Page 53 (1/2)

In one fluid er into Franklin’s eye socket

The big man howled in pain and slapped his hand over the injured orb Jake whipped around, pulling Claire up “Run”

She hesitated Fearing she’d die by his side, he swung her by the arton

Burlington’s head snapped around, following Claire

Ready to inflict serious daton

Chapter Fifteen

Claire inhaled heaven

Granny Marie’s apple strudel must have just come hot out of the oven Its cinna, her stomach rumbled and her mouth watered in anticipation In a few h to eat This time she wouldn’t rush in to cut off a slice and burn herapple For once, she could wait Anyway, her toasty-warm bed was too comfortable to leave

Rolling onto her back, she reached for the covers to snuggle deeper Her heavy arms slid across her war to slick leather upholstery The truth unfolded slowly She wasn’t in bed No It must be the couch

Had she fallen asleep in the living rooht? How had she ended up sleeping on the couch? Had she been watching a hts moved as if they were mired in honey

A crackling, popping noise snapped in the distance Why would Granny Marie bepopcorn for breakfast? It didn’tseeer on it

As she stretched, a tingling sensation burned up both arms Damn, she must have slept on her stoers, trying to increase circulation in her numb limbs

Only half awake, Claire sniffed the air hoping for another burst of cinnamon apple An unexpected richness snuck in with it She wrinkled her nose Olive oil Why did she s to open her eyes, confusion swamped her sleep-addled head

A sudden tension coiled tight in her stolimmer of the truth lay just beyond her mind’s reach, but like a half-remembered drea

Again, she tried to pry her eyes open, but the lids were too heavy Panic ratcheted up her heartbeat, her blood rushed in her ears So Why couldn’t she open her eyes? Why was it so hard to ue, thick and heavy in her mouth, hampered her efforts and only a soft moan came out