Page 100 of Winter Vows

“Of course,” she said at once. “I’ll be right there.” She hesitated. “Dylan, what about Laura? Should I bring her or find a sitter?”

He knew exactly what she meant. Having a baby around right now might be more than Kelsey could bear. “A sitter, I think.”

“No,” Kelsey said at once, obviously guessing the topic. “Tell her to bring Laura. Seeing that precious girl will do me a world of good. It’ll remind me of what I’m fighting to get back.”

Dylan regarded her worriedly. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

He nodded. “Trish, bring the munchkin. Kelsey wants her here.”

“Will do. By the way, I spoke to Jeb. He’s on his way. You were right. He was downright eager to get out from under Dad’s thumb.”

Dylan laughed. “At this rate, dear old Dad is going to have to come to Los Pinõs, if he expects to see his kids again.”

“Does that mean you’re thinking of sticking around?” Trish asked.

Dylan’s gaze sought out Kelsey, who was busying herself putting the sponges and bucket away. “We’ll see, sis. You know me. I take life the same way I build a case, one step at a time.”

“Not that you asked, but nothing would make me happier than to have those steps lead you here.”

“We’ll see,” he said, as Kelsey turned and met his gaze. He hung up the phone, then repeated the words for Kelsey’s benefit. “We’ll see.”

He gave her a wink and headed for the door. “Trish will be here soon. If a rogue who looks a lot like me turns up here, don’t let him in. Send him straight to the sheriff’s office.”

She regarded him quizzically. “Is that because he belongs in jail?”

“A few days in lockup probably wouldn’t hurt him,” he said. “But actually, it’ll be my brother Jeb looking for me. I asked him to come and help out.”

“One more thing to thank you for,” she murmured. “How will I ever repay you?”

“Oh, I’m sure, when the time comes, we’ll think of something. Meantime, keep that chin up.”

Kelsey couldn’t believe how much Dylan had become a part of her life. He was rapidly becoming her linchpin, her tower of strength. Despite those early misgivings, she was sure that he was fully and completely on her side now.

Under other circumstances, she might have joked with Lizzy about what a hunk he was, but now she hated herself for even noticing. And, of course, there had been that kiss. She wasn’t entirely sure how it had started, but, holy kamoley, there was no mistaking how it could have ended. How she had wanted it to end.

What on earth was wrong with her? How could she be attracted to Dylan—to anyone—when her boy was missing? How could she have considered, even for a second, just giving in to passion and letting it wipe out the pain, even temporarily?

Normally he wasn’t the sort of man who’d even notice her, but she could tell that he did. But just when she thought she detected a male-female sort of heat in his gaze, he withdrew to that distant place where she couldn’t reach him. He’d done it after that kiss, despite his reassurances that they’d get back to it another time.

Her skin was still burning, just as it had to his touch, when Trish knocked at the back door. “Okay to come in?”

“Absolutely,” Kelsey told her, relieved to have the distraction. She caught sight of Laura clinging to her mother’s hand and knelt down. “Hey, you. How about a cookie?”

Laura’s eyes brightened. “Cookie?” she said at once, her head bobbing eagerly. Then she cast a cautious glance at her mother. “’Kay, Mama?”

“Yes, it’s okay. But just one,” Trish said. “Then you have to lie down on the sofa and take a nap.”

“Nap,” Laura echoed dutifully, already reaching for the oatmeal-raisin cookie Kelsey was holding out.

“Want to bet she forgets all about that nap when the time comes?” Trish said. She touched Kelsey’s cheek. “How are you holding up?”

“By a thread,” Kelsey said honestly. “Your brother has been amazing. He’s been working on this nonstop.”

Trish seemed about to say something, then caught herself.

“What?” Kelsey prodded.

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