“Oh, you demonstrated that exceptionally well,” she said. “But it really wasn’t necessary, we’ve gone way past the sexual basics.”

“Nothing basic about it. It’s strictly stratosphere stuff. But we might be heading for something entirely different. That’s why I thought we had to go back and get our bearings.”

“I don’t want to go back, I want to go forward,” she said. “Though you were very inventive today. However, we’ll have to discuss any ‘methods’ you decide to put in place. You should realize that children never stand still. They tend to always go forward.”

His lips quirked. “Like their mother?”

“Exactly.” She tossed him a smile over her shoulder as she made the turn leading to the camp. “You must have heard the saying about mother knowing best. But you might be permitted an opinion if you don’t become too rambunctious.”

“Rambunctious?” he murmured. “I don’t believe anyone has used that word to describe me.”

“You were talking about different paths. I was trying to oblige.” She waved at Rodland as the camp came into view. “But I’ll leave it to you to persuade Rodland to make me another breakfast since it’s your fault that the first one was ruined.”

“I warned him he shouldn’t send me.”

“Because you knew he would anyway. You were going to do what you wanted to do. Rodland always wants everything to go well for you. You’re his hero.”

“No, he just believes in payback. I understand it, I just try to avoid it. I’d resent it if I was him.”

“But then few people are like you. Some of us don’t mind owing someone a debt.”

“Yet you’d do anything on earth to repay it. And I can’t imagine anything worse than having you feeling forced to do that.” He took her elbow and nudged her forward. “Which is quite a change for me. It must be your influence. There was a time that I wouldn’t have given a damn, if it meant I could still keep you.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“No? You should.” His fingers tightened on her arm. “Believe it, Jane.”

Chapter 12

Chapter
12

After breakfast that morning Rodland didn’t give Jane a chance to do more than help break camp before he told her, “Caleb told me to go saddle Jocko for him. MacDuff wants to see you and make sure you’re okay so we’re going back to the Run. Caleb said for me to drive you in the Range Rover, and he’ll ride Jocko.”

“I could ride Jocko. We’re used to each other.”