The Christmas Target. Charlotte Douglas

think,” Fiona commented with a wicked gleam in her eyes, “what my grandson wants to know is if you’re married.”

      Ross choked on a bite of sirloin and coughed to clear his throat.

      Jessica, cool as a mountain spring, turned her blue-eyed gaze on him and waited for his spasm to pass.

      “Is my marital status relevant to my assignment?” she asked with seeming innocence.

      “It’s the law officer in me.” Ross hoped his excuse would cover his grandmother’s bluntness. “Makes me curious about people.”

      Jessica’s eyes twinkled and a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, resurrecting Ross’s thoughts of kissing her. “I don’t have a rap sheet, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

      “I should say not,” Fiona said heatedly. “Max Rinehart wouldn’t stand for it.”

      Turning from Ross to Fiona, Jessica launched into an anecdote about Max teaching his oldest grandson to windsurf. Ross was so entranced by the lilting cadence of her voice, he didn’t realize until long after she’d concluded her story that she’d effectively sidestepped both his and his grandmother’s inquiries.

      Jessica was a paradox. And a puzzle. He’d never met a woman who so willingly passed up an opportunity to talk about herself. He considered her reticence a challenge, one he was ready to meet.

      “We’ll need the name and number of your next of kin,” Ross told her. “Just in case of an emergency while you’re staying with us.”

      “An emergency?” She smiled so sweetly, he knew without a doubt she was toying with him. “You mean like being shot at by bank robbers or run off the road and left to freeze to death? How many more emergencies can I expect?”

      “We really live a very quiet life here,” Fiona said quickly. “The emergency number is just routine.”

      “You can always contact Max.” Jessica had smoothly avoided once again revealing any personal information.

      Just as Ross was beginning to wonder if she had something to hide, she spoke again. “Forgive me. I don’t mean to appear rude, but I always make a point of separating my professional and personal life. Your hospitality is gracious and appreciated, but I have to remain impersonal and objective to do my job appropriately.”