She laughed softly. "Are all your friends private detectives?"
He wanted to ask her how much she knew about his business, but he probably didn't want to know the answer. At that moment it struck him that she would be a lot better at this job than he was.
When he didn't answer she sobered. "Ah Bear, I reckon I knowed all along that you wasn't interested in me personal like."
For a fraction of a second he thought she was trying to lead him into a commitment he wasn't ready to make. She wasn't. She was merely being her outspoken self. She was trying to make him feel better about what he'd done. Now that was love.
"It isn't like that, Mary Jo. I never had any intention of getting personally involved with you - not for money or information. I'm sorry I deceived you about my purpose in the beginning. You intrigued me at first and then…I guess it just gradually drifted to love."
She sat up straight and looked hopeful. "Are you tryin' to say that you think you love me too?"
He shook his head. "No Mary Jo. I don't think I do. I know I do."
Mary Jo stared at him. Her mood had plunged when he said he didn't think he loved her and then sky rocketed when he said he knew he did. She was still trying to stabilize her emotions when he continued.
"I have to back off right now, but after this job is done, I'm coming back. Your father will simply have to deal with that."
"I'm sure once Pa gets to know you, he'll welcome you."
He looked uncertain. "There's something else you should know. I've got a little money saved, but after this job is done, I'll be unemployed. I don't even have any prospects." He grimaced. "I don't even know what I want to do with my life right now."
She could relate to that. "I don't either." When he opened his mouth to speak, she cut him off. "An don't you say it's different 'cause I'm a woman. It ain't. At least you've got an excuse with your leg. You'll find something else. I'm still sitting at home with no way out."
He smiled and nodded. "We're a pair, aren't we?"
She grinned. "We'll find somethin'; just you wait an see."
He glanced up and his gaze sharpened. When she followed his focus, she saw Pa's car turning off the road. It pulled up to the camp and stopped. Mary Jo stood as he got out of the car.