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.at a friend’s château in the South of France, not out here in cowboy country.”Dean’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel but he remained silent.They passed the long driveway that lead to Bobby and Leeann’s house and continued for a few minutes before taking a turn beneath a wooden arch emblazoned with the camp’s name.Dean drove past a parking lot, following a winding road that led deeper into the forest.Soon, they came to a clearing with a view of a beautiful lake and numerous log buildings scattered among the trees.He pulled to a stop next to one of the buildings and shut off his truck.“And when your plans changed, you didn’t switch out your wardrobe before you hit the road?” he asked.“The only thing I was thinking about hitting at the time was my ex-boyfriend, squarely on the jaw.” Shocked at her own words, Priscilla released the latch on her seat belt, wanting nothing more than to be out of this truck.This was a bad idea.She should’ve just gone back down to the parking lot and told Dean she couldn’t do the tour.But they were here, so she might as well get it over with.She grabbed her tote and reached for the door handle.“Wait a minute,” Dean called out.“You wanted to take a swing at your boyfriend? Why?”“My ex-boyfriend,” Priscilla emphasized, “when I found him getting all hot and heavy with my sister!”“Your sister?” Dean’s voice was incredulous, but then it switched to concern.“Hey, watch out.Those pine needles can be a bit—”The moment she jerked free of the truck and her feet hit the ground, they disappeared out from under her.Seconds later, Priscilla found herself flat on her back on a cushion of pine needles and grass.Stunned but not hurt, she blinked, staring up at the towering trees and the bright blue sky.Closing her eyes, she covered them with one hand, willing back the tears that threatened to escape.She didn’t cry.Ever.Not since her mother’s funeral all those years ago.Not after her father told her that tears were a sign of weakness and Lennox women were never weak.Not even when she’d found her sister with.As the first drop freed itself from the corner of her eye, warm fingers touched her shoulder, then moved up to whisk away the offending moisture.When she opened her eyes, she found Dean kneeling beside her.And the look on his face was the last thing she wanted to see: pity.Oodles of it.Directed right at her.Chapter Six“Are you okay?” Dean gazed down at her, glad to see her blue eyes clear and focused as she stared back at him.And free from more tears.Other than the one clinging to his fingertips.“Does anything— Does it hurt anywhere?”She closed her eyes again.“I don’t want to talk about it.”Yeah, with news like she’d spouted a minute ago, he wasn’t surprised.News that had brought her to tears.“I meant physically,” he said.“Does any part—your back, your legs—hurt?”She pulled in a deep breath and released it, shaking her head.“The only thing bruised right now is my pride.”“These pine needles can be slick, even in the best of shoes.” He looked her over with a professional eye, making sure she wasn’t injured.“Which those things on your feet definitely aren’t.”“Yes, I’m aware of that fact.” Priscilla’s eyes snapped open and she started to sit up.“Painfully aware.”Unlike the first time down at the river, Dean didn’t ask if she needed help.He just took one of her hands in his and, wrapping his arm around her back, rose with her when she got to her feet.So far, so good.She didn’t seem to mind his assistance, then or now.“You sure you’re okay?”Priscilla kept her gaze to the ground, brushing pine needles and dirt from her clothes, righting the neckline of her silky top, which had slipped off one shoulder.“I’m fine.Where’s my purse?”Dean spotted the bag lying nearby, but before he could move, Priscilla saw it.She leaned down, grabbing for the straps, and her feet once again fought for purchase on the needle-strewn ground.Before he could help her, she stuck out one hip and found her balance.“Dammit, I’m normally not such a klutz!”She whipped around, eyes wide, fingers pressed hard against her mouth.“What?” Dean instinctively reached for her again.“What’s wrong?”“I’m sorry.” Dropping her hand, she squared her shoulders and pulled in a deep breath.She tucked her bag up on her shoulder, releasing a whispery sigh as she did.“Please forgive my swearing.It’s something I rarely do.”Dean grinned.“Don’t worry about it.I swear all the time.Usually in my head and in Italian, but a few choice phrases have slipped free now and then.You’re only human, right?”Priscilla nodded and offered a faint smile.He noticed she still had a few pine needles in her hair.He took a step closer and pulled them free, ignoring the startled expression on her face.“You missed some.”“Oh, I must look a mess.” She took a step back, her fingers running through the long lengths.“You look fine.” Better than fine [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]