Page 42 of I Dated a Retired Hero

“I helped him out.” She left that alone.

Lidiya ran to her and hugged her as well. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Litha stifled all sarcasm and just hugged the woman, who smelled like sweet cream and delight.

“Okay, okay. I just hauled him out here because I thought you were familiar and might be related. Also, he was throwing a tantrum and needed some fresh air.”

Lidiya chuckled and leaned back. “That doesn’t sound like him, but then, if he saw a pretty lady, he might throw what I know out of the window.”

“Yeah, there are several working at Z-Tech.” She paused and said, “He is going to be staying at my farm outside of town for a while. If you want to come by and visit, we could have a barbeque, you could bring your kids, and they could run around finding berries in the woods.”

“My children are adults.”

“I know, but if people don’t pick them, the birds do, and I have way too much bird shit on my deck when the berries are ripe.”

Lidiya looked at Sergei. “Would you mind? It would be easier than today.”

“I would not mind, Lidiya. I look forward to it.”

Lidiya looked back to Litha. “Saturday?”

“Certainly. I will lay in some supplies, and just let me know how many are coming.”

Lidiya grinned. “Like a family gathering.”

Sergei nodded. “Father is in town, as well, but I don’t think he will stay here.”

Lidiya sighed. “Good. I don’t like his attitude toward women. He thinks we are all interchangeable.”

Litha stifled a worried whine. The ice cream needed to get to safety. Preferably inside her.

Sergei smiled. “I want to know all about your last twelve years.”

“Fine. But I think I know yours are classified.”

“Hm. Maybe if we are nice, we can get Litha to dance for us. I hear she used to be very good.”

“Really? Says who?”

“Madame Dozenko.” Sergei grinned.

“Then, Litha, we really must persuade you to dance.”

“Try it after I get my fill of ribs and sausages.”

Sergei grinned. “Right. We need to get the ice cream to the others. One more hug?”

They hugged, and Litha was squeezed again before they slipped out the back door and headed back to the boardroom laden with ice cream.

He said, “Thank you.”

“For what? You are carrying everything.”

“For recognizing my features in hers.”

“Well, you are both very pretty. I imagine you hear that a lot.”

“No, not really. My energy draws in women, and I thought it was just because it was hungry, but now, I know that it was trying to find you.”

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