Free Love's Dream Song by Sandra Leesmith

blow his carefully protected cover.
    “We had something between us. I know it was special for you. What happened?”
    “Maybe it wasn’t so special,” he lied.
    She stopped, her abruptness catching him off guard. He faced her, wishing he could see her expression more clearly.
    “I don’t believe that,” she told him. “It’s something else—something that has nothing to do with you and me. Can’t you talk about it?”
    “No.” That was the truth, at least. “Let’s keep going.”
    He could tell she wasn’t buying that and he didn’t blame her. There was no point in elaborating. He couldn’t even explain to himself why he tormented them with this walk.
    For several minutes they proceeded in silence. Suddenly she tugged on his arm and pulled him to a stop. Before he could utter a sound, she placed her fingers over his mouth. “Listen,” she whispered close to his ear.
    He went still—alert and curious. Voices came from behind the rocks to their right, a man and a woman. But Jess couldn’t make out what they were saying.
    “Let’s get a little closer,” he whispered against her hair.
    “We’d better go back.” Her breath fanned his cheek.
    He should follow her suggestion, but he didn’t want to leave. He might learn something useful.
    “I want to hear what they are saying.” Jess pressed against the rock. “Move carefully,” he whispered.
    Cautiously, they edged closer to the rocks. He hesitated. What if it were a couple seeking privacy? Just as he pulled back on Autumn’s hand, he heard Connie Turner’s angry voice.
    “You hauled me all the way out here in this forsaken wilderness to ask a favor ? You said you had something big. I’m not about to give you publicity just because you ask for it. What kind of reporter do you think I am?”
    His attention captured now, Jess inched forward with Autumn. The next voice interested him more than Connie’s.
    Wayne Carson!
    “This story is news and it’s getting you some attention, but not like a hot issue could. That’s what you really want, isn’t it?”
    “How? By blowing up the ruins?” Connie’s sarcasm was sharp. “Or maybe murdering someone out here in the wilds?”
    “My dad’s on a lot of important committees in Congress. He can get you the inside scoop on congressional hearings.”
    “Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” Connie’s anger suddenly disappeared. “Just who is this famous father of yours?”
    “Dirk Carson.”
    “Senator Carson—from Colorado?”
    “The one and only.”
    A whistle bounced around the canyon walls.
    “Sh. Do you want everyone to know we’re here?” Wayne’s voice lowered, but Autumn and Jess had moved close enough to hear clearly .
    “What exactly did you have in mind?” she asked in a curt tone. Jess could just imagine the speculation running through the reporter’s head. Senator Carson was popular in the Southwest.
    “This discovery has been big news. I want you to make it bigger and include my name every time you mention Dr. Davidson’s.”
    “And in exchange?”
    “You name it. When you want info from Dad…” He shrugged, his voice trailing off.
    Silence settled between the canyon walls. Jess began to wonder if he and Autumn should hide, in case the two stomped out.
    “So we understand each other.” Connie’s voice became hard. “We’ll work together on one condition—I call the shots.”
    “Agreed.”
    “Now tell me exactly what you want.”
    Jess held his breath.
    Wayne continued. “Archaeology’s a hard field to get into. There are only a few positions that are worth anything.”
    “And all this publicity will put your name at the top.”
    “Right.”
    “Can’t your father pull strings for you?”
    “He doesn’t approve of my choices. He wants me to take over the family business so he’ll have more time to play big shot politician.”
    Jess could sympathize with that. He’d had the same problem with his father. Only it turned out that Jess liked