Page 59 of Gideon

“Yeah. I did, but they haven’t said anything about the damage to the surrounding buildings or how bad my dad is.”

“I don’t know about your dad, but the fire took out half the block before they got it out.”

“Who’s they?”

“Firefighters. We were lucky. They had to come from here. It could have destroyed a lot more.”

“From here? Right. It just occurred to me that I haven’t the faintest idea where I am. All I know is Asher doesn’t have a hospital or a fire station.”

“We’re in Oakbridge. If your injuries had been worse, they would have flown you to the city.”

“I don’t remember there being a hospital in Oakbridge.”

“I think they built it ten or fifteen years ago.”

“Shows how out of the loop I am.”

Nikki was still scanning the room, barely making eye contact with him.

“Is it me?” he said.

“Is what you?”

“Do I look really bad? Did my eyebrows get singed off or something?” He touched his face. “Nope. Still there.”

She laughed uncomfortably. “No. You look good. I mean, uh, normal. Your hair’s a mess, but besides that, you look like you.”

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

She shook her head. “It’s not you. It’s…it’s not important right now.”

“Is it the fire?”

“You need to focus on betting better. There’s plenty of time to worry later.”

“Worry about what?”

“I told you, it’s not important.”

“Is it the church?”

“No. It doesn’t have anything to do with any of that.”

“Now you’ve started it, you’re going to have to finish. Otherwise, I won’t rest.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to put any more pressure on you.”

“Tell me.”

It took her a couple of seconds to give in. “Do you remember the woman who came into the back of the church before you left?”

“Yeah. Dark hair, slight build.”

“She works for Fairfax at the main farm. She works in the kitchen.”

“Okay.”

“She’s from Mexico, and she’s here illegally.”

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