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“We did,” Caleb said gently. “And we’ll make them pay for her death. But first, we have to rid ourselves of Bohdan and his troop of mercenaries. Self-preservation is the name of the game right now. I can’t let him near you.”
“Aren’t you back to square one?”
“No, the game has changed with the characters. You can’t be my only focus right now.” His gaze moved over her body. “You don’t have the right to complain about everything I’ve done to protect you any longer. Our agreement has certain holes in it now. It can’t be a totally fifty-fifty arrangement any longer. You’re carrying my child. To protect that child, I have to protect you. I have no choice.”
Her brow wrinkled. “That sounds very…complicated. And it appears to end exactly where you want it to. I don’t like this.”
“But you’re very smart and you know that I’m being reasonable.” He added, “Think about it. What’s most important to you? What would you do? What lengths would you go to in order to protect that child?”
“Damn you.” She stared with frustration into his eyes. “Everything. Anything.”
“Then you realize that we might have a balance problem,” he said softly. “And you realize that no matter how hard I’m going to try, there are going to be times when I have to make certain that child comes first even if you don’t appreciate my methods.”
“I’ll think about it.” She was silent for a moment. “You’re turning me against myself. I’m feeling manipulated.”
“I knew you would,” he said. “Which is why I came down to the creek this morning. I wanted to remind you that what we have together has been worth it to both of us.” He added softly, “And that was how we ended up with a child to protect.”
“Oh, you demonstrated that exceptionally well,” she said. “But it really wasn’t necessary, we’ve gone way past the sexual basics.”
“Nothing basic about it. It’s strictly stratosphere stuff. But we might be heading for something entirely different. That’s why I thought we had to go back and get our bearings.”
“I don’t want to go back, I want to go forward,” she said. “Though you were very inventive today. However, we’ll have to discuss any ‘methods’ you decide to put in place. You should realize that children never stand still. They tend to always go forward.”
His lips quirked. “Like their mother?”
“Exactly.” She tossed him a smile over her shoulder as she made the turn leading to the camp. “You must have heard the saying about mother knowing best. But you might be permitted an opinion if you don’t become too rambunctious.”
“Rambunctious?” he murmured. “I don’t believe anyone has used that word to describe me.”
“You were talking about different paths. I was trying to oblige.” She waved at Rodland as the camp came into view. “But I’ll leave it to you to persuade Rodland to make me another breakfast since it’s your fault that the first one was ruined.”
“I warned him he shouldn’t send me.”
“Because you knew he would anyway. You were going to do what you wanted to do. Rodland always wants everything to go well for you. You’re his hero.”
“No, he just believes in payback. I understand it, I just try to avoid it. I’d resent it if I was him.”
“But then few people are like you. Some of us don’t mind owing someone a debt.”
“Yet you’d do anything on earth to repay it. And I can’t imagine anything worse than having you feeling forced to do that.” He took her elbow and nudged her forward. “Which is quite a change for me. It must be your influence. There was a time that I wouldn’t have given a damn, if it meant I could still keep you.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“No? You should.” His fingers tightened on her arm. “Believe it, Jane.”
Chapter
12
After breakfast that morning Rodland didn’t give Jane a chance to do more than help break camp before he told her, “Caleb told me to go saddle Jocko for him. MacDuff wants to see you and make sure you’re okay so we’re going back to the Run. Caleb said for me to drive you in the Range Rover, and he’ll ride Jocko.”
“I could ride Jocko. We’re used to each other.”
“Caleb said he wanted to do it. He needs to stretch out and he said it was a chance for me to tell you the rest of MacClaren’s story on the trip back.” He wrinkled his nose. “I’ve evidently been designated to keep you entertained. Not that I mind. I was a little pissed off that you left me to twiddle my thumbs earlier today. I’d far rather talk about Fiona and MacClaren. I’ve sort of been thinking about them as family.”
She groaned. “Don’t say that.” Then she saw his eyes were twinkling. “Go saddle Jocko. Where’s Caleb? Why didn’t he do it?”
He shrugged. “He’s been on the phone with MI6. I supposed he’s trying to pull something together. And I need the practice.”
