"Theres a womens health group thats pretty organized. They can pull people together faster than I can at random. Where do you want them?"

"Have them meet me at the Town Hall in half an hour."

On her way there, she stopped to have photocopies of Sandys picture made. She was gratified to find fifteen people waiting for instructions when she arrived. As she handed out the childs picture and organized the volunteers into pairs with specific assignments, she saw Victoria King and her office staff arrive. She motioned for the doctor to join her.

"Is there anything special I should tell them about the child?" Reese asked. "You spoke with her parents?"

"I did, and aside from what sounds like some form of autism, shes perfectly healthy. My biggest concern is that its getting colder, and if shes out all night, hypothermia is a real danger."

"I know. I want her found before dark." Reese turned back to the volunteers, directing them off to their search. "Ive called the Coast Guard to begin scanning the shore, and the water. Where will you be if I need you?"

"Randy and Sally are both out searching, so I closed the office. I might as well wait there. You can page me. Ive got the Jeep, so Im mobile. Heres my card" she answered, scribbling her beeper number on the back. "Will you call me when you have something?" She searched Reeses face, knowing that she must be feeling the stress. Her dark blue eyes were more intense than usual, if that was possible, and her voice a little brusque, but her face betrayed nothing of her emotions. God, was she always this controlled? Tory couldnt help but wonder at what cost the stoic sheriff maintained her calm. As a physician she knew how high that price could be. "Reese?"

Reese was staring out over the harbor, her concentration barely penetrated by Torys voice. "Do you see that?" Reese asked softly.

Tory followed her line of sight, perplexed. "What? The kites?"

Reese nodded, her gaze captured by a particularly decorative red wide-winged kite. "She likes birds, her brother saidand the color red."

Tory stared at her, and then up at the sky. "Where would she go to get closer to them?"

"Toward the waterout onto one of the piers," Reese said grimly. "Will you call the sheriff and have him send one of the men out to check the piers at the west end? Ill start closer to where she was last seen."

"Yes, of course."

Reese looked down at her, fixing her eyes on Victorias as she gently took her hand. She pressed Tory's fingers lightly. "Thanks."

Tory felt the brief touch to the bone. The sounds of the crowd receded as her gaze locked with Reeses. She was riveted in place, scarcely drawing a breath. In that moment, she realized that Reese Conlon was the most intriguing woman she had ever met. And she was beautiful. " And Im in big trouble ," Tory thought. She swallowed, wondering if she would ever be able to look away. Thankfully, someone demanded Reeses attention at that moment, and Reese released her hand, turning aside.

Tory took a shaky breath. Right, find a phone, Tory girl, you can do that. Just walk away from her. She has no idea what shes doingshe hasnt a clue to the effect she has on any lesbian with a heartbeat.

And Tory realized with a shock that that was probably trueReese didnt know. And if she didnt know, what did that say about her? Tory considered what little she knew of Reeses past. Some part of her had always assumed that Reese was a lesbian, because she seemed like one, and because Tory found her attractive. But perhaps she wasntor perhaps she didnt know that she was! Tory shook her head either way, it lets me out. Theres no way Im getting involved with someone whos just coming out, or God forbid, straight!

She watched Reese stride down the sidewalk toward the center of town and willed her heart to stop pounding. It didnt work, but she tried to tell herself it was only her worry over the little girl.

**********

It was close to eight oclock when Tory tossed the last chart onto the cart beside her desk. It had been dark for two hours. She couldnt imagine how the parents must feel, or how frightened the child must be. She hated it when children were sick. It was often impossible to explain to them what was happening, or why she had to do things that hurt them. Too often, she simply had to do what needed to be done, accepting that sometimes she caused pain in the name of healing. But it never got easier. She thought about Katherine, the woman she had loved for ten yearsthrough med school and K.Ts surgical residency, until it had ended four years ago. Katherine had the surgeons wonderful, and irritating, ability to detach herself at will from emotions that threatened her equilibrium. A necessary skill for the operating room, but a deadly one for a relationship. Katherine had been so damn hard to resist, though, that Tory had forgiven her for every hurt but the last. Even her disarming grin and her pledge of undying love could not sway Tory then. That was part of the reason Tory needed to avoid any fantasies about the enigmatic Deputy Sheriffshe had that same irresistible quality of bravado and rakish appeal that Katherine had had. Once was enough! Reese Conlon might be charming, and gallant, and bravebut she was dangerous, too.

