They sped down a paved road, past commercial buildings, scattered residences, and then into the countryside. Lainey stared out the window as they traveled from forested areas through small villages, open areas, then larger towns.

“You want something to eat?” His voice startled her. They’d been riding in silence for what seemed like hours.

“Yeah, I guess. My stomach’s in knots but I do feel a bit weak.” Lainey hadn’t realized how hungry she was. Worry over Shane and now the tension between her and Gideon had kept her from thinking about food.

They were in a small town and Gideon pulled over to an open-air market. He cut the engine and stepped out, leaning on the frame of the car.

“I’ll be back. Stay here.”

Her retort was cut off as he slammed the car door. Where was she going to go? She was in a foreign country with practically no money. He was back in a few minutes with a paper bag. He handed her a bottle of water and a banana.

“Word of warning: don’t drink water unless it comes from a bottle, and only eat fruit you have to peel. There’s no way I can take care of you if you get a case of tourista.”

“A case of what? And I can take care of myself.” Lainey screwed the top off the bottle, taking a long drink.

“Montezuma’s Revenge?”

She gave him a blank look.

“I thought you said you’d traveled before.” He pulled off his sunglasses, his brows furrowed in a bemused look.

“In Europe. I’ve been to London twice, Scotland once.” She peeled the banana, biting off a mouthful of the sweet flesh.

“Well, let’s just say there’s a lot of bacteria here that would love to give you a run for your money, making your life – and mine – a living hell. If you can’t find water, drink beer. Anything in a bottle.”

“Oh.” She continued eating the banana. Gideon started the engine, pulling back onto the road.

Another hour of driving brought them to a much larger city, one with a flurry of signs and honking traffic. After weaving through traffic, Gideon pulled the vehicle over and parked.

“You’ll need your passport again.” He peered at her over the top of his sunglasses. “Or, you know, the other option: you can stay here. You’d be able to get a fight to Atlanta.”

Lainey shook her head slowly, holding his gaze, chin lifted. “No way.”

Gideon sighed. “Come on. Bring your stuff so it’s not stolen while we’re gone.” He grabbed his duffel and Lainey followed him along the crowded sidewalk, her bag slung over her shoulder.

“When they ask you why you’re visiting, tell them you are sightseeing. There are ruins in Petén, so it’s a logical reason to be coming here. Under no circumstances should you mention your brother. Do you understand?”

Lainey nodded. Gideon abruptly stopped and she ran into him. He turned to look down at her.

“I said, do you understand?” His voice was cold steel in the hot sun.

“Yes, I do. I understand.”

He stared at her a moment longer then turned and continued down the sidewalk. She wondered what she’d done now, besides just being there, that had set him off.

They entered a small building, Gideon stepping ahead of her at the first counter. There was a rapid exchange between Gideon and the man behind the counter, and it looked like money changed hands. But before she could say anything, Gideon moved her to the second counter.

There, Lainey handed her passport to the man seated behind the counter who stamped it, allowing her out of Belize. When asked, she dutifully said she was interested in the ruins and wanted to go sightseeing.

Gideon walked to the third counter, apparently taking care of the paperwork for the vehicle. She saw money change hands again but was too far away to hear the conversation, which she suspected was in Spanish. Gideon gestured toward her and the official behind the counter looked at her, nodded, then smiled.

Gideon stepped away from the counter, stuffing folded papers into his pocket, and caught her eye. With a brief nod of his head, he indicated the restroom.

“You may want to take advantage of the facilities. It’s going to be a long ride, and I can’t guarantee I’ll stop. It’s getting late.”

She glanced at the door then back to Gideon. “And you promise you won’t leave me here?”

For the second time that day, he smiled. And for the second time, she was struck by how handsome he was. His sunglasses were off, one arm tucked into the neck of his t-shirt. As before, the smile reached his eyes. It was almost impossible not to smile back and for the first time, Lainey got the feeling he didn’t totally despise her.

“Yeah, I promise.”

Lainey’s brows shot up in surprise.

