River’s End

shifted to the water again, went dreamy again. “I just don’t know. I remember it two ways, and both seem absolutely real. I stopped thinking it mattered, then they told me I was going to die. I need to know, and you’re going to figure out which of the two ways is real.”
    “Which one are you going to tell me?”
    “Neither, not yet. I need the money. I opened an account at this bank.” He brought out a scrap of paper. “That’s my account number. They do this electronic transfer. That’d be the best way.”
    “All right.” Noah pocketed the paper. “It’ll be there tomorrow.”
    “Then we’ll talk tomorrow.”
    Noah called Olivia the next morning, caught her at her desk at the Center. He was still damp from the shower after his run on the beach, just starting to pump up his system with coffee. The sound of her voice, brisk, businesslike, husky around the edges made him smile.
    “Hello back, Ms. MacBride. Miss me?”
    “Not particularly.”
    “I don’t believe it. You recognized my voice too easily.” He heard her sigh, certain she’d wanted it audible and full of exasperation.
    “Why wouldn’t I? You talk more than any three people I know put together.”
    “And you don’t talk enough, but I’ve got your voice in my head. I had a dream about you last night, all soft, watery colors and slow motion. We made love on the bank of the river, and the grass was cool and damp and wild with flowers. I woke up with the taste of you in my mouth.”
    There was a moment of silence, a quiet catch of breath. “That’s very interesting.”
    “Is someone in your office?”
    “Momentarily. Thanks, Curtis, I’ll take care of that.” There was another pause. “That riverbank is a public area.”
    He laughed so hard he had to slide onto a stool. “I’m becoming seriously crazy about you, Liv. Did you like the flowers?”
    “They’re very nice and completely unnecessary.”
    “Sure they were. They make you think of me. I want you to keep me right in the front of your mind, Liv, so we can pick things up when I get there.”
    “When do you plan to make the trip?”
    “One or two weeks—sooner, if I can manage it.”
    “The lodge is booked well in advance this time of year.”
    “I’ll think of something. Liv, I need to tell you I’ve seen Tanner, spoken with him. He’s here in Los Angeles.”
    “I see.”
    “I thought you’d feel better knowing where he is.”
    “Yes, I suppose I do. I have to go—”
    “Liv, you can tell me how you feel. Aside from the book, just as someone who cares about you. You can talk to me.”
    “I don’t know how I feel. I only know I can’t let where he is or what he’s doing change my life. I’m not going to let anything or anyone do that.”
    “You may find out some changes don’t have to hurt. I’ll let you know when I plan to come in. Keep thinking about me, Olivia.”
    She hung up, let out a long breath. “Keep dreaming,” she murmured and skimmed a finger over the petals of a sunny daisy.
    She hadn’t been able to resist keeping them in her office where she could see them when she was stuck at her desk and itching to get outside.
    She’d recognized what he’d done as well, and found it incredibly sweet and very clever. The flowers he ordered were all from the varieties he had in his own garden. The garden she hadn’t been able to resist. He had to know that looking at them would make her think of him.
    She’d have thought of him anyway.
    And she’d lied when she’d told him she didn’t miss him. It surprised her how much she did and worried her just a little to realize she wished they were different people in a different situation. Then they could be lovers, maybe even friends, without the shadows clinging to the corner of their relationship.
    She’d never been friends with a lover, she thought. Had never really had a lover, as that term added dimension and intimacy to simple sex.
    But she thought Noah would insist on being both. If she wanted him, she would have to give more than she’d been willing, or able, to give to anyone before. One more thing to think about, she decided, and rubbing the tension from her neck, swiveled back to her keyboard and began to input her ideas for the fall programs with an eye to the elementary school field trips she hoped to implement. She answered the knock on her door with a grunt.
    “Was that a come in or go to hell?” Rob wanted to know as he gently shook the package he carried.
    “It’s come