Page 22 of Winters Heat

Each s-turn on the sharp mountains road swayed Mia into her seatbelt. Her head bumped the window, waking her. With a sleepy yawn, she rubbed her eyes and fingered her knotted hair. He’d been watching her for hours, just as long as he’d observed the passing white lines speed by in a blur.

Damn if she wasn’t something to stare at, even in the dark, and she made cute noises in her sleep. Precious breaths and sleep-drenched murmurs. He’d remember those long after this op was over.

He had fidgeted with the temperature gauge, not wanting her to be too cold. He kept the radio quiet, just loud enough so he could hear it and stay awake, or to distract his mind from her. Whatever. It didn’t help.

“What time is it?” Her slumber-soaked question didn’t sound rested. It was the same tired keel as before she passed out. Mia needed real food and real sleep. She needed to get away from this road trip from hell. His on-the-job lifestyle was pragmatic. Sleep when necessary, and down gas station purchased protein bars and Dots. The Dots alone could suffice him, and sleep was overrated. But Mia needed more. Hell, she deserved better.

“Colby? Is that clock right?” They’d be much closer to their destination if that console timepiece was anywhere near correct.

He checked his wristwatch. “Nope. We should be further along, but with our adventure at the gas station, we lost major time.” He paused. “So I’ve been thinking, you handled yourself well today. Not many people have your aplomb.”

“Aplomb?” She asked in a deadpan voice.

“Oh, big word. Didn’t think I had a brainy side, huh, doll?”

“I’m sure you do.”

“That’s all right. You just think of me as all brawn, saving that cute ass of yours from thugs. What was it, once, twice? After the airport. A shootout at the motel. I’ll be your hero.” He nudged her shoulder, anything to touch her again. “If that’s how you see me.”

“Well, don’t forget the gas station.” She bumped her shoulder back against him. “I’ve had a very tough day. The least you can do is rememberallmy near death experiences.”

“Of course. It slipped my mind.” He nudged her for a second time. Christ, what was this? A grade school playground? Should he pull her hair next? He laughed, his smile teasing. “Let me get this right. Not many people are kidnapped, gassed, shot at, and grabbed. Basically, rescued over and over.”

He winked at her through the darkness.

“Yeah, my day sucked. But it’s a typical nine-to-five for you?”

This drive flew by when she was awake. Hell, it did the same when she slept. He’d never had an entertaining operational road trip. Nor had he ever shared. Fessing about his daughter was mindboggling. He never admired a victim before either. She handled it all, airport to gas station, unlike a wimped-out casualty.

“I think you’re strong, Mia. Way stronger than I gave you credit for at the airport, when you looked all librarian-like.” He waited, knowing there was more to be said, and it would kill the mood. One knuckle at a time, he made them crack, then shifted in his seat.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

How did she read his mind? “Why do you think I’m keeping something from you?”

She faced him, but he kept his eyes on the broken white lines. “You know guns, and I know body language. Spit it out, big boy.”

He checked the rearview mirror again.

“Colby.”

“All right, I’ll level with you.” She was a mind reader of sorts. That could pose probs. “We’re in the middle of nowhere, and there isn’t another town for a hundred miles. Only truck stops and motels line this highway.”

“Stop with the tour guide routine. You aren’t telling me anything I haven’t noticed. I thought I was full of aplomb and stuff like that. Please, go on. Tell me.”

He needed more time to feel her out. But if she thought she could handle it…he guessed he agreed. Fine. Whatever. He’d give it to her straight.

“We picked up another tail a while back. I’m surprised it took them this long to find us, but they did. And so this is what we’ve got to deal with now.”

She didn’t check the side view mirror. Smart girl. Nor did she panic. Her breathing didn’t change, and as best he could tell, she remained calm.

“Why didn’t you just tell me that?”

“I didn’t want you plastered to the windows like I promised you Gucci was falling from the sky. If you did that, you might as well have hung a sign up that saidwe see you.”

“I’m the Gucci type?”

“You’re a woman. I don’t know.” He shrugged.

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