A Case of Love

by Wendy Stone

  The Hunter family had three main characteristics that didn't change too much. The women were tiny, usually under medium height. The men were large, wide chests, tall, with long legs. All Hunters had dark hair, even little baby Hope, and they all had either amber or silver eyes.

  Brett's eyes were a little more hazel than amber, but the flecks were there. He was tall and broad across the shoulders, with lean hips and long legs that had him towering over Mackenzie. He had the almost black hair and tawny complexion. He was also closest to Mackenzie in age, so they'd taken to each other right off when they were kids.

  "Of course Dillon called me. Can you blame him after reading what you've been doing the past couple of days? Dammit girl, you could have gotten yourself shot or raped and if that weren't bad enough, you have to go running into a burning building the next day. Dillon was being nice by just sending me."

  She sighed. “You know, I have a mother and a father, alive and well, living in Texas. I really don't need Dillon Hunter intruding any more in my life than he already has.” She dragged a hand through her short curls in frustration.

  "I understand but you have to understand my position...” he began.

  "I know, I screwed up, I almost got killed, and someone needs to be my keeper."

  "No, Dillon's my boss,” he said quickly. “If I didn't come here and ream you a new one, I'd never have heard the end of it."

  Mackenzie burst out laughing at the disgruntled sound of Brett's voice. “Oh poor baby, you've got it so hard. You're so lucky you didn't have to grow up around him. I think I was the only senior in high school that had to get her cousin's permission to go to the prom."

  "Hunter!"

  Both Mackenzie and Brett lifted their heads, staring over at Ron as he came out of his office. “What?” Kenzie shouted back.

  "Where's my story?"

  "Don't get your shorts in a bunch, I'm just finishing it up.” Kenzie chuckled as Ron's face turned red.

  "Listen you, who do you think gave you a start in this business,” he growled, working himself up to a major fit.

  "You did, Ron. I'm ever so grateful. The story is almost done, I just got a bit sidetracked here,” she said, waving at Brett.

  "Keep your dates for your own time, Hunter. You're on my dime now.” Ron turned around, slamming his office door so that the glass panes rattled.

  "Yes, Ron,” Kenzie quipped, rolling her eyes.

  "I guess I should get out of here and let you get to work.” He reached down and picked up the small roll bag and briefcase he'd brought with him. “I thought maybe we could do dinner tonight, I could tell Dillon that I straightened your butt out with a few well placed words and that he can go back to driving Rylie nuts."

  "Oh, shit, Brett. I wish you'd called. I have a date tonight.” She knew she'd said the wrong thing as soon as the words came out of her mouth.

  "You have a date? Is it anyone we know?"

  "How could it be someone you know? Do you have a lot of friends in Monroe City?” she asked, trying to take the spotlight off of her and put it back on him.

  "Nice try. Who are you going out with?"

  "He's a cop,” Kenzie finally said, refusing to elaborate further.

  "What is it that this family has for cops? Shanna and Dillon and now you? At least Aaron married a doctor!"

  "I'm sure we could find a meter maid who might take pity on you,” she said, reaching up and patting his cheek. “I mean, you're such a cute boy and all."

  "Thanks, but no,” Brett negated wryly. “I appreciate the thought."

  "Good, now get out of here so I can work. When are you leaving?"

  "God, get out, when are you leaving? I'm beginning to feel a little on the unloved side here. Maybe I should call Dillon and tell him that this might take some of his own personal touches to make you see sense? What do you think?” Brett smiled evilly, winking at her.

  "I think I'd nail your balls to a wall and then find me the biggest Pitt Bull I could...” she trailed off, her eyes going to the elevator where Hawk was just stepping out. But it was a much different Hawk than what she was used to seeing. Instead of neatly dressed and clean, Hawk was dressed in old jeans that were torn and dirty, a grungy bandana tied over his hair. He hadn't shaved, his chin and cheeks still covered with a couple days growth of whiskers. His flannel shirt was old, thrown over an old tee shirt spouting the fame of an eighties rock band.

  "Do you know him, cousin?” Brett asked, seeing who she was looking at.

