Page 17 of Her Steadfast Hero

“That’s why I wanted to talk to you,” she said quietly. “How much time do you have right now?”

“Enough to eat. Enough to make sure you eat.”

She looked up at him through her lashes, her fingers tightening in his hand and sighed. “Me too, I have to get back to the clinic.”

“Bullshit,” he growled. “You’ve already been there for ten hours, and you intend to go back?”

“David, I’m used to twenty hour shifts. It’s not good out there. Right now the local doctor needed some time with his family. We promised to cover for him until tonight. I shouldn’t even be taking this time.” Her eyes pleaded with him to understand.

David knew exactly what she was talking about. Hell, it was the same reason he was running on fumes. “It’s a deal.”

She brightened.

He held up his other hand. “On the condition that you eat everything on your plate.” She rolled her eyes and he continued. “Once you’re done, I’ll drive you. We’ll have some time to talk that way. Deal?” He let go of her hand and gave her a fork.

“So you’re still pushy?” she asked.

“Yep.” He watched as she switched hands, and proceeded to eat with her left hand. Damn, she was right handed. She had to be hurting pretty badly.

They ate in silence. She was obviously hungry because he watched her finish everything on her plate.

Apparently, she’s not the only one hungry, Sloane.

God, she had the prettiest mouth. He didn’t taste anything he ate. He was too busy staring at every morsel passing her lips.

“David?”

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I asked what brought you to Las Flores. It seemed odd that an Army MP would be here.”

“I got here the day of the earthquake. Two NCO’s were charged with assaulting a local police officer. There was also a rumor of drug possession. I came here to sort things out, and before I could talk to them, the quake hit.” He looked at her plate, and then his, they were wiped clean. “Do you want me to get more?”

“I couldn’t possibly eat another bite. What about you?”

“I really don’t have time. I’ll just grab a couple of biscuits and some fruit to take with me.”

She laughed.

“What?”

“I always loved your appetite. I’m glad to see it hasn’t changed.”

“Oh, it hasn’t changed,” he said softly as he pulled out her chair.

Then he cursed himself. Dammit man, she was just assaulted, the last thing she needed was some man coming onto her.

“Sarah, I’m sorry. Look, you need someone coming onto you right now like you need a hole in the head. I wasn’t thinking.”

She turned and put her hand on his shoulder and looked him dead in the eye. “You’re right David. If some unknown man made an overture right now, it would freak me out. But it’s you, so it’s okay. You’ve always made me feel protected.”

“Thank you for that.” He needed answers. It was still dark, and he took her arm as they went to the truck he was driving.

Once they were on the road, silence filled the truck.

“Sarah.”

“David.”