“Come on, hurry up. Like I said, we’ve got a long drive ahead of us.” He nodded again at the door. “Scout’s honor, I’ll be here.” Solemnly, he held up his left hand, two fingers extended.

Lainey laughed. “It’s the right hand, and three fingers, but I’ll trust you.”

The bathroom was less clean than she’d have liked, and she was distracted by the thought that Gideon was still playing her, that he’d be gone when she came back out. As she emerged from the stall, she collided with a heavy-set woman, eliciting a stream of what sounded like a stern reprimand in a language Lainey didn’t recognize as the woman banged her way through the outer door. Lainey ducked her head, mumbled something she thought might be an apology in garbled Spanish, and finished washing her hands.

Lainey stepped out of the bathroom, anxiously looking for Gideon. He was standing where she’d left him, leaning against the wall, idly watching the people passing through the front doors. She’d bet money he would be able to recite the height, weight, and eye color of the last twenty people he saw. She didn’t think idle was part of his vocabulary.

He straightened when he saw her, moving with easy grace across the small lobby, the hint of a smile on his face. Her lips moved into an answering smile but she froze as the look on his face changed. A dark scowl fell over his face and he closed the distance between them quickly.

“Where’s your bag?” He pointed to her shoulder.

“What? I…it’s…oh, shit. I must have left it in the bathroom.” Lainey turned, hurrying back into the bathroom. Banging open the stall door, she looked around the small space. Nothing. Darting back to the sinks, she tried to think. When did she remember having it last? Then it hit her; the woman she’d run in to, or who had run into her.

Lainey ran back out of the bathroom, searching the crowd for the woman. But she was long gone. Gideon strode over, concern on his face.

“What happened?”

“It was stolen. A woman…she ran into me. That was the last I remember having it.”

Gideon pulled off his cap, fingers sliding through his hair. He blew out a sigh. “You should have been more careful.” His voice cut through the air between them.

“I know…” Annoyance made her voice ragged. But Gideon shook his head, hands held out in front of him.

“I should have been paying attention, at least told you to keep a closer eye on your things.” His voice was softer, but his frown deepened. “So now you’re without a passport…and money.”

Lainey shook her head, biting back as much anger as she could. “Not so fast. Like I said, I’m not as air-headed as you think. I have money and my passport.” She patted the back pockets of her jeans with the palms of her hands. “Still here, safe and sound.”

His eyes moved down to where her hands rested, poised over her hips. For a moment, they lingered on her, one eyebrow rose, and something like a smile tugged at the corner of Gideon’s lips. His eyes rose briefly to hers and Lainey saw a gleam in them that hadn’t been there before. She drew a sharp startled breath, lips parted.

But his expression changed abruptly, his face becoming closed and remote. Gideon slid his sunglasses on, eyes now hidden from her, shaking his head.

“Alright. Just don’t get pick-pocketed, okay?” His brusque manner returned and whatever she’d seen in his expression was gone. Her mind tried to take in the mercurial changes she’d just seen. She’d never met anyone who could go through such a range of emotions in such a short span of time.

“Come on. We have a long way to go yet.”

Gideon led her back to the Range Rover, tossing his duffel behind the driver’s seat. They climbed back in and he started the vehicle, pulling ahead into traffic.

“What’s this?” Lainey pointed out the window at the building they were approaching, something that looked like a large transparent carwash.

“Fumigation. Roll up your window.”

She did as she was told and they passed slowly through the building, a cloud of spray engulfing the car, finally emerging on the other side. Gideon parked the Rover and once again they climbed out, walking toward a low building.

“This is the Guatemalan Customs, basically a repeat of the Belizean Customs you just went through. Same routine, same reason for being here.”

“Got it.”

It took almost an hour to work their way through the officials and payments. Gideon took care of the money, surprising Lainey. His gruff demeanor had dissipated a little and she thought maybe he’d finally accepted she was part of this journey. Or more likely it would be harder to get rid of her in Guatemala than it had been in Belize.