A brisk breeze blew off the Chesapeake Bay, causing her to shiver as it tossed a few strands of black hair about her face that had escaped the knit cap pulled down over her ears. The dark night provided plenty of shadows for her to hide in secret. But Katelyn MacFarlane only had one thought at the moment…my ass hurts!

The gnarled limbs of the tree were sturdy and she had spent plenty time during her childhood climbing up them with her gang of playmates. The boys had created a clubhouse and declared it a no-girl zone, but she quickly learned that by climbing nearby trees, she could spy on what they were doing and then report back to her girlfriends.

But, at twenty-eight years old, it had been a long time since she had attempted to climb a tree, much less sit in one. For a moment, she wondered about the folly of what she was trying to accomplish. Sighing, she pinched her lips tightly together. I told her I would help and that’s what I’m going to do!

Hoping to find a more comfortable position, she shifted slightly but stopped as the limb underneath creaked. Uncertain if it was due to the wind, her weight, or it was about to break, she halted her movements. Inwardly cursing, she grimaced, determined to complete her task. Reaching up, she tucked a few more strands of hair into her cap, her fingers stiff with cold.

The homes along the street resembled the rest of the little town. Cottages, most over a hundred years old and refinished to maintain their original glory. Some stately brick houses, standing guard over the neighborhood as they had for years. And all with large front porches to catch the sea breeze blowing from the bay.

Sliding the binoculars to her eyes, she watched the front of the house. From her perch, she had a view of the street, driveway, the side of the dwelling, and the front porch. Most houses just had street parking, but a few homes had a driveway. Biting her lip, she thought about the back door, aware it was hidden from her view. Spying her car parked down the street, she wondered if she could possibly find out the information she was seeking while sitting in the warm interior. Glancing around, she decided there was no better position than where she was so she hoped whoever went inside would use the front door. Refusing to look at her warm car again, she turned her attention back to the house.

After thirty minutes, she began to wonder if perhaps her tree-perch lookout was a mistake. The neighborhood was quiet and there was no sight of anyone at home. After another thirty minutes, she began to doubt her sanity at agreeing to play spy.

Just as she was about to climb down, headlights turned the corner of the town street and, holding her breath, she watched as the vehicle pulled into the driveway. A lone female alighted from the car and made her way to the front door, wobbling on high heels, giggling as she dropped her keys. Finally, she managed to get the door open and staggered inside. A downstairs light came on and then a few minutes later it went off again. Almost instantly an upstairs light came on for about ten minutes before the house was plunged into darkness once more.

Katelyn sighed heavily at the lack of anything to report other than her ass was numb, her arms and legs were aching, and her nose was cold.

“You want to tell me what the hell you’re doing up there?” a deep voice came from below.

Startled, she wobbled on her precarious perch and grabbed another limb for balance. Jerking her head around and down, she grimaced as she saw the man below, casually leaning against the trunk of the tree, one long, muscular legged crossed over the other as he stared up. By the dim light of the street lamp, she could see his face clearly, but it was more difficult to discern his exact expression. It appeared to be part amused, part incredulous, and part pissed. Just what I need! The town’s only private investigator catching me in a tree in the middle of the night, staring up at my ass!

Embarrassed at her position, she lifted her chin slightly as she tucked a windblown strand of hair behind her ear and attempted to stifle a shiver—from the cold or from him, she was uncertain. Unable to come up with a plausible defense, she went on the offensive. “And just what are you doing here, Gareth? Are you following me? Spying on me?”

A long, slow smirk formed on Gareth Harrison’s face. He had been in Finn’s Pub with all their friends when he noticed Katelyn had slipped out. Curious, he had followed her to one of the town’s residential streets and watched from a distance as she climbed a tree, staying in the shadows as she used binoculars to watch the house close by.

“Spying?” he quipped, inclining his head toward the house she had been observing. “I’d say that’s a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, wouldn’t you?”

Huffing, Katelyn moved her leg to the branch below and began to shimmy down the tree. Suddenly, her progress was halted as the back of her belt became entangled in one of the many branches poking her. Shifting upward did not help and as she reached back to try to pull away the offensive limb, she lost her footing. Yelping as she grabbed the rough-barked trunk, her legs jerked to find purchase.

Gareth jumped forward hearing the limb creak, his hand reaching up to guide her foot to a more secure resting place. “You comin’ down or what?”

“I’m stuck!”

“Where?” he called out.

“My belt. I can’t move up or down.”

Hearing the frustration in her voice, he grinned as he said, “Well, since you don’t like me here spying on you, I’ll just head on home. Have a nice evening,” he called out jauntily.

“Fine…just go. I can get myself untangled,” she bit out, trying to shimmy up and down to loosen her belt. Reaching behind her again, she began pulling at the branches. A chuckle sounded out below her, only serving to make her angrier.

