Page 24 of Lion’s Den

Cam capped the marker he’d been using on the name tags and set it aside. “You remembered my coffee preference.”

“Of course. It’s even the same strength as you like it. That evil brew smells like burned road tar, which makes the coffee perfect for your taste buds. Besides, we talked about it just a few minutes ago. I may have a small memory issue, but I have forgotten nothing that’s happened since I woke up in that cabin in the woods.”

“Well, in all fairness, the coffee conversation happened before we saw your SUV.”

She flinched. “Let’s not talk about that right now. Otherwise, I might actually cry. I just paid it off and was looking forward to using the payment for other things. Guess I won’t be doing that for a while.”

So, his sweet Sedona was stubborn, too. He could handle that. Stubbornness could be an excellent thing. “Don’t worry about it now. Fun day at the zoo first. We’ll talk about the car repairs tonight. I know some people who can help.”

By then, Sedona would be over the shock. The three kidnappers weren’t responsible for the damage. The timing was off. They’d either been tracking her through the forest or fighting off the Montgomery brothers. He smiled. Could have told them that was futile.

Small feet pounded down the corridor to her classroom. Seconds later, four of her kindergartners jostled each other to get into the room first.

“Ms. Hart! Ms. Hart!” One boy ran straight to Sedona. “Guess what.”

“I can’t guess, Julio. Tell me.”

“Today is field-trip day.” Julio was so excited that he was jumping up and down.

“What do you want to see the most today?”

“The lions. They’re fierce and loud. Everybody’s afraid of them.”

Something in Julio’s tone triggered Cam’s protective instincts as he focused totally on the boy. Sedona wrapped her hand around his and squeezed hard.

He blinked and zoned out from Julio as fast as he’d zoned in. Cam smiled at the kid and held out his hand. “Hi, my name is Cam. What’s yours?”

After a second, Julio shook Cam’s hand. “Julio. I’m in Ms. Hart’s class. Are you her boyfriend?”

Cam nodded. Great. This kid had given him the opportunity to claim Sedona in public. He hoped the kid helped him out by spreading the news far and wide. “I am. I hope you don’t mind, but I invited myself to go along on today’s field trip. I loved going to the zoo when I was your age.”

“What’s your favorite animal?”

“The giraffes.”

“They’re tall.”

“Yeah, they are. But you know what the best part is about them?”

“What?”

“They do zoomies.”

Julio looked astonished. “Really?”

“They sure do, buddy. Maybe we’ll see them in action today.” He grinned at Julio, then asked Sedona, “What’s your favorite animal?”

She thought for a second, then said, “Tigers.”

Julio’s brows shot up in fascination. “They go ‘rawr’ like the lions! He mimicked the giant clawed paws with his hands.

Cam thought tigers were a fitting animal for Sedona. After all, her red hair, dark features, and fierce nature mimicked the jungle cats.

“Better go to your seat, Julio,” Sedona said. “Everyone else is heading for their seats.”

“Yes, ma’am. Oh, thanks for not talking to my brother.” He scampered off and joined his classmates.

Sedona frowned a little, but then turned to Cam. “You sure you want to go, Cam? It’s not too late to back out.”