“Someone has cut the fuel line,” Ryan announced, his voice echoing in the still air.

He took out his cell phone. No signal alert. He ground his teeth in frustration.

“Kiki, can you see if you have a signal?” He turned to find her staring transfixed at the car. The terrified expression on her lovely face sent concern arcing through him. He rushed to her side. “Kiki?”

“Would it have blown up if I’d started it?” she asked, her voice wobbly.

“Not likely. Whoever did this would have known there was no way we’d get in with the smell of fuel so strong.”

“But if we hadn’t smelled the fumes?” she insisted.

“Still unlikely, unless…”

“Unless?”

He shrugged. “Unless there was more tampering.”

MILLS & BOON

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TERRI REED

At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Steeple Hill Books. Her second book, A Sheltering Love, was a 2006 RITA® Award finalist and a 2005 National Reader’s Choice Award finalist. Her book Strictly Confidential, book five of the FAITH AT THE CROSSROADS continuity series, took third place for the 2007 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.

You can write to Terri at P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97280 or visit her on the Web at www.loveinspiredauthors.com or leave comments on her blog at ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com.

Terri Reed
Double Cross

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

—Joshua 1:9

To my family: without your love and support

I’d be a basket case.

To Leah and Melissa: as always,

you pick me up when I fall down. Thanks!

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

EPILOGUE

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

ONE

An explosion shattered the peaceful serenity of the Maui countryside. Unseen projectiles ripped through palm trees, mangling fronds and scattering birds from their nests. Dirt and smoke filled the sky, momentarily blocking out the sun.

The sudden impact of something weighty rammed into Kiki Brill’s back, cutting off her scream. She plummeted forward onto the hard-packed earth, scraping her knees and elbows.

Heaviness smothered her, trapping her flat against the ground and knocking the breath from her lungs in a whoosh.

Panic shot through her brain in a fireworks display of red and white. She struggled against the bulky weight, clawing at the dirt, trying to breathe, to gain some leverage to get out from beneath whatever had landed on her.

Desperation labored in her lungs. The stench of fertilizer overwhelmed her senses.

“Hey, watch it!” a male voice close to her ear shouted.

Fresh panic tore a path through her mind and pumped adrenaline in her veins. She twisted and bucked, needing to free herself of the man atop her.

A momentary easing of the man’s weight renewed her efforts. She kicked and pushed, managing to scramble away.

She jumped to her feet ready to bolt, but as her gaze landed on the man, her heart stalled and cemented her to the spot. What?

Ryan McClain, his richly made business suit covered in dirt and fertilizer, sat on his backside on the path leading to the greenhouse. Muck caked his dark hair and his turbulent, mocha-colored eyes stared at her with a mixture of panic and bewilderment.

She forced a breath in and coughed, spitting out dusty gunk that matched the floating bits in the air.

Her mind tried to make sense of what had happened. Something had exploded. Ryan McClain was sitting at her feet. Innately she knew he’d used his body to shield her, protecting her from the blast.

Fear gripped her in a tight vise. Tutu?

Her gaze jerked to the main house, just past the greenhouse where she’d been headed. The thatched roof and clapboard-sided structure still stood, looking undamaged.

“Tutu!” she yelled anyway, and ran for the front door, aware of Ryan vaulting to his feet and running behind her.

Grandmother Kaapa stood on the porch, her dark eyes wide with panic, but otherwise she seemed unhurt. Even at barely five feet tall, Lana Kaapa had a commanding presence.

Lana’s long, dark, gray-streaked hair was gathered into a loose bun, and a hibiscus blossom rested at her ear. Her blue-and-white floral housedress reached her ankles and revealed the ballerina-style slippers Kiki had brought her from Philadelphia.

Kiki launched herself into her grandmother’s arms.

“You’re okay?” Kiki gasped, panting in terror.

“Yes, dear.” Tutu pulled Kiki back to inspect her. Tears gathered in her eyes. “Are you hurt?”

Kiki shook her head as relief spread through her system, but the panic and fear wouldn’t release their grip. “What happened?”

Tutu shook her head, anxiety clouding her eyes. “I don’t know. I was resting and I heard a loud bang. I came out to see this.” She gestured with her hand toward the small grassy yard and beyond to the crops of plant life, which stretched to the cliffs that kept the Kaapa Flower farm in business.

Kiki turned to look and sucked in a sharp breath. A dark layer of grime coated everything—the swaying Tahitian ginger plants, the various colored proteas, the sunny cup of gold blossoms and all the other plants. Even the porch was dusted with gunk. She could feel the filth on her own skin through the cotton of her T-shirt and her green board shorts. Could see it floating in the air.

Then her gaze landed on Ryan at the foot of the stairs, his expression concerned as he stared back at her. The memory of what he’d done hit her smack in the middle. He’d used his body to shield her from the explosion.

Kiki turned to her grandmother. “Call the police, please, Tutu.”

Looking dazed with worry, Tutu nodded and headed back inside.

Facing Ryan, Kiki said, “Thank you.” She suddenly felt self-conscious as she descended the porch steps. She could only assume she looked as filthy as he did. His navy pinstriped suit was ruined and his once-shiny black shoes would need more than just a polish. “Do you know what happened?”

His troubled brown gaze met hers. “I just got here. Saw you, headed over to talk to you, and as I closed in something went ka-boom.”

Something? Her gaze searched for the origin of the explosion. She walked down the path toward where the company trucks were parked. “My fertilizer truck!”

Ryan joined her on the path. “It was your fertilizer truck. I’d say that’s what we have all over us.”

Slanting him a sideways glance, her lip curled upward. “You think?”

He grinned. That same drop-dead grin that he’d used on her the first time he’d come to the flower farm five months ago to try to buy her out. Only now that smile held more charm and appeal, even coated with flecks of dirt.

He’d protected her, putting his own life in jeopardy.

Her heart did a double Dutch jump. But then a thought occurred to her. She narrowed her gaze. Had he blown up her truck? Distrust wound itself around her in a choking grip.

The squeal of sirens filled the air, distracting her. Two police cars sped up the dirt drive that ran alongside the fenced-in crop of indigenous and exotic flowers, a cloud of dust billowing in their wake.

She turned on her bare heel and walked back toward to the front yard. Tutu was already waiting to greet the officers. Two men stepped out of each car.

“The explosion came from the fertilizer truck,” Kiki yelled and pointed the way.

While three of the officers headed in the direction of the smoldering remains of the fertilizer truck, one man came straight to Tutu. Nikolao Abiko, Kiki’s kalabash-cousin, the Hawaiian term for close as a cousin but not by blood.

