Hiding Out At The Circle C

up on another chair with a sigh. 'They didn't see me, of course, or I never would have heard them talking about you.'

Haley's hands fumbled on the pitcher of tea, nearly dropping it. They were talking about her.

With her back to Nellie, Haley stared out the window over the sink. The day, as per Colorado usual, was glorious. Long silver clouds streaked across the brilliant blue sky. Rain clouds, she could almost hear Cam tell her. A nostalgic pain hit her with the force of a gloved list.

She was a wanted woman, hunted by the law.

Would Cam ever again want to dance with her in the middle of a thunderstorm, with only the rain and lightning for their music? Would he ever again kiss her with the aching tenderness he had in his truck? Or with the barely restrained furious passion he had the morning she'd burst into his house after hearing the plane?

She doubted it. Just as she doubted Nellie could possibly understand the predicament she now found herself in.

'I thought we were friends, Haley.'

Friends, she thought, wincing at the hurt tone of Nellie's voice. Oh, how she'd wanted that. More than anything, she'd wanted that. She forced herself to turn and face Nellie. 'We are.'

'You're in trouble. A friend would have come to another friend for help.'

'You already helped me. Gave me a job. A home.'

'You know what I mean,' Nellie said in the harshest voice Haley had ever heard from her. 'Dammit, you know what I mean.'

Haley found that by concentrating on carrying the tray to the table, she could almost steady her hands. Almost believe things were normal. 'I couldn't involve you. I don't want to see you hurt.'

Nellie took her hand and pulled Haley into the chair next to her. 'Do you really think Jason, Zach or Cam is going to let me get hurt? It's you I'm worried about. I heard them say what serious trouble you're in. They're trying to figure out a way to help you. Cam was talking about going to South America.'

'He's been doing his homework,' Haley said grimly. She jumped up, unable to contain herself. Dammit, dammit. The welling panic shook her. How could she stop him?

Nellie watched Haley pace. 'Don't be mad at me for listening.'

Haley halted abruptly, letting her shoulders droop. 'I'm not mad. How could I be?' She felt Nellie come up beside her. 'You're the first friend I've ever had, Nellie. Did you know that?'

'You're a geologist. You must know lots of people.'

Haley sighed heavily. 'No. Not really.'

Nellie touched her shoulder, her eyes bright with emotion. 'You never talk about yourself. I know- I mean, I could tell you're not used to people. Not really.'

'I'm not used to people like you. Nice, loving, caring people. I didn't grow up like this.' Haley turned away from the compassion, the understanding, feeling as if she could simply shatter from the pressure. 'I tried to explain that to Cam, but he didn't want to understand.'

'It's not easy for him. You must know that. He feels he has to protect you.'

'But that's ridiculous. I don't want him to protect me.'

Nellie's face softened. 'After what happened to Lorraine, can you blame him for his desperation to keep you safe?'

Haley moved away, went back to the sink, leaning against it because suddenly her feet wouldn't support her. 'I'm not his wife.'

'He has feelings for you.'

'He told you that?'

Nellie laughed. 'Of course not. He has pride. Too much of it. But then again, all the Reeves men do. No, he didn't say a word. But I can see it in his face when he watches you. Oh, yes,' she said at Haley's glance of surprise. 'He watches you. Just as you watch him when you think no one's looking.'

'Oh, great. I must be a great source of entertainment for all of you.'

'No. We think what's happening between the two of you is the greatest thing to happen to Cam in a long time. We care about you, Haley. Maybe if you and Cam-you know-got together, you'd stay.'

A nice dream, Haley thought, closing her eyes. 'This is very difficult for me, Nellie.'

'Are you saying you don't have feelings for him?' Nellie crossed her arms and gave her a knowing look. 'Go ahead, Haley. Try to tell me. But I'm warning you, you're not a very good liar. I'm on to you.'

'Isn't there something-anything-else we can talk about?'

'Absolutely.' Nellie's eyes were serious, probing. 'Let's talk about us helping you.'

'No.' If she did, they'd die. 'I won't risk getting you hurt.'

Nellie looked like she might protest, but didn't. She came close and gave Haley a quick, fierce, very protective hug. 'Then promise you'll stay here.'

'I can't.'

'Honey, for me. Promise.'

'Nellie,' Cam said mildly. He was leaning against the doorjamb. 'Leave it alone. You can't force her.'

Haley's heart all but stopped at the sight of him. He moved into the kitchen, his long, lean limbs working with their usual grace and fluidity. They hadn't had much time alone in the past few days. Now she knew why. He'd been busy butting into her life. His face was void of expression, but he couldn't mask those eyes. Filled with unleashed heat, they landed directly on her with the impact of an explosion. The physical pain of it made her look away.

'But, Cam,' Nellie protested. 'If she leaves, she could get hurt.'

'You heard us, then,' he said flatly. 'Jason will be upset, Nel. He won't want you worrying about this.'

'Yeah, well, he should have told me himself.' Nellie put a hand on her hip and gave him a long look. 'And for the record, I don't need your protection, she does! Do something, Cam, to make her believe that. Do it right now before she gets hurt.'

Without waiting for him to make a move, Nellie turned to Haley. 'Please, Haley. Listen to me. Zach used to be a cop. He's got lots of connections. He can help.'

Sure. He could help extradite her. Then she'd go to trial for crimes the South American authorities were already certain she'd committed. She'd be executed before the next sunrise.

'Nellie, could you give Haley and me a minute?' Cam sent Nellie a special sister-to-brother look, communicating without a word.

Nellie locked Haley in a quick bear hug. She repeated the motion with Cam, whispering something in his ear that had him nodding his head solemnly.

'Thanks, honey,' he said to her, leading her to the kitchen door with an arm around her waist. 'Now go rest. And stop worrying about this or Jas will have my hide.'

He waited until they were alone before turning back to Haley. His gaze pinned her to the spot. 'Nellie was drilling you.'

'Kindly, but yes.' Haley had never felt so… sick. She'd destroyed any chance she would have had with the most wonderful man on earth. 'I know you're upset with me.'

'Do you?'

'Yes. And I completely understand. I can leave, but I'd like to wait until-'

He let out a disbelieving laugh. 'You understand nothing, Haley. Absolutely nothing, if you can calmly discuss my wanting you to leave.'

'You… don't want me to go?'

A muscle worked in his cheek and into his eyes came the warm light she'd wanted so badly to see. 'God, no.' He came toward her, but stopped short of touching her.

'What do you want?'

He let out a low laugh. 'A lot of things. To know you, for one.'

'You know me.'

He just looked at her, then opened the leather jacket he wore. From the inside pocket he took out two things she recognized immediately. He held up the tiny notebook and the pocket phone book she always kept in her purse.

'I found these under my desk. I'm guessing they came from your purse. The funny thing is,' he said in a