"Yes. I can fly both the plane and the helicopter. I was in the service for a while. It was the best way to get away from the ranch and have enough money to live. The old man could have destroyed or bought any company I chose to work for, but he couldn't exactly make the Air Force disappear."

"The things I'm learning about you are fascinating." She took a step toward the larger garage but stopped when Cole put a hand on her shoulder. He was looking around the countryside, his eyes flat and hard and ice-cold. She froze, taking her cue from him.

Cole caught the brief glint of light reflected from a ridge up above the house. He didn't make the mistake of staring into it, but a chill went down his back. It could have been a scope, but more likely it was binoculars. Deliberately he glanced up at the sky. "We'd better find that tree before the next storm hits."

Jase eagerly shoved open the garage doors to reveal several snowmobiles. "Come on, Doc, I'll race you!"

Maia felt Cole's hand on her shoulder guiding her toward the snowmobiles so she went with him. "What is it?"

Cole was grateful she was always so alert and kept her voice low. She never seemed to panic. "I don't know yet. All these strange things the animals have been showing you, the things you've described to me, do you believe they're trying to convey something to you?"

"Absolutely," Maia said firmly.

"Keep Jase occupied for a few minutes."

"Don't do anything crazy."

Cole slipped into the shadows of the building, encouraging Jase and Maia to follow him inside. If someone were lying up along the ridge with a scope or binoculars, they wouldn't be able to see him go through the door of the covered walkway leading back to the house.

"I forgot something, Jase. We need a couple of tools. You check out the snowmobiles, make certain we have plenty of gas and they're running fine, while I go back and get what we need."

"Sure," Jase agreed.

Maia was silent, watching him with fear in her eyes. He couldn't help brushing a brief, rea.s.suring kiss over her mouth as he pa.s.sed by her. "Keep him in the garage," he whispered as he moved into the walkway.

He sprinted along the covered path, forced to take a roundabout route to keep from exposing himself to the ridge, but he made it back to the house certain he hadn't been spotted. Up in his room, he retrieved a rifle with a scope and binoculars. With the white sheet wrapped around him, he scooted on his belly onto the balcony, rolling into position.

He raised the binoculars to his eyes, scanning the ridge for activity, keeping his own movement to a minimum. It took a moment to spot his quarry. Fred Johanston, Al's brother-in-law, lay on the ridge, watching the activity in the garage through a pair of binoculars. Cole lowered his gla.s.ses and scooted back into the house, carefully sliding the balcony door closed, not wanting to give away his position.

Fred Johanston was up to something, but what? There was no way he'd inherit the ranch should both Jase and Cole die. He had no hope of being Jase's guardian. What was he up to? Cole didn't have much time. He didn't want to tip off Fred that he was on to him. Hurrying through the house, back outside, he took even more care to keep out of sight of the ridge, but he took several weapons with him.

He'd already committed to taking Jase and Maia on a hunt for a Christmas tree, and if he abruptly changed plans it could alert Fred that Cole was on to him. Better to act as if nothing were wrong and figure things out the way he always did, methodically, slowly, putting the pieces of the puzzle together until they fit perfectly. Now that he knew they were under surveillance, he could take the appropriate steps to keep them safe.

Maia looked up as he hurried in through the side door, his weapons stashed safely in a small toolbox.

"Everything all right?"

"The snowmobiles are ga.s.sed up and ready to go," Jase said.

"Well, put on your gloves and pull down your hat over your face. The doc and I are going to race you."

"No we're not," Maia said.

"Awesome," Jase said. "I'm the king on a snowmobile."

"The rules are, we go out the door full throttle, head for Moose Creek, and you have tozigzag through every open field or you're disqualified."

"Piece of cake," Jase said. "You'll never catch me."

"Don't be so c.o.c.ky, kid," Cole reached over to zip the boy's jacket to his neck. "You're also disqualified if you take a spill."

"h.e.l.lo! I don't suppose you heard me say no way," Maia said, tugging at Cole's arm. "We arenot racing."

"I can't believe you'd be afraid of a little speed, Maia," Cole said. A mischievous almost grin slid over his face.

Maia glared at him with suspicion. "If I thought you could do that on purpose..."

"What?" He sank down onto the snowmobile and patted the seat behind him. "Climb aboard, and let's go get that tree."

Maia slid behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You aren't going to tell me what's going on, are you?"

"I don't know yet," he said truthfully, "but we're going to be very careful."

The ride through the snow was wild and exhilarating. The two snowmobiles flew over the snow. A few flakes fell from the clouds, reminding them they didn't have much time, but they still played, Jase and Cole racing across the pristine fields toward Moose Creek. Maia's laughter rang in Cole's ears and found its way into his heart. She rested her head against his back and urged him on when Jase was inching ahead of them.