Tall, handsome and very much Hawaiian, Nikolao had been around Kiki her whole life. Seeing him here in an official capacity in his navy uniform with its yellow patches didn’t feel right, wasn’t normal.

But nothing about this day was normal.

She swung around to tell Ryan he should go and rammed smack into him. His warm breath fanned over her cheek.

“Hey.” She gestured with her hands. “Have you never heard of personal space?”

His dark eyes flashed with humor as he stepped back. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to intrude inside your bubble.”

She approached Tutu and Nik in the driveway with Ryan on her heels.

Surprise and recognition showed in Tutu’s eyes. “Ryan McClain, I thought that was you. By the looks of it, you’ve been here for a while.”

Ryan smiled wryly. “Yes. For a bit.”

Ryan took Tutu’s fragile hand. Even after years of sun and despite her own natural darker Hawaiian skin tone, the blue veins beneath her thinning skin could be seen.

He brought her hand to his mouth and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “How are you, Auntie Lana?”

Using the traditional title of Auntie for someone older than one’s self showed respect in the Hawaiian culture. Kiki was impressed, even though she didn’t want to be. He at least hadn’t come to the island thumbing his nose at their customs.

Kiki rolled her eyes as her grandmother’s smile widened.

“Gotta love a man with classy manners,” Tutu commented, her worried dark eyes showing appreciation.

Kiki would give him the manners, but his charm could only be calculated and didn’t fool her for a moment. No man that suave could be sincere.

Tutu made the introduction to Nik. “Ryan McClain, this is Officer Nik Abiko.”

As Ryan’s gaze turned to Nik, the charm receded, and in its place was a shrewder look that matched the one in Nik’s eyes. “Officer.” Ryan put out his hand.

The men shook hands. “McClain. I have to ask what you are doing here,” Nik said.

“Mr. McClain was just leaving,” Kiki interjected. No way did she want Ryan to explain the purpose of his visit with Tutu standing there, because he undoubtedly had come back to take another run at buying their land. And Kiki had no intention of letting her heritage go.

Nik shot Kiki a hard look. “No one leaves until we know how and why the truck blew up.”

Knowing there was no way around Ryan answering Nik’s questions, Kiki took Lana’s hand. “Let’s go back inside, Tutu, and let Nik do his job.”

Tutu squeezed her hand. “I know why Ryan is here, dear.”

Kiki sighed. Of course Tutu knew. Why else would McClain have come back other than to try to buy the farm from them?

Nik arched an eyebrow. “Care to enlighten me?”

“I represent a developer and a group of investors who would like to purchase the land from the Kaapa family,” Ryan explained, and handed Nik a business card.

“We are not selling,” Kiki stated for everyone to hear, while she stared hard at Ryan, willing him to back off. She didn’t want to upset Tutu any further; she’d had enough trauma for one day.

Nik slanted Kiki a glance full of censure as he took the card and stared at it for a moment before pocketing it. “So your visit here is purely business?”

“For the most part. I do hope to present Mrs. Kaapa with a new offer to buy her property, but I also hope to learn to bodysurf,” Ryan said, his mocha-colored eyes full of determination.

Kiki groaned inwardly. Great. The sweet-talking charmer was bent on convincing her grandmother to sell. Well, Kiki wouldn’t let him.

“Is that your rental parked over there?” Nik asked, drawing Ryan’s attention away.

Kiki glanced at the white, or rather the once-white, Mustang convertible parked beneath a tree. She hadn’t noticed it before in all the confusion.

“Yes,” Ryan confirmed.

Another officer came running up. “Hey, Nik, looks like a homemade pipe bomb.”

“Have you called the forensic team?”

“They’re on their way,” he replied, before heading back to where the other two officers were waiting.

“How long before the explosion did you arrive?” Nik asked, his voice intense.

“Just a few minutes. I’d seen Kiki walking toward the greenhouse. I’d almost caught up to her when the truck blew.”

“Did you see anyone else around?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“On the highway?”

Ryan’s eyebrows drew together in a concerned frown. “I passed a nondescript brown sedan, but I didn’t see where the car had come from or get a good look at the driver.”

Nik addressed Kiki and her grandmother. “Do either of you know why someone would want to blow up your truck?”

Kiki hated to even think the thought that ran through her head much less say it, but she had to. “I had to lay off ten workers yesterday. And at three today I told everyone else to take the rest of the afternoon off.”

Nik’s dark eyes were grim. “That might be reason enough. I’ll need a list of names and numbers of the laid-off employees. In fact, why don’t you give me a list of all the employees. Maybe someone saw something before they left.”

Kiki nodded, her gut clenching. She’d tried to make it clear to the employees she’d laid off that the decision had been purely business and not personal. She hadn’t wanted to lay anyone off, but the farm wasn’t doing as well this season.

Last week a goat had managed to get into the crop and destroy thousands of dollars worth of plants. Then the electricity in the greenhouse went on the fritz and they’d lost some very rare species of orchids.

A bright yellow Jeep screamed up the drive and halted with squealing tires and a cloud of dust.

“Uh-oh, Pa-no,” Kiki remarked, using her childhood refrain as she watched her cousin jump out of his vehicle and hustle his bulky frame toward them. When he got close enough, she subtly sniffed him. Thankfully, today he was sober.

“What happened?” Pano demanded as he stopped beside Nik.

Nik explained.

Pano’s dark eyes widened. “Good thing no one was hurt.” Taking his grandmother’s hands in his, he asked, “Tutu, are you sure you’re not hurt? I came the minute I heard. Is there anything I can do?”

Lana’s soft smile was full of love for her grandson. “No, dear. The police are doing what they can. I’m grateful you came, though.”

Pano’s gaze shifted to Ryan. “Hey, aren’t you the guy who was here last spring, wanting to buy this place?”

“Yes,” Ryan answered.

Pano’s gaze narrowed. “Did you do this?”

That was the same question Kiki had considered. She watched Ryan closely as he shook his head, his gaze direct and honest.

“No, I didn’t. But I can see how this doesn’t look good for me.” Ryan turned to address Nik. “I’ll cooperate fully in your investigation. I have nothing to hide.”

Nik nodded his thanks. “That’s appreciated. I’ll have more questions I’m sure.”

“Why don’t you ask him about the deal the neighbors have?” Pano suggested to Nik, his gaze hard on Ryan.

Kiki flitted a glance at Ryan as wariness twisted in her gut. Deal?

