Or maybe the type that skips breakfast to leave room for quiche at lunch.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.” She spooned up the last of her cereal and set aside the bowl to stretch out her legs along the top step. “I made coffee. It’s on the counter inside. Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” As he started up the steps she drew her feet up to allow him to pass by. “As long as I’m pouring, would you like some?”
“Sure.”
“Cream or sugar?”
“No thanks. I take it black.”
He strode into the kitchen and returned minutes later with two cups of steaming coffee. Without a word he handed one to her.
He thought he’d prepared himself for that quick sizzle of heat, but it still managed to catch him by surprise when their fingers brushed.
He leaned his back against the rail and sipped in silence.
Heather sighed. “This is beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” He sipped. Stared. And enjoyed the view. Not just the sunrise, but also the sight of the young woman who looked better in a shirt and jeans than anyone he’d ever seen. “Worth getting up early for.”
Heather nodded toward the supplies. “What’s all this for?”
“Some security devices I want added to your uncle’s system.”
“Are you going to install it yourself?”
He shook his head. “I have some workmen coming. I just wanted to check the system and make sure I had everything I needed before they get here. No point in wasting your uncle’s time and money.”
She shot him an astonished look.
He narrowed his eyes. “What?”
She shrugged. “I’m just a little surprised. Not too many people worry about someone else’s money.”
“I suppose such things don’t matter to you.” He saw her smile fade and wished he could take back his words.
“Of course they do. But he’s my uncle. I figured you’d see him as just another rich guy in need of security, no matter what the price.”
His voice lowered with temper. “Is that what you think of me?”
“Look, Thad.” She got to her feet, coffee sloshing over the rim of her cup. “I don’t know what to think. I came here to help my uncle. Apparently you did the same. So why don’t you just do your job and ignore me.”
As she started to sweep past him, his fingers closed around her upper arm and he dragged her close. “I wish I could. In fact, I’d really like to try. But I’m afraid it might prove impossible.” His voice roughened. “I haven’t figured you out yet, Heather McGrath. Yesterday you could have been the cover model for California Career Woman, all buttoned up in that tasteful little designer suit. This morning you look like a college student on mid-term break.” His gaze swept her, from her bare toes to her ponytail, bringing high color to her cheeks. “Either way, I’m sure you’re aware of the fact that it’s impossible for a man not to notice you.”
He saw her eyes widen with surprise before narrowing to angry slits. It was the most fascinating thing to see. Even while her chin was lifting, he could almost feel her spine stiffening and white-hot fury seething through her veins.
“I don’t care how you see me, or if you see me at all. If you value your job here, I suggest you take your hand off me immediately.”
He lowered his hand to his side, and marveled at the tingling in his fingertips. The mere touch of her had started a fire in his veins that was burning a path of heat directly to his loins.
She took a step back. “Apparently you’ve decided to dislike me on principle. Maybe it’s because I remind you of somebody. Or maybe I’m just a convenient target for some misplaced anger. Whatever the problem, Detective Law, it’s yours, not mine. So deal with it. And in the meantime let’s just keep out of each other’s way.”
“I think that’d be wise.” He reached down and took the cup from her hand.
At her arched brow he simply said, “In your present state of mind, I’d hate to have you toss it at me. It’s too hot.”
She almost laughed as he turned away and tossed the coffee over the railing into some rosebushes, before carrying the cups to the kitchen.
By the time he returned, she’d walked to the far end of the porch and kept her back to him as he descended the steps and picked up his supplies.
As he walked away, a smile flitted across his lips. Damned if she wasn’t just about irresistible when she got that temper up. He’d had all he could do to keep from dragging her against him and kissing those pouting lips.
It’s a good thing he hadn’t. A woman like that would probably go running to her uncle crying harassment. He’d had enough sensitivity training sessions to know a police officer had to hold himself to a higher standard.
Still, it hadn’t been easy. There was just something about Heather McGrath that brought out the beast in him.
“A little higher.” Thad stood on the ground, directing two workmen on ladders who were installing security cameras on the back of the house. Both would focus on the nearby hill. One lens gave a wide-angle view, the other a zoom, to be used for close-up shots of anyone trespassing.
In his hand was a palm-sized monitor showing what would appear on a much larger screen in Joe Colton’s office.
“Okay. That’s perfect.” He switched off the monitor and was just turning away when he saw Heather and Joe coming across the lawn, heads bent close in earnest conversation.
He’d seen them go out earlier, and had assumed Joe’s niece had talked him into taking her to town. Apparently they had just walked some of the property.
Joe was laughing. A rare sound these days. And a much-welcome one. Heather’s answering laughter drifted on the breeze, as musical as fine wind chimes.
Until the two had gone out, they’d been locked in Joe’s office all morning. Thad had only had to interrupt them once, to check the monitor. And when he had, he’d found Heather busy at the computer, a phone to her ear. Though she’d seen him, she hadn’t acknowledged him in any way. But he’d seen her pass the phone to her uncle, before continuing with her work on the computer.
Maybe he’d been wrong about her. Maybe she actually did know how to work. For a day or two. He’d see just how disciplined she was after a little more time on the job.
In the meantime, he intended to heed her advice. He’d just keep his distance for a few days. By then she’d probably be gone. When the day came that he saw her toting a packed suitcase, he intended to remind her of their bet. Even spoiled little rich girls were required to pay when they lost. And that was one debt he’d enjoy collecting.
“Thad.” Joe walked closer, trailed more slowly by his niece. “How’s the work going?”
“Good. We should have these two cameras up and running soon and I’ll show you how to switch them on and off from the console in your office.”
“That’s great.” Joe looked up when the cell phone in Heather’s pocket began ringing.
She turned away to answer it, then passed it to Joe. While he carried on an animated conversation with someone, Heather and Thad waited, an awkward silence stretching out between them.
“Time to get back to work,” Joe announced as he handed the phone back to Heather. “I’ll see you in my office whenever you’re done here, Thad.”
“Right.” Thad watched as Heather walked away beside her uncle. She appeared relieved to be escaping. Not that he could blame her. He’d come across like a Neanderthal this morning.
There