Page 3 of Her Heart's Desire

“For heaven’s sake, Sammy, I could have shot you!”

“Kathy, is that you?” Samantha squinted past the light as she stepped onto the porch. Astonished to see her childhood friend dressed in a police uniform, she ran toward Kathy and safety, leaving Ramsey far behind.

“Who did you expect, Santa Claus? What’s going on, Wonder Woman?”

At another of his childhood nicknames, she smiled, her tension ratcheting down a few notches. “I knocked him down, Super Girl.” She pointed at the fallen Ramsey with personal pride. “All you have to do is arrest him.”

“I came as soon as I got word of a disturbance.” Kathy aimed the flashlight beam at Ramsey, who was still lying in the doorway. “You did this?”

Samantha frowned at her old friend’s horrified tone. Of course, she’d defended herself and would again in similar circumstances.

“I want her arrested for assault.” He pointed an accusing finger at Samantha, grimacing as he got to his feet.

Samantha was outraged by the accusation. “Just who was chasing whom? If you hadn’t turned violent, I wouldn’t have had to kick you.” She stepped toward him and halted, noting the dangerous glint in his eye. He was back in goon mode, and she knew better than to get too close. “As for criminal charges, how about assault and battery? That should put you away for a while.”

“Will you two stop bickering so I can get a few facts straight,” Kathy interjected.

“Fine.” Samantha was confident Kathy would side with her. She slanted a confident smile at Ramsey and noticed he was watching her with narrowed eyes.

“Okay by me,” he said, adding with an enigmatic smile. “I’ve got nothing to hide.”

Kathy nodded. “Let’s take this inside, where I can make a report if necessary.”

Samantha resented his implication that she was up to no good. Her reason for being here was none of his business. She brushed past Ramsey, refusing to let him get to her as she entered the cabin and took a seat at the dinette. He slid into the chair across from her with a confident air.

Kathy leaned against the counter and flipped open her notepad. “Okay, let’s have Sammy’s version first” she said, clicking her pen.

Samantha recalled their frightening tussle on the floor and glared at him. “I came here for a nice quiet rest. I opened the door, and Ramsey dragged me through the doorway, shoved me, and grabbed himself a cheap feel in the process.”

She bristled at his derisive snort following her last statement.

“Now, it’s your turn, Jake.”

She was annoyed by Kathy’s friendly tone. Jake, was it? Just how cozy were these two? She slanted a glance Kathy’s way, noticing that she didn’t seem to be put off by Ramsey’s state of undress.

“As you know, I’ve been on vacation for the past week. It’s all entirely legal and above-board. How was I to know who was breaking into the cabin in the middle of the night? I had every right to defend myself.” He flashed a calm smile Samantha’s way, adding, “And do I look like a man that would, as she so crudely put it, cop a cheap feel?”

Kathy flipped her notepad closed. “I don’t think there was any intentional crime committed here, just a case of mistaken identity.” She slipped the tablet into her pocket and turned toward the door. “I expect you two to settle matters like civilized adults. However, I warn you both. If there is more trouble, I’ll haul in the two of you and let a judge decide.”

“But...” Samantha sputtered when the door closed behind Kathy. So much for an old friend’s protection.

She slanted a wary glance Ramsey’s way, noting his victorious expression, and fumed. She’d had just about enough macho preening for one evening. She got up and headed toward the exit.

“I don’t believe it.”

She jerked open the front door, aggravated by his amazed tone. “Don’t believe what?”

“That you’re going to be mature and reasonable about this.”

She grabbed her suitcase off the porch. “Mature and reasonable, my ass. I’m staying.” She kicked the door shut behind her. “We’ll just have to coexist for two weeks.”

Ignoring his raised eyebrow, she headed toward the ladder to the loft, but her footsteps faltered as she gazed up at the slightly dizzying height. She shook off the remnant of fear. It was only a short ladder, for Pete's sake, and she’d scaled it many times as a kid. Besides, she had her phobia under control, thanks to an excellent therapist. It was probably the stress of dealing with Ramsey stirring her hidden emotions. A good night’s sleep would set things right.

He stepped forward to block her path. “Uh-uh, Sunshine. You ain’t sleeping in my bed.”

She stood toe-to-toe with him, openly defying him. She realized there was something new in how he looked at her now. Something more watchful, more judgmental. The feeling of being found lacking grated on her already abraded nerves. Suddenly, she was more frightened of him than the ladder, but she was determined not to show it.

“The loft has the only bed in the cabin. I figured even a goon like you would be gentleman enough to give it up for a lady.”