e sigh that followed it。 〃I
can speak now？〃
〃Speak。〃
〃That's a beautiful sunset；〃 she mused aloud。 〃It's a treat at this time
of year； all warm and golden。 Do you have any idea what would happen if
the ozone layer were to be destroyed by the haphazard release of freon
gas？〃
〃Chlo 。。。 eee。〃
Before Ross could respond； a call of concern came from far down the
beach。
〃It's Lee；〃 Chloe explained as her partner loped toward where she and
Ross sat。 Ross made no move to hold her back when she slid from his grip
and jumped to her feet。
The timing couldn't have been better。 With those legs framing hers and
the strength of that body a serious temptation； her diversion into
envitonmental quandaries would have been temporary at best。 Lee's
appearance was a godsend。
Aware that Ross had risen beside her； Chloe kept her eyes on the
approaching figure。 〃You met Lee at the house； didn't you？〃 she asked。
〃No；〃 he said with something of a grunt。 〃Another character let me in
and directed me to you。 Is this some kind of mune you live in？〃
Lee's booming call spared Chloe from having to answer。 〃Is everything
all right； Chloe？〃 He covered the last of the distance at a more
cautious walk； making no effort to disguise his wariness of an equally
wary Ross。 〃It's getting dark。 I was beginning to worry。〃
Chloe absently clutched her