Page 10 of Shine On Oklahoma

Knock knock knock. “You okay inthere?” Dax called.

“It’s open.”

The knob turned, door opened. He stuck hishead through and looked around. “You got a bear in here withyou?”

She grinned. Then she laughed. He’d pulledthe plug, and her frustration was draining away. “No bear.”

He came the rest of the way in, closed thedoor behind him, and looked around. “Wow. I’m really glad thisisn’t the room they let me dry out in after my last bender.”

“You had a bender?”

He nodded. “I’d been drinking way too muchfor way too long. And I knew it. I was riding a train off a cliffand didn’t have the brains to get off before it went over. And thenit did.”

She lowered her head. “After what I did toyou.”

“A drunk can always find a reason to drink.You were mine, but if you hadn’t been, something else would have,sooner or later.”

“I’m sorry, you know. I never felt bad abouta mark before, but you… I’d undo it if I could. But that would meanwe’d never have had that time together.”

He lowered his head, not looking into hereyes. “That time together was you running a con.”

She nodded. “It was also the best time of mylife.” She held up both hands when he shot her a look that wasalmost accusing. “No game. That’s the truth. I regret taking thatmoney from you. I really do.”

He lowered his head. “Yeah, well, I’m notblameless. I mean, come on, a kidney transplant? Out of the bluelike that? I wanted to believe you, even when I knew better. I knewwhen I handed you that cash. On some level, I knew.”

“You can’t take the blame for what Idid.”

“I can at least admit that I was a willingparticipant.”

“So…” They were playing tag with their eyesand she was it. “Are you saying I’m forgiven?”

“Ninety-nine percent forgiven. I’m holdingback a point for when you pay it back.”

She blinked and pulled in her chin. “Youthink I’m gonna pay it back?”

“I think it’s the right thing to do.”

“Uh-uh. No way. You just stood there and tookthe blame for being conned.”

“Yousaid—” he countered, but she heldup a hand.

“Fifty percent. I’m half to blame, you’rehalf to blame. Chalk your half up to a learning experience. I’llpay you back my half. Eventually.” She turned her hand sideways.“Deal?”

“I like you when you’re being your legitimateself, you know that?”

She thrust her hand at him. “Deal?”

“Deal.” His hand enveloped hers completely inwarmth and restrained power. She’d always loved Dax Russell’s bigstrong hands.

He closed his eyes, took a breath, and letgo.

“So… now what?” she asked.

He looked at her, then at the bed. “I um…Idon’t…”

“Notthat kindof now what. I meant,why are you here, in my room?”

“Oh, right.” He smiled in what looked likereal relief and said, “I thought you might want to see TheTwig.”

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