was a drawn-out discussion of her reasons for being in town!
„Business?“ Rand pursued, coming toward her with a rather persistent expression.
„It’s a personal matter,“ she replied, letting her annoyance show.
It didn’t seem to phase him. „I see. Are you here by yourself?“
„I don’t think that’s any of your business,“ she told him gently, knowing any one of her employees would have immediately backed off after hearing that tone of voice.
To her surprise, Rand had the grace to wince. „Sorry, I still do that once in a while.“
„Still do what?“ Kalinda looked at him blankly, not understanding the remark. He led her back into the gallery.
„Never mind. Want a cold beer? It’s going to get warm this afternoon.“
She started to decline but Rand was already opening a small refrigerator against the back wall and rummaging around inside. He straightened with two chilled cans in his hand and popped the tops on both before Kalinda could think of a polite excuse. „Here you go.“
She peered down at the can skeptically as it was thrust into her hand, then tried an experimental sip. It wasn’t chilled, dry Chenin Blanc, but it wasn’t bad on a warm afternoon in the mountains. She took another sip and glanced up to find her host grinning at her.
„Think of it as getting back to basics,“ he murmured and took a long, satisfying swallow. „Now let’s see, I’ve got that price list around here somewhere…“
Beer in hand, Rand rummaged around in the drawers behind the counter, eventually producing a scrap of paper with a triumphant air. „I knew it was here!“
„Congratulations,“ Kalinda couldn’t resist saying a little tartly. What a way to run a business! Any business!
He ignored the comment as if accustomed to the rudeness of visitors and gave her the price of the painting.
It was a bit higher than Kalinda had expected and automatically she glanced around to take another look at the watercolor landscape. As she did a charming pottery bowl caught her eye.
„Oh, I like that!“ she exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm, walking across the room to lift the well-molded object It fit nicely in her hands and the earthen colors were perfect for her dining room. „I can see this now filled with a lovely curry and rice dish or maybe a huge green salad.“
She raised her head and found Rand watching her intently. „I’ll take this, too,“ she said easily, carrying it back to the counter. „And you needn’t worry about it. If s going to a good home.“
„Yours?“ he smiled.
„Mine,“ she confirmed, digging out her checkbook.
She hid a small frown as Rand calmly accepted her check without bothering to check her identification and then told herself it was his business. If he chose to take such risks who was she to tell him different?
„I’ll wrap those in paper for you before you leave,“ he announced cheerfully, coming around from behind the counter.
„As a matter of fact,“ Kalinda said pointedly, „I was just about to go. Perhaps you could put the paper around them now?“
„Finish your beer first. Unless someone’s waiting for you?“ he added innocently.
„Well, no, but…“ Too late she realized she’d just answered his earlier question about whether or not she was in town alone. Half-irritated and half-amused over the small trap, she met his laughing eyes.
„Believe me,“ he soothed, „there’s not much else to do in town once you’ve been through the shops. Unless, of course, you’re into fishing…“
„Not particularly,“ she sighed.
„I thought not Come on outside and sit under a tree while I finish cleaning the fish. You might as well relax while you finish the beer…“
„Mr. Alastair,“ Kalinda began firmly, still unable to decide if she should laugh or treat him to one of her more repressive tones. But she was finding his unabashed persistence almost entertaining. And heaven knew she needed a bit of entertainment to take her mind off her own plans!
„Be nice,“ he pleaded with a beguiling smile that weakened her further. „Everyone likes to show off his catch. And I can tell by looking at you that you’re bored and restless.“
„Is it that obvious?“ she groaned, following him back out into the yard.
„Let’s just say you look a little out of your element,“ he said softly, waving her to a redwood chair under a tree. „But don’t fret, I’m relatively harmless. I can produce any number of local references.“ He picked up a fish and threw her a quick leer.
Kalinda took a long sip of beer and silently lifted one, faintly quelling eyebrow. Rand didn’t appear to notice. Instead he chatted amiably, his knife moving expertly on the trout.
Afterward, Kalinda had to admit she wasn’t quite sure how it had happened, but she wound up sitting under a tree with a can of beer and watching a man clean fish until nearly one o’clock in the afternoon. No one who knew her back in Denver would have believed it But then no one back in Denver could possibly know how desperately she was trying to kill the rest of this day and the next.
The light, easy conversation proved a tonic for her, succeeding in taking her mind off her inner, churning thoughts and giving her a temporary respite from the case of nerves she was in danger of contracting.
„What do you do in Denver?“ Rand demanded casually at one point after giving her a humorous description of the life he led running a gallery in a tourist town.
„I run a company called Brady Data Processing,“ she admitted mildly, her cool confidence implicit in her voice. It was, after all, something she did very well.
„I’ve heard of it,“ he astonished her by admitting calmly. „You’re in charge?“ There was a speculative gleam in the quick glance he tossed over at her.
„I was elected chief executive officer a couple of years ago after my father was killed in a plane crash. I sort of inherited the reins. The board of directors was used to having a Brady at the helm,“ she shrugged. „I’m surprised you’ve heard of the company.“
„We’re not totally isolated up here,“ he informed her dryly.
„Could have fooled me,“ Kalinda laughed.
He swung around. „You
„I think you already asked me that,“ she retorted blandly, feeling as if he’d almost caught her off guard with the question.
„And you didn’t answer. Don’t you know you’re making me curious?“
„It will liven up your rather placid lifestyle.“
He laughed, clearly enjoying the day and her. Kalinda felt herself relax and put her problem temporarily aside. More time slipped past until, conscious of having missed lunch, she finally stood up reluctantly and tossed the beer can into a nearby container.
„Well, thanks for the beer, Rand. I think it’s time I was on my way. If you’ll wrap the painting and the pottery, I’ll…“
„I’ll have them ready this evening,“ he drawled smoothly as he finished with the fish.
„This evening!“
„When you help me eat the evidence of my murder spree.“
„Rand, I don’t think…“
„Fresh trout? Grilled corn? How can you resist? And you’ve already admitted you’re bored,“ he coaxed, hazel eyes fastening on her with determination.
Kalinda mentally ran through all the reasons she couldn’t have dinner with him and found it a very short list Why shouldn’t she accept? She had a long evening to get through by herself if she refused and that thought wasn’t very appealing. Alone with her plans and worries…
He met her eyes and smiled. Kalinda drew in her breath, aware that he’d seen the hesitation in her. Once again it struck her that this man might have been a formidable figure in the business world if he’d chosen that path in life. He knew how to manipulate others. Or was it just that she was willing to be manipulated that afternoon?
