questioning everything and you'll do just fine.""Does it bother you that Baleweg all but thrust the job on you? Your job is done when you return with me. I don't want you risking-"

Archer cut her off. "I made that choice. Not him." His eyes burned into hers.

"Tell me you know you can trust me. Honestly."

She swallowed hard then, knowing without knowing how that she'd gotten more from him than most, perhaps more than anyone. "I trust you." She reached for his face. "And thank you."

He closed his eyes at her touch and she could feel the muscles twitching in his cheek. He was as tense as she'd ever seen him and she tried not to let that frighten her further. Who was this man and how had she come to care for him so deeply? And want him to care for her the same way?

He opened his eyes and took her hand in his. "We have to hurry. You'll have no idea what is going on and I can't explain it all to you in the short time we have left."

She stilled as the finality of the moment began to sink in. "How short?"

"Now. Baleweg is waiting at the house."

She fought panic and barely maintained a edge. "I can't go now. I have to

rearrange those appointments and... get things together and-""And nothing. We don't have any more time, Talia. Stella will have to handle things here. The worst that could happen is that she postpones the appointments, until..." His voice trailed off."Until what?"He traced a tender finger down the side of her face. "Until I deliver you back here."

Talia looked into his eyes and found herself trying not to connect with his

feelings. Would he be satisfied with bringing her back and going on his merry way? Or did he want... something else?She shook free of those thoughts. Everything was confusing enough without bringing her disturbing feelings about Archer into it. If Archer wanted something more, he'd say so. He wasn't exactly a shy man.

What about her? If she wanted more? Would she say so?Talia sighed. "Okay. I have to explain things to Stella. I'm certain enough about the two adoptions tomorrow-I'll let her handle them rather than make these people wait until... until I get back."

Devin took her hand then and it felt so natural, the sense of strength she got from it. A part of her thought it would be smarter if she could do this on her own, rely only on herself, as she'd always done. But he squeezed her hand just then and she knew she wouldn't turn away from what he had to offer. She pulled him toward the door, then had to jump back as it swung open and Stella came stumbling in.

"Hi, boss. Afternoon rounds are done." She smiled, then caught sight of Talia and Archer's joined hands. Her young brown eyes fairly danced as she looked back up at the two of them. "Cool."

Talia flushed, but her thoughts were on what she had to tell her. "Stella, listen. I-we-have to go out of town and I'll need you to take care of things here for a few days." She said it all in a rush, knowing from the speculative gleam in her employee's eyes what she was thinking this sudden trip was about. She was about to correct her, but a squeeze from Archer stopped her. Letting Stella think what she thought was probably just as well.

"There are only two dogs getting medication at this point and I'm certain you can handle that. All the instructions are on the clipboard and you can follow what I've written in the past. Make sure you note the time and condition when you administer them. In case of emergency, contact Ken. The other two appointments for adoption are coming later tomorrow. I'm sure everything will be okay, and I trust you to handle the paperwork. You've done it with me often enough so it shouldn't be a problem."

Stella looked surprised, but willing and excited to take on the increased

responsibilities. "Sure thing. I can handle it, you don't have to worry."

"Also, will you keep an eye on Marble for me? Not that he needs much monitoring, just keep some cat food and a water bowl on the porch, in case he deigns to eat here."

"No problem." For the first time, Stella looked concerned. "Will I be able to reach you? I mean, if I have a question or anything?"

"Urn-"

Archer stepped in and with a smooth wink leaned down to Stella's ear and whispered, "I'm whisking her off for a bit. I'm not certain about the phone service. You understand. Certainly you and the others can get by, right?"

Stella nodded, totally mesmerized.

"You're a top sort, Stella." He squeezed her shoulder and Talia was surprised the girl didn't go into cardiac arrest right then.

"Thank you, Stella," Talia added. "I'm sorry to dump this on you. You can

always call Karen and Sue in for extra hours if you need to. And you know Ken is just a call away. Don't worry about any overtime, I'll cover it." She smiled. "I know you're up to the task and we're pretty low on guests at the moment anyway. Oh! If the county shelter calls or any of the rescue leagues,

well, use your judgment. Don't take any extreme cases, or... or call Ken and see if he can help. d.a.m.n." She looked up at Archer. "How can I just go like this?" she asked quietly. "What if they need me?"

"You've trained your staff well."

"What about Mr. B?" Stella asked. "Is he staying?

"Oh. Um. Well." Talia sputtered for a moment, unsure how to explain why

they'd be taking Baleweg with them on a lover's holiday.

Archer came to the rescue again. "He'll be leaving with us. We're dropping him off to visit some other friends while we're gone."

"Oh. Cool." Stella beamed at them both. "Well, have a great time." She

impulsively leaned in and hugged Talia. "Thank you for trusting me with this.

You won't be sorry. I'm glad you're taking some time for yourself. You so deserve it, as hard as you work." She glanced at Archer, then wiggled her perfectly plucked brows at Talia. "Way to go, too. He's a total hottie." Then she stepped back and smoothed her T-shirt and shorts, striving to look professional and mature. "Well. I guess I'll go check the charts and make up my schedule for the next couple of days."

Talia smiled and sighed in relief as Stella all but skipped off to the kennels.

She was only eighteen, but very responsible and not afraid to ask for help.

Talia would worry anyway, but Archer was right, she'd trained her well. A certain pride filled her then and she tried to ignore the little hitch that went along with it. She was used to being needed, in fact, she'd made certain she was needed here. It was what her whole world revolved around. Or had.

"Baleweg is waiting," Archer said quietly.

"I know."

"She'll be fine."

Talia looked up at him. "I know that, too."

He opened his mouth to say something and she could see the understanding in

his eyes. Instead he squeezed her hand, which said everything anyway. "Let's go."

The closer they got to the house, the harder she had to work not to throw up.

The anxiety was too much. She worked to focus on one step, and then the next, and not think about what came after. Sort of like clacking up to the top of the first hill of a roller coaster. She'd just focus on surviving the climb...

not the screaming descent that followed.

Archer lifted his head and gave a sharp whistle.

Talia leaped in surprise, then laughed at herself. G.o.d, she'd better get a grip.

What kind of astronaut was she anyway?

"Just calling Ringer." A hawk circled above them, then dove straight down.

Talia squealed and ducked but Archer just swore and stuck out his arm where

the hawk landed with amazing smoothness. "Always the s...o...b..at."

Talia's eyes widened. "Ringer?" She looked quickly around to make sure no one from the kennels was watching.

Archer sighed in disgust. "Now maybe you see what I have to deal with."

If she hadn't been so shocked, she'd have laughed. She imagined there was little Archer tolerated in the way of having his chain jerked, so she rather

enjoyed the idea that this little... thing... had so clearly wrapped him around his, well, claw. Maybe she would find time to get to know the beast better.It occurred to her then that maybe she was simply another stray Archer had adopted. And while she was rea.s.sured by the idea that the man had a heart, she wasn't sure she liked the idea of being a rescue project.

Baleweg met them on the porch. "We must go," he said, his blue eyes projecting a calm and serenity she didn't remotely feel.

"I just need to pack a few things."

"The court will provide what you need," Baleweg a.s.sured her."But... I'd feel more comfortable in my own clothes. At least let me take my own toothbrush."

"Toothbrush?" Archer asked.

Talia just looked at him. "What do you call it?"

"I don't know. What is it?"

"A little brush on a stick you clean your teeth with."

"Oh."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm sorry, but it's our only defense against tooth