by Glynna Kaye
“So what about you, Olivia?” He wanted to keep her talking. Ease further from that awkwardness he’d instigated. “What have you been doing since my infamous graduation day?”
She did smile at that, as he’d intended. “You know most of it, remember? From when we ate at Kit’s?”
“Right, right.” Lunch with Brett. How could he forget? “Odd jobs, missions work. You said you liked what you called living out of a suitcase.”
“It’s fun. I love meeting new people. Seeing new places. Facing new challenges. But I love coming home. That’s why—”
He strained to see her features as twilight descended into near-darkness. “Why what?”
“Why I came home. For a visit.”
“So what’s next? After the visit, I mean.”
“A trip to Israel may be in the works.”
A knot formed in his stomach. That was for the best, right? Get her out of town. “Sweet.”
“Yeah, it is. The year after you left NAU, a group of girls from the church went during spring break. I couldn’t swing it financially, but everyone said it was a deeply meaningful journey—even without Romeo Rob.”
He caught the amusement in her voice. Heard the giggle.
“Excuse me?”
“That’s what the girls in Bible study called you. Romeo Rob. Code word R.R.”
He’d known of the fan club, but not that silly name. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. And if you didn’t know that, you probably didn’t know why the Saturday night service was always packed when you led worship.”
He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. He didn’t like thinking about his college days. To remember how far he’d fallen.
“They came to see you. I mean, the girls did, anyway.”
“That’s supposed to make me feel good? That I distracted young ladies from worship?” Things were worse back then than he’d thought.
“No, no. Not a distraction. An inspiration. It was your connection to God that made you so appealing. You may not be aware of it, but godly guys are few and far between.”
“I wasn’t any more godly than your average guy.” Far from it.
“Are you kidding? You actually read your Bible. And when you prayed, it was like you were talking to your best friend sitting right next to you. You were open, transparent, about your struggles to live a Christian life. Women want more than a Sunday morning male, Rob. It’s a good thing to be a man recognized and admired for his godly character.”
Renewed shame filled him. The more she hammered home who she thought he’d been, the less he believed he could ever become such a man.
He should tell her right now. Get it over with. Put a halt to her starry-eyed hero worship. He took a shaky breath. Please, God, give me the right words. And please don’t let her hate me.
She lightly touched his arm. “I promised my sister Claire I’d call at seven. It’s just a few minutes ’til. Guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Sure.” Guilt mingled with relief—and resolve.
Tomorrow.
He’d tell her tomorrow.
Chapter Twelve
“You look like gloom and doom this morning.”
And he did. Mr. Frowny Face was back in full force. Hair roughed up and shoulders hunched over the computer keyboard, he looked like he could use a shave—although Olivia kind of liked his unkempt appearance.
Brett, relaxed in a nearby chair and toying with the Western hat in his hands, chuckled. Whatever had Rob riled up hadn’t fazed him. Then again, little seemed to bother the good-natured guy.
“Our luck ran out.” Rob pushed back from his desk. “Ramblewood had a visitor in the night. Apparently they couldn’t get in, didn’t break any windows, but they spray-painted the front door. Same ‘no more’ message. Knocked over flower pots on the porch.”
“So it wasn’t those kids, after all.” She’d hoped for all their sakes this episode was over with summer’s end.
“At least not out-of-towners.”
“So what do we do now?”
“I notified the county sheriff’s department, just to get it on record. Photographed it like you did at Bristlecone.”
“Not much the county can do though, right? But what can we do?”
“Patrol. We may not be able to catch them, but maybe we can make it uncomfortable enough with frequent passes through the property to ward them off. May have to look into those security cameras Brett mentioned.”
Brett leaned forward. “What we need is a tower, the kind the forest service mans to watch for fires.”
Olivia turned toward him. “You know, if you get up on that rocky ridge to the west of here, the one you can see from Hummingbird, you can get fairly high up. Can’t see all the cabins, of course, but in the dark you’d detect lights through the trees in the more far-flung areas. Those are the ones that seem to be targeted—because they’re more remote.”
“That might not be a bad idea. One—or two—of us up there on lookout.” Brett shot Olivia a meaningful look, his grin suggesting this might be fun. “Another stationed below, back in the trees. Waiting for a call to move in.”
“I can show you how to get up there. It’s kind of a climb. We’d need to go before it got dark.”
Rob stood, as if taking command. “Let’s not go jumping the gun here. We need to think this through.”
A still-grinning Brett winked at Olivia.
Rob’s brow lowered. “You have something you want to say, Marden?”
“Not a word.” But a smile still tugged as he cut Olivia a conspiratorial look.
Rob looked from one to the other. All but glowering. This vandalism thing must really be getting on his nerves.
“You know, I can leave the room if you two have something that needs to be discussed in private.”
“Not necessary.” Brett rose to his feet and moved toward the door. “Just let me know when you have it all worked out. What you want me to do. When and where, and I’ll report for duty.”
