Free Heart Of Gold by Bird Jessica

the urge to smile back at him. “It's my standard gear and supplies,
and there'll be more when the rest of my team arrive.”
    “More?
Hard to imagine.”
    “I'm
very thorough.”
    “Or
a consummate over packer.”
    Cort came
to her defense with a defiant tone. “She's a professional. She needs these
things.”
    Nick
checked his watch, growing grave when he looked at his nephew. “Are you
heading up the mountain again?”
    “She
needs me.”
    “Then
I think you better go inside first.”
    “But
I—”
    An arched
eyebrow cut the kid off. Something serious passed between the two.
    “Meet
you up there?” Cort finally grumbled to her.
    After she
nodded, he ran into the house and Nick let out a frustrated breath. “I
swear that kid would fight with me over which way is up.”
    Carter
wasn't sure he wanted a response from her. He appeared preoccupied with private
thoughts, but then he looked over at her and she felt compelled to respond.
    “He's
at a difficult age,” she offered gingerly, unsure of what his reaction
would be to any comment she made. “Is he any better with his
parents?”
    “No.”
Pain flared in Nick's eyes only to be covered quickly with a cool mask.
Catching a glimpse of the emotion, Carter stared at him curiously. She was
trying to figure out a way to ask him more about Cort but then the kid
reappeared.
    Striding
across the lawn with his head set at a high angle, he ignored his uncle.
“I'll run up the last load if you're sure you'd rather walk with the
pack.”
    “Thanks.
I'll be fine on the trail.”
    “See
you there.”
     
    * * *
     
    When
Carter turned back to Nick, his face was totally unreadable and, as interested
as she was, she didn't pursue the conversation about his nephew.
    “You
won't see me for the next few days,” she said. “I'll be setting up
camp, doing some surveying, and staking out the site. After my team arrives,
and we've done some real work, I'll come back down to report.”
    His
expression lost its tension and he smiled at her. “On the contrary, I
think we'll be seeing plenty of each other.”
    “Oh
no, we won't.” Carter shook her head vigorously. “I'm not going to
waste time coming down the mountain just to tell you where I pitched my tent
and what I'm having for dinner.”
    His
dimple got bigger. “You forget, I know my way up the trail very well. I
also have a vast curiosity about the eating habits of archaeologists. No
telling how many times I'll feel compelled to come up for a visit.”
    “I
don't think that's a good idea.”
    “Why?”
    She
racked her brain for a response that wouldn't reveal anything. “I'm a
professional and my work isn't a spectator sport.”
    “I'll
be the judge of that.” His eyes passed over the backpack. “By the
way, are you still insisting on sleeping in the woods? We have plenty of space
down here, not to mention running water.”
    Nick
laughed at her shake of the head.
    “If
I didn't know better,” he murmured, “I'd say you want to avoid
me.”
    His eyes
became hooded and a speculative, stunning light seeped out from under the lids.
    Dragging
herself from the sensual pull, she said quickly, “I'm used to working
without interference.”
    “Anyone
ever tell you you're too independent?”
    “All
the time.” She turned to go.
    “I'll
see you later today.”
    “Do
whatever you want,” she muttered.
    “All
the time, Carter Wessex. I do that always.”
    When
Carter reached the clearing that faced the lake, she was glad she'd made the
climb. The effort of hoofing it up the mountain with a heavy weight strapped on
her back had released some of her frustrations. She leaned against a rock and
took a moment to catch her breath. Getting pushed to the physical limit had a
way of prioritizing things. She'd been so distracted by the necessity of
drawing air into her lungs, she'd almost forgotten about him.
    As she
scanned the lake, taking in its gleaming reflection of the sky and sun, she was
surprised to find herself