happened before. A certain college student used to do it quite often, as it happens. I missed her.”
Blair got caught up in the storm of sea foam that swirled in his eyes. Her breath caught, reminding her how easily Gabe Sloan could draw her in, make her believe she was the most precious thing in his life. It wouldn’t happen again.
“I doubt you even noticed I was gone,” she returned sourly. “I’m sure you were too involved in the latest gizmo and high-tech security to keep it under wraps.” She wished it wasn’t true, but reality was hard to ignore.
“I noticed, Blair. Especially when I had to cancel that elaborate wedding.” His voice growled low, full of mocking innuendo. “Caterers, church, flowers, it took a lot of time.”
And money. Blair heard the words even if he didn’t say them. She forced her foot not to stamp. He was thinking about the money again, she just knew it. The one thing that had managed to uproot a love she was sure they’d share until eternity.
Gabe studied her, head tilted to one side in that familiar pose, and Blair smiled at the gesture so exactly a mirror of Daniel’s.
Daniel!
“I—that is, I have to get busy. You can trail along if you want. Or not. I don’t care.” She stalked through the bushes, ignoring the whoosh of mud as her boots found firm passage through the spring runoff.
She could hear Gabe following her but ignored him.
It didn’t take long to get to the last few hives and undo their insulated covers. She folded them carefully, then turned to face him.
“That’s all there is to the show for today, Gabe. I’ve got to get home and get to work. There’s a lot to do. Goodbye.”
He said nothing, simply stood there, studying her as if she were one of the oddly hewn pieces of smooth alabaster he’d collected so avidly six years ago.
“Can you find your way out of here?”
She tossed the hive wrappers into the back of the truck then turned to face him, hands clamped to her hips.
“Blair, I have legal title to this land, and I’m not backing out. This is exactly the kind of place I’ve been looking for.” His lips clamped shut, the expression on his face changed, hardened. “Perhaps the best thing to do is check it out. Now. Before things go much further.”
“What things?” She gaped at him, her mind numb.
“An excavation crew is set to come in here Monday morning.”
“Excavation?” Blair blanched at the thought of her beautiful valley, destroyed. “Why?”
“I’m building a house. I intend to live in this valley, Blair. It’s going to be my home.”
She couldn’t take it in, couldn’t understand what kind of a joke he was playing.
“But you live in Los Angeles,” she reminded him, depicting the picture she remembered late at night when she should have slept. “You crave bright lights, fast cars and people you can impress by ignoring them.” Yes, that was the real Gabe. “Why would you move here, to the middle of nowhere?”
It didn’t make sense. None of this did. Gabriel Sloan was as city as they came. Going out with starlets, winning at squash, traveling on the big showy jet, those were the things he needed to prove himself. Gabe craved all the glitz and glamour of the nightlife that L.A. offered. There was nothing around here that would interest him.
His voice roused her from her introspection.
“I’m experimenting, Blair. Isn’t that what you used to encourage? I want something different from my life. The company just isn’t enough anymore. It bores me. I’ve hired a manager. I want to take some time and relax for a while. Consider what’s next.”
“You’ve let go of the reins?” She squeaked in disbelief. “You? The guy who thinks everybody’s out to take him?” It was a direct quote. He’d said it over six years ago on that fateful morning when all her dreams had died.
Oh, God, where are you? Does he know about Daniel? Is that why he’s here?
The very thought made her head spin, and all the blood rushed to her feet. He was going to steal Daniel! And he had money and power enough to do it.
“Blair? Sit down.” He pushed her onto a huge granite slab of glacial rock whose quartz sparkles flashed in the bright sun. His hands rubbed hers, his surprisingly warm and gentle. “You’re still as thin as a reed,” he muttered, pausing to brush a ringleted tendril from her cheek. “And this hair is still a riot of curls. I didn’t think it was possible, but you’re thinner. Are you still so busy taking care of everyone else, you don’t take care of yourself?”
She pulled away, but she had no energy to get up. Not yet.
“I’m fine. I’m just busy. I guess I forgot to eat breakfast.” As if that would have changed anything. She glared at him. “Why now, Gabe? Why here?”
“I wanted a change. And I was intrigued by his description. Heaven on earth. Who wouldn’t want that?”
There was a bitter tilt to his lips that made her wonder if Gabe had suffered some financial setbacks she didn’t know about. Or perhaps he’d lost the edge that put his company out in front.
“Who indeed?” She was going to strangle Mac when she got hold of him. How could he have sold this land out from under her, especially to Gabe? How could he have set this all up when he knew the risks? And it was a setup. She had no doubts about that.
Gabe picked up her hand. “You’ve got calluses here,” he murmured as his thumb brushed across her palm. “You shouldn’t work so hard, Blair.”
Yeah, right! Like how else would she live? Blair shifted away from him and clambered awkwardly to her feet. Why was she always so ungraceful whenever he was around? Why did he make her so nervous?
Because of Daniel.
But she hadn’t had Daniel to think about back then. In the old days just the sound of Gabe’s voice had made her skin prickle with anticipation.
She shoved the memories away.
“I’m going home to talk to my grandfather,” she murmured. “Something isn’t right here.”
“I assure you it’s all perfectly legal. I don’t do business any other way.” He sounded angry that she’d suspect him of subterfuge. “You should at least remember that much.”
Blair didn’t respond. Instead, she walked to her truck and climbed in, mulling the whole thing over inside her tired brain.
“No, I know. It’s just that Mac said—” She glanced at him, vaguely surprised that he’d followed her. “Never mind. I’ll sort it out. You’ll probably get a letter canceling the whole deal.”
Gabe shook his head and shoved her door closed.
“No, the deal’s already been finalized. I’m not allowing anyone to back out now. If you wait a minute, I’ll get my vehicle
