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He laughed. That wasn’t something he’d expected her to say. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but spying on you is not something I have any time for.”
“Then why is that here? Why are you here?” The accusation and suspicion in her voice were almost as amusing as the glare she’d set on the vehicle when he’d arrived. “I told you I don’t need a babysitter.”
He slowed until he stopped about ten yards from her. His arms were crossed over his chest and the amusement had fallen from his face. “Sorry to break this to you, but there are more important things to do than to hover outside of your residence. I don’t owe you anything, by the way.”
Her stubbornness remained, but now she tapped her foot. He wouldn’t have been at all surprised if she blocked his path when he climbed on the back of the ATV.
Zeke blew out a resigned sigh. “You’re not going to let me leave without an answer, are you?”
“You’re right about that.”
“Fine. Follow me.”
10
Agatha
Agatha hadn’t expected to see the ATV outside the back window when she’d gotten up. Granted, she’d never been up this early since she’d moved into the hunting cabin. But seeing it there had given her a start, and now she was fuming.
Zeke disappeared behind a large shrub. It was still too dark for her to see much, and when he slipped away from the light on the back of the cabin, she couldn’t help but hesitate. It wasn’t that she was scared he’d hurt her. If anything, Zeke was a little overprotective.
She only had a few seconds to wonder what could possibly prompt him to drag her into the woods this early in the morning. Agatha stared down at the boots she’d slipped on before sneaking out to get a better look at the ATV, then she groaned and tromped after Zeke.
There was a flash of his hat before he went around a curve in a trail she hadn’t even realized was back here. Her steps quickened. If she got lost in the woods, then she really would be eating her words. She couldn’t afford to get hurt while on his property or he would force her to stay cooped up like some primped princess.
Agatha took one more turn and completely collided with Zeke.
He stumbled forward a step, and she grunted in a very unladylike way. Zeke turned to face her. Was that a smirk he wore on his face? Boy, what she wouldn’t give to wipe it clean off. Agatha glared at him but still muttered, “Sorry.”
Zeke stared at her expectantly.
“What? I said I was sorry. Do you want me to do more?” It was far too early to be getting bossed around by Zeke Callahan.
He jutted his chin to her left. “That’s what.”
She glanced over her shoulder, suddenly realizing a tent had been set up. It was a deep forest green color and small. She wasn’t even sure she would have noticed it if she’d been wandering along the trails on her own in full daylight.
Agatha thumbed toward it. “Whose is that?”
“Mine.”
“Yours.”
He nodded.
“I’m trying not to overreact, but it really feels like you set up that tent so you could keep an eye on me.”
Zeke worked his jaw. He didn’t look thrilled about being caught, but then why would he? No one liked to get caught doing something they shouldn’t. His eyes flitted to meet hers, then a puff of air released from his lips. “That’s not it at all.”
“Really? Then what is it?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and put all his weight on one boot. Zeke didn’t look at her. Instead, he glanced up to the sky, then at the tree line—anywhere but directly at her. “I moved out to the tent after the fire.”
“Again, you’re not making a good case for yourself.” She shifted uncomfortably. There was something strange about the way he avoided telling her what this was about. “Just tell me what’s going on.”
He tilted his head, glancing at her from a strange angle like his confession was almost painful. “I was staying in the cabin when your house caught fire.”
At first Agatha didn’t grasp what he’d said. He was staying in the cabin? Wait. Her cabin? “You were staying here?”
