Aware that Hawke entered the room, Kit hurried to the phone sitting on the table, her hand reaching for the receiver quivering. “Sean, this is Kit. What’s up?”

  “I called the police a while ago. I think someone’s in your house.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Have the police arrived yet?” In his kitchen Kit’s gaze riveted to Hawke, who advanced toward her.

  “No, but hopefully they’ll be here soon. What do you want me to do? I can get my nephew’s baseball bat and—” Stress laced Sean’s voice.

  “No, nothing I have is more important than you. Please don’t go over there until the police have arrived. Tell them I’ll be there as soon as possible. Thanks, Sean. I’m leaving right now. It’ll be about an hour.”

  Her whole body shook by the time she hung up the phone and faced Hawke. “Someone broke into my house.”

  “Let’s go.” He dug his keys out of his pocket.

  “I can go by myself. The police are coming.”

  “No. I’m coming with you.”

  “Fine. Let me get my purse.” She didn’t have energy to disagree with him.

  “I’ll be out in the Jeep. I’ll pull around to the front and follow you to your house. You won’t need your car next week.”

  He stalked toward the door while Kit made her way to the bedroom and snatched up her bag. She nearly dropped it. Hugging her purse and arms to her, she took a moment to compose herself. Someone in her house? Why? Was it connected to her search for the Lost City of Gold? Were Hawke’s suspicions dead-on?

  * * *

  Sean sat on Kit’s front steps, his elbows on his knees with his chin in his palms, his mailbag next to him. When he saw her pull up, he stood and rushed toward the driveway. “The police left thirty minutes ago, since there wasn’t any sign of forced entry. They said if you discover anything missing to call them.”

  “Why did you think someone was in her house?” Hawke leaped from his vehicle, parked behind hers and slammed the door shut.

  “I know the alarm didn’t sound, but I thought I saw—” Sean twisted around and stared at the picture window “—someone moving around in your living room when I was delivering the mail. With that break-in four blocks away a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t want to take any chances. I thought some burglary gang was moving into this area.”

  “I didn’t know there had been a robbery.” She laid her hand on his arm.

  “I know I probably over reacted, but you know my motto, better safe than sorry.” Sean gave her a small smile.

  “Thanks for calling the police. I appreciate your watching my home while I am gone. Even if there wasn’t a break-in, just knowing you and Marcus are keeping an eye on the place makes me feel better. Let’s go inside and see if anything is missing.”

  Kit hastened toward her porch, searching for her house keys as she went. Unlocking her door, she started to step inside when Hawke halted her.

  “Let me go first and make sure no one is hiding.”

  She sidled to the left, turned off the alarm and waited with Sean behind her as Hawke checked out the living room.

  “It’s okay,” Hawke shouted from the hallway that led to the bedrooms.

  Sean peered around her into the foyer. “I hope I was wrong and it was only my imagination. All the police could do was go around the house and look in the windows since I don’t have a key.”

  “Marcus has a key.”

  “He isn’t home. I went to get him before I called the police.”

  “It doesn’t look like anything was disturbed, Kit, but you should check everything out to be sure.” Hawke stopped a few feet inside the living-room entrance.

  “I’ll be right back, Sean.”

  Kit hurried toward the hall and made a quick walk through each bedroom. In hers she pulled out drawers and opened her closet but found nothing missing—she hoped. She couldn’t be sure. Had she brought her address book into her room? She’d been unnerved the day she’d packed to leave for the ranch. Hawke did that to her.

  The whole time she checked things Hawke lounged against the door frame with his arms crossed, his intense gaze following her progress. When she finished her search, she rubbed her sweaty palms against her jeans.

  “Nothing.” She approached him. I think.

  “Let’s go through the rest of the house.”

  Back in the living room, Sean stood before the picture window, staring at her front lawn. He whirled around when he heard them. “Anything missing?”

  She shook her head, then made a careful survey of that area before she went into the dining room then the kitchen and searched them. When she returned to Sean and Hawke, both assessing the other, she said, “I don’t see anything gone.”

  “I must have been wrong.” Sean plowed his fingers through his hair, messing up his always-neat style. “I’m so sorry I got you here on a false alarm.”

  “I’m thrilled it was a false alarm. If not, I’d be dealing with the police and my insurance company. This way I came to town a half day early.”

  “You were coming back tomorrow?”

  “I need to grade my classes’ final exams and post semester grades. I was going to come back to Albuquerque in the morning, so there was no harm done. In fact, it’ll be nice sleeping in my own bed.”

  Hawke wandered into the kitchen while Kit escorted Sean to the front door. “Thanks again.” She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

  His face red, her friend waved his hand. “It was nothing. Anytime.”

  When she meandered into the kitchen, still keeping an eye out for anything out of place, she found Hawke standing at the large window overlooking the backyard. She inhaled then exhaled several deep breaths, forcing herself to relax.

  The urge to fill the silence between them caused her to say, “I’m so glad that turned out the way it did.”

  For half a minute he didn’t reply, then slowly he rotated toward her. “Your mailman mentioned some recent break-ins near here. Does this area have problems?”

