Page 175 of Things Left Unsaid

He chuckles. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist.” The chuckle dies as he coughs and clears his face of all expression. “Hello, sister-in-law. I’m your brother-in-law. Squadron Leader Cody Korhonen reporting for duty.

“I’d stand to attention but I’m not allowed to pop my heels for another two weeks.”

Wincing, I mutter, “Do you want something to drink? I know this is more your house than mine, but I have no idea where Ida’s lair is.”

“She has quarters just off the kitchen, but seeing as Mum’s home, she’s probably with her in the solarium.” His head tips to the side. “Thought you’d have known that already.”

“I haven’t done much exploring.”

“But you live in this house.”

“Yes, but it’s not mine to be nosing around, is it?”

Though his brow lifts, he states, “I’d love a coffee. No one answered their phone when my cab pulled up outside.”

A part of me wants to blanch over how much that taxi ride must have cost from the airport, but then, these guys are all loaded so why bother worrying about their bank accounts?

“Can you manage to get back down the stairs?”

“Sure. I’m slow. Feel free to go ahead.”

I know it’s an invitation, but I don’t take it.

That’d be plain rude.

“So, um, Callan’s told me a lot about you.”

“Callan talks too much,” he grumbles, but he’s obviously uncomfortable because it takes him a while to bluster out the words as we make it onto the first level.

“You should have stayed on this floor,” I mutter worriedly. “I know the boys have a wing on this level?—”

“I heard a voice I didn’t recognize. Considering everything that’s going on in town, I had to check things out.”

It’s with relief that we make it to the ground floor. It seems dumb to guide him into the kitchen when he knows its location better than I do, but guide him I do.

When he plunks his ass at the kitchen table, right where I’d been sitting twenty minutes ago, he releases a pained sigh. “God, it’s good to be off my feet.”

Inwardly cringing on his behalf, I scurry to fix him a coffee.

Plunking the cup and creamer in front of him, I watch as he takes a deep sip before, staring me square in the face, he asks, “So, did you burn down our stables?”

Colt

I’m God - Clams Casino, Imogen Heap

I’ll be back in a few days to replace the unit.

Just be careful with it until then.

Colt

Once I finish writing the note, I stick it on the refrigerator for the occupants of the new bunkhouse to see.

Having temporarily fixed the finicky waste disposal, I head out and jump astride Fen’s back after giving him an apple from the fruit bowl on the kitchen table.

As I do, I spy two of the occupants peeping through the folds of the drapes like I’m the Zodiac Killer reincarnate.

With a sigh, I set off for home.

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