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Tierney said, "Well, I'raved invitation" When he and Tera attacked the offering, Cade strode froet back at you for this," Mari whispered to MacRieve "I don't have to useto hu you round And I dinna even have to turn it on"

Her cheeks burned anew "Are you done?"

"Canna say" Moments passed, then he leaned down near her ear toyou a nice, long bath "

16

"I still don't see e couldn't sleep in that cave," Mari said as MacRieve led her out into the night

"Because my cave's better than their cave"

"You know, that really figures" After the rain, the din of cicadas and frogs resounded in the underbrush all around the her to raise her voice "Is it far?" When he shook his head, she said, "Then why do I have to hold your hand through the jungle? This path looks like a tractor busted through here"

"I went back this hile you ate to s here, too," he said as he steered her toward a lit cave entrance

When they crossed the threshold, wings flapped in the shadows, building to a furor before settling Inside, a fire burned Beside it, she saw he'd unpacked sos, and had made up one pallet "Well, no one can call you a pessimist, MacRieve" She yanked her hand froainst the wall, see content to watch her as she explored on her own She'd read about this part of Guateround like a vast web

Above the down "What's so special about this cave?"

"Mine has bats"

She breathed, "If I stick with you, I'll have nothing but the best"

"Bats mean fewer mosquitoes And then there's also the bathtub for you to enjoy" He waved her attention to an area deeper within A subterranean streah the cavern Her eyes widened A ser than an oversize Jacuzzi, and laid out along its edge were her toiletries, her washcloth, and her towel Her bag - filled with all of her clean clothes - was off just to the side

Mari cried out at the sight, doubling over to yank at her bootlaces Freed of her boots, she hopped forward on one foot then the other as she snatched off her socks She didn't pause until she was about to start on the button fly of her shorts

She glanced up to find hilea, of course"

"Or I could help you"