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Chapter 26

We returned tolot re, too, since Jessie's shirt was a mess Will and I looked like we'd bathed in red paint to our elbows

The three of us hurried toed Jessie's "scratch" while Will called Cora Kopway

"You should probably have stitches," I said

"Slap a butterfly Band-Aid or two on there and shut up"

I followed her advice, though none too gently She didn't flinch What a woman

Her shoulder would match mine If her furrow had been thirteen inches instead of three

"She'll see us at four," Will said

I finished my lame attempt at medical assistance "How far away is it?"

"About an hour"

Great I could catch a nap Sadly, the two of them didn't seem in any hurry to leave

When Jessie said she was going to stick to ht she meant while I slept

"Aren't you two going to go back to your place?"

"What for?" Jessie asked "I like it here"

She settled into a chair, put her feet on the coffee table She'd appear relaxed if she'd been wearing a shirt The bra and khaki trousers just didn't say "laid back"

"You need to change," I pointed out

"Don't you like me just the way I am?"

"Get out"

"I don't think I will"

My eyes narrowed "Listen, McQuade, I was doing just fine before I met you"

"That was against your average, everyday olf"

"You can't move in with me"

"No?"

"I don't need a babysitter"

"Come on, Jess," Will murmured "You could use a shower, new clothes, a little nap"

"See? You guys need a nap So do I"

"I can i with"

I hadn't even thought of that I had truly planned on a nap, but et tired first

"Get lost" I threw her bloody shirt into her lap

Her htened mulishly, and I hurried to reassure her "I'll be fine I proo directly froun drawn"

"We'll pick you up," she said "It's on the way"

I decided to let well enough alone

Jessie stood Her shirt was really disgusting

"I'd loan you one of mine," I said, "but I think you'd burst the seams"

She tilted her head "Was that you being nice? Because you weren't"

"Here" Cadotte drew his T-shirt over his head and tossed it in her face "Wear mine"

I couldn't help but look All that smooth, toned, tanned muscle should have made me drool Instead I could only think of another man's chest - one that was just as smooth, equally toned, but marble pale

Jessie glanced at hed "You'd better keep yourself covered, Cadotte You ht cause an accident on the road"

"No more than you ith a unifor Dead

Put the thing on and let's go"

Will stalked out the door Jessie shrugged and put on his shirt, which fit her pretty well Sainst the neck, inhaling deeply Her face went drea and stiffened I sether

"We'll be back in a few hours Be here And try to be in one piece, OK?"

"I'll do my best"

I waited until I heard the ravel crunch, the sound becoether An instant later, I was out the door, gun drawn as I'd promised I hurried downstairs and across the wide yard that separated the tavern from Damien's cabin

The air arm, the sky sunny - the kind of lazy day referred to as Indian summer; I'm not sure why

I knocked No one answered Daht

A glance at the tavern revealed a closed sign in theMaybe Damien was still asleep Would he be mad if I let myself in?

He was a guy He wouldn't care if I torched the place as long as I crawled in bed with him afterward

I tried the door Open How convenient

Stepping inside, I called his name He didn't answer

The room was dark The bed tousled I couldn't see if he was in it

I crossed the short distance and laidbut pillows

Slowly I turned in a co/sleeping area The door to the bathroom was open I took a quick look-see inside Empty

I had just decided to creep back out when the thunder of footsteps erupted on the porch The door burst open and Damien stumbled inside

He was dressed as he'd been when I met him Black pants, no shoes, no shirt His chest was slick with sweat; his hair glistened His skin was pale, and his eyes gleamed almost yellow He appeared feverish

He slaainst it Despite the sweat and the signs of exertion, he wasn't even breathing hard

I drew un and hurried to the"Where are they?"

"They?"

"Who's chasing you?"