Beneath the Stetson(23)

“It has nothing to do with confidence. You and I are two of a kind. We’re loners. Who feel things deeply and have a strong sense of responsibility toward those who depend on us. I think that’s why I felt something for you the first day we met. You’re not only beautiful and sexy, but you care about things. About people. About a little boy who wants a mother....”

“You know I’m not applying for that job, right?”

“I know. But how do you feel about the boy’s father?”

Bailey sucked in a breath. Perhaps it was easier to be honest when he wasn’t staring at her face to face. “I want to spend time with you, Gil...in all sorts of ways....”

He said something short and sharp that she couldn’t quite hear. And then his voice echoed over the connection more strongly. “Not all women are as honest as you,” he said.

She smiled, knowing he couldn’t see. “Have I shocked you?”

“Only in the best possible way.” He paused. “Go to sleep, Bailey. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow...”

She fell asleep thinking about all the possibilities tied up in that one wonderful word.





Seven



Bailey worked her way through one drawer after another, her pile of file folders growing along with her list of questions. She’d been at the club all day, and Gil had never once shown his face. When she had arrived at ten as usual that morning, the club receptionist met her and handed over a key, saying that Mr. Addison had been detained.

Bailey tried not to brood over hurt feelings, but her reaction to Gil’s absence was beginning to make her question whether it was wise to get involved with him at all. She didn’t want to analyze his every move for evidence of whether or not he really cared. Fear of making an embarrassing misstep in their relationship kept her on edge.

At a quarter to five she began packing up her things, prepared to go home and pore over the new information she had gleaned. Still, nothing and no one jumped out at her as a likely suspect. But there were a lot of club members who had connections to Alex, and Bailey was pretty sure that given the chance to talk to them she might be able to make progress with her case.

When Gil walked into the small office, again without announcing his presence beforehand, she sucked in a sharp breath, but otherwise managed to face him with a neutral expression. Her hands continued to move, tidying up the work space, but her body was rigid.

Gil didn’t look any happier than she felt. “I had five phone calls today,” he said abruptly. “All of them wondering why I’ve allowed a woman I’m dating to spend time at the club without me present.”

She winced. “So they know what I’m doing?”

“Not specifically. It’s my fault for giving the receptionist my key. She’s a nice woman, but she can’t keep her mouth shut.”

“What did you tell them?”

“I thought about making up a story, but frankly, you’re a state investigator. Everyone in town knows it. Sooner or later, people were going to put two and two together. It was one thing for you to be seen eating lunch with Cade and me at the club. But I should have thought through the implications of you being here on your own today.”

“So you told them the truth.”

He nodded his head. “I did. And I can’t repeat most of what was said in return. People don’t like knowing that their personal business is being opened up to an outsider, especially one with government connections.”

“I’m sorry, Gil.”

“It’s not your fault.” He shrugged, his expression rueful. “You’re merely doing your job. I can handle a little heat, Bailey. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“I told you...I can take care of myself.”

“Alex Santiago would have told me the same thing, and look what happened to him. Some nutcase decided to kidnap him.”

“There had to be a reason. Some connection we’re not seeing.”

“Yes. And because we can’t point to the perpetrator yet, the danger is still very real. What if someone tries to dissuade you from probing any further?”

“I take precautions. That’s one reason I’m not staying in town. Chance’s place is as safe as anywhere I can think of. Too many people around for anyone to get to me unnoticed. Not to mention the fact that I can keep an eye on Chance.”

Gil ran a hand across the back of his neck, his face a thundercloud. “He has nothing to hide, Bailey. I’ll be damn glad when this is all over.”

“Not me,” she said quietly. “At least not entirely. Because that means I’ll have to head home.”