Hannah Howell by A Taste of Fire

Author:A Taste of Fire [Fire, A Taste of]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-06-12T16:06:41+00:00

Antonie aimlessly swung at the hand shaking her by the shoulder and tried to snuggle farther into the bed. “Go away."

“There's nothing I'd like better than staying tucked up in that bed with you, honey, but we have to get going."

“Oh.” She rolled over onto her back and stared sleepily at Royal, even as she wondered why she was finding it so hard to wake up in the mornings lately. “Time to go back."

“ ‘Fraid so. If you get moving we can have a good breakfast. It'll be trail fare after this."

“I will be along quickly. You know what I like."

“I know what I like, too, but I'll go order breakfast instead."

She giggled and, as soon as he was gone, hopped out of bed. Gasping slightly, she quickly sat, then lay back down until the swimming in her head had passed. Grimacing, she rose cautiously. Her physical problem was not going away as she had hoped it would. Whether or not she liked it, she would have to see a doctor when they returned to the ranch. She just hoped that the long ride back would give her enough time to quell her fears about what the doctor might say was wrong.

As they got ready to mount outside the hotel, Royal studied Antonie. She had looked very pale when she had come down to breakfast, and a full meal had not improved her color much. He almost blamed himself for keeping her awake and exhausted with his lovemaking, but he suddenly remembered a number of other mornings when she had looked distinctly wobbly and he had not touched her for weeks. Moving to her side, he helped her into her saddle.

“Are you all right, Antonie? Perhaps we could wait just one more day."

“No. Everyone is ready now. Besides,” she nodded toward where the sheriff watched them, “someone waits for us to go."

Royal cursed softly. “And Mendez with us."

“We cannot blame him for that."

“No, reckon not. Are you sure you're all right?"

"Sí, querido. Some fresh air and I will be better.” She smiled faintly. “All this honest work is harder than I thought it would be."

“Cute, Antonie. Well, let's go then, but if you feel the need, we can slow down or even stop. Remember that."

"Sí, patrón."

After giving her a repressive glance, he went to his own horse. As they rode by the sheriff, he tipped his hat and the man returned the gesture. When the sheriff looked at the watch he had taken from the dead bandido, Royal heard Antonie laugh and he shook his head.

By the time they took a brief rest at noon, Royal decided that Antonie was fine. The long drive and all the trouble they had faced probably accounted for her fatigue and her paleness. A few hours of fresh air had indeed brought improvement and Royal decided he had been worried about nothing.

Antonie breathed a sigh of relief when Royal finally stopped keeping such a close watch on her. She felt a lot better just as she always had before.

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