Page 16 of Healing Love

Miriam noticed the driver as he swayed slightly, and she instinctively moved toward him. Pulling out clean gloves from her pocket, she snapped them on quickly before approaching him. Standing closely, she leaned her head way back to look into his face, noting the grime kept her from telling if he was pale or flushed.

“Are you alright? Do you need to lie down?” Speaking in the broken Spanish that she was picking up.

He grunted his response, “Sí.”

Nodding, she placed her hand on his arm to lead him inside the tent, immediately noting the muscles bunching underneath her fingertips. Feeling a tingle travel up her arm, she quickly removed her hand. “Come,” she said, waving her hand in the universal sign to follow. She moved inside the tent, hearing him directly behind her. Just as she was about to give him one of the free beds, Dr. Villogas approached.

He spoke to Cam in rapid Spanish while Miriam stood by in confusion. She watched as the two men’s eyes moved over to the agents and she realized that the driver was being questioned as to what had happened.

She turned her attention to Dr. Villogas as he finished talking to see what his instructions were.

“He says the men came to the camp and became ill, throwing up. I’m putting them in quarantine until we know exactly what’s going on.”

“What about this man?” she asked, wondering where to put him.

“He’ll need quarantining also, but not here. Not with the agents.”

She had seen the hierarchy of care given to the ill and injured. The cartel’s higher echelon members were given priority and treated at one of the buildings that had been turned over for their medical care. The lower members were treated at the makeshift infirmaries. And the workers from the fields…the lowest of care was given.

Biting her tongue, she said, “But he’s been here, so if he’s carrying something shouldn’t we treat him here? Why send him some place where he could spread an infection?”

She saw the thoughts churning in Dr. Villogas’ mind, so she pressed her suit further. “He did just possibly save the lives of two agents. I’d hate to see that go unrewarded and have him end up spreading his disease elsewhere.”

Finally giving a terse nod, Dr. Villogas agreed. “Put him in the back of the tent. No, there’s a spare tent behind this one. Put him in there. If he’s well, that’ll be good enough. If he becomes sick, he’s still away from the rest of us. And if he dies, so be it.”

With that, he turned and stalked away, and it did not miss Miriam’s attention that Sharon was right where the doctor was heading.

She did not realize how long she had been standing, staring at the retreating doctor’s back when a voice directly behind her startled her.

“Señorita?”

Jumping, she looked back up at Cam and saw himsway slightly. “Perdón. I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “Come,” she said once more, this time leading him around to the back of the tent.

Cam could not believe his luck.Jesus, if this will only last,he thought. For right now, he was going to get a tent to himself and access to this woman.Gotta make this work and get this right.

He followed her to the small tent and passed her as she stood holding the door flap open. He stepped inside before turning to stare at her once more. It appeared that she had gone into nurse-efficiency-zone.

“Clean clothes for you. Put them on,” she spoke haltingly, holding up a pair of drawstring pants and t-shirt. “La ropa,” she reiterated, as he took the clothes from her hands. Miriam’s brows lifted as his fingers slid along hers.

Damn, she’s gonna think I’m a pervert,he realized as she backed up a step. Keeping his gaze neutral, he watched as she relaxed slightly.

She walked over to a plastic bowl on a small table and picked up a bath cloth, handing it to him as well. “Lavar,” she said, motioning to the large water jug next to the bed, indicating for him to wash. She turned and walked to the door flap, before looking over her shoulder again. “Cinco minutos,” she said softly, indicating that she would be back in five minutes, before walking out and letting the tent flap wave in her wake.

Cam looked quickly down at his dirty body and knew it would take more than five minutes to get rid of the dirt on him.Jerking his boots and cargo pants off, he pulled on the drawstring cotton pants. Pouring water into the plastic bowl, he pulled off his grimy t-shirt and dipped the cloth into the tepid water. Washing the dust from his arms and face first, he then tried to scrub his hands. Bending over, he dunked his head into the water, soaking his hair to rinse off the dust as well. Standing back up, he gave his head a shake, sending water droplets scattering in every direction. Senses alert, he knew when the whisper-soft sound of the tent flap opened again and heard the sharp intake of breath behind him.

Miriam had stepped inside but halted immediately. She had seen men shirtless many times over the years, but nothing had prepared her for the sight of pure masculinity in its perfection. The driver’s dark hair was now wet and tousled. His thick neck was clean and led down to a back that was all defined muscle and sinew. Tapering to a narrow waist, the drawstring pants did nothing to hide the tight ass and the material stretched over his thighs. At the bottom, his lower legs and bare feet peeked out from the too-short material. And his feet were directly in front of hers.

Jumping out of her stupor, she blushed furiously as her gaze lifted and saw he was staring at her, a smile working on his mouth. Caught ogling, she looked away unwilling to allow her eyes to continue to roam over the front of him, which appeared to be even more magnificent than the back view.

Cam saw her perusal and while he was accustomed to the provocative glances from women, her blush andgaze aversion was even more interesting.Got to get her closer.Pretending to sway slightly, he stumbled toward the bed.

That did the trick, as she rushed to his side and assisted him to sit on the cot. Her assessing gaze noted that his complexion was clear and so were his eyes. Placing her hand on his forehead, she also realized that he was neither clammy nor feverish.

She grabbed the dropped t-shirt and held it up to him. His eyes seemed to be watching carefully. As she started to stand, his hand reached out lightning fast and he clamped down on her wrist. She started to call out to the guards, but his next word had the scream halt in her throat.

“Jobe,” he whispered.

Her eyes widened as her knees buckled. Gasping, her mouth dropped open, but no words came forth.

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