Page 72 of Kian

“I understand.”

“I want to get settled as soon as possible, but with new cases arising and trying to work with Sam on finding those men, it’s been difficult. Let’s go inside.”

He opened his door and started around to her side, but she had already exited the truck and retrieved Lobo from the backseat. He led her to the front porch, unlocked the door, removed his hat, and they entered a foyer.

“Is it okay if I explore on my own?”

“Absolutely.” He watched as she walked Lobo from room to room before returning to where he still stood.

“It’s a beautiful home. I bet it will look even better once it’s fully furnished.”

“It has three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath, and an office. There’s also a swimming pool.”

“It’s really nice.”

“I knew it was the one as soon as I saw it.”

Gretchen nodded but Kian felt like he was pulling teeth trying to get her to talk to him.

“I bet it cost a good bit. Especially in this area.”

“It was a little under a million.”

“Good luck on those payments,” she said with a small smile.

“I paid cash,” he said and knew by the look on her face, he’d said the wrong thing. Something else he hadn’t told her about was that he had money.

“Cash? How?”

“Uh, I have money.”

“Yeah, I get that, but you never mentioned it.”

“Well, I honestly didn’t think about it.”

“Of course not.”

“My parents started a savings account for me and my brother when we were born. We weren’t able to touch any of the money until we reached the age of twenty-one. My mother comes from money, so she put a good bit into the savings, and with the interest it’s drawn over the years, we both have a good bit in our accounts. I use it when I need something, other than that, it sits in the bank drawing interest.” He shrugged.

“I see.”

“Would you like to grab something to eat at the diner?”

“Oh, no thanks. Besides, we have Lobo with us.”

“We could stop and pick up some burgers—” He stopped when she shook her head. “Damn it, Gretchen. I’m trying here.”

“I am too, Kian. But it just makes me angry that you couldn’t even take the time to come see me. All you had to do was send a message saying you wouldtryto come to the cabin, and then you tell me you have money which you kept from me. I can’t be in a relationship without communication.”

“I told you I didn’t think about the money. I did want to come see you, but I want to find those men. I’ve been going over hundreds of photos.”

“I know I can be frustrating sometimes, but you had enough time to text me two words before meeting with Sam. Just a simple ‘I’ll try’ would have made a world of difference,” she snapped at him. “I would have been disappointed, but I would have understood.”

“Would you? It seems like you’re trying to pull away from this relationship.”

“What relationship?”she shouted.

Kian ran his hand through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh.

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