Free Dancing with Deception by Kadi Dillon Page A

quickly and shot a mortified look at Rose. “Excuse me.”
    Rose waved that away. “I’ve been married to a sailor for thirty-four years and raised two of them.” Rose stood from the table and began to gather plates. “I’ve got this,” she told Rebecca when she had rose to help her. “Do you have any plans for today?”
    Rebecca glanced at Colin who was reclining back in his chair with an amused expression on his handsome face. “I’m going on a run. If you want to babysit me, you’ll have to keep up.”
    Tongue in cheek, Colin said, “I’d love to go for a run.”
    “I have a pair of tennis shoes if you’d like to borrow them.”
    “Oh, thank you. It beats running barefoot.” Rebecca followed Jess upstairs, recognizing the silent signal that she needed to speak with her in private.
    “I’m size six.”
    “I’m a seven but my feet are used to bending. Thank you,” she said again when Jess handed her a pair of worn running shoes.
    “No problem. I’d come with you but I don’t think I could keep up. Rebecca,” Jess sat down on the edge of her bed and invited Rebecca to take a seat next to her. When she sat, Jess continued. “Gideon’s a good man. He’s a little intense and a lot stubborn, but I’m sure he just asked Colin to keep you close to make sure you’re safe.”
    “I’m sure he is a good man.”
    “But?”
    Rebecca wondered how much she could confide in Gideon’s sister. So far, Jess had been nothing but friendly. There was something that was a little reserved about her, but Rebecca understood shyness and respected it all the same. She took a chance and trusted that Jess wouldn’t be angry with her. “But I don’t think Gideon likes me very much. And I don’t blame him. I caused a lot of problems for him.”
    She watched Jess digest this and was relieved when she didn’t sense anger from her. “I guess I misunderstood. I thought Gideon all but dragged you here.”
    “He did. But he was angry and I don’t think he knows how he wants to handle those problems yet.” She wondered how much Jess actually knew and asked her.
    “Everything. Gideon told us all so we would now how to help you. That’s what he’s decided to do, Rebecca. Help you. He may be rude, but he isn’t cruel.”
    “If you say so.” She said it with such affliction that Jess smiled. “Did he tell you how we met?”
    “On his boat?”
    “Yes. I jumped off the pier and landed in his boat while he was driving it. How stupid was that?”
    “It sounded pretty brave to me. I wouldn’t have been able to do that no matter who was chasing me.”
    “Believe me. I never dreamed I would be getting chased all over Ohio for a stupid painting.” Especially one that I painted myself.
    “Is it signed?”
    Rebecca didn’t blink in fear she would give something away. “Not that I know of.”
    “Maybe I could take a look at it. I’m not a professional but I may be able to tell something about the paint.”
    Rebecca stood and tested the shoes. Her toes were a little snug, but it wasn’t any different from wearing ballet shoes. “I think I’ll take that run now. I feel flabby if I don’t get a good work out in the morning.”
    Jess was only trying to help, but fear balled tightly in her belly. If they found out that she had painted The Dance some twenty years ago, would they believe her to be a criminal?
    “Flabby,” she snorted. “I can look at it when you get back. I’ll be here.” Again, there was a glimpse of something in her tone. Some sort of sadness that sliced Rebecca’s heart.
    “Are you sure you don’t want to run with us?”
    “I’m sure. I have some homework I need to get done.” She walked with Rebecca out of her room and down the stairs. “Thanks, though.”
    “Ready?” Colin was still sitting at the table looking relaxed and- damn him- still amused.
    “Yes.”
    They set out at a brisk warm-up pace. Rebecca’s long ponytail whipped in the wind as they rounded the side of the house and