Jane's Gift (Lone Pine Lake 1)

Not one clue.

“It’s my own fault.” She shrugged, her mouth quirked in a little smile. “I’ll be all right.”

“I’ll hurry up and cut this thing down and then we’ll head back. Let me grab my saw.” He started for the truck, pondering what she’d just said. Pondering everything she’d said. She was sharing so much information from the accident and her injuries, and he liked it. Wished he had the courage to ask her questions and find out more details.

It hadn’t felt right to drill Mac about what happened. He didn’t want to make him suspicious, and besides, he didn’t want to pry. When she was ready to tell him, she would.

Within minutes, he had the tree sawed down and set carefully in the back of the truck. He wrapped it in canvas to protect the branches and needles and then they were on their way, the kids whining about staying longer and Jane shooting him thankful glances that said she was glad they left.

The headache that had nagged quietly through the day roared to life the instant he was in the car, making it hard for him to concentrate on the road. The heater ran, and Jane actually shivered, rubbing her hands in front of the vent. He wished he could turn it off.

He was tired and so warm. His bones hurt, his head hurt…

Oh man, his head. He breathed deeply, thoughts tumbling back at him. Eric had returned to work this morning, bright eyed and raring to go. Whatever he’d caught had been quick, Eric said, but it made him bone weary about twenty-four hours in.

Damn. He didn’t want to deal with this, not now. He was due for a couple of days off, since he’d switched with Eric, and the last thing he needed was to be sick. Chris shook his head once and pushed the hair away from his forehead. His eyelids felt heavy. He probably shouldn’t be driving…

Hell, he needed to get home, stat.

Jane’s cool hand touched his bare forearm and he glanced at her, caught her alarmed expression.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t look so good.”

“I, uh, don’t feel so good, either.” He was thankful they were close to town, because he didn’t think he could drive much longer.

“Pull over.” Her quiet command had him hitting the brakes. “I’ll drive.”

“You don’t have to—”

“No protests. I think you’re coming down with something. What was wrong with Eric again?”

Chris switched sides with her, the both of them walking around the front of the truck, before he answered her. “He had a virus. And uh, I was sick last night.”

She glared at him. No wonder her kids behaved so well—that was the mother of all death stares. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you call and cancel?” She put the truck in gear and pulled back onto the road with ease.

“I didn’t want to disappoint you or the kids.” He tilted his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. Right now, all he wanted was to be in bed with the covers pulled up to his chin. Fast asleep so he wouldn’t have to feel so crappy.

“Trust me, I would’ve understood.” He heard her mutter something that sounded like, men before she raised her voice. “Let’s go back to the house and I’ll take care of you.”

“Aw, you don’t have to do that. Seriously. I can bring your tree over tomorrow. I just want to go home and crash for the rest of the day.”

“I wouldn’t feel right even letting you drive home right now.” She glanced at him, the concern and worry written all over her pretty face. “I hate to be mean, but you look pretty terrible, Chris. Glassy eyed and tired.”

“Okay,” he said weakly, not in the mood to argue.

Besides, it was pointless. He knew she’d win.

With brisk efficiency, like the true mom she was, she got them home and all unloaded, helping Logan and Sophia shed their coats, gloves, and boots before setting them up with cartoons on the TV. She shot him a pointed look and he followed her, wondering where she was taking him.

“You can stay here, in the guest room.” She opened the door and flicked on the overhead light, illuminating a cool, sparsely furnished room. A bed with a simple dark red comforter covering it sat in the middle of the small room against the wall, a bedside table with a single lamp to the right of it.

“How many rooms does this place have?” The house was enormous, even bigger than he thought.

“Four bedrooms, nothing too outrageous. Sophia and Lexi share one, Logan has his own, and I’m in the master bedroom.” She went in and switched the lamp on to its dimmest setting, then turned down the comforter and plumped the pillow before stepping back. “Get comfortable and climb into bed. You need to rest.”

“Jane.” He paused, watched as she flicked off the overhead light and then turned to shoot him a questioning look. He knew she didn’t want to argue. Knew she wouldn’t listen to him if he did. “I’ll only crash here for a couple of hours and then head home.”

“However long it takes until you feel better. It’s no big deal. I’m not sending you away when you’re sick, so don’t bother arguing.” She smiled. “I’ll get you a bottle of water and search the medicine cabinet. If you want to take something?”