BOOK 6

Dustin awakened to the sound of pounding on the front door. He’d spent an uncomfortable night in front of the fireplace, which was now letting in drafts of cold air. Cursing to himself, he got up to open the door.

‘I should have known it’d be you. You’re going to have to get your own eggs and sausage out of the kitchen. I’m not cooking, and nobody else is awake,’ Dustin grumbled at Marsh.

‘Breakfast sounds good, but actually I need to talk to you. You look like hell. Didn’t you sleep last night?’

Dustin scrubbed a hand over the prickly growth on his chin. Lord, he needed a shave and a shower. ‘No. Orange juice?’

Marsh glanced into the parlor as he walked by it. Dustin knew he hadn’t missed the blankets on the floor. He went into the kitchen, mentally bracing himself for Marsh’s question.

‘Heat go out upstairs or something?’

‘No,’ Dustin growled. ‘I spent the night in front of the fire because I thought it was a cool thing to do.’

‘Hm.’ He looked at Dustin closely. ‘Why do you have pin