about Robin.

“Well, Jared,” she said, “according to what Robin told me last night, she’s the same Robin Colter. I don’t like you being in that area of town, but in this case, I have to forgive your disobedience. In fact, I have to let you go back. I left my card with her, but I don’t think she’ll contact me. When you get off work tonight, go to the diner and let her know that I called her uncle. I’d do it myself, but I want to give her a little time to think about our discussion. You know how I hate to pressure you kids.”

“Okay, Mrs. Ingstrom,” he said. “Do you think she’ll go home?”

“At the moment, no. We’ll have to convince her that everything will be all right.”

“But you don’t know it will be.”

“If Mr. Colter submitted her name to the national database and had someone do an age progression from 12 until now, he loves his niece. I’ll call him now and tell him that we located her.” Beside her the large black Labrador retriever she kept for protection nudged her arm, and Deirdre stroked his head. “Would you please let Shadow out for me? And check his water, please?”

“Sure. Come on, Shadow,” the tall, lanky redhead said as he left the room. “I’ll be back around seven, Mrs. Ingstrom.”

Deirdre picked up the telephone handset and dialed the business number for Adam Colter. It only rang twice before the woman on the other end answered, “A. L. C. Industries. Joyce speaking. May I help you?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she replied. “My name is Deirdre Ingstrom, and I’m the director of Mackenzie’s Halfway House for Runaways. I’d like to speak with Mr. Adam Colter—if he isn’t busy.”

“Halfway house?” the woman repeated. “For runaways? He’s in a meeting, but I’ll get him out. I don’t know how long this will take, so don’t hang up, okay?”

Before Deirdre could reply, the soft, melodic strains of Beethoven came over the receiver. In only a couple of minutes, it was interrupted by a man’s frantic voice. “Did you say you run a halfway house for runaways? Are you calling about my niece? Is she with you now?”

Deirdre’s heart went out to the man. Like Robin, he very obviously wanted this reunion. It was a shame that she couldn’t promote it yet. Forcing an official tone to her voice, she said, “No, sir, but I do know where she is.”

“Where? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Deirdre sighed. This wouldn’t be easy on him, so she needed to stay as calm as possible. “Please give me time to explain, Mr. Colter. My name is Deirdre Ingstrom. And as your secretary obviously informed you, I’m the director of Mackenzie’s Halfway House for Runaways. Late last night I met with a teenager named Robin Colter. When I spoke with her, I got permission to call and let you know that she’s alive and well. Unfortunately, that’s the only permission I have. I can’t tell you where she is without breaking a confidence, which would completely destroy any faith she has in me at the moment.”

“What kind of faith do you expect me to have in you if you don’t tell me?” he demanded.

She struggled to maintain her calm. Verbally jousting with Robin’s uncle would only antagonize him. “At the moment, I don’t care whether you have faith in me or not. My priority is convincing Robin that I can be trusted. If you don’t let me handle this my way, you may never see her again.”

“The hell I won’t!”

“Mr. Colter, please,” she said through gritted teeth. She had to avoid a confrontation—for Robin’s sake.

“I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to find my niece, lady. And I want an answer! Now where is she?”

Deirdre answered with unemotional words. “I can’t even tell you what city she’s in. I spent about twenty minutes with her last night, Mr. Colter. She loves you, but if you want to be reunited with her, you’re going to have to let me handle it my way. I assure you that it will be best for everybody concerned.”

“How would you know what’s best for us?” he snapped.

“I’ve been in this business for seven years. I also have a masters in psychology. Lastly, I’ve reunited eighty-four families, which averages to one family a month, so I know what I’m doing. My instincts are finely honed, Mr. Colter. Ninety-five percent of the time, I understand these kids. I’d say that gives me plenty of expertise in determining the appropriate time for a reunion. In your case, now isn’t the time. You could destroy everything just by pushing things too fast for Robin.”

“Look, Miss …” After a brief pause, he asked, “What was your name again?”

“Mrs. Deirdre Ingstrom.”

“I don’t care about your instincts. All I care about is getting my niece back.”

“And you will if you give me time to work with her, to gain not only her trust but her respect.”

“I’ve had it up to my neck with you, Mrs. Deirdre Ingstrom. If you don’t tell me where she is right this second, I’ll report you to … to … whoever it is I report your actions to. And believe me, I’ll find out exactly what organization that is. Now where is Robin?” He put emphasis on the last three words.

No longer able to control her temper, Deirdre let her irritation show in her voice. “I won’t divulge that information, Mr. Colter. So go ahead and report me. I’ve told you everything I intend to. Now I have a lot of other work to do. Good-bye, Mr. Colter. I’ll contact you again when Robin gives permission for me to do so.”

To still her growing anger, Deirdre breathed through clenched teeth as she hung up the phone. Thank goodness she’d stifled her rage throughout most of their conversation. If she hadn’t, she might have let Robin being in Orlando, Florida, slip in the middle of an argument. Still, she felt sorry for him. People who acted like Adam Colter were also people desperate for a reunion, and she really didn’t blame him for his attitude. She was the only person he’d been in contact with who could bring his niece back. Knowing that could only increase his frustration.

Her heart went out to the man. As he had pointed out, he was desperate enough to spend thousands of dollars trying to find her. At least, he didn’t know where she was so he could show up and make the same demands that he had over the phone. She wasn’t sure she could handle him as well in person. Then again, maybe she could. He’d been rude, obnoxious, and overbearing on the telephone. He would probably have those same qualities in her presence. And if there was any type of person she refused to tolerate, it was a man like Adam Colter.

Deirdre slid the printout into a file folder then put the folder into the file drawer labeled C. Returning to the desk, she sank wearily onto her chair and combed her fingers through her long, dark bangs. As she did, her gaze fell upon the newspaper clipping that had come in the mail the previous day. The envelope had been marked personal, so her teenage secretary hadn’t seen the contents. It was a good thing, too. The girl would have been terrified.

Picking up the article, she scanned it. A young boy she’d contacted had been killed by a hit and run driver. The only name on his body was hers—from her business card. Of course, she’d known about the boy’s death before the story appeared in the paper. The police had already talked to her. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to help locate his next of kin because he wasn’t listed in the national database. Nor had he revealed his parents’ names to her.

Then the clipping had arrived in the mail with her address typed on the envelope. There was no note with it and no return address. The postmark was from Winter Garden, a small town outside Orlando. Deirdre had kept the clipping but had automatically shredded it. With a cross-cut shredder, there was no way she could piece it back together.

Now that she’d had time to think about it, she regretted disposing of the envelope. She sensed that the clipping was some sort of message. Otherwise, why would anybody send it to her? But what type of message could it be? Had the boy been in trouble because of her? If so, she would never be able to live with herself?

Sighing, Deirdre laid the article down and put her magnifying paperweight on top of it. She had more important things to do than dream up preposterous theories to fulfill some deep-seeded need for adventure in her life. She had families to reunite. That should be adventure enough.

***

“I don’t know, Mrs. Ingstrom,” Jared told her that evening. “Robin sure didn’t seem very happy that you told her uncle we found her. She knows she said it was okay, but she says she’s afraid he’ll try to find her.”

Deirdre didn’t want to think about Adam Colter, let alone talk about him. But she needed to consult with Jared on the case. With a grimace, she explained, “After talking to her uncle, I can understand why. Did you tell her that I would never divulge the information unless she agreed to it?”

“Sure, but she’s still scared.”

Tapping her pen on her desk blotter, she contemplated her next move. She really didn’t like going to that part of town, but she didn’t know how else she could resolve the matter. “I’d better go out there myself and reassure her. I don’t want her to think that I’ll betray her confidence. And I certainly don’t want her to distrust me—not even for some reason she’s built up in her mind.”

“You don’t say it, Mrs. Ingstrom,” Jared observed, “but I think you’re already more involved in this case than you are in the rest of them. How come?”

Studying the teen for several moments, Deirdre considered his statement. He was right, but her feeling of kinship with Robin wasn’t something she could put into words. The emotional pain she had suffered after running away from her father was still too strong.

“You’re right, Jared, but don’t ask me to explain. Why don’t you go get some …”

The office door slammed open, and Deirdre stared in shock at the sandy-haired man looming in the portal. Behind the reddish, neatly trimmed beard, his rage showed on his tanned face. The muscles in his powerful arms twitched as he clenched his hands into tight fists. Beside her Shadow growled deep in his throat.

Stunned, Adam Colter gazed at the brunette with bouncy curled hair. She certainly wasn’t the matronly woman he’d expected to encounter. She was young and beautiful, with wide blue eyes that sparkled. At the moment, she used them to scan his frame, as if sizing him up for battle. That was exactly why he’d flown to Orlando—a battle of wills if she forced the issue. At least, that would happen if he could keep his hands to himself.

He didn’t know why he had such an instantaneous reaction to her. Yes, she was very pretty, very petite, but she wasn’t knock-dead gorgeous. Maybe it was because of the argument they’d had on the phone; maybe it was because of her determination to do things her way. Or maybe, and much more likely, it was his shock at not seeing the middle-aged woman he’d expected to see.

To regain his anger, he reminded himself of his mission.

Deirdre didn’t like the look in this man’s face. He was furious about something, but his brown eyes also carried an underlying hint of seduction. The contradiction set off her internal alarm. Could this man be the person who’d sent her that note? No, that was ludicrous. She had no reason to believe that the person who’d sent it would come to her home and confront her. But she had no reason to believe that he wouldn’t, either!

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Ingstrom,” a teenage girl apologized as she peered into the room from behind the man. “He wouldn’t listen to me.”

“It’s all right, Stephanie. You can leave us alone now. I’ll be fine.”  Deirdre couldn’t take her eyes off the ruggedly built man. His tight, faded blue jeans and short-sleeved Polo shirt showed every muscle. The mere sight of him sent long-forgotten feelings of excitement coursing through her. But she couldn’t think of such things when it was obvious that she was about to have a confrontation with him. Drawing in a deep, faltering breath, she said, “Jared, take Shadow and go get something to eat.”

“Are you sure, Mrs. Ingstrom?” Jared asked with an anxious tone in his voice. “He’s awfully big—awfully mad, too.”

“I’m positive,” she replied. “Now go on.”

“Okay.” Grabbing the dog’s collar, Jared steered him to the door, but he paused a moment to stare up at the intruder before he passed the man and closed the door behind him.

“Now that we’re face to face,” the man insisted, “you’re going to give me some answers.”

Deirdre struggled to maintain her composure. Getting angry would be counterproductive at this point. “I don’t even know who you are, so don’t expect my cooperation.”

“I’m Adam Colter, and you’ll give me all the answers I want. Is that understood?”

Stifling a sigh of relief, Deirdre held her ground. Even though she’d sent Jared away with her only protection, she’d expected to be attacked. But the man was only Robin’s uncle. Although, that knowledge did little to alleviate her anxiety.

Putting on a bravado she didn’t feel, she replied, “All I understand at the moment is that I’m dealing with a self-centered, overbearing man who knows nothing about promises.”

“Nothing about promises?” he raged. “Look, lady. The reason I’m here is because I promised my brother I’d take care of his little girl if anything happened to him and his wife. Well, it did, and I fully intend to keep my promise, with or without your help.”

“And I’m going to keep my promise to Robin by refusing to tell you where she is.” No longer in control of her temper, Deirdre strode to stand before Adam, staring up at him as she straightened her shoulders. She wanted to give the impression that she was unafraid of the man towering over her, but an impression was the best she could do. “I refuse to tell you where Robin is unless she says I can. Right now, she’s a scared kid who needs compassion from somebody who can be objective. That obviously isn’t you.”

“You know nothing about …”

“Shut up and listen to me for a change.”

“In case you’ve forgotten, that’s all I’ve done,” he countered. “I haven’t had my say yet, damn it, and I’m going to whether you like it or not.”

“I’m not interested in anything you have to say, unless it’s that you’re getting on the next plane and going back where you came from. I don’t like your attitude, Mr. Colter, and I won’t tolerate it. There’s simply no room in the way I reunite families for someone like you. If you don’t like it, just leave.”

“Well, I don’t like it, and I don’t like you not telling me where my niece is. But that doesn’t mean I have any intention of leaving. I won’t—not until I get answers. Now let’s start with why you hung up on me this morning.”

