Dalton, Tymber - Stoneface (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Tymber Dalton Page B

by itself. Like in the middle of a field somewhere.”
    “Ah. I see what you mean. I thought that, too. I guess a lot of people do, but nope, it’s tucked snug as a bug here in the Black Hills.”
    She thumbed through Amy’s pictures in her BlackBerry and found one, held it up, and studied the view. “This is close, isn’t it?” She pointed. “Look, there’s that column in the view.”
    He took her phone and looked. “You’re right.” He turned around and took her into the bookstore where they asked the clerks on duty if they’d seen Amy and showed her picture. No one remembered her.
    “Okay, so to the studio like we planned,” he said. They made their way down the stairs to the studio, Tim being a gentleman and slowing down so Gwen could catch her breath. Once there, Gwen followed him around as he talked to staffers.
    One older woman, a volunteer, nodded as she studied a picture of Amy. “I remember her. She was with a man. We had a very nice chat. She asked me a lot of questions about the history of the studio.”
    Gwen’s heart raced. “Do you remember the man’s name?”
    “No, ’fraid not. I didn’t get either of their names. I just remember her taking notes in that notebook,” she said, pointing to the one Gwen held. “That’s the only reason she rang a bell for me. I’m sorry, but we deal with over a million visitors a year at the park. Very few usually stand out in our minds unless they do something particularly memorable to draw our attention. If you’d come a few weeks later, I probably wouldn’t have remembered her at all.”
    Gwen sighed. “Thanks anyway.”
    “Oh, I do remember them asking me if I was familiar with the Crazy Horse monument, if that’s any help.”
    Tim nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
    They climbed the trail back up to the main level and Tim led her to the parking garage. “We’ll have to come back with your brother so he can see the place. I’m sure they’d let us drive him down there to the Sculptor’s Studio instead of making him hike. I didn’t even get to take you into any of the exhibits.”
    “So where to next?” she asked.
    He looked at the notebook. “Crazy Horse. It’s closest. And she took a bunch of notes there, too, from the looks of it.”
    Gwen tried not to keep her nose pressed to the car window while he drove. They wound through hills and woods that took her breath away with their beauty.
    “It’s pretty land, isn’t it?” he asked.
    She tore her gaze away from the scenery. “Yes, very.”
    “If you’re terrified to fly, I guess you don’t get to see much of the country, do you?”
    “Nope.”
    “Listen, and I mean this in all sincerity. Is there any reason you two have to rush off? There’s so much to see and do around here. I’ve got to fly back to LA next week on business for a couple of days, but you and Liam are more than welcomed to stay with us as long as you want. When I get back, we can do more sightseeing.”
    “That’s really sweet, but I don’t want to be an imposition.”
    “Hey, my favorite writer literally drops in, if you think I’m in a hurry to get rid of her, think again.” He winked at her. “Maybe I can convince you to move out here.”
    “Hmm. Don’t tempt Liam too much. A chance to escape our mom and dad? You might be stuck with a permanent houseguest if you don’t watch it.”
    He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “So he’s the weak link in the chain, huh? I’ll make sure to bribe him well.” He grinned.
    She couldn’t help but laugh. “You are a tease, aren’t you?”
    Mock horror filled his face, “ Moi ? A tease? I think not, girlie.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I mean every word I say.”
    She fought back another wistful pang. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

    * * * *

    By the time they pulled into the Crazy Horse Monument parking area, Tim couldn’t help but hope there was a chance to talk her not just into visiting for a few days, but maybe moving. She was