Lancelot of the Pines (Louisiana Knights Book 1) by Jennifer Blake Read Free Book Online Page B

bumped the wall behind him hard enough to shake the whole RV.
    “Sorry,” she said.
    “My fault.”
    Easing on, he dropped the pillows on the side bench and knelt to look at the underside of the small, square table, seeking the mechanism that turned it into a bed.
    Behind him, the microwave bell rang. Mandy reached for potholders to remove one of their plastic bowls of rehydrated noodles and veggies. Speaking over her shoulder, she asked, “What are you doing?”
    He told her in as few words as possible. He didn’t dare look up at her since his position gave him an unfair view under the big T-shirt she wore.
    “You don’t have to do that.”
    “I’m not. At least, not until after we eat.”
    “I mean one bed is enough,” she clarified. “I’ll be sleeping in the house.”
    He rose to his feet. “Along with the dust and spiders and anything else that might decide to spend the night with you. I don’t think so.”
    She gave him a straight look. “Am I a prisoner?”
    “Of course not. I’m just saying it’s not a good idea.”
    “I appreciate what you did for me today, Deputy Benedict—”
    “Lance,” he interrupted. “Anything else seems a little formal after what we’ve been through.”
    “All right, Lance then. As I was saying, I know I probably owe you my life, but I’m not used to being in such close quarters with another person. I had a bad experience with that once and need my space.”
    Her dislike of close quarters was suggestive when coming so close upon mention of prison, Lance thought. It was such a stretch, however, that he let it pass. The question that came out of his mouth was entirely different.
    “What? You and your husband had separate bedrooms?”
    Her eyes narrowed. “We did, not that it’s any of your business. He was a night owl and I’m a morning person. Besides, he snored and was up and down often for bathroom calls.”
    “Being older.” Prostate problems, maybe, he told himself.
    “I suppose.”
    “That’s still no reason to risk staying in the house when you have more protection here.”
    “No one knows where we are. You’ve seen to that.”
    “I can almost guarantee you won’t be able to sleep.”
    “I’m from New Orleans, remember? I’m used to the heat. Also to bugs, spiders and even mice.”
    “Whatever mattresses are left on the beds will be covered with dust and worse. That’s if they aren’t rotten with mildew. They certainly won’t have sheets.”
    “I expect there’s extra bedding stored in here somewhere, since everything else has been supplied. I’ll bet I can even find a flashlight.”
    He met the determined look in her blue-green eyes head on. “Does this mean you’re afraid to stay with me?”
    “No! It means the house will be less—confined.”
    “You’re claustrophobic?”
    She looked away from him. “Not really. I’m just used to my own room.”
    “You can have the bedroom, and I’ll bunk down here.” He waved at the table beside him. “I don’t snore. At least no one has ever complained.”
    “It’s nothing to do with you, I promise.”
    Her expression was all earnest sincerity. Lance didn’t buy it for a second. Still, he couldn’t stop her short of locking her inside with him. That was maybe a little drastic, though it did have a certain primitive appeal.
    “If you’re sure, I guess we can try it for one night.”
    Color rose in her face. “You don’t need to join me.”
    “No problem, I can sleep anywhere.” He waited to see what she’d say to that.
    “I don’t want to put you out. Really, you can stay here. You do what you want and let me do what I want.”
    Lance watched her while options and possibilities slid through his mind. Finally, he lifted a shoulder. “Whatever you say. Extra sheets are in the cubbyhole above the bed.”
    The relief that smoothed her features should have made him feel better. It didn’t. Not by a long shot.
    They ate their reconstituted chicken and Saba noodle dinners, and