Deirdre glared at him. Never in her life had she met such an infuriating, obstinate man. “You know why I hung up. You were acting just like you are now. You wouldn’t listen to reason. I don’t know who you think you are, but this isn’t just my business establishment. It’s also my home. I don’t like people coming in uninvited.”

“You had no intention of inviting me, so I had to barge in. If you’d told me over the phone where I could find Robin, …”

Her eyes narrowed in rage. He had no right to put the blame on her when she was trying to help his niece. “I’m not in the wrong here! You are! I could have you arrested if I wanted to—for harassment and trespassing.”

“And I could have you arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor,” he countered.

“I’m helping her—by protecting her rights. She’s not ready to see you, so leave us alone. I’ll more than happily tell you where she is when she says it’s okay and not before. Without her permission, I won’t betray her confidence. My late husband and I both worked with these kids. When he died, I took over everything. I’ve been working with them for a long time, Mr. Colter. I know how they feel and how to interact with them. Can you say the same thing?”

“I know my niece, and that’s all I care about.”

“You may have known her when she left four years ago,” Deirdre declared, “but you sure don’t know her now. A girl of twelve and a young woman of sixteen are two entirely different personalities, even if they are the same person.”

Adam listened to her furious words, several times attempting to interject his own opinions despite her nonstop lecture. If she would just shut up long enough to listen to his side, maybe she’d reconsider and give him Robin’s location. Unfortunately, her full lips continued to move; her bright blue eyes remained fixed on his face. If she wouldn’t stop talking, he would just have to silence her the only way he could think of at the moment.

What had gotten into him? He wasn’t this kind of man. But Deirdre Ingstrom had sparked something in him during their first conversation. That was why he’d been so desperate to find out where she was—that and his imminent reunion with his niece. Now, though, he realized meeting the woman standing before him, chastising him for being there, had always lurked in the back of his mind.

If she would stop talking for even a second, he would apologize for barging in like he had. But she just kept scolding him for his inappropriate behavior. Inappropriate behavior, huh? Well, he would show her inappropriate behavior. No! He couldn’t. He had strict no-harassment rules in his business, and this would be nothing short of that. Don’t do it, he chastised himself.  Don’t even consider it.

Before he realized what was in his mind, he grabbed her upper arms in a firm grip. Even though she stopped talking and stared up at him with startled blue eyes, even though he knew he had made his point and could release her now, he couldn’t let go. Instead, he bent and captured her lips with his.

Several seconds later, he jerked his head back, unable to believe his own actions. He stared down at her in amazement. He’d never treated a woman like that before! But he wasn’t a bit sorry that he’d kissed her, either. It was one of the most satisfying moments of his life, but he had no idea why. And that frightened him more than he wanted to admit.

Inhaling, he gazed over at her before he calmed and said, “I apologize for my behavior, but you wouldn’t shut up.”

“That doesn’t matter. You’re still in the wrong here. How did you find me, anyway? I didn’t tell you where I lived.”

“You sure as hell didn’t,” he snapped. He was angry again, this time at himself for his more than inappropriate behavior. “I had my secretary google you, not that I didn’t already know what part of the country you were in. I know the Orlando area code, and I have caller ID on my business phones. You didn’t even stop to think about that when you were reaming me out. Then, just to be sure, I called the place where I registered Robin’s name and had them double check, so I’d know if this was the right place. I couldn’t remember the name, and I figured they could refresh my memory.”

“You’re blaming me for your intrusion?”

“You’re the one with the big mouth, Mrs. Ingstrom.”

“And speaking of mouths,” she chastised, “how dare you kiss me like that! You had no right to even touch me.”

Stunned by how deeply her words cut into his heart, Adam stared at her for a moment. His heart broke at his treatment of her. This wasn’t the man he was. He was kind and loving toward women. He’d never done such a thing before. To hide his disappointment in himself, he replied in a cool tone. “Don’t worry, lady. I wouldn’t dream of repeating my actions.”

“You’d better not.” Striding to the door, she yanked it open then faced him again. “Now if you’d leave …”

“Not until you answer my questions.”

She answered in an even tone that belied the anger in her eyes.

“I don’t blame you for being frustrated or angry, Mr. Colter. But I do resent you not listening to me. You don’t know what to expect of Robin, and she doesn’t know what to expect of you. Give me some time to gain her confidence and try to talk her into a reunion. These things don’t just happen. It takes a lot of work and even more patience.”

“How much time?” he asked, again surprising himself with the quiet curiosity in his tone.

“I don’t know. It could be tomorrow or the next day, but it could also be next week or even next month. Whenever it is, I’ll notify you immediately—despite the animosity I feel toward you. I’m trying to help these kids and their families, Mr. Colter. The only way I can do it effectively is with everybody’s cooperation. That includes yours.”

“I’ll give you a week. If she isn’t ready for a reunion by then, I’m taking matters to the police.”

“And if I want more than a week,” she insisted, “I’ll take it no matter what you say. Now good-bye, Mr. Colter. I have work to do.”

“I’ll leave your business, but I won’t leave town. As soon as I find a place to stay, I’ll call you and let you know where I am.” Although he started through the door, Adam halted beside her, reached into his pocket, and handed her a business card. “Here’s my number. My niece means everything to me, Mrs. Ingstrom. I won’t give up until I get her back, especially now that I’m so close after years of false leads.”

She didn’t know how she could keep herself so calm, but she did. Her body reeled with excitement that she’d never before felt. She’d been so startled by his unexpected, grinding kiss that she hadn’t been able to react. Despite her anger at the time, she hadn’t even been able to think. Her mind had gone blank. But the pounding of her heart had been even more unexpected. It had been almost as though she’d never been kissed by a man in her life. Maybe the unexpectedness of it is what kept her from slapping him the moment he pulled back. To do so now would be ludicrous, not to mention far too delayed.

Shaking the thought from her head, she returned her gaze to the deep brown eyes. He really was handsome, even with the scar he sported across his forehead. No! She had to quit thinking that way. He was someone she needed to work with in close alliance to reunite him with Robin. He was also an egotistical man who would intrude into another’s business without so much as a warning.

As much as she hated to admit it, she should let Adam stay and have his say, and then she could explain her manner of conducting business calmly so he could understand. But she was afraid that they wouldn’t be able to remain rational, given their kiss a few minutes ago, not to mention her reaction to it. The best thing she could do was explain and get him out of there.

Uncertain how to react to his final declaration, she stared after the departing man. She should reassure him, but she couldn’t find the words. One minute he infuriated her with his actions; the next, he touched her heart with mere words. She did know one thing, though. He loved Robin. That could only lead to a successful reunion—if he could be patient long enough for her to pave the way.

Actually, Deirdre felt a little sorry for the man. From the way he talked, he’d had more than his share of heartache over Robin’s disappearance. With perseverance, she could get the girl back in the right home, the home where she would be unconditionally loved. And the sooner she did it, the better off Robin would be. The better off she herself would be, too, because she wouldn’t have to deal with that arrogant idiot anymore.

All she had to do was wait at least a half an hour before leaving the house to make sure that Adam was really gone. If she learned anything that day, it was that she couldn’t trust him not to take matters into his own hands. And if he did, he could spoil everything.

***

Deirdre rolled her driver’s side window down about four inches before she closed the minivan door, then she locked it by pushing the button on her keychain.

“Stay, Shadow,” she said as the large dog hopped onto the driver’s seat. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

After cautiously making her way down the street crowded with men and women in their late teens and early twenties, Deirdre walked into the coffee shop on the corner. She hated this part of town and was glad to be out of the midst of the seedier members of Orlando’s citizenry. Sitting down at a table in the nearly empty building, she smiled as Robin approached her and took a seat across the table.

“Something I didn’t expect happened this evening, Robin,” Deirdre explained.

“What’s that?” Robin asked.

“Your uncle stormed into my office a while ago. He knew by the Orlando area code where where you were. Then he googled me. Believe me, I had no idea he’d do something like that, so I didn’t even consider it when I talked to him this morning.”

“That’s okay, Mrs. Ingstrom. You couldn’t help it.”

“I can’t guarantee that he won’t find you, Robin,” Deirdre warned. “He was furious when I refused to tell him where you were. Would you like to reunite with him now and get it over with? My being there might make things easier for you.”

“No,” Robin said frantically. “No, we can’t do that. Not yet.”

Concerned with the teen’s reaction, Deirdre grasped Robin’s hands to comfort her. “What’s wrong, honey? Why are you so worried about seeing your uncle again? You seem to love him, but you also seem to be afraid of him.”

“I’m not afraid of Uncle Adam, but I am afraid. I’m … I’m not ready to see him again. Please don’t make me, Mrs. Ingstrom.”

“I’m not going to make you do anything, but don’t you think you’d be happier with your blood relatives instead of the Thomases?”

“Glenn and Bonnie have never hurt me.”

“Has your uncle?” Deirdre asked, recalling Adam’s temper.

“Oh, no! He would never hurt me—not in a million years.”

“Then why not go live with him? I know he wants you back.  Actually, I’d say the man’s desperate to have you back. He wants to take care of you like he should have since your parents died.”

“I know, but Aunt Natalie doesn’t want me.”

“Who’s that?”

“His wife.”

“His wife!” Deirdre exclaimed in surprise. The scene in her office and her startling physical reaction to Adam Colter’s kiss flashed across her mind. How could he do such a thing when he had a wife? To conceal her growing anger, Deirdre said, “He didn’t tell me he was married, but it’s not surprising.”

“I never liked her,” Robin admitted. “And I don’t think she liked me.”

“Is that why you don’t want to go back?”

Pulling away, Robin bowed her head and admitted, “I don’t even want to see Aunt Natalie.”

“She wasn’t with him when he came to the office, so you wouldn’t have to see her yet if you didn’t want to.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“All right then,” Deirdre agreed, not wanting to pressure the youth. “I’ll tell Mr. Colter that you’re not quite ready.”

“Thanks a lot, Mrs. Ingstrom.”

Deirdre smiled to reassure her. “That’s why I’m here, Robin, to make the transition easier for everybody. And by the way, call me Deirdre. I’d better go now. I have a feeling your uncle will call me tonight, and I want to be home to talk to him.”

***

Adam collapsed onto the bed in his motel room. It wasn’t a great place, but it would be quieter than a hotel. What a day! As glad as he was that Robin had turned up, he was more distressed now than he had been when he’d learned that she’d disappeared. For some reason, she didn’t want to see him, which he simply couldn’t understand. He and Robin had always been close. They’d played together, gone to movies together, read together, watched TV together. They’d laughed and cried together. He’d even told her many times that he couldn’t love her anymore if she’d been his daughter instead of his niece. So why didn’t she want to see him now?

Turning his head on the pillow, he stared at his cellphone on the nightstand. Maybe Deirdre could explain it to him. No, she’d already admitted that she didn’t understand. But he had told her that he would call and tell her where he was staying. If nothing else, that gave him an excuse to talk to her again—and apologize again.

Adam picked up his phone, stared at it a moment, and then put it back on the nightstand. All of a sudden, he didn’t know what to say to Deirdre. He’d treated her like an uncouth cad, and his actions embarrassed him. What had gotten into him, anyway? He’d never treated a woman like he had Deirdre. Why had he not been able to control his actions with her? It just didn’t make sense.

Sighing, Adam stared at the ceiling. He needed to collect himself before he called Deirdre. He needed to think of the most appropriate words to apologize.

Two

Deirdre returned home and headed straight to bed. Normally, she didn’t have much trouble convincing a parent or guardian that a reunion can take time, but Adam Colter had shown her that some people refused to listen to reason. If he kept pushing the way he was, he’d never get to see his niece again, and Deirdre hated the thought of the separation being permanent. If any two family members belonged together, it was Adam and Robin Colter. She ought to know; she’d been in a similar situation—loving one parent yet hating the other so much she couldn’t go home.

Somehow she had to cajole Adam into relenting in his demand. Beneath his gruff exterior, a compassionate man must exist. But where? And how far down did she have to dig to find him? He was there, though. She could feel it. If she could just stay calm when he became angry, maybe then she could bring that compassionate guy to the surface. But Adam Colter was such an aggravating man!

The cellphone beside her bed buzzed, startling her so badly that she jumped and stared at it while it buzzed twice times. When she answered the call, she didn’t even have time to put the phone to her ear before a deep, enraged voice shouted at her.

