Hiding Out At The Circle C Read online

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

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

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

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

  "But—"

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

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

  "I don't need a hero."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  She smiled a little shakily.

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

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

  * * *

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

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

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

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

  "Oh, how sad."

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

  "That's what Nellie said about you."

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

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

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

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

  "The past three weeks."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  "You— You knew?"

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

  "It's … a long story."

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

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

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

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

  Prominent Geologist, Alda Jones, Found Dead of Overdose

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

  * * *

  Chapter 7

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  Shock and grief hit Haley as she sat there in the silent library, reading the article about her colleague's death. According to the report, Alda had been missing since the mysterious death of Dr. Bob Herntz. Both deaths were being investigated because of their strange and curious nature. Herntz had died in a car fire, but the autopsy had determined that a blow to the head had come first.

  The facts sank in. Alda was well-known for her antidrug position, and yet she'd died of an overdose of a wild assortment of street drugs. The USGS had gone on record to say that although Bob and Alda hadn't worked for them in years, they deeply regretted the loss of two of their most intelligent and well-liked geologists. The police were currently looking for a Dr. Haley Whitfield, the only known connection left to the bombings, the murders, and the missing uranium.

  They meant suspect, of course. They thought she had murdered, for her own gain. It filled her with a sense of panic so great, she couldn't breathe. If Alda had been involved, she had paid the ultimate price.

  And so would Haley—if she left Colorado. So would Cam and his family, if she came out of hiding and revealed he