Page 62 of Kian

“I really appreciate it. See you soon.” Gretchen smiled and left the Post Office. As she walked toward her car, she saw Kian walking along the sidewalk across the street. Her heart skipped a beat when he stopped and looked behind him. Following his gaze, Gretchen gasped when she saw a blonde woman running toward him and practically jumping into his arms. She couldn’t bear to watch and quickly got into her car, started it, and drove off. Horns blared behind her as she narrowly avoided a collision with another car.

****

Kian’s jaw dropped when he saw Gretchen speeding down Main Street in her SUV. Sheila tried to get his attention, but he gently removed her arms from around his neck.

“Damn it,” he said, grabbing her arms.

“What’s wrong?” Sheila asked him.

“Gretchen just saw me hug you and it upset her.” He stared in the direction she had sped off to.

“The woman who saved you?” Sheila asked.

“Yes.” He sighed.

A sly grin lifted Sheila’s lips. “You’re in love with her.”

Kian sighed as he nodded. “She is everything to me. And if I didn’t just ruin things by her seeing me hug you, I’m going to do everything I can to get her to marry me.”

“I can see how much you love her,” Sheila said. “I hope I didn’t ruin things for you.”

“I’ll go see her as soon as I can,” Kian said as he headed toward the door. “I have to stop in the office first, then run some errands. I’m meeting Killian for lunch and we’re going to talk with the sheriff.”

“Okay. I’ll leave for home tomorrow morning,” Sheila said with a grin. “Make sure to invite me to the wedding.”

Kian pulled her into a hug. “I will, if I can convince her to marry me.”

“Use that Irish charm on her,” Sheila teased, giving him a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Goodbye, Kian. Good luck.”

“Thanks. I’ll need it for everything. Finding those men and getting Gretchen back.”

“I have faith in you.” She smiled, then turned and walked away from him.

He watched her go for a few minutes, then entered the department building. Once inside the elevator, he sent Gretchen a text.

Gretchen, it’s me. It wasn’t what it looked like.He waited for a reply, but none came.

“Damn it.” Kian sighed. “Come on, Gretchen. Answer.”

When she didn’t, he sent another one.

We need to discuss this, baby. Please.Again, nothing.

He swore as he stepped from the elevator, entered the officeand headed for his desk. He placed his phone on his desk, pulled the chair out and sat down.

Opening his computer, he started looking through more photos of men who had been arrested for poaching or livestock theft.

“Hey, are we still going to lunch?” Killian asked him as he stood beside Kian’s desk.

“Yeah.” Kian sighed as he looked at his brother. “I have a lot to tell you.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll tell you over lunch but let me say this. I want to see Gretchen.”

“I’m sure you do, but we want to get those men.”

“I know, but…” Kian shook his head. “Never mind, I’ll tell you all about it at lunch. Oh, and Sheila is leaving.”

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