Water dripped into a bucket a foot away from the fridge. The place was old and small but tidy.
A grandmotherly figure hopped up from her spot at the kitchen table, eyes as bright as her smile. “I can heat up water in the kettle.”
“That would be amazing,” Carys said. “Thank you.”
The older woman practically beamed. “Call me Kit.”
“I’m Carys.”
Blaize set the baby carrier on top of the kitchen table, away from thesplunksounds coming from the bucket.
With all three of them working, Rue had a bottle in her mouth, happily sucking the milk within a matter of minutes with Kit doing the honors.
Carys cornered Blaize near the sink. “Thank you for rescuing us, by the way.”
“Don’t mention it.” He issued a sharp sigh. “I’m concerned about the person on the loose who attacked your vehicle. You’re sure they were trying to get to you?”
“What other option is there?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged massive shoulders. “Maybe they thought you were trapped and couldn’t unlock the door?”
She was already shaking her head before he could finish that sentence. “I was in plain sight.”
“But you didn’t get a description of them?”
“Not with the dark clothing and hoodie they were wearing.”
“Male or female?”
“It was impossible to tell.” Frustrating as hell, too. “It was dark, and they were wearing oversized clothing that basically made it impossible to make out any shapes other than a general description of, like, they were a human being.”
She issued a sharp sigh. “How’s that for helpful?”
“The road will be washed out from the rain, so getting footprints or tire tracks won’t happen, either.” He took a sip of coffee.
“Which means whoever was there remains anonymous until they strike again.”
“We’ll get the sheriff involved,” he said. “That’ll get more eyes on the case.”
It wasn’t exactly progress, but she couldn’t be picky under the circumstances. She was still beating herself up for not checking the weather before leaving the house. What kind of parent would she make? Not that she wanted children at this point in her life, or possibly ever. Ruling them out didn’t feel like the right move.
She glanced over at Rue, who seemed the most content in Kit’s arms.
“She’s a good baby,” Kit said, practically beaming. “All she needed was a meal and a diaper change to be happy.”
“I think you’re selling yourself short, Kit. She’s comfortable with you. She was screaming the whole time I held her.” Not technically the whole time, but it sure felt like it.
Kit issued a grunt. “She’s probably worn out from crying, then.”
“Do you want to sit down?” Blaize asked.
“Yes.” She had questions for the gorgeous man. But something told her that he wouldn’t have the answers she needed to hear to be able to walk away from Rue.
Chapter Four
“Do you want a refill?” Blaize nodded toward Carys’s empty mug.
“Yes, please.” She smiled, and it lit up her face, stirring something in his chest. An attraction wasn’t just inconvenient; it was out of the question.
