Hunter by Diana Palmer Page B

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    That peaceful thought lasted only until she was sitting in Eugene’s office, giving her report. The land containing the potential moly strike was dead on government land, and Eugene cursed roundly.
    â€œThey’re trading that tract. Look here,” he muttered, showing her the area on the map. “They’re trading it for a tract they like in Vermont. Damn! All right, there’s only one thing to do. Pack an evening gown and some nice clothes. You and Cynthia and I are going to Washington to do some quick lobbying with one of our senators. I went to school with him and he’s very Oklahoma-minded. Don’t just sit there. Get going! I’ll want to leave first thing in the morning.”
    â€œYes, sir.” She went home and packed. So much for her idea of staying at home for a while so that she could get over Hunter.
    And there was one more unpleasant surprise waiting. When she got to the airport, to board Eugene’s corporate jet, who should be waiting with Eugene and his blond wife, Cynthia, but Hunter, looking as irritated and put out as she felt.

6

    C ynthia saw the flash of antagonism in Hunter’s dark eyes as Jennifer approached, and she smiled to herself. “You look lovely, Jennifer,” she told the younger woman, and linked her arm with Jennifer’s. “Let’s get buckled up while they finish the walkabout. How have you been?”
    Hunter spared Jennifer one brief glance. His expression was as hard as stone. He’d spent days trying to forget her, and fate had thrown him a real curve today. He wanted to go off into the desert and spend some time alone. Maybe that was the answer, when Eugene could spare him. Maybe civilization was getting to him.
    â€œYou’re brooding,” Eugene muttered, glaring at him. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œI was just getting used to peace and quiet,” Hunter murmured with a dry smile.
    â€œGod help us.” Eugene shuddered. “Peace and quiet is for the grave, man. No good for healthy humans. Come on. I’ll see if I can light a fire under the pilot.”
    â€œBetter let him do his job,” Hunter cautioned. “More than one plane has gone down because its owner was too impatient for the final check.”
    Eugene glared at him again, but that level stare intimidated even him. “Okay,” he muttered. “Have it your own way.”
    Hunter smiled at the retreating figure, and all the while he was wondering how he was going to survive being close to Jenny without reaching for her.
    The flight seemed to take forever. Hunter alternately read and glared at Jennifer, who pretended not to notice. Things had been so strained between them that she was uncomfortable with him. Her behavior in the desert and his reaction to it embarrassed and inhibited her. She sat with Cynthia, only half listening to the older woman’s comments about clothes and Washington society while she wondered how she was going to cope with several days of the stoic Mr. Hunter.
    They got off the plane at the airport in Washington at last, and Jennifer was momentarily left behind with Hunter while Eugene and Cynthia paused to check times for the return flight with the pilot.
    She didn’t know what to say to him. She averted her eyes and stared toward the other planes, with her purse and makeup case clutched tightly in her hand.
    Hunter was smoking a cigarette. He glanced down at her impatiently and finally stopped and just stared at her until he made her nervous enough to look up. But when he saw her embarrassment, he was sorry he’d done it.
    â€œDon’t make it any harder than it already is,” he said, his deep voice slow and terse. “What happened that night was just an interlude. I lost my head and so did you. Let it go.”
    She swallowed. “All right.”
    He scowled through a cloud of smoke as he searched her deep blue eyes. Involuntarily his gaze slid to her blouse and his