“Where the blazes have you been for the last hour and a half?”

“What?” she responded in astonishment. “Who is this?”

“You know damned good and well who this is. I told you I was going to call as soon as I found a place to stay, but you left. Don’t you even have a business card? I had to call all over the place trying to find out your phone number. Why the hell don’t you have it in a phonebook or even on your website?”

All of a sudden, Deirdre recognized the voice. She didn’t like people talking to her like this, and she refused to put up with his constant barrage of demands. “Look, Mr. Colter, I don’t owe you explanations. I had work to do, and I won’t stop just because you try to dictate my life. As for my cell number, I don’t know how you got it, but I don’t appreciate you calling. I only give it to select people.”

“I don’t like your attitude, lady,” he snapped. “What kind of business are you running, anyway, that you won’t give your number to your clients?”

“Did you ever stop to think that I don’t care for your attitude, either? So far, you haven’t said one nice word to me. That’s why I didn’t want you to have my number.”

Actually, that wasn’t true. She had just been so angry that she’d forgotten to give him her business card, but she had no intention of telling him that. Still, this number wouldn’t have been on it, because she only gave it to runaways that she knew were close to a reunion.

“Can I help it if I’m worried sick about my niece?” he asked irately, bringing her back to their conversation. “Can I help it if you’re too stubborn to be reasonable?”

Oh, how she hated this side of Adam Colter. Maybe if she could calm down a little, he would, too, and show her the side that she knew was in him. But when she spoke, her voice remained as angry as her spirit.

“You’re the one who’s being unreasonable, Mr. Colter. As I’ve said before, I’ve been doing this job for a long time. You could at least give me credit for knowing how to handle your situation. Robin isn’t ready to see you. Accept that, and we’ll get along fine; deny it, and we’ll probably have a lot more run-ins like this. So back off. When I can persuade her that she has nothing to be afraid of, I’ll let you know. Until then, stop bothering me—either at home or at the office.”

“I have a right to know where she is, Mrs. Ingstrom,” he proclaimed. “If you won’t tell me willingly, I’ll …”

“You can’t force information from me. It’s not because I’m stubborn, either. I care about Robin, probably as much as you do. I want to see you two back together. The only way I can accomplish that is if you don’t push.”

The anger in his voice disappeared, he questioned her in a less irritated tone. “What’s she afraid of, anyway? She knows I’d never hurt her.”

Deirdre smiled when she heard the change in his voice. Maybe she could finally draw out the compassionate man inside. “Of course, she knows that. And I don’t know what she’s afraid of. She wouldn’t say. I’ll tell you one thing, though. She acted very strange when I asked her, almost like something other than you was bothering her. I didn’t let her see my suspicions because I didn’t think the time was right. But I definitely think something’s wrong.”

“She’s living with a pimp, isn’t she. I’ll find them both and kill him.”

“Don’t you dare!” she exclaimed, horrified that he would even threaten such a thing. “Please believe me, Mr. Colter. She’s not living with a pimp, and she’s not into prostitution.”

“That’s what happens to young girls on the streets. I’ve read articles, both in newspapers and on the internet. And I’ve watched the news magazine shows just like other people. You’re treating me like a damned fool when it comes to runaways. Well, I’m not. I’ve done a lot of research on the subject.”

“I’m not treating you like a fool,” she responded, her ire once more rising. “You know nothing when it comes to reuniting runaways with their families. You don’t know the emotions kids go through when they go back to their families.”

“And I suppose you do.”

“Yes, I do. I ran away when I was sixteen—only I never had the joy of a reunion because my parents died before it happened. That’s why I want to put as many kids back with their families as I can.” When Deirdre finished her explanation, she met with silence. Assuming he was still there, although she couldn’t even hear him breathing, she questioned him in her most sarcastic tone. “What’s the matter, Mr. Colter? Did I finally say something that would shut you up? Don’t you know how to respond to somebody who knows what she’s talking about?”

“I didn’t know.” He paused then added, “But that doesn’t mean I think you’re going about this right. All it means is that you’ve been there, which is probably good for the kids. But what about the adults? You don’t know the hell we go through.”

“I’ve seen a lot of families that have been split apart by children running away, and I’ve done a lot to bring them back together. So, yes, I do know. Unlike some people I can name, I’m a sensitive person who . . .”

“Are you insinuating that I’m insensitive?” he demanded.

“You know what they say about shoes fitting.”

“Why you little . . .”

“You can call me any name you want to,” she cut in, “because I don’t care. I’ve probably already been called it, anyway. A lot of people don’t agree with my tactics, but not one of them has been as hardheaded as you are. You’re the most aggravating, irrational man I’ve ever met. Good-bye.”

Disconnecting the call, Deirdre stared at the phone, not at all surprised that it rang again within seconds. Even though she wanted to let it buzz all night, she answered.

“And you’re the most aggravating, irrational woman I’ve ever met,” Adam declared without waiting for her to say anything. “Unfortunately, we have to work together on this.”

“I work alone, Mr. Colter,” she explained with as much calm as she could muster, “at least in the initial stages. Now please give me some time to work with her. And don’t call me again tonight. I need to do some more work on her case.”

Again she disconnected him, and when the phone rang again, she answered immediately. She just didn’t have any patience left for Adam Colter. “I thought I asked you to leave me alone.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Ingstrom,” came a woman’s voice, “but I thought we could call any time. This is Esther Wilder, and we really need to talk to you.”

“Oh!” Deirdre’s face heated in embarrassment. “I’m the one who’s sorry, Mrs. Wilder. I’ve had a bad day, and some guy won’t quit bothering me. Actually, I could use a different challenge right now. What’s the problem?”

“Patty came to the hotel alone tonight,” Mrs. Wilder explained. “We had another fight. Her father and I tried to stay calm, but it didn’t work.”

“Is she still there?”

“No. She left about twenty minutes ago. We kept trying to call you, but you didn’t answer.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Wilder. I didn’t hear the notification that I had another call. She probably came back here, but it would take at least forty-five minutes. I’ll wait and see if she shows up. If she doesn’t, I’ll come over. We’ll put our heads together and see if we can figure out where she might have gone.”

When forty minutes passed without Patty returning to the mansion, once owned by Parker Ingstrom but converted into a home for runaways, Deirdre left with Shadow. At the motel, neither she nor the Wilders could think of where Patty might have gone. Deirdre decided to search the places the teenager frequented before coming to the halfway house.

Parking in the area where Patty had lived, Deirdre put Shadow’s leash on him and locked her van. When she found out that Patty hadn’t been to her former home in the rundown apartment building, Deirdre continued her search. The streets were darker than usual. Several streetlights had either worn out or been shot out. She hated this dingy area of Orlando, anyway, and the darkness made it even worse. She was terrified that somebody would jump out and grab her. But she wasn’t sure if it was because of her overactive imagination concerning the newspaper clipping sent to her or pure fright.

Within ten minutes, she’d worked herself into such a state that she had an intense sensation of being followed. Gazing down at her dog, she noticed that he also seemed anxious and even glanced over his back at one point. Apparently, someone really was behind her. The safest thing to do was go directly home.

In the van, she discovered a car behind her. But was it following her or just going the same direction? Rather than go home as she’d planned, she drove toward the nearest police station. The car behind her went the same way. Even when she reached the parking lot, the car continued to tail her. Why hadn’t that person shied away the second she came near police headquarters? Now she wasn’t sure what to do.

Relying on instinct, she parked her van, got out, and locked the door. When the car behind her also parked, she strode as casually as she could toward the police station door. But she stopped instantly when she heard a familiar male voice call her name. With her face set in rage, she spun to face him.

“Just a minute, Mrs. Ingstrom!” Adam called as he raced up to her.

“What’s wrong with you, Colter?” she demanded. “Do you dislike me so much that you have to scare the heck out of me by following me around? I thought some nut-job was after me. Come to think of it, I was right.”

“If you think a man desperate to get his niece back is a nut-job, I plead guilty,” he replied. “Did you come here to bail out Robin?”

“I came here because I was scared I’d show some lunatic where I live. I wanted him off my tail. You just don’t get the message, though, do you?”

“Then this has nothing to do with Robin?”

“There are other runaways in Orlando, Mr. Colter. Many other runaways.”

“Since we’re going to be talking a lot, you can call me Adam.”

“I address all parents and guardians formally,” she told him. “My motives for being out for you to follow had nothing whatsoever to do with Robin. Another young lady ran away from her parents a second time but didn’t come back to the halfway house. I was trying to find her when I was so rudely interrupted.”

“Let me help you.”

“What?” she asked, stunned by his suggestion.

“You heard me. You shouldn’t be roaming the streets at this time of night without an escort, and even more especially not in that seedy neighborhood.”

“I have an escort, thank you.” She spoke dryly, to hide the slight deterioration of her emotional distance. The concern in his voice was so strong that she wasn’t sure how to react. “Shadow was trained to protect me, and I’d prefer that he earn his keep. Now if you’ll excuse me, I still have work to do. Thanks to you making a nuisance of yourself earlier this evening, that girl’s parents couldn’t contact me and now she has an even greater head start.”

“Fine,” he snapped, startling her with his abrupt change of attitude. “Go alone. Get yourself killed—your dog, too. I try to be a gentleman after the things that were said tonight, and this is how I’m treated. Don’t you ever come down on me again for not saying something nice to you.”

Deirdre waited until he got into the rental car and drove away before she got in her van. Maybe he was right. Maybe she had been too hard on him. But she was still furious that he’d followed her. If he didn’t stop fooling around, he was going to find out exactly how hot her temper could get.

Instead of going home, Deirdre returned to look for Patty. To keep her mind off her fear, she thought of Adam Colter. He was definitely a notable man, one who probably left an impression with every person he met. Then again, how could he do anything else when he treated people like he did? She could leave an impression on everybody, too, if she wanted to be nasty and hard to get along with. But she didn’t want that kind of a reputation. She’d much rather be unknown than labeled difficult.

And to think that he had kissed her only minutes after they’d met! The meeting hadn’t even been one that either of them was impressed about. How could he have done such a thing, especially since he was married? Maybe he’d already known she was a widow, but that was beside the point.

“Stop thinking about that!” she scolded herself aloud. “He was angry, and so was I. The only reason he kissed me was because he couldn’t think of any other way to shut me up.”

A worse thought than his kiss was her reaction to it. Where had those unexpected feelings come from? She hadn’t felt like that in so many years that she’d lost track. If she wanted to be truthful with herself, though, she couldn’t remember ever reacting like that. If she had, it was long before Parker had gotten sick that was for sure. She’d had several dates after his death, but not one of those men had sent sensations like that through her. She had to be careful around Adam Colter. She didn’t even like the man, just like he’d claimed in front of the police station.

Still, he had tried to be nice to her then, while she had been the resistant party. And since he had tried, maybe she could cajole him after all. Maybe . . .

“Deirdre!” she heard a man shout. “Look out!”

Spinning around, she saw a large man racing away from her. Adam chased him across the street and into an alley. An instant later Shadow bolted in the men’s direction, nearly dragging Deirdre along behind him. Too frightened to loosen her hold on the leash, she ran along with the dog as he barked wildly. When they reached the dark alley where the men had disappeared a few seconds before, she stopped and held Shadow back.

She struggled with both hands against the straining canine until he ripped the leash from her grasp and sped into the shadows. Fear engulfed her, freezing her in place. She stared wide-eyed into the blackness. Things were happening too fast. A man uttered an enraged profanity. Shadow growled viciously then released a yelp. Another man ran toward her, knocking her to the ground before she could step out of his way. Then there was silence.

Unable to move or think, Deirdre sat where she had fallen, her gaze trained on the alley. What was happening? Why wasn’t Adam coming? Was he dead? Was Shadow? Dear Lord, they had to be all right. She should go into the alley and see if they were alive, but she couldn’t move. All she could do was sit there and stare numbly into the black void before her.

Then Adam emerged from the darkness with Shadow draped across his arms. Gently laying the dog down, he knelt beside her.

“Are you okay, Deirdre?” he asked in concern.

Deirdre stared up at him, not knowing whether to thank him for following her or berate him for it. Unable to decide, she spoke in a harsh tone to conceal her fear. “Where did you come from? Were you following me again?”

