Jesse had stormed back to the mine, yelling at everybody, even though he knew damn good and well none of his workers were at fault for what had happened at the bank. Zeke had tried to pacify him, telling him things would work out if he had some patience, but even Zeke hadn't had an answer when Jesse informed him Elizabeth had been in Scott's office.
In fact, Zeke had gotten so riled, Jesse had had to calm him down. Zeke had then yelled at Lucky and the two of them raced off, Zeke muttering about someone named Eleanor and what he'd like to do to her.
Now, as dusk settled across the town and a cooling breeze blew down from the mountains, Jesse had to wonder why he was sitting on Elizabeth's porch waiting for her to come home. He ground his teeth when he recalled how Scott's hands had been all over her. From where Jesse had stood, she hadn't seemed a very willing partner, but she hadn't seemed inclined to move away, either.
Nor had she followed him when he stormed out of the bank. He doubted he would have talked to her anyway, he had been so mad at Scott's high-handed attitude. But the fact of the matter was, they were sort of a couple, and he had sort of asked her to marry him a long time ago. Ironically, it had never bothered him a bit that she seemed in no hurry to marry, until recently.
Over the past week she had consumed his thoughts, not to mention bothering other body parts as well. There had been no hesitancy in the way she kissed him, but just as quick she seemed to get mad at him. Hot and cold; fast and slow. No wonder his mind was in a continual state of confusion. Would he ever figure that woman out?
Just thinking about Elizabeth caused an ache in the lower reaches of his anatomy, so he consciously shifted his thoughts to Scott. A slow, burning anger heated his insides over the snide way Scott had rubbed in the fact that he held the note to Jesse's mine. Not the bank, but Clayton Scott personally.
That hadn't set right with Jesse. He searched his mind for a conversation he'd had with Wendall -- how long ago? Months before his death, Elizabeth’s father, who had been as close to Jesse as his own father, had ventured up to the Nightingale. Wendall had talked mostly about old times when he and Jesse's father had first started prospecting.
In recalling his visit, Jesse felt sure he'd mentioned an agreement with his father as to the disposition of the mine upon either parent’s death. Unfortunately, if such an agreement existed, Wendall had probably kept it at the bank. Just one more reason for Jesse's anger against Clayton Scott.
The last bit of sunlight faded behind the mountain, night shadows now concealing his scowl as he sat on the porch rail with his back against the wall. In the distance he could hear voices and knew Elizabeth was heading this way, probably with the fancy pants banker in tow. Regardless of her earlier behavior, Jesse felt an incredible need to see and talk with her. Instead of making himself known, however, he slid further back into the shadows as the couple approached the porch, not the least guilty about eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Thank you for dinner and for seeing me home, though it wasn't necessary." Elizabeth stopped walking at the gate and turned, as though she didn't want Scott any further.
"I'll come inside," the man responded. It was a demand, not a request, and Jesse's hair bristled at the underlying threat. He turned in the darkness and planted both feet on the porch, ready to step forward.
"No, I think not." Her voice held a stubbornness he hadn't heard before.
"Elizabeth, I told you I wouldn't play dandy to a tease." Clayton grabbed her arm and Jesse made his move, not waiting to see how Elizabeth replied.
With long strides he bounded off the porch and wedged himself between Elizabeth and Scott. "She said to get lost." He didn't have to straighten up to be taller than the banker, but he did anyway, planting his hands on his hips, although he longed to plant them in the other man's face.
Jesse was happy to note Elizabeth's relieved look at his presence. Perhaps she wasn’t as fond of Scott as he had previously thought. She twisted out of the man's grip and moved to the porch. Clayton stared angrily after her, his piercing gaze slicing past Jesse before he turned on his heel and stormed away into the darkness.
"Will you come in?" Elizabeth's soft words reached him, but she didn't wait for a response, leaving the door wide as she hurried inside to light a lamp. Jesse stepped up on the porch but didn't enter the house. He watched as she moved about, the glow of the lamp softening the curves of her silhouette as she moved across the room to another lamp.
Once again an ache formed, this time lodging against his heart. Why did he keep wishing he could give her everything money could buy? She had grown up in the lap of luxury with a father who gave her everything and then some. At times, Jesse had even considered her spoiled. Her recent behavior reminded him of the old Elizabeth; the one he had always wanted to love and cherish.
"Are you coming in?" She had moved to the door to question him again.
