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There was something in the way he cocked his head and slightly narrowed his eyes that gave her the impression he didn’t want to answer. He might be afraid of what she’d think if he said yes. She wasn’t one to judge. Not after the childhood she’d had.
“Yesterday you mentioned having some personal experience with the grays. It made me curious, that’s all.”
His big, warm hand snagged hers. The sweetness of the heat that washed through her limb was unlike anything she’d felt before.
“Doyoubelieve in extraterrestrials?”
Glancing at their joined hands, she threaded her fingers into his.
“Are you diverting so you don’t have to answer my question, Ethan?”
“I’m not sure humanity is prepared for everything that’s out there.”
“That sounds ominous. Care to expand?”
He didn’t answer right away, then looked down at her. “Why does the idea of alien life intrigueyou?”
“We don’t know each other well enough for me to answer that question.”
“So now you’re diverting.”
She nodded. “Yes.”They walked a little further before he stopped. “We just met, but I feel like I’ve known you much longer.”
“Is that another line from one of your magazines?”
Dismissing it was easier than admitting he was right. She hadn’t come to Ireland to start a fling with some dude she’d never see again. Even if she was holding his hand and loving the feel of his palm against hers. She could have this feeling of familiarity with anyone, really. Not that it had happened before… but itcould.
Pressing a gentle hand to her back, he guided her to turn slightly so she could see where he pointed. “The lights were right over there. We were having a drink at one of those outside tables behind Decker’s pub. A group of us witnessed the lights rise out of the water and shoot into the night sky.”
She shivered from the cold or his admission; she wasn’t sure which. “How many people witnessed it?”
He shrugged. “Twenty, maybe a bit more.”
“So you had other witnesses to back up your claims. That makes a difference, doesn’t it?”
Ethan smiled reassuringly, as if he knew she was speaking from a deeper place within herself. “It does. There’s always comfort in a shared experience, especially when it’s out of the ordinary.”
Lightning streaked across the sky. Ethan turned to where the flash cut through the darkness. Her forearms prickled inside the sleeves of her jacket as if all the little hairs were trying to stand up. Odd electricity jacked the air. The storm that had been brewing was here.
She rubbed her arms. “We should get back before the rain starts.”
Ethan took her hand and tugged as he started a brisk walk. “Good idea.”
His entire demeanor changed from easy going and relaxed to tense and on edge. Was he afraid of storms?
“Tell me your alien experience story.” He slowed their pace slightly.
Kimber hesitated. Is that the type of story you tell someone you’ve just met? At one time, everyone knew her business, and it was all people talked about. Even though years had passed now, sometimes she still expected perfect strangers to stop her on the street and ask her about her dad like they did when she was younger.
What was the harm in telling him? It’s not like they’d see each other again. She’d go back to Florida, and he’d go… wherever it was he was going.
“My father claimed that he was abducted by aliens, not once, but twice. It was a very real experience for him, and I’m curious whether his claims could be true.”
Ethan made a small knowing sound. “Abducted by the grays?”
“Correct.”
“Nasty creatures. Parasites, with too much technology and too little ethics.”
