Little Boys Blue

by Susan Kearney

  Cam’s phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. Chase told him Keith’s temperature had returned to normal and that Laura wanted to invite them all over for dinner to thank him. “Can I take a rain check?”

  Chase laughed. “You just want to play house, or is it you want to play doctor with Alexa?”

  “Very funny.” Cameron snapped shut his phone, relieved his nephew had recovered, and silently cursed his brother for calling up images of Alexa that had kept him tossing and turning last night. That kiss couldn’t have been as special as he remembered. Yet he had to watch himself to avoid brushing against and touching the delectable-smelling Alexa every chance he got.

  The foursome walked around the house, and Chase’s phone rang again, this time a real-estate secretary reminding him of his appointment in town with a realtor. As Cam confirmed his appointment to look at a medical building where he might set up his practice, Alexa seemed thoughtful.

  She kept her tone casual. “Since Julie can stay with the kids, mind if I ride with you into town?”

  “I might be all morning.” He knew better than to think she wanted to spend time with him. She’d set her expression to convey that her request was nothing personal.

  Meanwhile, the sheriff and Julie had left them behind. Cam had Alexa all to himself for the moment. He realized the only way to decide if that first kiss had been pure dynamite or an aberration of his irrational mind was a repeat performance. There was no sense wondering about it, tossing and turning all night, when he could so easily discover the truth.

  But Alexa must have read the sudden flare of intent in his eyes. She stepped back, slipping a little in the mud. Cam caught her and drew her against his chest. She felt as if she belonged there. As he breathed in her incredible scent, he murmured into her ear, “You needn’t keep slipping in the mud to get into my arms.”

  Alexa’s eyes sparked with annoyance. “If you think I slipped so you would…Why, you insufferably conceited, no-good—”

  Cameron brought his head down and his mouth covered hers, hungrily. Last time he’d kissed her, she’d been surprised. This time she was like a hissing kitten, all fury and unsheathed claws. For an instant she could have pushed away, kicked his shin, boxed his ears. Instead, she offered as good as she got, flooding him with the taste of mint and coffee, impatience and greed. The engine noise of the forklift faded, as did the steady hammering and sawing. His blood thrummed to Alexa’s beat, pouring music into his soul. Her response, electric, exciting, erotic, pulled him deeper, fired him hotter than he wanted to go. Somewhere along the line, his little test backfired. He couldn’t imagine falling asleep tonight without reliving it.

  Their first kiss had had him off balance. So he’d kissed her again to prove the first one had been an aberration. To get her out of his system.

  But two such stunning kisses in a row could be no accident. Passion sizzled between the two of them and Cam had no idea what to do about it. He needed to think. But how could he think when all he wanted to do was take her back into his arms?

  What the hell was wrong with him? There could be nothing permanent between them. She was only here temporarily.

  And there was nothing wrong with him. He was a man with needs and hopes and a future. He’d never felt more alive and he shoved his previous feelings of guilt at his attraction to Alexa from his mind. For now, for just this moment, he wanted to be free to explore the here and now.

  After he finally pulled back, forced to breathe in oxygen, her blazing eyes locked on his. Clearly furious that she had reacted to him, she quivered like overstrung barbed wire ready to snap. That she couldn’t control her fervor made the memory of the kiss all the sweeter.

  Now that Cam had decided to treat his relationship with Alexa as temporary, he felt lighter. Sandra would never have expected Cam to live as a monk. He no longer felt that teasing or kissing Alexa was disrespectful of Sandra’s memory. Sandra would have been the first person to tell him that life was for the living. And Cameron intended to enjoy Alexa’s visit while she was here.

  She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and spit words at him as if she could wipe him away just as easily. “Are you insane? You can’t keep grabbing and kissing me every time we’re alone.”

  “Why not?” he drawled, finding that he liked making her cheeks color, liked teasing until she lost the chilly poise and the simmering passion beneath was exposed. “I like the way you kiss. And you can’t deny that you were enjoying yourself.”