"No, it's late."
She cocked her head and though the light was at her back and he couldn't read her expression, Jesse heard the confusion in her voice.
"Why did you stop if you didn't want to see me?"
"I...was angry today...but not at you. Even so, I shouldn't have said the things I did while you were there. It's just that," Jesse sighed, not understanding his need to explain his behavior, but wanting her to understand anyway. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration.
"I know," she said, reaching out to pull him into the house. She quietly closed the door behind him. "Let's make some coffee."
She left him to follow as she wound through the house to the kitchen, carrying one of the lamps with her. He straddled a chair and watched her putter around the kitchen, stoking the fire and putting the coffee pot on.
"Look, Jesse--"
"Elizabeth--" They began at the same time. She laughed, and the sound was such a delight that he simply sat there staring at her. When she didn't seem inclined to continue, he nodded his head slightly for her to proceed.
"Sometimes things aren't exactly the way they appear," she begin, fidgeting with the sash at her waist and not looking at him.
Jesse's heart sank. "You've decided Clayton Scott is a better investment of your time." He tried to keep the emotion out of his voice, knowing it was her choice to make.
"God, no!" Her head snapped up and she gave him a wide-eyed stare. "Why would you think that?"
Now Jesse really was confused. "Maybe it had something to do with the way his hands were all over you at the bank today." Remembering just made him mad, so he turned aside.
In seconds, Elizabeth had rounded the table and squatted by him. When he wouldn't look at her, she turned his head, hands on his cheeks. "You can't possibly think I'd prefer him over you."
"Then why--"
She put a finger to his lips. "If I tell you, you have to promise not to go after Clayton."
Jesse snorted. "I won't promise any such thing."
Elizabeth started to get up and he grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving his side. She flinched, then quickly tried to pretend she hadn't. Jesse looked where his hand held her. Just above his fingers, a light bruise showed.
"That son of a bitch. I'll kill him." Jesse threatened in a flat tone, even though his heart beat painfully, his hand shaking as he slid the sleeve of her dress up further. Definite bruises circled her slim arm -- the exact kind of marks a man's hand would make if he grabbed her too tightly.
"Someone has to figure this mess out." Elizabeth continued.
"Stay away from him." He growled at her, trying to hide the rage he could barely control. The thought that Scott would dare hurt her consumed him with loathing.
"Would you really care so much?" She asked softly, leaning close enough for him to smell her sweetness.
"How can you even ask that?" Jesse groaned, dropping his head so his forehead rested on hers. "Lately, you've been starting fires in me no amount of cold water can douse. It damned near killed me to see you in his arms."
She gave a little sigh. "I told you, it's not what it seems, but you have to have patience."
"That's what Zeke said."
"Well, sometimes Zeke does know what he's talking about."
"Then explain it to me so I'll know, too." A throbbing headache had started behind Jesse's eyes, and he wondered if any explanation could cause it to stop. He turned in the chair so he could rest his head in his hands.
Elizabeth seemed to hesitate.
"Come on, El, you know I hate secrets."
"It's just that we don't have any hard evidence yet."
"We?"
"Zeke and Lucky and me."
"Zeke and Lucky?" Jesse laughed. "Those two don't have enough sense to come in out of the rain at times. What else could they possibly be up to?"
Elizabeth grimaced at his tone. "They know some things you wouldn't believe."
Jesse quirked a brow, wondering just exactly what those two old miners had told her. "Such as?"
"There may be a plot afoot to take over some of the mines in the area and Clayton may be behind it."
Jesse started to object, but she silenced him with a look.
"I was at the bank today trying to look at the records," she continued. "There must be something to indicate what he's up to."
"There's an easy way to find out. It's called my fists." Jesse didn’t consider himself a man with a temper, but truth to tell, he was mad as a hornet right now.
"No, damn...darn it. You can't just waltz in there and pound it out of him. If we tip our hand before it's time, he'll destroy the records and then you'll have nothing."
"What records are you talking about?"
"That's just it. I don't know for certain. I just have to find a discrepancy -- something that's out of place."
"And how come you know about these records?"
Elizabeth looked away and Jesse began to wonder. After all, she seemed pretty chummy with Scott. Could she be playing both of them against each other?
"You know I never had anything to do with the bank. After father died, I didn't care what happened and let Clayton run it. Lately, some things he's said and done have made me wonder if that was a good move. That's why I went to the bank. I'll do what I must to find out if he's up to something illegal."
