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time.”
    That was true. Gaby’s mind conjured up a picture of big, blustering Copeland McCayde, Aggie’s exact opposite in every way. He’d been rather domineering and not very affectionate, but Aggie seemed to have loved him dearly.
    â€œPeople aren’t responsible when they’re in love,” Bowie said.
    She studied him. “Are you speaking from experience?”
    He lifted his eyes to hers, catching her startled expression. “What do you think?” he asked levelly. When she turned her head, he added, “You can surely see how a woman could get in over her head—especially a lonely woman with no social life to speak of.”
    The way he was looking at her made her uneasy. “We are talking about Aggie, aren’t we?” she asked hesitantly.
    â€œOf course.” But he smiled in a way she’d never seen him smile. Her heart jumped. “I imagine just having you around will be more than enough of a deterrent,” he said easily. He lifted his fork. “Eat that before it gets cold.”
    She glowered at him. The taco salad was delicious, warm and spicy in its nest of shredded lettuce and cheese with the cool tomato garnish, and just enough. By the time she reached the layer of refried beans at the bottom, it was all she could do to eat half of them.
    â€œNo appetite?” he remarked dryly, polishing off the last of his steak and most of the bread.
    â€œI’m not half your size,” she replied. “If I ate what you did, I’d have to be carried out of here on a fork lift.”
    â€œI’m not that heavy,” he said.
    â€œI didn’t say you were heavy. You’re big.” Her eyes slid shyly over his broad shoulders and chest. “I’ll bet most of your men don’t argue with you.”
    â€œOne or two try occasionally,” he mused.
    â€œAnd become little greasy spots on the pavement,” she concluded.
    He laughed deeply, his black eyes losing some of their cold glitter. “Construction people are pretty tough, as a rule,” he reminded her. “They’ll only work for a man they respect. Pretty words don’t put up buildings.”
    â€œYou’ve put up your share. I remember when I was still in my teens that you used to go out on the construction gangs with the men when you got behind on a contract.”
    â€œI’d die sitting behind a desk all the time,” he agreed. “I like the outdoors.”
    It showed. He was brawny and rock-hard, and his tan didn’t stop at his neck. Gaby had seen him without a shirt more than once, and knew that that dark tan went right to his belt, and probably below it. She flushed, remembering the rough texture of his skin, the feathering of hair down his broad chest and flat stomach. What a time to have total recall, she thought frantically.
    He saw that hunted expression on her face and wondered idly what had caused it. She was something of a curiosity in his life. He didn’t know exactly how he felt about her, but she was definitely a disturbing influence.
    â€œWell?” he asked curtly.
    She jumped, gasping.
    â€œFor God’s sake,” he said harshly. “What’s the matter with you?”
    She flinched at his tone. She couldn’t bear a loud voice, and of course, he was used to construction gangs and slinging out orders right and left. “It’s the shooting,” she lied. “I’m still shaky.”
    That calmed him down magically. “Proof that you need some time off,” he said, because it reinforced his demand.
    â€œOkay,” she said quickly. “I’ll try to keep the lovebirds in line.”
    â€œGood. How about dessert?”
    The beast, she thought, observing him. He’d gotten his own way, as usual, and he was feeling smug. She hated that arrogance in his face, but she’d never seen anyone relieve him of it.
    â€œI don’t like sweets,” she said.
    â€œPity. I