Cal watched as she sauntered away, grabbed her book and flopped on the couch. Before she started to read, she gave him such a loving smile that he felt his knees go a little watery.

He imagined doing a lot of things at this point but the reality was, every single one had to wait. At least a little bit until he got everything taken care of. Maybe he'd revisit at that point. The ache of neglect fell below his waist.

Not now.

"You know you're a tease, yeah?" His voice was a low rumble.

"Yup." She didn't look at him but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

With a sigh, he sat down at the table to inspect the weapons. All three were well taken care of but he took his time to give them an additional clean and oil. He also made sure that the magazines were fully loaded. As he worked, the unease settled in and around him once again. His senses were walking a tightrope and it was starting to become crazy making.

He'd called Reynolds earlier and the arrest of Vincenzo was imminent. But Cal couldn't help thinking of a cornered animal or a wolf gnawing off its own leg to escape a trap. It was unlikely the guy would walk away, however he could still pull strings. And that was what worried him. If someone were coming after them, it would most likely be sooner than later.

Sliding the bolt back, he liked the feel of the Browning in his hands. It was a solid weapon and his favorite of the three. He figured the .22 was probably practice for Gillian's nephew although the small caliber didn't make it any less deadly, just less mess.

All three safeties were set. He left one in the dining room, one under the coffee table and one in the master bedroom. His pistol went wherever he did.

Cal then found himself at the front window looking out into the weather, his hands deep in his pockets. The snow was picking up along with the wind. He had no idea how much was expected but at least they had lots of food and wood. If need be, they could always make the trek down to the general store.

Barbara Crandon came into his mind's eye completely unbidden. He pictured her face but it wasn't from when she was smiling and pawing at him. It was the death mask that the black-eyed man had left behind. She'd become a husk with the frozen expression of panic. He felt his stomach curdle at the memory. Not for the first time he wondered why she'd singled him out. If she'd just come on to some other pathetic plonker he would have been left out of it. Of course if he'd had more willpower, the same could be said.

He watched the snow slowly cover the Toyota and far beyond that, the road. Very little traffic at this point. There may have been two cars total pass by since they'd arrived.

If he'd been more on his game, it was possible he could have noticed the assassin stalking the woman. He could have done something, anything to prevent this whole snowball effect from occurring. What that something was, he hadn't a clue. The only thing he could have done would have been to stay away from her in the first place. Of course she'd probably be dead regardless. Vincenzo would have found a way. Although the stakes had shifted, he wasn't sure how it boded for his and Gillian's chances.

Gentle arms looped under his and wrapped around his torso. "You're going to drive yourself crazy." Her breath was in his ear before she dropped a soft kiss to the side of his neck.

"Probably." Cal continued to gaze into the white afternoon but he sagged ever so slightly. "Can't turn it off."

She wrapped herself around him a little more tightly and felt his body relax into hers. "You are not responsible for that woman's death."

Cal was quiet as she felt and listened to his breathing, noting the occasional tremor as he struggled with everything.

"Could have prevented it. Sure as hell could have prevented everythin' else."

"No, you couldn't have stopped it. Barbara Crandon got herself into a very bad situation. She had to have known the risks." Gillian ran her hands over him in a comforting gesture. "As far as everything else, you had no way of knowing where it would lead. Even the great Cal Lightman isn't omniscient." She pressed another gentle kiss against his neck. Pausing just a moment, she caught his ear lobe between her teeth and lightly scraped the tender flesh.

He tensed and she smirked, continuing as if she hadn't given him a playful nibble. "Well get through this, especially now that we're a united front."

"United front."

"Mmhm."

Cal turned in her arms, one hand lowering to her hip while the other wandered up to caress her face. His eyes perused hers, knowing she was trying to make him feel better, amazed that she would do so considering he'd pulled her down with him. Maybe he shouldn't have been amazed. This was Gillian after all.

His hands became firm as he brought her closer to him.

"Think I'm going to give Karl a call just in case. I'm sure there's not much that can be done but I'd hate for something to happen knowing that we could have prevented it." Gerald pulled his wife against him, unnerved but trying not to show it. The sheriff would know what to do.