“And that includes letting him fondle you?” The instant the words were out of his mouth, Jesse wished he could call them back. But jealousy gnawed at his gut, making him say and do things he never thought he would.
Instead of getting mad, Elizabeth smiled. “Are you jealous?”
Jesse leaned closer to where she knelt between his legs. “Yes.” He was a plain spoken man and above all things, honest.
There was a twinkle in her brown eyes, and a mischievous twitch at the corner of her mouth. “Well, he did kiss me the other day.”
Jesse swore an oath, and her face broke into a wide grin.
“I tried to remember what your kiss had been like, but just couldn’t recall.” She shook her head, the movement causing her hair to wave, the silky tendrils just barely caressing his cheek as she leaned toward him.
Jesse couldn’t stand being that close to her and not touching her. He gently pulled her closer, his mouth covering hers. Instant heat flared deep within and spread like wildfire through his veins. Her arms circled his neck and she ran her fingers through his hair, but when she arched her back and pressed her breasts against his chest, Jesse lost it.
Growling deep in his throat, he scooped her up and plopped her down on his lap, hugging her tight. Their kiss lengthened as Elizabeth tentatively touched his lips with her hot tongue. Jesse let her take the initiative, and soon they were gasping for breath. Struggling for control, he breathed in her scent -- fresh air and wildflowers -- and tried to content himself with burying his face in her silky hair. She snuggled close, peppering his neck with hot little kisses until he thought he’d die. Any thoughts of her choosing the banker over him flew out the window.
“I’d better get out of here or I might not be able to leave at all.” The emotional seesaw he’d been on all day tilted him dizzily and he knew it wouldn’t take much for him to fall right off.
“Would that be so bad?” Her innocent question sent his blood thundering.
“I’d like nothing better than to stay, but it wouldn’t do your reputation any good.”
With one last kiss to his chin and a sigh, she moved away from him. “That’s probably true. I know it’s difficult, but I do have to keep Clayton happy, too.” She made a face.
Some of Jesse’s anger returned. “If he lays a hand on you--”
She put a finger to his lips. “He won’t, believe me.” She gave him a gentle kiss on the lips and scooted off his lap. Jesse felt bereft. He didn’t want her anywhere near Scott, so he tried to find a way to keep her to himself.
“What would you say if I take you to Steamboat Springs for a few days? My foreman can handle the mining operation.”
“We can’t. Sarah’s wedding is in two days.”
Jesse refused to take no for an answer. He wanted her out of Peavine until he could figure out what was going on. While he realized Elizabeth had an inside track to the bank records, there were some things he could investigate on his own.
“We’ll go right after the wedding then.”
Elizabeth smiled as she answered. “I guess one way to keep you out of trouble is to keep you out of the same town as Clayton Scott.”
That wouldn’t solve the problem, thought Jesse, but he didn’t want her to worry so he kept his mouth shut.
* * *
Sarah’s wedding day dawned cloudless, but turned hot. From the little room off the sanctuary, Ellie surveyed the crowded church and wondered how these people lived without air conditioning. Most of the ladies waved fans, their pastel colors fluttering among the pews like so many butterflies.
Well, it would soon be over, and she could escape to her house for a cigarette, strip down and cool off. Ellie thought of the way she had been living of late. Lucky only stopped early in the morning, and she hadn’t seen much of Zeke. So, after her habitual cup of coffee in her bathrobe and instructions from Lucky not to cause trouble, she would spend the day alone, and practically naked. It was just too hot for clothes, so she had settled on a chambray shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Since it hung to her knees, she’d worn it for a house dress.
Yesterday at midday, she decided a cool bath might help, so had filled the tub with cold well water from the kitchen pump. She had lulled around for over an hour, pretending she was back in New York at her condo swimming pool.
She had even begun sleeping naked, and the sensuous feel of the sheets against her skin had invoked dreams of Jesse Cole. Now, she stirred restlessly, peeking around the door jam to catch sight of him. He hadn’t come back to see her in the past two days and she could only hope he wouldn’t confront Clayton.
She had told Lucky what had happened on her porch. He shook his head, a low whistle escaping, reiterating Ellie’s fears about a confrontation. Though they wouldn’t say, Ellie had the feeling Zeke was keeping a close eye on Jesse.