Tory jerked in her seat when the phone rang. "Yes?" she said abruptly.

"I have her, Doctor. Well be there in five minutes. The parents are on their way," Reese stated over her car phone.

"Whats her status?" Tory asked as she rose from behind her desk.

"Shes not talking. Shes not even crying. But I dont see any obvious injuries. Were just up the street"

"Bring her back to the procedure room."

"Roger that."

**********

Tory looked up a moment later to find Reese standing in the door of her examining room with a bundle in her arms. A tousled blond head poked out of a green flak jacket emblazoned with the Marine Corp insignia.

"Put her up on the table," Tory indicated brusquely as she reached for a stethoscope. Reese settled the child carefully on the paper-covered surface as Tory turned to the little girl with a smile on her face.

"Hi, sweetie," she said. "Im Dr. King. Can you tell me your name?" She laid her hand gently on the childs knee as she spoke. The little girl's skin was cool to her touch.

"Reese, theres a blanket in the warmer behind you. Get it for me, will you?"

Reese wrapped the soft flannel around the young patients shoulders as Tory placed a plastic thermometer sleeve against the childs earlobe. The little girl watched her in silence, but she didnt seem to be afraid.

"Her temperature is a little low, but not dangerously so," Tory commented as she placed the bell of her stethoscope against the small chest. She noted the strong steady beat with satisfaction. Looking down, she realized the girls shoes and socks were missing.

"What happened to her shoes?" she asked as she slipped the stethoscope into her pocket.

"I took them off," Reese replied. "They were wet."

Now that she was satisfied that the child was in no danger, Tory really looked at Reese for the first time.

"Youre soaked, Reese! What happened?"

Reese shrugged. "She climbed out to the edge of a tide pool, following the kites, I think. The tide had come in quite a ways before I found her."

Tory shuddered inwardly at the image of a small child trapped by the swirling waters, unable to climb out and unlikely to be able to swim. She knew that rescue had come barely in time, and only then because of the intelligence and tireless dedication of the woman beside her. A woman, she noted now, who was shivering slightly while she waited to help further.

"You need to get out of those clothes, Reese," she said gently.

"Ill stay if you need me," Reese responded quietly.

Tory shook her head. "Shes fine. Her parents should be here soon. Go on."

"Ive got clothes in the squad car. Ill just be a minute," Reese said, reluctant to leave. She had known instinctively that the little girl was in no danger, but she was captivated by watching Tory King work. Tory took charge with a degree of command that Reese was used to, but with a gentleness and empathy that had been absent in the world of men Reese had inhabited. Reese was moved in a way she didnt understand, stirred by the interplay of fierce concentration and compassionate warmth that suffused Torys elegant features.

Tory gave her a stern but fond look. "Go!"

Reese smiled, snapping a crisp salute. "Yes, maam!"

She slipped out as Sheriff Parker entered with the little girls parents rushing before him. The satisfying sounds of relieved cries and a happy reunion followed her retreat.

It took a few moments for Tory to convince the childs parents that she was absolutely fine, but finally they began to relax after the hours of frantic worry. At length she glanced toward the hall, stunned to silence by what she saw. Reese stood quietly at the door, watching. She had pulled on a pair of faded grey sweat pants and a tee shirt, well-worn clothes that accentuated the shear physicality of her form, stretching tight across her broad shoulders, exposing the highly defined muscles in her arms, clinging to her narrow hips and strong thighs. Torys throat tightened as her heart began to race. She wanted to look away; she wanted to deny the unmistakable wave of desire; she wanted not to find this unusual woman more beautiful than anything she had ever seen. Mercifully, the parents spied Reese standing there and descended upon her, releasing Tory from the gaze that unwittingly held her captive.

Reese was clearly uncomfortable with the attention as Mr. James gripped her hand, shaking it furiously as he exclaimed, "Thank you so much, Sheriff. I cant tell you how much we appreciate what youve done!"