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  *

  Kyle was greeted at the door with wet, sloppy kisses. “How’s my little sunshine today?”

  She picked up the squirming toddler into her arms and closed the door behind her. She couldn’t image her life without this enthusiastic greeting. Hollie was the spitting image of her mother, which made her the spitting image of Kyle, her mother’s twin. Anyone who saw them together would never think that Hollie was Kyle’s niece, but rather her daughter.

  Kyle was determined that Hollie would know everything about the wonderful woman who had died giving her life.

  Sometimes when she looked at her niece the terrible days of the past year felt like just yesterday. She had eagerly anticipated the birth of Alison’s first child and was thrilled when her sister asked her to be in the delivery room. The man Alison had been seeing for several years had no interest in fatherhood and had not returned any of her calls since she informed him of the baby. Alison had been crushed but refused to force him into something he clearly didn’t want. She went as far as to serve him with paternity papers which he promptly signed relinquishing his parental rights. All that ugliness aside, Alison’s pregnancy was a joyous time, one that had changed Kyle’s life in more ways than one.

  For Kyle, the most wonderful sound in the world is the sound of a newborn baby crying, and that’s exactly the way Hollie Elizabeth Bain entered the world. Kyle had never seen a baby so small, and when the nurse handed the squirming bundle to her, she heard Alison laugh.

  “She won’t break Kyle.”

  “I know, but she’s so tiny I’m afraid she’ll slip through my hands.” She held the baby close to Alison who placed a sweet kiss on her cheek. Tears welled up in Kyle’s eyes at the joy she felt for her sister.

  A quivering hand reached out and stroked the baby’s soft cheek. “Hello Hollie. I’m your mom.” An instant later, all hell broke loose.

  After a battery of tests the neurologist confirmed that Alison was brain dead. Three days later the tests were repeated, as required by law, and she was declared dead. The rest was a blur, but there was one day Kyle would never forget.

  The pain was unbearable. If not for the innocent, living creature wrapped tightly in her arms Kyle would not have cared that she was alive. As she looked through tear-streaked eyes at the neatly arranged flowers on top of Alison’s casket, she’d thought it ironic that something so beautiful was being used to hide something as terrible as what lay beneath it. The ceremony, pomp, and fragrant beauty could not hide the cold hard fact that the most important person in her life was lying dead in the casket in front of her.

  She’d kissed Hollie’s head. Oh, Allie. How will we ever go on without you?

  But somehow they had. One day at a time for Hollie and one minute at a time for Kyle. She was named Hollie’s legal guardian and had subsequently adopted her niece. The days immediately following Alison’s funeral were filled with diapers, formula, and sleepless nights, and Kyle had found a sense of comfort with the infant. The pain of losing her sister was still with her, but Kyle was finally at the point where thinking about Alison did not bring her instantly to tears.

  “She was a joy as usual.” Hollie’s nanny, Gretchen came to the door wiping her hands on a dish towel. “We went to the park and she loved going high on the swing.”

  “That’s my little daredevil. Big girls aren’t afraid to go high are we?” Kyle was rewarded with another sloppy kiss.

  “Well, dinner for Mommy is in the oven. You two girls have a good night. See you in the morning.”

  Kyle said good night to Gretchen and carried Hollie into the kitchen. Gretchen had come highly recommended from the nanny agency, and she and Kyle had hit it off immediately. Kyle had bought a larger house that included a separate guest cottage that was ideal for Gretchen to live in. The arrangement worked perfectly, and knowing that she could count on Gretchen when she was called out to investigate a homicide in the middle of the night allowed Kyle peace of mind.

  She finally sat down several hours later, after bathing Hollie, singing her favorite lullaby, and tucking her in for the night. Much to Kyle’s relief, Hollie had been sleeping through the night since she was two months old. When she first brought Hollie home, her mother and father had stayed with her for several weeks to help her adapt to being a new mother. They’d shopped for any of the necessary baby things Alison had not already purchased, and within days the spare bedroom was filled with brightly colored toys and every piece of furniture a new baby would need, including the crib that Hollie now slept in. When Gretchen arrived, Kyle had returned to work and her parents went home.

