“Of course he knew.”
“You think I go around flirting with little girls for kicks?”
She just looked at him. “I know what I saw—and heard.”
He bit back a sigh. “That day on the bus you did something you wouldn’t normally do because the ends justified the means. All I’m saying is maybe you could give me the benefit of the doubt. Go on the assumption that maybe what you saw at the pit goes along the same lines.”
“You want me to believe you were flirting with teenage girls for the greater good? You know girls like them are dying of overdoses, don’t you?”
Hell. She wasn’t supposed to make that connection. “I absolutely know they’re dying of overdoses,” he heard himself say. He couldn’t help himself. He hated the idea of her thinking he was some degenerate.
“And yet here you were growing pot—just like my dad was thirteen years ago. Maybe pot doesn’t kill anyone, but you can use it to get kids started down the wrong path. You want me to believe you did that for some mysterious beneficial purpose?”
“That’s right.”
“What was my dad doing, Steel?”
“You’ve got to trust me a little here.”
“I don’t trust you.”
He couldn’t blame her, but he wasn’t prepared for what she said next.
“I… like you, though. I don’t know why, but I do, and it’s killing me to know you’re adding to our town’s misery.”
Shame reared up like a tidal wave and swamped him. Adding to Chance Creek’s sorrow was the last thing he wanted to do. The long drought had turned this into a miserable summer for everyone. The overdose deaths in Silver Falls were the poisonous icing on the cake.
“That’s not my intention.” God, he wanted her to believe him. He wanted her to know how much it was killing him not to share with her who he really was.
“Isn’t it?” When he didn’t answer, she moved even closer to him. Now he had a good look at those hazel eyes of hers. “How about trusting me, Steel? What’s really going on here? I’m not as fragile as I look, you know,” she added caustically. “I’m going to be a deputy. It’ll be my job to uphold the law.” She was almost daring him to admit he was breaking it.
Her disclosure took him aback. “A deputy?” That put a whole new spin on this conversation. Much as he’d like to be open with Stella, he really had to watch what he said. She was working for the Chance Creek department. If he told her anything, they’d all know about it—and so would everyone else in town.
Her chin lifted. “I guess you don’t think I can handle the job?”
He nearly smiled, but he figured she’d take that the wrong way. Still, as far as she knew he was a criminal. Didn’t she see the humor in wanting him to approve of her career switch?
“I think you can handle anything you put your mind to,” he said truthfully. “Just didn’t expect it.”
“And I didn’t expect to find you selling drugs,” she said shortly.
“I haven’t sold any—yet. But I might have to do all sorts of things before this is all over. Might even have to bash a bad guy over the head with a textbook while the bus driver isn’t looking.”
“You’re saying you’re doing something good—even if it looks bad?”
He was walking too close to the line here, but he couldn’t stop. He nodded once.
“Steel—do you mean that?”
“Yeah,” he said roughly, her insistence on knowing catching him off guard. Hell, he had to get out of here before he told her everything. “I mean that—but I can’t say anything more, honey, so please don’t ask.”
Her face changed at the endearment. Softened. He saw the echo of his own desire in her eyes. Steel found himself still talking. “I’m trying to do right. Remember that even if you hear the worst about me. Even if you need to move on and make a life for yourself with some ass like Eric Holden. Just know—” He broke off and tried again, catching the flare of surprise in her eyes when he mentioned Eric. “Know I wouldn’t hurt you—or anyone—if I could help it.”
“Steel.” His name tore from her like she was pleading with him. He told himself to stay where he was, but despite that, he reached for her, and she stepped into his arms, threaded hers around his neck and met his kiss with her own. It was a long time before either of them pulled away. When they did, her cheeks were flushed, her lips bruised. Steel was hard and hungry. He’d only made things worse.
“Gotta go,” he said desperately, moved to the edge of the platform and began to climb down.
“When will I see you again?” She followed him, peering over the edge.
“You won’t. Not if I can help it. Not until this is all over.”
“I could help.” She watched him maneuver down to one of the planks nailed into the tree trunk.
“No, you can’t. Whatever else you do, stay away. If you hear about me, or see me—”
“I’m stronger than you think,” she insisted.
“So am I.” He climbed down easily and stared up at her from the ground. “I don’t need help. I need you safe. Don’t wait for me, you hear? I’m not worth it.”
But she was.
God, she was worth anything he was able to do.
Had any of that really happened? Stella gave Steel the time he so obviously wanted to leave the property without further discussion, then climbed down from the treehouse and surveyed the soggy, blackened land in front of her, as bleak as her mood now Steel was gone. At the end of October, someone would win this land. Maybe even her own family. Would that make up for the emotional roller-coaster they’d all ridden this summer?
And what did Steel mean he was trying to right a wrong—and that William had been trying to do so, too, when he and Dale grew
