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Chapter thirty. The rest of the week followed the same pattern as Monday






The rest of the week followed the same pattern as Monday. Pat arrived early each morning and drove to the bay. Then Carly watched as Pat drove to the marshes where the digging had begun, watched as she circled with camera in hand. Then she would disappear into the woods, finally stopping at the ranch house before leaving. It was as if Pat were avoiding her. And Carly couldn't even begin to wonder why.

She moved away from the window as Pat approached, pretending interest in the printer that Elsa was setting up.

" If you're going to act like you're helping, at least pick up a cable or something, " Elsa said.

Carly stared at her, trying to think of something to say, but she hastily reached for one of the cords when the door opened.

" Hey ladies, " Pat greeted.

Carly looked up, twisting the cord in her hand. Her movement stopped however when her eyes roamed over Pat's body. Her tank top was short, leaving her tanned belly exposed and Carly swallowed with difficulty. Her strong shoulders and arms were bare and Carly's greedy eyes took it all in. Jesus, the woman was dangerous.

" Hi Pat. Done already? " Elsa asked.

" Well, actually, I was going to take a look at the egret nest. I thought maybe Carly would want to come, " she said.

Carly met her eyes for nearly the first time since Monday. She couldn't look away.

" I would love to, " she said.

" But you look busy, " Pat said. " Just waiting to plug into something, huh? "

It was only then that Carly noticed that she held the power cord in her hands. Elsa laughed and took it from her.

" I think I can manage, " Elsa said. " You run along."

Pat's Jeep was topless again and Carly sat quietly beside her as they drove past the barn. She had not been to see the egrets, fearing she would scare them off. But she trusted Pat. And she was anxious to see if the two young had survived.

" You haven't been around much, " Carly finally said.

" What do you mean? I've been here every day."

" I guess I mean that I haven't seen you much, " Carly clarified. " Is anything wrong? "

Pat gripped the steering wheel hard. Wrong? What could be wrong? I could be in love with you, that's what is wrong!

" No, I've just been busy. I'm through with my nesting shorebirds, though. I should have more time to spend out here now. In the afternoons, anyway."

" Are you upset with me? "

" No! Why would you think that? "

" Because you've been avoiding me, " Carly said. " And you know you have so don't try to deny it."

Shit!

" Is it because of what happened the other night? " Carly asked.

" Maybe. Look, I know I shouldn't have kissed you. You told me you weren't attracted to me. In fact, not at all is what you said. So, yes, I feel bad about what happened. I'm sorry. I won't...it won't happen again."

Carly closed her eyes, remembering her words that night. So, Pat had actually believed her. Amazing. However, she didn't believe Pat.

" You're so full of shit, Pat Ryan. Why won't you tell me what's bothering you? I know you're not upset because you kissed me."

" Look, I can be remorseful. I have it in me."

" Remorseful? Because we kissed? I hardly think that merits remorseful."

" Okay, fine. You don't want me to apologize, I won't."

" What the hell is wrong with you? "

" You want me to tell you what is wrong with me? "

" I just asked, didn't I? "

" Okay, I'll tell you." Pat stopped at the edge of the pond and killed the motor. She turned in her seat and faced Carly. It was a mistake. The sea-green eyes that looked back at her were wounded, confused. Damn. " I'm attracted to you. And the fact that you're not attracted to me hasn't killed this desire I have to kiss you senseless every time I'm around you. That's what is wrong."

Pat grabbed her camera bag and got out, leaving a speechless Carly staring after her. She disappeared into the brush, finally slowing her pace. She would scare off every bird for half a mile if she didn't.

" I fucking hate this, " she whispered. She hated being out of control and around Carly Cambridge, she was simply out of control. In love with her? Christ! You haven't even slept together. I really think that's a requirement, Pat.

She knew what had her so freaked. It was the damn picture she'd taken of Carly on the porch that one morning. The eyes in that picture totally controlled her. And for the first time in her life, Pat really wanted someone and that someone didn't want her back. Or so she'd convinced herself. The kiss the other night may have told otherwise, but Carly's words still haunted her.

 

Carly stared at the spot where Pat disappeared. So, Pat wanted to kiss her senseless. Lovely. She grabbed the bridge of her nose with two fingers and closed her eyes. She didn't think she could stand it if Pat kissed her senseless. In fact, just the thought of that made her weak. She could not resist Pat Ryan. She didn't know why she was even trying.

Pat finally immerged into the clearing and Carly remembered why they were here in the first place. She grabbed her binoculars, resisting the urge to look at Pat, instead, searching for the egrets. She found them much as they'd been that first day, the male on the ground. The female was not on the nest, she was on a branch above them. Two fuzzy white birds, now nearly doubled in size, crowded the nest.

She finally moved her binoculars to the woman who had been consuming her thoughts all week. She caught her breath. Pat's beauty never failed to move her. The concentration on Pat's face was intense, but her lips looked soft, gentle. As Carly knew they were. Suddenly, Pat's blue eyes were there, staring right at her. She felt her hands trembling but she couldn't look away. My God, I want her to kiss me senseless. Mercifully, Pat looked back to the nest and Carly lowered the glasses.

A few minutes later, Pat disappeared into the brush again and Carly tried to relax. But when Pat opened the door and met her eyes, Carly felt her heart rate increase.

" I guess you saw, " Pat said. " Two."

" Yes."

Pat put the camera bag in the back, then before starting the Jeep, she turned to Carly.

" Look, I'm sorry, I..."

Carly stopped her with a light touch on her bare arm. " You have nothing to apologize for, Pat."

" You make me crazy, Dr. Cambridge, you know that? "

Carly looked up and met her blue eyes.

" Yes, I know. And, " she admitted, " I lied."

" Lied? "

" When I said I wasn't attracted to you."

To say that Pat was stunned was an understatement. She searched the green eyes that were so close to her own, but they were full of questions, not answers. Finally, the green eyes pulled away and Pat started the Jeep, driving them back to the ranch house in silence.

" Stay for lunch? " Carly offered.

" No. I promised Aunt Rachel I would swing by there."

" Okay."

Carly got out and walked around to Pat's side.

" I was wondering if you were free on Sunday, " Carly said.

Pat grinned. " I'm never free, Dr. Cambridge. Cheap, but not free."

Carly smiled. " How cheap? "

" We can barter if you like? "

" My niece's birthday is Sunday. My parents are having a little party. Why don't you come along, " Carly offered.

" Meeting the family? Kinda early for that, don't you think? I mean, I've not even seen you naked yet."

Carly smiled at Pat's teasing.

" And by Sunday, you still won't have."

" But, I've already imagined it anyway."

Carly couldn't resist. " That's okay. So have I."

Pat opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. What could she possibly say to that?

" So do you want to go or not? "

" Sure. It's a date, " she said and backed away.

" Not a date, " Carly called after her.

" Think what you want, " Pat shot back as she drove off.

Damn the woman. Can't anything be simple with her? It wasn't a date, Carly told herself. She just thought that Pat might enjoy her family. They were friendly, easy to be around. And they would be full of questions. Carly had never brought a woman with her before.


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