Chapter 3

"Amanda? Amanda dear?" The sound of her mother's voice and a firm insistent knocking had Amanda rolling over, preparing to swing her legs out of bed, only to encounter a warm, hard lump. "Umph! What...?" She opened her eyes and stifled as gasp. A man's naked chest was pressed to her face or, more precisely, she was pressing her face to it!

Had her dreams taken on a new level of reality? If so, she hoped she'd never wake up. The chest before her was well muscled and a tantalizing 'male' smell was filling her senses. She allowed her fingers to trail over the flesh before her, watching as it quivered in response to her touch. Hmm...In her dreams, Lee's face was always found just above such a chest.

"Amanda--are you in there?"

Of course, in a dream, her mother wouldn't be knocking on the door, calling her name and spoiling this perfect moment. As logic finally kicked in, she sat up, pushed the hair from her face and turned to find Lee staring up at her.

"Oh my gosh." she whispered, as memories of last night flooded her brain jolting her into instant alertness. Throwing back the covers, she spared one panicked glance at Lee then vaulted over him, running towards the door. She turned the lock and opened the door a crack, strategically placing her body to block the view of the room. "Yes, Mother?"

"Amanda, why is your door locked?"

"Locked? Oh... I don't know. I must have done it accidentally last night." Her mother raised her brows and said nothing. Amanda smiled at her weakly. "What can I do for you, Mother?"

"Well, it's after nine and I wondered why you weren't up yet. We're supposed to go to that charity auction today."

"Oh! The charity auction... Well, you know I didn't sleep that well last night and I have a bit of a headache now. Would you mind if I didn't go? I think I'd rather just lie back down and rest a bit."

"Nadine's son, Herman, was supposed to go with us, remember? I've been telling him all about you and he's very anxious to meet you." Her mother used that wheedling tone as if she was offering a wonderful incentive that no one in their right mind would refuse. Amanda often questioned whether or not she was in her right mind but either way, Herman Sample wasn't that appealing.

"Gee, Mother. I hate to miss meeting him but I really wouldn't make a very good first impression today. Maybe next time."

"Amanda, he's a very well respected entomologist and he only comes to see his mother once a year. You really shouldn't be passing up this chance. Nadine says he could win a Nobel Prize one day for his research into the soybean beetle."

"I'm sure it's fascinating work but not today. Have a good time." She tried to shut the door but her mother put out her hand.

"Amanda?"

"Yes Mother?" Suppressing a sigh, she fixed a politely patient smile on her face, preparing to fend off yet another attempt to coax her into meeting the bug doctor.

"Why is there blood on your nightgown?"

"Blood?" She looked down and saw spots of red standing out like beacons against the white material. Her mind raced trying to come up with an explanation while simultaneously questioning why these things always happened to her and why her mother had to be so darn nosey. Think, think, think...Mindful that Lee was listening in, she nixed the explanation of having her monthly. A cut from broken glass? No, Mother would notice that none were missing from the cupboard and besides, there were no shards in the garbage to corroborate the story... "Umm...I accidentally gave myself a nasty paper cut while reading that new thriller you gave me and it just bled and bled but don't worry, it's fine now."

"A paper cut?"

"Yes, a paper cut. Now Mother, I really have to lie down again. My head is starting to throb. Good bye." She shut the door and leaned her head against the wooden panel. Her heart was pounding from the stress of having to think up a plausible story. It had been a weak explanation but the best she could do on such short notice. She shook her head and once again recalled how she hated lying. Strange, for something that she hated to do, it certainly happened often enough!

The sound of her mother's footsteps faded and Amanda pushed herself away from the door to face the man in her bed. Lee was watching her with a quirky smile on his battered face. "Good cover up, Amanda."

She felt herself flush, pleased with the praise. "I'm getting used to it, but I still don't like it." Walking over to the bed, she sat down beside him. "How do you feel this morning?"

"Like I was beat up by two guys and in a car accident."

"Funny—that's how you look too." She tried to keep her voice light as her eyes skimmed down his body. Cuts and bruised covered his chest and face. If he felt even half as bad as he looked, he must be in a lot of pain. "Can I get you something? More pain killers?"

"Yeah. And help me up. It's after nine and I've got to get moving." He started to sit up but groaned in pain and fell back, his face ashen.

"Lee!" A wave of fear, concern and guilt washed over her. He probably had internal injuries; she should have called Mr. Melrose or an ambulance... She reached for the phone but Lee clamped his hand over her wrist.

"No! I'll be fine. Don't call anyone."

"But—"

"No. Billy can't know."

"An ambulance then? A doctor?"

"No—no one. I'll be fine. I just tried to move too fast."

Amanda bit her lip and felt tears prick the back of her eyes. This was the part of the job she hated. People getting hurt, keeping secrets, telling lies...It boggled the mind that all of these negative things could lead to an ultimate good. Knowing it was no use, she decided to ask the questions tumbling through her mind anyway.

"Lee, why can't you tell Mr. Melrose you're hurt? And what kind of a mission were you on? And what's so important that you have to do it this morning when you obviously shouldn't even be considering getting out of bed?"

"Amanda, it's—"

"I know. I know... It's 'need to know.' But I think I really do need to know. I mean, you're in my house, in my bed as a matter of fact and there could be 'bad guys' outside this very minute, plotting on breaking in."

"I doubt that. If they knew I was in here, they'd have broken in during the night." He sighed and his jaw tightened. Then, apparently having come to a decision, he started to speak. "Amanda, this is top secret. You can't tell anyone but... Harry Thorton contacted me for this mission. Apparently, there's a rumour going around that Billy is passing information to the East."

"Mr. Melrose wouldn't do that! He'd never share national secrets."

"I find it hard to believe too and so does Harry but in this business you can't take any chances; no one is above suspicion."