Free Angel in Disguise by Patt Marr Page B

Cuppingher face in both hands, he whispered, “Where do we go from here, Sunny?”
    Leaving this beautiful place had no appeal. A pizza, a movie and then to their separate homes for the night? That was better than nothing, but why settle for less when there was so much better?
    “I’ve got an idea,” she said, confident he’d love her choice.
    “Whatever it is, you’re still buying,” he said with a grin.
    “No problem. It won’t cost much.”
    “It won’t cost me at all. If you’ve changed your mind about pizza, just remember you said it was your treat.”
    She laughed shyly. “Then here’s my treat. I’d like us to do the hike just as Dream Date planned.”
    Pete felt sick to his stomach. Her golden brown eyes sparkled with happy anticipation. And why not? She had a right to think he’d be pleased. On national TV he’d declared how much he loved all this. She was giving him exactly what she thought he would want.
    This was the moment he should confess. How hard could it be? He’d admitted he didn’t like cheesecake. She’d admitted she couldn’t boil water. She didn’t have a pickup, and he’d never explored in his life. It was no big deal. He’d just tell her, and she’d laugh about it. And then they’d go get the pizza.
    But what if she said she’d teach him to camp? And she would. She loved this. She’d want to share it.
    Then he’d have to get totally honest and tell herabout his bum hip. Again, no big deal. Sunny was the kind of person who took bad news in stride. He knew what her reaction would be. She’d feel sorry for him, but it wouldn’t be pity. The woman could cope.
    Go ahead. Just say, “Sunny, this could cost me dearly. Like, maybe a month in rehab. Even a permanent setback.” He’d bet anything she’d even admire him for his honesty, his ability to share his fears, his trust in her.
    Go ahead, he told himself again, sterner this time, tougher, meaner. Insistent. Tell her.
    But he couldn’t. There was just no way he could tell this pretty woman he wasn’t the man she thought him to be.

Chapter Five
    “L et’s do it.” Solemn as a judge, Pete picked up his pack and looked up the trail.
    It wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. “Pete, we don’t have to. If you’d rather—”
    “No,” he broke in. “It’s a great idea. You take the lead.”
    Puzzled, she moved up the trail. This was no wildly enthusiastic guy, thrilled with another chance to camp and explore.
    He’d been this way that first night in the producer’s office when he’d warned her he would be “a lousy date.” And there was that moment at her house when he’d tried to end the date before they’d eaten dinner. The rest of the time he’d been wonderful—fun, caring, protective, respectful. So what if she now had to add “a little moody”? Nobody was perfect.
    The way he insisted that she take the lead and set the pace was especially thoughtful. A guy as strongand athletic-looking as Pete could run off and leave her with her tongue hanging out. She could add “considerate” to his list of good qualities.
    Her competitive nature made her want to move along fast enough to impress him. Though she wasn’t in the physical condition she’d been in when she played college basketball, she got plenty of exercise teaching and coaching.
    At the pace she set, the first incline didn’t allow for conversation. She’d rather hike slower and talk, but she didn’t want Pete to think she was a wimp. Pride pushed her on.
    When the path leveled off at a scenic overlook, Sunny stopped to catch her breath. She’d been so intent on covering ground that she hadn’t paid attention to the trail behind her. When she saw how far behind Pete was, she felt like a kid who’d used the wrong fork at dinner. She might have known racing to the top wouldn’t impress a serious hiker.
    Pete had picked up a fallen branch and was using it as a walking stick, moving along in a leisurely fashion, examining his