Marked for Revenge--Faith in the Face of Crime by Valerie Hansen

Author:Valerie Hansen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-05-13T13:59:51+00:00

TWELVE

Daniel was loathe to delay for long after the breaking of his fever, particularly because he didn’t want Kaitlin to see another example of his mental distress. Nevertheless, he came to the conclusion he wouldn’t be worth a penny if he was unable to defend her, should it come to that.

One thing he didn’t want to do, however, was linger at the abandoned lodge a second longer than necessary. It had provided shelter in the storm but the morning was sunny and a lot warmer. He was ready to hit the road.

Kaitlin handed him a mug with brown liquid in it, explaining when he didn’t immediately drink. “That’s coffee.”

“Are you sure?”

“Relatively sure. I did the best I could with the water I’d been warming by the fire.”

“We let the fire burn out.”

“Which is why your instant coffee looks a little funny.”

Amused by her efforts if not the result, he took a tentative sip. “Looks aren’t everything. It tastes funny, too.”

“Picky, picky, picky.”

“So you’ve told me before.” Glancing from the mug to her, he asked, “Where’s yours?”

“I’m not a coffee drinker.”

“Since when?”

The expression on her pretty face was telling even before she said, “Since this morning.”

Taking one more sip he wrinkled his brow. “Thought so.” Then he paused until she started to smile before adding, “The best part about this is the hint of plastic flavor.”

“There wasn’t any creamer or sugar in the kitchen to mask it.” Kaitlin grinned at him. “Bon appétit.”

Chuckling, he raised his mug in a mock toast. “Is that French for drink it or else?”

“Something like that.”

As soon as she turned away he dashed the tepid liquid into the fireplace to finish quenching the last embers. If Kaitlin heard the splash she didn’t acknowledge it. She did whirl and stare at him when he said, “Pack up. It’s time to hit the road.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“I mean no. No way. No how. You’re not strong enough to travel yet. There’s still redness around your wound. The infection isn’t gone.”

“My fever broke.”

“This time it did. Get too tired or stressed and you can be flat on your back again.”

“I have antibiotics left. I’ll keep taking them.”

Fisting her hands on her hips she stood firm, chin out, eyes narrowing with determination. “You certainly will. And you will continue to rest for at least one more day. Medical decision. Mine.”

“We still have to move,” Daniel said, nodding assent with reservations. “I only brought us here because I knew how sick I was and the storm caught us unprepared.”

“Where else can we go?”

“A campground, maybe? I don’t know. We can skirt the shore of the lake till we come to one. How much cash is left?”

“Very little.”

It pained him to see her discouraged. “Then a motel is out no matter how much I need a shower.”

“I did rinse out a few things last night while you were sleeping. We’ll make do.”

“Are you for real?”

Kaitlin arched an eyebrow at him. Her smile was lopsided with muted humor. “Because?”

“Because you’re so agreeable.

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