  “No more than other parts of the city. As you can see, Sean is vigilant as he walks his route. He seems to know what’s going on in this part of town. I wasn’t even aware of the robbery near here. And Marcus is the best crime stopper this block can have. He knows what’s going on and usually keeps an eye on any activity on the street.”

  “Marcus doesn’t keep regular work hours?”

  “No. He told me once that he’s his own boss and sets his schedule according to his mood.”

  He lounged back against the windowsill, gripping the wooden ledge. “How long have you two been neighbors?”

  “Years. Since I moved here in graduate school. This was my aunt’s house, and when she died, she left it to me. Why all the questions about Marcus?”

  “I guess that’s the cop in me. I want to know about the people in your life. I’m not convinced something isn’t going on.”

  “So it’s okay for you to know about my past and my life, but not the other way around. I don’t need a bodyguard.”

  He quirked an eyebrow but didn’t say a word.

  “And I don’t have any need for a cop, either.”

  “Have you thought that maybe someone was in here but didn’t take anything because what he was looking for wasn’t here? All your papers pertaining to the Lost City of Gold are at my house.”

  She gasped and shook her head. “But the alarm was on.”

  “An alarm can be disabled. The cop in me says either Sean was lying about seeing someone or there was someone and he got away. Marcus is the only one who has a key. For my peace of mind I want you to get that key until this is all over with.”

  “But he’s a friend. What am I going to say to him?”

  “It’s nonnegotiable if you want my help.”

  “There’s another option. Sean may have just been mistaken about what he thought he saw.”

  “True.” Hawke pushed himself away from the windowsill. “That could be a third possibility. Is he often mistaken?”

  “Sean could have been mistaken.”

  “Humor me. Tell me about Marcus.”

  “Why? You’ve met him.”

  “He has a key.”

  “Why would he want to know where the Lost City of Gold is? He doesn’t care about things like that. He’s comfortably well off and money hasn’t ever meant anything to him. He’s a good friend. He’s helped—” She couldn’t tell him about Gregory and how she had cried on her neighbor’s shoulder when she had first discovered after his murder that her fiancé had a girlfriend in another city.

  “He’s helped you with what?”

  She pivoted away. “Nothing.”

  “What, Kit?”

  “You don’t discuss your wife’s death. Like you, I prefer to keep my past in my past. I don’t discuss mine.”

  “Fine.” His mouth tightened. “We’re a team. Let’s agree our past is off-limits. While you showed Sean to the door, I called Zach and told him we would be staying with him and Maggie tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t want you staying here alone.”

  “I’m not going.” She jutted out her chin and crossed her arms. “I’m perfectly safe here. We decided that there hadn’t been anyone in here. You go on and stay with Zach. You can come pick me up tomorrow morning at nine for church.”

  “You need—” He took in her mutinous look and knew he wasn’t going to convince her to come. Short of him throwing her over his shoulder and hauling her out of here, she would be sleeping in her own bed tonight. She could be the most stubborn woman! “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow at nine.”

  He stalked to the door and slammed it a little harder than he should as he left. He’d go eat dinner with Zach and Maggie, cool off some, then come back and camp out in front of her house.

  * * *

  Sleep evaded Kit. At six in the morning she threw back her covers and got out of bed. She’d hated getting the key from her friend. He’d looked hurt last night when she had gone over and asked for it.

  And to make matters even worse, with every sound she’d heard during the night she’d tensed, holding her breath, waiting for an intruder to come into her room. She blamed it on Hawke. She’d never felt this way in her own house before, even after the break-in a few years back. She wouldn’t let fear rule her life now.

  After quickly donning jeans and a large red T-shirt, she headed into the kitchen and fixed some coffee. Taking her mug into the living room, she opened her drapes and peered out the large picture window. Surprise flittered through her. What was Hawke’s Jeep doing out front, empty? Where was he? For a brief few seconds, she wondered if an intruder had appeared last night and Hawke was lying somewhere hurt. Quickly, though, that thought popped out of her head, to be replaced with the notion that the man knew how to take care of himself.

  Then where was he?

  She walked to the front door, opened it to step outside and look around, and nearly fell over Hawke’s prone body stretched out in a sleeping bag before her entrance. Their gazes clashed.

  “You’ve been here all night?”

  “Yep.” He sat up and rolled his shoulders.

  “Why didn’t you let me know?”

  “Mmm. That coffee smells good.” After pushing to his feet, he folded the sleeping bag.

  He wasn’t going to answer her! He was the most exasperating man at times. “Here.” She thrust the mug she held into his hand, then spun around and marched into the kitchen to prepare another one for herself.

  Hawke followed, his presence commanding the suddenly small space around her. His casual stance near the table sent alarm bells off in her mind. There was nothing casual about the predatory gleam in his dark eyes that took in her less-than-appealing appearance.

  She combed her fingers through her still-messy hair, which she hadn’t brushed yet. She lifted her mug and took a sip of the hot brew, burning the roof of her mouth. How could she think straight when she felt assessed and cataloged?

  “Why did you come back here last night?”