  “I wasn’t!”

  “Then why were you kissing me back so hard my lips are bruised?” He appreciated the way her nostrils flared and her backbone straightened.

  “That’s not the point. We can’t…we shouldn’t…we aren’t right for one another.”

  He couldn’t help savoring her embarrassment as he chipped away at Alexa’s poise and she fought to find words. He couldn’t stop teasing her. “That kiss felt mighty right to me.”

  “You idiot. I’m not talking about lust.”

  “Nothing wrong with a little lust.” Cameron cupped her chin and smoothed her lip. “You’re lipstick’s smeared.”

  “And your ego’s the size of the Rockies.” In one of those lightning mood changes that fascinated him, Alexa stowed her hot anger and regained icy poise. She cocked her head to the side. “Take me to town, Doctor. I have some shopping to do. And then you can take me to lunch.”

  Cam eyed the frustration and fury warring in her eyes and recalled that she’d never returned his credit card. Idly, he wondered how much this kiss was going to cost him. He thrust his hands into his pockets to keep from pulling her back into his arms, deciding that whatever she spent, that kiss was worth it.

  Because now he knew—the first kiss wasn’t a figment of his imagination. The second one had been even better.

  ALEXA TOOK ONE LOOK at Cameron’s expression as he entered the hotel restaurant and realized lunch wouldn’t be the peaceful meal she’d hoped. Nor would they have a rational discussion over the impulsive kisses that made her pulse leap with excitement as if she’d just discovered a new Monet. There was something different about Cameron, something light and boyish that made him tease her with a freedom that took her aback. But their talk would have to wait.

  Cam, too, must have fought his way past the flashing bulbs of cameras, pushed his way around microphones shoved into his face by the press, to enter the relative haven of Highview’s finest restaurant.

  The custody battle between the Barrington family and the Colorado senator’s son made great fodder for news-hungry paparazzi. And they’d come to Highview in force.

  Cam wound his way past other diners, ignoring their curious stares, and tossed a copy of a tabloid newspaper onto the table. “Who do you think took this picture?”

  Alexa saw a fuzzy black and white shot of a bull charging, its horns seemingly inches from her and the twins’ terrified faces. The headline read No Bulls in Boston.

  Alexa perused the story, a sick feeling in her gut as she realized how much the exaggerated story could hurt Cameron in court. “Your cook, Ray Potter, is quoted heavily. He took no time in selling the story. Maybe he took the picture, too.”

  Cameron closed his eyes briefly and then opened them as he rubbed his forehead. “My attorney says this kind of publicity will hurt us at the custody hearing. If the judge believes my children aren’t safe, I could lose them…”

  At the painful thought, his voice broke, and Alexa reached for his hand and squeezed. She hated to add bad news on top of the sensationalized story, but he needed to know exactly what he was up against.

  She kept her voice low so as not to be heard by other diners. “Do you realize my grandparents’ corporation, Levenger Inc., owns the subsidiary that puts out this tabloid? They also own several television-news syndicates. I expect the story may wind up on the evening television news.”

  Cameron lifted his head and thrummed his fingers on the table. “Perhaps my father could get a gag order…”

  “He
can’t.”

  Alexa looked up at Senator Sutton, who pulled out a chair and joined them without being asked. She’d been so focused on Cameron, she hadn’t noticed the distinguished senator’s approach. But as he looked her over, she saw that his gray eyes were clouded with worry and the notable broad shoulders beneath the designer jacket, slumped just a little.

  Although they’d met briefly at Sandra’s funeral, Cam made the introductions.

  The Senator’s eyes narrowed and she was glad she’d taken extra time with her appearance before coming to the table. Since she knew the Senator was more likely interested in her motivation than the color scheme of her outfit, she readied herself for a confrontation.

  “So you’re the Barringtons’ granddaughter.” The Senator kept his voice civil, but a steely undertone warned her the outward charm hid a shrewd and possibly dangerous mind. “I heard you were…visiting.”

