Page 18 of Tempting Fire

“They’re planning the wedding for six weeks after she gives birth, right?”

“They were planning it for her eighth month. Can you believe that Drake thought that would be romantic?! Karen was having a fit. She says that is the only good thing that is coming out of the forced bedrest. Now she won’t have to wear a maternity wedding dress.”

Zarek chuckled softly. He was happy to note that Chloe’s pulse had slowed and her breathing was back to normal.

“The ice cream’s melted,” he observed.

She looked down at the bowls filled with liquid vanilla cream.

“Did the soda settle your stomach? Can you eat a little something?”

“I’ll try.” She picked up the sandwich and opened it up. She grimaced and pulled out the tomato. This time he laughed. If she was still a picky wench, there was definitely hope. But he knew they were still deep in the woods, and this would be a long road.

After depositing the offending vegetable on the plate, she took a small bite and chewed slowly.

“Quit putting me under a microscope and eat your damn sandwich,” she scowled at him.

Grinning, he picked up her discarded tomato and added it to his club sandwich and took a healthy bite. It was good, and he had finished half of his by the time she had finished three small bites.

“More Seven-Up?”

She took the proffered glass, and drank. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to finish much more than this. What’s more, I can’t deal with the cake,” she said on a yawn. “I’m tired. Let’s choose rooms.”

“Chloe, how many hours a day have you been sleeping?”

“I don’t know, maybe two naps a day.”

“How many hours total?”

“It depends, maybe sixteen.”

Just another sign of depression. “Can you try not to take a nap?” he coaxed.

He watched her eyes droop. “I’m really tired,” she said quietly. “Did you pack my sweats?”

“Shit, I left the bags in the truck. I’ll be back in a minute. Will you be all right while I’m gone?”

She nodded sleepily. He gave her a sharp glance, but she seemed so tired, that he felt he could leave her for the five minutes it would take to go to the truck.

“I’ll be right back.”