Page 85 of When She Dreams

“Because I quit.”

She thought about that for a beat and then nodded, satisfied. “I suppose it amounts to the same thing. I will, of course, cover the cost of your train ticket back to Adelina Beach.”

“I won’t be on the train tomorrow. I will be here in Burning Cove, working this screwy case.”

She nodded in weary understanding. “You’re worried about me. That is very sweet of you.”

“Sweet?”

“I appreciate your concern, but there’s no need for you to feel responsible for me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I’ve been doing that for quite a while.”

“What happened to our working relationship? You’ve got a partner now, like it or not, and partners look out for each other.”

She frowned. “There’s been no threat against me.”

“No threat? Oxlade wanted to run experiments on you.”

“He’s gone now.”

“I’m supposed to find that reassuring?”

“I’m trying to be logical and rational.”

“You’re not succeeding.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Do you think I’m behaving illogically and irrationally?”

“I didn’t say that. Now you’re the one twisting words.”

“Do you think I’m in danger of becoming hysterical?”

“No, Miss Lodge. I’m the one who is on the verge of hysteria, and it’s your fault.”

“Myfault?”

“Let’s get a few things straight,” he said. “I am not going back to Adelina Beach, because I am not going to leave you here alone in Burning Cove. You are in over your head, and I think you know it. You need me. Admit it.”

She looked at him, her eyes suddenly brilliant with the wonder of discovery.

“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I do need you.”

He had been braced for more argument. The surrender, if that’s what it was, happened so abruptly he was blindsided. Another curve taken at high speed.

“Okay, that settles it,” he said, trying to regain his balance.

“You are offering good advice. I’ve decided to take it.”

“Fine,” he said.

“There’s something else we should discuss.”

“It would be a good idea if you stopped talking now, because you’re starting to irritate me again.”

She smiled. “Would you rather I kiss you instead?”

“So that you can prove to yourself you aren’t frigid?”

“Nope. Because I recently discovered I like being kissed by a man who isn’t afraid I might suffer a fit of hysteria at any moment.”

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