“I’ve noticed.”
Blue stares at me for a long moment, and I can practically see him weighing the pros and cons in his head.
“You understand this isn’t going to be like the movies? No montages, no dramatic moments where everything clicks into place. It’s going to be ugly, methodical work. And there’s a very good chance it will change you in ways you can’t come back from.”
“I’m counting on it.”
“And you understand that once we start down this path, you’ll never be the same person again?”
“Blue.” I reach across the table and put my hand over his. “I’vebeen walking this path since I was eighteen years old. The only difference is now I won’t be walking it alone.”
He looks down at our joined hands, then back up at my face. Something changes in his expression—a decision being made.
I grin at him, feeling lighter than I have in years. “When do we start?”
“Patience. Remember?”
I sigh and realize I shouldn’t push it. I just got the man to agree to something that I in no way thought was possible.
“I’ve been thinking about your offer to show me around town,” I say. “I’d like to go this morning.”
Blue glances at his newspaper—something calledThe Grimlock Gazettewith headlines about harvest festivals. This place even has its own newspaper. “I have an appointment, but...”
He stares at me across his perfect breakfast spread. I can practically hear the gears turning in his head.
“Hans will drive you,” he says finally.
“Okay.”
“He stays close.”
“Define close.”
“Close enough to help if you need it. Far enough away that you can pretend he’s not there.” Blue picks up his coffee cup. “Although Hans isn’t exactly known for his subtlety.”
I think about the giant German man who chloroformed me yesterday. “I noticed.”
“There are parts of town you should avoid—”
“Nope.” I hold up a hand. “If I’m free to explore, then I explore where I want. No banned zones, no helpful suggestions that aren’t really suggestions.”
Blue looks like I just asked him to juggle live grenades. “Some areas can be unpredictable.”
“So can I.”
We have a staring contest across the table. I win when he sighs and reaches for his pocket watch. A pocket watch... but then again... did I expect ordinary with this man?
“How long do you need to get ready?” he asks, checking his watch.
“Thirty minutes.” I stand up, smoothing my wrinkled dress. “I need to shower and change out of this outfit and look like someone who belongs in a small town instead of a crime scene.”
Blue nods, although he still looks like I just asked him to let me go skydiving without a parachute. “Hans will meet you out front.”
“Perfect.” I head toward the door. “Oh, and Blue?” I pause at the doorway, suddenly feeling the weight of everything he’s done. “Thank you. For saving me. For helping me save myself. I... Iappreciate it.”
Something in him changes direction, the careful mask slipping just enough to show surprise. “You don’t need to thank me for that.”
“Yes, I do.” I meet his eyes directly. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
