Part 28 (1/2)

”Like when I took the clothing off the line?” she asked.

”Yeah.”

”People just hang it out like that? In the open. Not behind a fence. They're not afraid anybody will take it?”

”Most people around here don't need to steal laundry, so there's no threat in leaving it out. Generally, it's not okay to steal. But when we're naked with no chance to get back to our own clothing, we don't have much choice.”

She was still thinking through the whole situation. ”And the houses are so far apart,” she said. ”With no guards.”

”They might have a security system, an electronic device that lets the police know if someone's broken in.”

”So we can't do it,” she said.

Logan gave her a long look. He'd like to leave her where it was safe. He was sure she wouldn't agree. ”Let's find out.”

They started up the driveway, shoulder to shoulder, the rain turning their clothing soggy. Casting a sidewise glance at her, he noted how the soaked T-s.h.i.+rt was clinging to her skin. Of course, maybe the s.h.i.+rt was an advantage. If a guy was home, he'd focus on her b.o.o.bs, and Logan could coldc.o.c.k him.

They rounded a curve, and she caught her breath as she stared at the house. ”It's a palace. Only a rich person could live here.”

”It's not all that grand,” he informed her, then shot her a speculative look. ”How long had you been in this world before you found me in the trap?”

”I came a few times,” she said defensively.

He didn't bother saying that she hadn't picked up a lot of information. But then, how would she-completely on her own?

He studied the setting. The house was on a wooded lot, and he couldn't see any nearby neighbors.

At the top of the hill, the driveway opened out into an empty parking area in front of a two-car garage.

He walked to the garage. There was one car inside, but the adjoining s.p.a.ce was empty. As he watched, a light blinked on in an interior room. He tensed, and Rinna jumped.

Ducking low, he hurried to the window and looked inside. A lamp had come on in what looked like a den, but n.o.body was in the room. Which suggested that the lamp was on an automatic timer.

But he didn't abandon caution, even when they were both starting to s.h.i.+ver from the cold and wet. Carefully he walked around the perimeter of the house, checking for signs of occupation. Finally, he approached the back door and began looking for a good place to hide a key. It was under a fake rock.

As he inserted it in the lock, Rinna came up beside him. ”Why lock the door if anybody can get in?”

”They think n.o.body will find the key.”

She snorted, then followed him inside.

After making sure the house was empty, he took Rinna upstairs and began looking for something to wear besides gym shorts and T-s.h.i.+rts. A man and a woman lived in the house. No children, which was a relief because the idea of a family walking in on what they thought was a burglary made his stomach knot.

Rummaging in closets and drawers, he found suitable clothing for both himself and Rinna. The women's shoes weren't even a bad fit for her.

She looked slightly dazed as he presented her with the booty, then led her to the bathroom.

He stroked his hand up her arm, feeling her cold skin. ”You need a hot shower.”

”You make the rain hot?”