He tipped his hat with another smile and made his escape. Rob moved to the door, watched him on his way, then turned back to Olivia, who quickly suppressed her own smile.
Olivia was the most stubborn little thing he’d ever encountered. He didn’t want her sitting up on some ledge all night with Brett—or parked down below in his pickup truck—and he suspected she knew it. “So where is this lookout?”
“It’s actually on forest service property. It’s been years since I’ve been up there, but I think I still know the way. It’s my second most favorite place to go for a quiet time.”
“And the first?” He couldn’t help asking, stupidly wanting to know more about Olivia.
“The footbridge over the creek. Easier to get to.”
He nodded and ran his hand through his hair. “I’m thinking we can put Brett down here at ground zero. I’m not keen on anyone ‘moving in’ as he suggested, though. I think we have pranksters, not a hardened criminal element, but I wouldn’t want to take any chances.”
“You mean if they’re armed?”
“Right. But someone will need to show county law enforcement the way back in there. We need to make sure our vandalizing varmints are caught on Singing Rock property, in the act if at all possible.”
“We can park the Jeep at the base of the lookout. It’s out of the way. Nobody will see it.”
We? Guilt gnawed to tell her about Angie, but he sure couldn’t risk it tonight or she might start yelling at him and spook off their prey—or draw armed trespassers to their isolated location. But now wasn’t the time or place for a “big reveal” either. Brett could return any moment.
“I really don’t want you involved in this at all, Olivia. You can show me how to g
et up there and that’s it.”
“Then it looks like you’ll have to find your own way.”
“Come on. Climbing up there at night wouldn’t be safe. That’s why I’m volunteering instead of asking Brett to do it.”
“We won’t be climbing at night. We’ll go up before dark.”
“We are not going to do any such thing.”
“Very well.” She smiled up at him sweetly. “Then I’ll be down below—with Brett. And you can find your own way.” She glanced at her watch. “You may want to get started now. The route isn’t marked. Not easy to find.”
“Cold?”
“Some.” Olivia scooted farther back on the ledge to lean against the rock outcropping behind them, sheltering herself from the steady breeze that was so common in the mountain country. Usually the wind died down at night, but not this evening. Or rather, not at this time of morning. Two o’clock.
Rob scooted back, too, his arm brushing comfortably against hers. Then to her surprise, he lifted his hand and touched her lightly on the cheek, the back of his fingers warming her chilled skin. “You are cold. You want my jacket?”
“I’m okay.” The shiver that preceded her comment had little to do with the cooling temperature. “But thanks.”
Already snuggled down in her own sweatshirt and windbreaker, she didn’t need to stake a claim to his. But the thought of nestling into a Rob-warmed jacket had its appeal.
“You sure? We can go back. Looks like our uninvited guests intend to be no-shows tonight.”
“I’m fine.” But if you touch me one more time, I won’t be held responsible for my actions. Throughout the long night watch, it was all she could do to keep her attention on scouting out trespassers in the dim landscape stretching below them. Curb thoughts from wandering to her niece’s intriguing question…is he a good kisser?
They’d talked quite a bit off and on about the vandalism. And other things. Sometimes with extended periods of comfortable silence. She’d shared stories of growing up in Canyon Springs. He, about his own youth. Both about how much they loved their families. Were blessed to have had such wonderful ones when so many they knew didn’t share that experience.
Conversation lulled again as she scanned the landscape with binoculars, still acutely aware of Rob’s proximity. Then she sat up straighter, pointed into the gray-washed night. “Look. There. I saw movement. Off to the left. Where you can glimpse the road curving, not far from Juniper.”
She handed the binoculars to Rob and he inspected the area she’d drawn his attention to. “Looks like a coyote.”
Disappointed, she leaned against the rocky surface once more. She wanted to spot the bad guys tonight, once and for all. Phone down to Brett to move in for a closer look. Call the county sheriff’s department if prowlers were confirmed. “At least it’s not a mountain lion. Or a bear. We have those around here, too, you know.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Rob set aside the binoculars and settled in to wait once more, his arm again resting against hers as she studied his strong profile in the starlight that turned the world to black and white. He pulled his knees up where he could rest his forearms on them. “Quite a night, isn’t it? I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Milky Way jump out like that.”
“You’re a mile closer to it than most people in this country are. Makes a big difference. Mom and Dad used to bring us up here to stargaze when we were kids.”
It was family fun back then. But tonight the stars spelled out r-o-m-a-n-c-e. Was it just her, or did Rob feel it, too?
“Incredible view of Singing Rock,” he went on. “Hammers home how big the property and the surrounding forest are. Brett may be right about hiring security. We can’t sit out here every night on the off chance someone shows up.”
Hadn’t they already talked enough about prowlers and property protection for one night?
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” She looped her arm through his and leaned into him, absorbing his warmth as she whispered into his ear. “Isn’t it a whole lot more fun sitting here in the dark with me than chatting with boring old security guards?”
