FIVE MINUTES LATER two police cars and one ambulance were on the scene. Suffering from delayed shock, Trista could never remember exactly what happened next. She had a vague recollection of Sylvia and Nan being handcuffed and taken away in separate cars. Nan was crying, Sylvia screaming.

She remembered a quick hug from Morgan and a promise that he would call her when he could. Then she remembered crawling into the ambulance after Suni to go to the hospital in Bracebridge. This time the narrow cots and curtained rooms held no demons for her. A quick checkup verified she was fine. Suni was not so lucky. She had to have the bullet removed from her arm.

Trista waited, even though the doctor told her she’d be better off going home and straight to bed. She needed to make sure Suni would be okay. She was asleep in her chair when a nurse finally came and told her the patient was resting now and could see her for a few minutes.

“Suni?” Trista stood at the door to the private room. Suni’s eyes were closed. About to turn and leave, she was stopped by her friend’s words.

“Hell of a day, wasn’t it?”

Trista bit back an hysterical giggle. Trust Suni. “I thought you were sleeping.”

“Almost, but not quite. I wanted to talk to you. They told me you’ve been out there, waiting.”

Trista sat down in the chair next to the bed. “If you hadn’t walked out on that dock today…”

Suni squeezed her hand with her good arm. “Don’t think about it, Trista. Even if I hadn’t provided that distraction, Morgan would have thought of something.”

“But you put your life at risk for me. Those women are crazy. For all you knew, Sylvia might have shot you as soon as she saw you.”

“But it was my fault you were there. If you hadn’t been so determined to convince Morgan that I was innocent, they would have left you alone. You believed in me, Trista. Don’t think I’ll ever forget it.”

“And don’t think I’ll ever forget what you did for me.” She was so relieved that Suni had been exonerated from any involvement in the murders. But with all the negative publicity in the past two days, there was no way she could go back to the life she had led. “What are you going to do now?”

“I thought a lot about that during my day and a half in jail,” Suni said wryly. “A change in career is obviously called for.”

“But you’re so passionate about what you believe in.”

“I’ve thought about that, too. The government isn’t the only place where a dedicated person can have an impact, you know. I’ve been considering joining an environmental lobby group. I’ve had offers from them in the past.”

Suni’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “So what about that detective? You two going to work things out or what?”

Trista smiled. “I hope so.”

“He was almost out of his mind with worry on the drive to the cottage. He really cares about you.”

“I know.”

“I’d count myself lucky if I were you.”

“I do.”

“Okay.” Suni gave her hand a final pat. “Let me know how it all works out. Now I think I’ve got to rest.”

Trista took a taxi back to Toronto. She tumbled into bed, exhausted, and slept eight solid hours. When she awoke, she felt a desperate need for Morgan, but he was still at work. He’d told her he would call. She just had to be patient.

She showered and changed, did her hair, had breakfast and read the paper. Still no word. Finally she decided to do what she always did at times of crisis. Go to the office.

AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, the sound of her office door opening caused Trista to smile. She’d left it unlocked, knowing he would find her here eventually. She looked up to see him standing in the doorway. Dressed in blue jeans and a formfitting black crew neck, he was obviously off duty. Finally.

“Sunday office hours?” he asked quietly. A shadow from the open door fell across his face, obscuring his expression.

“You have an appointment, I presume?”

“A standing one,” he assured her.

Trista nodded. She was so happy to see him, but it was more difficult than she’d expected. She didn’t know what to say, or how to make the first move. So she went to the window and stared out at the lake. It was a sunny day, and the water glistened with a hundred sparkling hues of blue and silver. It was a very pretty sight.

She ought to explain. “I thought I could block everything out and start a new life. A different sort of life. One where I couldn’t—”

He came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. They were heavy and strong, and full of warmth. Slowly his fingers worked at the knot of muscles around her neck, and she closed her eyes in appreciation.

“Where you couldn’t get hurt again. I know. But it didn’t work out that way, did it?” He whispered the words against her ear.

“No.” She tilted her neck and leaned back slightly as his hands began a circular motion along the side of her shoulders.

“Because you still cared. It wasn’t possible for you to stop. For your clients, for Suni, even for Brenda—as much as you claimed to want to keep your distance. All those people mattered to you, even when you thought you’d locked your emotions away forever. You’re a giving person, Trista. That’s why I’ve always loved you, and why I always will.”

Trista twisted into him, pressing her face hard against his chest. Oh, he smelled like heaven to her, and being in his arms seemed like the safest place on earth. She rubbed her skin against him like a cat, and smiled when she felt him rest his cheek against the top of her head.

“I’m still scared.”

“I know, Trista. But you’re stronger than you think. You survived. We both survived. Now that we’re together again, it’s going to be so much better. I know I’ve learned a lot.”

Trista nodded. She believed him. Her heart felt lighter than it had in years. “I used to think having another baby would be an injustice to Andrew. But I don’t think so anymore.” She looked up at him, her eyes searching his for signs of pain. She saw none. A little sadness, maybe. But no pain.

“Another baby. I’d love that.” He hugged her tighter. “I know we only had such a short time with him. But they were wonderful months, weren’t they?”

They were. Trista couldn’t say the words yet, but maybe one day she would. It was still hard enough just saying his name, Andrew. But behind the pain there was joy, and Morgan was the only person on earth she could truly share that with. Even if she hadn’t loved him already, that fact alone would have been enough for her.

But she did love him. His loyalty, his strength, yes, even his protective instincts. He had always been her man. And she was just thankful that she’d realized, before it was too late, how much she wanted him to stay that way.