Stranger's Promise

TER

m rolled

living thing. Trees creaked, rain battered the windows, and thun

d weather," Anika muttered as she kic

d intended to finish sketching her concept for the upstairs study and leave by six. But nature had other pla

e shadows of the hallw

nal?" h

rvice, no car, no power. I'm offi

ll su

m a look. "

s, fingers brushing hers again-w

e said. "Stone insulation

erators and build fire

again, like he was always fighting the

rowing golden light across long-forgotten portraits and a massive oak table that hadn't see

idened. "Y

r her, casual. "I reheat

ed vegetables and a bottle of red wine

You don't talk much.

ease, then handed her a glass. "Ta

posed to

at her. "No

d between them. Anika studied him through the soft glow-his sleeves rolled up

mpletely alone?"

es

hy

slow. "People talk too

ad. "So, you run

un from

er. "What do

ple see you once, they want to see you again. They want you to stay. To ex

hat's a dark vi

real

wine, watching him. "Or

nto the fir

d being alon

mind be

t his a

rting. No pretense. Just two people staring at

sy to read," s

t meant

ying," she add

ou don't scare easy. Most people wou

said honestly. "But t

ised

ugh for it to matter.' That's not something a dan

er his face. Regret? Pain? She c

en he

nd floor, end of the hall. I'll keep the

Are you always this goo

dn't

the wood, and said without turning, "There's a

ping just behind him. "Do

was almost

hether you want ho

ran down

re which answ

grand staircase, lantern in hand

t just a j

ust started peeli

't careful, she