Page 76 of The Ruler
“Yes, but what if this person were an adult?”
Kya looked from me to Khan and back. “Did Christina warn you about how stubborn I am?” She held up a palm. “It’s really not that bad, and I’m working on it. It’s just that when I know what I want, I argue for it, fiercely.”
“Good,” I said, positive that she would need that skill to stand her ground with Archer, who wasn’t used to being challenged by a woman.
We asked her more questions until Khan gave me a nod telling me he was satisfied.
“Wonderful, Kya, I believe we have heard all we need to hear. Would you like to see the building that is being turned into a school?”
“Yes, very much.” She clasped her hands together.
Christina had been right. Boulder and his men had been very busy. The roof was torn off and currently being reconstructed to include the new addition that would tie the church and the side building together. With the new design, you wouldn’t know this used to be a church until you walked into the vaulted church room.
Christina and Kya walked from room to room, arms linked together and I smiled at the way they talked and pointed excitedly.
I’d never had a close girlfriend like that. My focus on my work had come before my social life and although I’d never felt lonely with all the people around me, what Kya and Christina had was special and I envied the two women their bond.
From her papers, I knew Kya was twenty-six and had been a teacher for three years. She specialized in children with behavioral problems and her colleagues had nothing but praise for her.
Seeing the two women walk around like that, I felt old with my thirty-three years.
The responsibility on my shoulders weighed me down and I couldn’t remember having put myself first, ever.
But what if I did?
What if I didn’t worry about anyone else; what would I want then?
My eyes drifted to Khan, who was listening to Boulder explain about the shower facilities that were being installed in a few days.
Khan stood tall and straight, his legs slightly spread and his eyes shining with that intelligence that I found so intriguing.
As if he could feel my eyes burning him, Khan looked up and locked eyes with me. A warm feeling spread in my core and memories of his naked body made me flush red.
With a quick excuse to Boulder, Khan strode toward me. “Is something wrong?” he asked softly.
“No. I’m just…” I couldn’t meet his eyes. “I’m just thinking about what you said.”
“About what?”
“About wanting me to look into your eyes and hold your hands.” I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching us.
Khan didn’t seem to care one bit who saw us, and signaled for me to go on.
“Did you see where Boulder wants to grow a vegetable garden?” Christina called out to Magni, and to my relief the others all went around the house and left Khan and me alone.
“I’m very confused,” I muttered.
“About what?”
“About you,” I started. “About how I feel about you.”
Khan shifted his balance. “I’m listening.”
“I don’t know how I feel.” I lifted my gaze to meet his. “That’s the problem. I think that you and I live too much in our heads and we complicate things.”
At that moment, Christina’s loud laughter sounded in the distance, followed by Boulder’s deeper tones.
I turned my head in their direction and looked back at Khan again. “People like them make life look so easy, and I don’t know how to do that,” I said. “I might be a bit masculine for a woman.”
