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“Why are you following us?” she said, keeping the distance between them.
“I’m not ... I mean, I am, but it’s not what you think,” he said, bringing a thickly muscled arm up as he scratched the nape of his neck.
“So you weren’t just chasing a defenseless woman and child?”
“You ran before I could shift!”
“Wouldn’t you if you saw a 700-pound bear?”
“Good point. Look, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to scare you.”
“So, whatwereyou trying to do?” Kirsten asked, her eyebrows raised like a school teacher, daring him to lie to her.
“I’m from the village,” he said, stepping closer, “I saw you and Henry there the other day. You were lied to, and while I am many things, one thing I’m not is a liar. Henry is a respectable, honest man, and I’m not going to sit idly by and watch a child be hurt.”
His eyes shifted to Zara and softened. Kirsten’s instincts told her this guy, whoever he was, was good. He risked himself to come and give them answers knowing he could be found out.
“Who’s been watching us?” she asked quickly, not knowing who else could be in these woods.
“Give me one moment,” he said, holding up a finger.
He ran the way they had come, returning with Zara’s stroller moments later. He motioned for her to follow him back on the path she came from.
“Let’s walk and talk,” he said, placing the carriage down.
“You read my mind,” Kirsten said, placing Zara inside.
They walked back toward the house, and Kirsten couldn’t help but feel like he was protecting them. They walked in silence for a moment, his eyes scanning the thick leaves for anyone who may be out there.
“It’s Sher. She hired a guy from the village to keep tabs on Henry and the girl.”
“Why would she do that?” she asked.
“I’m not sure why, but my guess is it’s not good. I’m sure when Henry finds out, he’ll figure out why. I mean, they used to be mates.”
Kirsten let the information sink in. None of this was making sense. Why wouldn’t Sher just knock on the door and ask to speak to him? She looked down at Zara, and her heart sank. Was she trying to take her away? Her mind began to race.
“Listen, whatever it is, don’t trust her,” he said.
He stopped urging Kirsten forward. She looked up, not noticing when she had arrived at the end of the property. Kirsten looked back to thank him, but he was gone as if he had never been there.
She pushed Zara’s stroller across the backyard and into the house, locking the door behind her.
They had a lot to talk about when Henry came home.
TWENTY-SIX
HENRY
The trip to town had taken longer than expected. Henry’s orders had skyrocketed these past few months, which was great in terms of exposure. However, it meant that he had to ship a lot more pieces than he usually did in one trip. He had spent the last three hours double and triple checking that each piece would be heading out to the correct buyer.
Finally, when he was sure that he had invested in the proper methods of damage control, he headed back to check up on the girls. Turning on the ignition, he began the thirty minute drive home to see his girls.
Henry thought about his unwanted guests and pressed his foot down on the pedal. He hated how they turned his sanctuary into a cage. Normally, he enjoyed his visits to town. Now his thoughts revolved around Kirsten and Zara and how vulnerable they were without him there.
Henry let out a breath as he pulled into the driveway. Exiting the car, he made his way to the front steps. The door swung open before he could put the keys in the keyhole. The scent of bear assaulted his nose, and he let out a growl.
“Why do you smell like a bear?” he said, moving past her.