“The neighbors on both sides of the property want to sell, but the deal won’t go through unless the investors I represent have this land, as well,” Ryan explained.

Anger shot through Kiki. Had one of her neighbors done this? “The neighbors are just going to have to live with disappointment.”

“When did you make this deal with the neighbors?” Nik asked.

“We’ve been in negotiations since last May,” Ryan responded.

Kiki blinked as disbelief swept through her.

He’d been talking to their neighbors even after she’d told him they wouldn’t sell?

Now Mr. Laanui’s comment at the grocery store last month made sense. The old man had cornered her in the produce section. “You’re standing in the way,” he’d stated in English, his black eyes cold.

She’d assumed he meant she was in his way with her cart, but now she wasn’t so sure. Could he have blown up her truck? Or had one of the other neighbors?

“Pano, I’m sure Ryan had nothing to do with this,” Tutu stated firmly. “He is a guest on the island and would like to learn to bodysurf. Why don’t you take him tomorrow?” Tutu suggested, though judging by the forceful look in her dark eyes she expected Pano to do as she asked.

For a moment, Kiki didn’t think Pano would comply. But then he relented and nodded.

“Sure. You up for that?” Pano asked Ryan.

Ryan gave Pano a thumbs-up sign. Kiki’s teeth clenched. The last thing she needed was Ryan and Pano buddying up, giving Ryan an opportunity to convince Pano to advocate the sale of the land. She wasn’t sure where Pano stood on the issue. He’d never taken much of an interest in the business, even though he’d grown up on the farm. He’d moved out as soon as he could and now lived in a beachside apartment complex in Kihei.

A shrill ringing filled the air.

“I’ll get it,” said Tutu. She hurried toward the house.

At the questioning looks of the men, Kiki explained, “We have the phone set up on a loudspeaker system so we can hear it if we’re in the field or the greenhouse.”

“You’d definitely be able to hear that,” quipped Ryan.

“Where are you staying, McClain?” Pano asked.

“The Mana Kai.”

Nik nodded. “If I have any more questions for you, I’ll know where to find you.”

“Kiki!” Tutu called from the doorway.

“Excuse me.” Kiki left the three men talking and hurried to the house, careful not to brush against the floral couch. Tutu sat in a cane-back chair at the dining table, the phone sitting on the table. There was a strange expression on Tutu’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Kiki asked, concern running cold in her veins.

Tutu gestured to the phone. “Your father is on the line.”

Kiki picked it up. “Daddy?”

“Hi, sweetheart. There’s an issue that you need to know about. An ex-con named Jeff Tolar, who was released six months ago, has vowed revenge on your grandfather for putting him away.”

Distress tightened Kiki’s lungs. She pulled out a chair and sat next to Tutu. Tutu wrapped her hand around Kiki’s free hand.

“What did Grandfather put him away for?”

“Second-degree murder. During a convenience-store robbery, the store clerk tried to stop Tolar. He shot and killed the clerk during the ensuing struggle. Tolar claimed he’d never intended to hurt anyone. Your grandfather gave the guy the max. But he got out early on a technicality. Earlier this week, your grandfather’s office was ransacked and the only thing missing was his photo of the grandkids.”

Kiki knew immediately which picture he referred to. At Christmas four years ago, all the grandkids had posed in front of the old white oak tree outside of her grandparents’ home. It had been the first time in years that the six of them had all been together for the holiday. The picture had sat on her grandfather’s sideboard in his judge’s chambers ever since.

There’d been threats made on the family over the years, even a few attempts directly made on her grandfather’s life. Most judges received them at one time or another. Whenever a threat was made, the whole family went on alert. “You’ll keep Mother safe?”

“Of course. We all have protection here.”

“How’s Grandfather taking this?” Kiki asked, picturing in her mind the tough judge whose gruff voice and craggy face had frightened Kiki as a child.

“In stride. But he’s getting on in years and is thinking about retiring.”

Kiki didn’t have any strong feelings one way or another about her grandfather’s retirement. She’d never been close to her father’s parents even though she’d grown up near them in Philadelphia. “Please give everyone my love and tell them I’ll be praying for them.”

“I will. But Kiki, you have to be careful, okay?”

“It’s highly unlikely this Jeff Tolar guy is going to come to the island looking for me.”

“The police think otherwise. Promise me if any strangers come around, you’ll contact the police and me ASAP.”

Kiki frowned as the events of the day played out in her head. Surely one didn’t have anything to do with the other. Did it?

Her father’s words replayed in her head. An ex-con released six months ago. About the time that Ryan had first shown up. Coincidence? Or was there something more sinister about his appearance at the Kaapa farm?

The hair at the nape of her neck shimmied with awareness. She knew before she even turned her gaze that she’d find Ryan standing in the doorway, filling the frame with his presence.

And blocking the only escape.

TWO

Turning her face away from Ryan and lowering her voice, Kiki said, “There has been a stranger here wanting to buy the farm.”

“Give me his name and I’ll have the FBI run a check on him,” Hunter said, his voice echoing her anxiety.

As a well-respected lawyer in his own right, Hunter had connections in all areas of law enforcement. Kiki gave him the information, aware that Tutu had moved to talk quietly with Ryan.

“Also, Daddy, someone blew up the fertilizer truck today. The police said it was a homemade pipe bomb.”

“Kiki, you and Lana come to Philly immediately,” he demanded, his voice hard and laced with worry.

“No, Daddy,” Kiki replied with a good dose of stubbornness. They’d been down this road several times over the last year. Her parents thought she was wasting her talents on a business that had never really seen great success. Kiki’s mother wanted Lana to sell and move to Philadelphia to live with them. And she’d been very upset about Kiki’s decision to move to Maui. Kiki didn’t understand how her mother could turn her back on her heritage, a thing Kiki could never do. Not even an explosion could make her go back to Philadelphia and the life she’d had there.

“At least until all this unpleasantness is settled,” he insisted.

“No,” she repeated. If there was danger here on the island, she’d rather trust the Maui police to protect her and Tutu than go back to Philly and subject herself and Tutu to her father’s family.

There was a moment of silence. Kiki could picture the frustrated tick in her father’s hard jaw.

“I’ll check on this McClain fellow and get back to you. Until then don’t let him in the house,” he finally said.

It’s a little late for that, Kiki thought as she watched her grandmother hand Ryan a glass of water. “Hurry.”

“Be very careful.”

“I will.” Kiki hung up and faced Ryan. He looked ridiculously handsome, despite the flecks of fertilizer clinging to his suit, and nothing like a hardened criminal. But one could never tell. “Is Nik still outside?”

