Chapter Eight

Eyes closed, Andrea stretched languidly, feeling faint surprise that she'd fallen asleep. Recollections of Madison's exquisite lovemaking gave her a sense of peace and happiness she'd never known before. Reaching for him, she felt an aching bewilderment when she realized he wasn't beside her, wasn't even in the room.

She sat up with a start and saw that his clothes and boots were gone. Hugging the flannel shirt to her breast, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She wondered how long she'd slept. The fire in the stove was low and she shivered as cool air met her bare back and shoulders. Brilliant flashes of lightning piercing the night sky told her the storm had not yet abated.

Where could he have gone? she wondered, padding across the cold floor to kneel in front of the stove. As thunder vibrated the windows a sudden thought struck her. Mo's surgery was scheduled for tomorrow morning and she'd promised to call tonight! She felt sick with guilt. As if Mo didn't have enough worries on her mind. A good thing she'd given her Marion's phone number so she could call and check on Christopher. Andrea prayed he was coping with the situation. She half smiled to herself as she thought of the little devil. He was probably having the time of his life at the ranch.

Another rumble of thunder shook the tower and she felt a ripple of uneasiness, wondering where Madison had disappeared to. The sound of his steps on the metal staircase outside brought a sigh of relief to her lips. The dying fire in the stove flared as he edged the door open as a gust of wind, thick with the of scent of rain and pines, swept into the room with him.

At the sight of her, Madison felt a surge of love and fierce protectiveness. She looked incredibly seductive swathed in the big checkered shirt, her eyes still smokey from slumber, her hair a tangled mass of gold.

"Well, sleepy-head, it's about time." He quickly shut the door and blew into his hands to warm them before he knelt and slipped an arm around her shoulders.

She gave him a coy glance. "I don't know how I could have fallen asleep."

He smiled. "Guess you exerted more energy than you bargained for."

"You mean the horseback riding?" she asked, mischief gleaming in her blue eyes.

His smile grew wicked. "That too."

"Where were you just now?"

"Checking on the horses, and I was kinda hoping there might be some dry wood stacked underneath the tower but I guess these last two logs will have to do for the night. If the fire goes out, I'll do my best to keep you warm," he said, sliding his arm down around her waist.

Andrea let him draw her to him and hold her tightly against his chest. In the lull between the cracks of thunder it was so quiet in the room, she could hear her heart drumming in her ears.

"Comfy?" he whispered, stroking her back.

"Yes," she sighed. "There's just one little thing."

He pulled back to look at her face. "What?"

"This will probably sound crazy but I'm starving."

He threw his head back laughing. "That barbeque dinner we were supposed to eat has crossed my mind once or twice too." He closed his eyes. "I can picture it now, a great big juicy steak, mouth-watering cowboy beans, buttermilk buisquits . . . "

She slapped his shoulder playfully. "Stop! That's cruel."

He gave her a teasing grin then reached for the saddlebag. "I always knew my Boy Scout training would come in handy someday. "How does water, apples and a chocolate bar sound?"

"Heavenly!"

"Let's make this easier on your beautiful bottom," he said, pushing to his feet and hauling the mattress near the fire.

She watched him set out the rations and slice the apples with a pocket knife. "Hmmm. Impromptu picnics seem to be your specialty. Strangely reminiscent of your pizza and paté." Andrea narrowed her eyes with mock accusation. "How many women besides me have you lured into this tower?"

"Dozens." He kept a straight face while his eyes blazed with mirth as he fed her a piece of apple. Suddenly serious, he reached out and gently stroked her cheek. "I want you to know that from this moment forward, you are the only one in my life."

Her heart sang as he voiced what she herself felt about him. She couldn't imagine ever loving another man. Studying him in the flickering light, she savored the memory of his lips on hers, his sensuous touch, his tender words of love. But what did she really know about him?

"Your sister said something rather provocative this morning—about your broken engagement being strictly for public consumption?" she asked, looking at him expec-tantly.

He sighed with frustration. "Marion told you that?"

She drew back at his wary expression. "Have I hit on a taboo subject?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it that, but it's not something I'd planned to go into now."

Placing her hands on her hips, Andrea hunched her shoulders forward. "Oh, I see we have a double standard here. What's good for the goose isn't good for the gander."

"Touché." He absently stoked the fire. "Remember what I told you about the family rift? I guess I'd better give you a little background so you'll understand."

She folded her arms across her breast. "Go ahead. I'm not going anywhere."

"To everyone else in town she's the very refined Victoria Stanton, anchor woman, local celebrity and all that. But to me she's just the Vicky I grew up with. She was a really neat kid, sort of a tomboy and we were inseparable. As we got older, our parents made no secret of the fact that they hoped we'd end up together." He gave her a sheepish glance. "It was like a pre-ordained destiny, if you know what I mean."

