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Page 175
water," she found herself agreeing. Idiot! she told herself. Why not insist he tell her more?
Because he wouldn't.
This impossible man had caused her to lose her temper. To reveal things she never, ever spoke about.
He'd hinted at matters of great importance to him, but she was certain he'd not disclose more.
"This way, then." He took her ann once more.
"Where are we going?" He was surprising her yet again; he was leading her away from the inn.
He was much too close, and as she felt him match his stride to hers, she stumbled on the uneven ground. He pulled her closer, his grip tightening to keep her upright. "There was no clean water left in the buckets this evening, so we must go to the stream."
She stopped, ignoring the tug on her arm, the warmth of his body so near hers. She glimpsed his face in the moonlight, the soft shining of his eyes as their gazes met. "That's too dangerous." And not just because of wolves and Indians, she thought. She didn't want to be alone with herself . . . with him.
"There is little danger if we stay alert." There was a tautness in his voice, as though she had hurt his feelings.
His vulnerability touched her, yet how odd! He was the one who'd so often made it clear that she didn't dare rely on him.
Didn't he realize how raw he'd made her own feelings?
She should forget about the drink, return to her room. And not just for peace of mind. Who knew what jeopardy might confront her here in the darkness, with only Thorn to protect her?
Yet a tiny smile niggled at the corner of her mouth. For the first time he'd hinted that he would take care of her.
They entered the woods along the path that was so familiar during the day. At night, the multitextured blackness from undergrowth and leaves, tree trunks and the spaces between them, seemed menacing. Mariah heard the hoot of an owl and the rustlings that could mean a breeze, small forest creaturesor the wolves she feared. Or, worse, Indians. Nahtana.

 
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