I hadn’t noticed it before—because I hadn’t been able to see—but the truck had a backseat. Raquel and I sat there while Jacob drove and Dr. Newton rode in front. For most of the ride, Jacob and Dr. Newton discussed things and people with names I didn’t recognize. Getting to the community wasn’t as easy as it had sounded. There were three different rows of fences with gates. The inside one was more of a wall. Codes were needed to open each gate. The whole setup seemed pretty elaborate for polar bears. With each new barrier I felt unfamiliarity and uneasiness.
No matter what, I was ready to be back inside the fences and walls; obviously it was much safer in there than out where we were. I stared at the unfamiliar buildings as we drove into the community.
When we arrived at the clinic, Raquel gave me a hug before getting out. “One week, I can’t wait.”
“Thank you for this,” I said, pinching my hair with my gloved hands.
“You’ll start a trend; I’m almost certain.”
I knew that wouldn’t happen, but it made me smile.
I wanted to move to the front, but instead I bit my lip and waited. It didn’t take long until Jacob gave me permission. I understood how Raquel, or anyone, could have problems with patience. Waiting for permission to do things that seemed natural seemed, well, unnatural. Once my seat belt was fastened, I couldn’t get enough of what was outside the windows. There were people of all ages and skin colors coming and going, some other vehicles, and many buildings. It truly was a community. Despite the cold, there wasn’t a lot of snow.
“Does it help to see? Is it coming back?” Jacob asked.
“Yes, it helps to see, but no, it’s not coming back.”
He laid his hand on my leg, just as he’d done the first day he drove us out to the pole barn. I placed mine on top of his, seeing the difference in size for the first time. As our fingers intertwined, he replied, “That makes sense.” Glancing my way and then back to the road, his brow furrowed. “I think I was hoping . . .”
“I’m sorry. So was I.”
His hand squeezed mine. “But you can see. That’s the most important thing.”
“I disagree. If that’s wrong, you can punish me, but my sight isn’t the most important thing to me.”
I saw the surprise in his expression. “You do? It’s not?” With a hint of amusement in his tone, he continued, “Well, you’ve gone this far, please continue. What is the most important part, to you?”
Shit! I hadn’t thought that offer through.
Forcing a smile and pretending I hadn’t just volunteered for punishment, I replied, “The part where you didn’t leave me alone in the pole barn. That’s the most important thing to me. Thank you.”
The corner of his mouth went up. “I hope you like Sister Ruth.”
“Oh, I do!”
“Good, because she’ll be with you whenever I need to fly. Tomorrow I have a short trip to Fairbanks for supplies.”
Though the road was still rough, my ribs were much better than they’d been a week before. I sighed and leaned back against the seat.
“What is it?”
I pursed my lips before revealing a grin. “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep through any more of Father Gabriel’s lessons.”
“Is that what you’ve been doing?” Though he’d made his tone serious, now that I could see the gleam in his brown eyes, I knew he was teasing.
“Not intentionally. I only remember doing it that one time, that I’ve already told you about.”
“Sister Ruth will keep you honest.”
“I’m already honest.”
He lifted our gloved hands to his lips. “I liked seeing you with Raquel. It reminds me of how it was before . . .”
“Thank you for doing whatever you did to get permission for her to come out. I feel a lot better about everything than I did yesterday.”
“That’s my job.”
I lifted his hand and brushed it against my cheek. “You’re very good at it.”
CHAPTER 24
Stella
I giggled as Dylan teased my neck, gently pulling back my long hair and kissing that spot that sent goose bumps up and down my arms and legs.
“You don’t play fair,” I said, through laughter and chills. “What if I had work to do at home?” The truth was that I wanted this break as much as he did.
“You work too much; besides, I never claimed to play fair.”
I did work too much, not that it’d done me any good as of late. I’d spent the majority of my spare time in the last week home alone, devoted to my quest. Turning toward Dylan, I kissed his soft lips. “I’m glad you talked me out of work tonight, but you’re a cop—aren’t you supposed to be fair and be all about the rules?”
His kisses dipped lower. “I’ll never be fair when it comes to you. If I have to play dirty to get you to spend time with me, I’ll do it every time, and as for rules, I never took you as much of a rule person.”
I reached for his face and pulled his stunning blue gaze to mine. “You’re right. I don’t do the rule thing, not very well, at least. Tell me, though”—I grinned—“if you made rules, would breaking them be fun?”
His sexy bedroom expression morphed into a bright smile. “You’re something else. In the mood of hot, popular women’s fiction, sure, I’m willing, but in real life . . . hell, no. I’m not into that, and besides, I wouldn’t try to change your sexier-than-shit rebellious ways. I can only think of one rule that might make me change my mind.”