The London Deception (21 page)

She didn’t even glance over at him as he drove beside her. She made it to the next street and started up the gentle slope toward her father’s house. Just a couple more blocks.

But she didn’t make it. The small hill defeated her. Her steps slowed, and then she stumbled. He threw the car into Park and climbed out, rushing to her side.

It wasn’t just weakness that was giving her problems, he realized, but the anger, as well. She was gasping as if she’d just run a marathon.

She had enough strength to glare at him, though. He didn’t care.
This
time he was going to do something right.

Without even asking, he scooped her off her feet and carried her to his car. Ignoring the way her fists pounded weakly at him, he managed to free a hand and open the door, thinking that she couldn’t weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet.

Bending, he put her gently on the seat, and even though she refused to look at him, he touched the side of her face gently.

“Nora,” he said softly. “Nora, honey, you’ve got to take it easy. You’ve been so ill....”

“I’m not your honey!”

Then she coughed, and started panting again.

“Easy,” he said as he would have said to a restless mare. “Easy. I’ll get you home.”

He climbed into the driver’s seat, but before he put the car in Drive, he turned to look at her. “It’ll take time to get your strength back. Give yourself time.”

She gave a short nod, but still wouldn’t look at him.

Okay, he thought. This was it for tonight. He’d just get her home, see her safely to her door, then leave her alone for now.

Everything else would just have to wait.

ISBN: 9781460320228

THE LONDON DECEPTION

Copyright © 2013 by Frances Karkosak

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