  She wasn’t surprised he’d known she was staying with Cameron. Highview was a small town and a powerful man like the Senator would keep informed, especially since she’d moved in with Cam on Sutton land. Did he think his son was consorting with the enemy?

  “She’s also Sandra’s cousin,” Cam told him, defending her before she could do so herself.

  But while Alexa appreciated his help, she didn’t require it. Luckily she was accustomed to powerful men. Work often took her to the homes and the businesses of the successful and the wealthy. The Senator didn’t intimidate her and she let him know it.

  Alexa held out her hand and the Senator took it while he perused her unhurriedly. She’d bet not much got past the sharp-eyed man and hoped he recognized honesty when he heard it. Before he could object to her presence, she let him know which side she’d chosen.

  “Sandra’s dying request to me was to make sure that her children were raised differently than we were. After our parents all died together in a plane crash, my grandparents took us in. But we spent our time with nannies and later in boarding schools. Sandra didn’t want that for the twins. I gave her my word. And I don’t go back on my word.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  Alexa suspected the Senator was merely reserving judgment. They ordered lunch before he resumed the conversation. “A gag order is out of the question. You ever hear of freedom of the press?”

  “So what can you do to help?” Alexa asked with a boldness that at first startled the man and then had him grinning.

  The Senator’s dark eyebrow arched. “She’s—”

  “Sassy.” Cam opened his napkin and floated it over his lap.

  The Senator’s eyes narrowed speculatively on his son. “I was going to say audacious.”

  From that teasing look in Cam’s eyes, Alexa knew she’d better steer the conversation to safer topics. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Alexa kept her tone poised, determined not to rise to Cam’s baiting her. She’d already seen how much he enjoyed teasing her about her reaction to his kisses. But she couldn’t go there. Not now. “Senator, answer my question, please. We’ve had other trouble that hasn’t made the paper yet.”

  Cam shook his head and turned the page. “Julie’s encounter is right here on page two.”

  Alexa shivered at the thought that someone was watching them so closely. “Ray’d already left before someone attacked Julie. Another traitor on the ranch?”

  “You can’t blame the men,” the Senator said. “These rags offer a year’s wages for a good story.”

  “We could sue,” Cam suggested.

  Alexa shook her head. “That would create more publicity, and besides, your custody hearing is already on the court docket—long before a lawsuit can be filed, much less settled.”

  “She’s right.” The Senator leaned forward. “However, I’m doing background checks on everyone. And I’ve put extra security in place around the ranch.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Add Leo Harley to the list. He’s applying for the job of cook.” Cam looked thoughtful. “In the meantime, I’ll put off opening my medical practice.”

  “That may not be a good idea,” Alexa said, recalling her talk with her grandparents’ attorney. “The court will want to see that you’re productive and stable.”

  Cam’s huge fingers clenched in frustration. “What good is being productive and stable if my family’s in danger? Someone let loose a bull, and if you hadn’t thought so quickly on your feet, the twins could have been hurt.”

  “We still don’t know if that was an accident or not,” Alexa reminded him.

  “Look, I hate to accuse anyone without proof.” The Senator sipped his water. “But your grandparents have the most to gain from the boys’ injury—which would help them gain custody.”

  Alexa shook her head, her throat constricting. These were her grandparents they were discussing. The grandparents who had taken her in and raised her. Even if they had sent her off to boarding school and raised her with a series of nannies, they had mailed birthday and Christmas presents. Sent her and Sandra on a world tour after she’d graduated from an exclusive art university in Paris. Not once had they raised their voices to her, spanked her or even scolded her. She couldn’t imagine them concocting this horrible scheme.

  “My grandparents may be ruthless in business, but they aren’t murderers. And I don’t believe they would endanger me.”

  Cam ignored the food the waitress delivered to the table. “Do your grandparents even know you’re here?”

  She shook her head.

  The Senator gestured to the tabloid picture. “They do now. Have they called to ask if you’re all right?”

