Hide Away by Iris Johansen Page A

vulnerable.”
    â€œYes.” He reached down and touched her belly. “A child is very vulnerable and you should pay attention to your own words. There’s a dual reason why you should be working hard to take care of yourself.” He rolled away from her and put his arm beneath his head. He added jerkily, “Though we haven’t had a chance to even discuss that minor event, have we?”
    â€œIt’s not minor,” Eve said.
    â€œNo? It appears to be far down on the agenda.”
    â€œIt’s not minor,” she repeated.
    â€œThen what is it?”
    â€œA miracle.”
    He was still. Then he rolled over to face her. “Is that your conclusion?”
    She nodded. “I don’t know how it happened or why, but it can’t be anything else. I’m confused and scared, but I was lying there in the hospital thinking, and it came to me that you can’t argue or reject a miracle. You just have to accept it.” She said hesitantly, “At least, I do. You have to make your own decision.”
    â€œOh, do I?” He chuckled, his hand caressing her cheek. “I believe I made my decision the instant I gave you that seed. In case you haven’t noticed, I have a thing about responsibility.”
    â€œIt has to be more than that, Joe. When Bonnie was born, I would have given anything to have someone beside me sharing responsibility. But now I can handle it.” Her lips were trembling. “I have to handle it, or I won’t deserve to have this child. But you’ll have to learn to love—you have to feel the miracle—it has to be more.”
    â€œIt will be more.” He drew her close and cradled her in the hollow of his shoulder. “Just give me some time. I’m going to have a few problems refocusing some of the emotion I give you somewhere else. Okay?”
    â€œOkay,” she said huskily. She could feel the tears sting as she nestled her cheek against him. He felt warm and strong, and the musk and spice scent of him surrounded her. “I don’t know any woman who would object to a request like that. We’ll make it through this, Joe.”
    â€œI don’t have any doubt. We just have a few obstacles in our path.”
    â€œLike murder and drug dealers and keeping that little girl alive,” she said. “I’ll probably be worried tomorrow but I’m not right now.”
    Right now, she was close to Joe, with his love surrounding her, the knowledge of the miracle to come, and the faint sound of the music of Cara’s violin drifting to them.
    It was enough. Tomorrow could wait.
    *   *   *
    It was after eight when Eve woke.
    No Joe.
    No sound of the violin.
    She jumped up, slipped on her robe and left the bedroom.
    â€œGood morning.” Cara was in the kitchen and looked up as Eve came into the room. “I was just going to call you.” She gestured to the bacon simmering in the pan. “This is about done. How do you like your eggs?”
    â€œScrambled.” She shook her head. “But you didn’t have to do this. I thought we had a discussion about—”
    â€œWe did.” She made a face as she put bread in the toaster. “But maybe I was feeling guilty about playing my violin so late last night. I didn’t even ask permission.” Her brilliant smile lit her face. “Thank you, Eve.”
    â€œThank Joe. He’s the one who ran out of here to get it for you.”
    â€œI’ve already thanked him. Before he left to check out the woods again.” Her smile faded. “He told me that boy at the hospital was one of Salazar’s men. Ramon Franco. He said he was very bad.” She turned back to beat eggs in a small bowl. “He wanted to make sure I wouldn’t trust him again. But that wouldn’t happen.”
    â€œNo, I don’t think it would.” She sat down at the breakfast bar. “But Joe never takes