Page 23 of Canyon Killer
“Let’s take a look up on the cliff top,” he said. He and Jamie returned to her cruiser and drove away.
When they were gone, Bethany wrapped her arms around Ian. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt,” she said.
He held her for a moment. He felt good. Solid. Sexy, too. On that thought, she pulled away. She had no idea how he felt about her, and she didn’t want to come on too strong.
“Come inside,” he said.
He didn’t say he felt vulnerable standing in the open, but in his place, she would have. She followed him into the trailer, where he grabbed a broom and began sweeping up the glass. She fetched a trash can and helped him clean up the area. Only then did they sit, side by side on a love seat on the end wall.
“It’s good to see you,” he said. “I was worried that the shooter was still around.”
“Thank goodness they left.” She angled toward him. “What was Aaron doing here?”
“He came to tell me they’ve identified the two bodies we found in the cave.”
“Already? Who were they?”
He told her about the newlyweds who had disappeared fifty years before. “And their families really thought they had left without bothering to ever get in touch?” she marveled.
“I guess. They supposedly have a nephew who lives here in town. The sheriff spoke to Gerald’s brother. They couldn’t think of anyone who would have wanted to kill the couple.”
“What a mystery.” She sat back. “It’s such a sad story.”
“Yeah, but at least they died together,” he said.
“In each other’s arms. Still, it must have been horrible.” If she kept thinking about it, she was going to depress herself. “When I saw Aaron, I was afraid he came to warn you away from me.”
“He did that, too.” Ian’s eyes met hers—a little bit teasing, a little bit fond. “I think I persuaded him to let you make your own decisions.”
“Thanks.”
“And have you made a decision?”
“I want to make sure you’re going to get county approval to open to the public before I say yes to the job,” she said.
He nodded. “It’s not the answer I wanted, but it’s probably a smart one.”
“I could still help you out. In my spare time.”
“I’d rather, if you aren’t going to work for me, you’d go out with me.”
Bethany stared at him, aware that her mouth was open. She probably looked like a stunned trout. She closed her mouth and tried to muster some composure. Sure, she really liked this guy, but what did he see in her? “After my brother told me who you were, I looked you up online,” she said. “You’ve dated models. Actresses.”
“I went out with one actress. One time. As for the models…” He shrugged. “They’re not that special.”
“Still, why do you want to go out with me?”
“For one thing, you’re not impressed by me,” he said. “Or at least you hide it well. You’re smart, and you’re not afraid to stand up to people, even your own family, and say what you really think. Do you know how rare that is? That first day I met you, when your brother was giving me a hard time, you defended me. And you didn’t even know me. That made an impression.” He leaned closer. “You’re also beautiful, and I’d really like to kiss you.”
“Yeah. I’d like that, too.”
He slid one hand behind her neck, his fingers rough but warm. She leaned into him, and their lips met. Oh, yes, the man knew how to kiss—soft and firm, receiving as well as giving. The sensation moved through her, like ripples in a pond, warmth and awareness and anticipation flowing down her body.
He lifted his head and smiled down at her, a smile full of heat. She reached up to kiss him again, but the rattle of the door had them pulling apart.
Aaron and Jamie entered. “We found a bullet casing,” her brother said. “Same caliber as the bullet that took out your window. Someone has been up there, but they’re long gone.”
“We spoke with the workers at the end of the canyon,” Jamie said. “They didn’t even hear the shot over the sound of their equipment. And none of them saw anything.”
