page62 (2/2)

Didn’t she want to spend more time wrapped in Erik’s arms?

Shaking her head, answers escaping her, she swiped on her lip gloss and opened the door Walt’s house was like none she’d ever seen The rancher obviously took great pride in his Colorado reen landscape A sh the vaulted foyer built of solid stone Everything rought by aShe found Erik and Walt in the vast great rooe Christ liquor out of highball glasses

Walt stood “Well, now, don’t you look pretty as a tulip”

“Thank you,” E she wasn’t supposed to be the old Eentlemen this afternoon?”

“Well, thank you,” Walt said, extending a hand toward the built-in bar “Pick your poison, madam”

Erik rose and ”

“I can do it myself”

“Well, hell, since you’re over there, Matheson, fixin some hors d’oeuvres in a few,” said Walt, clearly oblivious to the tension

Erik touched her hand, o of her fears, but the uncertainty between theuarded

“You okay?” he asked

“You keep askinga measure of what looked to be small-batch bourbon She wasn’tto calm her “I’m fine”

“We need to talk”

Emma nodded “But later Mr Grider has been so kind to us, it would be rude to excuse ourselves now After dinner”

He nodded and she took a sip, restraining herself froth of the whiskey “Tell us about yourself, Mr Grider”