A Time to Protect by Lois Richer

Author:Lois Richer
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2006-04-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chloe awoke a couple of days later with a stuffed head and many sneezes. She’d survived the night shift—barely—and had fallen into bed with a hot cup of tea as soon as she got home. The tea still sat on her bedside table, cold with a slick layer on top that turned her stomach. She rose holding one hand against her aching head, grabbed a robe and descended to the kitchen, dumping the drink down the drain.

“Good afternoon, sleepyhead.” Brendan lounged against the counter looking disgustingly healthy. “Still feeling lousy?”

She gave him one telling look, then put on the kettle. “Where are the kids?” she rasped, only then realizing how sore her throat was.

“Madison’s getting ready for soccer practice. Kyle’s in his room doing something.”

“Practice?” She clamped a hand to her aching head, pushed away the lifeless strands and fought to summon an ounce of energy. “I forgot about practice.”

“I don’t think you should go.” It was not a question.

Chloe made a new cup of hot tea, added honey, then sat down at the table to sip it. “I never miss practice unless I’m working. How much time have I got?”

“Half an hour. But you don’t have to go. It’s not necessary. Madison will do just fine.”

“Not without you.” She twisted her head to stare at him. “Why don’t you leave one of the other agents with me and go do your coaching thing? I’ll be fine.” She hadn’t even finished before his head was shaking.

“My assignment is to follow you and that’s what I’ll do. Besides, Buddy’s been doing this for a long time. He’ll have them going through their paces in fine form.” He laid his palm against her forehead.

His hand was so cool. Chloe realized she was leaning into it and pulled back. How stupid could she be? He was an FBI agent, here doing his job. Why was it so hard to remember that?

“You feel warm. Have you taken something?”

“Yes.” She sipped the tea, closed her eyes and let it slide down her throat over the rough patches. “So far it’s not working.”

“At least you’ve got a couple of days off. You can rest, sleep it off.”

“But first there’s practice.” Summoning strength from some unknown reserve, Chloe rose and grabbed the edge of the table when the room began to spin.

“Whoa!” He gripped her arm, supported her while she regained her bearings. “Okay?”

“Yes.” She drew her arm away, pretended the current that zipped from his skin to hers meant nothing even though she suddenly felt more alive than she had in months. Was that the fever? Using one hand to hide her expression, she dragged back her hair, caught him staring at her. “I must look horrible.” She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his.

“You look beautiful. You always do.”

Something in the way he said it—or was it the look in his green eyes?—held her captive. Chloe froze, every nerve on high alert as he leaned closer.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he said softly.

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