"And somewhere along the way the camaraderie changed to love?" she said, raising a quizzical brow.

"Not for quite a while. I went to Harvard, she went to Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. We dated other people, saw each other back and forth . . . "

"Dated? No meaningful relationships?"

"Yes, when I apprenticed with the law firm in Boston. But there was always something missing."

"And where was Victoria all this time?"

"She majored in broadcasting and got on at a TV station in Pittsburgh. So for a couple of years there, except for holidays and family gatherings, we didn't see too much of each other until we both ended up back in Phoenix."

"So you automatically gravitated back to Victoria."

"With a couple of fizzled relationships on each side, we figured if we weren't finding the right thing with someone else, then maybe this was the right thing—not to mention our parents getting into the act and tightening the screws on us to get married."

"And how did you get to be the bad guy?"

"Picture this," Madison sighed, ruffling his hair. "Russell throws us a lavish engagement party that hits all the society pages. Then while the wedding preparations are going on, he surprises the hell out of us by buying us a million dollar house, and the money to furnish it on top of that. It was like a runaway train."

"And you derailed it."

His laugh held a trace of bitterness. "Actually, it was Vicky who called the wedding off." Andrea lifted her brows in surprise. "A few weeks before the wedding, she confessed that she was having an affair with her boss."

"Oh, how awful!" She laid a comforting hand on his thigh and he quickly covered it with his own.

"The worst part was that the guy was both married and a friend of her father's. She pleaded with me to keep her secret. If the news got out, it would have created an unbelievable scandal, ruined her career, his career, etc., etc."

Andrea's admiration for him heightened. "So . . . you took the blame in order to save her reputation." She shook her head sadly. "You must have been devastated."

"Actually, once I got over the initial shock, my reaction was more a feeling of . . . well, relief. All of a sudden I realized that marrying Vicky was what other people wanted for me, what our families took for granted. It also made me recognize my love for her was that of a treasured friend." He moved closer to Andrea and traced her lips with his fingers. "I never felt this way about her. I've never felt this way about anyone."

When his lips closed on hers, Andrea eagerly returned his kiss and tingled with the desire that mounted within her once again. His hands were inside her shirt, cool against her skin. She pulled away long enough to shrug the material off and say in a throaty whisper, "You think taking your clothes off again will be a problem?"

He unmapped his shirt. "No, but it could be habit-forming."

The high-pitched whine of a chainsaw split the early morning calm, waking Madison with a start. He propped himself on one elbow and blinked into a shaft of brilliant sunlight. The flawless blue sky made it difficult to believe there had ever been a storm.

Although it was barely seven o'clock, he had no doubt it was the people from the Forest Service busy clearing the fallen trees from the road. He knew they'd have a radio in the truck and could contact the authorities to let Marion know they were all right.

He glanced down at Andrea curled next to him, still sleeping peacefully. Careful not to wake her, he gently tucked the shirt around her. He quelled the urge to run his hand over her bare thighs, all the while relishing the images of their lovemaking the night before.

Quietly, he slipped into his clothes, tiptoed to the door and had his fingers on the handle when her sleepy voice stopped him.

"So, I'm to be seduced and abandoned?"

He turned to admire her disheveled appearance as she reclined on the mattress. The dark checkered shirt made a pleasing contrast to her white skin. She was perfect, he thought. Just perfect. He crossed the room and eased himself down next to her. "If my memory serves me correctly, I would have to say it was I who was seduced."

Andrea's desire for him was instantly rekindled as he drew her into his arms.

"Want to go for three?" he whispered, letting his hands come to rest on her hips.

"Mmmmmmm." She wrapped her arms behind his neck and brought his lips down to hers. Lost in the magical sensations that ricocheted through her, setting every cell in her body on fire, Andrea wished she could stop time, hold fast to the moment.

Her eyes flew open when she heard the shriek echo through the forest. "What was that?"

"A chain-saw. I'm afraid reinforcements from the Forest Service have arrived to clear the road and return us to civilization."

His remark burst the dreamy bubble that seemed to surround them, and jolted her back to reality. She pictured herself decending the stairs to a waiting audience of uniformed men, all staring at her with knowing eyes, gleaning from her face the vision of two naked bodies intertwined in love.

"Oh, my God, I've got to get dressed!" she cried, pushing Madison away and struggling to get to her feet.

"Relax," he said, chuckling, as he tried to restrain her. "No one even knows we're here."

"Oh, my legs!" she cried, collapsing back onto the mattress and rubbing her thighs.

