Divine Evil

you a present.”
    And there was the burl, even more spectacular than she remembered.
    “Oh, God.” Before he could give her a boost, she was clambering over the side of the truck and into the bed beside it. She stroked the bark reverently. “It's beautiful,” she murmured, already imagining what she would find inside.
    “It's a hunk of wood,” Alice said from the other side of the truck. She was both baffled and disappointed.
    “It's a mystery,” Clare told her. “And a challenge, and a gift.” She laughed at Alice's expression. “Tell you what, ina year or so when it's ready to work with, I'll make you a bowl.”
    “That'd be nice,” Alice said politely, making Clare laugh again. “Wait until Angie gets a look at this.” She sat back on her heels, stroking the burl, and sent a cautious look at Cam. He said nothing, just watched her with his hands curved lightly over the side of the truck. “This was a pretty sneaky thing to do, Rafferty”
    “Desperate times, Slim. Desperate measures. I figured if I brought this along, you'd have to talk to me.” He turned his hands over, palms up. “Want me to help you down?”
    “I can manage.”
    But when she started to swing from the truck, he put his hands around her waist. He set her feet on the ground, turned her to face him, then waited a beat. “You've got mud on your hands.”
    “Clay.” Damn it, this simple contact shouldn't make her so breathless. “You'd better back up, or it'll get all over your shirt.”
    “You already got it on my shirt.” He edged closer, scenting her the way a fox scented his mate. “How have you been?”
    “I've been fine.” Her heart was beating fast, entirely too fast, against his.
    “I guess I'll be going.” Alice cleared her throat. “I said I guess I'll run along.”
    “No!” Clare swiveled out of Cam's hold. “I mean, I'd like to get another hour in, unless you're too tired.”
    “I'm not too tired. But in a town this size, it doesn't pay to annoy the sheriff,” Alice teased.
    “That's some very clear thinking,” Cam said and took Clare by the arm. “Why don't we step inside and talk?”
    She was trying to decide whether to laugh or swearwhen a car drove up, horn beeping. “Hey.” A man popped up out of the sunroof. “Can a guy get a room here for the night?”
    “Blair!” Clare raced down the drive and threw her arms wide as her brother climbed out of the car. He took one look at her hands and backed up.
    “God, don't touch me.”
    “What are you doing here?”
    “Figured I'd take in a parade. Cam.” He pulled a garment bag out of the backseat before starting up the drive. “You here for a visit, or is Clare under arrest?”
    Putting her under house arrest didn't seem like a bad idea, but Cam grinned and held out a hand. “Just making a delivery.” He ran a finger down Blair's lapel. “Nice suit.”
    “I worked late, didn't want to take time to change. Alice, good to see you.”
    “Hi, Blair.” She cursed herself for blushing. “Clare didn't say you were coming.”
    “She didn't know. So …” He tugged on his sister's hair. “How're you making out?”
    Clare glanced at Cam, then away. “I guess you could say it's been an eventful few weeks. Angie and Jean-Paul are here.”
    “Here?” Blair's brows shot up. “In Emmitsboro?”
    “For nearly a week. I think it's starting to grow on them. Listen, why don't I go in and fix some drinks?”
    “I'm right behind you.”
    Cam put a hand on his shoulder before he could follow. “How about giving me a hand with this present first?”
    “A present? Sure.” He set his bag next to the truck and looked in. “It's a hunk of wood.”
    “Yep.”
    “A really big hunk of wood.” He scowled over at Cam. “This suit is fifty percent silk.”
    Cam grinned, let down the tailgate, and jumped up. “Don't be a wuss, Kimball.”
    “Shit.” Blair hauled himself up and put his back into it. “What's this thing for? It's giving me splinters.”
    “It's a peace offering. Clare's ticked off at me.”
    “Oh?”
    “It's a long story. Here, I'll go down first. Christ, get a grip, will you?” he muttered when Blair almost dropped the burl on his foot. “You might be interested in the story,” he continued as they wrestled the burl out and carted it toward the side yard.
    “Rafferty, stories are my life.”
    “Why don't you come by the office tomorrow after the parade?”
    “Okay. Anything I should know now?”
    “I'm sleeping with your