Chapter 5

• Kasey ran past the men sitting on the porch. “Sweetheart, you’re going to be tired before we even begin.” She didn’t reply as she climbed into the jeep and leaned over the seat to dig through a bag in the back.
• She climbed out of the Jeep with Leena’s sewing bag and smiled at him. “We have to finish the adjustments on Rhonda’s outfit before the fire.”
• Patrick quirked an eyebrow at her. “Oh? And how is it you knew to bring an outfit for her?”
• Kasey paused in opening the door and smiled at him. “We know everything, Mr. Blaine.”
• Chris laughed. “Here we go again.”
• Dade shrugged. “Well, at least we’ll never get fat and lazy, they keep us jumping to stay ahead of them.”
• Rhonda and Cora stepped out onto the porch and walked off, heading towards the camp area.
• Patrick sat up. “And where are you ladies off to?”
• Rhonda turned and smiled at him. “Just for a walk to work off dinner. There’s still plenty of light left Patrick, just relax.”
• “Don’t go too far, Coralee.” Dade said softly.
• Cora smiled at him. “I won’t. We just want to go get a feel for the area around the fire pit before tonight, can’t be stumbling around in the dark.”
• Dade grinned. “You haven’t stumbled a day in your life Cora and you know it.” He watched them walk away. Cora always looked like she was gliding with that long easy stride of hers. He glanced at the shorter woman with her, then again, she didn’t appear to walk either. He motioned towards them with his chin and looked at Chris. “Do any of them ever look like they’re walking? They kind of float.”
• Chris laughed. “They do. Except my Kassandra, most of the time she’s a blur going by me.” He looked at Owen. “Did you get a glance at any of the new outfits?”
• Owen frowned. “Nope. I swear she knows anytime I’m trying, always calls me right then.”
• Steven shrugged. “That’s fine, but it would take that first blow to the guts away if we knew ahead of time.”
• A strange feeling suddenly hit Dade. He sat forward with a jerk and looked at the boards. “Cora!” He whispered and was up running before anyone else could sit up.
• Dade headed along the path looking for her. Spotting them near the fire pit, he ran faster. Cora was sitting on a bench holding her stomach. Rhonda was standing beside her looking all around. He stopped and dropped down in front of her. “What is it, honey?”
• Cora shook her head. “It’s fading now.” She looked up at Rhonda. “You certainly got him here quickly.”
• Rhonda continued to look around them. “Sent him the picture of you dropping down clutching your stomach seemed the simplest way to tell him to come now.” She turned to see the other men arriving. “Seems I got the whole Calvary too.”
• Steven sat down and tried to catch his breath. “So?”
• Cora took a deep breath. “We were just walking around, seeing where the benches were placed and it hit me pretty hard. Not gradually, but like someone kicked me in the stomach.” She looked at Dade. “It’s very faint now, nothing alarming.”
• Patrick looked down at Rhonda. “Who was nearby?”
• Rhonda sighed. “Too many to tell anything. People were still wandering from the dining hall and walking around.” She looked at Cora. “Maybe fifteen people were close enough at the time?”
• Cora nodded. “Yes, there were too many.” She smirked at Patrick. “I don’t think he liked seeing the two that survived hanging out together.”
• Patrick clenched his jaw. “I don’t imagine he would.” He pointed at one then the other. “Neither of you are to be anywhere alone, I don’t care if you have to take someone with you to even use the bathroom.”
• Rhonda bobbed her head impatiently at him. “I know. I’ve got it, stop harping.” Then she gave him an innocent smile. “Just pay close attention tonight when the dancing begins. He should send out signals with black smoke.”
• Patrick dropped his head into his hands and moaned. “You women are going to be the death of me.”
• Dade glanced at him as he helped Cora to her feet. “Welcome to our little world, Detective.” He pulled Cora against his shoulder and hugged her tight. “Come on, honey, let’s get you back and get some of Lee’s tea for you.”
• Cora sighed and nodded curling herself into his body. “Just stay close, my legs aren’t all that steady yet.”
• He winked at her. “I’ll be as close as you need.”