Sterling's Reasons Read Online Free PDF Page A

her face toward the setting sun to feel the last strong rays subside.
    “I’ll answer one question when you answer one.” She heard his breathing become slightly labored. “Out of shape for a cop. Been laying around too long already. Okay, what’s your question?”
    “Who are you?”
    “Lord, MacDaniels, we’ve already been through this. How about this. I’m a psychopath or an axe murderer. Like that better?”
    They jumped over some driftwood. “Right. And I’m Magnum and this is Hawaii. Yeah, I could learn to live with fairy tales. That all you know about?”
    “You skipped your answer. One question for one answer, not question for question. You set the rules. Now play by them.”
    He sent her a dissolving look, but she just smiled at him.
    “I’m not going back.” He looked out to sea as they ran.
    This took her by surprise. Granted, she didn’t know much about him yet, but she didn’t figure him for a quitter. “I don’t like that answer.”
    “Why, because it puts a short end to your story?”

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    27

    Joey Light
    She was slowing down because she realized he was tiring. “No, I just didn’t figure you for it.”
    He stopped and jerked her around by the ann. “Just what did you figure me for? Why do you act like you know everything there is to know about me? Talk, or we go back and you stay away from me altogether.”
    She bent over and took a few long breaths. “Not supposed to stop dead.
    Slow down first and then walk until your pulse and breathing are normal.”
    He put his hands on her shoulders and straightened her up. “You’re making me mad. You don’t want to do that.”
    The feel of his hands biting into her flesh was not all unpleasant. His eyes were cold and barely controlled as he looked deep into hers.
    “I’m no threat to you, Joe MacDaniels. So stop acting like I am. Are you going to be suspicious of everyone you come in contact with, or just me?”
    He continued staring as his breathing became normal. He searched her face for an answer. Found none. “I don’t believe you. You were sent here by somebody to do a story or to dig for more information…or simply to keep an eye on me.”
    She shook her head. “Consider yourself that important, do you? Look, I recognized you the minute I saw you. That’s all. I’m tired of defending my being here. I’m here and I’m staying. Get used to it.”
    He released her then, slowly. “I’ll find out what your game is, lady. I was a cop, a good cop, for a long time.”
    She turned and headed back toward the cottages. “And you’re going to let it all go for nothing? Oh, look, this shell is perfect.”
    She bent to pick it up and examine it in the failing light.
    His voice softened involuntarily. She took such great pleasure from such small things. “It’s from my personal collection,” he teased automatically. “I keep 28
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    Sterling’s Reasons
    them scattered out here so everyone can enjoy them.” His dark, troubled eyes found hers as she smiled easily up at him.
    “Can I have this one, Mr. MacDaniels?” She held it toward him for his approval and played out the game.
    He looked down at her hand and then back to her eyes. He merely folded her fingers over the shell with his own and let their hands stay linked for a moment.
    “You can have it.” If he’d been burned he could have stood the touch much easier. He shoved his hand in his pocket and turned away.
    As they began the walk back she couldn’t help but think about the sensation that traveled from their joined hands in her heart. She knew this man needed a friend, and she was going to be that friend, no matter what he wanted.
    Hands linked behind her, Sterling ventured, “I love old movies, you know, Bogart and Bacall, Tracy and Hepburn. I brought along Casablanca and Key Largo.
    My cottage is equipped with a TV and a VCR. Feel like watching them with me?”
    “I don’t watch television.”
    “This isn’t