All the while, Cole made every effort to keep trees and slopes between them and the ridge. He encouraged Jase to play, deliberately forcing the boy to zigzag through every open field so it would be nearly impossible to get off an accurate shot should Fred have the desire. Cole hadn't seen a rifle, but he'd seen the saddle and blanket and the scabbard, and he was certain it had been Fred who'd taken the horse out. And it must have been Fred who shot the mountain lion the same day he'd run Wally into the fence. But why? What possible reason could he have? He certainly couldn't expect to get his job back that way. Revenge? Could it be that simple?

Jase brought his snowmobile to a halt in front of a particularly tall fir tree, pointing. The branches were full and the tree's needles were thick. "This one's a beaut! What do you think, Doc?"

"He would ask you," Cole said, helping her off the machine. In the thick of the trees they were well protected. Snow was beginning to fall again, and the wind was picking up. He glanced up at the sky. "I think this one's going to have to be it, Jase. We've just about run out of time. The storm's coming in fast."

There was a lot of laughter and just as much argument as Cole and Jase decided what was the best way to top the tree. Maia stood back watching, laughing at them, but all the while she could see that Cole was extremely alert, his eyes restless, constantly moving. He was wary, extremely so, and he exuded a powerful aura of danger. He was hunting, she knew, but had no idea what he was looking for.

The tree was tied to a sled and secured behind Jase's machine. That told Maia Cole wanted to be mobile or he would never have risked allowing Jase to pull the tree. They made their way back at a much more cautious and sedate pace. It was far colder with the snow flying at their faces in spite of their warm coats. The snow fell steadily, a sign that they were in for another long storm.

Maia was happy to see the inside of the house. It was warm and felt welcoming with the fire in the fireplace and Jase's mother's quilt along the back of the couch. She'd put cider on the stove to simmer, and the fragrance wafted through the rooms. "Much better," she said and smiled at the teenager.

He was too busy struggling to get the tree inside the house, maneuvering it with Cole giving orders and both staggering and tripping until Maia nearly fell over laughing. "I wish I had a camera. You two are not very good at this."

Cole glared at her. "I don't see you helping, and this was your idea."

"I'm suffering the effects of my scalp wound from yesterday," Maia said.

"You were able to wrestle yesterday." He walked his end of the tree around, keeping away from the windows, always conscious of the watcher on the ridge. He glanced outside. The snow was relentless, falling steadily in a soft, silent monotonous way that packed on feet rather than inches. Cole seriously doubted if anyone could be out in the whiteout. The tension immediately drained from his body.

"Fine," Maia said. She took the toolbox Cole had insisted on carrying along with the tree. "I'll find the perfect position for you. The two of you just hold on to it while I study the situation."

"Study the situation?" Jase yelped in protest. "This isheavy ."

"Yes, well," Maia waved a dismissing hand and settled herself on the couch, the toolbox at her feet while she examined every angle of the room.

"Oh, for G.o.d's sake," Cole said, exasperated. He shoved on his end until Jase went with him, standing the tree dead center in front of the window. "Right here. The d.a.m.ned thing is going right here, and we're not moving it."

In the end they moved it four times, Maia going from one end of the room to the other to study the positioning from every angle. Jase threw himself on the floor twice, laughing at his older brother's expression and pointing to him until Cole threatened to throw him out in the storm.

"That's perfect. Now we need wire and those pincher cutter things," Maia said. "We'll make a wreath."

"I thought we were going to eat, woman," Cole objected. "You have to feed men if you want them cooperative."

"You just ate," Maia protested.

"That was hours ago," Jase said. "Sorry, Doc, but I'm with Cole on this. I'm on empty."

"You two are bottomless pits! Fine, I need to make popcorn anyway."

"I love popcorn. Make the b.u.t.tery kind," Jase said.

"Notto eat." Maia put her hands on her hips. "We string it and make a garland to wrap around the tree."

Jase and Cole exchanged a long look. "I think that knock on the head did more damage than we suspected," Cole told his younger brother. "We're not wasting the popcorn on the tree, Doc."

Jase shook his head. "What part ofstarving don't you understand?"

"Oh for heaven's sake. We'll make sandwiches, and you can eat them and leave the decorations alone,"

Maia said.

"I like the part about the sandwiches," Jase said, and took off for the kitchen.

As soon as she and Cole were alone, Maia caught Cole's arm. "What is going on? I know something is, so don't pretend you don't know what I mean."

"I'm not sure what's going on, other than I want us all to stick together," Cole said. "When I figure it out, I promise, you'll be the first to know."

"Is there something I can do to help?"

He framed her face. "You're doing enough already. There's no way to make it up to you, the things you're doing for Jase."

Her heart did a silly flutter as the pad of his thumb slid back and forth over her lower lip. She was beginning to think of various ways he could repay her if he really insisted on it. Maia knew she was incredibly susceptible to him. Jase was her savior, whether he was aware of it or not. She would never be able to hold out against Cole if the boy wasn't with them almost constantly, and once she gave herself to him, she knew it would be forever. It was a terrible realization that she'd fallen so deeply for a man she had known for only a few days.

