Obsession by Traci Hunter Abramson

suspiciously. “Is your dad FBI too?”
    “No.” Charlie shook his head, and a smile played on his lips. “Actually, he’s a U.S. senator.”
    Kendra stared at him blankly.
    “Senator James Whitmore from Virginia,” Charlie expanded.
    “Sorry.” Kendra shrugged. “I’m afraid I don’t really follow politics.”
    “I guess outside of DC politicians aren’t quite as well known,” Charlie said wryly. “Maybe you’ve heard of my brother, Matt Whitmore. He’s a baseball player. Just got traded back to the Florida Marlins.”
    “That name does sound familiar.”
    Charlie chuckled softly. “Well, one thing’s for sure. If everyone in the West is like you, I definitely shouldn’t have to worry about the paparazzi anytime soon.”
    “Seems to me that’s a good thing,” Kendra commented, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “I know how uncomfortable it is to be followed around because of who your family is instead of who you really are.”
    Amusement lit his eyes. “I have a feeling you would have people following you around even if your dad wasn’t an actor.”
    She gave him a tentative smile. “So what are you doing here in the middle of winter?”
    “I actually just finished up a case and needed some time away. I saw the smoke coming from the chimney but didn’t see a car outside. I thought I’d stop by and make sure everything was okay.”
    “Everything’s fine.” Kendra nodded. She glanced around the room and noticed the clothes strewn across the floor and her suitcase lying open, the contents spilling out of it. A prickle of irritation started to form that no one had cleaned up the mess. Then she realized that she was the only person here. Apparently, being alone meant she had to pick up after herself. Color rose to her cheeks as she bent down and gathered the wet clothes. “My car got stuck in the snow.”
    “Really?” Surprise sounded in his voice. “I just got in a few minutes ago, and I didn’t notice any cars on the side of the road.”
    “I tried coming in the back way. It didn’t work out so well.” She moved to the kitchen table and laid her wet clothes over the back of a chair.
    “Were you planning on staying up here long?”
    She turned back to face him. “Two or three weeks.”
    Charlie seemed to consider her answer for a moment, his expression serious. Then he motioned outside. “I was just going to head down to the store. Do you need anything? It might be a few days before we can get back down the mountain for supplies.”
    Kendra immediately glanced down at her feet and then looked back up at Charlie. Her grandfather obviously trusted this man, and he seemed honest enough. Deciding that she didn’t have much choice but to trust him, she nodded. “Actually, I would love a ride to the store. I came up here on the spur of the moment, and I definitely forgot a few things.”
    Charlie’s gaze swept down to see her open-toed sandals and her pink nail polish. His serious expression melted away, and humor lit his eyes. “Like boots?”
    “Yeah.” Kendra managed a laugh. “I’m sure Mrs. Burgess will harass me about this for the next five years.”
    “Mrs. Burgess?”
    “The woman who runs the general store,” Kendra explained. “If you want to know anything about anybody here in Pinewood, ask Mrs. Burgess. That woman has a memory like an elephant.”
    Charlie grinned. “Sounds like she’s quite a character.”
    “Oh yeah.” Kendra slipped her coat on, pleased that it was nearly dry. Then she glanced out the front window, suddenly realizing how long she must have been sleeping. Several more inches had fallen since she’d tracked her way into the cabin. She glanced over at Charlie, her voice wary when she asked, “Are you sure your car can drive in this?”
    “It has four-wheel drive,” Charlie told her. “We shouldn’t have any trouble if we leave now, but I’m not sure how bad these roads will be by tonight.”
    Kendra retrieved her purse from the couch. “In