River of Desire: A Romantic Action Adventure/Thriller by J. K. Winn

canteen away. “Whoa. Enough. Overdoing it may make you sick.” He placed the canteen aside and helped her lie back again. “Rest now. I’ll look in on you later.”
    She dozed off and on, febrile and miserable. Frightening dreams haunted her sleep. At one point, she woke soaked in sweat. Dylan came by often to treat the bite and replace cold compresses on her brow. By late afternoon, she was aroused by hunger gnawing at her gut. She reached over and clumsily rifled her pack.
    Dylan slid open the tent flap. “What are you doing?”
    She weakly raised her head. “I packed a Snickers bar, just in case. I’m starved.”
    His expression turned from concern to relief. “You’re recovering quickly. Be right back.” He dropped the flap and returned with dried fruit. After she washed the food down with water, she laid back unaided. “Is it too late to travel today?”
    Dylan unraveled the gauze. “You’re in no condition to go anywhere. Rest today. We’ll see how you are tomorrow.” His fingers smearing sap on the wound sent a bolt of electricity up her leg and she jerked it away.”
    When he reached toward her leg, vicious, raised scarlet bumps she hadn’t noticed before stood in clusters on his hand and arm. She traced a string of fiery eruptions on the prominent muscle in his forearm with fingertips. “What are all those marks?”
    He glanced down. “Just ant bites. I’ll be fine.”
    The scabs looked like ones in a medical manual she had consulted before the trip, crusted over and blackened at the tips. She gingerly touched them, sensing the heat that emanated to her fingertips. She couldn’t believe he would completely ignore his wounds while treating her. “They look horrible. Maybe I should cover them with the chacruna I picked.”
    He smiled. “Thanks, but you have a bigger problem to tend to.”
    “You’re sure you don’t want me to do something?”
    “ Just rest.”
    His devoted attention touched her, but also made her uneasy. “But we have to move on.”
    “Not until you’re ready.”
    Surprised, she said, “I thought you were the one with the time pressure.”
    A trace of concern flickered in his eyes. “Your well-being comes first. We’ll move on when you’re better.”
    Tears of gratitude touched the corner of her eyes. While Dylan tried so hard to appear removed, unaffected, she sensed a hidden well of tender emotion beginning to leak through the crack in his armor. Her throat swelled with reciprocal feelings for him. He had saved her life and she would always appreciate him for it. She reached out to him, but he stopped her fingers with his hand. She held his gaze, aware of the warmth that passed through her. He looked away.
     
    * * *
     
    With determination, Leah munched on Hart’s powdered egg concoction. Okay, so it wasn’t Eggs Benedict, but protein was what she needed right now. “I’m almost ready to hit the road— I mean the river.”
    In the midst of placing sleeping bag in pouch, Dylan glanced over. “You’re sure you’re up to traveling today?”
    Her leg throbbed incessantly, but she couldn’t allow it to cut into their limited timetable. “Of course.”
    He frowned. “Why don’t I believe you? Let me see that bite.”  
    When he removed the gauze, she successfully fought the desire to cry out. The less she revealed her true condition, the more likely they were to move on.
    The bite was still flame-colored, but the swelling had receded a bit. He probed the spot and she silently winced. “That does look better, but I think you could use another day.”
    Sure, maybe I can use another day, but I can’t use one up. She appreciated Dylan’s kindness, but she had to convince him of her readiness. “I’m raring to go. Really. Just help me to my feet.”
    He shook his head in a gesture of disbelief, then pulled her to standing. Her right leg wobbled under her, but she willed it still. She had to ignore the impossible pain.
    She leaned on the arm he extended and