Unperturbed by the fury in her voice, Hunter glanced up. In one hand he held a large clear-plastic bag filled with makeup, in the other a flimsy piece of peach-colored material trimmed with ivory lace. “You did know we were going camping,” he said mildly, “not to the Beverly Wilshire?”

The color she considered the curse of fair skin flooded her cheeks. “You have no right to go digging around in my things.” She snatched the teddy out of his hand, then balled it in her fist.

“I was unpacking.” Idly, he turned the makeup bag over to study it from both sides. “I thought you knew to bring only necessities. While I’ll admit you have a very subtle, experienced way with this sort of thing—” he gestured with the bag “—eye shadow and lip gloss are excess baggage around a campfire.” His voice was infuriatingly friendly, his eyes were only lightly amused. “I’ve seen you without any of it and had no cause to complain. You certainly don’t have to bother with this on my account.”

“You conceited jerk.” Lee snatched the bag out of his hand. “I don’t care if I look like a hag on your account.” Taking the knapsack, she stuffed her belongings back inside. “It’s my baggage, and I’ll carry it.”

“You certainly will.”

“You officious sonofa—” She broke off, barely. “Just don’t tell me how to run my life.”

“Now, now, name-calling’s no way to promote goodwill.” Rising, Hunter held out a friendly hand. “Truce?”

Lee eyed him warily. “On what terms?”

He grinned. “That’s what I like about you, Lenore, no easy capitulations. A truce with as little interference as possible on both sides. An amiable business arrangement.” He saw her relax slightly and couldn’t resist the temptation to ruffle her feathers again. “You won’t complain about my coffee, and I won’t complain when you wear that little scrap of lace to bed.”

She gave him a cool smile as she took his hand. “I’m sleeping in my clothes.”

“Fair enough.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze. “I’m not. Let’s see about that coffee.”

As he often did, he left her torn between frustration and amusement.

When he put his mind to it, Lee was to discover, Hunter could make things easier. Without fuss, he had the campfire burning and the coffee brewing. Its scent alone was enough to soothe her temper. The economical way he went about it made her think more kindly of him.