“Like Bonnie was first in yours?”
Shock rippled through her. “I thought we were talking about Monty. How did we get to Bonnie?”
“She belonged to you. That’s why you’re helping me, isn’t it? It’s because the man who wants to kill me could be the one who killed Bonnie. It’s for Bonnie, not me.”
“Bonnie’s dead, Jane.”
“But she still belongs to you. She’s still first.” She took a bite of her sandwich. “Not that I care. Why should I care? It’s nothing to me. I just thought it was funny.”
My God, her eyes were glistening with tears. “Jane.”
“I don’t care. I really don’t care.”
“Well, I do.” She slid across the couch and pulled Jane into her arms. “I’m helping you because you’re a very special person, and that’s the only reason.”
Jane’s body was ramrod straight in her arms. “And you like me?”
“Yes.” She had forgotten how small and dear a child’s body felt. She wanted to keep her there forever. “I like you very much.”
“I … like you too.” Jane slowly relaxed against her. “It’s okay, I know I can’t be first. But maybe we can be friends. You don’t belong to anyone like Monty does. I’d like to—” Jane stopped awkwardly.
“Maybe we can,” Eve said. Jane was breaking her heart. So defensive. So resistant. And yet so in need. “I don’t see why not, do you?”
“No.” Jane lay still against her for a moment, then pushed her away. “Okay, that’s settled.” She jumped up and hurried to the door. “I’m going to get Monty some food. And then I’m going to bed.” The moment of softness was clearly over. Now Jane was eager to escape a situation that made her uneasy.
Well, wasn’t Eve equally uneasy? The past few moments had been as awkward for her as for Jane. She hadn’t believed she was ready to love anyone after Bonnie had been taken, but suddenly it was here in this child who was as complicated and wary as Eve herself. They were quite a pair, she thought ruefully. “I thought you said Monty didn’t need you.”
“Well, he needs to eat. Sarah would have to leave him to get food, and that would make him sad.” She added before leaving the room, “He can’t help it if he doesn’t love me best.”
Adjustments, compromises, and acceptance. Jane’s life had never been anything else, and she was afraid to ask for anything more. But there had been a breakthrough tonight and Jane was beginning to admit that she did need someone and Eve had been chosen to fill the void.
Thank God.
But Jane wasn’t the only one to make compromises, Eve thought with sudden amusement. She was playing second fiddle to a golden retriever.
That was okay, too. They had a long way to go, but the promise of something beautiful and precious was beckoning for both of them …
* * *
SARAH HAD GIVEN JANE ONE of Monty’s first pups, and she had called him Toby. By that time, Eve and Joe had adopted Jane. What had started out awkward and tentative had become a bond that couldn’t be broken. Zany Toby had become part of the family though not the watchdog Joe wanted for the property. He was far too loving.
She could use a watchdog right now, Eve thought dryly. Or just a friendly body to cuddle and ward off the chill she was feeling. Those memories of the past had been warm and sweet, but they were in stark contrast to the storm raging outside.
She put her arm under her head as she stared out at the rain. Think of Jane and the life they’d made together.
Close out the storm.
Close out the nightmare.
Call me, Jane.
* * *
“I’M STAYING,” JANE SAID belligerently to Devon as she went back into the examination room an hour later. “I won’t get in your way, but I’m not leaving him again.”
“It’s okay.” Devon was checking the IV. “I didn’t think I’d be able to keep you out for long. I was just at a point where I wasn’t sure which way it was going to go.” She smiled at Jane over her shoulder. “Now I do. He’s going to make it.”
Jane’s knees felt suddenly weak. “He’s going to live?”
“He’s getting stronger with every IV.” She stroked Toby’s head. “Aren’t you, boy? Margaret was right. We just had to get it all out of you.”
“Poison? What kind?”
She shook her head. “I’ll have to send a blood sample to the lab in San Juan. It will be a few days before I hear. I’ll be lucky if it’s that soon since the usual toxicology tests came out negative. Thank God we had Margaret.”