“How did you know I was staying here?”
“Your aunt Merlee called last week and told me. She thought I should give you a call and welcome you to Houston.”
“I didn’t know you and Aunt Merlee were such good friends.”
“We talk at the symphony during intermission, mostly about you. Our seats are only two rows apart.”
“Nor did I know you were a fan of the symphony.”
“There are lots of things you don’t know about me.”
“Apparently. Is this story going somewhere, Linney? Because I’ve had a really long day, and I’m not up for entertaining.”
“You don’t have to get in a huff, Cutter. Just tell me where you keep your extra sheets and blankets and I’ll make Julie a bed on the sofa.”
“Whoa! This is not a hotel.”
“I know, but I need a favor. One night.” She managed a strained smile. “And I cooked dinner. There’s pasta with red sauce. No meat. You didn’t have any—or much of anything else except beer and moldy cheese.”
“I wasn’t expecting company.”
“Just for one night, Cutter. I promise. We won’t put you out.”
“I only have one bed.”
“Julie can sleep on the sofa.”
Which would leave the one bed for him and Linney. It was hard enough controlling his libido standing in the same room with her. Fat chance he’d be able to do it with her stretched out next to him between the same pair of sheets.
“You can’t stay here.” His command came out a lot harsher than he’d intended. Julie started to cry.
“Now see what you’ve done.” Exasperation and a tinge of desperation tugged at her voice and expression.
Linney dropped to the sofa, took the small child in her arms and started rocking her back and forth. “Cutter didn’t mean to frighten you, sweetheart. He’s glad you’re here. He loves little girls. Tell her, Cutter.”
“I adore them. Linney, we have to talk.”
“Right, as soon as Julie’s asleep, but that will take a little longer now that you’ve upset her.”
Cutter still had no clue what was going on, but the chances that he was going to sleep alone in this apartment tonight were growing slimmer by the second. If the vibes of anxiety Linney was emitting weren’t at frightening levels, he’d insist she go to a hotel.
But there was more going on than Linney had admitted in front of the child, and there was no way he could just toss her out if she were in some kind of real trouble. His gut instinct was that she just might be.
“Put Julie in my bed,” Cutter said. “The sheets are fresh. The cleaning woman was here today. You can sleep with her and I’ll take the couch.”
“Thanks, Cutter. I knew I could count on you.”
Their gazes met and he had that same crazy sensation he used to get when he was parachuting into a hostile environment with no clear means of escape.
“Just for tonight, Linney. Don’t even think of unpacking a suitcase or finding a spot for your toothbrush.”
“No luggage,” she admitted. “No toothbrush, either. I was kind of hoping you’d have an extra for your sleepover guests.”
“I don’t have sleepover guests.” At least he hadn’t until now.
Cutter watched Linney walk toward the bedroom with the young child clutching her hand. He followed the pungent odors to the range and lifted the lid. A deep red sauce was simmering in the pot.
He dipped a spoon into it, blew on the hot liquid, then hesitantly sampled the sauce. Not half-bad. It surprised him that the wife of a man as wealthy as Al Kingston actually cooked.
And she’d become a mom. In none of his fantasies on the cold, hard, mountain earth had he ever pictured her standing over a kitchen range or tucking a golden-haired little girl into bed. Now here she was in the flesh and the surprises just kept on coming.
He was setting the table when Linney rejoined him. She went to the refrigerator, opened the door and took out a couple of beers. “Can I offer you a drink?” she asked.
“Only if it comes with an explanation as to why you’re entertaining me in my own kitchen. And don’t revert back to the friendship scenario. That won’t cut it.”
“You’re not going to like it.”
“I figure that’s a given.” He opened the beers and pushed hers across the table to where she’d dropped into one of the padded wrought iron-and-wood dining chairs.
She toyed with her beer, finally taking a tiny sip. “You’re the only one I have to turn to.”
“What about Julie’s father?”
She shook her head.
“I don’t want to be pulled into something between you and your husband.”
“There’s no husband, Cutter. There’s just me and Julie. That’s why I need your help.”
“Why me?”
“Everyone in Dobbin has been talking about you. You’ve won medals for your bravery. You’re used to danger and not afraid of anything.”
Except spending the night in this house with Linney. “Cut to the chase. What have you got yourself and your daughter into?”
“Well, you see, that’s just the thing, Cutter. Julie’s not my daughter. I’ve kind of…Well, it’s just that…” She threw up her hands in a display of frantic frustration. “I sort of kidnapped her.”
Chapter Two
“You sort of kidnapped her? What is that supposed to mean?”
Linney tried to stay calm. “I didn’t set out to do it. The woman at the day-care center called and said Julie was crying hysterically. I went to check on her.”
“Why did the center call you instead of her parents?”
“They tried to reach her father. He didn’t answer his cell phone. Amy—her mother—had put my name on the emergency caller list so the woman who manages the center called me.”
“If you’re on the list, then how is this kidnapping?”
“I said ‘sort of’ kidnapping. You have to pay attention, Cutter.”
“It would be easier if you didn’t talk in riddles. The father must have called you by now to see where his daughter is and when you plan to bring her home.”
“He hasn’t.”
“Then this is simple. Just take Julie home.”
“It’s not quite that simple.”
His eyebrows arched again. “Because…”
“Keep your voice down. You’ll wake Julie.”
“She’s already asleep? What did you do, drug her?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s exhausted and she’s been through a terrible ordeal over the last few days.”
“A sort-of kidnapping will surely help that.”
“Sarcasm under fire is not the mark of a hero, Cutter Martin.”
“I never claimed to be a hero and we’re not under fire. Not yet, anyway.”
Linney flashed what she hoped was a persuasive look. “Would you just sit down and let me explain?”
“I