Page 18 of Relentless
Kara let out a huff of a laugh. “Maybe both? It’s still unstable and a relatively new country. But there’s a push to help stabilize it.”
“In other words, someone in the government decided that benefits, such as health care, might help ease tensions in the region, so the agency found themselves funding a new program there,” Gina said.
“Food security and elected leaders that the people trust would probably go a lot further to easing those tensions,” Kara replied, implicitly agreeing with her aunt. She paused and considered her response. Then on a sigh, she added, “That said, medical careisneeded, and it shouldn’t be held up because the people need other things more.”
They walked in silence for several minutes, the sun filtering through the trees and casting them into light and shadow as they moved. Ahead of them, Killian paused to stare at something to his right. He was too far away for her to see what he’d spotted. A moment later, though, two eagles burst from the trees and crossed right over his head.
Kara smiled.Thiswas what she needed. She needed time to take leisurely walks. Time to stop and admire nature. Time with her sister and Gina. Even her time with Ethan, as unplanned as it was, had been good for her. She knew he felt guilty, but she didn’t regret her offer to have him stay with her. And in truth, he’d provided a transition she needed but hadn’t known she needed.
When she’d first considered coming to Mystery Lake, the idea of waking up every morning with absolutely nothing planned sounded heavenly, like the best kind of freedom. But in retrospect, and with a week under her belt, she realized it could have also been paralyzing. Having Ethan give her some purpose each day—though not too much—was a gift. Not that she’d wish him injured. But since she couldn’t change that, she was grateful they’d been able to help each other.
Although, she acknowledged, being with him wasn’t always easy. In fact, it was torture at times. A kind of delicious torture, but torture nonetheless. More than once, she’d stopped herself from reaching for him. From touching him. From pressing her lips to his and finally learning how he tasted.
Sabina and Chad had worked side by side for two years before figuring out that they were better together than not. She’d only been in the same house with Ethan for less than two weeks and already she couldn’t look him in the eye for too long for fear of getting lost there. She didn’t know how her sister—or Chad—had managed it.
Then again, maybe she should learn a thing or two from the other couple and not prolong the temptation and torture. She didn’t want to waste two years of her life pining for the man. Not when she knew full well that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. The problem was, her life was still filled with so many unknowns. She had so many things to figure out that jumping into bed with Ethan—as appealing as that was—didn’t feel like the right thing to do.
“How are things going with Ethan?” Sabina asked.
Kara glanced at her watch. “Wow, you waited an entire forty-three minutes before asking,” she countered with a shake of her head.
Gina looped an arm with each of them, connecting them. “You should be grateful for the forty-three minutes of peace,” she said.
“And now you both are stalling,” Sabina pointed out. Then abruptly, she leaned forward to look at them as they continued walking. “Did you two place bets on how long it would take before I asked?”
Kara ducked her head and Gina chuckled.
“I had forty minutes,” Kara replied.
“And I had forty-eight. Looks like you won, sugar,” Gina said, hip-bumping Kara.
“I’m not sure whether to be disappointed or pleased that neither of you thought I’d pounce right on the topic,” Sabina said, only half grumbling.
“Speaking of pouncing…has there been any pouncing yet?” Gina asked.
For half a second, Kara considered not saying anything. Then reality bit her on the butt. Not only would neither Sabina nor Gina drop the topic, she kind of didn’t want them to. Not that she wanted to talk about her lack of love life. But the fact that she had the opportunity to talk with them at all wasn’t something she’d take for granted.
“No pouncing,” Kara said. “Although he does look amazing shirtless. Even with his leg immobilized.”
“I know,” both women said at the same time. Then Gina chuckled again and Sabina grinned.
“It sounds like you want to, though,” Sabina prompted, her words coming out half statement, half question.
Kara sighed. “Hormones say ‘yes,’ but the brain says, ‘not yet.’”
“That sounds uncomfortable,” Gina said.
“If not now, when?” Sabina asked.
“How does three thirty-five Friday afternoon sound?” Kara shot back. Gina snorted.
“Don’t be a smart-ass,” Sabina retorted.
“Then don’t ask dumb questions. I don’t know when. Whenever it feels right,” Kara replied.
“Why doesn’tnowfeel right?” Gina asked. Kara glanced up to make sure Killian was far enough ahead of them that he couldn’t hear. She’d been surprised to see him in the parking lot to the trailhead but was happy enough to have him along. She just didn’t want him listening in as they talked about his colleague.
Kara sighed again. “It’s hard to explain. There are so many things up in the air in my life right now that the chances of me screwing up are pretty high.”