"Here, let me do that," he said, massaging her gently. "I'm so sorry. I had a feeling you'd be suffering the ravages of yesterday's ride."

Andrea winced. "I don't think I can stand another two or three hours in the saddle."

Madison pursed his lips in thought. "Tell you what. Those guys are probably less than half a mile from here and I'm sure they'll have a radio. While you're getting dressed, I'll get a message to Marion to bring the truck and horse trailer. That way you won't have to ride at all."

Andrea hesitated. The thought of straddling a horse made her want to scream, but conversely, she had no desire to wait alone in the forest. "I'll go with you," she said, forcing herself to stand. "Do women still ride sidesaddle?"

He gave her a wide grin. "If Abigail doesn't object, neither do I."

Twenty minutes later, Andrea suppressed a groan as Madison helped her mount and drape her right leg around the pommel. She gave him a feeble smile. "Oh, thank you, Sir," she said in her best Southern twang. "I've always depended on the kindness of strangers."

He laughed as he adjusted the stirrup higher, then looked up at her expectantly. "Think you can handle this for a few minutes?" He swung onto his horse, his heart swelling with admiration. This woman had spunk.

As they rode, Andrea gritted her teeth against the relentless ache in her legs and congratulated herself. She'd certainly come a long way from the pampered socialite of a year ago.

After a few minutes, her discomfort subsided and she drew in deep breaths of the crisp, rain-washed air. Had the sky ever been this blue before? Had the sun ever seemed so bright? They rode in companionable silence, listening to the soft chirping of birds and exchanging several meaningful glances which left her feeling so happy, she thought she might burst.

At the sight of the Forest Service truck, she felt an unexpected twinge of doubt, and cast a quick glance at Madison. Alone with him in the tower, she'd felt safe, confident of her feelings, sure of his love, the outside world forgotten. But suddenly reality sunk in. What had she let herself in for? How could she have permitted herself to fall for the one man on earth who could drive a permanent wedge between her and Mo? She wondered if she could summon up the strength she needed to survive the problems that lay ahead.

"I think the rescue squad is here," Madison said as the red truck rounded the bend an hour later. They returned Marion and Christopher's frantic waves and heard the boy's exuberant shouts of joy as she screeched to a halt in front of them and rolled down the window.

"Madison McKee, you deserve forty lashes for giving us all such a scare!" Marion admonished, the expression of mock anger belying her brimming delight.

He threw her a good-natured grin as he opened the door. Christopher scrambled over her lap and Madison swung him to the ground.

"Am I glad to see you!" Andrea cried, dropping to one knee and gathering the boy in a tight squeeze.

After they embraced, Christopher drew back, his eyes wide. "I thought you were lost in the woods."

"We weren't lost, honey. The storm was too strong for us to get back, that's all."

"I had a pretty good idea you'd find your way to the old tower," Marion said, climbing down while giving Madison a sly look that caused Andrea's face to flush.

"Yep. Lucky we found a dry place," he said matter-of-factly, smoothly covering his discomfort as he began to untether the horses.

"Guess what, Andie?" Christopher announced excitedly, pulling her face to him. "I got to sit in the sheriff's car and listen to the radio when they were looking for you!"

"Well, this has turned out to be quite an adventure for you, what with the cattle branding and everything," she exclaimed, welcoming the change of subject.

"The kid's a natural cowboy," Marion called out over her shoulder as she helped load the pawing, snorting horses into the trailer.

"I'll drive," Madison said, sliding behind the wheel and beckoning Andrea to sit beside him. Marion climbed in last and took Christopher on her lap. While she was busy fiddling with the seatbelt, Madison gave Andrea's thigh a playful squeeze. She turned to him and met the wicked glow in his eyes. A tingle of joy raced through her, raising a host of goosebumps on her arms.

He drove slowly, dodging wide pools of water and deep crevices in the rutted dirt road.

"Thank you so much for taking care of Christopher," Andrea said, turning to Marion.

"Piffle!" she said, waving away the compliment. "It was fun getting to be a mom again." She gave the boy an affectionate hug.

Christopher leaned back against her ample bosom, looking contented, but after a moment his expression grew somber. "Mommy called last night I told her you were lost and she was really scared," he said to Andrea.

"Oh dear. I was afraid of that."

"I did my best to put her mind at ease," Marion interjected. "By the way, her surgery is scheduled for . . . " She glanced at her watch. "Just about now."

Andrea tried to calm the gnawing dread that invaded her stomach. Once again, the disquieting knowledge that Mo's tumor might be malignant tempered her euphoric mood and increased her sense of guilt for feeling so happy, while her friend lay in a hospital bed miles away. It was an immense comfort when Madison's arm slid around her shoulders.