She heard the soft catch of his breath as he turned to her, his face mere inches from her own. So close. So kissing close. Heart hammering, she mentally kicked herself as the charged moments ticked by. Why’d she always say the first stupid thing that popped into her head?
Unwillingly, she loosened her grip, started to slip her arm from his, but his strong hand stayed her. And she froze.
“Guess it does have its perks, now doesn’t it?” The husky words caught her off guard.
She swallowed, her breathing as uneven as a wind- roughened lake. “It does.”
“You know what I remember most about you from college?”
He was finally getting around to reminiscing about the good old days? Right now?
“You never noticed me in college, Rob McGuire.” She held herself still, conscious of a chord of awareness vibrating between them as he gradually leaned in closer.
“But I’m noticing you…now.”
She wet her lips. “You are?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I am.”
“I’m noticing you, too.” She took a quivering breath. “But then, I’ve always noticed you. I mean—”
He put a warm, silencing finger to her lips. “You’re a very special woman, Olivia.”
Mouth suddenly dry, she couldn’t have responded if her life depended on it.
“I don’t think you know quite how special.” He paused, his fingers brushing the hand that still gripped his arm. “You’re good company.”
Her shoulder slumped into his. “Like one of the good old boys down at the local sports bar?”
He chuckled softly. “No. I don’t think there’s a man alive who would make that comparison. What I mean is—I enjoy spending time with you.”
“You could have fooled me. I mean, after all—”
He once again placed his finger momentarily to her lips, his voice almost gruff. “Hush, Olivia.”
She stilled.
He leaned in. Hesitated. Then captured her mouth with his.
Chapter Thirteen
You had no business kissing Olivia Diaz.
The condemning voice roasted him on a spit of self-condemnation hours after they’d left their perch overlooking Singing Rock. Long after they’d carefully climbed down the flashlight-lit trail to the base of the overlook. Walked hand in hand to the Jeep.
Even this morning, as daylight crept through the wooden slats of his bedroom blinds, he could still taste the sweetness of her lips. Feel her soft face cupped in his hand. Smell the citrus scent of her hair. Touching his lips to hers had seemed so inevitable. So good. So right.
But there had been another time in his life when something felt right—and was so wrong.
He squeezed his eyes shut. He hadn’t kissed Olivia carelessly or without meaning, but this morning reality slammed him into the wall. He’d kissed her—encouraged and accepted her kisses in return—and yet he hadn’t confessed the truth about Angie. About Cassie. For days he’d intended to find the right time and place. The right words. Was that why he’d given in and kissed her last night? Knowing that once she knew the truth about him, there would be no more kisses? No more hope that she could come to care for a man carrying the burden of a less-than-heroic past?
Sitting there talking to her for hours last night…sharing memories and laughter with her cuddled up against him, he couldn’t help but be further drawn to the woman Olivia had become. Or think about what it would be like to share a life that included both her and his Angie.
He slammed his fist into the pillow on which he hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep. It had almost killed him to tell his parents, but this was far worse. He hadn’t respe
cted Olivia enough to tell her, to let her make an informed decision as to whether or not to kiss him back. He couldn’t pretend he didn’t know the type of man she trusted God for. Couldn’t act as if he had no idea who she believed him to be. For all intents and purposes, he’d taken advantage of the moment when it presented itself last night. Taken advantage of Olivia.
But he’d tell her today.
He threw back the covers and sat up in bed. He couldn’t live with a lie one moment longer. It wasn’t fair to let Olivia believe in a man who didn’t exist—except in her dreams.
Rob McGuire.
Olivia’s giddy heart sang his name over and over as she showered and dressed for the day, taking extra care with her hair and makeup. Carefully selecting her newest pair of jeans. A cute, red-and-black silky top. Silver hoop earrings. She didn’t even feel the lack of sleep.
Rob—Romeo Rob—had kissed her. Or had she dreamed it?
She spun in front of the bedroom’s full-length mirror, checking out her choice of outfits. No, she hadn’t dreamed it. She could still feel his lips gently, insistently, moving on hers. Feel his fingers clasped with hers as he walked her to her parents’ door. Remember how he’d kissed her again on the front porch.
After seven long years, never supposing she’d ever run into Rob again, the crush she’d harbored in college had blossomed, renewed into something more than she could ever have imagined.
Thank you, God.
She peeked out the lacy-curtained window toward the lodge. Singing Rock’s vehicles and Rob’s own SUV sat to the office-side of the building, next to one of the big ponderosas. So he hadn’t gone anywhere yet this morning. With a last look in the mirror, she hurried downstairs and dashed out the door.
When she stepped into the office, disappointment assailed her at finding Rob’s assistant rather than the manager himself. But she spied his laptop case and cell phone sitting on the credenza, so he couldn’t be too far away. “Morning, Brett.”