“It’s a good thing I was, too,” he replied. “No matter how ungrateful you are, I just saved your hide. But if we don’t get your dog to the vet, he may not make it. Let’s find a phonebook so I can call him and have him meet us at the office.”

She studied him. Why was he being so nice when she’d been rude to him? He should be as angry as she was making herself sound. She sighed indecisively. Who cared if he was being nice. She had too much pride to let him see how terrified she was. Adam would just have to accept her attitude because she wasn’t about to relent.

“How badly is Shadow hurt?” she demanded.

“Bad. But from the way you’re acting, you’re all right. Let’s just take care of the dog.”

As Adam helped her to her feet, Deirdre realized how shaken she was. Her body trembled so severely that she couldn’t stand erect. He supported her against his hard body, and she absently noted how good his presence felt. Within seconds, though, she regained her balance and pushed away from him.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Adam asked.

“I’m fine. Let’s just get Shadow to the vet. I have her number on my phone, so I’ll call her when we’re on the road. We can put Shadow in the back of my van.”

Once Deirdre’s dog was in the back of her car, Adam took the keys from her and headed toward the driver’s door. Irritated by the way he was taking over, she ripped them out of his hand and opened the door. As she stepped up to get in, he grabbed her around the waist and swung her to the ground.

“Give me the keys,” he ordered.

“Forget it,” she said. “This is my car, and I’ll drive.”

“You won’t drive anything in your state—not as long as I’m around. Now give me the keys.” When she refused again, he grabbed her wrist and held her hand in front of her face. “If you think I’m going to let anybody who’s as shaky as you are drive, you’re crazy. I have no desire to end up in a ditch just because you’re too upset to stay on the road. Now give me the keys.”

Staring in shock at her hand, Deirdre relinquished her keys. She couldn’t believe she was in such bad shape. While he escorted her to the passenger’s side, the enormity of her actions slowly became reality. But it wasn’t until she was in the seat and he closed the door behind her that total comprehension returned. Adam was right. She was in no condition to drive so much as a toy car across the playroom floor. If he hadn’t insisted on driving, she really could have run them off the road. And there was no telling how serious the accident could have been.

Other words he’d said echoed through her numbed brain. He had saved her life. Why he had followed her suddenly didn’t matter now that she realized she would probably be dead if he hadn’t. Despite her desire to thank him, she could say nothing. The words in her mind couldn’t even make the journey to her vocal cords. The incident was behind her, but she was still paralyzed with a fear unlike any she’d ever known.

“Deirdre?” he asked, bringing her to her senses. “Are you planning to sit there all night, or are you going to call your vet?”

“What?” she asked absently.

“Get out your phone and call the damned vet so we can save your dog.”

Moving automatically, Deirdre dug her cell from her large purse and placed the call. The call to the office when to another number, and when the veterinarian asked where she was, she glanced around the area. She didn’t know. Apparently, she hadn’t even been aware that Adam had driven her away from the scene. Reading the street sign nearby, she answered the doctor and agreed to meet her in fifteen minutes.

Deirdre directed Adam to the veterinarian’s office in a daze. She didn’t even realize they had arrived until Adam put Shadow on the table and the doctor sent both of them into the waiting room.

“You look terrible, Deirdre,” Adam said. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yes.” Gazing into his dark eyes, she continued in an apologetic tone. “I don’t know why you were still following me, Mr. Colter . . .”

She stopped when he smiled, an unexpectedly sexy half-smile that made her believe he wanted nothing more than to relieve some of her tension. Then he spoke in a low, casual voice that reinforced her opinion. “Because I didn’t believe you. I wanted to make sure you weren’t headed to find Robin.”

Deirdre stared at him in amazement. “You didn’t believe me? I told you what I was doing even though I didn’t think you needed to know, and you still thought I was lying? I’m glad you were there when I needed you, but I don’t like people not believing what I tell them, especially when I’ve given them no reason for distrust.”

“You gave me plenty of reason, Mrs. Ingstrom,” he reminded her, resuming the formality she insisted on. “You weren’t telling me what I wanted to know, and I wanted answers.”

“Listen, Mr. Colter, I appreciate your coming here, but I’m not up to another round with you right now. Why don’t we wait quietly to see what Dr. Jamison says?”

“Good idea,” he returned, “because I’m not interested in another round, either.”

Unable to sit still, Deirdre paced the waiting room, praying that her beloved pet would pull through. What had happened, anyway? She’d been in such a state of shock that she hadn’t even thought to ask. She hadn’t heard a gunshot, so Shadow must have been injured with a knife. He’d probably lunged at the man who had nearly attacked her. Then another thought came to her mind. Why hadn’t Shadow alerted her to danger? If he’d known, he should have at least watched out behind himself. That’s what he was trained to do.

“Mr. Colter?” she asked as she leaned against the counter where pet owners paid. “You saw what happened. Why didn’t Shadow warn me of trouble?”

Adam shot his startled gaze to her face, obviously startled by her question. “He did. I heard him growling myself. You just didn’t pay attention. Then that guy came out of the alley like a bat out of hell, and he was headed straight for you. I didn’t even know he had a knife at the time. I didn’t find out about that until he stuck me.”

“Stuck you?” she exclaimed in shock. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“It isn’t that bad. I just wrapped my handkerchief around it and went on my way.”

“How do you know it isn’t bad?” Scanning his body for the bloody handkerchief, she found it tied around his upper arm. Suddenly, she noticed that he no longer wore a shirt. Apparently, she’d been in a deeper state of shock than she’d thought. She hadn’t even realized that a man built like Adam Colter was naked from the waist up. And did he ever look good that way! The hair across his chest was thick, his muscles well-defined without being overly prominent. Oh, no, not again! Why did she continually find herself attracted to this married man when she didn’t even like him? To take her mind off her daydreams, she asked, “Where’s your shirt?”

“If you’d been paying attention, you would have realized that I used it on your dog. He was stabbed, too, you know. How long have you been a widow, anyway?”

“That’s none of your business,” she replied, her voice filled with agitation.

“Well, it must be a hell of a long time, because the only thing you think about is those kids. It’s almost like they fill some kind of void in your life.”

“Mrs. Ingstrom?” Dr. Jamison interrupted from behind her. Deirdre turned toward the vet. “Shadow will be fine. I want to keep him here for a couple days to make sure he doesn’t get an infection, but it’s only precautionary. The stab wound looked a lot worse than it was. You’d better take your friend to the hospital now, then go home and get some sleep.”

“All right. When should I pay you?”

“Call me tomorrow, and we’ll discuss that. From the amount of blood on that handkerchief, I’d say your friend could use a few stitches, too.”

***

At the hospital, Adam explained that he’d received the injury by accident when he was horsing around while helping Deirdre with the dishes. It was the only plausible explanation he could think of to keep the doctor from reporting the stabbing. He didn’t think Deirdre was in any condition for making a report so he wanted to do everything he could to avoid that tonight. The morning would be soon enough for statements.

By the time the doctor finished stitching Adam’s wound and gave him a tetanus shot, it was nearly one in the morning. When Deirdre suggested that he spend the night in the spare bedroom in her private wing of the mansion, Adam agreed without hesitation. He didn’t want her out where the attack had happened again, anyway. If the rental car got stripped, that was too bad. This lovely brunette’s safety was much more important than a car.

The entire trip back to the mansion, neither spoke. Adam could only think of how he had probably saved her life without any consideration to what could happen to him. And that kiss he’d given her had unnerved him so much that he wasn’t sure he could constrain his anger over her distant attitude, especially since he could have been killed saving her life. Why had he done something so foolhardy for somebody he knew wouldn’t appreciate it in the end?

After parking the car in the garage, Deirdre led Adam to the guest bedroom, then turned and stared up at him without a word. Not knowing what to say, Adam stared back at her. Oh, how he wished he could kiss her good night, but he knew it wouldn’t be appropriate or appreciated.

Then she spoke, surprising him with words that came out in a soft, husky whisper. “This is your room.”

With a gasp of surprise, she laid her fingers over her gaping mouth and stared up at him. Adam offered her a brief smile. She was so pretty that he was having a hard time saying good night. He wanted to speak, but his chest was so tight at being separated from her, even by a few walls, that words simply couldn’t pass the constriction. In all of his life, he’d never felt like this, had never wanted a woman so much—had never had such a distant chance of having her.

Reaching out, he grasped her wrist and pulled her hand from her face. As he rubbed the underside of her wrist with his thumb, he asked, “Are you going to be all right?”

Deirdre moved her jaw, but nothing came out. She returned his unfaltering stare as though she was overwhelmed by the same sensations he was. His gaze dropped to her slender throat, and she swallowed. Then she licked her lips slowly, drawing his attention to them, and she nodded silently.

What a tantalizing gesture! he thought, his mind reliving their first caress. And now he knew it wouldn’t be their last. For a woman of many words, she was suddenly speechless, and he liked the notion that he could unnerve her so.

Moving slowly so he didn’t startle her, he lowered his head toward hers. His lips met hers tenderly, briefly, like a butterfly that had landed then quickly changed its mind. He backed up just as slowly, taking his time to release her wrist, and saw that she still stared up at him. He flashed her another smile then said, “Good night, Deirdre.”

Turning from her, he went into the room and closed the door behind him. As much as he liked looking at the bright-eyed, curly-haired beauty, as much as he adored kissing her, Adam could hardly bear the thought of holding a conversation with her. She was a pretty woman but someone he could do without once he was reunited with his niece. Hopefully, that would happen soon. Then he could go home and forget Deirdre Ingstrom forever.

After a heavy sigh, he popped the painkiller the doctor had given him into his mouth and swallowed it without water. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t even have bothered with it. But the ache was growing into a stabbing sensation. Since he was so tired, it was probably best to follow doctor’s orders this time and get some much-needed sleep.

Unable to move, she stared at the door that closed him into the guestroom. He’d kissed her again, fleetingly, almost tentatively. And she hadn’t done anything to stop him. This whole night had been one of the craziest of her life, and she didn’t know what to make of it. Maybe in the morning, after a good night’s sleep, she would have regained her senses. Yeah, that was it. She would go to her room and sleep—maybe. She turned away and strolled to the next door down the hall.

But sleep eluded her for at least two hours. Her thoughts flowed from her first conversation with Adam on the phone, to their first meeting, to their first kiss. Finally, her mind settled on his proclamation that he had saved her life. Then her mind flashed back to the news clipping she’d received in the mail. Had that night produced yet another first for them? The first time Adam would save her life?

Unwilling to dwell on the it, she forced her mind back to the hall outside the guestroom—and his sweet, unobtrusive kiss in the hallway.

Three

As Deirdre poured over Robin’s file, a knock on her office door interrupted her. Slipping the folder into her top drawer in case it was Adam, she bade the person to enter. To her unexpected dismay, Jared came into the room with a concerned expression.

“What’s wrong, Jared?” she asked.

“I think Shadow ran away. I can’t find him anywhere.”

“He’s at the vet,” she explained with a smile. “He was stabbed last night, and Dr. Jamison wanted to keep him a couple of days for observation, just to make sure no infection sets in.”

“Then he’s going to be all right?”

“Just fine.” Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was nearly nine a.m. “Aren’t you supposed to be at Sea World by now? I thought you were working longer hours during spring break.”

“I am, but I traded shifts with one of the girls. Her brother’s coming home after a year overseas later today, and the family’s having a big party. She didn’t want to miss it.” Jared paused while he sat down opposite her. “Mrs. Ingstrom, I know it’s none of my business, but I thought you threw that guy out of here last night.”

“What guy?”

“The one who practically broke your door down when we were talking about Robin.”

“What’s that no-good crazy person up to now?” Deidre asked in exasperation.

“Probably taking a bath or shower. He stopped me upstairs and asked where he could find a towel. I didn’t think you’d mind since he was wandering around without a shirt, so I told him. But maybe I shouldn’t have. I mean, I thought you two had … Well, I thought it would be okay, anyway. Don’t you like him?”

“Not in the least,” she insisted. “He doesn’t even know how to be nice.”

“He was nice to me—real polite. Maybe you two just got off to a bad start.”

