"But how'd I get inside?"

A Killer Smile A Killer Smile In his weakened condition, he didn't seemmuch of a threat. She managed the barest smile and hoped she appeared,at least, congenial.

"Back in civilization, I think they call it breaking and entering."

When he didn't laugh at her feeble attempt at humor, she found hertentative smile fading.

"What I want to know is, why in the world are you here?"

His wary expression turned to one of confusion.

"I ... I don't remember." He ran a hand across the back of his neck and winced.

"I'm sorry. I really don't remember much at all."

"Last night you told me your name was Jack," she offered "Then I guess

that's my name."

Ellen felt a small seed of panic sprout inside her. Amnesia could be a sign of a serious injury, beyond her fundamental medical skills.

"You don't remember your own name?"

His forehead creased in perplexity.

"I'm Jack. Jack ... somebody. I don't remember much of anything other

than being hot and thirsty."

"No wonder." She placed her chilled hand on his bris-fled heek.

"You were running afever last night. Would you like a drink of water?"

He nodded.

"Please."

She returned with a plastic cup and helped him sit up before holding it

to his lips. As he supported himself on his elbows, the quilt slipped to

his waist, revealing powerful muscles tensed across his chest.

He took a couple of sips, then gestured away the cup. "No more ...

thanks.

Uh" -- a wave of confusion passed over his face "--I don't even know your name, or did I forget that, too?"

"I'm Ellen." She held out her hand.

"Ellen Coster."

His too-warm grip revealed his elevated temperature. "Pleased to meet you, Miss. Coster."

Hermitt yawned and stretched with a groan, drawing Jack's attention.

He glanced at the dog.

"And your companion's name?"

"That's Hermitt."

When the dog heard his name, he thumped his tail against the hearth in

sleepy recognlfion "Vicious animal,"

" Jack commented. A half smile flitted across his face.

"Now if you don't mind, I'd like my clothes back."

"Your clothes" -- An image of his near-naked form flashed into her mind.She felt her own temperature edge up a degree or two. She hid hermomentary embarrassment by turning away.

"I'm not sure your jeans and shirt are dry yet." She fingered the dampclothes draped over a chair by the fire.

"It looks like your thermals are the only things dry."

He sighed and held his hand out for the underwear. '"It'll do, I guess."As he prepared to flip back the quilt, he stopped and glared imploringlyat her.

"But first I need to" -- He stopped suddenly, a slight red tinge givingh{m some needed color.

Ellen pointed to the curtalned bathroom.

"If you think you can make it, the to: let over here. Otherwise" -- shereached beneath the bed and found the object of her search "--I havethis."

He stared at her in shock.

"A chamber pot?"

She shrugged.

"I don't have running water during most of the winter.

I've had to learn how to be flexible."

He grimaced, then pulled the pot closer to him. Vl/hen he straightenedup, he shot her a strained look.

"How about some privacy?"

A Killer Smile Ellen glanced out the window at the swirling snow. "ShallI wait outside?"

He scanned the single-room cabin and sighed in resignation. "The leastyou could do is turn around, Miss. Coster. Or go in there." He pointedto the curtain.

"Of course." She drew a deep breath.

Ellen waited until she'd stepped into the bathroom area before shereleased the breath she held. Now that he was conscious, she remindedherself not to turn her back on him. Whether he was Hank or not, he wasstill a stranger, and she still had to be wary of strangers.

After several moments she pretended to examine her hair while anglingthe antique hand mirror until she had an unobstructed view of theproceedings going on behind her back.

Jack remained on the floor as he struggled into the stretchy underwearbottoms. Inching the material up his lean, taut legs, he finally got tothe po'mt where he had to stand. He hopped over to the bookcase to bracehimself while he tugged on the pants. One knee buckled, and he wore a stunned look as he clutched at the bookcase. "Jack, are you all right?"

"N-not exactly."

She pivoted, skidded around the furniture and got to him, throwing her

arms around him in hopes of providing the support he lacked. He swayed,then crumpled toward her. They dropped to the bed, a tangle of arms andlegs.

Ellen ended up on the bottom of the heap with Jack's bare chest pushed into her face.

For a moment the contact was. disconcerting--the warmth of his bristled skin against her cheek, the hair tickling her nose in a way which could be considered another another time.

Killer Smile She fought back a sudden onset of emotions--not fear, butregret, anger. A sense of indignation for being forced to seek safety inisolation. She pushed at the man whose provocative contact made herquestion what seemed to be the only choice left to her for survival.

"For goodness' sake, Jack. Don't pass out."

"I never pass out," he glum bled Prophetically, his arms weakened and his deadweight pinned her to the mattress. Just as she wondered if she

would ever draw another breath, Jack roused, lifting himlf high enough for her to squirm out from beneath.

Ellen sat on the floor in a disheveled heap. One tail of her plaid shirt

hung out of her jeans, and a button had popped from her cuff.

The sleeve dangled open when she wiped a few stray strands of hair out

of her face. Hermitt pushed his way to her, licking her face and making a genera] nuisance of himself.

Jack groaned, then rolled to the edge of the bed to peer down at her.

A look of concern flooded his unfocused eyes.

"Are you all right?"

She drew a shaky breath and began to cough when she tried to answer him.

A gentle hand touched her shoulder.

"Miss. Coster ... Ellen. Talk to me."

"I'm fie." She wheezed.

"C-got the wind knocked out of me." She moved up to the bed and perched

gingerly on its edge.

"I thought you said you never pass out," she chided, taking another deep breath. She adjusted the rubber band on the end of her mussed braid.

"Are you okay?"

Jack sat up slowly and ran his tinge through his hair. "I feel ...