Page 99 of Kage

“You certainly have.” When I turned around to honor her request, she purposely snapped a few photographs. Her smile was even wider than before.

Now all it did was create another burning wave of longing.

“I know,” she said. “No social media. I remember.”

“Good because your next lesson would be a painful one.” I’d avoided calling Gray. He hadn’t provided me with any information either, but the nagging continued in the back of my mind.

There were too many loose ends for my comfort. I’d relied on my instinct from day one of boot camp, including on how to remain in the shadows. Something burned in the back of my mind and it was all about the girl’s father.

It was a discussion in which Juliette needed to be included, yet one I knew would only explode into another argument. That wouldn’t do either one of us any good.

I took my time returning to her, which awarded me a saucy look and a flick of her long hair. When I reached up, she acted as if she wasn’t going to allow me to help her.

“Fine, sunshine. Have it your way.”

“Bastard.” She half jumped into my arms, the force catching us both off guard. “Oomph.” Pitched against me, her eyes flew wide open. “Thanks for catching me.”

“You should be more careful.” I kept my arm wrapped around her back, pressing her tightly against me.

Just like in the bathroom, a part of me didn’t want to let her go.

She acted as if she wouldn’t mind. I’d pull her even closer, but her camera was in the way. So I backed off, rubbing my hands on my jeans.

After adjusting her camera, she took a step away, her face lighting up as she walked toward the lake. “Come on, Sadie. I think you can get some water.”

Just like Tank, the horse dutifully followed her, taking long gaits toward the water. The scene as she rubbed Sadie’s neck while the horse drank was touching.

Far too much so.

I turned my head, wondering if this plot of land had been a special place for my uncle. Maybe so, although I had no idea what I would do with it or if I’d bother returning. The whole setting was too peaceful, too…

Just not me.

Juliette began taking pictures, snapping one photograph after the other.

“I thought you took pictures of places. People. Food.”

She tipped her head in my direction. “Have you been checking up on me?”

“Just remembering what you said.”

“That’s true, but my favorite part about seeing different parts of the world is nature. Flowers native to the area, tropical ordeciduous trees. Butterflies. Animals I hadn’t seen before. There are some cities in the world where wild animals freely walk the streets and no one cares. The animals are seen as just part of the landscape and the community. You’d be surprised. The beauty is all around us if we’d all stop just for a moment and look around us.”

“Like this place.”

“Exactly like here, right. Look at the mountains. They’re tipped with snow and the trees stretching toward the light, basking in the late afternoon sun. Look at Sadie and how her nostrils flare from all the incredible scents. Just incredible.”

My chest tightened. “You’re incredible, Juliette.”

“Yeah?” she asked, tugging the hair behind her ear just like she’d done out of nervousness before. “What’s so incredible about me?”

Shrugging, I almost didn’t answer her, but she deserved to know what I thought. “Your smile. Your laugh. Your talent. The way you stand up for yourself and everyone else. Everything.”

She seemed confused, looking away. “Thank you. No one has ever said that to me before.”

“Then they’re fools. Maybe you’ll show me more pictures one day.” I moved toward the water’s edge, peering down at the surface.

“I’d like that.” She snapped a few more photos. “This is my favorite place on your property. The house is lovely. The barn is wonderful, but this is just pristine. Untouched by humans.”

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