Match Play by Merline Lovelace Page B

and a scarlet-breasted kingfisher skimming a few inches above the deep, dark waters of the loch.
    And Luke. He was a solid presence beside her, dominating even the spectacular scenery, disconcerting Dayna with his nearness even as she drew a sneaky comfort from it…as she had during those terrifying moments at the hotel.
    Gulping, she swallowed her pride with a lump of mushy dumpling. “I didn’t thank you.”
    He slanted her a quizzical glance. “For?”
    â€œFor calling the EMTs. For elevating my feet. For, uh, holding me when I couldn’t breathe.”
    Why was that so blasted hard to say? Why did she feel as though she’d just surrendered a part of herself?
    Because she had, Dayna realized with another gulp. By uttering those simple words, she’d let go of the anger and hurt she’d hauled around for so long.
    â€œIt was my pleasure,” Luke returned with a smile.
    He must have sensed how much the grudging admission that she’d needed him had cost her. His smile tipped into a grin.
    â€œIt always was.”
    She dug her spoon into her stew. “Don’t complicate a simple expression of gratitude, Harper.”
    â€œYou’re right. Sorry. Although I have to say simple isn’t the adjective that comes to mind when discussing your episode this afternoon.”
    Gut-wrenching didn’t come close, Luke thought. Terrifying was too tame. He’d let Dayna walk away from him once. The very real possibility she might slip away again, right there in his arms, had shaken him to his core.
    Luke would need a thesaurus to find the right words to describe his raw emotions while she struggled for every breath. For now, all he could do was fight to keep his voice light and the memory of her agonized rasping at bay.
    He was determined to help Dayna kept it at bay, as well. He could think of a number of ways to accomplish that objective, but only one that didn’t involve touching her.
    â€œAs I recall, the colonel keeps a deck of cards somewhere in the lodge.”
    She cocked her head, her competitive spirit stirred. “Cards, huh?”
    â€œWant to play a few hands?”
    â€œDepends on the game.”
    â€œHow are you at gin rummy?”
    â€œNot as good as I am at kayaking or golf, but I think I can hold my own.”
    â€œYou’re on.”
    Â 
    Their few hands of rummy stretched to a duel that lasted into the evening. Rather than power up the generator, they scooted the rickety table closer to the fireplace and played by its flickering light.
    Luke didn’t let her win. She’d chew him up and spit him out in little pieces if she thought he had. But sitting across from her, watching while she debated over a discard, seeing the sly triumph in her eyes when she snagged the deck, shot his concentration all to hell. As a result, he was both relieved and amused when she gave a little hoot of delight.
    â€œGin!” Smirking, she slapped down a five-card run to empty her hand. “That’s game, set and match, Harper.”
    Basking in her win, she gathered the cards. Luke hooked an arm over the back of his chair and wondered if she had any idea how beautiful she was. The tough round of golf this morning and the vicious attack this afternoon would have wiped out most ordinary mortals. But Dayna’s skin had regained a healthy, natural glow that owed nothing to makeup and her eyes once again sparked with life. She’d released her hair from its ponytail and let it tumble over her shoulders in a tawny fall that made Luke ache to bury his hands in it. Ruthlessly controlling the urge, he exercised his muscle as her self-appointed nursemaid.
    â€œI think we should call it a night.”
    She flicked a surprised look at the gizmo strapped to her wrist.
    â€œYou’re right. I lost track of the time. I’ll make a quick trip outside and head up to the loft.”
    He stayed by the fire while she went out. The memory of all the