Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts Page B

helped him to his feet. “I’ll take care of getting the boat back, don’t you worry.”
    That Mia, Zack thought as he led the unprotesting boy away from the water. You had to give her credit for creativity.

    It took a while to calm the boy down, then to calm four boys down once he’d taken Steve back to the rental. Then there was Carl to deal with, and the boat. Which was probably why Zack ended up nodding off at the station house just before three A . M .
    He woke two hours later, stiff as a board and annoyed with himself. Ripley, he decided as he stumbled out to his cruiser, was taking the first shift.
    He meant to drive straight home, but he’d gotten into the habit of swinging past the yellow cottage at the end of his shift. Just to make sure everything was as it should be.
    He made the turn before he realized it, and saw the lights in her windows. Concern as much as curiosity made him pull over and get out of the car.
    Because the kitchen light was on, he went to theback door. He was lifting his hand to knock when he saw her standing on the other side of the screen, a long, smooth-bladed knife gripped in both hands.
    â€œIf I tell you I was just in the neighborhood, you won’t gut me with that, will you?”
    Her hands began to tremble, and her breath exploded out of her as she dropped the knife on the table with a clatter.
    â€œI’m sorry I scared you. I saw your light as I was . . . hey, hey.” When she swayed, he bolted through the door, gripping both her arms and lowering her into a chair. “Sit. Breathe. Head down. Jesus, Nell. I’m sorry.” He stroked her hair, patted her back, and wondered whether she would just keel over on the floor if he jumped up to get her a glass of water.
    â€œIt’s all right. I’m all right. I heard the footsteps. In the dark. It’s so quiet here, you can hear everything, and I heard you coming toward the house.”
    She’d wanted to run like a rabbit in the other direction and keep going. She didn’t remember picking up the knife, hadn’t known she could.
    â€œI’m going to get you some water.”
    â€œNo, I’m all right.” Mortified now, she realized, but all right. “I just wasn’t expecting anyone to come to the door.”
    â€œGuess not. It’s still shy of five-thirty.” He sat back on his heels when she lifted her head again. Color was coming back, he noted with relief. “What’re you doing up?”
    â€œI’m usually up by—” She jumped like a spring as the oven timer buzzed. “God! God!” With a half laugh she pounded a fist on her heart. “I’m going to be lucky to survive till sunrise at this rate. My muffins,” shesaid and got up quickly to take them out of the oven, slide the next batch in.
    â€œI didn’t realize you started so early.”
    He could see, now that he looked around, that she’d been at it a while. There was something simmering on the stove and smelling like glory. A huge bowl of batter sat on the counter. Another bowl, covered with a cloth, was beside the stove. Still one more was on the table, where she’d obviously been mixing something before he’d scared ten years off her life.
    Ingredients were lined up, as organized as a marching band.
    â€œI didn’t realize you worked so late.” She calmed herself by cutting shortening into the flour for her pastry dough.
    â€œI don’t usually. I had a little project to finish up last night, and when it was all said and done, dropped off in my office chair. Nell, if you don’t give me a cup of that coffee I’m going to start crying. It’ll embarrass us both.”
    â€œOh. Sorry. Um.”
    â€œYou just keep on with what you’re doing there. Cups?”
    â€œCabinet to the right of the sink.”
    â€œWant me to top yours off?”
    â€œI suppose.”
    He poured a cup, filled hers as it sat