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

all men like you?" she

shrugged, before adding, "Isaac doesn't because

"You're either covering up for him or covering up for

with him,” Zachary said.

Irene had faith in Isaac. "Just do what you will!" She got up, ready

late, and she needed

"Why

she have forgotten? Turning back toward Zachary, she said, "We're moving back to the

safe there?" he

me, saying that the crisis

I'll make the

day, Zachary worked on helping Irene and the others move. They did not bring much over when they came and therefore did not have much to carry back, aside from

Once they returned, Tommy was running around happily in the courtyard, since he really preferred it here—it was so huge, and he had plenty of places to

teach him how to shoot, since he had seen Eagle hit a leaf with a pebble before and was really impressed—maybe even

his black eyes on him—things had certainly been

Tommy nodded.

to

pebble?" Tommy asked, rearing his little head. "No—you're too young." Eagle patted