Page 29 of Healing Love

“I’m on it already, but we’re going to have a slight change in plans. The storm is larger than anticipated. It’s been upgraded to a tropical storm that’s hitting the Gulf of California. The good news is that you two can stay hidden for a while ‘cause it’s taking out a lot of the communication, roads, everything. Western Mexico is almost shut down for the next day. Bad news is that I can’t get aplane in and the fields where I could have landed are now mud or washed out.”

Cam pondered this news for a moment, deciding to focus on the good. “All right, then here’s what we’re going to do. We’re getting back into the canoe and continuing on in the river until it gets too hairy. Know there’s falls up ahead and I’ll get us out before then. I’ll call you when we’re back on land. We’ll get somewhere so that we can hide and rest and then probably travel by land for a bit.”

“Don’t make too many long-range plans yet. I’ll get the Saints on the case and get back to you.”

There was a momentary pause and then Marc asked, “How’s she holding up?”

“Man, you wouldn’t believe it. Total trooper. Abso-fuckin’-lutely, total trooper.”

“Good to hear. Stay safe and I’ll let you know where our new rendezvous will be.”

The two disconnected as Miriam was approaching. Her eyes sought his, filled with questions. She appeared lost, the fatigue showing on her face and in the slump of her shoulders.

He stood, reaching out his hand to her. Pulling her in close, he tentatively gave her a hug, having no idea if she was receptive. She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and laying her head on his chest. He figured she was about five feet five or six inches, but that still put her a foot shorter than he was. And with her head nestled against his chest, he rested his head on top of hers. Tightening his arms around her slim body, he rocked her gently.

And in the middle of this fucked up situation, he felt his heart pound. Kissing the top of her head he whispered, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll get us out of this.”

He felt her head nod against his chest and then heard her whisper, “I know, Cam. I trust you.”

For a few minutes they stood, no more words spoken, each drawing strength from the other. Finally pulling back, he said, “We need to get going again, babe. Can you do that for me?”

Leaning her head way back to make eye contact, she gave him a small smile. “Sure. I can do that. Just lead the way.”

They re-entered the water the same way they had earlier. This time Miriam felt more relaxed, having become used to the movement of the canoe. Cam steered it so expertly that even at the pace they were moving, she trusted his control.

Two hours later, the sun was attempting to rise despite the clouds and continued rain. The only real difference to Miriam was that now she could see the rain as it pelted down and the trees along the sides of the river. The lightning had stopped and the pain of the rain hitting her arms was not as stinging as it had been. But the long night had taken its toll on her.

Looking over, Cam saw the utter weariness that exuded from her and knew it was time to take another break. Guiding the canoe to the edge again, he jumped into the water, walking it to shore. He repeated his earlier actions, tying it to a tree and then carrying her to a place underneath the leaves of a thick copse of trees toprovide as much of an umbrella as he could. He wished it were more, but it was the best he could do.

Walking back, he pulled the canoe completely up on to the shore and hid it among the brush, as well, just in case anyone else was crazy enough to be out on the water in this weather.

Bone tired himself, he crawled back to where he left Miriam. In the early morning light, she resembled a wet kitten. Her tired eyes peered up at his and much to his surprise, she gifted him with a little smile as she lifted her hand to him.

Taking the unspoken invitation, he sat next to her wrapping his huge arms around her, pulling her in close. “Let’s get comfortable,” he said, sliding down until he was laying on the soft leaves.

She watched him as he got situated and without hesitation, she lay down next to him, her head on his chest and her arm resting on his waist. She felt him hug her body tightly and wondered how she would ever be able to sleep…on the ground…in the rain...on a man she barely knew.

Then she fell asleep. And so did he.

12

Cam woke, his mind instantly alert to his surroundings. The rain was increasing in intensity again and he could hear it hitting the leaves overhead. He looked down at the woman he was protectively laying half across, his arms cradling her back and head, one leg pressed between hers, and her face tucked safely against his chest.Fuck, I must have rolled over her during the night.She must be crushed.

Then another thought slammed into him. Sleeping with her warm curves beneath him, his morning wood was pressed tightly against her abdomen. He slowly moved his tree-trunk thigh from between her legs but halted suddenly when her eyes jerked wide open. For the first time he was close enough to notice that her brown eyes were flecked with amber and even a tint of green around the edges. And they were staring straight at him.

Pulling his leg the rest of the way off her, he rolled to the side, careful to keep his groinfrom touching her.

Miriam blinked a couple of times, her mind instantly remembering where they were…and who the large man was lying on top of her.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to crush you, but I wanted to try to keep the rain from hitting you directly, if possible.”

Blushing, she sat up attempting to stretch the cramped muscles screaming at her. “It’s okay,” she smiled. “I didn’t think there would be any way I would have been able to sleep so you must have done something right.”

Placing her hand on his arm as he sat up as well, she asked, “Were you able to sleep?”

He looked down at her face, pale skin with dark circles underneath her eyes, and nodded. “Yeah. Looks like we got a few hours of sleep.”

He pushed himself off the ground and stretched his large frame. Her eyes drifted over the muscular body from his handsome face, thick neck, wide chest down to his…Oh, my God!The evidence of his erection was pressing against his cargo pants, and she immediately jerked her head to the side.I must be insane. We’re far from safe and all I can do is ogle his body!She dropped her head into her hands and then slicked the wet hair back from her face as she stood up as well. Looking down at herself, she almost giggled.

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