The Runaway Groom

Once Irene opened the door, she found Zachary tiptoeing back to her room.

She called out to him, "Where have you been?"

Zachary turned around and smiled. "Nowhere."

“Did anyone tell you that I called you?" Irene asked him.

An unnatural reaction appeared on Zachary's face, and he somehow looked awkward. "You called me?"

"Yes I did," Irene told him with no uncertainty, "and it was a woman who answered, saying you were taking a shower. I told her to tell you to call me back when you're done. She didn't tell you, did she?"

Zachary chuckled. "Nope, she didn't.”

"Are you serious about her?" Irene asked her.

Zachary walked over and sat on the couch. "What do you mean?" "The woman who answered my call," Irene said.

Zachary appeared nonchalant. "She's just a woman. What's with the seriousness? Just need to satisfy my physical needs."

Irene frowned, speechless. "Giving up on yourself, are you?"

“No, but I'm no saint who's above worldly needs," Zachary said seriously. "Is it really so terrible, sleeping with one?"

Irene certainly found

men like

"Isaac doesn't because he's not like most

"You're either covering up for him or covering

with

in Isaac. "Just do what you will!" She got up, ready to go back to

late, and she

"Why did you

the forehead. How could she have forgotten? Turning back toward Zachary, she said, "We're moving back to the castle. Help make the

it safe there?" he

that

I'll make the

did not have much to carry back, aside from personal items and clothing. Since there was no furniture at all, they just had to load

happily in the courtyard, since he really preferred it here—it was so huge, and he had plenty of places

shoot, since he had seen Eagle hit a leaf

him—things had certainly been cordial between them after

Tommy nodded.

need to get some

not just a pebble?" Tommy asked, rearing his little head. "No—you're too