  Hollie was an easy going thirteen-month-old but was shy around people she didn’t know. It usually took quite some time for her to warm up to strangers, and even longer before she would allow them to pick her up. Kyle hoped that this cautious nature would continue through her childhood. She prayed every night that she had it in her power to keep Alison’s daughter safe.

  Since Hollie’s arrival Kyle’s social life had gone from active to none. Yet Kyle found she didn’t miss dating and outings with friends as much as she’d expected she would. To her surprise, she looked forward to coming home after work and spending her evenings playing peek-a-boo and changing poopie diapers. She had remained dedicated to her job, but had gained an entirely new perspective on what was important in life. There was no disputing the fact that Hollie was her first priority.

  Kyle stretched out her long legs and a stuffed Big Bird doll fell to the floor as she put her feet on the coffee table in front of her. She sipped a cup of tea that had been hot and steaming twenty minutes ago. The TV was on but she wasn’t paying attention to the basketball players running back and forth across the screen. Her encounter with Lane Connor earlier in the day had lingered in her mind ever since, and now that she could finally relax, her thoughts drifted once more to the attractive restaurant owner.

  Kyle didn’t know if she’d been more surprised to see her back at work or to realize Lane had so blatantly flirted with her. Kyle was practiced in the art of sidestepping women who came on to her during the course of her duties, but she was flatfooted when it came to Lane—definitely out of practice. She hadn’t gone out on a date or even spoken to a woman on a personal level since Hollie arrived more than a year ago. Even now, she was only barely able to make sense of what happened with Lane.

  Kyle tried not to read more into their conversation this morning than what was there. She had an analytical mind and methodically weighed each piece of evidence in the cases she investigated. That knack carried over into her personal life as well. As she relived every word Lane said and evaluated the accompanying body language, she began to tingle. Lane’s eyes had sparkled when they looked at her, and she had looked at her that way…a lot. She was definitely interested. Kyle leaned her head back on the couch and frowned.

  Hollie was the number one priority in her life, and she could not imagine that ever changing. She had a responsibility to Alison and Hollie, and she was not going to let either one of them down. Her job was demanding, and there was simply no place in her life for a relationship. Maybe when Hollie was older, when she didn’t need her as much, Kyle could reconsider. But when would that be? When she got into school? Then it would be homework and after school activities. Maybe when she was in high school and a little more independent? Kyle wasn’t so sure about that, either. She’d seen the effects of parental neglect during this crucial stage of development and vowed always to be there for Hollie. Kyle groaned when she counted the number of years till college. She’d never sat down and thought this through quite so thoroughly, but the way things were looking, her love life would be on hold for the next seventeen years.

  Kyle’s eyes grew heavy when the basketball game was replaced with Letterman. Slowly, she rose and began shutting off the lights. She checked the locks on the doors, set the alarm, and checked on Hollie one more time before sliding between her own cool sheets.

  Chapter Two

  Kyle gathered up her
keys and opened the front door, wiping oatmeal off her cheek at the same time. “Holy shit Travis! You scared the crap out of me.” Her heart pounded at the unexpected sight of the man standing on her front porch.

  Detective Travis Miller was thirty-two and often mistaken for a young George Clooney. He was happily married to his high school sweetheart and had a picture of his twin boys prominently displayed on his desk. When they became partners two years ago, Kyle did not disclose her sexual preference, which, like race, had absolutely no bearing on her ability to solve homicides. However, Travis was as good a detective as Kyle, and after several months he’d asked her point blank if she was a lesbian. Kyle had been hesitant to divulge details of her personal life, but Travis’s gentle and understanding eyes were the mirror to his soul. She’d answered him truthfully, and they’d never looked back.