Ryan nodded. “The forensic team just showed up.”

“Good.” Kiki moved closer to her grandmother. “I’m sure Nik is done questioning you. You can leave now.”

He blinked at her blatant attempt to get rid of him. “Actually, I’m blocked in.”

Crud. Kiki tapped her foot. How long would it take her father to have a background check run on the man?

“Won’t you stay for dinner?” Lana asked, always the polite hostess.

Kiki shook her head. “I’m sure Mr. McClain would like to clean up. I know I would.”

Tutu laughed. “I’ve grown used to the smell.”

Ryan smiled. “Dinner would be great, but perhaps another time.”

“Tomorrow?” Tutu pressed.

“Works for me,” Ryan answered. “But I really should see if I can get back to the condo and clean up.”

“Yes, that’s a great idea,” Kiki stated, and preceded him out the door.

Ryan suppressed a grin. She really was something, this Hawaiian beauty. Her long tan legs carried her with a swift, economical stride. Everything about her was tightly contained, but the woman clearly had fire in her blood. And obviously even a bomber couldn’t intimidate her.

He frowned, not liking that someone had committed such a dangerous act. Kiki and her grandmother could really have been hurt had they been closer to the truck.

Kiki flipped her dark braid over her shoulder, the thick end nearly clobbering him in the face. She’d probably hoped it would. For some reason she didn’t like him.

Having a woman respond so negatively was an odd experience for him when he poured on extra charm. For as long as he could remember, females flocked to him with as little encouragement as a smile.

But not Kiki Brill.

No, from the moment she’d laid eyes on him last May she’d bristled like a porcupine caught in the glare of headlights.

Today was no different. When she scrambled away after the blast, her gold-speckled eyes had widened with a mixture of disbelief and something else that he’d been unable to identify. And then her gaze had turned cold and the lines around her lush red lips had tightened.

From the moment she’d opened her mouth, she’d made it clear he wasn’t welcome, which only fueled his desire to breach her wall of resistance.

Because with enough charm and persistence, he would get his way. He would not fail. Failing wasn’t something he did graciously. Or often.

He wanted to close the deal and acquire the second half of his bonus so he could move on to other projects. The delay in convincing Kiki and Lana to sell stressed Ryan’s game plan. Not something he took lightly.

From his vantage point behind Kiki, he noted the regal manner with which she walked down the porch, so straight and tall, as if ready to conquer the world, and it called to something deep in Ryan.

Pano and Nik stopped talking as Kiki and Ryan approached.

Nik’s dark, assessing gaze reminded Ryan of his brother Brody, also a law enforcement man. Ryan supposed it was a trick of the trade, watching and analyzing every person. Brody was good at the law thing. Nik probably was, too.

But Ryan wasn’t sure what to make of Pano, who wore a T-shirt with a restaurant logo emblazoned across the back and red board shorts that fell just above his knees. He looked very much like the stereotypical Polynesian man.

Pano was huge in height and mass, with broad features and jet-black eyes and hair. Kiki’s curvy statuesque build, crowned by her shiny black-brown hair, gold-specked brown eyes and symmetrical features made it seem as if they weren’t from the same gene pool.

And looking at Lana Kaapa, who had joined them outside, he could see that she had different features than either of her grandchildren. Lana’s rounded face, kind brown eyes and diminutive stature made Ryan wonder about the two cousins’ parents.

Granted, not all relatives resembled each other. Ryan and his sister, Megan, favored their mother’s side of the family, except for Ryan’s dark eyes. Only his sister, out of the four siblings, had been blessed with the Kelley blues. Ryan’s older brothers, Brody and Patrick, both resembled their father in looks, but also their grandfather Connor McClain.

“Officer, do you need anything else from me?” Ryan asked.

“No, you’re good to go. Just don’t leave the island,” Nik responded.

Pano tipped his chin in Ryan’s direction. “Tomorrow I can take you out to Makena Beach. Good surfing there.”

“Makena Beach is fine.” Ryan turned to Lana. “I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve had today. If there is anything I can do, let me know.”

She patted his arm. “We’ll see you for dinner tomorrow.”

He met Kiki’s smoldering gaze. Whether she liked it or not, Ryan was going to make this sale go through.

One way or another.

Anger simmered low in Kiki’s gut as she watched Ryan drive his rented Mustang out of sight. He seemed to have her Tutu wrapped around his little finger. He wouldn’t be so successful with Kiki.

Why hadn’t her father called back? It would ease her mind if she could confirm Ryan’s true identity. Then all she’d have to worry about was his smooth-talking sales pitch and not whether he was going to try to hurt her to get back at her grandfather.

Ha! As if her grandfather would even bat an eye if anything were to happen to Kiki or her mother. The judge hadn’t been coy in making his feelings known over the years. The Brills had never forgiven or forgotten that their son Hunter had turned his back on the debutante they’d picked out for him.

Even to this day, Sophia Brill, Hunter’s mother, kept tabs on the woman who should have been her daughter-in-law. Kiki didn’t know how her mother put up with the Brill family.

Shaking off the unanswerable question, Kiki turned to Nik. “My father will be calling you about…something else.” She didn’t want to reveal anything more in front of Ryan.

Interest gleamed in Nik’s gaze. “I’ll look forward to hearing from him.”

Glad he didn’t press, she asked, “You’ll let us know if you find out who did this?”

He nodded. “Yes, as soon as I know, I’ll let you know.”

“Good.” She surveyed the mess. Not much to be done other than pick up the metal and sweep the paths and porch. The fertilizer wasn’t going to hurt anything.

The phone rang. Kiki sprinted back inside.

“Hello?”

“It’s me.” Hunter said. “This McClain fellow is who he says.”

Relief spread through her. At least Ryan wouldn’t be trying to kill her. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“Are you sure you won’t come home?”

Kiki closed her eyes. She missed her mother and father, but not the stress of not being good enough for the rest of the Brills. “Why don’t you and Mom come here?”

“You know we can’t. The judge needs me here.”

“Of course.” Kiki tried not to be bitter, but for her whole life, everything always revolved around the judge and what he needed. “Tell Mom I love her.”

“I will, dear. I’m also going to fax a photo of Tolar to the local police there and will send one to your e-mail. Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“Of course. Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to me.”

“I love you, Kiki.” Hunter’s voice softened.

Kiki smiled. “I love you, too, Daddy.”

