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“But I liked it. It was … happy and excited.”
“Yes, it was.” And a happiness Je
Silence. “I guess.”
Reluctant at best. Eve wasn’t sure that she either understood or would comply. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Still that thread of wistfulness. “But I didn’t mean to hurt anyone…”
“I know you didn’t. And you didn’t hurt me, Je
“Good night, Eve.”
* * *
“Is she finished?” Joe asked drowsily as Eve climbed into bed forty-five minutes later.
“Yes.” She cuddled close. “It turned out exceptionally well. She has a very memorable face. She kind of reminded me of a young Audrey Hepburn. Unusual…”
“Everything about her has been unusual.” He brushed his lips across her temple. “But I’m glad that she’ll be out of your head soon.”
But would she? Eve wondered. Je
“Suppose?”
“Je
“You are helping her. You did her reconstruction.”
“Maybe I was meant to go a step further.”
Joe was silent, his arms tightening around her. “I’m not going to argue with you. You’ll do what you think is right.” He added harshly, “But I don’t like it, dammit.”
“I’m not sure I do, either. And I’ll probably send her off to Sheriff Nalchek tomorrow. He can do more than I can to find out who she is. It’s just…” She wearily shook her head. “She’s become too close to me. I feel as if I’m responsible for her.”
“Eve.”
“I know. I know.” She suddenly chuckled. “I wish Bo
“Send your Je
She nodded. “You’re right.” She turned in his arms and clasped him tightly. “I can’t be responsible for everyone. I have to pick and choose.” She kissed him. “And I choose you.”
“And I humbly thank you.” He raised himself on one elbow and smiled down at her. “Does that choice offer fringe benefits?”
“You bet it does.” She kissed him, long and deep. She felt the familiar stirring, the hot need that never changed and yet was forever new. She pulled her sleep shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor beside the bed. “All you have to do is put in a request.” She climbed on top of him. “Or not.”
He chuckled. “Consider it entered.” His smile faded, and he was suddenly intense. “And then let’s do a little more entering.” His hands were on her breasts. “And I’ll prove you didn’t make a mistake in making that choice.”
And would Je
“Eve? Something wrong?”
And what difference did it make, Eve thought recklessly. There was no shame in the love she and Joe shared. It was beautiful, and the warmth that Je
“No, nothing is wrong. Everything is right.” She leaned down and whispered, “I love you, Joe Qui
* * *
“I see what you mean.” Joe was looking at the reconstruction on the worktable when she came out of the bathroom the next morning. “She’s extraordinary. You’re right, unusual. You usually get the resemblance right but she looks … alive. And there’s an amazing joi de vivre.”
“Yes.” She went to the cabinet and poured a cup of coffee. “My first thought was how could anyone kill anyone who had that much joy in living. She’s almost … alight.”
“And that made you think that maybe you should be doing something more.”
She nodded. “But Nalchek can do it. I’ve done my part.”
“She goes off today?”
“This afternoon. I’ll do the photographs and the computer input this morning.” She followed him out to the porch. “Then I’ll call Nalchek and FedEx.”
“Good.” He gave her a quick kiss, then glanced over his shoulder as he started down the porch steps. “And keep the door locked until you get that FedEx box on its way. Okay?”
“Sure. But you said there was no sign of an intruder yesterday.”
“That doesn’t mean that there might not have been one. It just means that he could have been very good.” He got into the car. “Better to be safe. I’ll call you later and see how it’s going.”
“Joe, it’s going to be fine.” She blew him a kiss. “I’m almost at the end of this job. I’ll see you tonight.”
She watched him drive away, then stood a moment looking out at the lake. She wasn’t as confident as she’d let Joe believe. Joe believed it his duty to be suspicious in order to protect her. She only had instinct.
And that instinct was making her uneasy.
She would definitely keep the door locked today.
And she didn’t want to keep standing here and staring out at the lake and the woods.
She went back into the cottage, closed the door, and locked it.
“He’s worried about you,” Je
Eve’s gaze flew to the reconstruction across the room.
“No, not there. I keep telling you that I don’t really have a co
Eve slowly turned and gazed at the couch.
Je
Sitting on the couch, wearing a long white eyelet dress with an empire waist and long, bell sleeves. She had black, patent-leather shoes on her small feet and her long, shiny, black hair was tied back away from her face with a white satin ribbon. She looked younger than nine except for that remarkable face and a brilliant smile that Eve would not even have attempted to capture in the reconstruction.
“Well, this is a surprise.” Eve was a little breathless. “No, more of a shock. I wasn’t expecting this, Je
“But you like it?” Je
“It certainly did.” Eve smiled. “And, yes, I’m very happy to see the entire product. You’re all dressed up as if you’re going to a birthday party. Very elegant. What was the occasion?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. It wasn’t a party. I think I wore this dress a lot.”
“It’s very pretty. You’re very pretty.” Her smile faded as a thought occurred to her. Had Je
“I’ll try.” Je
“I don’t think so, Je
Her smile faded. “I know that’s what you said. I thought maybe you’d change your mind.” She lifted her chin. “But that’s all right. I know you’re busy, and you have Joe. I’m sure everything is going to work out fine. I just don’t know how right now.”