Chapter Three

      Dawson paced the length of the tiled floor, careful to keep his footsteps quiet while Savvy slept the afternoon away. With each pass beside her bed, he studied the woman.

      Strawberry-blond hair splayed out in a tangle across snow-white sheets. Auburn lashes fanned across pale cheeks where a dusting of freckles gave her the youthful appearance of a teenager. That was all that reminded him of a teen. The proud tilt of full breasts couldn’t be hidden completely by the shapeless hospital gown. Those legs—long, silky smooth and toned—made him think of how they’d feel wrapped around a man’s waist. Lush coral-colored lips could inspire kisses from even the most devout bachelor.

      But not Dawson Gray. When he’d lost Amanda, his high-school sweetheart, his wife, the mother of his unborn child, he’d sworn never to walk that path again. He refused to expose himself to that kind of agony again.

      Savvy Jones could only ever be a job to him. He’d do well to remember that and not allow her attributes to blind him to the danger surrounding her or the unrest raging in the border town of Laredo.

      Dawson stopped in front of the window as the sun slowly sank over the city skyline. A dusty red haze clouded the air as the plump orange globe melted into shades of pink and gray.

      District Attorney Young had called to inform him that he’d be by shortly to question the witness.

      Dawson glanced over his shoulder at Savvy. He didn’t have the heart to wake her. The police had come and gone, asking Savvy a barrage of questions of which she had few answers. The doctor had made his rounds after consulting with the D.A., still prickly from his run-in with Dawson. But he’d informed Savvy that she would heal quickly, and that she was lucky it had only been a flesh wound. No damage to her skull except for the lump she’d acquired when she’d fallen to the pavement, resulting in a mild concussion. Nevertheless, the hospital staff kept a close eye on her to watch for any brain swelling. If all went well, she’d be allowed to leave the hospital the following morning.

      Which introduced a whole new set of complications for Dawson. Where would Savvy go? Would she insist on him tagging along to babysit her? Could he let her step outside the hospital without him to face whatever threat lurked in the shadows of the city?

      He’d waited until she was truly asleep before attempting to place a call to Audrey. Despite Savvy’s confidence in him, he still wanted out.

      Audrey wasn’t answering her cell or returning Dawson’s call. The assignment stuck until he could get through to the boss and arrange a replacement.

      “You didn’t leave,” a gravelly voice said behind him.

      Dawson spun in Savvy’s direction. She lay against the pillows, her eyes open, studying him.

      “No. I can’t leave until I find a replacement.”

      “Thanks.” Her pretty lips twisted. “Nice to know I’m such a burden.” She blinked and stretched, her left arm only going as far as the IV would allow before she dropped it to the sheets. “Would you do me a favor?”

      Realizing he was staring, Dawson nodded. “Depends on what it is.”

      “I need to see if I can stand on my own two feet.” She pushed the sheets aside and slowly sat up, dragging the IV tube with her.

      Dawson hurried forward and gripped her elbow to steady her. “Are you sure this is a good idea? Shouldn’t you wait for a doctor or nurse?”

      “No, I need to do this on my own.” Although her face paled several shades, she shook her head. “Just let me get my head on straight.” She leaned against his arm for several long moments, breathing in and out with even, measured breaths.

      Dawson stiffened and would have pulled away, but she held on to him, a reminder that she needed help to balance and that he couldn’t release her or she’d fall.

      “Okay, I’m ready.” With a little scoot that raised her hospital nightgown daringly high up her thigh, she eased off the side of the bed. “I have to warn you, the last time I tried this, I dropped like a rock.” She laughed, the sound as shaky as the hand she slipped into his.

      Hell. Dawson switched hands and wrapped his arm around her waist, the skin peeking through the openings at the back of her hospital gown disturbingly soft and smooth against his forearm.

      He helped her find her feet and held her up until she stood flat-footed on the cool tiles.

      Her pink toenail polish shone brightly in contrast to the plain white flooring. A sweet, girlie color Dawson wouldn’t expect on a redhead or a strawberry-blonde, but it suited her.

      “Got it?” Dawson asked.

      She nodded and smiled, her overbright eyes shining up at him. “Funny what you take for granted when you have it. I never would have thought I’d need help standing on my own two feet.” Her smile slipped. “But don’t worry. It’s one step closer to getting you off the hook.” Her mouth pressed into a thin line and she attempted a step forward.

      “How’s that?” Dawson moved alongside her, letting her lean into him as much as she needed.

      “As soon as I can get around on my own, you won’t need to hang around.”

      Dawson frowned. “What about the bad guys trying to kill you?”

      “I gave it some thought.” Her gaze shifted away from him to the window. “Once I’m out of here, I’ll be extra careful. I’m sure I can manage just fine.”

      “Yeah.” Dawson admired independence, but bravado was just plain stupid. “You think you could fight off a guy like the one who paid you a visit earlier? The one with the pillow and the body mass of a refrigerator?”

      Savvy’s entire body shook and she staggered on her next step.

      Dawson pulled her close to keep her from falling flat on her face. She felt right against him, her narrow waist snug in his grip, the top of her head fitting just below his chin. Not too short and not too thin. Amanda had been quite a bit shorter than him. So small he’d treated her like a fragile porcelain doll, afraid he’d break her. In the end he had. She’d been too small to deliver their baby. Both Amanda and their baby had died in childbirth.

      Dawson’s