After they hung up, Kiki went to the front window of the house. Her gaze landed briefly on her island family as they still talked in the front yard, then her gaze moved on to where the forensic people were doing whatever they did at a crime scene.

A crime scene. Here on the farm.

The idea was so surreal, yet someone had blown up the fertilizer truck. Why? What could anyone possibly gain by doing such a thing?

She shook her head at the futileness of the question. Nik would uncover the truth. She’d trust him to do that.

She focused her gaze on the lush green fields of flowers—the striking bird-of-paradise, the rich reds of the ruellias and the pink ginger which she loved so much—that extended all the way to the rugged cliffs that dropped to a beautiful cove below. The Pacific Ocean’s soothing song could be heard crashing against the shore. A slight trade wind sent the colorful blossoms dancing in a bright display of pinks, reds and whites. A sight that never failed to bring a smile to Kiki’s heart.

The years of hard work and love that each flower represented filled Kiki with a fierce determination. This farm was her heritage, her birthright, and she would do anything to protect it, no matter how much money was offered. She couldn’t allow anyone to stand in her way.

Especially, not Ryan McClain.

The next morning, Ryan sat in a tall metal chair on the small lanai of his rented condo, contemplating his view of Keawakapu’s sandy beach. The churning surf beyond was breathtaking in the morning light. The happy sounds of children already enjoying the day drifted on the slight trade winds that didn’t cool the already humid temperatures.

Closer in, the lush grassy lawn which stretched from the back entry of the building to meet the sandy beach was filling with people claiming their lawn chairs with towels and other fun-in-the sun paraphernalia. The oval-shaped pool with its beautiful rock waterfall looked inviting as people who preferred the less harsh water of the pool to the ocean began splashing around.

Last night before turning in for the night, Ryan had taken a swim in the pool and found the non-chlorinated, nonsalty water very refreshing. He could get used to this lifestyle. Back home in Boston, the leaves would be turning and the air temperature falling.

He didn’t miss the cold. But since he had no intention of staying in Hawaii until it was summer again in Boston, he’d just as soon take advantage of the warmth of the tropical island now.

A knock at the condo door brought him to his water-sandal-clad feet. He’d dressed in board shorts and a body-hugging shirt called a rashguard to keep both the sun and the rough sand from doing damage to his very underexposed skin. He tugged at the high collar as he approached the door.

Expecting to see Pano, he was pleasantly surprised to open the door and find Kiki on his doorstep, looking very lovely in her bright pink shorts, matching tank top and flip-flops with little white daisys attached to the straps. Once again her dark hair was gathered in a braid falling over one shoulder.

He grinned. “Hi. This is unexpected.” But nice.

She gave him a stiff smile. “Pano called and asked if I’d bring you out. He had to work on the other side of the island early this morning and will meet us there.”

“Great.” Leaving the door open, he went to gather his belongings, including a small cooler filled with water bottles and snacks he’d bought at the grocery store last night.

“You’re prepared,” Kiki said as he joined her in the hallway.

He shrugged. “Always. Growing up, I never knew what my brothers were going to throw at me, so being prepared became a habit.”

They rode the elevator in silence, but Ryan couldn’t help but notice in the mirrored reflection of the walls how long and shapely Kiki’s legs were, or how defined the muscles in her arms were. She not only had a strong personality, but she was physically fit. He liked that about her.

Once outside the building, Kiki led him to a red Volkswagen Rabbit with the top down. Kiki climbed behind the wheel and put on a pair of sunglasses. Putting the cooler on the backseat next to another small cooler, Ryan climbed into the passenger seat. “You came prepared, as well.”

One side of her mouth quirked up. “Always.”

Ryan laughed and settled back to enjoy the ride. Kiki maneuvered the car through the Saturday-morning traffic of Kihei and soon they were buzzing along the Piilani Highway and past neighborhoods filled with older homes, past newer developments and stretches of undeveloped parcels of land dotted with swaying palms and other tropical flora. They seemed to be heading away from the coast and up a small incline.

“What does Pano do that he’d have to work so early?”

“He works for the state on a construction crew for the roads. Everyone complains when the work is done during high-traffic times.”

“Ah. Makes sense.”

The terrain shifted as they headed back toward the coast. More condominium complexes with manicured lawns dotted one side of the road while the other side had big, fancy hotels with pristine landscaping. Ryan caught brief glimpses of the ocean beyond. Jogging paths and bicycle lanes were full of people.

The condos eventually gave way to a sprawling golf course and an upscale-looking shopping center. A place he would have to visit before returning home.

Then the road curved and narrowed to a more residential area. They passed makeshift roadside restaurants and a woman sitting under an umbrella with a large display of jewelry for sale.

Ryan’s gaze took in the rooflines of the houses along the ocean side of the road behind tall brick walls and formidable hedges. “These are some big homes.”

“Most are second homes for mainlanders with money to burn,” she said with just the slightest trace of bitterness.

Did most islanders feel as though they’d been invaded by the wealthy mainlanders?

“You know, if you sell the land, you and Tutu could afford a house like one of these, right on the beach,” he stated, not sure Kiki would be the type to want to live in such an opulent place. She seemed quite content in the little run-down home of her ancestors.

“What will it hurt for you and your grandmother to at least see the newest offer?” And accept it, he hoped.

Her shoulders tensed. “Nothing, I guess. But don’t get your hopes up.”

“Why is the farm so important to you?”

She glanced at him, her eyes imploring him to understand. “It’s home for me.”

“I thought you grew up in Pennsylvania?”

“I did. But the mainland has never felt like home.”

“There are more…comfortable places to live on the island.”

The dark sunglasses obscured her eyes, but the quirk of her mouth showed her disdain. “You don’t get it. You’re a mainlander. The islands are more than just pretty beaches.”

“But business is business whether in Boston, Philadelphia or Hawaii. Progress can’t be stopped. And quality of life has to be a factor in the decision process.”

She blew out a frustrated breath. “I can turn the farm around. I just need time.”

“Time isn’t your friend here, Kiki. The investors are getting anxious. If they can’t get what they want here, they’ll move on and the offer will be rescinded.”

Her chin jutted out in a stubborn gesture that reminded him of his sister when she’d set her mind to something. “Then that’s just too bad.”

There was no point in arguing with her at this point. Lana Kaapa would be the deciding factor. He’d have to wait until she looked at the proposal before he really got down to the business of convincing the women of Kaapa Flower Farm to sell.

And, yes, he would convince them to sell. He was known for closing the deal—that was why Horatio Lewis had hired him. Ryan would do what it took to make the sale go through; his reputation was on the line.

