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stuck out her hand and this time she shook mine.
I wasn’t expecting that, either. I walked down the narrow hallway
to my bedroom. She could sleep anywhere she darn well pleased.
    I propped a chair against my own door.
    I slept happy knowing I’d have company to look
forward to in the morning. That the company was a woman, and a
good-looking one at that, was a bonus.
     
    It turned into a tossup whether I dreamed I could
smell coffee or bacon. The hum in the same dream turned out to be
the generator at the end of the hall. It was then that I remembered
I had company. Caitrin must have fired it up for another
shower.
    I threw on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and ventured
out, anxious to know what I’d find in the kitchen. I wasn’t
expecting a woman in a short, brightly-colored sun dress standing
barefoot in front of the stove. I couldn’t help wondering if she
had come prepared.
    —You make everything in this place look cheap by
comparison.
    Surprised, Caitrin whirled and the thin dress
hesitated before doing the same. I managed to get a good look at a
pair of long, tanned legs before the skirt settled back down to
surround them.
    —I hope that’s a compliment. If it isn’t, I can still
skin you alive.
    She picked up the k-bar.
    —That won’t be necessary until after I’ve eaten the
breakfast you’re making. I know when to hide my true
intentions.
    Caitrin put her hands on her hips and glared.
    —Sit down, shut up, and eat before I change my
mind.
    Humbled, I did as I was told. No doubt, Caitrin could
cook. The bacon was just the way I liked it, crisp but not too.
Even the fake eggs tasted almost as good as real. I had to ask.
    —What did you do to the eggs?
    She made a show of picking up her k-bar and
brandishing it in my direction.
    —Is that a prelude to a complaint?
    —Only if you want it to be. What did you put in the
fake eggs?
    —Nothing I’m going to be telling you about. My secret
ingredients cannot be revealed.
    I couldn’t remember the last time I had a
good-looking woman across the breakfast table from me. Especially
one that hadn’t spent the night in my bed. I wouldn’t be telling
her that, though.
    —Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?
    —Besides getting home before it gets dark? Not
especially. Why?
    —I want to do some scouting. If you want to, you
could help me. If you have the time, that is.
    —Will I have to change?
    —Only if you want to be able to wear that dress for
me again.
    Caitrin got up, grabbed her bag and walked to my room
at the end of the hall.
     
    While I waited I stretched out on the sofa. I closed
my eyes for what I thought was only a minute. The barrel of
Caitrin’s shotgun jabbed me and I opened my eyes to the sight of
her standing over me. Startled, I jumped up. I almost knocked her
over.
    She beat a retreat and sat down in front of the
fireplace. At least she hadn’t pulled the trigger in fright.
    Caitrin was dressed for the hunt. The k-bar was back
in place on her belt. She had her double-barreled shotgun across
her front, breach open. The strap crossed between her breasts,
emphasizing them. I tried not to stare for too long.
    —You’re ready. Give me a couple and I will be,
too.
    —You were having a nightmare.
    She heard me tossing and turning. I couldn’t deny it.
I was still sweaty from the dream.
    —I was. Yesterday was quite a shock to my system,
what with you showing up in person this time, and our visitor at
the end of the street. Today will be a better day.
    —I hope so. What’s the plan?
    —We’re going hunting.
    She looked surprised.
    —Really? For what?
    With two of us to do the work, I’d be able to cover a
lot more ground than I had been able to by myself. I explained the
collapsible dipstick, the paint can and the markings to be left on
each vehicle we’d be checking.
    The extra weight of a passenger, even one as light as
Caitrin, slowed the pace of the electric bike, but not by much. At
the first car I showed her how to