Page 43 of Kian

“Yes! You cannot go alone. We’ll leave Lobo here and take the guns, but I am not letting you go alone.”

“You’re notlettingme? Woman, I’m a livestock agent, I’ve done this a million times.”

She stepped closer to him. “I don’t care what you are. I am notlettingyou go alone.”

Kian raked his fingers through his hair. “Damn you are hardheaded.”

“That’s the pot calling the kettle black. Let me get warmer clothes on, then we can go.” She tossed him the keys to the gun cabinet. “Get the rifle and Magnum.”

He caught them and they stared at each other until he swore. “Son of a bitch.”

Gretchen bit her lip to keep from grinning. “I won’t be long.” She turned to walk out of the room, but then faced him again. “Don’t even think about leaving without me or you’ll wish I’d left you out there when Lobo found you.”

When she returned to the kitchen, he got up from the chair and glared at her, then pulled his jacket on.

“Let’s go,” he said, as he turned toward the door.

“Don’t sulk, it’s not a good look on you,” she said. She watched him take a deep breath, then faced her.

“I am not sulking. I am more than capable of going alone.”

“It’s dark—”

“I’m aware,” he snapped.

“Keep it up, Doyle and I won’t let you go at all. It’s too far to walk.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Are you saying you wouldn’t let me use the ATV?”

“That is exactly what I’m saying. Now, do we go together or go watch TV?”

Kian stared at her for a few seconds. “You have got to be the most obstinate woman I have ever met.”

She stared at him, raising her eyebrow, and tried not to grin when he sighed.

“Fine. Let’s go.” He stuck the gun into the waistband of his jeans, opened the door, stepped onto the porch, then jogged down the steps, and headed for the shed.

“I’ll wait here,” she called out to him, as she picked up the rifle.

“Whatever,” he muttered, but she heard him.

Gretchen put her hand over her mouth to keep the laughter from bubbling out. Talk about someone being obstinate. She shook her head, then watched him drive the ATV from the shed, pull up to the porch, and look at her. She chuckled when she saw him shake his head and turn away from her and she knew he was hiding a grin.

She climbed onto the back of the bike, lay the rifle across her lap, wrapped her arms around his waist, then kissed the back of his neck, and heard him chuckle as he shook his head again. He placed his hand on her thigh.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yes, hardhead, I am.”

“Sweetheart, I have nothing on you. Hold on.”

He revved the ATV, pulled away from the porch, and slowly made his way through the dark woods.

Gretchen hated being out in the woods at night. She’d seen too many crime shows and it was scary out there, but Kian was with her and they both had weapons.

****

As Kian drove through the woods, he could only see what was in the beams of the headlights, and he knew it was dangerous, but he had to get in touch with Killian to make sure they didn’t announce him missing.

---