“Will you at least look at the offer?”

For a moment he didn’t think she’d answer. Finally she said, “Yes.”

“Thank you.”

Her only response was a tightening of her lips. Ryan decided not to push right now. He had to gain her trust before he pressed her to give in to his way of thinking.

The road narrowed even more and then Kiki turned on to a dirt road. The convertible bounced along until Ryan thought his teeth would rattle out of his mouth. Kiki brought the car to a halt next to Pano’s yellow Jeep. After the cloud of dust cleared, Ryan noted there were several he-man type vehicles parked in the makeshift parking lot.

He and Kiki made their way through tall grass and swaying palms to a wide expanse of white sandy beach and blue-green waves. Overhead, white puffy clouds formed interesting shapes in the stunning blue sky.

Kiki kicked off her shoes and left them where they landed, heading toward a group of six people clustered on the beach. Ryan left his sandals on, the soft sand sinking with each step as he followed Kiki.

“Hey, cousin, thanks for picking up the Haole,” Pano called as they approached. He wore a short-sleeved, knee-length body-hugging yellow wet suit. It made a statement, like his Jeep.

Two of the men and one of the women wore the same sort of neoprene gear, only in more subdued black or blue. Ryan shook hands with Pano, his girlfriend, Carol, and the others as Pano introduced his coworkers and their girlfriends.

Ryan was careful to keep his eye contact, which could be mistaken as a sign of aggression, to a minimum so as not to breach the cultural barrier. He didn’t want any trouble with these men or the women, who giggled as they were introduced.

Pano picked up a black wet suit from a pile of towels resting on a boulder. “Here.” He held it out to Ryan. “You’ll need to wear this.”

“Okay.” Ryan set his belongings down and took the suit. Conscious of all eyes watching him, he stepped into the clinging, stiff material.

Pano clapped him on the back as some of the others, ready to surf, headed to the water. “Come on, haumana. Let’s rock and roll.”

“I’m ready. What’s haumana?” He hoped it didn’t mean shark bait.

Pano grinned, his white, even teeth gleaming in the warm sunlight. “Student.”

Ryan saluted Kiki before she turned away to talk with the two women who’d not gone in the water. Ryan jogged down to the water’s edge where the surf turned over with a tremendous amount of force.

He hoped he didn’t drown, or worse yet, make a fool of himself in front of Kiki. She already had held him in enough disdain without adding some embarrassing mishap to his credit.

He was going to drown.

It was all Kiki could do not to run into the water and grab Ryan by the back of his wet suit and drag his sorry hide out of the water.

Why hadn’t he said he wasn’t a strong swimmer?

She winced as the surf rolled him over and pounded him into the sand. He gamely wobbled back to his feet, listened intently to Pano’s instructions and headed back out.

The man really had a determined spirit about him that Kiki admired. And feared. If he put this much energy and tenacity into trying to convince her and Tutu to sell, Kiki wasn’t sure he wouldn’t wear her down.

But she had to stay strong. Her future depended on it.

On the blanket next to Kiki, Ginger Tao yelled as she posed her bikini-clad body to advantage, “Good job, Ryan. Keep at it, you’ll get it.”

Kiki shot Ginger a sidelong glance and resisted the urge to clamp a hand over Ginger’s mouth to stop her encouragement. Ryan needed to get out of the water before he got hurt, not be egged on to keep beating himself up in the waves.

Ginger shielded her eyes with a hand over her brow. “He’s single, right?”

“I don’t know,” Kiki answered, willing the spurt of…of something…that she didn’t want to feel to die a quick death.

“I hope he is,” remarked Carol Gagtan as she lifted her thick brown hair off her neck.

Kiki snorted. “What about Pano?”

Carol shrugged, clearly not as committed to Kiki’s cousin as Pano thought. “Do either of you have a scrunchie?”

“In my car,” Kiki said, and rose. “I’ll go grab one for you.”

It beat watching Ryan torture himself in the surf. She personally had never understood the allure of bodysurfing. Board surfing, yeah. It was a rush. That she liked. “Be back in a second.”

When she reached her car, she went to the passenger side to open the glove box where she kept extra hair bands. A white envelope lay on the driver’s seat. What was this?

There was no writing on the outside. She flipped the envelope over. It hadn’t been sealed. Curious, she lifted the flap. A folded sheet of paper was inside. Using her fingernails, she pulled the paper out and unfolded it.

She blinked in surprise. In letters cut from what looked like a newspaper or magazine was a message.

You sell farm or you regret.

Kiki sucked in a sharp breath and jerked her gaze up to scan the parking area. There were no new cars parked in the lot. No one visibly lurked around.

Someone must have followed her here and waited until she’d gone to the beach to leave the note. Unless…unless Ryan left the envelope on the seat when he got out and was going to pretend the threat was from someone else.

She dismissed the idea. That didn’t feel right. He might want her to sell the farm but he wasn’t a criminal. She couldn’t see him stooping so low now. He seemed more straightforward and honest.

Then who?

The same person who blew up the truck?

Angry at the note, the note writer and herself for being spooked, she grabbed a scrunchie out of the glove box, shoved the note among the other hair bands and slammed the compartment closed.

She’d figure out what to do about the note later. Right now she needed to go home and make sure nothing bad happened.

Apprehension scraped along her nerves. She shivered even as the sun beat down on her shoulders with enough heat to redden her brown skin.

Was Tutu in danger?

THREE

Ryan come up for air after being smashed into the ground for the umpteenth time in the last hour and noticed a certain tall beauty missing. He immediately headed for dry land and refused to look at the reason for his concern…no, make that curiosity.

He accepted the towel Ginger held out with a smile. “Thanks. Where’s Kiki?”

“She went to get me a scrunchie,” replied Carol, her dark eyes assessing him as she gathered her thick hair in her hand and lifted the mass up off her shoulders, exposing the long brown-skinned column of her throat in a practiced move.

“She’s not true Hawaiian, you know,” Ginger remarked.

Ryan’s smile tightened in annoyance. He didn’t like the way the woman made Kiki’s mixed heritage sound second-rate. “Beats not being Hawaiian at all.”

“You like Kiki?” Carol asked, her gaze speculative.

Hmm. Good question.

He’d certainly enjoyed verbally sparring with her since he’d first contacted her for his client last spring. He appreciated her loyalty and dedication to her grandmother and the family business that produced some beautiful product. “Sure.”

He liked her. To his surprise, a lot. But his feelings for Kiki had nothing to do with his purpose for being on Maui.