“We got off to a terrible start. The rest of it hasn’t been so great, either. Did he introduce himself to you?” Jared nodded, but Deirdre continued as though he hadn’t responded. “He’s Adam Colter, Robin’s uncle. I told him that she didn’t want him to know where she is, so what does he do? He comes here and makes a nuisance of himself. He even followed me around last night—because he didn’t believe me when I told him that I wasn’t looking for Robin. And he practically scared the liver out of me because I didn’t know he was doing it.”

“Is that how he got hurt? I saw the bandage on his arm and wondered what happened, but I didn’t think I should ask. Did Shadow attack him?”

“No, he saved me from being attacked. I was looking for Patty, and some guy came at me out of nowhere. Both Shadow and Mr. Colter were stabbed by the guy. I suppose we should report what happened to the police. I was so shaken last night that I didn’t even think of it. Apparently, Mr. Colter didn’t, either, because he didn’t mention it. By the way, did Patty come home last night?”

“Not that I know of. You’re really lucky he followed you, Mrs. Ingstrom. You should be grateful instead of mad.”

“I’d better ask the others and check her room myself,” she said, ignoring Jared’s remark. “Why don’t you find Mr. Colter and tell him to have Greg fix him something for breakfast. If he wants to be a chef, he’s going to have to get used to cooking in shifts.” As she opened her top drawer to get Robin’s file, Jared started from the room. But Deirdre stopped him with an afterthought. “Oh, and one more thing. Tell Mr. Colter I want to see him here when he’s done eating.”

“Will do, Mrs. Ingstrom. In case I don’t see you again before I have to go to work, I’ll be leaving around noon, and I won’t be done until Sea World closes. Is that okay?”

“You know it is. It’s your job, and you’re going to need it when you turn eighteen and have to leave the halfway house.”

***

Since the door to the office was open, Adam wandered in to await Deirdre’s return. When he saw the folder on her desk, he glanced over his shoulder before he picked it up. CONFIDENTIAL was stamped in red across the top and bottom. He checked behind him again to see if anybody was watching. Going through the file was wrong, but he didn’t care. Besides, this file was on Patricia Wilder, not Robin. All he wanted to know was what kind of information Deirdre kept on the runaways.

Then he glanced at the desk and noticed the article under the paperweight. The magnified words Deirdre Ingstrom, director of blared at him like a loud trumpet. Curious, he picked up the clipping and read it. She must have been awfully close to the dead boy if she’d saved the story. If she’d just met him in passing, she wouldn’t have any use for the article. Suddenly, he heard Deirdre’s voice behind him.

“I’m not stupid enough to leave Robin’s file lying around when I know you’re in the building, Mr. Colter,” she worded icily. As he spun to face her, she strode up beside him. In one hand she carried some mail; the other hand she held out palm up. “Fork it over right now. That’s a confidential file, and I won’t have you intruding on my business with other families.”

“I wouldn’t have to snoop,” he returned, relinquishing the folder but not the article, “if you’d tell me where Robin is. I’d be out of your hair in a second because I’d be out there getting her and taking her home.”

Rounding the desk, Deirdre dropped the folder onto it then sank down into her chair. What a wonderful thought! Adam Colter out of her hair just because she broke a confidence to a girl who would undoubtedly reunite with him later, anyway. Not only would she never have to see Adam again, she wouldn’t even have to face Robin afterward. The suggestion was tempting—except she still had to face herself if she broke her promise. That was something she couldn’t do.

“As perfect a solution as that sounds,” she replied, “I can’t do it. I still have to live with myself when you’re gone, and I couldn’t if I let Robin down. You’ll just have to wait like the other parents and guardians.”

With a groan, he dropped onto the chair opposite hers. “You’re sure an obstinate woman.”

“Only when it comes to these kids.”

“They’re all you have in life, aren’t they,” Adam observed. “I’ll bet you haven’t even had a date since your husband died.”

“Whether I have or not is none of your business. And yes, these kids are my life.”

Adam held the article toward her and questioned her with only a slight note of irritation. “So much so that you save everything you see concerning them?”

An instinctive gasp escaped from deep in her chest when she saw the article. How had he known she had it? Or was he the anonymous person who’d sent it to her? There she went again—off on another ridiculous fantasy! She knew Adam hadn’t sent it. She had talked to him in San Francisco just yesterday. But she couldn’t stop her mind from making up incredible theories. She didn’t like getting anonymous mail with no return address.

Across from her, Adam narrowed his eyes as though he was suspicious. Deirdre grabbed for the clipping, but Adam jerked it out of her reach so fast she only caught air.

“Give me that!” she demanded.

“Judging from your response, you didn’t clip this article. Where did you get it?”

“That’s none of your business.”

Rounding her desk, she tried a second time to retrieve the paper. Again, he was too fast for her. He moved his hand behind him as he turned his back to the desk.

She stood about three feet from him and stared at his muscular torso. She wasn’t about to take one step closer, and he clearly knew it. So how would she get back the clipping? Her eyes darted to his when he spoke as though he’d read her mind.

“Tell me where it came from, Deirdre,” he insisted, “and it’s all yours.”

Deirdre stared up at him. She wasn’t going to tell this nosy, arrogant man anything. Why couldn’t he get that through his thick head? He had barged into her life with demands and accusations, and now he expected her to pour her heart out to him. Didn’t the ignoramus realize that she wouldn’t confide in him? After all, she didn’t know him from Adam.

Deirdre stifled a laugh at the thought. Actually, he was Adam. But she couldn’t let him see that she found her mental ramblings amusing. If she did, he might try to kiss her again, and she had to avoid that at all cost, or she would surely lose her detachment.

Adam cocked his head to one side and gazed at her, his dark eyes filled with curiosity. Then he questioned her in a deep, throaty voice. “What’s so funny?”

She stared up at him, startled. He sounded almost like he had last night when he’d kissed her outside the guest room door. Was he going to do it again? Somehow she had to keep that from happening, even if she would like nothing more at the moment. To still her thoughts, she replied in a flat tone. “Nothing. Now give me the article.”

Stepping back twice, he said, “First answer one question for me. Does this article have anything to do with last night?”

Deirdre hesitated. The fact that he was backing away from her was fleeting. Her mind suddenly centered on his words. She hadn’t even considered that theory before, but it was certainly a possibility. She didn’t know of anybody who would want to hurt her, but she couldn’t be sure, either. Meeting his gaze, she answered him in a faltering voice. “Not that I know of.”

“Yeah, right,” he said sarcastically as he handed her the paper. “And I have as much money as Elon Musk. I don’t like it, Deirdre, because I’m involved in this now, too. But I’m a man of my word and I said one question. Why don’t you tell me about your kids instead?”

Glad for the reprieve, Deirdre explained, “Many of them are unhappy after running away. Many want to go home but are afraid to—like Robin. I give them a room and help them adjust to their return. Most of them do go back, too. Some of them—like Jared, who was here when you barged in last night—stay with me. Things were so bad at his house that his mother and stepfather let me become his legal guardian. He’ll be eighteen in a few months, though, and he’ll have to go.”

“Where to?”

“College probably. He’s a bright young man. He has a good chance of winning the scholarship Parker set up for runaways who want to improve themselves.”

“You’re really proud of him, aren’t you.”

“I’m proud of all the kids who come through here, because they all had the courage to take that first step home. It isn’t an easy step, either. A lot of these kids have been abused—physically, emotionally, sexually—and going back could mean a repeat of what happened before. You can hardly blame them for being afraid.”

“But Robin wasn’t one of those kids,” he insisted with a hint of distress in his voice. “She doesn’t have anything to be afraid of, and I can’t understand why she thinks she does. I’m her godfather as well as her uncle, Deirdre. I love her like she was my own daughter, and I’ve told her that many times.”

“I don’t understand why, either, Mr. Colter.” She placed emphasis on his name to remind him that they were business acquaintances, despite the intense sexual energy they seemed to instill in each other. “I’ll find out, though. I can promise you that much. Once I do, we’ll know the best way to proceed with a reunion. Now let’s discuss why I asked you to come here.”

“You asked me to come?” he asked in surprise. “I didn’t know that. I cleaned up and wandered around lost until I stumbled on the kitchen. Some kid offered to cook me breakfast, but I settled for toast and coffee. That’s about all I can stomach in the mornings. By the way, he makes a mean cup of coffee, and I sure could use another one. Mind if I ask for more?”

Without answering, she pushed a button on her intercom and waited for Greg to reply. After requesting that he bring two cups of coffee, she returned her attention to Adam. “He’ll only be a couple of minutes. The reason I asked you here was because we forgot to do something last night. We should have reported what happened to the police, but I was so upset I didn’t think of it. I assume you forgot as well.”

“No, I didn’t. I just didn’t think you were up to it. Rescuing damsels in distress isn’t exactly my vocation, so I didn’t know if I should haul you to headquarters or not. You didn’t look like you’d hold up under questioning.”

His dark gaze took a long, leisurely trek from her head to her feet and back to her face. And his expression told Deirdre everything she needed to know—he liked what he saw. In fact, she found the idea a bit of an ego boost. Maybe after she finally reunited him with Robin, she and Adam could relieve the sexual tension that seemed to be building between them. But was even that advisable?

Determined to regain her emotional distance, she responded in a  flat tone. “I’m perfectly fine this morning.”

“You sure are perfect,” he breathed. With a gasp, he returned his gaze to her eyes and apologized. “That didn’t come out quite the way it should have, Deirdre. What I meant …”

“It doesn’t matter what you meant. I’ll drive you to your motel so you can get presentable. Then we’ll go to the police station and make our reports. After that, I still have a teenage girl to find.”

“Oh, by all means. Let’s not forget your obsession,” he said while Greg set a tray containing two mugs of coffee, sugar, and cream on the desk. “Thanks, kid.”

When Greg stared at Adam in astonishment, Deirdre apologized for her guest’s behavior. “I’m sorry, Greg, but that’s just the way he is. He doesn’t seem to know about things such as manners.”

“Don’t apologize for me, lady. I can do it myself,” Adam said before addressing the teen. “I am sorry, too, Greg. Your benefactor here has a tendency to set me off, so I’d suggest you stay away from me when I’m near her. I might take it out on anybody in the area—including her. And it wouldn’t hurt for you to spread the word, because I’ll probably be around a lot.”

“Yes, sir,” Greg agreed, hurrying from the room.

“Let’s get out of here, Deirdre,” Adam suggested. “The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can temporarily part company and I can come back down to earth. Mind if I take the coffee with?”

“I doubt I have a choice,” she grumbled as she headed toward the door, ignoring his attempt to charm her until she passed him. Then a soft smile of acknowledgment crossed her mouth. Ah-ha! Adam Colter could be polite.

***

“Excuse me,” Adam said to the desk sergeant who just hung up the phone. “We’d like to report a crime.”

“Homicide?” the young, dark-haired man asked as he examined Deirdre. “Robbery? Narcotics?”

Adam slid his arm around her shoulders, so Deirdre looked up at him. His actions didn’t appear to be a show of support, but more of a means of pointing out the inappropriate behavior of the sergeant.

Then Adam’s expression changed, and he gazed down at her fondly, answering the officer with so much concern in his voice that she momentarily thought he was telling the truth. “I had to ward off an attack on my girlfriend.”

“Could the person have been trying for murder?”

“What the hell difference does it make?” Adam asked. “We were attacked, and we want to report it. Where do we go?”

The sergeant looked at a paper on his desk then said, “Third floor. Ask for Detective Markley.” The young man nodded toward his right. “Elevators are over there.”

“Thanks,” Adam said as he escorted Deirdre away. “Come on, honey. Let’s get this over with.”

Deirdre didn’t like the game he was playing, but she said nothing as they wandered toward the elevators. He was taking advantage of the situation to touch her, and the thought enraged her. She didn’t like familiarity from a man she didn’t know. But it felt so good to have him hold her close like this! How could she ever keep a professional relationship with him if she melted inside every time he touched her? It didn’t matter how; she had to do it, even if she had to force herself.

As soon as they turned the corner so the sergeant couldn’t see, she shrugged out of his hold and glanced at three officers nearby. Whispering, she chastised him. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

“Chill out, Deirdre,” he returned in a hushed voice. “I’m not going to bite you.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about,” she said as he pushed the up button on the wall.

“I get it now,” he taunted with a grin. “You’re more worried that I’ll warm up the Ice Lady.” Her glare turned his voice hard. “Well, have no fear. I have no intention of even trying.”