  “What in the hell are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Good morning to you too.” Travis wiped something from her chin. “You missed a spot. I remember one time I had baby barf down the back of my jacket, and no one said anything until two o’clock in the afternoon.”

  “Thanks. I know you stopped by this morning for something other than to ensure my personal hygiene was up to par.”

  They both laughed and walked down the sidewalk to their cars.

  “I’m coming with you for coffee,” Travis said.

  Kyle leaned against her car. “You’re what?” she asked.

  “I’m coming with you for coffee,” he repeated as if she hadn’t heard him the first time.

  “You don’t drink coffee, Travis.”

  Kyle had her suspicions about where this conversation was going. Travis was probably her best friend, and as best friends do, they could practically read each other’s minds. It warmed her heart to know he was always looking out for her, but he had seemed way too interested in her love life when they were having lunch the previous day. She supposed she should have known better than to relay the details of her interaction with Lane, but she loved Travis like a brother and trusted him to keep the juiciest details to himself. He and his family had become an extended family for Hollie and they often babysat. Kyle returned the favor when Travis and Joann needed a night out without the clamoring of two six-year-olds.

  “Ah yes, but you do, and you’ve developed a habit of drinking it at a quaint little restaurant that just so happens to have knock-out scenery.”

  Kyle folded her arms across her chest. “Okay, what’s the deal Miller? I don’t need a babysitter.”

  He smiled. “No, but you may need Cyrano.”

  Kyle was lost. “Cyrano?”

  “Cyrano De Bergerac. You’re obviously interested in Lane, and you may need some help asking her out, so I thought I’d come along and give you a hand.”

  He seemed so proud of himself, Kyle felt almost guilty about rejecting the offer. “I’m perfectly capable of knowing what to do with my hands.” When a red flush of embarrassment materialized on her partner’s face, she relented, Travis only wanted her to be happy. “Okay, Cyrano, lets go. But for the record, I’m not in the market for a relationship.”

  “Uh huh.”

  Kyle didn’t need to look to know her partner had rolled his eyes at her declaration.

  *

  Lane was anxious as she moved around the dining room checking on her morning guests. Her gaze kept straying to the patio in anticipation of seeing Kyle Bain again. During her morning run her thoughts had been filled with the charming, dark-haired detective. She had never looked at another woman while she and Maria were together. She was continuously on the receiving end of flirtations, but she never once gave them a second thought and certainly not in a sexual way. Until yesterday, when she saw Kyle again after so long.

  Lane didn’t remember consciously flirting with her, but when she replayed their conversation she realized she’d been slightly provocative. Judging by Kyle’s reaction, the verbal banter was unexpected, and Lane wondered if she would be in for coffee this morning. She didn’t know Kyle very well, but she was certain it would take a lot more than a few words to scare her off. Her heart skipped a beat when Kyle finally stepped out onto the patio. A split second later, her stomach dropped when she saw that Kyle was accompanied by an extremely handsome man who’d never been in The SandPiper before. They made a striking couple, and several sets of eyes were upon them as they walked through the room. Lane debated whether or not to visit their table, but before she could make up her mind, her legs started moving.

  “Coffee for two this morning?” Lane asked. She knew Kyle was a creature of habit when it came to her morning coffee, at least what she ordered at The SandPiper. It was always simply black and hot. Lane had tried on many occasions to entice her to try something more interesting but so far had been unsuccessful.

  As Lane approached their table, Kyle’s blood pressure skyrocketed. Her smooth movement reminded Kyle of a silk scarf falling over bare shoulders. She hoped her voice wouldn’t betray her racing pulse. “No, just one. Travis isn’t a coffee drinker. Lane Connor, Travis Miller,” she said by way of introduction.

  Travis rose and extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Kyle has told me so much about you.”

  I’ve what!

  Lane was surprised. She has?