The smirk on Carol’s face made the hair on the back of his neck rise. He could feel Kiki behind him.

Prepared for some smart remark, he put his most lethally charming smile in place and turned around, but one look at Kiki’s tense face killed the smile.

She was upset and he instinctively doubted her distress had anything to do with overhearing Carol’s question or his answer.

He stepped closer and took her hands. “What’s wrong?”

For a moment indecision crossed her face, then she pulled her hands away from him. “Nothing.”

Her denial didn’t ring true. “Something.”

She slipped a red fabric elastic band from around her wrist and handed it to Carol. To Ryan she said, “Pano can return you to your condo.”

Taken aback, he frowned. “You’re leaving?” He searched her face. What was she thinking now?

She turned away to gather her things.

No way was he letting this opportunity to build trust between them slip through his hands. “I’m coming with you.”

Keeping her back to him she said, “No need.”

But he did need to. He needed to keep the lines of communication open between them. He wanted to.

“Yes, there is. I’m done for the day,” he replied, unzipping the wet suit, which clung to him like a second skin and peeled the thing off.

“See you two later. I’m going to go see if the boys are ready for lunch,” Ginger said, and ran off toward the water.

With a sly smile, Carol followed Ginger, leaving Ryan alone with a quiet Kiki.

“I’m afraid I’ll soak your car seat,” he said.

Kiki shrugged distractedly. “No big deal. You sure you want to leave?”

He gathered his belongings together. “Yes.”

She sighed. “All right, then. Hop to it.”

Kiki led the way back through the grass and trees to the parking lot in silence. Ryan folded his towel in half and laid it on the seat to help absorb some of the water from his wet shorts, the lack of conversation continuing.

They drove for several minutes in silence. Along the side of the road a family of mongooses foraged for food along a hedge. Kiki and Ryan passed the woman with the jewelry stand. Ryan made a note to himself to stop there some time to pick up something pretty for his mother and sister. He slanted a glance Kiki’s way.

She didn’t wear jewelry. Her ears didn’t have the piercings in the lobes and he hadn’t yet seen her slender neck adorned with a necklace. Though he wasn’t surprised that her graceful hands, with their blunt nails, didn’t sport any rings, since she used her hands so much working with the plants she cultivated.

Studying her profile, the tapered nose, the high cheekbones and the concentration on her face made him wonder what was going on in Kiki’s mind? The worry lines around her mouth and eyes didn’t sit well with him. What had her so tied in knots? Something more than a pipe bomb?

He wanted to ease her tension and break through the barrier that kept her from agreeing to sell the parcel of land. Now might be a prime moment. Ryan asked, “Would you like to stop for lunch? I’m buying.”

Her hands gripped the steering wheel so tight color drained from her knuckles. “I need to go home,” Kiki stated.

He laid a hand on her arm. The warm supple skin branded his palm. “Tell me what has upset you.”

“How do you know I’m upset?”

“I can just tell.”

She took a deep breath and seemed to be debating with herself before she flipped on the blinker and brought the car to a halt on the side of the narrow dirt shoulder. Reaching past him, she opened the glove compartment and pulled out a white envelope. “This is why.”

He slipped the folded sheet of paper out and read the words. Shock and anger spiked in his veins. “Where did it come from?”

“When I came back to the car to get Carol a hair tie, I found the envelope with the letter inside on the seat.”

Someone had been in the makeshift parking lot while they were at the beach. Concern for Kiki’s welfare arced through him and overshadowed his own agenda. “You have to take this to the police.”

“Right.” She pulled back onto the road. “What are they going to do? It’s just a stupid note.”

That freaked her out.

“After what happened yesterday? Are you kidding me? This is a threat. Any threat should be taken seriously.”

He refolded the note and tucked it back into the envelope, wishing he could as easily put away the roaring trepidation kicking its heels in his blood.

Someone wanted the flower farm sold badly enough to threaten the Kaapas.

Ryan’s client, Horatio? The syntax of the note was off, though. And certainly not something Ryan pictured Horatio Lewis, the owner of the largest land development company in the nation, doing. Though there had been rumors over the past year that Horatio’s business practices bordered on unethical. But on the previous deals Ryan had worked on with Horatio, Ryan hadn’t seen any hint of underhanded dealings. No, the note was too…unsophisticated to have originated with Horatio. Wasn’t it? “Do you think one of your neighbors could have left the note?”

“The thought occurred to me. But I can’t see any of them trekking all the way here to leave a note on my car seat.”

“They have something to gain if you sell the land, however.”

“True.” She blew out an agitated breath. “I have to check on Tutu. If something happened to her, I…I don’t know what I’d do.”

He held open his cell phone. “Call.”

She reached for the phone, but Ryan returned her attention to the road with a tilt of his head. With another sigh, she rattled off the number and Ryan dialed. She took the phone from him while keeping one hand on the steering wheel.

After a moment, she handed it back, her eyes bleak. “No answer.”

“Then let’s go straight to the farm,” Ryan said.

“I’ll drop you off first.”

“No.” He wasn’t about to let her walk into some unknown situation by herself. He prayed that his worry was unfounded, but just in case…he was sticking close to Kiki. “I’d like to check on your grandmother, also.”

She shot him a quick glance. “Why?”

“Because I like her. And I certainly don’t want anything bad to happen to her. Or you.”

Her lips pursed together and she didn’t comment again as she sped down the Piilani Highway into the countryside away from town. She turned the car onto the long dirt drive running alongside the fields and leading up to the ramshackle traditional-style Hawaiian house.

The rows and rows of flowering blossoms stretched toward the sun without any signs of uninvited guests. Nor were there signs of life near the greenhouse, the big huge metal building off to the left or the tiny shed barely visible beyond that.

All was quiet and still. Almost too still.

Kiki stopped the car in a spray of gravel and jumped out before the engine had even stopped rotating. Ryan quickly followed her up the porch steps. He slipped his sandals off, leaving them beside Kiki’s flip-flops and entered the house.

“Tutu?” Kiki called, her voice a little high. She disappeared down the hall, only to reappear a moment later, her eyes wide and panicky. “She’s not here.”

Kiki looked as if she was about to hyperventilate. Ryan grasped her by the elbow and made her sit on the faded upholstered couch. “Could she be out shopping? Buying groceries?”

“I suppose.” She rose and headed toward the door.

Ryan hurried after her, but he at least paused long enough to slip his sandals back on before vaulting down the porch steps to catch up with her. She halted as they rounded the corner of the house. “Her car is gone.”

