Kellie closed the book. “Who is it?”
“MacGyver.”
A wave of dread nearly swamped her. Laying the book on the nightstand, she slid her feet to the carpet and crossed to the door. Gathering the loose edges of her confidence and tucking them back in place, she opened the door and stood in the gap. “Is it time to go?”
“Almost. Charlie’s whipping up some lunch before we head out.” His eyes narrowed on her face. “Can we talk for a minute?”
Kellie held her ground. “That depends. What do you want to talk about?”
MacGyver rested one hand against the doorframe above her head and leaned toward her. His crooked grin almost broke her resolve. “What if I didn’t really mean talk? What if I just need to hold you?”
Kellie’s eyebrows shot up.Yeah, right.Was there anything he wouldn’t say to get her to talk? “Tempting, but no.”
He chuckled uncertainly. “Why not?”
She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “You had your little chat with Blake. I don’t want to talk about him, so don’t ask.”
MacGyver took a step back. “Okay. No problem. But…”
Of course, he couldn’t just drop it. Kellie shoved the door open. “On second thought, you can come in.”
As soon as he crossed into her room, she scooted out, closing the door behind her. Two seconds later, he opened it and called her name as she strode toward the kitchen. She ignored him, though she felt both childish and cowardly.
Pop was carrying trays of lunch meat, cheese and condiments for sandwiches to the table. She grabbed a loaf of bread and a roll of paper towels from the counter and followed him. When she returned to the kitchen for plates and flatware, MacGyver sidled up next to her.
“Cute, Champ. I just wanted to say I—”
Kellie whipped around and forced a smile. “Come and get it. What’s everyone want to drink?”
Travis and Jeremy didn’t wait for a second invitation. Both snagged bread and a plate and started building sandwiches as they gave her their drink requests. If they viewed her any differently after Blake’s revelation, she didn’t notice. Kellie retrieved sodas and juice from the refrigerator and made a fresh pot of coffee. All the while, MacGyver’s brooding glower followed her around the room. With his foothold on integrity, of coursehe’dbe the one to take umbrage with what she’d done.
Her appetite having gone out when Blake came in, she remained at the kitchen window, drinking coffee, her back to the table. When Pop brought his dishes to the sink, she ran some water and started cleaning up. Busy work to keep from having to acknowledge the judgment in MacGyver’s eyes.
She jumped when he set a plate on the counter and slid it toward her. “You should eat something. If you’re not hungry now, wrap it up and take it with you. You’ll want it later.” Before she could reply, he strode away, grabbed his duffle and left the cabin.
Kellie eyed the sandwich he’d obviously made for her, and a smile formed at his thoughtfulness. Immediately, she tamped down her emotions. It was easier to believe he just didn’t want to carry her later when she ran out of energy. She had to give him credit, though. He’d vowed to help her and Pop, and not even his reaction to Blake’s story had made him break his promise…so far.
Quickly finishing the dishes, she dutifully wrapped the sandwich, stuffed it in a small backpack she’d found in her old room, along with a change of clothes, a jacket and her tiny purse and joined the men outside.
MacGyver stood with Travis a few yards away, hands on slim hips, looking strong and in charge. Desire coursed through Kellie’s traitorous body, and she mentally slapped herself.This is life and death, not some storybook romance with a happy ending.
A nod from MacGyver acknowledged her presence, and everyone gathered around him. “Okay. I’m on point. Kellie and Charlie will follow me—then Marshal Dahl—Travis will bring up the rear. We’ll be moving fast. Stay close and keep your eyes on me. Kellie and Charlie—no matter what happens, you stay with me. Let’s go.” Instead of moving out, he turned his piercing blue eyes on her, nailing her to the spot.
When they were the only two left standing there, he stepped in front of her. “The jewelry Palazzi gave you—where is it?”
Kellie frowned. She hadn’t seen the diamond necklace and earrings since the car ride to Perkins Field. Had forgotten about it and had been surprised to find it at the bottom of her white lace clutch. “Why?” She didn’t wait for an answer but unzipped her backpack, rummaged for the small evening bag and held it up. “It’s in here.”
MacGyver held out his hand. “Palazzi planted a tracking device in the jewelry. That’s how he knew where to find you.” MacGyver’s expression was completely locked down, and nothing in his voice made her think he cared whether Tony found her any longer.
Kellie dug the jewels out and handed them to MacGyver. He dropped them on the concrete pavers beneath his feet and crushed them with his heel. Without another word, he turned west and set a brisk pace down the steep mountainside.
An AK-47, apparently supplied by Blake, hung over his shoulder. Travis carried one too. Kellie fell back to let Charlie and Chip go in front of her. That way she could keep an eye on her stepdad and call for a halt if he needed to rest. The uneven terrain, windfall and mud made it a treacherous hike, and Charlie’s stubborn pride would demand he not slow them down.
Forty-five minutes later, MacGyver stopped and waited for them to catch up. “Let’s take five.” He clapped Charlie’s shoulder and pointed toward a fallen tree. “This downhill shit is a killer. I’m going to sit for a minute—catch my breath. How about you?”
The gratitude Kellie felt toward him at that moment was dizzying. Or maybe she was simply more tired and stressed than she’d thought. She shrugged off the backpack and leaned against a tree nearby, watching MacGyver trying to draw Pop into dialogue. Travis and Jeremy joined the men, sitting in the shade created by the canopy of pine boughs overhead.
Pop had been quiet during lunch and on their march downhill, but he gradually entered the conversation, even laughing at something MacGyver said. Chip rose from his position at Pop’s feet and trotted over to her, licking the hand she dropped to scratch his ears. The border collie’s big brown eyes held more wisdom than some people, and he wagged his tail when she leaned over and planted a kiss on his black and white head.