Free The Enemy's Son by Kristen James

her hair. Maybe he waited to hear a response from her, or more about her, but she stared off into the trees and breathed in the forest smell.
    They sat surrounded by the tall Douglas fir, Coast pine, and underbrush, with the soft noise of the wind caressing the treetops. There hadn’t been any suspicious sounds for a while. It was beautiful and relaxing, despite everything. She took a deep breath, glad they weren’t at the cabin or near Alexander, but she felt so guilty for not helping her dad.
    She looked at Nick and pictured him growing up in that environment. Could he be different from the rest of them?
    How could she validate his claims? She wanted to believe him so badly, needed to believe him, but she had been trained over and over not to trust people. She thought of something, and even knowing it was a low blow, she asked, “Where did find out your mother died?”
    Instantly, Nick’s eyes filled with pain.
    “School let out for the summer that day.” His eyes unfocused as he went back in time. “I saw Uncle John parked by the curb, and Adam and I ran to the truck. He didn’t say anything during the ride home. Dad sat waiting on the porch. We both knew right away, we just knew, but we sat down and let them tell us anyway.”
    Listening to him, her heart beat faster. She knew that day stayed in his memory like a snap shot, waiting to pop up at unexpected moments. She also knew at least that part of his story was the complete truth.
    He asked, “What happened to your mom?”
    She should have seen it coming. In her unguarded moment, however, both her snapshot and the feelings flooded into her.
    “I’m sorry.” He reached over and touched her leg again. He seemed to be saying sorry for her loss, not for asking.
    Maybe she wasn’t so good at hiding her pain. “No, it’s fair game after I asked about your mom. She died of cancer, too, when I was eight. That’s why my family was so poor.”
    Several moments went by with just the song of the breeze in the tree branches above them.
     “Cora…You didn’t have much to stand on, but you did very well for yourself. You’re successful, and you don’t seem mad at the world that life hasn’t been easy for you.”
    She looked into his eyes, feeling a connection, even while she didn’t want to.
    Quietly, he asked her, “Can I ask you one more thing?”
    “Blood type? Credit history?”
    “No.” He bit back his laugh. “Is there a man in your life, waiting for you back in civilization, worried sick about you?”
    Cora tried to cover a small smile while shaking her head. Softly, she said, “Just my dad right now. I’ve been getting my career off the ground, and it actually helps to be single. You know, the whole young, single reporter thing.” She gave him a questioning look. “You’d be in trouble if you had to explain this to a girlfriend.”
    He laughed. “Yeah…I can only imagine. But no, there’s no one right now. I’ve been so busy with work. A bit driven. Maybe we have that in common.”
     The silence that followed was a peaceful one, and they shared a look of understanding. Something clicked, something more than sexual desire or affection.
    Wow, he had gorgeous eyes. In the sun, they looked a rich, reddish brown, and they could also look a warm, fawn brown in the shade. She’d seen on his face several times that he wanted to kiss her more. And she wanted to touch him again, feel his strong arms hold her.
    Cora didn’t want to become overly emotional with him, not when she needed a clear head. The way he looked at her could break through her defenses unless she did something quick.

Eight
     
    “That river doesn’t sound like it’s too far from here. Come on.” Nick stood and pulled Cora up off the log.
    As they trampled down a hillside, she said, “Too bad I don’t have a swim suit.”
    He smiled just a bit too sweetly. “Aren’t you funny?”
    It didn’t sound like a question, to tell the truth. She forgot her comeback as they