Read Online Hidden Fire by Alexis Fleming - Free Book Online

laugh harder, the sight of his white grin amid all the mud. Seeing the intent in Morgan’s determined movements, she spun about, ready to take off.
    Too late. Morgan grabbed her from behind, turned her around, and wrapped his arms around her. By the time he’d finished gyrating, and rubbing up and down, there was just as much mud on Gili. Then he ran his hands over his chest and cupped her face in his dirty palms.
    â€œThere you go—matching bookends.” He used a muddy finger to draw a moustache over her lips, chuckling all the while.
    Gili joined him. She didn’t mind a bit of dirt if it got Morgan out of his snit with her. “Ooh, it’s cold and clammy.”
    â€œWait ‘till it dries. Your clothes will feel as stiff as a board.”
    He slung an arm around her shoulders and walked her to the truck. “Come on, let’s make a move. One more creek to cross and it should be a clear run home, provided they haven’t had as much rain as this.”
    As they approached the vehicle, Gili’s spirits lifted. She didn’t mind being wet and uncomfortable if this was the result. A warm glow spread through her body and lodged in her heart. Morgan was a lot of fun…when he wasn’t angry with her. She’d do anything to preserve that state. Even wallow in the mud. She started to chuckle again at the sight of the two of them.
    â€œWhat?” He angled a glance at her as he opened the passenger door.
    She shook her head. “We’re a sorry pair.”
    â€œWe are that. Now, into the cab, but spread that blanket over the seat first. I don’t mind washing muddy clothes, but I’d rather keep as much of it out of the truck as possible.”
    He smacked her on the rear end and, whistling, rounded the truck and proceeded to cover his own seat with a blanket. Once she was settled, he gave her another grin and started off again.
    Gili released a contented sigh and let her mind drift. It felt great to be on good terms with Morgan. She prayed that wouldn’t change, but she had a feeling as soon as she mentioned finding the opal it would.
    She’d never imagined she would ever see Morgan again after the fiasco at the dig. When she’d found out about the trouble her father was in, a part of her had been secretly glad. Oh, not because her parents were in danger, God forbid. No, because it meant she had an excuse to get in touch with Morgan.
    With his contacts in the anthropology field, and his own history, Gili was certain he’d be able to help her find the Dreamtime Fire . Whether he wanted to or not was a different thing altogether.
    Somehow, she had to convince him this was important. But that could wait until later. Right now, she planned to enjoy the peace between them. She closed her eyes, lulled into a doze by the movement of the truck.
    She wasn’t certain how long she’d been out of it, but suddenly she felt herself thrust forwards against her seatbelt as Morgan jammed on the brakes.
    â€œWhat’s up?” She shook her head and tried to clear her mind. “Are we there yet?”
    â€œNot bloody likely.” He threw the car into reverse and backed up a few yards. Switching off the engine, he got out and strode to the front of the vehicle.
    Gili joined him, eyes widening as she saw what had stopped their forward progress. “Um, that looks a wee bit deeper than the last one.”
    Morgan squinted at the flooded creek. “Not so much deeper, but it’s running faster. See all the tree trunks rushing down? No way would I attempt it with that amount of debris. If one of those larger trees smashes into the side of the truck at just the right angle, it could knock us off course.”
    â€œSo what do we do?”
    â€œWe sit it out until the creek goes down. For a start, let’s get cleaned up a bit. Now it’s drying, this mud is making my skin itch.”
    He opened the rear compartment of the truck and dragged