the door； he might have left。 Now she was caught…and annoyed。
Tipping up a defiant chin； she began walking。 Ross made no move to meet
her halfway； just watched and waited； but his stance suggested an
annoyance of his own； along with a touch of the imperious。 Despite his
casual clothes； he looked formal。
She came to a halt before him； nodded； and offered a polite 〃Ross〃 in
greeting； before shifting beyond him to retrieve her towel。
〃What in the hell did you do it for； Chloe？〃 He was annoyed； all right。
〃Do what？〃 She straightened slowly。
His eyes bore into her。 〃Send that check。 You didn't lose a minute； did
you？ You must have had it in the mail that same afternoon。〃
〃Shouldn't I have？〃
〃No。 There was no need。〃
〃I thought there was。 You had no cause to pick up the check； either for
the inn or the battery。 I'm not helpless。 I can take care of myself！〃
A muscle worked in his jaw。 〃Then it was a matter of principle？〃
〃Principle？ I wasn't thinking about principle。 I simply saw it as my
responsibility。 It was kind of you to offer to pay； but I feel more
fortable this way。 I wanted to take care of it myself〃
〃Ah。 The independent woman。 So that's how you intend to live the rest of
your life？〃 he challenged； and drawled； 〃All by yourself。？〃
Chloe was startled by the turn of the conversation。 〃This is crazy；〃 she
said。 〃You show up h