She couldn't look into his eyes. There was need there and hunger and something so compelling she would never be able to resist. He was doing all the things he knew would cause him nightmares in order to give his younger brother a chance at a normal life. She was hurting him. She ached inside knowing she was the cause. Yet because he was a willing partic.i.p.ant, she was falling deeper and deeper in love with him.

"I'm enjoying myself, Cole. This has been fun." Her voice was so husky with her awareness of him she was embarra.s.sed. If his thumb touched her lower lip another minute, she was going to bite him.

"Maia." He bent his head.

She groaned, knew she was lost as she moved into the heat of his body. Her arms stole around his neck, and she instantly became a part of him. Skin to skin. Breath to breath. His hair felt like silk between her fingertips. And his mouth was a haven of fire and hunger that matched her own. She sank into him, his kiss sweeping her away just as she knew it would. She was just as demanding as he, matching fire for fire, hungry, almost greedy in her response.

His arms tightened around her, and his kiss was possessive, a man starved, claiming her, and she claimed him right back, pushing so close they didn't need the clothes separating them.

"Get a hotel room," Jase said. "Geez, this place is getting to be X-rated." He leaned against the wall, a cold piece of pizza in his hand, chewing as he regarded them with feigned disgust. His eyes were bright with happiness, and neither could fail to recognize the hope on his face.

Maia pulled her mouth away from Cole's, pressing her forehead against his chest, trying to find a way to breathe when her lungs felt starved for air. "He's getting hard to resist, Jase. I think we need to put some kind of warning label on him."

"You're just tired, Doc," Cole said, catching her chin, forcing her to look at him.

A woman could definitely get trapped in his blue eyes. She sighed. "That must be it, but just in case, kiss me again."

He didn't wait for a second invitation. He lowered his head to hers, his hand sliding around her neck, holding her still for his kiss.

"I could kiss you forever," she murmured.

Jase rolled his eyes. "Well don't. Think food instead."

Maia blushed, shocked she'd admitted it aloud. "He mesmerized me, Jase, it isn't my fault."

"That's not how it looked to me," Jase said. "You were definitely doing the kissing."

Maia pulled out of Cole's arms. "I'm going to go check the horse and the cat in that order."

"You're running," Cole informed her.

That intriguing trace of amus.e.m.e.nt flashed momentarily in his eyes. She had to look away from temptation. "Yes, I am, but don't go thinking it's because of your studly self. I'm running from having to cook. I'll make the popcorn, but the two of you are bottomless pits, and if I'm the one putting together Christmas dinnerand baking..."

"Cookies," Jase interrupted. "Lots of cookies. And pies." He poked his brother. "She just zapped you, bro, put you right in your place."

"I thought you wanted to let that cat rest. Stop avoiding me and come into the kitchen. I'll do the cooking, and you do your strange thing with the popcorn." Cole took her hand and drew her into the kitchen. "I started on the wood carving by the way. I've actually found a couple of pieces of wood that might be perfect for a couple of them."

"I've never seen anyone carve before. Will you teach me?"

His gaze moved over her face. Dark. Brooding. s.e.xy. Maia backed into the table. "Maybe not." She waved at him. "Get started on your cooking."

"I'm making progress."

"Youwere making progress, but I've come to my senses again." She turned her back on him, rummaging through cupboards to find the popcorn. "Jase, find me a needle and thread please."

"Did you really go to Africa and Indochina, Doc?" Jase asked, stuffing potato chips into his mouth.

"Yes. It was beautiful. I loved it, but you have to be prepared for a lot of bugs."

"I'm going to do that someday," Jase said. "What you did for Wally was so great, but I couldn't believe how it felt to touch that mountain lion." He leaned both elbows on the table, chin in hand and studied her with his bright eyes. "Ihave to do that again."

"There's something incredible about a wild cat. Tigers and lions and leopards, all the exotics. You look them in the eye, and you just know we need to find a way to share our s.p.a.ce with them. They're incredible."

"Do you want to go back there?" Cole asked, his voice tight.

There was a sudden silence in the room. Maia knew the Steele brothers were watching her closely. She turned her head, meeting Cole's gaze. Her stomach did a crazy flip. It wasn't often she could read his expression, but he was tense, expecting a blow. She forced a casual shrug. "If I want to work with exotics again, most likely I'd find a zoo somewhere. I'm a fill-in vet, so I can make enough money to start my own practice."

"Why don't you take over the one here?" Jase asked.

"Money, honey. I've got some saved, but not enough."

Popcorn began to sound off, a rapid gunfire of miniexplosions.

"Smells good," Jase said.

"I think you'd eat anything if it didn't move," Maia observed, laughing at him. "Leave my popcorn alone.

And I'm putting you to work stringing it while Cole makes dinner." She tossed him the small sewing kit containing needles and thread. "Come on, help out, shark tooth."