Acting cold hadn't succeeded in driving her away so far, but he had a suspicion it would eventually.
Something in her eyes told him it brought back memories of a past she'd much rather forget. Maybe those memories were of a husband she'd feared enough to kill.
He pushed away from the wall and moved back to the table. Before he did anything else today, he had get back to his truck and the weapons stashed there. After last night, Eleanor would be waiting for his next move. He had no intention of walking into a fight without the means of protecting Maddie.
Maddie tilted her face up to the showerhead and let the spray massage her skin. She was a fool—a fool to kiss Jon, and a fool to ask that damn question.
And what had she really expected him to say? If she wasn't certain of her own emotions, why should she expect him to be any different? They were strangers thrown into a dangerous situation by chance. When it was over, and Evan was safe, they would go their separate ways. Why would she ever expect anything more?
Only death had stopped Brian's viciousness.
Memories rose unbidden. She clenched her fists and tried to stop them—to no avail. Once again she felt the pain of Brian's fists smashing into her body, her face. Felt fire burn uncontrolled through her body.
Heard his laughter turn to screams as the flames engulfed him.
She shuddered and leaned her forehead against the shower wall. In the worst of her dreams, she could still see him burn, could see his flesh blacken and peel away, smell his death in every pore of her skin. In reality, though, she'd run the minute he'd let her go. She'd never seen him die, hadn't wanted to, despite everything he'd done to her. But neither had she called for help, not until she knew he was well and truly dead.
It was all very well for Jon to suggest she find help, but what if it was too late to make any true difference now? What if her firestarting had grown so wild it could never be truly contained?
It wasn't a risk she was willing to take. It was safer to stay alone—and lonely. At least then she could kill no one but herself.
If only Jon's kiss hadn't stolen her breath and her heart and made her want him more than she'd ever wanted anything in her life.
If only she didn't have to face him this morning and pretend that nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
She sighed and stepped out of the shower. Maybe they'd get lucky and find Evan and the other teenager this morning. Then she could leave before she did something foolish.
Like admit her feelings to a man who just didn't care.
She dressed quickly and ran a comb through the thick tangle of her hair. Then she took a deep breath and eyed her reflection in the mirror. The woman looking back had dark rings under her eyes and a figure well hidden by a loose, vibrant green sweater. Not her most attractive outfit, which was probably just as well. If he gave her one of his heated looks of last night, she might just melt.
Only he didn't even bother looking up from the newspaper he was reading when she walked out of the bathroom.
'Eat up,' he said, picking up the coffeepot and pouring her a cup. 'It'll be light soon, and we don't want to waste too much time, in case they move the kids.'
She picked up the coffee to warm her hands and looked at the toast and cereal. She suddenly didn't feel hungry any more. But she picked up some cold toast and ate it anyway.
He only looked up when she'd finished, and there was nothing but polite interest in his face. 'Ready to go?' he asked, pulling his gaze away from hers.
But not before she'd seen the shadows under his eyes. Maybe he hadn't slept as soundly as she'd first thought.
She rose and collected her purse and keys. 'Can we take your truck? That way I can study the map and look for the place I saw last night.'
He hesitated. 'It's still parked near the inn. I walked to the restaurant to meet Eleanor, remember?'
'Oh.' She frowned, not wanting to think about him and Eleanor. Even if he hadn't succeeded in seducing her, the thought of them together still churned her stomach. 'It's just that I'm worried about my brakes—they're not really safe at the moment, especially if it rains, as they're predicting.'
'The inn's not that far away, Maddie. We can walk there, or catch a cab.'
'What about Hank? And Eleanor?'
'With an inn full of guests to guest to worry about, and the clean up after the fire, I doubt they'll be spending too much time staring out windows. Besides, it's parked on a side street.'
There was more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice. She crossed her arms and glared at him. 'I was only asking a simple question.'
'And I was answering. What do you want to do?'
'Walk. The sun is out.' And she didn't have enough spare cash for another cab ride.
'Are you going to be warm enough in that old coat of yours?' he asked, following her out the door.
She glanced up. The sun might be out, but it didn't look as if it would hold for long. Dark clouds were racing across the sky, and the wind was ice-cold. She shivered and quickly zipped her coat. It barely kept out the wind's chill. Against heavy rain, it would be useless. But she'd be damned if she'd admit it.
Not when she wanted to be seen as a useful member of this partnership rather than a burden.
'I'll be fine.'
He made a sound suspiciously like a snort of disbelief and slammed the door closed.
She ignored him and marched up the street. He was beside her almost instantly, his stride long and loose, arm casually brushing against hers when he shoved his hands into his coat pockets. They walked in silence for several long minutes, but she was very aware of him watching her.
'I think we need to talk about last night,' he said softly.
Last night was a nightmare she'd rather forget, as he was no doubt about to tell her to do. 'Don't worry,' she said, her voice holding an edge of annoyance she just couldn't help. 'I know you were drugged. I took advantage of it, and I'm sorry.'
He lightly touched her elbow, guiding her across the street. 'That's not what I was talking about.'
Heat flushed her cheeks. She knew exactly what he was talking about. Pulling away from his hand, she strode on, keeping her gaze well away from him.
'I realize what happened between us was just a result of the drug, nothing more.'
He didn't answer straight away. Almost against her will, she found her gaze drawn to his. There was a hint of wry amusement in his smile that just didn't make sense.
'Took the words right out of my mouth,' he murmured, then grabbed her arm, lightly pulling her sideways. 'Dog shit,' he explained when she glanced at him. 'Not a smell I recommend in the confines of a truck cabin.'
'Thanks,' she muttered, and once again pulled her arm from his grasp. It felt too good, too comforting.
Too intimate .
They walked on in silence. Ten minutes later they reached his truck. Jon opened the door for her. She climbed in, carefully avoiding his touch and his gaze, then reached for the road map shoved down the side of the seat.
'Head up the freeway. According to this, the turn off to Jewell is about twenty miles out of Taurin Bay.'
He nodded as he drove off. 'When we find this cabin, I want you to stay in the truck—with the doors locked.'
'No.' She crossed her arms and stared out the window. She felt his annoyed gaze flicker over her.
