Amber hid a smile. Her sister-in-law was a completely different person to Amber, with a completely different outlook on life. “I’ll pop into town early in the morning and grab some stuff from the grocery store.”
“That would be great. I doubt Kelos has any cereal the kids will eat.” Margie sighed again.
“I was thinking that the guy probably didn’t do a grocery shop that included having four extra people as guests,” Amber said a little curtly.
“No, of course not.” Margie followed Amber around the back of the house. “I am grateful, you know?”
Amber stopped at the door leading into the kitchen and turned to face her sister-in-law. “I know you are. It’s just that sometimes, people like to hear it.” She tilted her head to one side. “I don’t mean me. I’m used to you. But others…”
“I’ll make an effort.” Margie looked up at the house and shook her head. “Let’s go in.”
Amber opened the kitchen door. The smell of tea and toast reached out to her and her stomach rumbled. “I didn’t realize I was hungry.”
“I figured you might feel better if you ate something. You both look tired,” Kelos said as he placed the hot buttered toast on the table. “Sit. Eat. I’ll take the luggage upstairs.”
He grabbed the bags from Amber and took them upstairs, he was back for the rest of the suitcases before they had a chance to sit down.
“Kelos is certainly fit,” Margie commented, watching the dragon shifter with open admiration as he headed down the hallway. “I bet he’s one of those shifters. A nice wolf or a bear…” She sighed theatrically.
“You are a married woman,” Amber reminded her. She kept her tone light, but a pang of jealousy stabbed her in the heart. Kelos was hers. She was his mate.
“There’s no harm in looking,” Margie purred and then laughed at Amber’s shocked expression. “You know there is no other man for me. Your brother is everything I want.” She sighed, all trace of humor gone. “I just wish he hadn’t gotten us mixed up in this mess.”
“I wonder how Fabian is.” Amber took out her phone and checked for messages. There were none.
When he’d called Amber and asked her to come get Margie and the kids, he’d also asked her to pick up a new pay-as-you-go phone. He’d been concerned that his phone was bugged although he had no proof. Just to be safe, Amber had grabbed a new phone for her brother as she raced to collect Margie and the kids. The deal was that Fabian would call to check in on his family when he thought it was safe. They were not to call him unless it was an absolute emergency.
After his initial call the day they had left the safe house, there had been no contact.
“He’ll be fine. In a nice hotel room, with room service,” Margie tried to reassure Amber, but she didn’t sound convinced.
“I don’t expect he has an amazing view like we do.” Amber listened to the sounds of the breeze through the trees. It was so peaceful here. So easy to forget that only a couple of days ago she’d picked up Margie and the kids and sworn to keep them safe when their lives were threatened.
Margie seemed to have forgotten, too, as she took a piece of toast and sniffed it before taking a bite. And then another. “This is good. Homemade.” She arched her eyebrows as if baking bread at home was pure alchemy.
Amber pushed her fears to one side. There was no use dwelling on the things she couldn’t change. “See, you will settle in here.”
“Just because I like the man’s toast does not mean I’m going to stay.” Margie scanned the room with a critical eye. “Although, the kitchen doesn’t look too bad.”
“I worked on the kitchen first.” Kelos entered the room, his movements almost silent. “I like to cook.”
Margie’s cheeks flushed with color as she realized Kelos might have overheard more of her words. “How long have you lived here?”
“Not long. I have traveled a lot of my life but always seemed to return to Bear Creek once or twice a year. A couple of months ago I decided it was time to settle down and make a home.” He glanced at Amber and she ducked her head and bit into her toast. She had been staring. She couldn’t help herself, there was something about Kelos that drew her in and left her wanting more.
“Amber likes to travel. You could share stories when you sleep together.” Margie smothered a mischievous smile as Amber nearly choked on her food. “I meant sleep in the same room. On the sofas.”
Kelos looked at Amber levelly, either ignoring Margie’s attempt to stir things up or not understanding their desired effect. “I have brought clean pillows and blankets down. The sofas are comfortable. I slept on them for a few nights before the bed was delivered.”
“Thanks, Kelos.” Amber picked up her tea and took a sip. “I can’t wait to see the house in the daylight. How high up in the mountains are we?”
“The views of the town below are stunning from the back yard. We’re just above the lower slopes and close to the trails that lead toward the highest peaks. I like to walk the trails in the evenings when I’ve finished work.” He picked up his mug of tea and took a gulp.
“Maybe you could show me around tomorrow.” Amber wanted to get Kelos alone and talk to him about their current situation. It would be easier without Margie who would balk at the idea of staying here for long. However, for Amber, Kelos and his house presented the safest place for them to hole up until the court case was over.
They were hidden from the road but at the same time, there was an escape route out the back if they needed it. She only hoped that the dragon shifter wouldn’t mind having so many
