Part 47 (2/2)
”Canadians speak English. Except for those of us who speak French. We have two official languages, see, and we have people who speak both. And a Prime Minister who speaks neither. Sorry, that was kind of a joke,” he added hastily as he felt her confusion level rise. Taking a step toward her, he tried to explain. ”He's after having this accent that's uh . . .”
Her hand rose toward his chest.
His voice trailed off and he froze, trying to decide which would be ruder, backing away or shuddering at her touch.
Fingertips, a little less black than they had been, stopped just above his T-s.h.i.+rt. Close enough that he could feel body heat filling the s.p.a.ce.
”You are . . . strong.”
”Strong?” Then he remembered she'd seen him move the fridge and blushed. ”Well, yeah, I guess. Thank you.”
”Strong is ... good.”
There was a note in her voice that deepened the color of his ears. Nine months ago, he wouldn't have even realized she was. .h.i.tting on him, but since Claire . . .
”Your Keeper . . . will return . . . soon?”
”I hope so.”
She was smiling. He knew she was smiling. He just wished he knew what to do about it.
”Meryat?”
Her hand fell, but the heat lingered. She turned toward Dr. Rebik and murmured something in her own language. When he shook his head, she repeated it. Or something so close to it Dean couldn't tell the difference.
The archeologist sighed and motioned toward the dining room, allowing Meryat to precede him. ”Would a little breakfast be possible, Mr. McIssac?”
”Sure.”
”I'll have what I had yesterday, and Meryat would like to know if there's any chance of chopped dates and honey on a flatbread.”
Why didn't she ask him herself?
”Sorry, no, but I could do up some grape jelly on Melba toast.”
Dr. Rebik glanced down at his companion then back at Dean, and shrugged wearily. ”Close enough.”
”I don't trust her. You're too tired to get up this morning, and suddenly she's able to complain about the food.”
”It's not what she's used to.”
Austin sighed and walked over to stand on the dishwasher where he could look Dean in the face.
”You're missing the point. You're tired. She's got new skills. She's a mummy. Mummies are known for sucking the life force out of the people they come in contact with.”
”We're not in a cheesy horror movie here,” Dean protested as he straightened.
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