As she maneuvered her car across the narrow bridge that marked Upper Lake Muir from Lower Lake Muir, Delanie Santana could not help but smile at her aunt's rapid-fire speech. Upon her arrival late last night, she had listened with growing alarm to her aunt's tale of her early evening adventures over at what had, up until a year ago, been the Patterson house. Knowing Abigail's reputation for exaggeration, Delanie was anxious to discover the truth for herself. She dearly loved the woman sitting next to her in the passenger seat. Her Aunt Abigail was her mother's older sister. Shortly after her ninth birthday, her mother had died in a terrible accident. It was her Aunt Abbie who had taken her under her most ample wing and tried to fill the dark hole left in her heart by the death of her beloved mother. Her father had expressed his grief by burying himself deeper into his work. He had made sure that his daughter wanted for nothing except what she needed most - his attention.

Delanie had grown up around this lake, dividing the majority of her time between her aunt's home and the Patterson house. With their rambunctious brood of eight children, one more hardly caused a ripple. She had spent as little time as possible at Briarwood, her father's estate. With her mother gone and her father's attention elsewhere, it never again felt like home to Delanie.

"I am so glad you are here, Lanie. You shouldn't stay away so long, dear. I know you lead a busy life, but you really should visit your poor old aunt more often. I'm not getting any younger, you know. Family is important."

"I know, Auntie. I didn't mean to stay away so long, but sometimes life just seems to conspire in keeping me from visiting more often." She smiled, glancing over at her companion. "You are one of the youngest people I know, Aunt Abby. You will probably outlive us all."

"I don't understand why you can't just open your own practice here in town, or maybe go to work for one of the larger law firms You could do a lot better than working in a District Attorney's office and I would love having you nearby."

"I like my job, Aunt Abigail."

"You need to forgive your father and come home, sweetheart. He loves you very much, you know."

"Yes, I know, and I love him." She took a deep breath. "I just cannot reconcile my father with who he is, that's all, so could we just drop it and enjoy our time together?"

She heard her aunt sigh. "Okay, but I wish you would at least let him know you are in town. Maybe you could stop by for a short visit before you leave."

"Aunt Abby." Her voice held a warning.

"Okay, okay, not another word, I promise."

"Thank you." After several minutes of complete silence, a record for her aunt, she gave her passenger a sideways glance. "I tell you what. If you promise to drop the subject, I promise to call dad later tonight. Deal?"

She was instantly rewarded with a brilliant smile. "Deal! You know I still cannot believe you and that gorgeous young man were once an item. If I were fifteen years younger, you would have a fight on your hands, young lady."

"We worked a high profile case together, that's all. It's been almost six months ago, and we were not an item. And what is this, 'If I were fifteen years younger' business?" Laughing, Delanie shook her head. "You are incorrigible, you know that, but then that's why I love you."

"Settling down and having babies would do you a world of good, honey."

"I'm not looking for a husband. I don't need any complications in my life right now." A vision of Peter Caine suddenly appeared, unbidden. A delicious warmth spread through her.

Turning left into a narrow lane, she braced herself. Cresting a small rise, the house came into view. So many memories wrapped up in that house. She sighed.

***

Kermit's voice crackled over the intercom in Peter's room. "Hey, Pete, your presence is required in the rec. room."

"On my way."

Reaching the main floor, Peter made a sharp turn, heading down a wide hallway. Making a quick left, he walked into the rec. room and stopped. His grandfather stood across the room while Kermit, shades in place, lounged nonchalantly against the small mahogany bar, grinning.

Quickly scanning the room, he took in two women standing next to the large leather sofa. His eyes widened in surprise. "Delanie?"

"Detective Caine." Her smile grew, adding a sparkle to her dark eyes.

"But what? How?" He knew he must sound like a blithering idiot, but his shock at seeing the new Assistant District Attorney of Kerry County standing here in his grandfather's house was nothing short of amazement.

"Better watch your step, Peter. You just never know when and where I might unexpectedly pop up."

Glancing at Abigail Von Morton, realization suddenly dawning, he sputtered, "Abigail? Abigail is your aunt Abby? You told me she lived in the general area, but I never thought…"

"I see you haven't lost your touch, Detective. Good deduction. I drove my aunt over to pick up her car. Your grandfather and Detective Griffin have been kind enough to fill me in on last night's events. I'm just thankful my aunt was not injured."

Abigail's eyes, bouncing between her niece and Peter Caine, simply confirmed her belief that there was something between these two young people. She could practically see the sparks flying and if there was one thing she loved, it was a romance.

With a shrug, he explained, "Thanks to an undercover assignment, I'm a witness against a very nasty individual and his band of merry thugs. He would prefer I didn't make any speeches at his upcoming trial. I am really sorry that your aunt was in the wrong place at the wrong time, Lanie. Unfortunately, she got caught in the middle. Going to be in town long?"