“You’d better not,” she warned, stepping onto the elevator when the door opened.

On the third floor, Adam asked the first person they saw where they could find Markley. The female officer pointed toward a desk near the back of the room. Thanking her, Adam led Deirdre through the maze of desks and chairs until they reached the one where a man sat hunched over some paperwork. On the front of the desk was a nameplate reading DET. PAUL MARKLEY.

“Excuse me,” Adam said. “Det. Markley?”

The blond man glanced up and rose when he saw Deirdre. He was so tall that even Adam, who was quite tall himself, had to tilt his head back slightly to meet the detective’s gaze.

“May I help you?” Markley asked, studying Deirdre.

  Adam averted his gaze from the policeman to Deirdre. “The desk sergeant told us to talk to you. My lady friend and I were attacked last night.”

Markley looked over at him in surprise. “Last night? Why didn’t you report it then?”

“She was pretty shaken up. I just wanted to get her home.” Adam motioned for Deirdre to sit down in one of the three chairs positioned before the desk. As he and Deirdre sat down, Markley sank into the chair across from them.

“My name is Adam Colter, and this is Mrs. Deirdre Ingstrom.” Pulling his wallet from his back jeans pocket, he withdrew a business card and his driver’s license, and slapped them on the desk face up. “Here’s all the information. Better give him your license, too, Dee, and your business card if you have one on you.”

Deirdre shot him a warning glance as she removed her license and card from the special compartment in her purse and laid them on the desk. She hated that nickname, and she had only let two men call her that—her father and her brother. If any other man had called her Dee, she’d always put a quick stop to it. Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time to scold Adam for his use of the name.

Markley accepted the cards and began entering the information on his computer. After several minutes to input their addresses and phone numbers, Markley returned their licenses but kept their cards. Then he asked them to give an account of the attack.

Deirdre was glad that Adam was there because he was able to relate almost the entire incident, whereas she herself could only remember bits and pieces. Unfortunately, even Adam hadn’t seen their assailant clearly, so the only description they could offer was vague.

At the end of their report, Markley asked them to join him at the crime scene and show him exact locations. As much as she hated to go back, Deirdre cooperated, walking through her actions while Adam watched. Then she waited for Adam to give his own account of what had happened.

While the officer looked for clues in the alley where Adam and Shadow were stabbed, Deirdre leaned wearily against the building. Beside her, Adam stood mutely, his arms folded across his chest like he was subconsciously shielding himself from something. When the officer finished studying the fight scene, they all headed toward the alley where the attacker had run toward Deirdre.

But she couldn’t go near it again. The memory of the terror that had engulfed her at that spot was still too vivid in her mind. Instead, she stayed in the squad car while Adam went with the policeman. Within minutes, Markley returned and used the radio to request a backup and an ambulance.

“What’s going on, Det. Markley?” she asked. “Did something happen down there?”

“It looks like an attempted murder,” the policeman announced. “The girl’s in bad shape, so your boyfriend stayed with her. I’ve got to get back.”

Deirdre stifled a gasp of shock. Could the girl be Patty Wilder? Despite the ache in her heart, she maintained control of her emotions. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be any help. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Is there anything I can do?”

“Yeah. Wait at the entrance of the alley, and let the paramedics know where we are.” Taking a blanket and first aid kit from the trunk of his squad car, Markley raced back toward the alley, calling over his shoulder, “Oh, and flip the switch that says emergency lights.”

After turning on the flashing red and blue lights atop the car, Deirdre followed the officer’s directions, anxiously praying that the girl wasn’t Patricia Wilder. When the attendants and other policemen arrived, she sent them down the alley but remained where she was until Adam exited with the attendants.

Moving toward the stretcher was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, but she had to know if the girl was Patty. To Deirdre’s relief, the girl had brown hair. Patty was a blonde.

“That must not have been the girl you were looking for,” Adam observed as the ambulance sped away. “Otherwise, you would have gone with her.”

“As a matter of fact, she wasn’t.”

“She probably isn’t even one of the runaways you deal with, right? That’s all you really care about, isn’t it. That girl could die, and you’re standing here acting like she’s nothing. You didn’t even come down there to find out who it was.”

“I would have been in the way, Mr. Colter,” she replied, offended by his remark. “If you’d taken a second to think, you would have realized that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I still have to find Patty.”

“Mrs. Ingstrom?” Markley said as he approached the pair. “Do you know that girl?”

“Know her?” she repeated. “Of course not. I would have gone with her if I did. Why do you ask?”

“I found this knapsack in the alley. Your business card was in it. Are you sure you’ve never seen her before?”

For several seconds, Deirdre stared at the small white card in his outstretched hand. Suddenly, she felt as though her knees would give out on her. Beside her, Adam slid his arm around her shoulders. She gazed up at him. That teenager had her business card, but as desperately as she wanted to, she couldn’t place the girl.

Turning her gaze back to the officer, Deirdre forced determination into her voice, afraid that if she didn’t she would lose control. “Her face was bruised and bandaged, so I can’t be positive. But, no, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her.”

“How did she get your card?”

“Probably from another runaway. I’ll ask around my home to see if any of them gave it to her. Who is she?”

“I don’t know. She didn’t have any identification.”

Deirdre gasped. The boy who’d been killed by the hit-and-run driver hadn’t had any identification, either—just her card. She didn’t like the way events were coming together.

Beside her, Adam squeezed her shoulder then entwined his free fingers with hers. What was happening? Deirdre wondered. Vaguely aware of what she was doing, she tightened her hold on his hand as she stared at them. She didn’t like Adam very much, but she was sure glad he was there right now. She’d always been a headstrong, independent woman. Learning that danger made her vulnerable was quite a shock. Even the notion that Adam could see that vulnerability wasn’t as bad as she would have expected under normal circumstances. Then again, circumstances hadn’t been normal since the first time she’d spoken to Adam Colter.

Deirdre let her gaze wander from their hands to Adam’s face. His genuine smile melted a small hole in the ice deep within her. His words from earlier echoed through her brain. I’m involved in this now, too. Dear Lord, he was right! They’d gotten stranded in a horrible nightmare from which she saw no escape. And Adam hadn’t even done anything. The only way to protect him was to avoid him.

“I don’t like the looks in your eyes,” Markley announced, dragging Deirdre from her thoughts. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” she said.

“Nothing hell!” Adam proclaimed. “Tell him, Deirdre, or I will.”

“Why?” she replied, forcing anger she didn’t feel into her voice. Hopefully, he would tire of her nastiness and leave her alone—for his own sake. “I think I know what you mean. And if I’m right, it’s not important.”

“Let the cops decide that,” he insisted.

“Decide what?” Markley asked.

Turning his gaze to the detective, Adam said, “If there’s a connection between a boy who died in a hit-and-run and the girl in the alley. Neither of them had any identification on them. They only had Deirdre’s business card.”

“There are a lot of runaways in Orlando,” Deirdre insisted. “And I’ve probably talked to most of them. I give them all a business card, too. Two teenagers with my card on them is nothing more than a coincidence.”

“That’s highly likely, Mr. Colter,” Markley agreed.

 Adam glared at him. “I can’t believe you said that. I stopped somebody from attacking her last night. How can you take her side?”

“He might have thought Mrs. Ingstrom saw what he was doing,” Markley explained. “But we’ll investigate a possible connection to be safe. How’s that?”

“That’s the best you can do?” Adam demanded. “Aren’t you even going to give her protection?”

“From whom?” Markley countered. “Her alleged assailant? You admitted yourself that you only thought he was running toward Mrs. Ingstrom. He might have gone right past her if you hadn’t scared him. Now I’d better get moving. If you remember that girl, Mrs. Ingstrom, call headquarters and let me know.”

“All right.” Waiting until Markley was gone, Deirdre sighed then turned to face Adam. “Well, I’d better get moving, too. I still have to look for Patty.”

“Are you crazy, woman?” he asked in shock. “Markley thinks that guy might have gone after you because he thought you saw something. And they found your card in the victim’s knapsack. You can’t roam around now.”

Unwilling to admit that Markley could be right, Deirdre wandered away several steps. When Adam caught her by the upper arm to stop her, she spun toward him, ready to demand that he stop interfering in her work. But when she saw the expression of true concern in his eyes, she couldn’t do it. Her heart went out to him. He was only trying to help her, and she was being a monster. But what recourse did she have if she wanted to protect him?

Instead of snapping at him like she’d intended, she spoke in a calm, patient tone. “Mr. Colter, please. I have to do this. I promised Patty’s parents. Don’t you understand? My life isn’t nearly as important as hers. She has a family who wants her back; all I have is a brother who doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

He held her shoulders at arms’ length. “Then think of your obsession, Deirdre. Think about all those kids at the halfway house who need you. Are you willing to desert them for the promise you made to one family? Are you willing to break your promises to all of them? That’s exactly what you’ll be doing if you go out there and get yourself killed. That nut is probably out to get rid of a witness.”

“I guess you’re right,” she acquiesced with a mumble, ignoring the loud sigh he released when she agreed. “I’ll go back to the mansion—maybe contact Robin again. Just don’t go following me this time. You did give me a week, you know.”

“Okay. I don’t feel like running around after you today, anyway. I’m tired, and I’m achy. That painkiller I took last night didn’t do much good, and I didn’t get any rest until about four this morning. I could use some real sleep. Besides, I have work to do myself today.”

“Thank you,” she said, turning her back on him to leave.

But Adam grabbed her arm before she could take two steps and spun her back toward him so hard that she bumped against his body. His arms encircled her. He held her securely as he stared down at her.

She stared back. His dark eyes were filled with the same desirous look that he’d had when he’d kissed her good night last night. She should move away, break his embrace, run from him as fast as she could. But she could do nothing, not even think, as his head come closer to hers. His whiskers brushed against her cheek then her lips in a gentle kiss.

An unrestrainable moan drifted from deep in her throat. Oh, but his kiss was wonderful, not demanding, just a reminder that someone thought she was attractive. No! She couldn’t think like that. She had to get away from him so he would be safe. Forcing herself to act, she slid her arms between them and pushed away from him.

Her heart constricted at the action. She hated not staying where she was, but she had no choice. Gazing up into his sorrow-filled dark eyes, she spoke frantically. “You’ve got to stop doing that if we’re going to be working together. Now I’ve got to go.” Then she raced away before he could stop her again.

His voice rang in her ears. “I’ll try Deirdre, but no guarantees.”

Frowning, Adam watched her leave. He’d given her a kiss that he’d hoped she would find irresistible, but she had resisted, seemingly without any regret. She’d even run away from him. And he hadn’t gotten her vow to be extra careful before she could.

He’d been half-stunned and half-angered by Det. Markley’s claim that he couldn’t put a tail on Deirdre to keep her safe. She’d nearly been attacked the night before, and the police were doing nothing to protect her. Before he’d kissed her, he’d nearly proclaimed that he didn’t want her to get killed. He’d longed to explain that he wanted to find out why he was so attracted to her, and that was why she needed to stay safe. But the timing was all wrong for that, so he’d kissed her instead, hoping to get his message across that way.

Unfortunately, she’d left before he could get her promise to be careful. She was so dedicated to keeping her promises, he believed that was the only way he could be sure she would do it. There was only one thing he could do now, and he hoped she would understand.

Four

Deirdre returned to the mansion in case Adam followed her then went back to search for Patty. When she had no success, she drove to the diner where Robin worked. After ordering a late lunch, she asked the manager to let Robin join her while she ate.

Maybe she could get some information about Adam from Robin so she would know how to combat the only man. As soon as Robin dropped onto the chair across from her, Deirdre asked, “Has your uncle always been so aggravating? Or is it just a charming little trait he’s picked up since you disappeared on him?”

“He isn’t aggravating, Mrs. Ingstrom,” Robin said, the pride in her voice obvious. “He’s one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to know.”

Deirdre shook her head. A nice guy didn’t go around forcing kisses on unsuspecting women. Although, she wasn’t really unsuspecting, was she? Except for the first time, she could tell what he was thinking before he kissed her, and she didn’t stop him. Straightening her shoulders, she vowed never to let it happen again. If she wanted to be honest with herself, though, she had suspected it was coming the first time, too. She’d seen it in his eyes and done nothing then, either.