  "Yeah,” Kenzie said, miserably aware of the phone call that Brett would be making. “He's my date for tonight."

  Brett's eyes widened, going back to Hawk and taking in every bit of his clothing. He whistled softly, shaking his head. “Oh Mackenzie Hunter are you going to be owing me big,” he muttered loudly enough for her to hear.

  "Hi,” Hawk said, coming up next to Mackenzie and dipping his head down to kiss her soft cheek. “I had a few minutes so I thought I'd come and see you."

  "I'm glad you did,” she said, feeling a blush stain her cheeks as Brett looked on enthused.

  "Who's this?” Gideon asked, cocking his thumb at Brett.

  "Gideon Hawkins, my cousin Brett Hunter,” Kenzie said quickly, watching as the men sized each other up.

  "Pleasure,” Brett said, grinning as he held out his hand.

  "Yeah,” Hawk said, returning the firm handshake. “You live in Monroe City?"

  "No, I'm in town on some...business, I guess you could call it.” Brett struggled to hide the grin that wouldn't behave.

  "He's leaving for home today, as a matter of fact,” Kenzie jumped in, patting Brett on the arm. “He just came in to say goodbye before catching his plane, didn't you cousin?"

  "Oh, I don't know. It's been so long since any of us has really gotten together. Maybe I should stick around for a couple of days. We could get together, compare facts and stuff,” Brett grinned. “I know that Cousin Dillon would love to know all about stuff."

  Mackenzie rolled her eyes, before glaring at him, quickly changing her expression when she saw Hawk give her a strange look. “I'd hate you to have to miss out on any new cases coming in, Brett.” She turned to Hawk. “My cousin Brett runs my other cousin's private investigations firm out of Michigan. He's a busy, busy man."

  "Interesting work?” Hawk asked, still giving Mac strange looks.

  "Oh it has its moments. Listen, Kenz...I'm going to go check in at the hotel and catch a nap. I'll be by to see you later?” He didn't even wait for her nod. “It was very nice to meet you Gideon... Mackenzie is always so tight lipped about the men she dates.” He shook the detective's hand again and then bent down and picked up his briefcase and small bag. “Later cousin, I'll be sure to tell Dillon you send your best.” His chuckle trailed behind him as he left.

  "Putz,” Mac glowered.

  "You don't get along with your cousin?"

  "Oh no, we get along great. He's...it's nothing. Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what brings you here?"

  "An informant. I might have found someone who actually knows who the arsonist is. I'm meeting him in about ten minutes."

  "Really,” Mac said, her eyes glimmering with interest.

  "No, Mac and I mean it. You aren't going and you aren't conning me out of any information. This man came to me because he's informed for me before. He trusts me and I'm going to keep that trust, got me?"

  "Yeah, but you can't blame a girl for trying, can you?"

  "No,” he said, glancing at his watch. “I've got to run. We're still on tonight?"

  "Definitely,” she said, lifting her cheek for his kiss.

  "Okay, see you then.” He turned and walked toward the elevator, glancing back at her as he waited for the door to open. She seemed lost in thought, staring after him. He raised his hand in a wave goodbye and then walked into the elevator.

  Kenzie slumped down into her chair. Her life had just grown all that more complicated. “Dammit it,” she growled, picking up her phone and punching in th
e numbers she knew by heart.

  "We aren't here right now so please leave a message at the beep,” she heard after three rings. “Damn,” she growled. She waited for the beep. “Dillon, I'm a big girl now, call off the watch dog.” Without another word, she hung up.

  "Hunter!"

  "It's coming Ron!” she snapped, smacking her mouse so that the screensaver disappeared.

  Quickly ending the piece, she sent it off to Ron before grabbing her purse and heading for the elevator.

  She went home, and kicking off her shoes dropped her purse onto the small table by the door. Going into her fridge, she found a bottle of wine that was half empty, opened it and poured it into a wine glass. Carrying it with her, she went into the bathroom, filling up the huge claw-foot tub and adding scented bubbles.

  She found the remote to her stereo, turned on some soft music and stripped out of her clothes. With a sigh of relief, she slid into the hot water, leant back and took a sip of the wine as she tried to think of absolutely nothing.

