Page 70 of Take a Hike
“She’s out,” Bones announced as Charlie tried very hard not to move.
“The big guy is too.”
Charlie’s fingers twitched as worry swamped her. Was Kieran really unconscious—or, even worse, dead? Everything inside her wanted to quit pretending to be knocked out and go to him, to take his pulse and check his injuries. It was wrong for the giant to have fallen—Kieran seemed invincible, as if his constant scowl armored him, protecting him from anything that might hurt a mere mortal.
The thought made her want to laugh, relaxing her slightly. The guy wasn’t a superhero. She’d become the very smitten kitten she would’ve mocked before meeting Kieran.
Car doors slammed, but her field of vision was limited to what she could see through barely cracked open eyes and a limply lolling head. All she could see were a few pairs of booted feet walking away. She listened instead, waiting until more car doors closed and engine rumbles had faded away into nothingness.
After what felt like an hour of silence—but was probably closer to four minutes—she opened her eyes a little more and took a surreptitious look around. When all she saw was Kieran’s crumpled form, she couldn’t stay down a second longer.
Rolling to her feet, she hurried over to his side. “You better be acting,” she threatened, hating the slight shake in her voice. “Otherwise, I’m going to kick your ass. Well, I’ll probably call for an ambulance, wait for you to be discharged from the hospital, check to make sure that you’re feeling up to an ass-kicking, andthenkick your ass, but you’ll be sorry for scaring me eventually.”
His huge form began to shake, which sent a dart of panic through her.Is he having a seizure?
His eyes opened and he sat up, grinning.
No on the seizure,she realized as relief swamped her.He’s just laughing.
“How’s your head?” she asked, not even able to be annoyed with him for laughing at her rambling threat. She was just too happy he was conscious and, by all appearances, uninjured.
That brought a return of his scowl as he massaged the back of his skull. “Sore, but it takes a harder hit than that to knock me out. How’s yours?” His hand dropped to his side as he stood, his gaze raking over her with an intensity that made her stomach turn to mush for all sorts of lovely reasons.
“Samesies.” She cautiously did a full-body stretch, checking in with all her body parts now that she’d been reassured that Kieran was fine. “A few bruises and scrapes, but they’re kind of a big bunch of wimps.”
The whine of a small car engine grew louder, and they both whirled to face the sound. Fifi pulled her car up to the curb next to them, Bennett in the front passenger seat, and rolled down her window.
“Get in, losers,” Fifi said, her face lit up with the excitement of a chase. “We’re going Mom hunting.”
Charlie gave awhoopand ran around to the other side of the car so she could climb into the seat behind Bennett. Kieran got into the back seat beside her. “GPS’s working then?”
“Like a dream,” Fifi said as Bennett held up his phone as if to provide evidence. On the map on his screen, an orange dot moved steadily down a road heading out of Rosehill, one that eventually led to the highway that could take their quarryeither east toward Denver or west toward Grand Junction. First, though, it would take Jane right through downtown Simpson.
Charlie didn’t even have her door closed all the way before Fifi hit the accelerator and the car shot forward. Turning her head, Charlie met Kieran’s gaze and grinned at him, adrenaline spiking. This was it. They had one last chance to capture Jane and save their home.
When Kieran smiled back at her, she suddenly felt invincible, as ifshewere the superhero. Of course they were going to bring in Jane.
How could they fail?
Kieran grabbed her hand. “I love you. Marry me.”
She gave a snorted laugh that would’ve been embarrassing if joy hadn’t filled her so completely, leaving no room for any other emotion. “Is that a command, Kiki?”
“Yes.” The corner of his mouth twitched up. “One you have to obey.”
“Mm-hmm.” It was extremely hard to hold on to her skeptical expression when everything inside her wanted to squeal and scream all the yeses and throw her arms around him and never let him go. “What is this word? Obey?”
A laugh escaped before he locked down his scowl again. “Fine. Marry me?”
Smothering her inner squealer, she raised her eyebrows.
He gave an exaggerated sigh. “Please.”
“Do you two have to do this here?” Bennett asked stiffly. “I’m feeling very uncomfortable right now.”
“Ignore him,” Fifi said, her eyes finding the rearviewmirror every few seconds, probably more than was safe as she flew around the curvy mountain road. “I feel like we’re in our very own soap opera. Well, c’mon! Answer the man, Charlotte Calamity Pax!”
She couldn’t hold back anymore. “Yes!” She did actually squeal with happiness, as well as throw her arms around his neck and hug him hard. He laughed again, although this time it wasn’t stifled, but an open sound of happiness and love that seemed to wrap itself around her and cuddle her close. She’d never thought she’d ever crave safety, but then again, she never realized it could feel so good.
