Page 65 of Kian

Her mother laughed. “True. Go.”

Gretchen pushed the chair back, rose from her seat before heading to the living room. Taking a seat on the sofa, she was immediately bombarded with questions from her father.

“Is everything okay, bug?”

“Yes, Daddy. And how about you?”

“I’m doing well. How’s your painting coming along?”

“It’s going well. I actually just sent some pieces to a gallery in Chicago.”

“That’s fantastic! You truly are a talented artist,” her father beamed with pride.

“You only say that because I’m your daughter.” Gretchen grinned.

“I say it because it’s true. I wouldn’t have one of your paintings in my home if I didn’t believe so.”

Gretchen glanced at the painting hanging above the fireplace, a portrait of their family home with her parents standing on the porch, arms wrapped around each other. It made her smile.

“It is a good painting, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” her father agreed.

Gretchen laughed and thanked him.

But as soon as her mother entered the room and sat down on the sofa, Gretchen’s mood shifted. She sighed and told her dad about Kian.

“I agree with your mother. You’re jumping to conclusions,” her father said calmly.

“But what else could it have been? I saw him hugging another woman,” Gretchen exclaimed.

“Maybe it was just a friend of his,” her father suggested. “And perhaps she was happy to see him back.”

Gretchen gasped at this possibility. “Oh my God, Dad, you could be right. I never thought of that. I completely jumped toconclusions.”

“I told you so,” her mother chimed in.

“I ignored his texts,” Gretchen confessed, covering her face with her hands.

“You need to text him back and get this straightened out,” her mother advised.

Nodding in agreement, she stood up and made her way to the kitchen. She took a deep breath before pulling out a chair and sitting down. With shaking hands, she opened her text messages and composed a message before pressing send.

Who was that woman?

She waited anxiously for his response, watching the bubbles appear on the screen.

It was just Sheila. You should know she doesn’t mean anything to me more than a friend. Gretchen, I’m crazy about you, sweetheart.

A tear rolled down Gretchen’s cheek as she read this. She quickly wiped it away before typing out another message.

I feel the same about you. When I saw you with her, I didn’t know what to think.

Will I see you later?

Yes, of course. I’m at my parents’ house right now but heading home soon. Please come out to the cabin.

I’m sorry, I have to go. Killian and I are meeting with Sam.

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