  Nailed by a scathing look from Kyle, Travis tried to fake innocence. “What?”

  Kyle sighed. “Don’t mind him, Lane, he’s just a dumb cop pretending to be a detective.” She sent him a look that said: Don’t you dare open your mouth in front of her again.

  Lane quickly regained her balance. “I’m afraid you’re one up on me, Detective. Kyle hasn’t said a word about you.” She looked at Kyle to judge her reaction to her statement and particularly the use of her name. Lane had always referred to Kyle as “officer” or “detective,” never using her first name even though she knew what it was. She liked the sound of it, and if Kyle’s reaction was any indication, she did as well.

  Kyle’s face softened. She called me Kyle. God that sounded good. “It pretty obvious why I like to keep Travis on a short leash. His mouth gets away from him sometimes.”

  “I’m also pretty good at reading people.” Travis interjected.

  Shut up Travis.

  “Really? Do tell.” Lane enjoyed watching Kyle squirm in anticipation of what her partner might say next.

  Travis cast a mischievous look at the woman sitting to his left. “Considering my day-to-day happiness, and occasionally my life, depends on this woman,” he tipped his head in Kyle’s direction, “I’ll pass on answering that and just ask for some hot tea.”

  Lane knew he was teasing Kyle and played along. She looked at Kyle but addressed her comments to her partner. “Be sure to leave me your card Detective Miller. We’ll talk later.” An air horn off in the distance brought her attention back from drowning in the dark green eyes locked with hers. She hesitated a second before addressing Kyle by her first name again.

  “What would you like this morning, Kyle?”

  Kyle dropped her head in her hand. I’m going to die. Right here and now, I am going to die. No, worse yet, I won’t. “I think I need something stronger than coffee this morning.”

  “Are you interested in something hot or cold?” For a moment Lane was concerned about outing Kyle in front of her partner, but it was obvious from the look of enjoyment on Travis’s face that her sexual preference was no secret.

  Lane’s voice was deep and husky and drew Kyle’s attention back to her face. To the casual observer, Lane’s expression was pleasant but her eyes housed a flame burning brightly. Jesus. Kyle summoned her dignity. “Surprise me.” I hope I can handle it.

  Well, well, well Detective. I see you do have an adventurous streak. “I know just the thing. I’ll be right back.” Lane kept her eyes focused on Kyle’s for several moments and then turned and walked toward the kitchen.

  “Jesus Christ Bain! I need to call the fire department to hose you two off.”

  Kyle let her gaze follow
Lane’s tight jeans-clad butt. “Go ahead, Miller, and when you’re done I can use it to rinse out your mouth. What in the hell was that all about? ‘She’s told me so much about you.’” Kyle mimicked his previous statement. Travis placed his napkin in his lap.

  “Well, you have.”

  “But that doesn’t mean you have to tell her. Good God, Travis!” Kyle felt like she was in the middle of her adolescent years again.

  “Look, I’m just some straight white guy, but if she came on to me like she just came on to you, I’d be all over her like white on rice. Why do the girls get all the hot girls?”

  “I’ll tell Joann you asked that.” Travis loved his wife more than anything, and Kyle often thought that if she were straight, she’d want a guy like him. She was saved from his retort when Lane reappeared with their beverages.

  “Here you are Detective Miller, one hot tea.” Lane placed the cup and tea pot on the table in front of Travis. “And Kyle, something I made special just for you.” Lane stepped around the back of Kyle’s chair to serve Kyle from the right. She lightly ran her hand across Kyle’s shoulders before she placed the glass in front of her.

  Kyle’s heart stopped when Lane’s breast lightly brushed her arm. The clatter of the ice in the glass was an indication that Lane had felt the connection as well, and her hand shook as she set the drink down. Kyle swallowed hard when she envisioned Lane’s hands on her body trembling with desire. It had been over a year since the last time she had anyone’s hands on her body other than her own.