  They hadn’t. “They may own a string of tabloids, but they don’t read them.” Even as she defended her grandparents, Alexa knew someone would have told them about the story. Why hadn’t they called Cameron’s house to check on her?

  Doubts filled Alexa as Cameron drove his SUV and returned to the ranch. She couldn’t help but admire the way Cameron didn’t badger her with questions about her grandparents that she couldn’t answer. She also liked the competent way Cameron drove, as if unaware of the press following them from town. He didn’t speed or curse or in any way acknowledge their presence. Cam had the ability to compartmentalize his thoughts, focusing with intensity on one thing at a time. She wished she had that ability. Maybe then her thoughts wouldn’t keep restlessly circling.

  Exhausted from her busy morning of shopping and weary from thinking over the possibilities, she closed her eyes and listened to the country song on the radio station. Beside her, Cameron remained comfortably silent, having no need to fill the quiet time with idle chatter.

  Drowsy but not asleep, Alexa noted the reporters’ cars stopping at the guarded gate after Cameron turned onto Sutton land. Thankful for the ranch’s vast acreage that provided a measure of privacy, she looked forward to newly installed plumbing and a hot shower, maybe a nap.

  About five miles in, Cam drove onto the bridge and over the water-swollen river that irrigated the fertile valley, watering acres of grasses. Cattle grazed peacefully along the riverbanks under a cloudless blue sky.

  Peace stole over Alexa. Suddenly the SUV lurched. The bridge exploded around them, under them. She screamed, lost the sound of her own voice in the roar.

  Flames from the burning bridge engulfed the vehicle. And they were falling.

  Plunging into the river.

  The seat belt chewed into her shoulder as the SUV, no longer level, pitched forward and downward, spinning crazily.

  Startled wide awake, reeling with confusion, Alexa braced her hands against the dash. Up became down. The truck fell and fell.

  Her stomach cartwheeled. Her head banged the door.

  Suffocating blackness engulfed her.

  Chapter Five

  Alexa opened her eyes to the fearsome sight of water cascading into the SUV at an alarming rate. Groggy, as if awakening from a drugged sleep, she fumbled for her seat belt and turned to Cameron.

  Eyes closed, face pale beneath his tan, blood streaming down his forehead and
over his cheek he looked lifeless. He didn’t appear to be breathing.

  “Cameron?”

  By the time Alexa released her seat belt, the river water was as high as the dash. Unstable, the SUV suddenly rolled onto its side. Still strapped behind the wheel, Cameron keeled over and disappeared beneath the icy water.

  Alexa fell on top of him.

  Unconscious, Cam could breathe water into his lungs, drown within seconds. Without hesitation, Alexa ducked under the water. Reaching with her fingers, she wasted precious seconds searching for his seat belt.

  The frigid water slowed her thinking. She used too much air before figuring out the SUV rested sideways and the release she searched for was straight down. Finally her numb fingers found the seat belt release and pressed.

  She tried to jerk Cam upward. But the straps had caught him in a web. And her stiff fingers couldn’t seem to unwrap him. If he wasn’t already dead, he would drown unless she freed him soon.

  Opening her eyes didn’t help in the dark, swirling water. She couldn’t see the straps against Cam’s dark clothes, had to go by feel while her oxygen-starved lungs burned for air.

  Finally she untangled the straps and he popped upward. Alexa surfaced to find the water up to her neck, the top of her head pressed to the passenger window which now faced the sky. Freedom looked so close.

  Yet she had no way to open or break that window.

  Grabbing Cam’s head out of the water, she screamed in his face. “Cam, damn you! Don’t die on me! Breathe! Damn it, breathe!”

  Cam didn’t flinch. She had no idea if he was breathing or even if he still had a pulse.

  The water rose to her bottom lip. They had to get out. Fast.

  Alexa tried to open the door above her head, but she had no leverage to lift the heavy door straight up. The only other option was to swim down to the driver’s door and out from the underside of the SUV.