Page 27 of Atone in Darkness
He made a couple of quick trips out to the woodpile. The owner had conveniently left a box of kindling near the stove, saving Chase from having to troll the woods for something usable. Once the dry wood caught fire, he filledthe pot with water and set it on the back burner to heat.
Meanwhile, Marisol opened two cans of soup and mixed up the corn bread batter. “I’m not sure how the corn bread will turn out since it calls for an egg.”
“As long as it’s filling, I won’t complain. While all of that heats up, I’m going to take another look around outside. I won’t be gone long, and I’ll bring in more wood.”
“Sounds good.”Then she frowned. “Do you think it’s safe to have a fire at all? What if the helicopters spot the smoke?”
He’d thought about that, but it was a risk they needed to take. Right now they both badly needed a hot meal and a way to dry their clothes. “They can’t afford to go around attacking innocent civilians. It’s more likely they’d do a flyby to see who’s really staying here. But to be safe, we’llbank the coals later to keep the smoke to a minimum.”
And cross their fingers that the enemy didn’t come calling anytime soon.
•••
CHASE POINTED ATMarisol’s half-empty bowl. “Finish your soup.”
She stared across the small table at him, her dark eyes narrowed just enough to let him know that she didn’t appreciate the nagging. “I’ve already had one bowl. That’s plenty.”
“You need to makeup for all the meals we missed.”
She shoved the bowl in his direction hard enough that some slopped over the side. “If you don’t want it to go to waste, eat it yourself. Considering you’re so much bigger than I am, you require more calories than I do.”
He actually considered it. Nope, she’d already given him most of the corn bread. “Put it back on the stove to keep warm and eat it later.”
The stubborn woman shook her head and left the soup right where it sat. “I’m going to take my bath and then turn in for the night.”
He surrendered the fight and reached for her bowl. “Run water in the tub, and I’ll carry in the hot water for you when you’re ready.”
For a second, he thought she would argue about that, too. She probably wouldn’t appreciate knowing he was disappointed that she simplywalked away. From what he’d seen in the time he’d known her, she worked hard to maintain a calm facade, one that reflected her take on what a medical researcher should look and act like. He got that. Sometimes image was everything. He’d spent hours watching her work, her movements precise and methodical.
But the occasional flare of temper made it clear there was more to the woman who’d worn thatlab coat like it was her armor against the world. Once again, his mind traveled backto the hillside when he’d kissed her. Rather than slap him silly, which was what he’d expected to happen, she’d kissed him back and then some.
He wouldn’t mind going back for a second round—and maybe a third and fourth—but that didn’t mean he completely trusted her. Yeah, from what he’d seen, she’d been on thepurge list along with all those other poor bastards on the buses. While he would’ve cheerfully unleashed all of his friends on the guards to give them a hands-on lesson of what happened to those who crossed the Paladins, they would’ve survived the experience. Mostly, anyway. They might have needed months of rehab, but they would’ve lived.
“I’m ready whenever you are.”
That was the second timetoday she’d told him that. Neither time had she been referring to what he really wanted her to be ready for. Disappointment tasted almost as bad as the half-burned corn bread and off-brand tomato soup they’d had for dinner. He pushed away from the table and headed for the pot of water on the stove. He’d been trying really hard not to think about the good doctor peeling off her clothing to soak inthat old-fashioned claw-foot tub. It was big enough for two, but somehow he doubted she’d want to share. Too bad. He would’ve loved to scrub her back for her, to slide his soapy hands all over her luscious curves.
Unfortunately, his body had recovered enough energy to remind him how long it had been since he’d last gotten laid, making his pants uncomfortably tight in a certain area. Maybe whenshe finished her bath, he’d take one, too, but sans the hot water. Because right now, a dip in ice-cold well water might be the only cure for what ailed him.
•••
MARISOL WASHED ANDdried the few dishes they’d used and put them back on the shelf. The thick layer of dust on everything was another indication that it had likely been a while since anyone had stayed there. The only clothes they’dfound were men’s. She’d put on a flannel shirt and drawstring shorts that threatened to swallow her whole. Quite the fashion statement, but better than the filthy stuff she’d taken off.
Luckily there’d been a set of sweats that Chase could squeeze into. They’d also made use of two pairs of heavy wool socks, but they’d both drawn the line at borrowing the man’s underwear. What would the ownerof this cabin think when he returned to find out someone had taken advantage of his hospitality, uninvited and unwelcome? If she had more cash with her, she would’ve put some on the table with an anonymous thank-you note for the use of his home.
It should probably worry her that she and Chase had left fingerprints all over the place. Certainly, if the owner wanted to press charges for trespassing,the authorities could probably use the prints to track them down. That was a problem for her future self to deal with. Considering the armed killers hunting for the two of them, there was a good chance she wouldn’t live long enough to have to worry about it.
The bathroom door opened, and Chase stepped out still toweling his hair dry. She hung the dishtowel over the edge of the sink. “Should Iput in another log or let the fire die down?
“Let’s burn one more. That bath probably wasn’t as cold as jumping in the creek would’ve been, but it was close.”
She had been shivering a bit herself. After adding a log to the fire, she sat down at the table. “I think the temperature has dropped quite a bit outside. It could get pretty cold in here.”
“You’re right. I’ll go put our clothes in thetub to soak, and then we should probably turn in for the night. We can hang everything up to dry tomorrow.”
That surprised her. “You’re thinking we’ll spend another day here?”
“Yeah, I think that would be smart. That gravel driveway has to lead to some kind of road, but there’s no telling how far off the beaten path we are. There could be a highway close by, or it could be miles of dirt roadsbefore we see real pavement. I’d like to be closer to full strength before we start hiking again.”
