Page 105 of The Search

“I know.”

“Then stop looking like—”

“I can’t help how I look.” Her hands clenched into fists. “Were they alive when they went into the water? No, they couldn’t know that yet, could they?”

“No.”

“No one could be that terrible. To tie them up and then—”

“Don’t let your imagination run wild. It might not have been that way.”

“But it could have been.” She leaned her head against the window. “I don’t want to talk anymore, Logan.”

“Then don’t talk, but don’t think either, dammit.”

“I’ll try,” she whispered.

He muttered a curse and jammed his foot on the accelerator. A few minutes later he drew up before the cabin. She jumped out of the jeep and started for the front door.

“Wait a minute.” Logan came around the car. “You dropped something.”

She shook her head.

“I saw you kick something out of the car. It must have been on the floorboards.” He knelt in the dirt.

“What is it?” she asked dully.

“Nothing. Go inside.”

He had something in his hand. “What is it, dammit?”

“A comb.” He held out his hand and revealed the delicate ivory and jade comb. “A present from Rudzak.”

She shuddered. “Do you suppose it belonged to one of the kids?”

“No, it belonged to Chen Li.”

“Why would he—” She stared at him. “You expected it?”

“I didn’t expect it, but I’m not surprised. Go on to bed, we’ll talk about it later.”

“You bet we will.” But she couldn’t cope with anything more just then. Her nerves were shredded. She turned and went inside the house.

“Hi.” Galen came out of the back porch. “It’s about time you came home. I was beginning to feel like a— You look like hell.”

“I’m tired. I’m going to bed.” Monty. She had to take care of Monty. But Monty was already heading for the back porch and Maggie. “Good night, Galen.” She closed the door of the bedroom behind her.

She threw off her clothes, crawled into bed, and drew up the covers. The sheets smelled of Logan and their intimacy, she realized dimly. Sex and life and a joy those kids would never experience.

“Move over.” Logan slipped naked in bed beside her and pulled her into his arms.

“I don’t want you here.”

“Tough. You’ve got me.” He brushed his lips on her temple. “My God, have you got me. Now relax. I don’t want to do anything more than comfort you.”

“I just want to go to sleep.”

“And have nightmares?” He pushed her head into the hollow of his shoulder. “Talk it out.”