Multicolored flowers bloomed in the gardens that greeted the students as they entered the library. Tall maple trees lined the long walk that led to its main entrance, offering a person a cool reprieve from the heat. She wished she had time to enjoy the perfect spring day, but she quickly headed toward the history building, not far from the library.
Zach hadn’t given her much hope of convincing Hawke to be her guide, so she was left with only one option: to find another one. After class she had some thinking and planning to do.
When she arrived at her office, she found Dr. Wes Stanford waiting by her door. “Good morning.”
He smiled, his white teeth standing out against his tanned face. “I saw you from my window coming into the building. I thought this would be a good time for me to get that article you wanted me to read.”
“Let me find it.” She unlocked her door and entered. “I brought it from home a few days ago after we talked about it.” She rummaged through the piles on her desk and discovered the copy at the bottom of one of them.
“I’m always amazed at your resources.” Wes took it from her outstretched hand.
Shrugging, she stepped back to allow more space between them. “I love researching and collect everything I can get my hands on that has to do with history, especially early-American history, before we were a country.”
“I’d like to take you to lunch as a way of thanking you for all your help. How about after your ten-o’clock class today?”
“You don’t have to do that, Wes. I’m glad to help you any way I can.” She leaned back against her desk, aware of her notes that she wanted to read over sitting behind her just waiting for her. But Wes was a friend and the newest history professor on staff. “After all, I’ve got a vested interest in your career since I was your graduate advisor. It’s good to see how well you’re doing.”
“After that, I think I should scratch lunch plans and take you to dinner instead.” Wes moved closer.
Sweat glazed her forehead and upper lip. He’d invaded her personal space, although there was at least a foot between them. But with the desk behind her, she had little room to maneuver away. She offered him a trembling smile. “I wish I could, but I’m swamped right now. Maybe another time.”
“Sure.” He backed up, his grin wavering for a few seconds before he reinforced it.
Kit inhaled a deep breath and relaxed her grip on the edge of her desk. When he left, she slipped into the chair nearby, her legs weak. Why hadn’t she seen his interest before? Maybe she was jumping to the wrong conclusion, and it was only appreciation for what she’d helped him with during the three years of their close association, first as a graduate student and now as a professor.
She liked Wes; she saw the same appreciation for history as she had, but that was all she would ever feel toward any man—friendship. Discovering Gregory’s betrayal on top of dealing with his murder had nearly sent her over the edge. The Lord and her friends had managed to hold her together, but she didn’t want to go through that kind of loss ever again.
She caught sight of her notes on her desk and stood. She still needed to reread them before her class. Afterward, she would tackle the problem of finding a guide.
A bright shaft of light slanted across Hawke’s desk at the police station. He finished the report and slapped the folder closed. Time to go home. He needed to check and see if his new ranch hand was working out. Anna was right, not that he would ever tell her. He should pay more attention to the family ranch and make sure his mother wasn’t burdened with too much work.
He started to rise from his chair, but the phone ringing stopped him in midaction. He sank back down and snatched up the receiver. “Lonechief.”
“Hawke—”
He instantly recognized Zach’s voice and sat up straight, remembering whom his cousin had sent to him only a couple of days ago.
“Maggie and I want you to come to dinner at our house before the dedication of the Collier/Somers Wing of the museum.”
“I forgot about the dedication. It’s this Saturday night?”
“Yes, in just two days. I’m glad I called to remind you. Is Evelyn coming?”
“She wouldn’t miss it for the world, but Albert is bringing her.”
“Albert Cloudwalker? Doesn’t he own the trading post by the highway into Albuquerque?”
“Yes, and yes, Mama has been seeing him.”
“Interesting.”
There was a wealth of questions in that one word. “I’m glad she’s seeing someone finally.”
A long pause, then, “I wish you would reconsider taking Kit to Desolation Canyon.”
Hawke had known that Zach would approach him about this, but it didn’t make any difference. He wouldn’t go to the canyon again. He couldn’t. Not there. “What time is dinner?”
“Six, since the dedication ceremony is at eight. And I get the point. No more talking about Kit and Desolation Canyon.”
“I’ve always said you were the smart one in the family, that is, after your grandfather.”
“I take that as a compliment. Red was exceptional.”
“See you Saturday.” Hawke hung up, staring at the pool of sunlight warming his desk.
A picture of a no-nonsense woman with long blond hair and blue eyes materialized in his mind. The determination he’d glimpsed in her worried him. He wouldn’t put it past her to try to find someone else to take her into the canyon. The only other person capable of doing that was his uncle. Thankfully Gus lived halfway between here and the canyon, and he rarely came into town. Even if he did, Hawke wasn’t concerned Gus would agree to guide the professor into that maze of ravines and mesas. His uncle was a hermit and hated to be around people. Gus only tolerated Hawke for short periods of time because he took him his supplies every couple of months. But everything he’d learned about the land was from his uncle.
Tired, Hawke flattened his hands on his desktop and pushed himself to his feet. Even if she tried to find someone, she wouldn’t.
He headed toward the door and left the station before something came up to keep him there. Yes, he worked a lot of hours, but he knew when he needed to sleep. With long strides he covered the distance to his Jeep quickly and climbed inside.
As he pulled out of the parking space in front of the tribal police station, he peered both ways down the lengthy street that ran through the heart of the small town of San Angelo. His gaze lit upon a woman coming out of Anna’s café, and he braked. He watched Dr. Kit Sinclair stroll toward the red Honda parked in front.
Almost as though his arms and legs had a mind of their own, he made a U-turn and drove toward the café.
TWO
I’m doing my job by discovering what she’s up to. If she does something foolish, I’m the one who will have to clean up the mess.
Yeah, right, nothing else motivates you.
Hawke ignored that little voice in his head and came to a halt a few feet from her car. The woman he wished he could ban from the pueblo wheeled around, her eyes growing round as he slipped from his Jeep.
“I didn’t think I would see you again in San Angelo.” He hadn’t intended to fling a challenge in her face, but somehow his words came out that way.
She stiffened, a white-knuckled grip on her black purse straps. “I didn’t think I had to ask your permission.”
“What