“Sometimes distance is, well, longer than it looks. Don’t worry.” Leaning over, she kissed Caroline’s cheek. “I can honestly say that I wouldn’t trade the time I’ve had with Cal for anything. There was a poster in the cabin when I was little. Do you remember? It said something about . . . if you had something, let it go. If it didn’t come back to you, it was never yours.”

“I never liked that poster,” Caroline muttered.

This time Libby did laugh. “Let’s pick some flowers.”

***

Libby watched them go a few hours later, her father behind the wheel of the rumbling pickup, her mother’s earrings dancing as she leaned out of the window to wave until she was out of sight.

“I like your parents.”

Libby turned to Cal, linking her hands around his neck. “They liked you, too.”

He leaned down for a brief kiss. “Your mother, maybe.”

“My father, too.”

“If I had a year or two to win him over he might almost like me.”

“He wasn’t scowling at you today.”

“No.” He rubbed his cheek against hers as he considered. “It was down to a sneer. What are you going to tell them?”

“About what?”

“About why I’m not here, with you?”

“I’ll tell them that you went home.” Because she made the effort, her answer sounded casual and easy. So easy that he nearly swore.

“Just like that?”

Her voice was a little brittle now, she knew, with a tone that could easily be taken as callous. “They won’t pry if I don’t want them to. It will be simpler for everyone if I tell them the truth.”

“Which is?”

Was he determined to make it difficult? She moved her shoulders restlessly. “Things didn’t work out, and you went on with your life. I went on with mine.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s best. No mess, no regrets.”

Irritable, she thrust her fists in her pockets. “You have a better idea?”

“No. Yours is just dandy.” He pulled away, annoyed with himself, annoyed with her. “I’ve got to get to the ship.”

“I know. I thought I’d run into town and pick up the camera and some other things. If I get back early enough I’ll ride out, check on your progress.”

“Fine.” He was damned if it was going to be so easy for her when he was being torn in two. Before he could regret it, he yanked her against him and crushed his mouth down on hers.

Hot, edgy, tasting of anger and frustration, the kiss spun out. Libby hung on, to maintain her physical, as well as her emotional, balance. She couldn’t, wouldn’t, give him what he seemed to need. Total capitulation. He’d never asked for that before, nor had she known she would so firmly withhold it. Trapped, she couldn’t soothe, couldn’t demand, as he devoured.