what a big, strong man you are.'
'Stop crying.'
'I'm not crying.'
'Then why are you getting my shirt wet?' His hand gendy stroked the hair at her temple.
He was comforting her again, blast it. He was the one who needed help and comfort and she was bawling on his chest. She wiped her wet cheeks on die front of his shirt. 'Serves you right.' She pulled his head down on her breast so that his eyes were shaded by the shadows of the branches overhead, and held him passionately close. 'I want to kill them.'
'I'm the one you're killing. I'm about to smodier in your delightful bosom.' His lips brushed the cleavage revealed by the shirt. 'Though I couldn't imagine a nicer death.'
She loosened her grip but still kept him close. 'Shut up. I don't want you to talk. I want to hold you.'
'I hear and obey.' His long body relaxed against her. 'Actually, after a year of deprivation, I could use some tender loving care.'
'Then be quiet and enjoy it.' Her hand stroked his hair. She said unsteadily, 'You're such a fool.'
'Is that any way to talk to Daddy Warbucks?' he murmured. 'And every fool should have die luck to land in a spot like this.'
She didn't answer. She could hear the sound of the birds and feel the rise and fall of his breathing against her breasts. The scent of the flowers was all around them and the breeze was a soothing caress. She sensed the tension slowly, gradually, seep out of him.
Fifteen minutes later he fell into a light doze. Forty minutes later he drifted from that state into a deep sleep.
One leg was thrown over her and the weight of his heavy body was holding her perfectly immobile, but she didn't try to move. She was almost afraid to breathe. She lay there as the afternoon sunlight faded into twilight and then to the darkness of evening.
'Ronnie.'
She opened her eyes at the soft call to see a tall figure silhouetted by the moonlight.
Dan Bredlowe squatted down beside the hammock. 'I knocked and no one came to the door. Is everything all right?'
Gabe answered for her. 'Fine.' He stretched and then sat up. 'I guess I must have fallen asleep.' He turned to look at Ronnie. 'You make a great pillow.'
'Better than pills?'
'Much better than pills.' He leaned down and kissed her forehead. 'Come on, I'll see if I can stir up something for Dan to eat.'
She shook her head. 'You go on. I'll be there as soon as I wake up a little.'
His gaze narrowed curiously on her face but he rose to his feet and sauntered back toward the house with Dan.
She waited until he reached the French doors before she started to move. Lord, she was cramped and stiff in every muscle and one leg was asleep. She managed to get to her feet after two tries, but only managed to hobble down the path, dragging one leg behind her.
'You look like the hunchback of Notre Dame.' Gabe stood in the doorway watching her. 'Did I do that to you?'
'No, I did it to myself. I should have moved.'
'But you didn't want to wake me.'
'I fell asleep myself.' She grabbed hold of the doorway. The leg that was asleep was beginning to tingle. 'Where's Dan?'
'I sent him to bring in your luggage from the helicopter. I thought it strange you didn't come with us. You have too much energy to enjoy lolling in hammocks.' He slipped his arm around her waist. 'Foot asleep?'
'The whole leg, but it's coming back. You don't have to help me.'
'It's my privilege.' The words were only half-mocking. 'Lean on me.'
She let him have a little of her weight as she released the door and took a step into the living room. 'Stop pampering me. It's not necessary.'
'No, and it wasn't necessary for you to lie there for over eight hours with my bulk on you.' He drew her closer. 'It's just the kind of thing people do when they love each other.'
'I don't-'
'Give me more of your weight,' he interrupted. 'It's not going to compromise your independence to admit to weakness. As soon as we get to the kitchen, you can sit down and supervise my cooking.' He raised a brow. 'Unless you care to give it a try yourself.'
She shook her head. 'We need Dan to bring us news. You don't want him incapacitated for any length of time.' They had reached the kitchen and she frowned as Gabe flipped on the light. She hadn't realized last night how brilliant were the recessed halogen lights in the ceiling. 'They're too bright.'
'What do you want to do? Dine by candlelight?' He seated her in one of the chairs at the table. 'For Lord's sake, I'm beginning to regret that slip of the tongue. You're going overboard. I'm not that sensitive.'
He wouldn't admit it if he was. She would have to do something about those lights. 'You should have told me before.'
'Should have told you what?' Dan strolled into the kitchen. 'Secrets already in this Shangri-la of marital bliss?'
Ronnie grinned. 'He should have told me he could cook. It would have given me an even greater incentive to get him out of Said Ababa.' She leaned back in her chair and waved a hand airily. 'Cook, slave.'
EIGHT
Dan finished his casserole and leaned back in his chair. 'A repast for the gods. Good job, Gabe.'
'It's nice to be appreciated.' He slanted a glance at Ronnie. 'May I offer the man a cup of coffee?'
'As long as you don't have one yourself.' She got up, went to the refrigerator, and took out a gallon of milk. 'Dan, bring some decaffeinated coffee when you come next time.' She poured a glass of milk and brought it to Gabe. 'Gabe's having a little trouble sleeping.'
'What a nag,' Gabe said as he sipped the milk.
She took Dan's cup to the coffeemaker on the counter, poured out the hot liquid, and after giving it to him, sat back down. 'Nagging is sensible when dealing with unsensible human beings.'
Dan chuckled. 'Good God, you two sound like you've been married ten years. Pilsner might get off your back if he could hear you now.'
Ronnie involuntarily tensed at the name. She realized with a sense of shock that the scene with Pilsner had taken place only yesterday. So much had happened since that interview on the terrace, it might have occurred a year ago.
'How much damage did he do?' Gabe asked.
Dan looked at him in surprise. 'Didn't you see him on television? The story has been all over the networks.'
'We haven't turned on the set,' Gabe said. 'How bad?'
Dan shrugged. 'Not good. Pilsner's very credible, very upright, and doesn't come across as your typical bureaucrat.'
'He's a patriot, not a bureaucrat,' Ronnie said quietly.
Gabe ignored her. 'Have you heard from Koras?'
'He's doing all he can but Pilsner's well respected in the administration. The news media is on your side and public opinion is rallying.'
'Keep the pressure on. I want everythingdone that can be done to undermine Pilsner's position.'
'No,' Ronnie said. 'Leave Pilsner alone.'
'We can't leave him alone,' Gabe said impatiently. 'He's the key.'
