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Chance went back to his room and opened the interior door between our rooms while I was opening the connecting door on my side. He gave me a quick kiss and took the journal back to his room. I tucked the paper with the location inside my pillow case.
I was exhausted, but my mind was reeling. Chance's comments about people being willing to kill to get this information reminded me of the creepy feeling I got from Jerry. Maybe he was just watching me because I was one of the few younger women at the conference, but it felt more ominous. My mind was reeling, but I knew if I didn't get some sleep, I'd never be able to function the next day.
I took my pillow with me and headed to the door between my room and Chance's. We'd left the doors slightly ajar. I opened the one on my side, and stepped through, pushing the door to Chance's room open further. "Chance, are you awake?"
"I am now. What's up?"
"Me. I can't sleep. Do you think we should just head home in the morning?"
"No. People would know something was up. We need to act normal."
"Normal has never been my strong suit."
He pushed himself up in bed. "I see you brought your pillow."
"You're going to make me ask, aren't you?"
"Damn right."
"Can I sleep with you?"
"Thought you'd never ask. Come on over here."
I crawled into bed beside Chance. He put his arm around me. I laid my head on his chest. Chance kissing the top of my head was the last thing I remembered before an irritated buzzing woke me.
"Wake up, City Girl."
I moved my hand before I realized it was on Chance's stomach. "Uhm, Sorry." I rolled away from him.
"Me, too. Sorry we can't spend the day right here, but the public awaits. A cryptid hunter's work is never done."
Chance scooted his arm out from under me and headed for the bathroom. We only got a couple hours of sleep, and I needed more. I should have headed to the shower in my room, but I fell back asleep.
"Wake up, Everly. We've got a lot to do today." Chance ran his hand along by cheek. I woke up to the glorious sight of Chance Munroe wearing nothing but a barely big enough towel and a smile. It was definitely not an enticement for leaving the bed.
He gave me the smirk that let me know he knew I appreciated the view, then held out his hand to pull me up. "If you're too tired, I can help you shower, but I suspect that might delay us getting on with what we need to do. I'm willing to make the sacrifice if you are."
"You're playing with fire, Chance."
"Counting on it," he said, as I headed through the connecting doors to my own room.
I took a quick shower and walked back into my room with a towel wrapped around me. I was bent over the drawers pulling out clothes for the day, when I heard Chance clearing his throat. He was ogling me and clutching a pillow to his chest. "Figured I should return the favor." He did an obvious perusal of my body. "Here's the pillow. Don't forget to keep the paper with you."
Before we left our rooms, Chance cautioned me not to talk about Helen or the journal outside the room. We had a plan for the day that I hoped would resolve some of the questions running around my head like rats in a maze.
“Did you put the location paper in your bra?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“It should be safe there. I’m guessing a guy would have to work pretty hard to gain access.”
“You got that right.”
“I’ve never been afraid of a little hard work,” he said, as we headed for the vendor room.