the road.
He smiled, white teeth gleaming. “We don’t have to outrun them, love. We have to outsmart them.”
I didn’t see how a cow and a cart would do that, but Jack was the spy. I was only along for the ride.
***
Sitting in the back of the cart on a badly tended road was officially worse than riding in a boat. We arrived in town caked in brown red dust. I rinsed my mouth out with some bottled water and frowned for the millionth time at Jack.
Complaining got me nowhere, so I glanced around instead. It was larger than the village we came from, and a group of brightly dressed locals paraded down the street.
Some kind of festival?
"What's going on?" I asked.
Jack smiled. "Looks like a wedding, love."
Great. Just what I needed. Another reminder that this was supposed to be my honeymoon. I was supposed be married right now and instead – I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut. Stop with the pity party Matilda. You have more important things to worry about now!
A strong hand patted my thigh, and I glanced at Jack. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief instead of pity. I'm not sure which I preferred. What was he up to now?
An open market filled the town's square, and Jack pulled our cow to a halt before he climbed down. Like a gentleman, he offered his hand to me and I stumbled out of the cart, falling into his powerful chest.
His hands gripped my shoulders, palms rubbing my bare arms. "You all right?"
"Fine," I breathed and took in his rich, manly scent. Even after hours traveling through this heat he smelled good!
For a moment his eyes burned into mine, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. Even though dangerous men tracked us, being with Jack made me forget how close they might be.
His thumb caressed my cheek and a smile lit his eyes. "Looks like we need a place to clean up, Mattie."
"You don't have to remind me how terrible I look," I muttered.
His eyes widened. "Not at all, love. You’re beautiful as always, if a little messier than usual."
Before I replied a man approached us and said something in Thai. Jack squeezed my shoulder as he responded, and I watched the wedding procession saunter passed us. Everyone looked so happy – faces beaming and bodies draped in fine embroidered silk. My wedding dress sat back at my apartment in Manhattan collecting dust.
I may never get to use it now.
Then Jack kissed my temple and the misery of my former life faded. "Come on. We've been invited to the wedding."
"What? Are we going to wash up first?"
"Might as well wait until tonight," he said. "Aren't you hungry?"
The rumble in my stomach answered for me. "We aren’t dressed for a wedding, “ I said and glanced down at my dirt-ridden outfit. Jack hadn't fared much better. "And what about – you know?"
Jack draped a strong arm around my shoulder. "For one, it'll look suspicious if we say no. Live a little, love."
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I nodded. Jack knew what he was doing. He was a spy. I had to trust him – there was no other choice. Without him, I'd be helpless, lost and most likely dead.
Joy radiated from the reception patio. Everything, tables and awning included, was draped in gold embroidered silk. Tables lined with delectable food sat on display and my mouth watered. How long had it been since breakfast? Too long, as far as my stomach was concerned.
We ate marvelous food, a collection of rice and noodle dishes, and watched the cheerful goings on. Even though I didn't understand the language, happiness is clear in every culture.
Jack leaned back in his chair, his arm resting casually on my thigh. For all the world he looked relaxed, but I noticed a tense wariness in his sharp eyes. He watched the crowd for signs of our attackers, his body poised to defend us.
Before I realized it, lamps sprung to life and the delightful discord of foreign music started. His grip on my thigh loosened, and he grabbed my hand instead.
"Dance with me, Mattie," he whispered and his
He smiled, white teeth gleaming. “We don’t have to outrun them, love. We have to outsmart them.”
I didn’t see how a cow and a cart would do that, but Jack was the spy. I was only along for the ride.
***
Sitting in the back of the cart on a badly tended road was officially worse than riding in a boat. We arrived in town caked in brown red dust. I rinsed my mouth out with some bottled water and frowned for the millionth time at Jack.
Complaining got me nowhere, so I glanced around instead. It was larger than the village we came from, and a group of brightly dressed locals paraded down the street.
Some kind of festival?
"What's going on?" I asked.
Jack smiled. "Looks like a wedding, love."
Great. Just what I needed. Another reminder that this was supposed to be my honeymoon. I was supposed be married right now and instead – I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut. Stop with the pity party Matilda. You have more important things to worry about now!
A strong hand patted my thigh, and I glanced at Jack. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief instead of pity. I'm not sure which I preferred. What was he up to now?
An open market filled the town's square, and Jack pulled our cow to a halt before he climbed down. Like a gentleman, he offered his hand to me and I stumbled out of the cart, falling into his powerful chest.
His hands gripped my shoulders, palms rubbing my bare arms. "You all right?"
"Fine," I breathed and took in his rich, manly scent. Even after hours traveling through this heat he smelled good!
For a moment his eyes burned into mine, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. Even though dangerous men tracked us, being with Jack made me forget how close they might be.
His thumb caressed my cheek and a smile lit his eyes. "Looks like we need a place to clean up, Mattie."
"You don't have to remind me how terrible I look," I muttered.
His eyes widened. "Not at all, love. You’re beautiful as always, if a little messier than usual."
Before I replied a man approached us and said something in Thai. Jack squeezed my shoulder as he responded, and I watched the wedding procession saunter passed us. Everyone looked so happy – faces beaming and bodies draped in fine embroidered silk. My wedding dress sat back at my apartment in Manhattan collecting dust.
I may never get to use it now.
Then Jack kissed my temple and the misery of my former life faded. "Come on. We've been invited to the wedding."
"What? Are we going to wash up first?"
"Might as well wait until tonight," he said. "Aren't you hungry?"
The rumble in my stomach answered for me. "We aren’t dressed for a wedding, “ I said and glanced down at my dirt-ridden outfit. Jack hadn't fared much better. "And what about – you know?"
Jack draped a strong arm around my shoulder. "For one, it'll look suspicious if we say no. Live a little, love."
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I nodded. Jack knew what he was doing. He was a spy. I had to trust him – there was no other choice. Without him, I'd be helpless, lost and most likely dead.
Joy radiated from the reception patio. Everything, tables and awning included, was draped in gold embroidered silk. Tables lined with delectable food sat on display and my mouth watered. How long had it been since breakfast? Too long, as far as my stomach was concerned.
We ate marvelous food, a collection of rice and noodle dishes, and watched the cheerful goings on. Even though I didn't understand the language, happiness is clear in every culture.
Jack leaned back in his chair, his arm resting casually on my thigh. For all the world he looked relaxed, but I noticed a tense wariness in his sharp eyes. He watched the crowd for signs of our attackers, his body poised to defend us.
Before I realized it, lamps sprung to life and the delightful discord of foreign music started. His grip on my thigh loosened, and he grabbed my hand instead.
"Dance with me, Mattie," he whispered and his
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