Angels Fall

back an inch. He was buck naked. "Why do you care what eight times eight is when you're taking a shower?"
    "Because singing in the shower is too ordinary for me." She tried to figure out what to do with her hands without making it obvious she was covering herself. "I'll be out in a minute.
    "I think I saw all there was to see of you last night—or does water make you shy?"
    "No." She made herself drop one of her arms, then push a hand at her dripping hair. But she kept her tree hand lightly fisted at her chest
    Ignoring the wet and steam, Brody reached in, tugged her hand down. And when she brought it up again, he lifted his brows and tugged it dow n more firmly.
    He gave the scar she'd tried to hide a glance, "Close call."
    "You could say that." She tried to angle her body away, but he made that impossible by tightening his grip on her hand, and stepping into the tub with her.
    "Are you worried about the scar because you think it makes you imperfect?"
    "No. Maybe. It's just not—"
    "Because you got other flaws, you know. Bony hips for one."
    "Oh. really?"
    "Yeah, and with your hair wet I can get a good look. I don't think your ears are quite level on your head."
    "Of course they are." Instinct and insult had her reaching up to check. He moved right in, wrapping his arms around her.
    "But. other than that, you're not half bad. I might as well make use of you."
    He backed her up against the shower wall, and did just that.

Chapter 16

    RATHER THAN a merry month, May plagued Angel's Fist with a series of wicked storms that thundered over the mountains and blew wild over the lake. But the days stretched longer with the light pulling farther and farther over the dark. Reece could all but see the snow melting along the lower ridges, while in her little valley the cot-tonwoods and willows began to haze with green. Daffodils popped in cheerful yellow even when the wind and rain pelted them. She felt nearly the same. She'd been blown around and she'd been drenched. But she, too, was starting to bloom again. And on this monumental day, she was going to venture beyond the Fist. 
    For most women getting a cut and style was a simple part of life. For Reece. it held all the excitement and terror of a parachute jump. And like a novice jumper, she clutched at the door.
    "I can easily reschedule," she told Joanie. "If you're pressed today—"
    "I didn't say I was pressed." joanie poured pancake batter on the griddle.
    "Yes, but with the weather breaking, you'll probably be swamped at lunch. I don't mind pitching in."
    "I handled this kitchen before you came along."
    "Sure, sure, you did. But if you need an extra hand today—"
    "I've got two of my own. And isn't Beck standing right here?" Beck, sturdy as an oak, homely as a pot of overcooked rice, shot a grin over and kept shredding cabbage for coleslaw. "She'll work me to the bone. Reece, with you not around to stop her."
    '"You don't have that slaw ready by eleven sharp, she won't stop me from booting your ass, either."
    "Aw now, Joanie," he said, as he always did.
    "You want to be useful?" she said to Reece. "Top off Mac's coffee on your way out the door."
    "All right. I'll have my cell phone if you change your mind. I'm not leaving for an hour." She dragged her feet a little, but she grabbed the pot, moved to the counter where Mac sat waiting for his pancakes.
    "You and Joanie having a round?"
    "Hmmm? Oh no, nothing like that." She poured the coffee. "I just stopped by. Day off."
    "That so? Big plans?"
    "Yes. Sort of. Linda-gail and I are going into Jackson."
    "Shopping spree, huh?"
    "Probably some of that." Linda-gail had certainly threatened it. "I'm getting my hair cut."
    "Going all the way to Jackson for a haircut?" Fist loyalty had him frowning. "We've got the Curry Comb right here in town."
    The Curry Comb was a two-chair establishment that ran to buzz cuts and poodle perms. But Reece smiled a little as she passed him the sugar bowl. "Sounds silly, doesn't it? Linda-gail says we're going to have a splurge. I really don't need to."
    "Get out." Joanie delivered the pancakes with the side of elk sausage herself.
    "I'm leaving." Reece picked up her purse, and the file folder she'd brought along. "I thought I'd show the 
    sketch Doc made while I'm there. You still haven"t come across anyone who recognizes her?" As was her habit, Reece took one of the copies out, showed it to Mac again.
    "Nope. Got it posted right there at the front counter at the store, in case.
    "I