Christmas Kisses Collection. Louise Allen

his half of the bar and put the paper in his bag. “We’d better get going.”

      They both stood. He gave her a hand signal to stay and stepped out to check the path then waved her to join him. Chance offered his hand. Ellen took it. She trusted him to get them out of this. He just hoped he’d earned her faith.

      Ellen realized she was in over her head this time. She’d done what her had father worried would happen. Taken a risk. It was starting to take a great deal of effort to contain her fear. The pace Chance set had her feet aching and her body sweating. By the time the rush of the river could be heard the sun was high in the sky.

      Her mouth was desert dry and her clothes stuck to her skin. She couldn’t remember being more miserable but she refused to say anything or ask to slow down. There was no way she would be responsible for putting them in more danger. She’d already placed them in enough.

      Chance stopped. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

      She nodded but didn’t like the idea of being left. By the sound of the water the river was around the next bend. Surely Chance wouldn’t be gone long. When he was no longer in sight panic pushed its way into her chest. She looked up the path from the direction they had come. Then back to where Chance had gone. What if something happened to him and she was left out here alone? What if he got hurt and needed her? What if those men found him? Why didn’t he hurry?

      With a flow of relief that had to equal the river in size, she saw Chance coming back.

      When he joined her again he gave her a searching look. “You okay? Hear something?”

      She gave him a weak smile. “I’m fine. Everything is fine.”

      “That might be stretching the truth. River’s right ahead. There’s a path running beside it. We’ll use it but we’ll have to be careful not to run into anyone.”

      “You lead, I follow.”

      “When we get down a way we’ll stop and cool off for a while.”

      “Gives me something to look forward to.”

      Chance started down the path. “I’ll give you this, Ellen Cox, you’re a trouper.”

      The path widened and she walked beside him. “You might want to save that praise until you see how I do over the next few of days.”

      He took her hand and squeezed it. “We’ll make it.”

      Ellen couldn’t contain the “Aw” that came out at the sight of the river. It was breathtaking. The water flowing over the white rounded boulders whooshed and boiled as it made its way to the coast. The contrast of the vivid vegetation framing it and the blue of the sky above made for a perfect picture. If it hadn’t been for the situation they were in she would have sworn she was in paradise.

      Chance let go of her hand and stood beside her. “It’s just one of the many things I love about this country, the beauty.”

      They started moving again. “Still, you’ve had a hard time dealing with all the needs you see and keeping the hospital going.”

      “I have to admit that the struggle to retain staff, find funding and most of all making a real difference here has started to eat away at me.”

      It was the first time she’d heard him really share his feelings about anything personal. “So your plan was to discourage help when it shows up?”

      As they walked along the path beside the river he pointed down, “Watch the rocks. We don’t need a twisted ankle to deal with.”

      A couple of minutes went by as they maneuvered over a narrow, difficult area. Back on a wider section, Ellen said, “You didn’t answer my question.”

      “I don’t discourage people from coming. In fact, I encourage them. We need the help down here.”

      “I didn’t get that kind of welcome.”

      “Only because you reminded me of my ex-wife at first, then because you didn’t. I wasn’t sure you could handle this type of work. I was concerned for your safety. Still am.” He took her hand and helped her down over a slippery area.

      It was nice to have someone care but she was a survivor. She’d learned that when her mother had died and during those days in the hospital. “But there’s more to it.”

      It took him a second to answer. “I was attracted to you and I didn’t want to be.”

      “Why’s that such a bad thing?”

      “Because I have nothing real to offer you.”

      Before she could get him to clarify that statement he said, “Here’s a good place to rest.” The river slowed and created a pool. “I’ll keep watch while you clean up. Just be sure not to swallow any water despite how temping it might be.”

      Ellen crouched beside the river. She must look a fright. Cupping her hands, she splashed water onto her face. She did it again, rubbing her hands down her cheeks, and was amazed at the dirt that came off. The water felt wonderful. Cool and refreshing. Cupping another handful of liquid, she ran her hand along the back of her neck. Now, if she could just have a drink.

      She sat on a rock and started working with her bootlace. “I’m going to take my boots off and cool off my feet for a second.”

      “No. Don’t.” Chance’s tone was sharp. “You won’t be able to get them back on because your feet will be so swollen. Hopefully, we’ll be somewhere tonight where you can remove them.”

      Ellen started re-lacing her boot. So much for the pleasure of having water run over her throbbing feet. Done, she stood. “Your turn.”

      Chance stepped to the river and began cleaning himself. As she expected, he poured and splashed the water into his hair. He slung his head back. His hair curled and dripped around the collar of his safari shirt. In an odd way he belonged to the wild uncertain world around them.

      While he was doing that she checked up and down the path. Pulling her band from her hair, she let it fall then gathered it again, working to get all the loose strands back under control.

      The shrill call of a bird had her jerking around to search the area behind them. She looked back at Chance. He was on guard as well.

      Stepping away from the river, he picked up his bag and came to her. “Come on, we’re both tired and jumpy. We need to rest. Get out of the heat. We’ll start again in an hour or so.” He pushed leaves of rhododendron the size of a man and vines out of the away, putting distance between them and the path. They soon came to a banyan tree.

      “This should do. We have cover here.” He bent over and weaved his way between the roots that grew almost head high in abundance around the tree.

      Ellen followed.

      Chance put his satchel on the ground, lay down and used the bag as a pillow. Ellen took the space beside him, doing the same with her backpack. After they were settled and still, the birds started talking again. She looked up into the tree, catching glimpses of sky through the thick canopy.

      “Chance,” she whispered.

      “Mmm?”

      “Tell me about your ex.”

      He rolled his head toward her and opened one eye. “Why do you want to know about her?”

      There was a hint of pain in his voice. She must have destroyed him.

      “Because I think she is part of the reason why you’ve been trying to stop anything from happening between us.”

      Chance looked away. She wasn’t sure if his eyes were closed or if he was staring off into the distance.

      He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I met her at a fund-raiser. She was all about