Page 53 of Hudson
“Hi,” he said finally, his voice low.
“Hi,” she said back.
She sat up and turned the jets on low, the warm water humming to life around them.
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” she murmured, settling back against his chest.
She felt his laugh more than heard it. “I have one at home. After a long day there’s nothing better.”
“Some nights it’s the only thing that helps mesleep.”
He rested his chin lightly on top of her head. “You have trouble sleeping?”
“Sometimes. I let the day follow me home and then I can’t shut it off.”
“I know that feeling well.”
She watched the water move. “How is your case going?”
“Slowly. I have to go up to Shelby this week.”
“Where is that?”
“Northern Montana. Close to the Canadian border.” He shifted slightly. “I think he’s going to try to cross.”
“Will he make it?”
“Not if we and Canada have anything to say about it. They’re already watching. If he crosses illegally, which is the only way he can at this point, they’ll pick him up and hand him over.”
“There must be a lot of places to slip across up there.”
“Plenty. But he can’t go through any official port of entry. He’s in the system. No passport, wanted on suspicion of murder and livestock theft and whatever else we can make stick.”
“I hope you get him.”
“I will.” No hesitation. Just quiet certainty.
She believed him.
When the water began to cool Blair sat up, switched off the jets and stood, reaching for a towel. She glanced back at Hud.
“Are you staying in there?”
He grinned up at her. “Getting cold, but I’m enjoying the view.”
When he stood the water ran down over him and she let herself look for just a moment before meetinghis eyes.
“Fair is fair,” she said.
He laughed and took the towel from her, dried off and stepped onto the bathmat, then hung it neatly on the rack. He took her hand and led her back to the bedroom, then reached for his clothes.
Blair watched him. “Are you leaving?”
“Early morning.” He pulled his T-shirt over his head.
“You could stay and just leave early.”
He hesitated, his back to her, then turned and shook his head. “I’ll head home.”
