Page 28 of The Search

She felt a chill she tried to ignore. “I’m not used to trusting anyone else to take care of me. Just what does he do for you?”

“I suppose you might call him a problem solver.”

“Problems like this?”

“It’s his specialty. So don’t feel bad about letting him take over if things get rough.”

“Do you let him take over?”

“Hell, yes.”

She gazed at him skeptically. “I can’t see you trusting anyone but yourself.”

“I learned a long time ago how to delegate.” He smiled. “Why else would I have gone after you?”

“I don’t see you stepping aside and turning me loose to do my job.”

“In spite of what you think of me, I can’t shrug off responsibility.”

“How long have you known Galen?”

“Fifteen years or so. I met him when I was in Japan. He was fresh out of the service and working for a local businessman.”

“So you hired him away?”

“At that point in my life I couldn’t afford him. I was struggling to keep a fledgling business afloat. We became involved in several projects together in the next few years. Then, when I began having personal problems, he helped me out.”

What kind of personal problems? she wondered. She wasn’t about to ask. She didn’t want to know anything about his personal life. She just wanted to do the job and walk away. “And he’s worked for you ever since?”

“On occasion.” They had come into the clearing where Galen had set up camp. To her amazement, there was a table beside the fire with a damask tablecloth and colorful china. “What the hell?”

Galen looked up and grinned. “My mum always told me that you should never use a picnic as an excuse for ignoring the finer things in life.”

“And you think this job is going to be a picnic?”

“It depends on how you look at it.”

“How do you intend to transport all this stuff?”

“I don’t. It’s disposable. Isn’t everything?”

“No.”

He raised his brows. “Good. It’s refreshing to meet someone who’s not a cynic.” He carefully dished up the macaroni. “Tell me, Logan, do these squiggly bits of pasta remind you of grubs?”

The casserole was excellent and the coffee Galen served afterward was even better. “I’m sorry, there’s no dessert. Next time perhaps.” He lifted a brow. “Are you going to wash up, Castleton? It’s only fair.”

Castleton got to his feet. “I have to get back to town. I’ve got to make final arrangements to get our people out of the hospital. Thanks for the meal. It was really very good.”

Galen made a face. “Words of praise don’t get those dishes done.”

Logan stood up. “I’ll walk you to the car, Castleton. There’s something I want you to do for me.”

“Sure.” Castleton turned to Sarah. “Take care of yourself. Good luck.”

“Thank you.”

She watched Castleton and Logan stroll across the glade and into the trees, then she stood up and began stacking the plates.