somewhere far away. Somewhere that Leslie could not join her, because she’d
forfeited that right when she’d closed her eyes, closed her heart, and let Dev
walk away alone, carrying the pain for both of them.
Dev was gone now, and Leslie was left wishing what she’d wished so many
times since she’d ? nally admitted who she was. She wished she could take
back the lies.
Her BlackBerry vibrated on her hip and she automatically scanned the readout.
Rachel.
“Hi,” Leslie said.
“I got your message. It’s hell down here. The Dow Corning case ? nally got on
the docket and I’m scrambling to get experts lined up. Of course, summer’s
coming and everyone is suddenly unavailable.”
• 81 •
RADCLY fFE
“Some people have a life,” Leslie murmured as she walked down the long slope
toward the water, scanning the shore for Dev’s ? gure.
“What? Missed that. I’m in the parking garage.”
“Nothing.”
“You must be bored out of your mind by now.”
Leslie laughed. “It’s different.”
“When are you coming home?”
Home. Leslie considered the word. She and Rachel didn’t live together. They
didn’t share a home. Her condo, where she slept and ate and worked, felt like
an extension of her of? ce. If she had a home, it was her of? ce. That’s where
she really lived. That’s where she was the person she had become. She should
leave. She should go back to being herself.
“I’m not sure yet.”
“Well, keep me informed. Listen, darling, I have to run. Call me.
Oh, how are you feeling?”
“I’m ? ne.” Leslie wondered why lies so patently transparent were actually
believed.
“Wonderful. Bye, darling.”
“Yes. All right. Bye.”
Leslie walked out onto the dock and sat on the edge in the sun.
The water that lapped two feet beneath her was so clear she could see the
sandy bottom. Schools of minnows darted just under the surface.
She heard Dev’s voice. I’ve always liked ? sh.
“Oh, Dev. Why didn’t I know?”
v
Dev looked up from where she knelt on the bank at the sound of footsteps
behind her. She waved, feeling a bit of her melancholy lift when Natalie
sauntered down the trail. She was in uniform, her cuffs buttoned neatly at the
wrists, her name tag above her left breast pocket, various patches denoting
department and rank sewn onto her sleeves.
Her dark hair was twisted into a loose bun at the back of her neck and held with
a plain gold clip. Her smile was radiant.
“Hey,” Natalie said. “I thought that was your truck up there in the turnoff.
Weren’t you going out on the lake today?”
“Change in plans. I’m doing a little close-in work instead.”
• 82 •
WHEN DREAMS TREMBLE
“Uh-huh.” Natalie squatted down beside her. “You could’ve called me.”
“Something tells me you have better things to do than babysit me.
But thanks.”
“Other things.” Natalie skimmed her ? ngertips along Dev’s jaw.
“De? nitely not better. How about I collect on that rain check tonight.
Dinner?”
Dev hesitated. Natalie’s message was clear. And honest. She owed her the
same. “I think I’d be lousy company.”
“You’d be surprised what a decent dinner and a good wine can do for your
mood.” Natalie stood, reaching for Dev’s sample case as Dev collected the rest
of her gear. “There’s a nice little restaurant on the lake about ten miles north of
here. Tables outside on a patio. Great view of the sunset.”
Dev was tempted. She didn’t look forward to an evening alone in her cabin with
her thoughts because she couldn’t be certain she could keep her mind off Leslie
? fty yards away. She de? nitely did not want to have dinner at the lodge.
“Dinner sounds good. There’s one thing you need to know, though.”
“Oh?”
“Besides the fact that I like you, it hasn’t escaped my notice that you’re very
attractive.”
“Good. I’m glad you noticed.” Natalie smiled, and after a quick look over her
shoulder, kissed Dev softly. “As I’ve mentioned, more or less, I happen to think
you’re very attractive too. As in keeping-me-awake-at-night attractive.”
“I’m not sure going there’s a good idea,” Dev said.
“Dinner ? rst,” Natalie said easily. “After that we’ll see.”
“That okay with you?”
“Yes.” Natalie nodded and ran her ? ngers up and down Dev’s arm before
stepping away. “It really is. I’ll pick you up in an hour and a half.”
“Okay,” Dev said, taking her at her word. She waved goodbye as Natalie
drove off, then loaded her gear and headed back to Lakeview.
She circled around on the lake path so she could get to her cabin without
passing in front of Leslie’s. She didn’t want to see her again for a while.
Until she had time to get everything back where it belonged, safely locked away
behind the walls she’d constructed.
• 83 •
RADCLY fFE
v
Six hours later, when she and Natalie walked hand in hand down the main path
toward her cabin, Dev was pretty sure she’d succeeded in ? nding her balance
again. The restaurant had been everything Natalie had promised. The food was
excellent, the view breathtaking, and the weather had cooperated, remaining
warm until well after sundown so that they were able to linger over dinner under
the stars. The evening was still comfortable although cooling, and the moon
nearly full, so she didn’t need the ? ashlight she’d picked up from her truck
when she and Natalie had returned.
As with every other time they’d spent together, it had been easy.
Natalie was easy to talk to. Easy to laugh with. Very easy to look at.
Very easy to kiss, Dev thought as Natalie stopped her with a tug on her hand,
then leaned into her and slid both arms around her neck.
