faced the people she had once thought of as friends.

Relating, understanding, Caitlin was more determined than ever to make up for anything he had endured for her sake.

That would mean convincing the thickheaded jerk that they belonged

together, no matter what he might believe to the contrary.

And that meant getting his mother's blessing.

Or at the very least, negating Lily Redhawk's tacit disapproval.

Her head was beginning to hurt.

Caitlin knocked softly on the door.

Her heart amplified the sound within her chest.

When there was no answer, s raised her hand to knock again.

"Come in."

The command was quiet, but there was mistaking the authority behind it.

Drawing a deep breath, Caitlin turned the knob a walked in.

The room Lily Redhawk occupied was small and Spartan-like, save for the colorful, handwoven blanket on her b and a loom against the wall.

Her back was to the door a her activity was centered around the creased

leather valise lying open-mouthed on her bed.She was packing.Caitlin wet her lips.They felt incredibly dry, like h throat."Mrs. Redhawk-" Lily looked at her sharply.A dress hovered in midinto the suitcase."I was Mrs. Warren," she corrected wit out emotion."Redhawk is my father's name. And mine." So what did she call her?Mom? Somehow Cait doubted it. At a loss, she let the salutation go and nod toward the suitcase. She felt as if the ground beneath h feet

were liquefying.

"Are you going somewhere?"

Lily placed the dress on top of the small pile of cloth within the case.

"Back to the reservation. To my hogan." Though Lily's movements were

unhurried, Caitlin had the feeling that this was a decision born in thepast few minutes. And it had to do with her.She sought the right words from amid a bramble of wro ones."For a visit?"Lily had turned away and didn't bother to look at h now."To live."Oh, terrific.Not here ten minutes and already she w chasing his mother away.This was going to go over great with Gray.She had to find a way to stop her."Because of me?"Lily paused for half a heartbeat, then continued pacing."You are the wife here now. A mother is not needed.

At a complete loss, Caitlin dragged her hand through her hair.

She hadn't expected to be welcomed with open arms, but she hadn't expected to instigate an exodus, either.

She didn't think Gray was going to be happy about this turn of events.

Caitlin knew she wasn't.

She wasn't trying to force anyone from their home, she was attempting to preserve it.

Helpless, desperate, she had only instincts to guide her.

Maybe that was enough.

She certainly hoped so.

Caitlin moved around the bed so that Lily was forced to look at her.

"A mother is always needed."

The woman raised her eyes to Caitlin's face, pausing for a long time.

Caitlin felt she was being examined fiber by fiber.

She pressed on, not knowing if she was on sure footing or quicksand.

"Gray would be very upset if he came home to find that you'd gone.

And Jake still needs you. I intend to go on working. If Gray has his

way, nothing is going to change around here."

Her eyes met the woman's.

Her own were imploring.

"That's why I'm here. To make sure nothing changes."

Lily stopped packing.

Her eyes were like tiny twin-beams of light to Caitlin, boring into her

soul.

"Is that the only reason?"

Caitlin shrugged evasively.

"The only reason that Gray There was no smile on her face, but

something softened in Lily's eyes." But you do not.

Caitlin thought of denying it, but there didn't seem to be much point. She was never comfortable with lies and she had a feeling this regal-looking woman could see through them, anyway.

"No. I don't. I like your son, Mrs.-" Oh, whatwas the use?

"I love him," Caitlin amended helplessly.

"I always have."

If she was swayed by Caitlin's words, there was no inuication.

"But you ran from him."

So she knew.

Caitlin wondered how much of the story his mother was aware of.

Probably just enough to condemn her.

"I thought he ran from me."

She wasn't being defensiv she just wanted his mother to know how it had

been.

Caitlin had a feeling that pleading would leave Lily Redhawk unaffected. "It was a huge misunderstanding that neith one of us was smart enough to unravel at the time."

Lily nodded, understanding.

Remembering how it ha once been for her.

Her father's warning ringing in ears that refused to hear.

"Because your emotions clouded the way."

" Yes.

" Eager to capitalize on the headway, Caitlin sat o the bed, talking to

this woman she hardly knew in a way s never could to her own mother.

" The point is, we're ma ried now and I'm going to need your help.

Lily showed no surprise, merely suspicion.

Maybe she ha a right, Caitlin thought.

"Why?"

Caitlin spread her hands helplessly.

She wasn't even sure just what it was she needed help with.