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“How?”
“He warned me to do what he said, but until the night in the forest…” Her mother sobs were heart wrenching.
“No more, Mama. We’ll never speak of Petrov again. We’re both alive, and I’ll take care of you forever.”
She still hadn’t talked to Gunner about their conversation, except to mention Topor and the call from Losha, which really had nothing to do with her mother. Regardless, they needed to talk about it, and whether he’d come up with a place for Losha to stay. She hoped he wouldn’t suggest she come to the island with them, because she knew her friend would never agree to it.
—:—
“If anyone had said, ‘next year you and Gunner will be decorating the house for Christmas,’ I never would’ve believed them.”
“I would’ve been right there with you, Ma.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask.” It was a rote response in their house; both he and his father had said it so often.
“Are you and Zary going to get married?”
“I hope so, Ma. More than anything.”
“There she is now,” his mother said, looking out the window.
Gunner greeted her at the front door.
“What’s all this?” Zary asked, motioning toward the boxes strewn about the living room.
“We’re going to spend Christmas here instead of on the island.”
Zary’s eyes met his. “Are you sure?”
“I don’t think my mother would have it any other way.”
“He’s right,” she said, walking over to hug Zary. “How was shopping?”
“It was fun but…”
“You look exhausted,” murmured Gunner, rubbing her back.
“We can finish this up later. Go on now.” His mother nudged him toward the stairs.
—:—
“I told you I had a solution for both Topor and Losha,” Gunner began when they were upstairs with the bedroom door closed. “Having Christmas here means you won’t be stuck on an island with a man you aren’t sure you can trust.”
Zary nodded. “I don’t think Losha will feel comfortable coming here, Gunner.”
“I figured as much. What about the island? Do you think she’d be comfortable there?”
She didn’t see why not. “Actually, I think it would be perfect. But Gunner—”
“No one will know, Zary. I’ll take her there myself.”
“Before you do that, there’s something else you need to know.”
“Go ahead.” Gunner waited while Zary tried to figure out how to tell him something she wasn’t sure of herself.
“She might not be alone.”
