Covert Kisses. Jane Godman

a less-groomed style than Carla, with only minimal makeup and jewelry. Even so, he was stunned all over again at the sight of her.

      “I didn’t know where we were going. I hope this is okay?”

      Aware some sort of response was required, he coaxed his facial muscles so he was able to return the smile. The effort was painful. “You look amazing. And we’re going to my favorite restaurant, Dino’s.”

      And what will Dino—one of my oldest friends—say when I walk in with Carla’s double on my arm? Will he ask me if I’ve lost my mind? Tell me I can’t turn the clock back? Point out what I already know, that just because she looks like her, it would be unfair to expect Laurie to become some sort of Carla substitute?

      “Is everything okay?” The smile in her eyes had faded and was on the verge of becoming a frown.

      “Everything is fine.” The lie came easily. Despite his misgivings, he wanted to know more about this woman who had the face of his lost love. “Shall we go?”

      It was a short drive from the cabin into town, and Cameron was reminded again of the little things he’d lost when Carla died. Companionable silence and the subtle perfume of a beautiful woman were two of them. They were approaching the main street when Laurie shifted slightly in her seat. He got the impression of her bracing herself before she spoke.

      “Why did you ask me out tonight?”

      Cameron drew into a parking space in front of Dino’s and switched the engine off before he answered. He supposed he should have anticipated the question. “You intrigue me and I’d like to get to know you better.” Honest, but only a fraction of a complicated answer.

      “Because I look like Carla?”

      He liked the directness of her approach. It meant he could be equally blunt in return. “I’d be lying if I told you that wasn’t a big part of it.”

      Cameron turned to face her. For a moment something shimmered in the dark space between them. Something that had nothing to do with Carla. He wanted to reach out and grab it, hold on to it, welcome it as the first sign of life going on. In twelve long, empty months, he hadn’t once dared let himself believe he could ever feel anything for another woman. Hadn’t wanted to. It felt like the ultimate betrayal. Now, like a fragile candle flame in the darkness, there was an unexpected flicker. He wanted to cup his hands around it and shield it. He wasn’t sure what it meant. If it meant anything. Wasn’t sure he wanted it to mean anything. All he knew was emotions, even conflicting and confusing ones, were better than hollow, gut-wrenching emptiness.

      Before he could do or say anything, Laurie smiled. “I’m starved. I hope this place does a good steak.”

      * * *

      When your job meant you were constantly playing a part, you had to be prepared for any eventuality. Walking into a busy, brightly lit restaurant and having the whole place fall instantly silent was a new experience. It was one Laurie hadn’t been prepared for. In hindsight, she should have anticipated it. Every eye followed their progress as the hostess escorted them to a table at the rear of the room. Cameron nodded and smiled at a few people, apparently at ease with the situation even though she suspected he wasn’t. He’s a politician; he’s used to the limelight. Even so, this is bizarre. Do they actually think I might be Carla? That she didn’t die on the lake that night after all? She faked her death and has staged a comeback? Or I’m her ghost following in Cameron’s wake and he hasn’t noticed me? That last thought made her choke back a nervous snort of laughter.

      Curious stares continued to be directed their way, even once they’d taken their seats. There was no way she could not comment. “So that was fun.”

      “I’m sorry. Is this too weird for you?”

      Those dark eyes were achingly intense, and once again she experienced a pang of guilt. No matter who he was, or what he had done, this man was grieving. If her mission was successful and ended in his arrest and conviction, would Laurie feel proud of her part in his undoing? She didn’t want to explore that question any further. She had a feeling she wouldn’t like the answer. “Just doing my job” didn’t always cut it. Not in response to her own conscience.

      “I was thinking more of you. This—” she outlined her own face with a circular motion of one finger “—must be painful for you.”

      “Not really. I’ll admit it was a shock when I first saw you, especially when you emerged from the lake...” Laurie winced. Her plan had been to get his attention. She hadn’t thought about the impact on Cameron of her wading out of the very waters where Carla had died in a boating accident. Take his breath away? You were lucky he didn’t have a heart attack. One more reason for her to lie awake tonight questioning her own integrity. “Now? The resemblance still jolts me, but, believe it or not, I am able to convince myself you are not her.”

      His smile nearly undid her resolve to keep a grip on her emotions. You can’t trust this man. Every piece of intelligence points to him being the mastermind of one of the most repulsive operations we’ve seen in a long time. That was what she had told herself as she read his file and studied his drop-dead-sexy photographs. Face-to-face, it didn’t help. One look from those dark eyes and her insides melted.

      “Delaney!” A booming voice interrupted her thoughts and made Cameron roll his eyes. “Who let you into my place while my back was turned?”

      “You are about to meet Dino. He delights in living up to his reputation for being larger than life. My advice is to roll with it.”

      The man who approached their table was of average build, but his personality filled the room. His sharp eyes skimmed Laurie’s face before coming to rest on Cameron’s countenance. She got the impression some sort of silent communication took place between them, as though Dino was reassuring himself his friend was okay, before he spoke again.

      “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

      “Dino, this is Laurie Carter. She’s here on vacation, and yes, she looks like Carla.”

      Dino made a pretense of mopping his brow. “I’m glad you mentioned that. Otherwise I’d have spent the whole night wondering if you’d noticed.” He winked at Laurie. “You do know every single person in this place is talking about you, don’t you?”

      She groaned. “Is it that bad?”

      “It would have happened anyway because you look so much like her.” She decided she liked Dino, liked his bluntness and his warm smile. “Put you together with our esteemed mayor here and you’ve given our little community the best bit of gossip it’s had since—” he scratched his head “—well, I can’t remember anything this exciting. Maybe the last time was when Sarah Milligan’s daughter took off with that no-good, out-of-town boyfriend of hers. Remember that? We talked about it for weeks.”

      “You talked about it for weeks,” Cameron corrected him. “I had other things on my mind.”

      “That’s right. It was only about six weeks after Carla died, wasn’t it?” Unabashed, Dino nodded agreement with his own question. “So, what are you guys eating?”

      “We haven’t decided. Some moron interrupted us before we had a chance to look at the menu.”

      Ignoring Cameron’s deliberate rudeness, Dino grinned at Laurie. “I recommend the steak. And maybe a different companion.” With a wave of his hand, he was gone, pausing to talk to various diners as he made his way back to the kitchen.

      “I like him.” Laurie smiled as she opened her menu.

      “So do I, but don’t tell him. His ego is big enough already.”

      She studied the food choices while taking in her surroundings. Stillwater was the county seat. The most densely peopled town in a sparsely inhabited county in the least-populated state in America was still going to be classed as a small town by anyone’s standards. Her internet searches had shown her a picturesque place, cradled by mountains, largely untouched by time, reveling in its own Western