"Everything is going to be fine," he said, flashing her an encouraging smile.

Voicing her doubts would only serve to frighten Christopher, so she forced down the lump of fear that clogged her throat. "Your mom's going to be good as new," she said, taking his small hand in her own.

As they continued toward the ranch, Madison made no move to pull his arm away. Andrea's sideways glance at Marion to gauge the reaction to her brother's open display of affection was rewarded with a bold wink of approval.

She leaned her head back against the seat and let the tension flow from her body. If the news about Mo was indeed optimistic, and an agreeable settlement regarding Sundial House was reached, her own future, which had seemed murky only a week ago, now looked bright and hopeful.

It was mid-morning before they stepped out of the truck in front of the ranch house.

"May I use the phone?" Andrea asked anxiously as Madison and his sister unlatched the horse trailer.

"Go right ahead. Use the one in the living room," Marion said, waving her toward the door.

Her chest tight with apprehension, Andrea rushed inside and immediately called the hospital in Houston. When Mo's aunt told her the operation was completed and the tumor removed. It was not malignant, her knees crumpled with relief. She sat down hard in a chair, unable to curb the tears of joy that streamed down her cheeks.

"Is everything all right?" Madison asked, walking into the room as she cradled the phone.

She pushed to her feet. "Yes! The tumor was benign."

He folded her in his arms, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm glad as I can be, Andie."

Calling her by her nickname for the first time sent a thrill of delight through her and she reveled in the comfort of his embrace.

With reluctance, she disengaged herself from his arms when she heard Marion and Christopher enter the house.

"Guess what?" she exclaimed as they appeared in the doorway. "Your mommy's gonna be okay!"

The boy let out a joyous whoop and tried without success to execute several cartwheels.

Marion's face beamed with pleasure. "That's just wonderful! Andrea, could I interest you in a nice hot bubble bath before lunch?"

"That sounds like heaven . . . but . . . I don't know if there's time." She shot a hesitant glance at Madison.

"Take all the time you need," he said with an engaging smile and reached for the phone. 'Til call my office."

Madison's thoughts wandered as he slid the reference volume back into the bookshelf. What an extraordinary weekend it had been. Reliving the ecstasy in the fire tower, he could still envision Andrea's supple body, feel the softness of her in his arms, taste the sweetness of her. He returned to his desk humming, Row, row, row your boat— the final tune they'd all harmonized right before he'd dropped Andrea and Christopher off.

"I'm glad someone's happy around here," McKee, Sr. announced from the doorway."

Madison looked up, startled. "Dad! What are you doing here?"

His father closed the door and dropped into the upholstered leather chair facing him. "I've been trying to reach you all day."

"I got delayed in Sedona. There was a big storm last night in case you haven't heard."

"I heard. I heard. How's Marion?"

"Same as always."

McKee Sr. drummed the desk with his fingertips.

"I can see you've got something on your mind, Dad."

"Russ wants to know what the hold-up is. You've had this case for a week and nothing's happening."

"Hey! The other guys had it for a year."

"Yeah. And they got fired."

Madison wagged his finger at his father. "You're pushing, Dad. Give me some slack. I took this as a favor to you. Let me handle it my way."

"Okay, I'm sorry. But, I need to give Russ a progress report. Is the Callaway woman going to sign over the property or not?"

"Tell him there's been an unexpected delay. She's gone into the hospital for surgery. When she gets out, I'll get on it."

He hated to admit to himself that he'd been too busy pursuing Andrea to give the case his full attention. He didn't have the foggiest idea how he would resolve it without bloodshed. He'd have to do that as soon as he got back from Tucson.

There was a light knock at the door and Blanche Kitter-ing walked in. "Papers on the Stanton case," she said, waving some folders. "Scott just sent them over. Do you want to look at them now?"

Madison eyed his watch. "I should already be in Tucson. Is there anything that can't wait until I get back?"

She shrugged and placed the stack in front of him. "I guess not."

"I bet you miss me. Don't you, Blanche?" McKee, Sr. said with a wicked smile, reaching to pat her behind.

"Every day," she said, slapping his hand away. She directed a knowing look at Madison over her reading glasses before turning to leave.

McKee Sr. perked up, eyeing the folders with interest. "Anything I can help you with, Son?"

"Dad, you're retired, remember? Don't you have a date with your golf clubs or something?

"Played eighteen holes today already."

"I've got to get on the road," he said, rising from his seat and draping his arm around his father's shoulders as they moved to the door.

"You go on." He gave Madison a crafty grin. "I'm going to hang around a bit and give Blanche a hard time."