Cindy Holby by Angel’s End Page A

but the absence of doors was a problem. It didn’t offer much privacy. Something he’d need if he was going to successfully continue his charade until he could make his escape.
    Would Leah notice if he put a few more pieces of wood in the fire? At least she had enough sense to stock up before the blizzard hit. Cade moved the screen and placed another log on the embers. It flared to life and he instantly felt better. The braided rug beneath his feet was thick and warm.
    Cade scratched his jaw. His beard felt coarse. How long had it been since he shaved, or even bathed? What he wouldn’t give for a big tub to soak in. To get good and clean and let the heat take the aches away. All the aches. Suddenly he felt so tired, so much weaker, as if the last few moments had sucked away his remaining strength. Yet the thought of climbing back into bed without washing repulsed him.
    Dodger followed him back into the kitchen and lay downin the corner with a huff. Cade stuck another small log in the stove and shut the door. He shouldn’t have left it open in the first place. He didn’t want to repay Leah’s kindness by burning down her house.
    The effort of picking up a large pot and setting it in the sink nearly undid him. He wouldn’t survive five minutes if he had to leave now. He wrapped one arm around his abdomen for support and used the other to work the pump. Nothing happened. He gave it a few more attempts but he could tell by the feel of the handle that there was no pressure in the pipes.
    Cade propped his arms on the edge of the sink and wearily leaned against them.
    “It’s broken.”
    If Leah had been one of Fitch’s men, he’d be dead right now. He had not heard her over the noise of the pump. His instincts, usually so finely tuned, had failed him. Cade turned around, and suddenly became more aware of his lack of a shirt.
    Leah stood in the door of the kitchen in her flannel gown and woolen socks. Her braid was tossed over her shoulder and covered one of her breasts. The other one peaked with cold and Cade found that he could not tear his eyes away from it.
    “Leah,” she said. “Remember?”
    He forced himself to focus on her face. Her green eyes were heavy with sleep and her dark lashes shaded them seductively. She was totally unaware of how appealing she looked. She had to be.
    Cade cleared his throat. For once things were going his way. His body was too weak to show what she was doing to his insides. “Yes. Leah,” he managed to choke out.
    “Are you looking for something to drink?” She crossed to the counter by the sink. “I have cold milk.” She pouredsome from a heavy crock into a cup. “I’m sorry, I was so tired, I didn’t check on you before I went to bed.” She stood before him and held out the cup.
    Cade blinked. She gazed upward through her thick lashes. Without the light to show them, her eyes were as dark as the evergreens. She was the angel from his dreams, the one who gave him water when he thirsted. Cade wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her, bury his face in her hair and hold on. She was so close, just an arm’s length away. There might as well have been a canyon between them.
    What was he thinking? Needing people was a sign of weakness. He couldn’t afford to be weak. He’d learned a long time ago that weak only led to one thing and that was dead.
You’re supposed to be a preacher
. What would a preacher do?
    He took the cup. “Thank you.” His fingers brushed hers as she released her hold. “I’m sorry to be such a bother.” The milk was soothing on his throat and so cold that a shiver gripped him and goose bumps appeared on his skin. Funny, the cold didn’t usually bother him. He’d gotten immune to it long ago. He had to, to survive. He just didn’t think about it.
    She was staring at his chest. He noticed as soon as he lowered the cup. She caught her bottom lip with her perfect teeth as she looked. Cade was suddenly aware that he’d lost weight during