Relief eased through Ryan. “There you go. She’s out shopping, doing errands or whatever else, so there’s no reason to worry.” He hoped.

“But I told her I’d get groceries after I got back from the beach. She’s seventy years old, Ryan. Tutu shouldn’t be out driving around.”

Ryan’s mouth twitched with a smile. The lady wanted to be in control and sure didn’t like it when she wasn’t. “Your grandmother is a vital, energetic woman who’s more than capable of doing as she pleases. At her age, she’s earned the right to go shopping by herself.”

Kiki frowned at him. “Of course. I know that. It’s just…”

“The note.” The threat. The explosion yesterday. Anger burst anew in his gut.

“Yeah. The note. I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything and I’m being ridiculous. It just unnerved me.”

“Which I would imagine was the sender’s intent. But the pipe bomb yesterday wasn’t meant only to scare, it destroyed your truck. I’m telling you, call the police.”

She waved his suggestion away. “Later.”

“Waiting is not a good idea.”

That stubborn, you’re-not-going-to-tell-me-what-to-do look came into her eyes. He could argue with her until he was blue in the face and he wouldn’t get anywhere. So he took a different tactic.

He grabbed her hand. “My father was a cop. One of my brothers is a sheriff. I’ve heard enough stories to know waiting is never a good thing when it comes to threats of any kind. Yeah, it may be nothing but it might be something and wouldn’t you rather be proven right than wrong?”

Her gaze narrowed but the worry there didn’t lessen. “Fine. I’ll go call Nik.”

“Good idea. Nik seemed competent.”

Ryan released her hand and she went inside.

Taking a seat on the porch steps, Ryan blew out the tension and focused his gaze on the tropical vista spread out before him. No wonder someone had decided this piece of property would be the perfect spot for a resort.

The rolling landscape, full of colorful foliage extending toward the rugged cliffs, was a glorious contrast above the churning, white-capped waves of the Pacific Ocean. The darker hues of the water blended with the brighter blue sky at the horizon line. A truly captivating scene.

He shifted his attention to the flower farm’s rows of exotic plants. He had no doubt that even when the beautiful array of red, yellow, white and pink of the cultivated flowers were gone, the view would still be breathtaking.

He could envision a lush, manicured lawn in place of the crops and a huge white gazebo for weddings. Possibly even a small stage for miniconcerts. The place would be a gold mine in the tropics. A gold mine that would fill his own bank account.

“Nik’s on his way,” Kiki stated as she joined him on the stairs.

“Great.” Ryan shifted his gaze to meet hers. “This would be a wonderful place for a high-end resort set up for weddings and events where people want more privacy than can be found at the other resorts right on the beach.”

She frowned and turned her gaze toward the ocean. “There are other places on the island that would work. Places that aren’t currently occupied and aren’t important to me.”

A cramp of remorse gripped him but he suppressed it. This was the land his client wanted. He purposefully ignored her last statement. “Really? Hmph. I didn’t find any other suitable properties when I researched the island.”

A flash of annoyance crossed her face. “That’s because you don’t know where to look.”

“So where are these other places?”

“I’ll show you after church tomorrow.”

Was she suggesting they spend more time together? Unaccountably pleased by the notion, he teased, “Does that mean you’re inviting me to church?”

She met his gaze dead on and straightened her spine. “Yes. I guess I am.”

He blinked. Pleasure, followed closely by a twinge of guilt, chased down his spine. He’d just imagined her beloved flower farm being replaced with a mega resort. How would this personal step affect his deal? Hmm. He wasn’t sure he wanted to analyze that. “I would love to join you for church.”

“Really? So you’re a churchgoer?”

“Every Sunday, growing up. Faith is very important to my family.” And to him. Though there were times he wished he understood God better.

“Good.” Her mouth twisted wryly. “It’s not your traditional church.”

His eyebrows rose. “What does that mean? You don’t offer sacrifices or burned offerings, do you?”

She laughed, the very appealing sound tingled in his chest.

“No, of course not,” she said. “It’s a Christian church, but with some Hawaiian traditions incorporated into the service.”

“That sounds interesting.” He held her gaze, liking how open she was at the moment.

As if she sensed his appreciation, she looked away, following the same visual path he had wandered moments ago. Though he doubted she was envisioning a five-star hotel.

“I hate this waiting. Where could Tutu be?”

The anxiousness in her pretty eyes troubled him. He wished he could lift the burden of fear off her slender shoulders. Her very personal and nonbusiness invitation to church gave him an idea. Taking a chance that she’d not rebuff him for invading her bubble, he slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her close, liking how perfectly they fit together. “Would you like to pray?”

“Oh, yes,” she replied, her expression grateful and heart-wrenching. She bowed her head slightly and closed her eyes.

Writing off this very intimate action on his part as only human decency, Ryan bowed his head but kept his gaze alert for any sudden threats.

“Father God, we humbly ask for your protection over Tutu. Bring her home safely. I…”

A tear fell and landed on the dirt-covered stair by her feet. Ryan couldn’t stand to see her cry and hugged her closer, aching for her and wishing he could make her fear and worry evaporate. He added his own silent prayer, Please, God, give this woman peace and comfort and don’t let anything bad happen.

Where was Tutu?

Kiki shook her head and wiped at her eyes as she pulled away. “Sorry.”

“No need to be. Not with me.”

She smiled slightly and caught his gaze. Light flicked in the depths of her gold-flecked eyes. He wanted to reach toward the glow, to rejoice within the heat of her stare. The moment stretched as some indescribable emotion welled in his chest, constricting his breathing.

“Are you hungry?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Starved,” he replied as his gaze dropped to her lips. What would she do if he kissed her?

She scrambled to her feet as if she’d read his thought. “Come in. I’ll fix something.”

Ryan shook his head to clear his thoughts, glad she’d broken the moment. Kiss her? No way was he going down some romantic road just because he’d lost his mind for a few seconds.

Pure insanity.

He was here for a reason that had nothing to do with forming an emotional relationship with Kiki. He really had to get a grip and keep focused. To remind himself of his purpose, he looked back over his shoulder at the view.

The land, vibrant and energizing in all its natural beauty from the densely tree-covered hillside, the acres of terrain with so much potential, all the way to the cliffs where the reverberation of the churning surf crashing on the rocks and sand below made a calming background sound.

Definitely worth the money Horatio was offering. The money Ryan would make if the sale went through. The money that would bring him that much closer to financial success. Then he could plan his future.

But first he had to protect his investor’s interest.

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