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can take care of myself, you know.” Was she trying to convince him or herself? “I’m not a complete moron despite my less than stellar record with you.”
    He sat down across from her and studied her face. “How about this? I think you are more than capable of taking care of yourself but you’ve had a couple of episodes that would shake anyone up. I happened to be around to provide a little help with both. Let’s have dinner, you can thank me again and I’ll tuck you into bed for the night.”
    He watched a flush of indignation creep up her cheeks.
    Well, it’s better than ghostly pale.
    “I don’t need anyone to tuck me in.” She lifted her head, jaw jutting out defiantly.
    “Just a figure of speech, Ness.” Not. “I just want to be comfortable in my own mind that you’re settled for the night. Now eat your food before it gets cold.
    Josh did his best to engage her in conversation while they ate but he could see her energy almost visibly draining away and talking was the last thing she wanted to do. Ness Bowen wasn’t nearly as tough as she wanted people to believe. She’d had a lot going on in a short time period and she was doing her best to be tough about it. He’d bet she was killer dynamite at her job, but something had happened to carry that “don’t-get-in-my-way” attitude over into her private life. He’d give a lot to know what it was.
    They finished in silence and over her protests he cleared the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Ness sat at the table, watching him. It was a testament to her condition that she didn’t object.
    “I saw some white in the fridge.” He opened the door and took it out. “It wouldn’t hurt you to have a glass before going to bed.”
    The smile she gave him was halfhearted at best. “You really are determined to take care of me, aren’t you?”
    He cocked his head. “You don’t take much to that, do you?”
    She let out a slow breath. “I like being in control of my life. Things work out for me much better that way.”
    “I’m not trying to take over your life, darlin’. Just making sure you’re okay tonight. Can you accept that?”
    Ness sighed. “Not easily. But for right this minute I guess it’s okay.” She rubbed her hands over her face. “Tomorrow I have to call my insurance company, who I’m sure won’t be happy to hear from me. And I have more than a full platter at work right now.”
    Josh snapped his fingers. “Right. R. L. Prater Electronics. That was the ISP address on your email. Big company. What do you do there?”
    She drank the last of her tea and carried her mug to the dishwasher before answering him. “I work in accounting.”
    He had the vaguely uneasy feeling she was fudging the truth and he had no idea why.
    “Must be a well-paying job to afford a placed like this and a nice car.”
    Her entire body tensed. “I do okay. Not that it’s any of your business.”
    “Hey.” He spoke softly to her and gently rubbed her arms. “It’s okay. I was just making conversation.”
    “I’m really tired, Josh. I think it’s time for you to go.”
    “Why don’t you let me pour a glass of wine for you and carry it to your bedroom? I’d really feel a lot better knowing you’re set for the night.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I need more white knight points, okay?”
    She wilted as if the last of her energy had drained from her.
    “Fine. But then you leave, right?”
    “Let’s just get you settled.”
    He carried the wine in his left hand and supported her with his right arm, her body sagging against him as he walked her down the little hallway. Her bedroom was large and airy, with a wide window that overlooked a park. A pleasant place to be, he thought. Pulling back the covers he helped her into bed then handed her the wine and sat down on the edge of the bed.
    “Drink some,” he urged. “It will settle you down.”
    Strangely, she did as he asked, sipping from the goblet until the liquid was all