“Isn’t it time, yet? I’m so nervous.” Sarah’s shaky voice brought Ellie back to the present, and she turned away from the door, knowing there was nothing at the moment she could do about Jesse and Clayton.
“Yes, I just saw Henry step through the door at the other end.” Ellie smiled as she straightened Sarah’s veil. “You make a beautiful bride, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.” She hadn’t known Sarah long, but Ellie considered her a friend.
“Oh, Elizabeth. One day soon, it’ll be you and Jesse getting married.” She dabbed at her eyes beneath the gauzy veil. “I’ll probably cry like a ninny then, too.”
Ellie hugged Sarah close, knowing she couldn’t keep the desperation off her face at those words, and she didn’t want Sarah seeing it. There would be no wedding for Elizabeth and Jesse; not if Zeke and Lucky had anything to do with it. As for Ellie and Jesse; Ellie couldn’t even contemplate that.
“You ready, pumpkin?” Nate Murphy stuck his head through the doorway. Sarah’s father had been more nervous that she, and Ellie had finally sent him outside to visit with the guests as they arrived.
With a final squeeze of Sarah’s hand, Ellie picked up her bouquet of wildflowers and stepped lightly into the foyer, pausing briefly at the very back of the church until the organist began the wedding march. She knew she looked her best in the dusty rose satin dress Mrs. Carter had made. When the seamstress had delivered the dress yesterday, Ellie had spent plenty of time staring at it hanging from the door of the armoire. She felt like Cinderella going to the ball, for none of her gowns for the opera had even been this elegant.
As she started down the aisle, her gaze collided with Jesse’s and time stood still. Her heart beat erratically, heat infusing her body that had nothing to do with the temperature outside. Jesse’s gaze smoldered, causing an ache to start in the very core of her, just as though his hands were caressing her skin.
She forced her feet to continue their march towards the alter. Why couldn’t it be Jesse and me getting married? The question came unbidden to her mind. She refused to listen when her logical self firmly stated that she didn’t belong to this world.
Instead, she recalled the passionate kiss they had shared; their conversation in the kitchen a few nights earlier. She had been speaking as herself, not Elizabeth, when she had practically begged him to spend the night with her. She -- Eleanor Weaver -- wanted Jesse with something akin to obsession. It had nothing to do with her original purpose for being in Peavine and everything to do with being a woman.
What she felt for Jesse had made it extremely difficult not to tell him how she knew so much about Clayton and what he had planned. She doubted Jesse would understand how she had come to be in this century. Ellie had to try even harder not to implicate Elizabeth because that would have meant tying herself to the crime in Jesse’s eyes.
Ellie came to stand slightly off to the side at the front of the church. As Nate Murphy gave his daughter in marriage to Henry Jefferson, she concentrated on the young couple. She would just have to live for the moment because there didn’t seem to be much she could do about fate.
Henry, for all his reserve as a bank employee, looked full of youthful exuberance, his gaze lingering on his bride with total disregard for anyone else in the church. Sarah, also, had a look of pure love and utter devotion, and Ellie envied them this moment.
She glanced at Jesse, who stood on the other side of Henry. He wasn’t watching the wedding ceremony at all, for his gaze was intent on her. What she saw in the stormy blue of his eyes was deep and dark; a magic passion mixed in the heart of the mines and running as swift and hot as molten gold.
In that moment, Ellie realized she wanted to spend a lifetime with Jesse Cole, not just a few weeks or a month. Her mind echoed Sarah’s words as Ellie silently pledge to love Jesse forever.
* * *
Ellie should have known there would be a dance following the wedding. Zeke had said it was the biggest event Peavine had seen for awhile. Fortunately, by the time they ventured from the church to the community center attached to the rear, a wonderful breeze had swept the air clean, and clouds blocked the worst rays of heat from the sun as it made its westerly descent.
Once the wedding dinner had been served and the dishes and tables cleared away, everyone in town was ready to kick up their heels and dance. Several musicians sat on a make-shift stage tuning their instruments, and the townspeople mingled and visited as though they hadn’t seen each other in ages.
Ellie had to smile at this slice of small town life. When she went to the local market in New York, she rarely ran into anyone she knew. Yet here in Peavine, Nevada, she had friends and acquaintance from all walks of life.
