A Dangerous Love

"I was beginning to think you went out in the woods again, looking for flowers."

"I promised I wouldn't," she reminded him, still avoiding his gaze.

"Is something wrong?" His tone sounded concerned as he kneeled beside her.

She had to look at him, he was going to be suspicious if she didn't. But if he saw her swollen eyes he'd be asking all kinds of questions. That's when she thought of it. She turned to him. "I was just thinking - remembering."

His gaze dropped to her neck and he reached out, lifting her chin to examine it. Letting go of her chin, his intent gaze met hers. "What were you thinking about that made you cry - last night?"

"No," she said quickly. "It doesn't matter."

He studied her face intently, masking any emotion. "Where were you a little while ago?"

"Didn't you see me when you walked by?" She could barely breath.

His expression became wary. "No. You weren't here."

She stood suddenly and his attention dropped to her waist. Drat! He saw that stupid clay spot. She stepped around him and headed for the house. So now he knew. If she could get to her telephone, she could call someone for help. But he could kill her and haul her body into the woods before anyone came along.

She reached the door and looked back, expecting to find him right behind her, but he wasn't. Nor was he beside the chair. He was walking down the path, back to the building. She stared after him. Maybe she had misjudged his intent. Maybe he had no idea she had been there. But he saw the clay on her shirt. She glanced down at her shirt and then laughed with relief. The clay was still hidden. What he was looking at was a button that had worked its way open, exposing her bare stomach. He knew she was not in the chair, but he had no way of knowing she had been to the building. He thought she was crying about last night. Somehow it seemed such a small thing now.

She turned hesitantly. She needed to get her car as soon as possible. What she saw today was proof that she needed it close by. She took a step toward him and called out.

"Yancey." He continued as if he didn't hear. "Yancey," she called louder.

He stopped and turned.

She folded her arms across her stomach and walked closer to him so she didn't have to yell. "When will you be able to take me to get my car?"