Page 96 of Hidden Nature

And though he felt strongly about privacy, his curiosity hit stronger. He’d see what he could find out about Sloan Cooper.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The short visit to the tropics had Clara yearning. She loved her little house, but maybe—someday—she and Sam could take regular vacations to places like Aruba.

They both worked hard, and they stayed frugal so they had some savings.

Then occasionally, as with the dentist, they hit a small gold mine of cash. He’d had three hundred and sixty-seven dollars cash in his wallet.

Obviously, those they let go couldn’t use it. It certainly didn’t qualify as stealing, not in Clara’s mind.

They’d taken his fancy watch, and the fancy cuff links in a fancy box in his bag. She couldn’t help but wish Sam could wear the fancy watch, but like with the other things from the others they’d let go, they kept it stored away in a box.

She felt it wasn’t worth the risk to wear any of it, sell any of it.

But cash was cash.

She was, and always had been, law-abiding. She wore her seat belt and drove at the speed limit. She filed her taxes and considered herself a good citizen.

What they did for the resurrected rose above man’s laws.

They kept the cash money they harvested in a freezer bag. Sam called it Cold Cash, which made her giggle every time. Last count, they’d had eight hundred and fifty-eight Cold Cash dollars.

Not enough for a real vacation, but if they kept saving, and—God willing—they hit a few more gold mines through their mission, they might be able to take a whole week in Aruba next winter.

Or pick some other sunny, romantic place.

They hadn’t had much time for the mission, what with the vacation, and her pulling double shifts, Sam drawing the night shift for nearly three weeks.

But the idea of those palm trees, that blue water, of making love with Sam in a hotel bed incentivized her.

When they finally had a full day off, she let Sam sleep in.

By the time he came out, she’d finished the last of her research, had the bacon fried crispy, and had eggs—he liked them over easy—in the skillet.

“I heard you stirring, so I got breakfast going. You get enough rest, doll?”

“Feel like a new man.” He crossed over to nuzzle her neck. His hands snuck up to her breast. “And you feel like my woman.”

“Oh, you! Now, you sit and have your coffee while I finish this up.”

“You sure treat me right, Clara. Get you coffee?”

“I’ve already had two cups, but… maybe just a half. I got up thinking about our vacation. Best vacation I ever had, ever thought I’d have.”

“Wish we could’ve stayed longer. It sure was fine.”

“And that’s what I’m thinking. We got that resurrection money saved up in the freezer.”

“Our Cold Cash.”

She giggled, as always. “We could earmark it for a vacation fund. Add to it. Next year, we can take each other back to Aruba, or where we want, for a week.”

“I sure do like your thinking, babe. And don’t this look good! Just the way I like my eggs.”

As Clara sat across from him, Sam cut into them.

“That thinking got me going. We’ve been so busy, and worn out when we’re not. It’s time to get back to it. And I’ve got the one.”

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