Unforgettable

“Have you had anyone to talk to since this happened?” he asked instead.

A beer came, magically appearing in her hand. Hank said something to the woman that she couldn’t hear over the noise.

“I ordered some dinner and got something for you, too.”

Kit was taken aback at his presumptuousness, but then she acquiesced as she knew he meant no offense. And he would know what was good to eat here anyway.

“Thank you.”

“C’mon, the back is quieter. It can get nuts around here on the weekend.”

He led her to a table near the back, pulled out a chair for her and then sat himself. He looked sort of ridiculous at the small tavern table, being lumberjack-sized.

“So you didn’t answer my question.”

“What question was that?”

Kit started to relax a bit. It had been a long time since she’d been out for an evening, even longer since it had been in a bar with any member of the opposite sex. She’d needed a break more than she thought.

“Have you had a chance to talk to anyone about what’s gone on with Erin? The department has counselors for us, and they work with family, too, when it’s needed.”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. I was just ticked off that she stood me up.”

“Yeah, she gets caught up in her head these days. Can’t blame her, but it’s not easy to live with, either. None of this is. Our schedules, lifestyles...it’s hard on loved ones.”

“Yours, too?”

“I’m not married, if that’s your way of asking. Or involved.”

Kit’s felt her cheek warm. “I wasn’t asking, really, that’s none of my—”

“Then it was my way of letting you know.”

Kit stopped, flustered. “Oh. Okay.”

Luckily, the server arrived with their food. Kit was immediately in love—with the chicken.

“Dig in. Don’t be shy.” Hank smiled, triggering another warm curl low in her belly that wasn’t caused by the spicy aroma of the food.