Alec suddenly teal izod he'd erroneously credited the dog with attn3ues that only a human could have Hermitt was loyal to the hand that fed him and kept the gas fire turned on. He was nothing more than a dumb anirrlal, as faithful as a good-natured dog could he.

"You don't even realize she's gone, do you, boy?" Hermitt sighed noisily and closed hia dark eye. Alec glanced toward the mountains again. "But I uever. had a chance to say goodbye."

Chapter Fourteen.

Blinded by a watery curtain of tears, Ellen punched savagely at the

telephone buttons, praying her fingers hit the right numbers.

Her mind raced ahead, trying to formulate the. words she would say, the eplanations she would give.

"Ranger Station Eight."

"rge?"

"Just a minute, I'll get him."

After a moment of silence, a familiar voice boomed through the receiver.

"Pembroke here."

"George?"

"Yes?"

Ellen couldn't utr a sound.

"This is George Pembroke. Hello? Is anyone there?"

She tried to speak, but great gulpmg sobs began to choke her. She drew a

shaky breath."It's ... it's Ellen.""El? It can't ... you're not ... El?""Yes, George. It's me.""But how? The fire ... good God, I thought you were dead! Sweetheart, where are you?"

"In Denver."

"Why didn't you let me know? All this time ..."

A Killer Smile "Please, I want to come home, George."

"Oh, darling'. You know your cabin's gone."

"I know." Her voice cracked beneath the weight of 1 desperation.

"I just can't stand the city anymore. It's d: and noisy and the people."She swallowed the swirl panic the memories stirred.

"There are so many peoph this city, all talking and laughing at the sametime. No cares. No one really cares." Ellen took a deep brea "Can I staywith you until I can find another Place in mountains? Please?"

"Of course," he said immediately.

"There's alw room for you. I'll come get you. Just tell me where ) Shewiped the tears on the sleeve of her sweater." ] living in aboardinghouse on the north side of Denver. ] not hard to find." She gavedirections, which George pea ted in a reassuring voice.

"All right, darling'. I'll he there as soon as possle. ] stay put.

Okay?"

She wanted to sound strong and confident, but words came out in astrangled whisper.

"Thank y George."

Eaen waixi in the front room, standing by her mea belongings, whichshe'd packed into a couple of ca board boxes provided by Mrs. Pritchard.The landlady joined her at the window.

"Tess ... er, len, I'm gonna mira you around here."

"You can't possibly mean that, Mrs. Pritchard, cornering how muchtrouble I've been."

"I do mean it. Most of my tenants think I'm just an busybody. But youmade me feel wanted, letting me A Killer Smile A Killer Smile what Icould to help you. I needed a chance to do some good for somebody else.Thank you."

Ellen blushed, not knowing how to respond.

"You're welcome," she said simply.

"And I understand why you don't want anyone to know where you're goingbut" the woman stopped and rid-died with the lace doily draped over theback of the threadbare chair "--maybe you could write evay nov and then?I realize you couldn't use a return address, but'" -- Ellen pulled thewoman iato an embrace.

"Of course I'll write. And I'm the one who needs to say thank you--forthe kindness you've shown a total stranger."

Mrs. Pritchard wiped her eyes on a faded, flowered handkerchief.

"I better leave now before I start the major waterworks. You take care,now."

They shared one last hug, then the woman bundled up and headed out into the elements. Ellen settled in an old rocking chair by the fireplace and watched the traffic along the busy street. She tried to imagine she was in her cabin--safe, isolated--indulging in a fantasy under the guise of a plotting session.

Once, her imagination had soared; now it remained grounded. She was empty, bereft. There were no more fantasies. She hadn't been able to write a word since the fire. Thank God, she could still draw.

Her heart skyrocketed as a battered truck pulled up to the curb. When she saw George climb out of its cab, tears clouded her vision.

Suddenly he was holding her tightly.

"Ellen, you're here. You're real. ! almost thought I'd dreamed your call."

"I'm real, George."

He pushed her back at arm's length and gave her a critical once-over.

"You look different."

She serf-consciously reached for her missing braid.

"It's my hair, George. I had to cut it."

He shook his head, still eyeing her.

"No ... not that. Something different." He leaned forward and placed a

kiss on he forehead.

"No matter, sweetie. Let's just go home."

George said little else as they loaded up her boxes. Once she climbed

into the front seat, he took a moment to give her yet another longperusal."I look diff--cot because I'm tired, George. It's hard to sleep here.Horns, sirens, voices ...""Not like on the mountain?""It can never be like the mountain. There's no place like the mountain.""You sound like Dorothy. You know ... in the Wizard of Oz?"There's no place like home ... there's no place like home."

" Ellen squeezed his arm.

"So who needs a pair of ruby dippers when you have a tin woodsman with lots of heart?"

George smiled, then started the engine. She admired how he maneuvered through the traffic with a talent evi-den fly born years ago when he, too, lived in the city.

She glanced behind at the downtown skyline.

"C-eorge, do you miss living here?"

"Me? Not really. I'm glad I live in the mountains now."

She settled against the snug embrace of her sedt belt.

"But you come into town sometimes to visit, don't you?"

"Yes.,"

She hesitated for a momentl "Do you think maybe I could come with you

next time? To visit ... friends?"

214 A Killer Smile A Killer Smile He glanced up at her, wearing a look of surprise.

"Why, of course, you can. If you think you'll be safe," he added.

She drew a deep breath.

"I don't think I'll ever be completely safe, G-corge. But I'm willing to

take a few small chances." She stared straight out at the mountainous

horizon. "Still, I'm glad we're going home."

She leaned her head against the window, feeling the chill of the glass numb her cheek. Going home. going home. going home , the engine droned.

The tension slid from her body and mind, and she fell asleep.

"DAMN rr, Raw! All I want to do is borrow your truck, not relive the Spanish Inquisition." Alec's voice echoed across the early-morning darkness that still blanketed the company parking lot.

His friend spun the key ring around his forefinger temptingly within