“Beggin’ your pardon, Miss Elizabeth.” The giant who had accosted Ellie the other night stepped in front of her, blocking the light from nearby lanterns. She had to step back and tilt her head to even see his face. She knew, in the midst of all this company, the man wouldn’t try anything, but she still felt leery after the way he had manhandled her.
“Yes?” She was sure the surprise showed on her face. Tom had spruced up pretty damned good, a clean shirt stretching tight across his massive chest, his string tie dangling midway down his front.
“I was hopin’,” the man’s face turned beet red, but he doggedly continued, “well, that is, I’d be honored if’n you’d consider havin’ a dance with me,” he finished in a rush.
Although Ellie wasn’t at all sure just how they might accomplish that, given the man’s size, she didn’t have the heart to say no. Instead, she flashed him a smile and nodded in the affirmative, and his chest puffed up in gratitude.
The night sped by in a whirlwind of laughter and dance, and Ellie barely had time to catch her breath between sets. She had done her fair share of dancing, but found it hard to keep up with these miners! Officially, because she had been maid of honor and Jesse the best man, they were paired together for the bridal march, but it wasn’t the type of dance that promoted intimacy. After that it seemed she was fair game. Even Lucky dragged her around the dance floor to a lively jig, where Ellie stepped fast if for no other reason than to keep her toes from getting smashed beneath Lucky’s stomping boots.
She knew she shouldn’t sulk because Jesse danced with other women. Most of them were already married, and a few were very young daughters of the residents of Peavine. None of the bar girls were present, of course, as would be fitting any society function of this time, she supposed. Still, she found herself glowering every time Jesse twirled past with a laughing woman on his arm.
Much later in the evening, she finally convinced Jesse to fetch her a glass of punch and meet her outside. Arm in arm, they strolled through the dark, around the back of the community building and towards the tree line.
Ellie commented on the stillness. “It’s so quiet -- not even the stamp mill is running tonight.”
Jesse laughed. “It’s not often everything shuts down in Peavine.”
“Yes, I know, but even on normal days there’s no traffic noise, no sirens.” Ellie bit her tongue the instant the words came out and hoped the darkness would cover the blush she knew heated her face.
“Sirens? Traffic?” Jesse’s steps slowed.
Realizing her slip, Ellie shrugged. “You know, the hustle and bustle of the city. Oh, it doesn’t matter. I really rather like Peavine better.”
Jesse tugged her to a stop. “Do you think it a good idea to be away from the crowd?” He asked her, though he didn’t turn around and head back towards the lighted hall.
“I’m a big girl, now, or haven’t you noticed?” Ellie knew she was being deliberately provocative, but since her revelation during Sarah’s wedding she had this all-consuming fear that something would happen before she had time to tell Jesse how she felt.
Her comment must have set off warning bells in Jesse’s mind, because he turned to face her. “There’s nothing wrong with my eyesight, El, but I also know your father wouldn’t want you doing something you would later regret.”
Ellie put a finger to his mouth. “It’s my life,” she whispered just as she replaced her finger with her lips. Beneath a blanket of stars with the creek as their symphony, she tried to express how she felt. She needed him to know, no matter what happened at the end of the month, that she, Eleanor Weaver, wanted him with a passion that had somehow spanned the centuries.
She wrapped her arms around his waist to pull him close, and yet it wasn’t enough. As he slanted his mouth across hers, she slid her hands into the hip pockets of his pants, massaging his buttocks.
With a groan, Jesse pulled her down on top of him on the soft grass. His hands roamed up and down her satin clad back, pressing her closer still. The fragile control he had been keeping on his emotions where she was concerned slipped another notch.
Since returning from school, Elizabeth had changed. She wasn’t the Elizabeth he’d known, and he found himself drawn to her on a different plane. Where before he was comfortable with their relationship, her nearness now made him uncomfortable and aroused. Her kisses fired his imagination with fantasies of making wild passionate love to her.
At one time, she had been a hesitant participant in his advances. Now, she took every opportunity to touch him, and he often felt her gaze at the most disconcerting times, so intense it heated his blood and made his body throb. Like in the church earlier today, he had found himself squirming uncomfortably under her seductive gaze.
“God, woman.” Sucking in a breath as their lips parted, he searched her face. Her gaze seared him with passion. As he pulled her down to continue their kiss, Jesse wondered just when, in the last two weeks, had he come to love this woman more than life itself?
