Free Delta-Victor by Clare Revell Page B

himself across the clearing and threw his arms around her, hugging, laughing and crying.
    Staci looked around. “Where’s Lou? Why the escort?”
    “Lou’s fine. The escort is a long story. I’ll tell you about it on the way back to the village.” As they set off, Jim gave Staci the edited version of what happened.
    Ailsa filled in the gaps. When she got to the part about Jim trapped in the burning building, Staci paled and stopped.
    “Jim? Are you sure you’re OK?”
    “I am now I know you are.”
    Staci ran her fingers over the cut on his head, then waved her hand in front of him. “That’s quite a lump. How many fingers am I holding up?”
    Jim shook his head. He couldn’t tell, but wasn’t going to admit that to anyone.
    Ailsa grimaced. “He’s meant to be resting due to the bump on his head, but you know Jim. The child he rescued was the son of the chieftain. They have invited us to stay with them for a couple of days to give Lou’s leg and Jim’s head a chance to heal.”
    When they reached the village, Jim was taken to the hut that held Lou.
    Ailsa took Staci to meet Kelmac and Aryna.
    Deefer was tied up outside the hut. He barked loudly.
    Jim gratefully sank onto the bed next to Lou and closed his eyes. “OK, you can check me over now.”
    Cold fingers probed and poked, but he endured it silently, figuring Lou had probably complained enough for the both of them. After a moment he forced his eyes open and looked at Lou. “Well?” he asked.
    “If you mean my leg, the best word he could come up with in English was moldy.”
    Jim stifled a grin. “Moldy?”
    “Pretty good way of describing it if you ask me.” She reached a hand across the small gap and gripped his firmly. “How’s the head?”
    “Hurts. Your dog’s barking isn’t helping any.”
    “He’s just saying thank you for finding him. Is Staci all right?”
    “Not a scratch on her. I don’t see how. The campsite and surrounding area was devastated by the fire.”
    Staci and Ailsa came into the room.
    Mafuso pushed him back down. “Lie,” he said firmly. “No move.”
    Staci grinned. “That told you, Jim.” She ran over to Lou and hugged her tightly.
    “Thought you were dead,” Lou whispered.
    “’Fraid not. Although I did wonder if you guys were.”
    Lou shook her head. “Sorry to disappoint you.” She glanced to the door, beyond which Deefer barked furiously. Then she looked at Mafuso. “Can’t he come in, please?”
    Ailsa translated and after a long pause, Mafuso nodded. “Just for a short while.”
    Staci went outside.
    Deefer bounded in. He leapt up on the bed and covered his mistress with licks until she begged for mercy. He settled down on the edge of her bed.
    “I think he wants to stay,” Lou said. “He won’t be any bother, I promise.”
    Mafuso frowned as Ailsa translated. “Jim needs to stay overnight, just to make sure his head is all right, then he will be fine. I want Lou to stay a little while longer. At least until her fever has gone.”
    Lou scowled. “I’d rather not.”
    Jim’s scowl rivaled hers. “I’d rather you did. Just shut up and listen.”
    “Why should I when you didn’t? You stormed out of here to go and look for Staci while I had to stay behind. Again.”
    Staci put her hands over her ears. “Oh, stop it, the both of you. I don’t want either of you sick.”
    Lou nodded slightly.
    Mafuso spoke, which Ailsa translated. “I can halt the infection, but it will return if she doesn’t rest.”
    Jim took a deep breath. “In that case, it would be for the best if we take Kelmac up on his offer of staying in the village. In return we could help in the rebuilding work. At least until Lou is fit.”
    “Fit?” Lou scoffed. “That won’t ever happen, you know that.”
    “Fit enough to continue on to the base,” Jim finished. He closed his eyes. “But I’m tired and want to sleep a bit.”
    Staci curled up on the bed next to him. “I’m not leaving you.”
    Mafuso shook his