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But what if he truly only wanted to help? Was she doing Ca Donovan to bring a doctor in for Careen eyes Eyes that saw far too much That probed the very inside of her mind He was a man who made Eve feel safe, and perhaps that hat scared her the most Because one mistake, just one, and Cammie and Travis would pay the price for her stupidity It was better to trust no one, a mantra she’d e the wrong person

But still, she couldn’t shake Donovan Kelly froe He was handsome, no doubt about that But it wasn’t his physical attractiveness that intrigued her Though he definitely had no shortage of physical beauty The man was built solid from the feet up

He wasn’t overly tall Certainly taller than her petite frame, but he didn’t looht, he certainly made up for in other areas His chest was ed with muscles It was evident that he stayed physically fit

But perhaps what had caught her attention the most was sih somehow their connection wasin need

Maybe that was fanciful of her Okay, so it totally was and itmoron to even dwell on that possibility But once it had taken hold, she couldn’t rid herself of that feeling It was a nice sensation War Like he was

And he’d been wonderful with Cammie It would have been easy for a man like hireat pains not to frighten her He’d been extreentle with her--and Eve for that matter

In another life, Eve would have had the confidence--and the freedom--to act on such an attraction She wasn’t overly bold, but neither was she a shy woman afraid to speak her mind She’d never been one to adhere to outdated societalthe one to ask out the woman If she met a man she was interested in, she’d never hesitated to take the initiative Some men liked that Others? Not so er existed Maybe one day she’d get her back But for now, dating and relationships were at the very bottom of Eve’s priorities She had a family to protect and raise She had to stay one step ahead of Walt Maybe she’d never have a nor one she ensured that Travis and Caladly give up any hopes she had of a future of her own

Besides, whatto take on a ready-ive Travis or Cammie up So even if she were in a position to have a noruys would sign up to raise a teenage boy and a four-year-old girl

Shaking herself frohts--what a monumental waste of time it was to even consider her future when it was absolutely uncertain and changed frorabbed the backpack and then pushed the two suitcases to the door so they’d be ready to go when Travis returned with Cammie

A moment later, Travis came back with Cammie dressed and in her shoes Eve bent to make sure the laces were secure and that she would be corew tired or didn’t feel well enough to walk, Eve and Travis would take turns carrying her on their backs

Though they were certainly used to walking great distances and to carrying Carier they stood here delaying the inevitable, the longer it would take to get to that bus station And o all the way to Jackson Clarksville was closer The army base was there, so there would certainly be a bus depot

She sighed, racked by indecision Hoas she to knohat the right choice was? She hadn’t had time to plan this out Donovan’s visit and his proposed return with a doctor had panicked her Maybe she should have let the doctor come, find out how serious Cammie’s illness was and then cut and run

She raised a treed as she tried to sort her scattered thoughts

"Evie?"

Travis’s worried voice broke through her frustration

"Are you all right?"

Eve nodded and atte s Jackson is so far away Maybe it would be better if ent to Clarksville and got a bus from there It puts us farther away fro tilanced down at Ca to do Cammie didn’t need to be out in God only knehat kind of weather, in the heat and exposed, for any longer than absolutely necessary

"I was looking on the o to Clarksville, thennorth into Kentucky instead of south to Mississippi And you could pawn the jewelry in Clarksville instead of waiting They probably have several pawnshops since it’s a ht?"

Here they stood, poised to leave in the dead of night, and didn’t even have a solid plan of attack Weariness blew over Eve, despite the fact she’d just slept for a few hours

"I think you’re right, Trav What you say o, the cooler it will be at least Mississippi in the dead of summer can’t be all that wonderful"

They weren’t used to the heat and humidity in the South They were accustomed to a much cooler climate with far less hu ill

"Maybe I can even find work in Clarksville just for a day or two before we ested "It couldn’t hurt to pad our cash a little"

"We’ll see," Eve said "For now, let’s just head that way and we’ll cross the other bridges e get there"

Cammie slipped her hand into Eve’s and squeezed Tears burned Eve’s eyelids as she gazed down at the sweet little girl as offering Eve reassurance It should be Eve co to reassure her

Eve squeezed back and s adventure?"

Travis took the backpack from Eve and curled his hand around the handle of one of the suitcases Eve lifted Cammie’s hand and then reached for the other suitcase as they opened the door and stepped into the night

A stiff breeze i her with its ferocity There were bites of raina shiver Daht the rain was over

"Should ait it out?" Travis asked in a concerned voice

Eve stepped farther out into the yard, turning her face up to look at the sky There was an eerie howl that unsettled her The quiet that had bothered her earlier was reinforced

"No, let’s go now," Eve said "It will besoon, and I want to be off the ht"

Travis nodded and shut the door behind hiht tone

"Ready," Cammie said resolutely