Page 3 of Fool's Gold

"Among other things. Important things..." She sighed, her tone growing wistful. "We won't work, Rafe. I thought a sudden break would be less painful."

Sensing her vulnerability, he closed in for the kill. "Because you love me."

She shrugged, looking away. "Don't worry about it. I'll get over it."

He trapped her chin with his callused fingers, holding her still while he studied her face. She looked as panicked as a deer caught in a car's headlights, telling him she regretted her decision to return. He could see it in her startled gaze, but he couldn't let her get away again. He didn't think he could take it if she did.

"It's actions that count for me. The words are meaningless. And your actions hurt me a lot."

She closed her eyes. "I wanted to do the right thing, but it was a mistake to come here. Sorry."

He muttered a curse. Damn, he'd pushed her too far. He dropped his hands to his side. "It wasn't a mistake. I do need your help, but under certain conditions."

She opened her eyes, her expression brightening. "Such as?"

He held up one finger. "First, if you're going to give me back my reputation, it's got to look real."

She nodded. "Of course, within reason."

He eyed her sourly. "Word spread when you ran off screaming on our wedding night. People started speculating on what kind of kinky things I might have tried on you. A few even wondered whether I was over-endowed. Some tried to find out."

Her mouth kicked up in a startled grin as if she’d thought of other men trying to sneak peeks at him in the restroom. She bit her lip, but a giggle escaped. "After six months, I'm sure the talk has died down."

"Not in a small town like Shelbyville, especially with you coming back. The telephone lines are probably buzzing."

"I never thought of that." She let out a shocked grunt.

He nodded. "I did. As I said, it needs to look real."

Her eyes narrowed. "How real?"

"Here's the deal. You move in with me for the rest of the summer. By then, the talk will have settled. That should also give you plenty of time to complete your series." He tilted his head, studying her reaction.

"Three months is a lot longer than I was counting on." She scooted even further back on the desk. "I can't spend the rest of the summer here. I do have a life of my own, you know." She pouted as if resigned. "I guess this isn't going to work..."

"Ever hear of a little thing called grand theft auto?" he asked dryly.

Her head shot up, and she gazed at him warily. "What do you mean?"

He smiled. "You stole my truck when you ran off."

"That old rattle trap wasn't worth a grand." She scowled. "The thing is held together with bailing wire and string. I just borrowed it to get to the airport. And besides, you got it back, didn't you? I saw it parked in the yard."

He shrugged. "That's not how the sheriff saw it when I reported it missing that night."

Her jaw dropped. "You called the cops on me? I can't believe you would do such a dastardly thing."

"I wasn't exactly in a sweet, understanding mood." A nerve ticked in his jaw as he gazed at her. "That night, I would have done anything to retrieve you."

She frowned at him, her chin rising with defiance. "It's good there's been some cooling off time in the interim."

"You're darned right. It's good. Otherwise, I might be tempted to turn you over my knee."

She snorted. "Mr. Halliday, sexist remarks like that aren't going to win my good will."

He shrugged. "That's what you get for picking an unenlightened rancher like me for a husband. Now, shall I call the sheriff, or are you staying?"

She bit her lip. "You wouldn't call him."

---