Christmas Kisses Collection. Louise Allen

had wanted to work in a developing country but this was more than she had planned on. Sleeping in a tree in only her underwear hadn’t been a scenario she would have imagined. She had slept, though. Exhausted from hiking, swimming and raw fear, she’d been fast asleep as soon as her head had snuggled into Chance’s shoulder. Despite her lack of clothing, she’d been warm the entire night nestled against Chance.

      Sometime she had been jerked awake by the sound of a wild animal growling.

      “Shush, sweetheart. He’s a long way off. Go back to sleep.” Chance’s hand had caressed her hip and waist.

      For once she’d appreciated his protection. She hadn’t questioned further and had soon been asleep again. How did Chance do that? Make her feel secure by just being there? She’d been consumed by fear the day before. She’d run down a path in the jungle without question because Chance had said that was what they needed to do, and had been confident he would take care of her.

      He’d distracted her by kissing her when she’d been so sure the bad men just feet away would find them. The kiss had started out as something to help her keep quiet but had turned into a passionate meeting of lips, as all of her and Chance’s kisses had. Her distress had disappeared with only a touch from him.

      The pinnacle of her terror had been those seconds before she’d wrapped her hands around his bag strap and pulled him back against her. It had taken all her strength but she’d managed by sheer determination. Her heart had been in her throat and there had been a roaring sound in her ears. Losing him hadn’t been something she would even consider. If he had been washed away and the drug traffickers had seen him they would have shot at him. She couldn’t let that happen. After they’d climbed out of the river the look on Chance’s face had aid he was proud of her. She’d wanted to dance a gig in happiness that they’d been alive but she’d been afraid they’d be seen or heard.

      Ellen watched Chance walking ahead of her a few paces. He was confident and watchful at the same time. He had to move a leaf or push away a vine more often than she because he was taller. His clothes clung to his body in the tropical dampness. Occasionally he pushed his hair back with a hand when he glanced over his shoulder to check on her.

      She and Chance had become a true partnership through this ordeal. He was no longer pushing her away. Last night he’d trusted her to see to something as important as the water. He saw her as a competent person, something that her father would never open his eyes to. Someone who could take care of herself. For that alone she adored Chance. She looked at his broad shoulders and the back of his handsome head. Her heart was full.

      Sometime later Chance called for a rest stop. They shared a bottle of water. There was little better than the feel of the liquid going down her parched throat.

      “I’d like half a bar, if that’s okay?” Ellen said.

      “Sure. I’ll join you.” Chance pulled a food bar out of a side pocket of his bag. Opening and breaking it, he gave her a piece.

      Ellen found a seat on a nearby root. “So how long should it take us to get to Saba?”

      “Maybe tomorrow evening if we’re lucky. If we can keep the same pace as we have been. How are your feet?”

      “Much like yours, I imagine.”

      His chuckle was a dry one. “My boots are more broken in than yours. I’m sure your feet are dying to get out and dry out.”

      “It may be a long time before I can wear open-toed shoes again. I’m pretty sure I’m going to lose some skin.”

      Chance sat beside her and took one of her hands in his. He stroked a fingertip much like the Honduran girls had. Her nails were no longer neatly polished. A number of them were broken and chipped. Dirt circled the cuticles. Under any other circumstances she wouldn’t have let him look at them. Now she was just too tired to argue.

      “I’m sorry.” He sounded sad.

      “For what?”

      “Your nails.”

      “I thought you hated them. Thought they were…frivolous.”

      “No. They’re one of the nicest things about you.”

      “Really? You could have fooled me. You acted like I had committed a crime when I brought out my polish.”

      He kissed a knuckle. “Yeah, but you made those girls’ day.” He kissed another. “I couldn’t fault you for that.” He touched his lips to a different knuckle. “When we get out of this I’ll see that you get a day of pampering at the resort. Including a manicure and pedicure.”

      “What about you? You’ll deserve something.”

      “I’ll get to enjoy you.” He gave her a quick kiss.

      Warmth seeped through her that had nothing to do with the steamy weather or the sun beaming down on them. They still hadn’t had that talk he had promised but she was going to see to it that they did.

      “Come on, it’s time for some more walking.” Chance stood and helped her up.

      It was around noon when the sound of the river grew louder.

      “We’re getting closer to the river,” Ellen said.

      “Yes. I think this path leads to a ford. It’s time we crossed back over,” Chance said. “Wait here and I’ll check it out.”

      Her chest tightened. “I’m going with you. I don’t like it when you leave.”

      He regarded her a moment. “You know, that’s the first complaint you’ve made since we started this trek.”

      “Complaining does no good. I learned that a long time ago.” That lesson had been clear when she’d been trapped in a car with her mother and later in the hospital. Even with her father she’d found out that she didn’t make headway by complaining. It hadn’t been until she’d forced the issue by coming here that she’d made a step away from him.

      Chance took one of her hands in his. “Why now?”

      “Because I’m afraid that something will happen and you won’t come back.” Was that how her father felt? This was the fear he knew when he thought of losing her?

      “I won’t be out of your sight two minutes. Promise.”

      She tapped her wristwatch. “I’m going to time you.”

      “I expected nothing less. While I’m gone think about what you want to do when we get back to the resort. I want to hear every detail.” He hurried off.

      She was so busy making plans for their return, she forgot to check her watch. As good as his word, Chance was soon back.

      “Did you miss me?” he asked with a grin.

      “Always.” But at least this time she hadn’t been a big bundle of nerves thanks to him giving her something else to ponder. Maybe that’s what her father needed—something else to focus on besides her. He’d not dated since they had lost her mother. It was time for him to move on. Past time.

      Maybe it was time for her to embrace life more as well. She’d taken a major step by coming to Honduras but not in her personal life. Working so hard to earn her independence, she’d put her love life on hold. Was it time for her to open up? Let someone in? Should that person be Chance? If she did, would he accept her?

      “This is a good place to cross. The river is wide but not running fast.”

      Ellen picked up her pack. “At least I don’t have to worry about saving your butt.”

      “Did I say thank you for that?”

      She smiled. “I think you did but feel free to do so again.”

      “Thanks. Let’s get moving.”

      She hurried to catch up with him. There was the old Chance. Focused.

      The river was much