Delia dropped the bottle of cleaner. Slowly she retrieved it. It took some effort to make sure her voice, when she replied, would be steady, because just hearing his name evoked all sorts of images, mostly being held in those big warm arms and receiving a kiss that days later could still make her knees wobble. “What does he have to do with anything?”

Maddie gave her a long look. “Gee, other than the fact you can’t say his name, I don’t know. What does he have to do with anything?”

“Nothing. I don’t know why you’d say it.”

“And if someone else says his name, your claws come out.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Maddie crossed her arms and lifted a brow. “Not to mention what happens to you when he walks into the room.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Delia scoffed. But what was really ridiculous was that she was a tough sophisticated city girl and hadn’t yet managed in all her twenty-six years to lose her virginity. She wasn’t sure why exactly, other than that no one had ever come close to making her feel half of what Cade had with one kiss. And yet to him, she was just a case. Probably a nuisance, to boot. He was a roamer, and when he was done here, he’d move on. “Nothing happens when he walks into the room.”

Maddie smiled and shook her head, her eyes full of sympathy and humor. “Oh, honey. Something happens all right.”

“If you think so, you need glasses.”

“You react.”

“Of course I react. It’s a full-blown allergic reaction. The man gives me hives.”

“The man?” The usually somber Maddie burst out laughing. “Cade. His name is Cade. Come on, I bet it rolls right off your tongue. Try it.”

“Yeah. You might like it.”

Cade had come into the room-how long ago? Delia wondered wildly-and stood there watching her, his eyes hooded. His arms were crossed over his chest, and on his face, damn him, his laughing mocking face, was the knowledge of what he could-and had-done to her with just one touch.

“Cade.” Maddie squeezed Delia’s arm gently, meant to both soothe and warn. “We were just talking about you. I’m making your favorite for dinner-pot roast. You’ll stay?”

He smiled at her, his grin crooked, endearing and just a little reckless. “Thanks, it sounds terrific, but I can’t. I’m…going.”

“You’re leaving? I thought you and Ty were busy with the repairs on the back fencing.”

“We’ve finally finished.” Languidly, he stretched his back and shoulder muscles, which were clearly outlined beneath his snug T-shirt, and Delia felt a powerful need to rub up against him, a need she assured herself was immature, no matter how hot and deep the ache was.

“You worked so hard.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “And given my aches and creaks, I’m getting old. Man, this cowboy stuff is hard work. I gotta hand it to Ty. He’s amazing.”

He was leaving, was all Delia could think. Going back to the city, probably, and his other cases. Fine. More than fine, actually. Good.

So why did she feel a funny pang in her midsection?

Indigestion.

“I hope Ty thanked you for staying and helping us get ready to open. We needed all the extra hands we could get, but we know you have a life away from here, as well.” Maddie squeezed Delia’s hands again, another warning. “Don’t we, Delia?”

A not-so-subtle hint to add her own thank-you. Good manners had Delia opening her mouth to do just that, but the words stuck in her throat.

She’d managed to avoid him since they’d returned from Los Angeles. It hadn’t been difficult, especially since he had done his own avoiding.

Not exactly complimentary, Delia thought with a frown.

It was one thing for her to need her own space, but she didn’t think she liked him needing his as well. “Going back to Boise?” she asked coolly.

“For a day or so.” He lifted one broad shoulder. “I’ll be traveling. Have some things to check out.”

“The exciting life of a private investigator,” Maddie said smiling. “You enjoy this part.”

“Very much,” he admitted. When he glanced at the door, something inside Delia hardened.

He can’t wait to leave.

Never in her life had she felt the urge to cling. She certainly wouldn’t start now. But he wanted to leave, couldn’t wait to leave, and it was because of her.

The knowledge was deflating. “Well, we don’t want to keep you,” she said.

Maddie sent Delia a meaningful glare. She wanted Delia to join her in convincing Cade to stay. “Are you sure you can’t rearrange things to be here for the grand opening?” Maddie asked him while nudging Delia.

Delia said nothing, didn’t add her own request for him to stay. Maddie was on her own there.

Realizing that, her sister sighed. “You’ve worked so hard to help us,” Maddie said to Cade. “It’d be a shame if you had to leave just one day before watching how it all turns out.”

Cade looked at Delia, as if waiting for her to second Maddie’s sentiments.

Did he expect her to beg? Ha! He’d have a long wait if he was. She never begged.

Besides, she wanted him gone.

She did. And if she said it often enough she might believe it.

“I have things that have to be done,” he said, and Maddie made another sound of disappointment.

“I know you’ve spent this past year going back and forth, trying to fit Constance’s case into your heavy workload,” Maddie said. “But it seemed that lately you spent more and more time here, which we loved. You’re a part of our family now, Cade.” She smiled into his surprised face. “And I got used to you being here. We hate to see you go.”

“I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I never meant to integrate myself so completely here or to disrupt-”

“Don’t you dare apologize!” Maddie said fiercely. “You’re welcome here, as much as I am or Ty or Zoe or Delia. You belong here-”

“No,” he said quickly. “I don’t belong here or…” He fell silent, and looked out the window.

Or…anywhere? Was that what he’d been about to say? Delia wondered. Was that why he was always on the run? He didn’t feel as though he belonged anywhere?

For all that Cade McKnight seemed an open book-adventurous, carefree, rugged and tough-she realized there was much about him she didn’t know.

Didn’t want to know, she corrected.

“You need to go,” Maddie said softly, coming to terms with his imminent departure.

Cade smiled at her, without the wariness that had been there when he’d looked at Delia. “Yeah.”

“I understand,” Maddie whispered. “The need to go.”

Delia hadn’t been able to take her eyes off Cade, so that when he suddenly turned his head to look at her again, she was caught.

Something passed between them, something Delia didn’t want to acknowledge, but given the bemusement on his face, he didn’t want to acknowledge it, either.

It baffled her, this strange thing that seemed to happen to them whenever they were within close proximity. They had nothing in common, they had completely different goals in life, and yet…there was something that helplessly drew her to him.

But she could control it. She could control all her emotions.

Maddie was still watching the two of them. “Maybe the things you have to go do,” she said quietly to Cade, “maybe they could wait for just one more day so you could enjoy all the work you’ve put into the Triple M?”

When Cade didn’t speak, but continued to hold Delia’s gaze, Maddie gave a small knowing smile that Cade missed.

Delia did not, and she sent her sister a warning glance.

With a long-practiced skill, Maddie ignored her and moved to the door. “I think I’ll just check on dinner…” She patted Cade’s arm and smiled again when he didn’t break eye contact with Delia. “And leave you two alone to talk this out.”

“Talk what out?” Delia demanded, but Maddie was gone and Cade was still staring at her, as if he was angry and hurt and confused all at once.

“Why are you always staring at me like that?” Delia asked.