Monday's Child by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online Page A

lots of people around. Mrs. McArthur says there are lots of good shops in town. We could get sheets for your bed as well as other stuff like jumpers and…”
    “No.” Hadn’t she been listening to a word he said since he met her? “You aren’t going anywhere. I thought I made that clear. You’re limited to the house and yard, the backyard to be precise. We’ll get the shopping delivered.”
    “It’s a garden, not a yard, because it’s got grass in it. A yard is made of concrete. And you’re being unreasonable. Austin couldn’t have found us this fast.”
    “You’re the only witness to a homicide. We can’t pin anything on this guy without your testimony. You’re a target, and he won’t give up until he gets to you. It’s either this or a prison cell.”
    “Not much difference from what I can see. This is house arrest.”
    “However you see it, you’ll have to deal with it if you want to put Austin away like he deserves. We have to stick to the cover story. You’re recovering from a major illness.”
    “Well, in case someone asks, what exactly am I recovering from?”
    Luke let out a deep sigh. “Pick one.”
    “Flu? Cholera? Pneumonia? Scarlet fever?” Sara counted them off on her fingers as she jabbed her hands into the air. “Oh wait, I know. How about the truth? Someone blew my leg to bits and pieces on my honeymoon.”
    Luke resisted the urge to snap back. That wouldn’t help at all. “The broken leg on honeymoon story works for me. Will you feel arthritis in this cold?”
    “Probably, but if you think this is cold, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Wait till it snows.”
    “Snow?” When would that start? It could put a cramp in his ability to watch for Austin. Plus deal with transport if they needed to move again if the roads closed.
    “Yeah, snow. You know, the white stuff that falls from the sky in winter. This far north, the roads could close for weeks, and we could get snowed in. You better stockpile that shopping you want delivered.” She turned away and clutched at the sink.
    Luke brought the bowl across to her, setting it on the side. “That was great.” How could he defuse the situation? Could changing the subject work? Would a calm tone of voice stop her sniping at him? “Thank you.”
    Sara didn’t answer. Her grip on the sink slackened, and with a small gasp, she fell. Catching her before she hit the ground, Luke laid her gently on the tiled floor, checking for a pulse. “Sara?”
    There was no response. Luke reached for the phone. What was the number for the emergency services in this country? From the brief he’d read on the plane there were two, but which was the emergency number and which was the non-emergency? A groan tore from her lungs, and he dropped the phone. “Sara?”
    Her eyes flickered open. “What happened?”
    “You fainted.”
    She tried to sit up, losing what little color she had. How sick was she? What was wrong with her?
    “Let me help.” Luke carried her into the lounge.
     
    ****
     
    Lying in Luke’s arms, Sara felt safe. Then guilt flooded her for letting a man other than Jamie instill that reaction in her. “I’m not an invalid.” That protest sounded weak even to her.
    Luke laid her on the couch and knelt next to her, his scent wafting over her. “I never said you were. Has this happened before?”
    “A couple of times. Why?”
    “Have you seen a doctor?”
    Sara shook her head, and then regretted it as the dizziness increased. “I’ve seen enough of doctors and hospitals to last a lifetime. Besides, I’m not allowed out, remember?”
    “I ought to get you checked over. Just to be on the safe side.”
    Pushing herself up, Sara shot him a withering look. She knew exactly what was wrong and she didn’t want him finding out. “I’m fine, Leftenant. Stop fussing.”
    Luke laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, keeping her still. “You’re seeing the doctor. I can’t have a witness dying on me.”
    “No, of course not. It might ruin