“Hang on, I’m coming,” he called. Deftly climbing up behind her, he stood on the branch below hers, sliding his hand slowly down her back until it landed on her belt.

Her breath shallow, she stiffened as his large hand moved down her back toward her ass. Even through the layers of clothing she felt each touch. With his warm breath caressing her neck, she closed her eyes for an instant, unsettled by the closeness of him. Then his hand tugged hard on her belt and she was jolted from her sensuous musings.

Squirming, she twisted her head around, finding his blue eyes right at the level of hers, his face only a few inches away. Her ready quip died on her lips as she dropped her gaze to his mouth.

“Now, stop wiggling if you want me to get you untangled.”

His voice slid over her and the chill from the evening left as warmth replaced her shivers. Irritated at her body’s response to his closeness she looked away, her fingers grasping the tree trunk even tighter as he tugged the back of her pants harder.

“Okay, you’re loose,” Gareth spoke, his breath next to her ear, but he made no attempt to move. Being so close to her luscious body, he decided to take advantage of the moment, leaning in slightly. Her sweet scent wafted by and he leaned in, filling his nostrils.

Katelyn closed her eyes for a second, the feel of the muscular wall behind her that was his chest sent tingles throughout her body. Just then another snapping sound from a weak branch jolted her from her desire for him to press his body into hers. “Well, if you’d get out of my tree, then I could be on my way,” she tried to bite out, but her words came out in a breathy rush.

“Absolutely,” he chuckled. “I didn’t realize this was your tree.” Dropping to the sidewalk, he looked up, wondering what the hell she was doing in the tree in the first place. “Come on,” he lifted his hands to assist as her foot slipped once more.

With another yelp, she felt her body floundering as Gareth’s hands landed on her ass before sliding firmly up to grasp her waist, easily settling her feet on the sidewalk. Attempting to re-establish some dignity, she tugged on the bottom of her sweater before straightening her cap. Clearing her throat before lifting her gaze to his, she nodded curtly. “Thank you,” she stated primly, as though he had simply opened a door for her.

She started to walk away, when he reached out and grabbed her arm. “Oh, no, missy. Not so fast.” Seeing her attempt at wide-eyed innocence, he shook his head. “I want to know what you were doing,” and before she could come up with an excuse, he added, “and I want the truth.”

“Or what?” she asked, her irritation growing into full-blown anger, placing her hands on her hips. “I don’t owe you an explanation!”

He said nothing, enjoying the view of her squirming at the silence. Her knit cap now sat crooked on her head, more dark hair falling around her face. His eyes raked down her body, noting the dark turtleneck sweater and jeans, both showcasing her assets. His attention, riveted to her body, almost missed the way her eyes cut back to the unlit house she had been watching before moving back to his. Clearing his throat, he continued his glare, hoping intimidation would mask his roving gaze.

“There’s no sense in pretending,” she admitted, with a little shrug. “I was watching that house.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to know if the owner was alone or had someone with her.”

“Why?”

Huffing, Katelyn said, “I was looking for a particular someone.”

“Why?”

Throwing her hands up, she said, “Are you just going to keep asking why?”

“Until you give me a straight and, I might add, a complete answer, then yes,” Gareth replied. He watched the blush stab her already rosy cheeks, the color matching her lips. It was hard to see her blue eyes clearly in the dim light from the street lamps, but he had them memorized. Blue. As blue as the bay on a day full of sunshine. Her hair was tucked up underneath the cap but he knew it normally hung long down her back, the thick, dark tresses waving. His fingers itched to reach out and feel the silky strands. She was not short, but compared to his height of over six feet tall, she would still tuck underneath his chin if his arms wrapped around her. And he wished they were wrapped around her instead of at his side, waiting for an answer. “Katelyn…” he prodded.

“I wanted to know if Celia was entertaining a particular male visitor. And, since it appears she’s not, I’m going home.”

Glancing at her small car parked a few spaces away, he nodded as he spoke through tight lips. “Fine. Go home. But then I want you in my office first thing tomorrow morning.” Seeing her about to protest, he added, “Or I’ll go straight to Aiden and Brogan with tales of your late-night shenanigans.”

The thought of her bossy brothers halted her retort. If they found out what she had been doing, they could easily make her life miserable. Lovable, but overbearing, she wanted them out of her business and if Gareth gave up her secret, her plans would be a lot more difficult. Licking her lips, she countered, “I have to work at the diner tomorrow morning.”

“Then come to me afterward. I’m sure you can spare some time between the diner breakfast crowd and the pub in the afternoon.” Leaning forward, he tapped her nose, “Or I will talk to them!”

