“Uh…”
“No shame in refusing, miss,” Thompson said.“Not everyone has the same kind of moral fortitude that our Mr.Donovan does.”
“Moral fortitude?”Erin asked.“Now it’s not just about physical prowess?”
“Always is,” he affirmed.Thompson grinned at her.“Being a winner is both physical and mental, and the whole thing is strengthened by having a decent character.”
Cade offered her the mug.
“You better give her some cream.Maybe some sugar,” Thompson cautioned.
The two men exchanged glances.
“What am I missing?”Sofia asked.
Erin took pity on her.“Thompson always says sugar is for pussies.”
With a desperate gasp, the Colonel clutched the head of his cane.
“Present company excepted, of course, Colonel,” Thompson assured.“I would have never said such a thing in front of the ladies.”
“Is this like some sort of secret handshake?”
“It is.”Erin nodded.“I’m afraid I’m not a member.But there’s a list on Thompson’s computer with those he’s deemed worthy.”
“And a very short list it is, Ms.McBride,” he confirmed.
She couldn’t tell whether or not they were serious.
“Dead serious,” Erin confirmed.
“Hand it over,” she said.
“Cream or sugar?”Cade asked.
“Black.”Her fingers brushed Cade’s and something potent went through her.
Everyone watched as she took a drink.
It started slowly, a burning sensation down her esophagus.Then it spread, up and down, singeing her sinuses, making her stomach plunge.She coughed.Then gasped.
Just in time, she managed to get the mug back onto the table without sloshing the coffee over the rim.
Thompson and Cade shook their heads in mock misery.
“Another one down,” Cade said.
“I’m afraid so, Mr.Donovan.”
“Is that steam coming out of your ears?”Erin asked Sofia.
“I think it could be my brains.”
Cade poured himself a cup and took a long drink before letting out a satisfied sigh.“You sure you don’t want to move out to the Running Wind?”
Cade and Thompson high-fived.
William rapped his cane.
