Page 42 of Kian

“I am too. What are we having?”

“Fish.”

“I like fish.” He grinned. “That sounds so much better than, I don’t know if I like fish.”

Gretchen laughed. “Yes, it does.” She turned from him, removed the smock she wore when she painted then walked toward him again. “I’ll get a shower, then I’ll start dinner.”

“How are you making it?”

She tilted her head. “I thought I’d fry it. Is that alright?”

“Sure. I just thought I could start it for us. I know how to cook.”

“That would be great. Please, go ahead. I won’t be long.”

Kian kissed her lips. “Yes, ma’am.”

She smiled, then left the room, and after Kian removed his boots and set them on the hearth, he got everything from the fridge to start dinner.

Chapter Seven

As they sat down for dinner, Gretchen couldn’t help stealing glances at Kian. She was so scared that once he was able to leave, he’d never come back. She knew it was too soon, but she had deep feelings for him already.

No man had ever made her feel the way he did, but she also knew he wanted to get home. She didn’t blame him, she would too, but her heart ached just thinking she’d never see him again.

“Gretchen?”

Startled, she looked at him to see him frowning at her. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about a… painting. Did you ask me something?”

“No. I was telling you about my boss having the idea to announce on the local TV station that I’m missing. But it could make those men come back out here, and I would never want to put you in danger. I told Killian I would see how you felt about it.”

“Oh. That could make them think they need to come back to make sure your body is gone. If it’s announced where your last location was, they could come back.” She shook her head.

“That is a possibility.”

Gretchen shrugged. “If it were me, I’d want to make sure the body couldn’t be found at all. They left you to die and hoped the animals would feast on your body, but they don’t know that for sure.”

“I’ll go back and call Killian after dinner. I told him I would if you had a problem with it, but I agree with you. It’s too risky.”

“It is a good idea, but if those men are hellbent on making sure you’re never found, they could come back.”

“You’re right.” He stood, paced, then faced her. “I have to go call Killian.”

“You can’t. It’s getting dark.”

“I have to. I told him I would. I can’t take the chance that Dave would go through with it. The ATV has headlights. Do they work?”

“Yes, but—”

He strode from the room. She got up to follow him into the spare bedroom.

“Kian, I don’t like you going out there in the dark.”

“I’ll be fine.” He pulled on another shirt, sat on the bed. “I don’t have a choice. Gretchen, please don’t worry. I won’t be long.”

“I’m going with you.”

“No—”

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