Page 97 of What Doesn't Kill Her

Carson followed suit.

“May I?” Max offered his hand to Birdie.

She took it and let him help her stand.

He used her creeper to join the other guys, and the three men started thumping, clinking and consulting.

“I suggested the hose theory myself,” Birdie said between clenched teeth. “No one listened.”

“What do you know? You’re merely the head mechanic.” Kellen hugged her again. “Anyway, who cares? Let them fix it. Where’s Adrian?”

Adrian was the last of the guys Kellen had hired at Yearning Sands, loudmouthed, obnoxious and a good guy.

“Temo’s sister has started accompanying some of the Olympic tours as an assistant. The tour is winding up, and Adrian’s gone to pick her up.”

Kellen grinned. “He’s a good mother.”

“I’m starting to think so. He’s such a screwup, but he really cares for that kid, and Regina is blossoming here at Yearning Sands.”

“I never saw any ofthatcoming.”

“Me, neither.” Birdie didn’t take a breath. “What are you in trouble about now?”

“Nothing! Why would you think that? Well, a little something.” Kellen headed for the little old slope-shouldered refrigerator. “I’d kill for an iced cappuccino.”

“Get me one, too.” Birdie sank onto a chair beside the battered kitchen table. “What’s up?”

Kellen brought two bottles of cappuccino and seated herself opposite Birdie. “Have you or the guys had any suspicious incidents lately?”

“By suspicious you mean...?”

“Snipers shooting at you?”

“You have snipers shooting at you?”

“Among other things.” Kellen rolled up her sleeve and showed Birdie the healing gunshot wound and the stitches. “Also a few more eccentric attempts on my life.”

“What is it about you, Kellen Adams, that so many people try to kill you?” Birdie sounded as if she was joking, but she wasn’t smiling.

“It’s my charming personality.” Kellen took a long swig of the drink. “It did occur to us—me and Max—to wonder if someone from the war zone had it out for veterans.”

Birdie shook her head. “Since you left, it’s been real quiet around here. The worst thing that happened was when that dumbass texting tourist drove over Russell and into the lobby. He broke Russell’s pelvis and sent him to the hospital.”

“Russell is better?”

“Better. Yes. But not good. Not like he was before. That texting limp prick is wandering around, still texting and killing people.” Birdie had a moment when she realized this wasn’t the subject. “Nothing happening around here to us veterans. It’s been blessedly quiet.”

“Well, hell. I mean—not that I want you all to be in danger—”

“Mighty good of you.”

“—but it would be nice if we could figure outwhysomeone was after me.”

From under the bus, Temo shouted, “I’ve wanted to kill you many a time.”

The two women exchanged glances.

Kellen shouted back, “You’re going to feel pretty stupid when I hide your leg!”

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