Or would she? When the time came, would she stop at anything to rid their lives of Chavez? He had hovered over her like a hideous gargoyle, always there, always a threat. She didn't want him to have that kind of power over her any longer.

Barry's session was over only a few minutes after she returned to the gym, and he streaked by her to go upstairs and wash up. Galen stopped her as she started after him. "You left. Everything okay?"

"I heard Morgan in the kitchen and went to get a cup of coffee. I need caffeine to get my day started."

"If you felt the need for outside stimulus, you must be getting better."

She nodded.

"Thank God." He grinned at her. "I'd have been truly chastened if I was wrong. Though, of course, it doesn't happen often and everyone is entitled to one mistake in a millennium. Still, it would-"

"Hush." She couldn't help smiling. He was as flushed and gleaming as Barry had been, and the energy level was even greater. She had the sudden urge to reach out and rumple his dark hair as she did her son's. Not a good idea. "Next you're going to throw a quote from your mum at me, and I'm not up to that."

"Why not? You've had your caffeine." His stride was springy as he headed toward the staircase. "Well, did you bond with Judd?"

"Not exactly."

He stopped at the hesitation in her tone and turned to look at her.

"He warned me not to let anything happen to you."

"Understandable. He's a bit protective. He knows what a weak, fragile being I am."

She snorted.

"But I'm curious why the subject came up."

"He said I wasn't hiding, I was waiting."

"Ah, Judd is a bright man. He'd understand the distinction."

"You didn't talk to him about Chavez?"

"I told him he was looking for you and the boy. No, I didn't tell him that you were going to find a way to rid yourself of Chavez permanently. But he might have figured it out if he'd run across those afternoon workouts you put yourself through in the barn."

She stiffened. She'd tried to keep those exercise sessions private.

"It's my job to know where you are at any given time," he said, answering her unspoken question. "Those workouts are pretty strenuous. How is your wound?"

"Healing."

"I figured it was or I would have stepped in." He gave a mock sigh of relief. "I'm glad I didn't have to do it. I value my neck. You're a truly fearsome woman."

"And you're full of bull."

"But of the most entertaining variety." He stopped with one foot on the steps. "I'll tell Judd not to hold you responsible if Chavez gets lucky. I knew what I was getting into."

"But you wanted to solve the problem. What is it with you? Are you so bored that you have to get involved with everyone around you?"

"I'm not bored. Not this time," he said quietly. "I find you very. stimulating."

She inhaled sharply. He had moved away from lightness to disturbing gravity in the space of a heartbeat. She looked away from him. "I solve my own problems, Galen."

He nodded. "That's why you're trying to get stronger. How are you with weapons? Have you lost any of your skills in the past six years?"

She shook her head. "I grew up with guns and knives. That's something you don't lose."

"But you do lose the edge in hand-to-hand combat. It's something I'll have to think about." He started up the steps two at a time. "Right after my shower. Turn on the oven and preheat it to four-fifty, will you? I'm making biscuits this morning."

She stared after him. It was hard to contend with all that energy and boundless self-confidence. She often felt as if she had come too near a lightning bolt. She had meant to establish her independence and also tell him she had no intention of making him a victim. It hadn't happened. He had caught her off guard and she had become defensive.

Later.

She sighed as she went into the kitchen to turn on the oven.

Elena was sound asleep in the hammock on the porch.

Galen carefully closed the screen door behind him and paused a moment, gazing down at her. He hadn't seen her this vulnerable since that night at Tomaco. When she was awake, she always seemed totally alert and wary. No, that wasn't quite true. There were moments with Dominic and Barry when she looked soft and sort of. glowing. It had been hard to keep his eyes off her.

The glow was not there now, but her cheeks were flushed from the heat. Her lips were relaxed and slightly parted and her body was-

Better not think about her body.

Better stop staring at her entirely. He had come out here to track down Judd, who was standing at the corral fence a short distance from the porch. So get down to business.

He kept an eye on her as he moved silently across the porch and down the steps.

She didn't stir.

"I'm going to try to paint your damn corral. It's got some interesting contrast lines and lights and shadows," Judd said as Galen reached him. "But you could have provided me with some horses. What's a corral without horses?"

"Empty?" Galen leaned on the fence. "Look at it this way. Anyone could paint a corral teeming with horses. It's been done. You'll be interpreting the loneliness, the progress of time, the cowboy myth without his old pal-

"I'm beginning to feel ill."

"Then I'll let you make up your own reasons." Galen gazed out at the mountains. "I have a favor to ask, Judd."

"Besides doing the dishes?"

"I realize you don't like to get your valuable hands chapped, but someone's got to do the day-to-day drudgery. I have to save myself for bigger things."

"Knock it off, Galen."

The flippancy dropped from Galen like a discarded shirt. "I want you to work out with Elena."

"What?"

"I want you to spar with her. Hand-to-hand."

Judd glanced at Elena sleeping in the hammock. "No way."

"She needs it."

"You mean you want me to teach her some moves?"

"No, she might be able to teach you a few. She just needs the practice."

Judd's brows lifted skeptically. "She's a woman. I have a problem with beating up women."

"Give her a chance. She might surprise you."

"You were in the Special Forces too. And you've done a hell of a lot more hand-to-hand than I have in the last few years. You do it."

"That's not an option."

"Why not?"

He didn't speak for a moment. "Because she'd know right away that I want to get my hands on her in a different way."

"Oh."

"So will you do it?"

He shook his head. "I'm not used to holding back. I could kill her."

Galen looked back at Elena. It was clear she was in a deep sleep.

What the hell. "Do you have your switchblade on you?"

Judd stared at him with narrowed eyes. "What are you up to?"

"Just a little test. Do you?"

"In my pocket."

"Take it out, but don't spring the blade yet."

Judd took the knife out of his jeans. "What now?"

"Put your arm around my neck from behind."

Judd locked Galen's neck from behind. "This is dangerous," he murmured. "I've got a lot of smothered resentment for all those dishes I've been washing."

"Now release the switchblade."

The sound was a smooth metallic click. "Why? Do you want a shave? That's not-"