No Sweeter Ecstasy by Phoebe Conn

Author:Phoebe Conn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2014-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Marc knelt down beside Genevieve and swept her long curls away from her face. Awakening instantly, she sat up, clutching her blankets to her bosom even though she followed the men's example and slept in her clothes when they camped along the trail. An anxious glance revealed it was already light and the men were packing up their gear.

"Good morning. I brought you some coffee." Marc set the cup down by her side. "I didn't mean to startle you, but it's time you were awake. I want to take a look at your arm. I imagine you'd like to wash up and change your clothes first, though."

As usual Miguel had made camp near a stream, so there was plenty of water even if it would be ice cold. Just the thought of its chill made her shiver. "I'm sorry. I don't understand why I'm always the last one up each morning."

He reached out to caress her cheek lightly. "You needn't apologize. I doubt there has ever been a reason for you to be up so early before we began this trip."

"You think I'm used to staying in bed until noon?"

"I certainly hope so," he responded with a ready grin. "Now drink your coffee and make yourself presentable. We'll be visiting several mining camps along the Tuolumne River today and I'll take you with me to make inquiries about Ray if you feel up to it."

"Of course I do!"

He wasn't surprised to see her sleep-swollen face assume a look of fierce determination, and he rose to his feet. "I knew that you would."

She waited until Marc had walked away to leave her bedroll. She hated sleeping in her clothes. It just seemed so damned uncivilized, but she had no desire to don a nightgown when she slept on the ground either. She was able to wash her lingerie and blouses often enough to always have clean garments to wear, but staying in the same clothes for twenty-four hours at a time wasn't something she enjoyed. Maybe there had been a time when she had been a pampered young woman who did not rise until noon. But as she jammed her feet into her boots for the trek down to the stream, she thought it was a good thing she could not recall being so spoiled.

Fearing Marc's examination of her arm would be horribly painful, she took her time in returning to camp. The sleeve of her blouse was generous enough for him to roll it up past the bandage, but she turned away instead of observing his ministrations.

"This won't hurt," he assured her, but he could tell by her apprehensive stance that she did not believe him and was about to bolt. "All I'm going to do is change the bandage."

Too curious to miss out, Miguel walked over to watch. When he saw Marc had used stitches to close the wound in Genevieve's arm, he began to swear. "Why didn't you tell me you were so badly hurt?"

Thinking her arm must look even worse than she had imagined, she shrugged.

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