"A few days."

"I am more than willing to do my civic duty and appear as a witness against those two horrible men."

"That won't be necessary, Abigail. Your statement is sufficient." His eyes meeting Delanie's, he asked, "For how long?"

"They rolled over, huh?" She moved closer to Peter. "I'll be here until Friday."

P.T. and Kermit looked across at each other. Kermit raised his eyebrows. P.T. shrugged.

"They were caught red handed. It was in their best interest to be cooperative. How about lunch tomorrow?"

"Under the circumstances, are you allowed to leave the house, Detective Caine?" Delanie now stood directly in front of Peter, looking up into those gorgeous hazel eyes staring down at her with definite interest.

"Do Assistant District Attorneys make house calls?"

"I might be persuaded to make an exception in your case."

"How about here tomorrow at 1:00?"

"I would like that." Turning she surveyed the room "Thank you, gentlemen for your gracious hospitality. I think my aunt and I should be going."

"Our pleasure, Delanie. I am just sorry it couldn't have been under better circumstances."

"So am I, Mr. Sinclair."

Abigail moved up next to her niece.

Peter and his grandfather walked the two women to the door.

"This is as far as you go, son. I'll see the ladies to their cars. I don't even want you out on the porch."

"Listen to your grandfather, Detective. I definitely want you in one piece for our lunch date tomorrow."

Peter grinned. "Yes, ma'am. I make it a rule never to argue with Assistant District Attorneys."

"And why don't I believe that, Caine?" Delanie grinned up at him.

"You doubt my honesty, Miss Santana? Now, that really hurts." Peter affected an air of innocence.

"Guess I'll just have to make it up to you tomorrow, now won't I? We wouldn't want any hurt feelings."

Abigail stood watching the two young people, grinning from ear to ear. This was getting better and better. These two would make beautiful children together.

P.T., opening the front door and taking a step back, gave a gallant sweep of his arm. "Ladies."

Delanie stepped out onto the porch. Glancing back, she gifted Peter with a smile and a wink. "Until tomorrow."

Following the two ladies out onto the porch, P.T. pulled the door closed behind him.

Standing perfectly still, staring at the closed door, a grin slowly spread across Peter's handsome face.

"Okay, kid, start talking."

Caught up in the moment he had missed Kermit's approach and was visibly startled. "Damn, Kermit! You are getting as bad as my father about sneaking up on people."

"Well maybe if you weren't standing there like a love sick teenager, you would have heard me."

"Oh give me a break! Other than her aunt, she's the first person I've seen in over a week that doesn't sport a five O'clock shadow on a daily basis. She's a hell of a lot easier to look at than you!"

"I'm crushed. Now, what's the story? Obviously, you two are more than mere acquaintances."

Taking a deep breath, Peter asked, "Remember that big home invasion case I worked on about six months ago? "

"Yeah. Those were some real sickos. Raping and pillaging across the state."

"The final count was twelve dead. They started their rampage in Claremont, then moved to the streets of Chinatown and finally took their killing show on the road. The hardest hit area was Kerry County. If you remember, I spent a month on loan to their police department. We finally caught the bastards. That's when I met Lanie."

"I remember you also spent a couple of weeks testifying at the trial."

"That's right." Running a hand through his hair, Peter stared down at his feet.

Kermit well remembered the toll that case had taken on his young friend and fellow detective. Each time the head count rose, Peter took the deaths personally. He became obsessed with stopping the vicious killings.

The front door opened and P.T. stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He was a little surprised to see both men standing in the entranceway. Guessing that Kermit had been questioning his grandson about Miss Delanie Santana, he looked in his direction. The two men briefly made eye contact. Kermit gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head, telling P.T. that he would have to wait until later to satisfy his curiosity. The expression on his grandson's face was a bit troubling.

"I think I'll go upstairs for awhile." Peter turned and soon disappeared up the stairs.

"Okay, Kermit, after you fill me in, I'll give Fredricco a call to remind him that we are expecting him back in the morning. Wouldn't want to ruin the kid's lunch plans. He deserves a break. What do you say we keep a low profile tomorrow and give him and his lady friend some alone time."

"Fine by me. What about Rykker?"

"You know Rykker, he follows his own schedule. I rather think he'll be reporting in by morning. He rarely requires much time to touch base with his connections. Have you heard from Paul?"

Kermit checked his watch. "He usually calls around noon and then again about nine to check on how things are going out here and to give me an update on what, if any, progress they've made at the precinct. Some of our best detectives are working on this case. We just have to keep Peter safe until he can testify against that bastard."

"This distraction may be a blessing in disguise. A bored and restless Peter equals complications."

"Now there is an understatement, if ever I heard one," grinned Kermit.

***

"Mr. Peter, please. I will serve you and your lady an exquisite lunch. A sensuous delight to the palate. I promise, she will be most impressed and perhaps more receptive to your ardent advances?"