Elizabeth put her hands on the ground by his head, lifting herself away from him, her hair spilling loose from its pins to fall seductively around her face and shoulders.
“Did I tell you how very beautiful you are this evening?” Emotion clogged his throat, making his voice deeper than normal.
Elizabeth laughed delightedly, then she gave a funny little shrug and her dress slid off a shoulder, giving Jesse an enticing view of creamy skin and the swell of her breasts. It proved too much to expect him not to touch. He traced a finger along the edge of the material, even though he half expected her to stop him.
She didn’t, but instead gave a throaty sigh and rolled to the side onto his discarded coat, leaving herself open and vulnerable to his caresses. Jesse kissed a path from her ear down her throat to the curve of her shoulder.
His only thought was of how soft she felt; how pale her skin looked against the dark tan of his hand as he caressed her arm before pulling her close. The heat of her beckoned him and he lost himself in her kiss. She smelled of the wildest flowers in the hills, and the erotic scent stopped his brain from functioning.
Ellie nearly moaned aloud as Jesse caressed and kissed her shoulder. Even though she had ached for his touch, the actuality of it sent her into spasms of delight. Her rational self knew Zeke wouldn’t approve of the depth of her involvement with Jesse. That made no difference. She craved his touch; she wanted a memory for when she wouldn’t be able to touch him ever again; for when he became dust from the past.
She knew they couldn’t be together forever, but she also knew she’d never forget him. Where had he been when she was looking for love in her own time? “Make love to me, Jesse,” she begged, breaking the kiss but leaning into him even closer, so that her breasts brushed against his linen shirt.
His answer was a groan as he rolled her to her back. She could feel his hardness against her hip -- the pulsing length of him pushing against her. A surge of power such as she had never experienced before swept through her.
“Please,” her ragged plea vibrated the still air around them. “I need you.”
He rewarded her plea with a growl as he lifted himself to his knees beside her. Passion-dark eyes bore into hers, before his gaze slid across her as his hands had done. She could feel heat burn in her cheeks as his potent stare lingered on her heaving breasts, for she couldn’t catch her breath. She wanted him with a fever that scorched her.
“Why?” Fists clinched on his thighs, Jesse sat so still that it took Ellie a moment to realize he had spoken.
“I didn’t know two people had to have a reason when they felt like we do.” Ellie was confused, for in any of her dealings with men, not one of them would have turned down the invitation she was issuing only to Jesse.
“No, I mean why now, Elizabeth, after all this time when you’ve put me off and delayed giving me an answer to my proposal?”
There was that damn name again, Ellie fumed. She wiggled to a sitting position, adjusting her dress back up on her shoulders. She couldn’t summon the energy to be angry with Jesse because he didn’t know she wasn’t Elizabeth. When they made love, and she knew they eventually would, it would be her, not Elizabeth, he loved. She would make certain of that. But her silent vow didn’t make him saying Elizabeth’s name out loud any easier.
“What is it? What did I say?” Jesse scrutinized her and Ellie knew her face had given her away. Fortunately, before she could find an answer, a horn blared in the distance.
Both she and Jesse started at the noise, and Jesse jumped to his feet, turning in a circle to locate the source of the racket. Within seconds, more horns honked, followed by the beat of a drum. Ellie saw Jesse’s shoulders relax and a smile started at the corner of his mouth.
“They’ve begun the shivaree!” The smile gave way to a full toothed grin.
Damn, but he was one handsome man, Ellie moaned as he straightened his clothes. A glint of light created shadows which played off the planes of his face. A lock of hair fell across his forehead as he fumbled with his tie, and suddenly the entire scene was right out of some high school prom movie. Ellie began to laugh, holding out a hand for him to pull her to her feet.
Instead of letting go when she regained her balance, Jesse pulled her closer. With a touch softer than the breeze, he brushed the hair back from her face, tucking a lock behind her ear. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and it stirred Ellie more than the deeper caresses they had shared earlier.
With a rueful shake of his head, he stepped away from her. “I don’t understand my lack of control around you anymore.”
Ellie gave him a self-satisfied smile. One of these days she would make sure he lost whatever control he had left. But for tonight, she excused him with a shrug.
“Maybe it’s the moon,” she said.
“There is no moon tonight.”
“Perhaps I really come from a galaxy far, far away -- from the future, even, and I’ve cast a spell over you.”
He laughed as he tugged her back toward the lights of town. “Now that, I’d believe.”