“You sure couldn’t prove it by me,” she replied. “And I thought I told you to call me Deirdre. Are you sure you don’t want to reunite with him right away? From the sound of your voice, you’re crazy about him.”

“From the sound of your voice,” Robin said, her pale blue eyes sparkling in merriment, “you’re not.”

“Good observation. So far, he’s been overpowering, demanding, and hardly a gentleman. He refuses listen to reason. Robin, honey, you told me that you were afraid to go back, but you didn’t say why. It would be much easier on him …” And me, Deirdre thought. “… if I could at least give him an explanation. You obviously adore him. Why don’t you want to live with him again?”

“I never did live with him,” Robin admitted. “I ran away even before I spent one night in his house.”

“You did?” Deirdre asked, startled. “You didn’t even give him a chance to show you how much he cares about you?”

“He didn’t have to show me. I already knew. That’s why I left. I love Uncle Adam almost as much as I loved Daddy, and I didn’t want him to be unhappy.”

Deirdre studied the teen. “Why do you think he would have been unhappy?”

“Aunt Natalie said she didn’t want me. I heard her. She told Uncle Adam that she never wanted children and her opinion hadn’t changed just because Mom and Dad died. That’s when Uncle Adam told her that if he had to choose, it would be me over Aunt Natalie. I didn’t want to break up his marriage, so I left.”

“Do you think Mr. Colter would be angry because you wanted him to be happy?” Deirdre asked, unable to comprehend the teenager’s reasoning. “Is that why you’re so reluctant to reunite with him?”

“Of course not. He’d understand completely.”

“Well, I don’t. Why are you so afraid to go back if you believe he would understand? Because of your aunt? Do you still think she’d be angry about having a child after all these years that her husband has been trying to find you?”

“I don’t know. If he had to choose between us back then, he might still have to. I don’t want to take that chance. I don’t want to make him unhappy.”

“You made him unhappy the second you ran away, Robin.”

“Gee,” she admitted, “I didn’t think of that. All I could think of was keeping his marriage together—because they were so happy. I didn’t think he’d miss me since I never lived with him.”

“Then you’ll agree to a reunion? You’ll let him take you home to live?”

“No,” Robin denied, her voice filled with determination. “I can’t go home with him. I’m afraid to.”

“Afraid of what?”

“I can’t explain.”

Offering the teen a reassuring smile, Deirdre patted Robin’s hand. “All right. I won’t pressure you, but you’re going to have to get over your fear. And I’ll listen whenever you’re ready to talk about it. Mr. Colter wants you back, and you obviously want to be with him. The longer you postpone it the more both of you are going to suffer.”

“I can’t yet.” At that moment, another patron entered the diner, Robin said, “I’d better get back to work.”

***

When Adam appeared at the mansion around dinnertime, Deirdre invited him to eat with them. This time when she explained that Robin wasn’t ready for a reunion, he reacted calmly, and her startled expression caused him to laugh.

“Don’t look so shocked, Deirdre,” he said. “I promised you a week, and I plan to keep that promise. How did your search for Patty go today?”

Her jaw dropped, and she stared at him in amazement. “How did you know about that?”

“I’m no fool, Deirdre. I know when somebody’s conning me. You may have come here to divert me, but I know you went back. Did you find her?”

She sighed. “No. And now I have to tell her parents.”

He’d spent a good deal of the afternoon trying to think of a way to stay with her. After everything that had happened since he’d met her, he didn’t like the thought of her being unprotected. Maybe their present conversation would accomplish his mission. With a sudden idea, he asked, “Mind if I join you?”

“What difference would it make? You’d just follow me if I did, wouldn’t you?”

“Probably,” he admitted grimace, “only this time I’m interested in seeing how you handle other families. I beginning to think that maybe it was just me you treat like a complete idiot.”

“It’s just you who acts like one,” she retaliated. “I want to do this alone, Mr. Colter, because it’s a very private matter. How would you like it if somebody invited himself along when I discuss Robin with you—in essence, to observe how I work.”

Adam shrugged. He was already losing this battle of wills, but he didn’t want Deirdre to know it. “Can I help it if I’m interested?”

“In what?” she snapped. “You verbally attack me every time we’re together, so it can’t be me. You think I do everything wrong where my job is concerned, so it can’t be that. The only interest you have is finding out where your niece is—no matter who you step on in the process.”

Adam glanced around the large dining room table and noticed that the seven teenagers stared at Deirdre in amazement. Obviously, she didn’t act or speak to other people the way she did him, and if that were the case, he didn’t like it that she wouldn’t even give him a chance.

Throwing his fork onto his plate, he exclaimed, “That does it!” He rounded the table, grabbed Deirdre’s upper arm and pulled her up. “Come on.”

“What do you think you’re doing?” she shrieked. “Let go of me.”

“I won’t sit here and argue in front of the kids. If we’re going to have another fight, we’re having it in your office. Now come on.”

Glancing around the table, Deirdre blushed at the sight of all the teens’ eyes trained on them. Maybe leaving was a good idea, but the way in which they left was embarrassing. She didn’t want her boarders to think she couldn’t get along with this man as well as she did the other families. Returning her gaze to Adam’s face, she saw that him staring down at her, but his expression didn’t show the agitation that had been in his voice. Instead, the crooked smirk on his lips showed her that he was enjoying himself.

Although she willingly let him steer her to the office, she had mixed feelings about going. Being alone with him wouldn’t be easy. They couldn’t seem to get along together, yet the first thing that came to her mind once they were alone was Adam kissing her. If only she could forget that!

When the door closed behind them, Deirdre sank onto a chair before her desk and buried her head in her hands. Then she felt his hands on her shoulders, a tender caress that had nothing to do with an impending argument. Oh, no! She couldn’t let him do this to her again. She had to keep her distance no matter how nice it felt to have him touch her. Breaking contact, she scrambled to the locked file cabinet.

“I embarrassed myself in there, Mr. Colter,” she admitted, “so if you don’t mind, I’d rather be alone.”

“Then I was right,” he replied in a tone as quiet as hers. “You don’t treat other families like you do me.”

“As a matter of fact, I don’t. But you can hardly blame me for not having much patience with you. You came charging in here yesterday with demands and accusations and threats. Then last night you followed me around and nearly scared me to death. Not to mention you can’t seem to keep your hands—or your lips—off me.”

He looked as though her angry words had stung him somewhere deep in his soul. She hadn’t intended to hurt him, only remind him that he continually stepped over the line into something far from professional. Now she felt bad about what she’d said, and the crazy thing was, she didn’t know why because he certainly deserved her reminder.

Then a sly grin came to his lips, and he said, “I also saved your life.”

“I already told you that I’m grateful,” she replied in a calmer tone. “Or are you planning to hold that over my head so you can get your information?”

“Just stating a fact, ma’am.”

“The same fact you’ve been stating off and on all day. Now would you please leave me alone? I want to collect myself and make a few phone calls. Go ahead and finish your dinner, but I doubt I’ll be back.”

Without another word, Adam left the office, closing the door behind him. First she called the Wilders at the motel and told them she would drop by later. Next she called the police station to find out if they had learned the identity of the girl in the alley. Apparently, she had regained consciousness briefly but hadn’t spoken to anyone. Deirdre suggested that she try the next morning. After hanging up, she wrote a note telling everyone where she had gone. Then left the house via the side door so Adam wouldn’t see her.

***

Jared hurried into the diner where Robin worked and took a seat at the counter while she waited on a customer nearby. When she finished, she poured Jared a cup of cocoa, and set it before him with a wide, flirtatious smile.

“Hi, Jared,” she greeted. “You’re in early today.”

“Mrs. Ingstrom sent me. Your uncle followed her around all day yesterday, and she wanted you to know why she couldn’t come last night. I’m her liaison until she can lose him long enough to get here.” After pausing to sip his cocoa, he studied his friend. Her blue eyes sparkled with interest, and a soft smile still lit her face. If it hadn’t been for her hair color, he never would have guessed that she was related to Adam Colter. He was a large man; Robin was small, almost delicate in stature. Jared took another sip of his drink then set it on the saucer. “I don’t think Mrs. Ingstrom knows what to do about him.”

“Maybe he likes her,” Robin suggested. “Maybe he just wants to watch her.”

Jared frowned. “I doubt it. They really don’t have much use for each other. They can’t even talk to each other without getting into a fight.”

“Uncle Adam fights with her?” she asked incredulously. “Why? He never used to fight with anybody. He was always happy, and everybody used to say how easy he was to get along with. I’ve never heard him yell at anybody but Aunt Natalie. That’s why I ran away in the first place—because he and Aunt Natalie were arguing. When I found out it was about me, I took off so they could be happy again.”

“Mrs. Ingstrom is the same way. She gets along with everybody but him. I can’t understand why, either. But I do know one thing. Your uncle was wandering all over the mansion with no shirt on the day before yesterday—first thing in the morning. He was in Mrs. Ingstrom’s private wing, and she admitted that he’d spent the night.”

“But they’re married,” Robin said, shocked by the news.

“Mrs. Ingstrom’s a widow. Besides, how do you know your uncle’s still married? It’s been four years since you last saw him, and his wife could have died. He might even have gotten a divorce. Things like that happen, you know.”

“Yeah, I guess they do. If they don’t like each other, though, how come he spent the night?”

“She was probably grateful to him. He’d saved her life the night before, so she probably felt she should be extra nice to him or something. Who knows? I could be way off base, too. I’ve never pretended to understand adults.”

“If Uncle Adam isn’t married anymore,” Robin said thoughtfully, “I wouldn’t mind going back. Do you think you could find out for me?”

“Sure. He comes to the mansion to get progress reports. I should be able to talk to him without Mrs. Ingstrom finding out. But I’ll warn you, she doesn’t like residents getting involved in her cases. She’s afraid things might get worse. We can talk to the runaways but not the parents.” He paused then continued enthusiastically. “I’ve got an idea! You can come live at the mansion. You wouldn’t even run into him if you’re careful. You could watch for him and stay in your room during the five minutes he’s there.”

“If he’s only there for about five minutes, why doesn’t he just call her?”

“I wasn’t supposed to hear this,” Jared admitted with a grin, “but I did. He doesn’t like it because she keeps hanging up when they argue. She can’t do that if he’s with her—just like she can’t stop him from following her, even when she walks out in the middle of a fight. She’s done it, too.”

“Jared,” Robin said, her voice filled with excitement, “you don’t think they like each other too much, do you? If Uncle Adam is still married and he spent the night with Deirdre, maybe he feels guilty and he’s taking it out on her.”

“No way! They got into it on the phone when she called to tell him that she’d found you. And she was furious when …” Gasping in astonishment, Jared stared at her. Maybe Robin was right. “… when he kissed her a few minutes after they met.”

“He kissed her?”

“And Mrs. Ingstrom was furious. I don’t know what happened before that because I wasn’t around. But when I came back to give Mrs. Ingstrom a message, I heard them talking about it. Maybe you’re right about them liking each other too much—as ridiculous as it sounds.”

“Oh, Jared,” she pleaded as she grasped his wrist, “would you find that out, too? I love to hear good gossip. I don’t even care if it’s about Uncle Adam being unfaithful. I never liked Aunt Natalie, anyway. It would serve her right for being so domineering.”

“Okay, but only because I think Mrs. Ingstrom needs a love life. As far as I know, she hasn’t even had a date in years. Maybe an affair would remind her that she’s a woman and not just a den mother for a bunch of runaways.”

***

Parking her van in the hospital lot, Deirdre went inside to see if the girl who had been assaulted was conscious. Unlike on Deirdre’s previous visits, the hospital’s Jane Doe was awake and apparently coherent when she arrived.

Sitting down on the chair beside the bed where the youngster lay hooked up to machines which registered her vital signs, Deirdre greeted her cheerfully to put her at ease. “Hello there. I see you’re finally awake. Did you know I’ve been to see you several times?”

“No,” the girl replied, her voice quite weak.

“I’ve been worried about you. The doctors and nurses say you haven’t even told them your name yet. Don’t you have anybody who would want to know you’re here?”

“Nobody cares.”

