would be no nightly entertainment acts, or any other similar diversions. What there would be was hours of good skiing on challenging trails. Blair was apparently an accomplished skier, and enjoyed skiing the semi-wooded less manicured downhill trails. For her it might be a vacation, but for Cam and her agents, it would be anything but.
Cam settled into her seat and was just opening the Washington Chronicle when someone eased in beside her.
'This seat looks vacant,' the familiar voice announced.
Cam turned toward Diane Bleeker. 'These are not reserved seats.'
Diane smiled. 'Then I take it you don't mind?'
'Not at all,' Cam responded, folding her paper. 'Whatever news there might be, it can wait until later.'
Diane reached between them for her seat belt, brushing her hand along the length of Cam's thigh. There was a subtle tensing under her fingertips, but to her credit Cameron Roberts did not pull away. At least she wasn't going to pretend they weren't both adults. Diane could accept rejection, but she hated to have her advances ignored. 'Do you ski, Commander?'
'Yes, I do.'
'Our Blair is quite the expert, did you know?'
'It doesn't surprise me,' Cam commented. 'She is very talented.'
Diane studied her, searching for hidden meaning. As usual, she could read nothing in Cam's expression. She couldn't remember ever having met someone quite so inscrutable. And yet the agent was anything but cold. She radiated energy, and seemed to do everything with an intense focus. In fact, she was seething with promise. The promise of passion, and intensity, that Diane very much wanted to experience. It was more than just physical appeal, even though Cameronwas enormously attractive with her lean, tautly muscled body. She had daunting self- confidence as well.Is there nothing that can shake her composure?
Diane leaned against Cam's shoulder as she tightened her seatbelt. 'Yes, Blair is a woman of many hidden skills. And then again, she doesn't bother to hide some of her interests. I'm sure you've noticed.'
Cam had no intention of discussing Blair Powell with Diane Bleeker or anyone else. 'And how is the gallery?' Cam asked.
'Ah, I see. Blair is off-limits. Actually, that's perfectly all right with me. I'm much more interested in you.'
Cam laughed at the woman's persistence. It was hard to be annoyed with someone who was so blatant about their intentions. In another place, in another time, she would not have resisted. It was a combination of the past, and her strange detached present, which prevented her from responding. Any kind of intimate involvement was beyond her capability.
'I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you,' Cam warned.
'Oh, I very seriously doubt that.'
'I'm flattered-,' Cam began.
Diane laughed. 'Oh please, Commander. You needn't explain to me the many reasons why youthink you are unavailable. I am quite patient, and I enjoy waiting. Otherwise, where is the pleasure when you win?'
Cam shook her head, smiling at the sophisticated, supremely confident woman beside her. 'Then I shall say no more.'
Diane wrapped for long, elegant fingers around Cam's wrist, squeezing gently before slowly withdrawing. 'Good. It would be to no avail.'
They both settled back in their seats for takeoff. In the aisle seat one row behind them, Blair studied the two women. She was completely familiar with Dianes tactics. She had known her since they were girls, and had witnessed her many conquests. This was the first time it mattered to her whether Diane succeeded. The image of Diane's hand on Cameron's arm provoked a response she was finding hard to ignore. She hated the thought of Diane touching Cam, but even harder to accept was the possibility of Cameron returning the caresses. Instinctively, she knew that Cameron Roberts would not make love to a woman casually. What she couldnt know was how much that fact controlled Cameron's life.
**********
The group was greeted at the door to the lodge by a tall, attractive woman in her mid-forties. Even in winter she showed signs of a lingering tan, and her lithe trim figure spoke of her vigorous lifestyle. She greeted them warmly and ushered them into a rustic room scattered with sofas and comfortable chairs in front of a large stone fire place. Overhead lights were hidden in the exposed wooden beams of the ceiling, bathing the room in a muted soft glow.
'I'm Helen Craig,' she said, extending her hand to Cameron as Cam stepped over the threshold. 'Just leave your gear here until we have the room situation straightened out. Then I'll have someone bring your bags up.'
She looked from Cameron to Blair Powell, who was standing just to Cameron's right. Of course Helen recognized her, and knew that this was Blair's entourage. Without a trace of shyness, Helen offered her hand.
'I'm delighted to have you here, Ms. Powell. We have eighteen inches of packed snow with a three inch fresh fall from last night. The trails are perfect.'
Blair grinned, pleased at Helen's lack of pretension and the genuine warmth in her greeting. 'Just the news I wanted to hear. I can't wait to get out there.'
Helen nodded. 'First light at 5:30 tomorrow. After youre settled, and have some dinner, I'll show you the trail maps. You can plan your runs for the morning.'
'I was hoping to get in a run or two this afternoon,' Blair stated.
'It'll be dark in an hour and a half. If you hurry, you could ski one of the shorter trails.'
Blair reached for her gear bag. 'Just give me someplace to change.'
