Page 49 of Unexpected Union

Hissmile was sardonic. “Andwhat can you do if I fall, cushion me?”

“You’re notgoing to fall. Come on, once we get back to the cottage you can liedown and take those pills.”

“I hate this!”he ground out.

“I’msure you do.”

Anythingthat slowed him down hadto be despised. Mitch liked to be in charge, in control. Yet he washuman and needed to let his body recover at its ownrate.

Hewalked as if drunk, weaving and staggering once or twice despitehis arm draped aroundAudra’s shoulder. She was glad she was with him. He remained silenton the short walk to the cabin, but she suspected he resentedneeding her help. And heaven help him if he had an attack at thelodge. He’d remain forever in the guest services office rather thanask for assistance.

Leavinghim on the sofa when theyreached the cabin, Audra ran lightly up the stairs to hisroom to find the pills. Satisfied a few minutes later that he’drecover with some rest, she headed for the kitchen. She’d prepare alight lunch and see if Mitch felt like eating. She was ravenousafter the morning on the paddle boat, and her legs were pleasantlytired from all the pedalling.

Mitchinsisted on sitting at the table for lunch. Worried, Audra watchedhim closely as he ate,until he snapped at her.

“I’m fine. Idon’t need a nursemaid.”

“Whatyou probably need is more rest. You can have first turn on thehammock.”

“I don’t needfirst turn. You’re the one who takes naps in the afternoons, youtake it.”

“I canlie down later or if Iget tired, I can use my bed.”

He shook hishead impatiently, then stopped, looking at her with narrowedeyes.

“It’s adouble.”

“And we’d geta lot of rest sharing, I’m sure.”

She hadn’tforgotten a single one of their kisses.

Whatwould it be liketo liedown and sleep beside Mitch again? Would he put his arm around herlike they used to sleep? Snuggle close? Or turn his back andsnore?

Shealmost giggled at that scenario. He’d never snored. He’d be muchmore likely to draw her into his arms and kiss her, let his hands roam over thechanged contours of her body—

Thethoughts jumbled in her head and she tried to ignore them. He wasstill recovering from a serious accident, and she did get tired inthe afternoon. Splurging on naps was the height ofluxury. After the babywas born and she returned to work, there’d be no morenapping.

“Okay, Iguess,” she said slowly. “But only if we rest.”

“What elsewould we do?”

Shealmost told him, but the amusement dancing in his eyes let her knowhe knew exactly what shemeant. Firmly closing her mouth, she concentrated on her food.After a minute, she realized he hadn’t agreed to the rest onlyedict. Responding with a question was a neat ploy. Should she makehim promise?

Thatwould make it seem a bigger deal thanit was. She’d take her chances. Anticipationhummed.

They strung upthe hammock between the two trees where Bart had showed Mitch. Itwas a wide, lacy net hammock and once in position rested severalfeet above the ground. Audra eyed it dubiously.

“Idon’tknow.”

“I’ll gofirst.” He eased back onthe woven surface, sitting in the middle, then leaned back andlifted his legs. Scooting slowly, carefully, to one side, he pattedthe place beside him as the hammock swayed gently.

Thesurface was big. There was room enough for both with space on either side. Dappled shadesheltered them and the scent of pine wafted in the warm afternoonair.

Nothingventured, Audra thought as she moved to sit gingerly on theedge.

“Not soclose to the edge, scoot back,” Mitch warned.

But shewasn’t as agile as shenormally was and plopped on the very edge, throwing the hammock offbalance, sliding down on the ground with a thump and dumping Mitchpractically on top of her.

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