  It wasn't easy, snippets of conversations played through her mind, Dillon and Brett, the arson investigator Curtis Smithers and his words about signatures and trailings, accelerants and fuel, even little pieces of her story came to mind as she tried to relax in the heat and scent of the water.

  It wasn't until she'd finished the wine in her glass that she managed to rid her mind of worries. She didn't want to think of anything but her date. Gideon Hawkins was a complex man, serious minded but still with a playful side, she couldn't help but wonder where he was taking her. He'd said casual, she'd make it casual.

  Rising from the tub, she let the water drain and turned on her shower, rinsing off the bubbles. Twenty minutes later, she was wrapped in a towel, standing in front of her closet, trying to decide what to wear when there was a knock on her door,

  She threw on her robe, tossing her head to send her wet curls dancing around her flushed cheeks. Running to the door, she peeked out, almost growling when she saw Brett standing there. “Go away, no one's home,” she called through the door.

  "Oh-kay,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “Now tell me truthfully, Kenzie, does that ever work."

  "No,” she grumbled, unlocking the door and holding it open. “But I can always hope for a first time."

  "Oh buck up little daffodil,” Brett smirked, using the name he'd called her since she was six and had played a daffodil in her school play. “I'm not here long, I just wanted to know if you'd have some time to have lunch with me tomorrow. Then I'm on a plane and you won't have to see me again until the next family thing, whatever that might be.” He reached out, grabbing a hold of one damp curl and tugged on it gently. “You know you want to, Kenz, you know you do...” he whispered, “I'll even buy."

  "Okay,” she said quickly. “For you to buy lunch something has to be wrong. Spill it!"

  "Dillon wants to come and see you,” he said, his expression grim. Then he burst out laughing as her mouth dropped open. “Gotcha. No, I just thought it'd be fun to play catch up."

  "You...shit,” she growled, smacking him. “Yeah, fine, lunch sounds great. Where are you staying? We can lunch there."

  "Dillon's putting me up at the Davidson Hotel,” Brett bragged, rubbing his nails against his tee shirt covered chest. “Only the best, you know. Come around noon and I'll put it on my room's charge."

  "Great, so much for you buying,” she chuckled.

  "Why should I spend my dime, when it's so much easier and much more fun making Dillon pick up the tab? Besides, he's the one that woke me up in the middle of the night and told me I was coming out here. I told him you were a big girl and could handle yourself, but would he listen to me?"

  "Thanks, Brett. Now you want to get out of here, I've got a date to get ready for."

  "Yeah, but honestly, Kenz, after seeing him this afternoon, I actually think you're too clean to go out with him."

  "Out,” she snorted, waving him through the door and locking it after him. She shook her head, smiling at her cousin's antics before heading back into the bedroom.

  Reaching into her special underwear drawer, she lifted out a silk set of bra and thong panties in a soft peach color. She'd splurged on the delicate set and hadn't worn them yet. Yes, she might wear jeans on the outside but she knew what she wore under them. Silk made her feel pretty, lace gave her a touch of mystic and a hint of confidence. Even if no one saw this set, she knew she wore it.

  Slipping on the silk made her smile and took a bit of the stress from her day. A pair of khaki pants and a dark blue Henley tee shirt, left with only one button buttoned completed her dress. She slid on a pair of sandals and then put on a hint of makeup, brushing out her curls and she was ready to go. A quick spritz of perfume and she left her room just as someone knocked on her door.

  It was a completely different looking Hawk that stood outside the door. He'd shaved, getting rid of the grungy, bad boy look that hadn't been too hard to look at on him. She opened the door, accepting the bouquet of daisies he handed her.

  "How did you know?” she asked, a sparkle in her eyes.

  "That you liked daisies? It was easy. You're too eclectic to like something as mundane as roses.” He glanced around her apartment. “Daisies were the obvious choice."

  She smiled, taking them over to the counter and filling up a vase with water to put them in. “So where are you taking me tonight?"

  He raised his eyebrows, smiling mysteriously. “I'm not telling. By the way, I have to say I'm impressed by your will power."

