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John looked down at her and raised one eyebrow "Surely you don't think I'er?"

"Don't you see, John? If you put yourself in danger, you " John didn't see, but he didn't want to deal with it while she was lying all warm and soft in his aret about our probleuess I did But it's hard, isn't it?" John's hand strayed to the abrasion on his arrazed him earlier in the week

"Yes," he said darkly "It is"

Chapter 16

Morning ca to have to return home She pulled on her clothes quickly, still not quite able to believe that she had sneaked into John's rooht of herself as the reckless, daring type She sighed to herself, supposing that wo?" John i a white shirt over his ar that I never want to clietting up the tree was so dreadful But inching along the branch to your -"

"It doesn't ain"

His concern for her was so plain that Belle forgot to be outraged over his high-handed behavior

As they quietly h Da- back to her hoe She mentioned her worries to John when they reached the front steps

John shook his head "He strikes me as the cowardly type More likely tothe day," Belle re in her tracks

"Yes, but he used hired thugs, and also you're a woman" John could see that Belle was about todismissed so casually, so he added diplomatically, "Not that I think you're less than capable, but you must know that most men wouldn't see you as much of a threat Besides, there is no reason he'd be up and about this early in theto be in bed for several ht And then he'd know that you would have to take rabbed you" The thought sent a shiver of fear through John and strengthened his resolve to put an end to this episode as soon as possible His chin set determinedly, he took Belle's hand and led her down the steps "Let's be on our way I'd like to get you home before noon"

Belle took a deep breath of the crisp air "I don't think I've ever been out this ti At least not on purpose"

John offered her a rakish grin "And would you say it was on purpose that you're out now?"