Page 68 of In Hiding

12.

Sarah woke to the snap, crackle, and pop of the open fire. Exhaustion stalked through her veins as she opened her eyes to find herself wrapped up tight in a blanket. Still on the couch, right where he left her, she adjusted her focus to peer out the window. Darkness obscured the world outside, surprising her.

She vaguely remembered Jake helping her into a sweater before the need to rest overwhelmed her. Needing more answers, she’d fought the urge to close her eyes but it was no use. Sitting on the floor by the fire with his back to her, Jake rubbed his knee.

“How long have I been asleep?”

He turned at the sound of her voice. Bright orange flames reflected in his dark eyes. “A while. Do you feel better?”

Cocooned in warmth, how could she not? “Yes. I didn’t mean to sleep so long.”

Relief lightened his features and he made to stand. A grimace crossed his face when he rose. “By the time we got you dressed, you were exhausted. You should eat. I made some soup.”

Rolling to sit up, she found herself wedged quite firmly in the blanket. “Are you hurt?”

He waved a hand as he limped across the open plan space to the small kitchen. At the stove, he lifted the lid from a pot and stirred the contents with a wooden spoon. “It’s nothing.”

Wriggling inside the blanket, Sarah managed to loosen its hold on her enough to free an arm. She tugged on the corner of the cover and released it. Without the compression, she could breathe again.

“You look like you’re in pain,” she insisted.

“I’m fine.”

“Liar.”

“You’re not the only one who can lie about their health.” His smile showed gentle humor. “I slipped on a patch of ice and hurt my knee, but it will heal. Are you hungry?”

Nodding, Sarah stood. Her numb toes complained but she ignored them and crossed the room to stand beside him. The aroma coming from the pot was delicious and filled her with feelings of warmth and comfort.

“I take it soup is your specialty?”

He chuffed, the air of his breath reaching her neck. “It’s quick and easy.” His free hand smoothed down her hair. “I’m sorry. I should have been straight up with you.”

“Agreed.”

His eyes widened. “And what would you have done if I’d turned up claiming your brother sent me?”

She conceded he had a point. “You’ve got me there.”

Jake only nodded and smiled, his hand slipping from her hair to her arm. “You’re a smart woman, Sarah. Just because I said he sent me wouldn’t guarantee you’d believe it. You would’ve made me earn your trust regardless.” One corner of his mouth lifted. “See? Smart. For what it’s worth, you can trust me.”

With her brother in prison, she hadn’t been able to trust anyone but herself and William. The thought of having someone else to lean on, someone to talk to, someone to guide her when she didn’t know which way to turn... the temptation drew her closer to Jake.

His hand slid down her arm to her hip. Feeling his hands on her woke sensations she’d forgotten and the need to feel skin on skin snaked up her spine.

Tilting her head, she touched her nose to the scar on his cheek. “Ryan did this to you?”

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