  "Will power?” she asked frowning. “What are you...ahh yes, I didn't jump on you to find out what you learned today."

  He nodded, a grin lighting up his face. “Now I wouldn't mind if you jumped on me, not at all."

  "But you aren't going to tell me anything,” she finished for him.

  "Nope, I can't really. But I'll make you a promise,” he said, coming into her small kitchen area and backing her against the counter. He cornered her, resting his hands on either side of her waist and bending close. “I'll let you know first when I can tell the press something."

  "Aw,” she almost purred. “You know the way to a little journalist's heart.” Her hands rose to his face, pulling him down so she could kiss him.

  It was a slow tasting, a testing of the waters, their lips barely opened, brushing lightly, clinging gently. He slid his hands over her back, drawing her closer until she was pressed against him, his head turning to take the kiss deeper, sliding over her mouth with definite intent.

  She was the first to lick at his lips, a delicate nudge with just the tip of her tongue, teasing him. He hummed his pleasure against her mouth, letting her control the kiss, enjoying her playfulness.

  Mackenzie could have kissed him all night, the pleasure he was giving her had her blood pumping, her heart racing and a pool of need starting in her loins. He tasted like mint and a bit like coffee, but under it was a spicy heat that was strictly Hawk.

  She felt his hands on her hips, holding on to her as he lifted his head. “You taste so good,” he whispered, nibbling at her lower lip. “But if we don't get out of here, we won't make our reservations."

  "I could live with that,” she sighed.

  "Nope,” he growled, pushing away from her with a chuckle. “I've put a lot of thought into this night. So come on, milady, your chariot awaits.” He bowed, his hand sweeping out with a flourish. He held his arm out for her, waiting while she grabbed her keys and purse and locked her door.

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  Chapter Five

  * * * *

  Gravel crunched underneath her sandaled feet as Gideon drew her towards the loud sounds of the place he'd chosen for their date. Music blared into the night, screams seemed to come from everywhere at once, children laughed and cried, and voices rose, as men shouted loudly to draw attention to themselves. Smells assaulted her nose, popcorn and French fries, fried cakes and hotdogs, cotton candy and candied apples. Lights flashed and flared, colors bright and f
estive in the dark of the night.

  "An amusement park?” Kenzie asked, feeling his fingers twine in hers.

  "Oh yeah, what better kind of place is there? You can almost feel the excitement in the air.” He turned toward her suddenly, lifting her around the waist and spinning with her. “How do you feel about roller-coasters?"

  "Is that before or after we eat?” she shot back at him, earning a big grin.

  "Come on.” He tugged at her hand, pulling her toward the entrance.

  The park wasn't huge and had been there a long time. In the showy lights, it looked bright and beautiful, but under that thin facade were the dents and dings of age, sometimes barely covered with the glitz of show business.

  It sat on a large stretch of land that was bordered on one side by a trailer park and on the other side by the Atlantic Ocean, the beach stretching as far as she could see.

  Mackenzie let herself be dragged off, feeling a spurt of excitement. She hadn't done anything like this since she was a kid.

  "What do you want to do first?” he asked, reminding her of the kid she used to be. He grinned and her heart seemed to flip in her chest.

  "The Merry-go-round?” she asked, tongue in cheek.

  "What are you, ninety? I thought you reporter types liked to take chances and live dangerously?"

  "I think I've used up my quota of living dangerously this week,” she said, but allowed him to pull her towards the ticket booth. He bought them each a bracelet, allowing them to ride as many rides as they wanted and then, hand in hand, he led her to the first.

  He was just a big kid, she thought, watching his face as they headed toward their car on the first ride. He helped her in, leaning over and kissing her quickly before sliding in next to her. The safety gate shifted over them and they leaned on it, listening as it clicked into place. A few moments later, the ride grumbled to a start and Kenzie found herself spun and twisted, laughing as she felt herself being pushed by gravity to lean against him.

  His arm came around her and he turned her face to his, his lips finding hers, his tongue sliding into her mouth. She moaned, pleasure sharp and instantaneous filling her, made even more delirious by the spinning of the ride. His hand moved from her shoulder, his other sliding around her and holding her as close as they could get on the small bench seat.