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Jenn was disappointed when Doug sat up, but then he leaned over and gave her a sweet but all-too-brief kiss.

“We’ve got to get up and moving. We can eat our MREs while checking on the newborn and the heart patient.

No matter what the rescue units decide, it won’t be easy or quick to transfer everyone to the other side of the village—especially the people who are elderly or injured. ”

When he turned to climb out of bed, she placed a hand on his shoulder, and he glanced back at her with his eyebrows raised in question.

Jenn swallowed a lump that had suddenly taken up residence in her throat.

“What happens after we’re rescued? I mean, you and me and this.

” She gestured between them and then to the messy bed.

Doug smiled and reached out to cup her jaw. “This doesn’t end here, sweetheart. Let’s get out of here first, then I’ll figure out how to tell Ian that we’re a couple in a way that won’t result in my death.”

Relief coursed through her. “Can we wait a bit before telling anyone?” When his eyes widened, she quickly added, “I just know everyone is going to have an opinion about us, and while we can tell them eventually, for now, I just want to enjoy being with you without anyone else’s comments or interference.

I’m not ashamed of what happened, Doug. I want to be with you, but I just know my uncles will go berserk when they find out.

My aunts will be happy for me—they all like you—but I know my uncles will haze you. ”

“I was kidding about Ian killing me—he won’t be thrilled but won’t resort to murder. At least I don’t think he will. Anyway, I can handle your uncles, sweetheart, but if you want to wait a bit, we will.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a sheepish grin. “And thank you for calling me sweetheart and not baby. Don’t think I didn’t notice that. Unless you don’t like baby as a term of endearment.”

“I never gave it any thought until you. I know you’re sensitive about your nickname, and I’ll do my best to avoid it.” He gave her an evil grin before nuzzling her neck with his mouth, chin, and nose. “But I can’t guarantee I won’t slip in the throes of passion at some point.”

She rubbed her cheek against his. “If that happens, I’m sure I’ll find a way to forgive you.”

The satellite phone on the bed beside him rang, signaling a call instead of the walkie-talkie feature. Doug glanced at the screen, then handed the device to her. “It’s your godfather. Probably wants to make sure we haven’t gotten you killed.”

After taking a deep breath and letting it out, she pulled the blankets over her naked body while Doug quietly climbed out of bed and began to dress in his still dirty clothes.

Jenn would have to do the same after she reassured her uncle she was safe.

The last contact with him that she knew about was when Romeo called him shortly after they’d arrived at the village.

After hitting the button to connect the call, she put it on speaker.

“I’m alive, Uncle Ian, and not hurt. Doug, Romeo, and Lindsey are fine too. ”

“Thank God.” His relief was palpable even with thousands of miles separating them. “What about everyone else?”

Her eyes filled with tears as yesterday’s horrific events raced through her mind, and she stared at the blanket over her lap.

“We came to help out at this village in the mountains. Some people were killed and others injured during the earthquake and more in a landslide. We lost one of our volunteers—Margie is... was a retired school principal. She was such a nice lady, Uncle Ian.”

“I’m sorry for your loss, Baby-girl.”

She cringed at her nickname but didn’t say anything about it. Once she returned home, she’d have to sit her uncles down and ask them to use her given name from now on. If she didn’t put her foot down, she’d be in her fifties, and they would still call her Baby-girl.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you arrange for her...her body to be transported home to New Mexico, just outside of Albuquerque? If it’s too much trouble, I’m sure the volunteer organization will?—”

“It’s no trouble at all, Jenn. I’d rope the moon for you.

” She knew he would, but sometimes she felt like she asked too much of him.

While many people called him a sarcastic son of a bitch, Ian Sawyer had a heart of gold when it came to those he loved and respected.

Thankfully, Jenn was one of them. “I’ll have Colleen find out what we have to do to make the arrangements—I’m sure there’s paperwork that has to be filed to transport a deceased American out of Colombia.

When you can, get her emergency contact information from Ramona.

She’ll probably want to make the notification to the woman’s family, but then I’ll talk to them and take care of everything else. ”

“Thank you.”

“Anything for you.”

Doug left the room and returned seconds later with their MREs and two bottles of water. She smiled at him as he opened one of the bottles and handed it to her.

“Can I convince you to fly home with the others when you’re done at that village?

” Ian asked. “This is not me ordering you to come home—it’s me asking you to.

I’m worried about you. I know you’re doing good work down there, but that doesn’t mean I’m not scared shitless that something will happen to you.

This isn’t anything new—it’s just gotten worse since the earthquake.

And now, knowing there was a landslide and the death of your friend.

..” A long pause filled the air. “You’re family, Jenn.

My daughter, in almost every way. I have the right to worry about you and want you to be safe. ”

Jenn’s eyes watered at the tangible concern in his voice.

Her gaze met Doug’s understanding one as he sat on the foot of the bed, facing her.

“I-I don’t know. I want to stay to help, but so much has happened since yesterday.

Let me think about it. There’s still a lot to do here.

I’ll call you later. Hopefully, we’ll be back at the commune by tonight. ”

Another pause was followed by a loud sigh. “Okay. Just stay safe and keep me updated. I love you, Baby-girl.”

“I love you, too, Uncle Ian. Give Peyton a kiss from me.”

“You’ve got it.”