"Isn't it illegal to impersonate a police officer?" Millie was becoming more alarmed by the moment.

"Yeah, it is." He guided her toward the back room. "Did the couple say where they were staying?"

She shook her head. "The girl was very sweet but kept the conversation…safe, I guess? I don't think the man with her said one word to me."

"Huh. Well, we know most of the year-rounders. Could probably check with Burt to see who's seasonal." Burt was the token realtor in the area.

"Excuse me."

The voice was booming but they hadn't heard the bell on the door.

Gerald's heart lurched as Millie's hand clung onto his arm.

The big man was back, smiling but the expression looked as if controlled by a puppeteer. There was nothing behind it. "I'm sure I seemed odd earlier and I apologize. Too much coffee and too little sleep. You know how it is. Anyway, I think I forgot to give you my badge number, in case you wanted to call my sergeant and check me out."

Gerald's heart started to slow and he had a moment where he thought he'd possibly overreacted.

But it was just a moment.

Theo used the old man's keys to lock the door behind him. He had had the woman write up a quick notice for him and he had paused only long enough to tape it against the inside window.

Family emergency. Closed until further notice.

He figured it should buy him some time while he took care of business and got the hell out of dodge. With any luck he'd be on a plane back to Europe by tonight.

Once again the first kiss was soft, even delicate as he brushed her lips with his, barely connecting. The second was a few more seconds of merging and teasing. He pulled back, watching her eyes and face before moving in again. The next one started as a slow burn but exploded quickly as passion and long buried want took over. Mouths parted and moved together as they experienced one another's heat. Hands roamed slowly at first but gained momentum as the kiss became more frenzied.

Her fingers caught in his hair, holding on, not letting go as her tongue dove and flicked in a perfect dance with his.

Cal moved the kiss down her throat, giving her quivering pulse point a tiny lick and suck. He gently grazed her skin with his teeth, pushing the collar of her top aside to kiss more of her. He gave a low growl in annoyance when he suddenly couldn't reach beyond the base of her neck.

Without a word, she stepped backward. Her eyes kept hold of his as she fluidly pulled the sweatshirt up and off.

He watched the flush move across the cream colored skin and disappear under the powder blue bra. She trembled before him but her eyes were full of dark fire as she silently beckoned him to come closer.

Stepping forward, Cal pulled her against him once again, loving the soft feel of her skin under his hands.

They kissed again, slowing down to sensual as they moved toward the couch.

Burt Channing was going to call it a day. It seemed unlikely that anyone would be house hunting at this point. The early season snow was turning into more of a storm than anticipated and all he wanted was to go home, warm up some beef stew, pop a beer and not leave his armchair for the rest of the night.

With any luck his satellite wouldn't zonk out and he'd be able to enjoy non-stop ESPN.

The sound of the door rudely yanked him out of his tentative plans.

Burt blinked slightly protruding eyes at the large man before his desk. He hid his disappointment. "Can I help you sir?" Sitting up straighter, he reached for a pen.

"Oh yeah. I think you can. At least I hope so."

"Looking for a property to buy?"

"Actually I'm looking for local properties that are only used seasonally."

Swiveling toward his computer, Burt spoke as he typed. "Don't know if I have anything available. Most of the seasonal places are exclusively for their owners. I'd have to check if any of them would be interested in renting."

"Maybe I could get a list and cruise past, you know, just to check them out. I'm looking for some solitude to work on a writing project."

"Oh yeah? Write anything I might know?" Burt stared at the other man, suddenly fascinated.

"Probably not. Just small presses. Working on something a little bigger right now." Theo leaned back, appearing relaxed, anything but.

"That's really neat." Burt continued to check his records. "Might have a few possibilities." He looked over at Theo with serious eyes. "You can't disturb them though. I mean, most come up late spring to early fall but there might still be a few stragglers."

"I understand completely." Theo smiled as he casually rested one ankle on the opposite knee.

Glad y'all are still liking it. :-)