Istill could…if I decide I’m better off on my own, which is indisputably the case.
“Didn’t come for the bed,” Cypress explains, calm as can be, which somehow irritates me further. “As I said, we’re here to see my friend.”
“I thought you meant someone who could actually be of…” I start to say, then pause, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Please tell me that we did not ride for two weeks for a damnsocial call.”
“We didn’t,” he says quickly, but then glances away. “Notentirely.”
I take a step toward him, still expecting for some reason that he will take a step back when I do. Like anyone else would. But of course, he doesn’t. Never does. So instead, all we end up doing is standing far too close as I ask, “Cypress, what are we doing here?”
“Seeking counsel,” he says simply, as if that’s all the explanation needed.
“Onwhat?”
“Our next move,” he replies, though his gaze drops to my mouth as he says it. Something I choose to ignore for the sake of my own fucking sanity. “I have a few…in mind.”
I grab the front of his shirt, yanking him closer and erasing what little space there was between us. “Speak. Plainly.”
He gives me a look, both of his hands gripping my forearms, and the touch shouldn’t feel as familiar as it does. “Well, we are currently fugitives.”
“I’m aware,” I bite out. “Which is why we need to put as much distance as possible between us and them.”
“Runningis not a strategy.”
I roll my eyes. “And playing house is?”
“Depends on the house.”
“Christ.” I let go of him, turning away in an attempt to get some air. Doesn’t work, though, since he stays right by me, hovering near my elbow. “How the fuck did I get myself into this?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him frown. “I said I’d fix it. I’ll get it straightened out.”
“How?” I ask him, not really expecting him to have a response even when I expand on the question. “How exactly do you plan to fix this?”
“The usual way.”
“Theusualway,” I repeat, closing my eyes and hanging my head as I take another breath that doesn’t do a goddamn thing for me. “The fact that you even have ausualway…” I turn, angling my body toward his again as I inform him, “I told you I’m not killing, just because you got us into this mess.”
“And I told you I wouldn’t ask you to.” He frowns, eyes searching mine. “If you would just give me afractionof your trust—”
“Whywould I—”
“If you two are going to argue in my front yard, can you at least speak up?” interrupts a voice from the front doorway. “I can’t hear you from the kitchen.”
I bite my tongue, glancing between the old woman and the man in front of me. “Are you kin?” I ask him. “Related?”
Cypress shakes his head, about to speak before she replies for him. “We’re not blood, but I do consider him one of mine.” She arches an eyebrow at me. “You’ll remember that if you have any sense.”
“Not sure I do,” I mutter, turning my attention back to the man in question, who is now trying hard to suppress another grin despite our most recent disagreement. “I’ll take care of the horses. You go inside and catch up.”
“No, I’ll come,” he continues to argue as I whistle for them and start heading toward the barn. “I should at least show you—”
“I can figure it out,” I say confidently when he starts to follow. “Might figure outIprefer to sleep out here, too, while I’m at it.”
I hear his footsteps falter, the frown in his voice when he asks after me, “Why?”
“Closest to an exit,” I repeat back to him without turning around. “Easiest escape.”
I’m beginning to think he’s avoiding me. Actually, I’m fairly certain of it at this point.