"I am not trying to seduce the lady, Fredricco. I just want to make sure everything is ready. She'll be here any minute." Peter glanced down at his watch.

"Out!" The barked command came from behind him. Swinging around, he found himself staring into green sunglasses, their owner's eyes effectively hidden behind the shaded lenses.

"Look, Kermit, I just…"

"Out!" The older detective was slowly advancing on his antsy young counterpart.

"But I…" Even as he expressed his ill-fated protest, Peter began circling around the ex-mercenary, heading for the doorway behind Kermit.

"Out! Harassing the chef is a big no-no, my friend."

"I wasn't harassing anybody! I was checking on lunch!" Peter now stood in the doorway glaring at the older detective. Just as he started to step back into the room, a hand closed around his arm.

"Hold it. Where do you think you're going?" P.T. watched the anger in his grandson's eyes quickly fade to surprise as recognition registered.

"I was just…"

"No you're not. Delanie and your uncle just drove up. Show time, son."

Peter grinned. "On my way, Granpop."

P.T. shouted a reminder, "And stay inside," at his grandson's retreating back as he disappeared down the hallway and around the nearest corner. A faint "Yes, sir" drifted back to him.

Walking over to the door, Kermit slumped against its frame. "Something better break pretty soon, or I'm going to mark an 'x' on his chest and set him out on the front porch myself."

"This waiting is straining everyone's nerves. Maybe Rykker has some new information. Let's go find out, shall we?"

Guessing where Rykker's first stop would be, both men headed for the rec. room.

***

Reaching the front door, Delanie stopped, turning to look up into warm hazel eyes. Careful, Lanie, this man is capable of getting past all of your carefully laid roadblocks. He did it once and he'll do it again. You absolutely cannot afford to get involved, especially with this particular hotshot cop. That was what her rational mind was telling her, but her body was sending out entirely different signals. Logic told her to run, but the delicious sensations flowing through her body kept her rooted. Peter's lips gently brushed across hers, his hand moving up her shoulder until his thumb fluttered across her ear lobe. The soft moan and shell-shocked expression on his face did nothing less than bring out the cave woman in her. She fought the urge to drag this man into the nearest room, lock the door and ravage him until he begged for mercy. Instead, she stepped back, placing a hand against his chest.

"No, Peter. This is not the right time or place."

Straightening, puzzlement settled across his face. "Why? Because you are now an Assistant District Attorney, while I remain a lowly detective?"

"Have you forgotten that someone is trying to kill you, Detective Caine, and that you are under house arrest for your own safety? Not to mention the fact that you are still recovering from your most recent injuries." Gesturing toward the cast on his right arm, she added, "I would not want to cause you greater harm. Besides, this is neither the time nor the place for what you have in mind."

"Why, Miss Delanie, ma'am, how would a lady like you have knowledge of what I have in mind?"

The crooked smile on that handsome face, along with the teasing glint in those amazing hazel eyes, set her heart to racing. "You are as incorrigible as ever, Peter Caine."

"Guilty as charged. You still leaving Friday?"

"Yes. I have an office to run. I'm a very important person now, you know." Her grin widened.

"They definitely made the right choice, Lanie. You'll make a great Assistant District Attorney and eventually an even better District Attorney."

She became excruciatingly aware of his left hand gently resting on her shoulder, massaging. "I hope the powers that be have as much confidence in my abilities as you do."

"Well, if they don't, they are a bunch of fools. Of course I am just a bit prejudiced."

"I certainly hope so."

"Do you really have to leave right now?"

"Unless you want my Aunt Abigail to come looking for me. I'm not sure your family is ready for another one of my aunt's visits. You do realize that she will have us engaged by the time I get back to the house and most likely will be knitting baby booties in anticipation."

Peter laughed. "I'm still finding it hard to believe that Abigail Von Morten and your Aunt Abby are one and the same."

"A small world."

"Well, how about stopping by for breakfast before you leave town on Friday? I'm stuck here, otherwise I would wine and dine you properly."

"Seduction wouldn't be part of that wining and dining, would it Detective Caine?"

"Always."

"In that case, I am doubly sorry that you are presently incapacitated."

"I'm not that incapacitated." His grin widened, hazel eyes reflecting a challenge.

Time to change the subject before she threw caution to the wind "If your wonderful chef is cooking, then I accept. He really is quite a jewel, you know. If he ever needs a job…"

"Now you're trying to steal our chef? Better not let granpop hear you say that."

Delanie couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I better be going. Thank you, Peter, for a delightful lunch. The food was delicious."

"And the company?"

Giving him a warm smile, she added, "Even more delicious."

Opening the front door, Peter felt the afternoon breeze drift in, wrapping its gentle warmth around them. Stepping out onto the porch, Delanie turned back toward Peter as he stepped out behind her, leaving the door ajar.

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