With that threat, he turned and climbed into his SUV, waiting until she hustled into her car and drove away. Leaning back in his seat, he shook his head. What the hell was she doing? Driving the few blocks to his home, he wondered what the hell am I doing?

* * *

Slamming her hairbrush down on the antique dresser that belonged to her grandmother, Katelyn dropped her head into her hands, counting to ten as she tried to calm her embarrassment. Of all the people to show up when I’m perched in a tree, it would have to be Gareth! Sweet…nice…gorgeous Gareth.

She had noticed him as soon as he moved into town over a year ago. Baytown was small enough that any new residents were immediately noticed. And if they happened to be male, young, handsome, and single, they caught the attention of most young, single women…older women with marriageable-age daughters or nieces or granddaughters…even cougars, single or married who wanted to check out the newest member of the Chamber of Commerce. Oh, I noticed him for sure.

Then, as he spent more time with her brothers, she discovered other things as well. He always held the door for anyone coming behind him when he entered a room. He tipped the servers well even though his business was new and just gaining ground. He had joined the American Legion and she watched him interact with the kids on the ball fields, patient and encouraging. Her eyes had begun to seek him out in a crowd, always noticing his presence. I haven’t done that in a long time.

Having grown up in this tiny town on the eastern shore of Virginia, on the coast of the Chesapeake Bay, she was used to everyone knowing everyone else’s business. This made the request she had received that sent her climbing neighborhood trees at night even more important.

Staring back into the mirror, she remembered Gareth’s body pressed up behind hers—so close she could feel his chest against her back, his breath warm against her ear. She shivered, uncertain if it was from the cool air blowing in her window or from the memory. It had been a long time since she had shivered from a man’s presence…so it must be the air. Standing, she walked over to the window in her bedroom, placing her hands on the window frame. The air blew in, cooling her overheated body and she knew—it was his memory that had her warm.

Irritated that Gareth had demanded she come to his office tomorrow, the idea flitted through her mind that she could just stand him up. But then, the thought that he might actually talk to her brothers had her re-think that possibility. Aiden and Brogan ran Finn’s, the town’s pub that had been founded by their grandfather. The idea of them hounding her to find out what she had been doing gave her pause. The last thing I need is them riding my ass! Thinking of her ass, she wiggled slightly, her bruised backside aching. Damn, tree sitting is hard at my age!

Moving back to the dresser, Katelyn stared at her reflection for a long moment, wondering at the woman staring back. Confident…yet holding back. Desiring change…yet holding back. Wanting more…yeah, holding back. Certain that no answers were coming tonight, she flipped off the light and crawled into bed. The slight illumination from the moon slid through the lacy curtains on her bedroom window, creating patterns on the far wall.

Closing her eyes, she tried to put the image of the handsome private investigator out of her mind, but as she flopped from one side to another, thoughts of him continued as sleep evaded her.

* * *

Outside her house, Gareth sat in his SUV until the light went off in the upstairs bedroom window. Rubbing his stubble-covered jaw, he pulled away from the curb and drove around several blocks until he came to Main Street, driving past Baytown’s merchants. Turning the corner onto Peach Street he parked outside his building. His office was on the first floor and his small apartment was on the second level of the old structure. Entering through the outside door and up the stairs, he unlocked his front door and entered, flipping on the light.

The worn, wooden floors needed refinishing and the walls could do with a fresh coat of paint. The elderly landlord had given him permission to do any updates he wanted, but Gareth hoped the apartment would only be temporary. It was taking a long time to get his business up and going, so new paint was not front and center of the things he was concerned about. Hell, it’s better than what I grew up with. Closing his eyes for a moment, he shut out thoughts of the past.

The walls were bare except for a large, flat screen TV. A non-working fireplace graced the space, the mantle providing a place for a couple of framed photographs.

Walking through the open living room to the kitchen, he grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator and downed it while standing by the counter. Tossing the empty bottle into the recycle bin he moved into his bedroom. No more personal than the living room, the room simply served as a place to crash.

Lying in bed on his back, his arm tucked under his head, he thought of the enigmatic Katelyn. The first day he had been in town, a visit to Finn’s Pub exposed him to great food, great beer, good friends, and a chance to meet the woman that had since filled his thoughts for the past year. She had cuffed her brother on the back of the head when he cursed behind the bar and then comforted a child who had spilled his drink. Funny, smart, tough…she could hold her own with her brothers. And he had been infatuated with her for a year. But he’d never made a move. How could I, knowing her heart was somewhere else?

Sighing, he rolled over and punched his pillow once more, attempting to find a comfortable spot on the old mattress.

But what the hell was she doing spying on Celia Ring, the mayor’s oversexed secretary? He had an idea and, if it proved right, she was going to hear his displeasure tomorrow.