Love's Deception by Kelly Nelson Page A

that’s a tough one. Other than spending time with Danny and riding my horse, I don’t really have time for hobbies.”
    “If you had the time, what would you do?”
    “I’ve got a stack of pictures a mile high that need to go in scrapbooks. My house could use a thorough cleaning and the yard needs a good weeding. The fences need painting. The—”
    He interrupted her. “Hang on, Catherine. That’s work. What would you do for fun? What would you do, just for yourself, if you had the time?”
    Cat smiled and lay on her back again to look up at the moon. “I’d read books. Something with fantasy, romance, and adventure that will immerse me in another world. But if I had the time and the money, I read my book on a warm beach somewhere. Maybe I’d sit in a hammock beneath a palm tree. And when I was tired of reading, I’d go shopping. I’m not really a big shopper, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the mall and actually had any money to spend on myself. But I suppose that wouldn’t really be a hobby. That sounds more like a vacation. Maybe I’d like to go to movies—actually see them on the big screen instead of on DVD. What do you think about that?” Cat studied Ty’s handsome profile, waiting for his answer.
    “For someone who works so hard, I think movies and books would be great hobbies. But I also like your vacation idea. It would fit nicely with my surfing.”
    She played along. “Yes, it would. And there’d be no need for a wetsuit.”
    “No, there wouldn’t.”
    She tugged the blanket closer to her neck and let out a contented sighed. It was surprisingly comfortable in this treehouse, resting her head on his shoulder. But the breeze left her eyes dry, so she blinked them and then succumbed to the urge to close them for a minute.

Nine
    “Catherine,” Ty whispered. “Are you awake?”
    Her eyes flew open. “Was I asleep?”
    “Not sure. I thought you might be.”
    She rolled onto her knees and tucked her hair behind her ear. “What time is it?”
    Ty sat up next to her. “I don’t know. Left my phone in the truck.”
    “Did I sleep long?”
    “I don’t think so. I might have dozed off for a minute too. If I had lain there any longer I would have been out for the night. We’d better get you home before your mom starts worrying. I don’t want to be on her bad side.”
    Cat stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “I think she was asleep when I left. And I didn’t even tell her I was leaving.” Cat climbed to her feet and walked to the side of the treehouse. One look at the trunk she had to climb down made the black abyss sway beneath her. Her knees went weak and she moved back. “When I climbed up, I didn’t think about how I would get down.”
    Ty took the blanket off her shoulders. “I’ll help you. Sit on the edge.” She followed his instructions. He knelt behind her. “Now put your feet on the two-by-four and slowly turn around so you’re standing.”
    A wave of adrenaline washed over her, leaving her hands trembling and her heart racing. This happened every time she got on the roof or near a cliff. While fear of heights was a natural thing, a protective instinct, Cat was extra afraid of them. Every winter, her gutters clogged and overflowed with rainwater because she dreaded climbing a ladder to clean them out. What had made her come up here in the first place? She never should have followed him. Fear paralyzed her. She swallowed and shook her head. “Ty, I don’t think I can. There’s nothing to hold on to.”
    He dropped the blanket. “Hold on to me. Give me your hands.” Her fingers didn’t move. She thought about lifting them, but they clutched the wooden floor like a lifeline. He reached around her and picked up one of her hands. His fingers tightened around her wrist. “Hold on to me.” When his hands were securely wrapped around her wrists, he said, “I won’t let you fall. Put your right foot on the board. Now slowly turn around and step