  “Because you wouldn’t listen to reason.” He half sat, half leaned back against the table. “I’d never have slept at Zach’s knowing you were alone, so I came back to be here in case something went wrong.”

  “How did you sleep?” she asked him, hoping he’d had as miserable a night as she had since he was the reason behind hers.

  “Great! The best in a long time.” He mocked her with a grin. “You?”

  “Oh, wonderful.” Sarcasm dripped off her words. She blew on her coffee before taking another sip. “Do you want something for breakfast?”

  “How about I take you out to eat?”

  “Okay. I’ll go ahead and get ready for church so we can go from there. That way we won’t have to rush back here.” That way I don’t have to be here alone with you. The very thought of him camping out on her porch twisted her stomach muscles into a huge knot.

  * * *

  “Let’s agree our past is off-limits.” The Guardian clicked off the recorder, having heard the conversation between Hawke and Kit a number of times. The rest was unimportant.

  However, the part that interested him played over and over in his mind. Lonechief’s wife had died, and he didn’t want to talk about it. Why? Had he had something to do with it? Kit had a way of being attracted to the wrong man. Thankfully she had him to protect her.

  He’d check out Hawke and find out the truth behind his wife’s death. He couldn’t risk Kit being with the man if he was a killer, even if he was the best guide for her. He hated resorting to violence, but he’d do anything to ensure her safety. She was his responsibility, and he took that seriously.

  * * *

  When the worship service ended and the congregation began filing out of the sanctuary, Kit rose, expecting Hawke, who sat beside her, to do likewise. Instead, he remained seated, his gaze glued to the cross above the altar.

  “Hawke,” she whispered.

  He didn’t utter a word or move.

  Concern shook her. She sat again and cupped her hand over his on the pew between them. Even that gesture didn’t garner a response.

  “Hawke, are you all right?”

  “It’s been a while since I stepped foot in a church.” His eyelids drooped closed, and he drew in a gulp of air.

  “Why?”

  He slipped his hand from beneath hers and twisted around to face her, staring at the pew between them. “I’m not worthy.” He raised his head. “I—” Hawke’s eyes narrowed on something behind her.

  Someone coughed. She peered over her shoulder and caught her friend standing a foot away, looking down at his shoes, red tingeing his cheeks.

  “Sean! I didn’t see you when we came in.”

  “I was late. I went to see my sister.” Sean shuffled back a step, still not establishing eye contact with her. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to say hello.”

  When she glimpsed Hawke, his expression wiped clean of any emotion, the moment of sharing vanished. She rose. “I’m glad you did. Are you staying for refreshments?”

  “I have too much to do at home.” Her friend squinted at Hawke, whose gaze sharpened on him. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Lonechief.” Then he swung his attention to her. “Kit, if you need me to do anything while you’re gone, just let me know.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  As Sean hurried away, she scanned the sanctuary and noticed most of the pews had emptied and Reverend Collins was greeting the last person in line to speak to him. Her friend flew by the man without stopping to talk. Most unusual. Sean was shy and a proper gentleman with impeccable manners.

  “I think you scared Sean away with that scowl of yours.”

  “Sorry.” Hawke unfolded his long length and began sidestepping to the aisle, away from her.

  She hastened to keep up with him. He made a beeline for the double glass doors leading outside. Long strides dissolved the distance between him and his vehicle. Wrenching open his door, he hoisted himself into the Jeep and started the engine.

  She thought of the day she had stopped him from leaving the parking lot at the café. Would she have to do it again?

  When she settled into the passenger’s seat, breathless, she said, “Where’s the fire?”

  “You have a lot to do today—” his piercing gaze cut to her “—and I would like to get back to the ranch before it gets dark. I have a few things to check on.”

  “I just need to go by my office on campus and grade those papers.”

  “While you’re there, I’ll be at the library.”

  “Any reason?”

  “I want to do my own research on the Lost City of Gold.”

  “Anything at the college library I’ve seen. I’ve shown you my data.”

  “I know. But while you’re grading finals, I thought I would keep myself busy examining the data you didn’t show me.” He pulled out of the parking space and headed toward the campus.

  His white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel prompted her to ask, “Are you afraid I’ll question you about what happened back at the church?”

  “Let’s just say the moment has passed.” He stopped at a light, his regard never straying from the road ahead.

  “And you regret saying anything?”

  “A moment of weakness.”

  “I didn’t think you had any of those.”

  His gaze briefly skimmed over her face, before he pressed on the accelerator and shot across the intersection. “We all have them. I just try to keep mine to a minimum.”

  “I can believe that.”

  Ten minutes later Hawke parked next to the history building. “If you get through before I do, I’ll be in the New Mexico room. If not, I’ll see you at your office.”

  “You’ve been to the library before?”

  “Yes, when I was helping Zach. And as a kid, I often went with Red. He’s the one who motivated my love of books.”

  “I can see why. He’s a legend around the school. If you need to get into the history building, my code is 54830.” When Kit hopped from the Jeep, she turned on the sidewalk and said, “Sometimes Samuel works on Sunday. He’s been helping me with my research. Tell him you know me, and he’ll assist you in getting any book you need.”