“Of course, they do. It just doesn’t seem like it when you’re a teenager. Let me see if I can guess how old you are.” Studying the girl, Deirdre tried to envision what she would like without all the bruises and bandages. But as hard as she tried, she couldn’t tell if she had a photograph of the teen on file. “I figure you’re, what, fifteen? Am I close?”

“How did you know?”

Deirdre grinned. “Just smart, I guess. Are you up to hearing a little story about my past?”

“You don’t want to ask more questions?”

“Not right now. I want to tell you about me. Will you listen?” When the teen nodded, Deirdre said, “I ran away from home, too—when I was a little older than you. I left because I hated my mother. There was this guy I liked—eighteen, a college freshman, looked like a Greek god. He did our gardening that summer, and I thought I’d never seen anybody as handsome as he was.

“I had everything I could ever want. We lived in a large house with both a swimming pool and a tennis court, tons of acreage so we even had horses. But I took all those things, and the lessons and competitions that went with them, for granted. I figured I’d never want anything more than that gardener. But he didn’t even know I existed because I was too shy to stay around him more than a couple of minutes at a time.

“One day I came home from a jumping competition and found Mom and Jeff making love in the stable. I was devastated—for me and my father, too. I left home that night, and I stayed away for years. By the time I decided to go back, I’d found a man who took pity on me and kept me in his home, sent me to college, and married me. I was lucky. He was about twenty years older than I and didn’t even try to seduce me until our wedding night. I missed all the horrors of prostitution that most girls go through when they run away.”

“It is horrible,” the girl admitted.

Deirdre smiled again and stroked the teen’s feverish forehead. “Yes, I know. I’ve seen it many times in my work.”

“Are you a cop?”

“No, I’m Deirdre Ingstrom. You had my card in your belongings. Anyway, I have an BS in sociology and psychology and an MS in psychology. When my husband found out he had cancer, I convinced him to convert our mansion into a halfway house for runaways. I wanted to help other runaways before they went through what I did.”

“But you said you didn’t do prostitution.”

“I didn’t. I was talking about what happened when I decided to call my parents just before my wedding. Do you know what I found out? They’d both died. Mom committed suicide exactly a year after I ran away. She left a note saying that my leaving was the reason. Dad died of a heart attack just a few weeks before my call. They died never knowing if I was alive or not. Even for somebody with all my education, it was a huge guilt trip, especially because of that note.”

“You running away hurt her?”

Deirdre fought back the tears that always accompanied the recounting of her story. This was the hardest part of her job, but she’d learned that it was also one of the most essential. When teens learned that she had lived in their shoes, they were more willing to listen to her.

After a deep breath, she explained, “Of course. Mothers love their children whether they say the words or not. That’s why they’re so hard on teenagers sometimes, because they want their kids to grow up right, or the way the parents believe is right. But even parents make mistakes; even they don’t have all the answers.”

“Ma’am?” the teenager asked as her tears flowed.

“What is it, honey?” Draping her arm on the pillow, Deirdre wiped away some of the tears with her thumb.

“I want my mom.”

“I know,” Deirdre said, “but we can’t get her for you unless you tell us your name.”

“Mandy Reagan. Mom’s name is Jennifer Blackwell.”

“All right, Mandy. Let me get a paper and pencil to write all this down.” Taking the items from her purse, Deirdre wrote down the name, the address and phone number where Mandy expected her mother to be at that time of day. Once that was done, she kissed the girl on the forehead and stood to leave. “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll have your mother here as soon as possible. What about your father? Do you want me to call him, too?”

“I don’t know his number. Have Mom call, okay?”

“I will. You try and get some rest now. I’ll be back to see you again as soon as I can.”

Adam closed the door silently. If he’d known Deirdre would be there, he never would have gone to the hospital at that time. Now he had to hide because, if she saw him, she would undoubtedly accuse him of following her again, which wasn’t the case. Their simultaneous visits were just a coincidence, but Deirdre would never believe that after he’d frightened her so badly his first night in town.

Unfortunately, he had another reason to hide. If he didn’t, she would see that her words had touched his heart, flooding his eyes with tears. He couldn’t let Deirdre see that he had suddenly turned into a sentimental fool, unable to control his emotions.

Spotting a men’s room across the hall, he dashed through the door as Deirdre came out of the room.

She noticed a movement across the hall but gave it only a fleeting thought. Her mind was centered on Mandy and her next of kin. After giving the nurse on duty Mandy’s name, Deirdre rushed to her car. There she could cry in private. She could never let anyone know how deep the pain of losing her parents before they could all reunite still ran. Recounting her story always produced guilt; it always brought back memories of the happy times the family had had before she’d left.

Family! Now she didn’t even have that because Brandon wanted nothing to do with her. Her only sibling hated her because she’d explained why she ran away in the first place. He didn’t believe that their mother would do such a thing. Now he blamed her for both their parents’ deaths. Their grandparents were all gone; and although they had aunts and uncles as well as cousins, Deirdre never really knew them because she’d always lived in another part of the country. So, what family did she have? None, and no hope for any in the future.

Adam was right. The runaways were all she had. What he didn’t realize, though, was that every one of them left sooner or later. And she seldom heard from them again after her customary follow-up calls.

An unexpected emptiness ripped through her. She was alone. She had no husband, no children, no brother, no parents, no relatives of any kind. She didn’t even have friends, only people who passed through her life. She’d never realized it before, but she was lonely. Or did she only feel that way because Adam had unwittingly alerted her to her solitary existence?

Blowing her nose, she forced the idea from her mind. There was no place in anybody’s life for self-pity. People could change their lives if they wanted to badly enough. And she would do just that. Somehow she would find a way to make a future that included people who would stay in her life for as long as she lived.

Filled with a determination, Deirdre continued through her day, keeping busier than usual to stop herself from giving in to the void that crept into her heart.

***

Aggravated, Adam exited Deirdre’s office. If he had one more run-in with that woman, he was going to either scream or kiss her with all the passion he felt whenever they argued. No other woman had ever affected him like Deirdre Ingstrom. Why did their arguments unfailingly arouse him? And why did he always end up kissing her to shut her up? He’d done it yet again just a few minutes ago.

As Adam strode toward the front door, Jared raced up to him. “Mr. Colter?”

Adam turned and responded pleasantly. “Yes?”

“Could I talk to you alone for a few minutes?” Jared asked. “It’s really important.”

“Of course. Here or outside?”

“We’d better go outside. If Mrs. Ingstrom hears us, she’ll be madder than she has been today.”

“She does seem a little more on edge than usual,” Adam said as they strode through the foyer toward the front door. “You don’t know what set her off this time, do you?”

“Nope. All I know is that she’s been jumping on everybody. She’s never done that before.” Closing the door behind them, Jared sank onto a bench near the entrance and watched while Adam sat down next to him. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her since you came here, but I have a feeling it has something to do with you spending the night with her.”

Adam stared at the youth in shock. “What are you talking about?”

“You know. The night you got here. You kissed her, Mr. Colter, and don’t deny it because I heard you two fighting about it. Then you saved her life, and then you spent the night with her. Don’t you remember asking me for a towel the next morning?”

Adam laughed. He loved the way teenagers always made simple everyday events into melodramatic incidences. “I see teenage boys haven’t changed since I was there. Not only do the hormones run rampant, so does the imagination. I spent the night in her spare room, Jared, not her bed. As for the kiss, if you’d overheard everything, you’d know that I only did it because she wouldn’t quit talking long enough for me to speak in my own defense.”

“Oh! Well, Robin and I thought …”

“Robin!” Adam interrupted. “You know Robin?”

Jared nodded. “I’m the one who told Mrs. Ingstrom where to find her. She’s really pretty, and I wanted to date her. When we were talking, I found out everything. We really get along well.”

Adam chuckled. “Apparently, I’ve been following the wrong person. Where is she?”

“Oh, no!” Jared denied. “If I tell you that, Mrs. Ingstrom will have my neck in a noose. Anyway, Robin wants to know if you’re still married.”

“I kicked Natalie out house about a week after Robin left and got a divorce about a month after that. I was too busy trying to find Robin to find a new wife—not that I particularly wanted one after I got a taste of bachelorhood again. Is Natalie the reason Robin ran away?”

“Kind of. She heard you two arguing about her and didn’t want you to be unhappy.”

Confused, Adam toyed with his beard. “If she feels like that, why doesn’t she want to come home now that I’ve found her?”

“All I know is that she’s afraid of something. She won’t say what, but I don’t think it has anything to do with your ex-wife.”

“Do you think you could get her to open up to you?”

“She hasn’t so far. You won’t start following me now, will you? If I lead you to Robin, I’ll be in big trouble. We kids aren’t supposed to get involved with reuniting runaways and their families.”

“Don’t worry. I gave Deirdre a week to try for a reunion, and she hasn’t had it yet.” Rubbing the bandage over his stitches to relieve some of the itching, Adam considered the wording of his next question. Before he could ask it, Jared spoke again.

“Why don’t you like Mrs. Ingstrom?”

Startled, Adam asked, “What makes you think I don’t like her?”

“You’re always fighting with her.”

Adam shook his head, glad that he didn’t have to explain that he liked Deirdre too much. “That’s because she’s by far the most obstinate woman I’ve ever run across. She doesn’t give an inch on anything. Haven’t you noticed?”

“She’s not obstinate with us kids. We compromise all the time. Did she tell you that she’s my legal guardian? She didn’t really want to do it in the beginning. I think she was kind of afraid of getting involved. That’s why I don’t call her Deirdre like she asked me to. I like her a lot, and I’d love to call her by her first name. I know she loves me just like she would one of her own kids, too. But she’s … I don’t know. I guess you could call it distant. We both know I’ll have to leave, so I suppose she doesn’t want to get hurt when I do. Hell, I don’t want it, either. She really gets emotional every time she gets a successful reunion, too. She always goes off alone afterward and cries—for hours sometimes. I know how hard she’ll take it when I leave. That’s why I try to keep it easy for her by calling her Mrs. Ingstrom, kind of to remind her that it’s only temporary.”

Adam couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Deirdre was pushing away the one constant person in her life, probably without even realizing it. Maybe he could do something to keep Jared with her longer than she expected. “You don’t have to stop seeing each other just because you leave. You can still be close. Besides, I think Deirdre needs somebody constant in her life. You fill that need perfectly.” Adam paused to glance at his watch. Seven o’clock, and he still had some phone calls to make. “As much as I’d like to discuss this further, I can’t. I have something to do tonight. Would you do me a favor the next time you see Robin?”

“What’s that?” Jared asked.

“Tell her that I love her and want her to live with me just like she was supposed to when her folks died. And think about sticking by Deirdre, Jared. You’re the closest thing to family she has.”

***

Deirdre turned the corner then accelerated in a desperate attempt to lose the car behind her. She glanced in her rearview mirror. Darn! The headlights were still there. Tired of Adam’s constant pursuit, she drove toward his motel so he would realize that she was on to him and go away. But it did no good. He continued to tail her. He didn’t even take a different route when the motel came into view. If he was going to play it to the end, so would she. Turning into the motel lot, she drove around the building to the room where she’d taken him the morning after he arrived.

Suddenly fear gripped her. Her headlights illuminated the small red car he’d been driving the first night he followed her. And the light in the motel room was on! Now what was she supposed to do? Adam hadn’t been following her like she’d thought. Someone else had been!

Acting instinctively, she slammed on her brakes, causing her tires to squeal. She jammed the heel of her hand against the horn on the steering wheel. If Adam didn’t hear the noise, somebody would. Then the person behind her would leave her alone. When she stopped behind Adam’s rental car, more tires squealed to a crash. Motel room doors opened, Adam’s as well as others. The car in her rearview mirror backed up and tore out of the parking lot.

She was safe again, but she couldn’t move. Her car horn continued to blare. Her driver’s door flew open and a strong hand grabbed her wrist to pull her hand off the steering wheel. Turning her head toward the person, she saw Adam standing outside her car. Somewhere in the dense fog of fear she saw him gazing at her with more concern than she had ever seen in his expression.

He was talking to her, too, telling her something about turning off the van. Didn’t he know that she would—if she could move. But she couldn’t move because she was immobile with fear. In her daze, she saw him follow his own directions then felt his strong grip on her upper arms. This time his hold was different. He held her as though he cared about her. Obviously, he couldn’t tell that she was fine. She would have to tell him—as soon as her mouth and mind were coordinated again.