Panic flashed across Cyndi's face, but was quickly hidden. “I have business here."

When no more information was forthcoming, Shannon nodded. “I'll be back in a couple minutes with your order."

And probably on the phone to her husband too. Shamus figured he had a half hour tops before his brother showed up to check out Cyndi. Sighing, Shamus sat back and picked up his coffee mug. He loved his family to death, but sometimes he wished they would mind their own business. Cyndi was skittish enough as it was. The last thing he wanted was for his family to frighten her off.

Cyndi wrapped both hands around her mug and brought it to her lips. The woman sitting across from him was a far cry from the one he'd fantasized about. There was no lipstick on the lips that sipped from the mug. Like yesterday, they shone as if she were wearing some kind of gloss. And if he wasn't mistaken, she'd tried to conceal the circles beneath her eyes. She looked pale to him.

Today, she was wearing a pair of brown corduroys, low-heeled brown boots, and a brown, fitted jacket that fell to her waist. Beneath the jacket was a light beige, scooped-neck T-shirt. It was a far cry from the black mini skirt and tight, red sweater from his fantasy. But he liked this woman better. She was more real, less practiced.

"Bad night?"

She started and took a sip of coffee to hide it. “You could say that.” She laid her mug in front of her, but didn't release it. “It's strange being back after all these years."

Shamus picked up his fork and knife and began to eat again. His breakfast was cold, but it was still tasty. Plus, he thought it might help put Cyndi at ease if she felt he wasn't staring at her. “I imagine it is."

"I didn't get to the garage yesterday. It was too late by the time I finished...” She hesitated. “My business."

Shamus didn't push. He was pleased she was talking to him at all. If she was going to be here a while, he'd find out everything about her before too long. “You headed there this morning?"

She nodded as she traced her finger over the rim of her mug. Shamus's body tightened at the innocent movement. He'd love to have her fingers touching him.

He cleared his throat. “I can go with you if you'd like and give you a ride to wherever you're staying after you drop off your car."

"There's no need, I can walk home."

Before he could argue further, Shannon returned and popped a plate of toast in front of Cyndi, placing two packages of honey next to it. She topped up both their mugs without asking. “Anything else I can get for you two?"

"No, thank you.” Cyndi opened a pack of the honey and picked up her knife.

"I'm good,” he replied. Shannon nodded and went back to serving her other customers. He knew someone in his family would grill him later.

He finished his meal and let Cyndi finish a full slice of toast before he brought up the topic of him giving her a ride again. “It's no trouble to give you a ride before I head to work."

She bit off a piece of toast and chewed. A bead of honey glistened on her upper lip before she licked it off. Shamus swallowed, his erection stirring once again. Cursing silently, he struggled not to squirm in his seat.

"What do you do for a living?"

"My brother-in-law and I are partners in a construction company."

Cyndi dropped the piece of toast in her hand back onto the plate. Her face had lost all color. He reached across the table, his hand grazing her cheek. “You okay?"

"Fine. This was a mistake. I have to go.” She jumped up from the table and grabbed her purse. Rummaging around inside, she hauled out five dollars and laid it on the table. “That should more than cover my bill."

"Wait,” he called, but Cyndi was already hurrying toward the door. Shamus leapt to his feet and dug into his pocket, dropping a ten on the table. “Money's on the table, Shannon,” he told her as he passed her. He could see the concern on her face, but he didn't stop.

Cyndi was already in her car by the time he caught up with her. He thought she might drive off without speaking to him, but she rolled down her window a crack. It reminded him of yesterday. She was back to being skittish around him, and he didn't quite know why.

"Look, I'm sorry. I just don't think it's a good idea for you to be around me."

He frowned. “Why?"

"Trust me, okay?” She started the car and he reluctantly stepped away. “Thank you for everything.” As he watched, she pulled away.

He was moving before she'd gone more than a couple of feet. He knew where she was going, and he wasn't about to let her give him the brush-off without a good reason. He knew people and he knew women. She was attracted to him and had been enjoying breakfast as much as him. Until he'd mentioned he was in construction with his brother-in-law. Maybe she didn't like blue-collar workers? He heard his name being called as he got to his truck. He thought about ignoring it, but knew his brother would simply follow him if he didn't answer.

