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“Oh.” She frowned, not wanting to think about him and Eleanor. Even if he hadn’t succeeded in seducing her, the thought of them together still churned her stomach. “It’s just that I’m worried about my brakes—they’re not really safe at the moment, especially if it rains, as they’re predicting.”
“The inn’s not that far away, Maddie. We can walk there, or catch a cab.”
“What about Hank? And Eleanor?”
“With an inn full of guests to worry about, and the cleanup after the fire, I doubt they’ll be spending too much time staring out windows. Besides, the truck is parked on a side street.”
There was more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice. She crossed her arms and glared at him. “I was only asking a simple question.”
“And I was answering. What do you want to do?”
“Walk. The sun is out.” And she didn’t have enough spare cash for another cab ride.
“Are you going to be warm enough in that old coat of yours?” he asked, following her out the door.
She glanced up. The sun might be out, but it didn’t look as if it would hold for long. Dark clouds were racing across the sky, and the wind was ice cold. She shivered and quickly zipped her coat. It barely kept out the wind’s chill. Against heavy rain, it would be useless. But she’d be damned if she’d admit it. Not when she wanted to be seen as a useful member of this partnership rather than a burden.
“I’ll be fine.”
He made a sound suspiciously like a snort of disbelief and slammed the door closed.
She ignored him and marched up the street. He was beside her almost instantly, his stride long and loose, his arm casually brushing against hers when he shoved his hands into his coat pockets. They walked in silence for several long minutes, but she was very aware of him watching her.
“I think we need to talk about last night,” he said softly.
Last night was a nightmare she’d rather forget, which he was no doubt about to tell her to do. “Don’t worry,” she said, her
voice holding an edge of annoyance she just couldn’t help. “I know you were drugged. I took advantage of it, and I’m sorry.”
He lightly touched her elbow, guiding her across the street. “That’s not what I was talking about.”
Heat flushed her cheeks. She knew exactly what he was talking about. Pulling away from his hand, she strode on, keeping her gaze well away from him.
“It’s what I’m talking about. I realize that what happened between us was just a result of the drug, nothing more.”
He didn’t answer straightaway. Almost against her will, she found her gaze drawn to his. There was a hint of wry amusement in his smile that just didn’t make sense.
“Took the words right out of my mouth,” he murmured, then grabbed her arm, pulling her sideways. “Dog shit,” he explained when she glanced at him. “Not a smell I recommend in the confines of a truck cabin.”
“Thanks,” she muttered, and once again pulled her arm from his grasp. It felt too good, too comforting. Too intimate.
They walked on in silence. Ten minutes later they reached his truck. Jon opened the door for her. She climbed in, carefully avoiding his touch and his gaze, then reached for the road map shoved down the side of the seat.
“Head up the freeway. According to this, the turnoff to Jewell is about twenty miles out of Taurin Bay.”
He nodded as he drove off. “When we find this cabin, I want you to stay in the truck—with the doors locked.”
“No.” She crossed her arms and stared out the window. She felt his annoyed gaze flicker over her.
“Maddie, we have no idea who will be in the cabin with the kids. It’s safer if you stay here.”
His voice held a barely controlled edge of impatience. She ignored it and shook her head. “You can’t handle both Hank and Eleanor alone.”
“You only saw Hank last night.”
Last night seemed little more than a bad dream. Suddenly weary, she pushed her hair back from her face. “Eleanor has had plenty of time to get there, you know.”
“I know.”
