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shipment of uncut diamonds on their way from South Africa to a big-time diamond dealer in New York.”
    “Accused? So he wasn’t arrested for it?”
    “No.” Kelly forced a smile. “Fuller died here. The diamonds weren’t recovered. Rumor has it the gems are hidden somewhere inside this house.”
    “I’m sure the police have searched the place thoroughly.” Michael headed inside, apparently bored with the conversation already. Boomer stuck to his heels like a loyal soldier. Kelly followed them both.
    “Well, yes,” she replied, “Of course the police looked for them. That’s why it’s just a rumor that they’re here. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who believe it. Ican’t count the number of times I’ve had to run off a fortune hunter who thought he was going to dig up my yard or break into my house.”
    “I’ll bet.” Michael chuckled. “Must be a pain.”
    “It is. Anyway, Fuller had a mound of debts. He had nothing left to pass on to his only child. The state auctioned off this house. My grandfather bought it. It’s been in our family ever since.”
    “Did you grow up here?” A curious light brightened Michael’s dark eyes.
    “I lived here until my mother went to the hospital for the last time. My father rented an apartment in town after that. He insisted I hold my head high no matter how much the other kids taunted me.” She snorted, a small derisive sound. “Easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one constantly stared at and mocked. Anyway, after my father died, I moved back into Moore House.”
    “You’re hiding?”
    “So?” She glared at him. “What if I am?”
    “You’re just punishing yourself. You shouldn’t allow small-minded people to run your life.”
    “Now you sound like my father.”
    “Thank you,” Michael said. “I take that as a compliment. He seems like an intelligent human being.”
    “He was.” She stated quietly. Then she shrugged. “I think I need a drink. Would you care to join me?”
    “Sure.”
    She walked over to the wet bar and placed a couple glasses on the tabletop. “My father always liked a warm brandy before bed. I could use one after the day I’ve had.”
    “Kelly.” Michael’s smooth and sexy voice seemed to wash over her. “Would you like me to sleep in your bed tonight?”

Chapter Five
    The look on her face wasn’t exactly flattering. Shock reflected in the blue depths of her eyes. Michael had known the moment the query slid from his mouth that it was the wrong thing to say. It sounded like a blasted come-on. She thought he wanted to sleep with her.
    Which he did, of course. What red-blooded American male wouldn’t? But he couldn’t make love to her, and he didn’t want her to get the wrong impression.
    “When I asked if you wanted me to sleep in your bed,” he clarified, “I meant instead of you. Not with you.”
    Her eyes widened in confusion. “I don’t get it. What are you saying?”
    “You claim someone locked you in the garage.”
    “Someone did!”
    He held up a hand, stopping what he suspected would be an angry tirade. “Okay. I’m not questioning that. I’m saying I’ll trade beds with you if you want. That way, if someone is after you, they’ll make the mistake of attacking me instead.”
    She gasped, and the remaining color drained from her cheeks. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She turned her face away. Her slender frame trembled. “I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. I’m not that selfish.”
    “I doubt it will come to that.” Michael decided to changethe subject. The poor woman was on the edge of a mental collapse. She needed to get her mind off what had happened to her in the garage. “Tell me more about the jewel thief. It sounds like quite a story. How much is fact and how much is rumor?”
    “Why don’t I show you?” she offered. “Then you’ll understand.” An exuberant smile curved the corners of her mouth as if she was a child with a delicious secret she