He opened the door and swung into the driver's seat of his truck. Jamming his key into the ignition, he turned it and the engine roared to life. “I don't have time to talk right now. I'll catch you later."

Patrick strode to the open door, his eyes curious. “You okay?"

"Fine, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. Go talk to your wife. I'm sure she'll give you all the details."

One of Patrick's eyebrows rose questioningly, but he nodded. “I'll be talking to you later.” With that pronouncement, he shut the door with a bang.

Shamus knew that he wasn't acting like himself this morning. Usually, he was laid-back and relaxed. This morning he was tense, ready to fight, except he didn't quite know what he was fighting with or for.

None of this made any sense. He was always calm and rational, but not, it seemed, when it came to this woman he'd met only yesterday. Deep in his gut, he knew Cyndi was special and right now, it felt as if she was slipping through his fingers. If he let her go without a fight, he knew that he'd always regret it.

"If she's just not into you, then you'll have to let it go,” he muttered to himself as he drove toward Mike Sampson's garage. “Otherwise she'll have you arrested as a stalker.” And wouldn't that just be dandy? Shamus could picture his brother, the sheriff, having to warn him to stay away from a woman. He wasn't that far gone yet, but he sensed that Cyndi was hiding something and he was determined to find out what it was.

Maybe she was married! He didn't think so. She wasn't wearing a ring and didn't act married. He'd seen the flashes of sexual awareness in her eyes. He could be wrong, but she didn't strike him as the type of woman who'd cheat on her man.

She was climbing out of her car when he pulled into the parking lot. Slamming her car door, she shot him a glare, and then strode into the garage. Shamus was no fool, so he sat in his truck, letting the engine idle while he waited. Not ten minutes later, she came back out again, her purse hitched over her shoulder. Ignoring him totally, she headed toward the sidewalk.

Shamus pulled his truck alongside her and rolled down his window. “You might as well let me give you a ride home. I'll just follow you otherwise."

She tiled her chin even higher.

"What could it hurt?” he cajoled.

Stopping, she spun on her heel and faced him. “Can't you take no for an answer? Maybe I should call the cops.” Her face was red, her lips pursed tight.

"If you'd wanted the cops, you should have waited another thirty seconds at the diner. You could have had my brother arrest me."

She reeled back as if he'd struck her. “Patrick is a cop?"

"As of two months ago, he's the sheriff.” Shamus paused as her choice of words struck him. She seemed to be very familiar with his family.

"That's just great,” he heard her say under her breath. “I'll be run out of town before sunset."

"Look, I may be way out of line here, Cyndi, but I like you, and I think you like me. There's no harm in me helping you out or sharing a meal with you. If you really want me to go, I'll leave. I never meant to upset you."

Her hands were trembling and her face had lost all color, making the dark circles beneath her eyes even more prominent. But it was the haunted look in her eyes that made him want to get out of his truck and wrap his arms around her. She looked positively wounded. He didn't move because he didn't want to frighten her off. His fingers squeezed the steering wheel until his knuckles were white.

As he watched, she straightened her shoulders and swallowed hard. He admired the way she pulled herself back together, preparing to face whatever it was that was bothering her so much.

"You've been nothing but kind to me, Shamus.” He loved the way his name sounded on her lips. Would have liked to hear it under better circumstances. “But you really need to stay away from me. Your family would be very upset if they found out you were spending time with me."

"Why?” His gut was churning, telling him he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.

"Can't you just let it go?"

"No. If you want me to leave, you need to explain this to me."

She studied him for a long time, both of them trapped in a standoff. Finally, as if sensing he wouldn't give in, she nodded and walked around to the passenger side and climbed in.

Chapter Four

Cyndi dragged her feet as she climbed aboard Shamus's truck. Why wouldn't he leave well enough alone? Because he was a good man, a voice in the back of her head insisted.