“Yum,” she declared. “These are the best eggs I’ve ever had.”
“Thanks.” He sounded as if the word had cost him a lot.
She ate a bite of the pancake and again was stunned. The berries and syrup and fluffy sweet pancake were better than a bakery-made pastry. “Wow. Do you always cook like this?”
He shrugged, then nodded.
Emery smiled. “Do you ever talk much?”
He shook his head, but the corners of his mouth turned up.
“So you live here desperately and forlornly alone, and you never converse with anyone, even your livestock or your favorite canine? Wait, do you have a dog? You simply must have a dog. A cowboy isn’t complete without his faithful hound at his side.” She ate a bite of bacon. Cooked perfectly. Not burned, but still crispy. And this was no cheap, fatty bacon. This was the good stuff that rich people had the butcher cut for them that was leaner than average but better tasting.
She’d earned a slightly larger smile. “Brave,” he murmured.
“Your dog’s name is Brave, or I’m brave to tease you?”
He actually laughed. She really loved his laugh. She needed to stop liking so many things about him, but if she was going to get his guard down and find out about the secret, she needed to act well the part.
“Brave’s my dog.”
“Why didn’t he come greet me last night? Doesn’t he ride the range with you?” She ate another bite of the buttery eggs.
He shook his head. “Too old.”
“Ah, that’s sad. Can I meet him after breakfast?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks.” She winked at him and focused on her breakfast. He seemed relieved to not be conversing as he ate. Slyly studying him while she enjoyed breakfast, she noticed he had good manners but ate rapidly like he was on a mission. She was stuffed full and only had a little food left on her plate. He’d refilled his and was still plowing through the bites.
Leaning back, she openly studied him. He stopped with a fork full of eggs halfway to his mouth. “You okay?” he asked.
She smiled. “Yes, thank you. The food was scrumptious. I’m ready to burst so I’m scrutinizing you while you partake.”
He slowly lowered his fork back to his plate.
“No, no, no.” She gestured with her hands. “Scoop it up. I’m in absolutely no rush. But can I ask some questions while you devour your victuals?”
He stared at her as if she’d lost her mind, but then he smiled. “Victuals,” he muttered. Then he shook his head and went back to eating.
Most people would probably wonder what her questions were, but Greer was not most people. He didn’t need to prove himself to anyone. He was simply confident in who he was and comfortable in his own skin. It made her feel comfortable around him. He also seemed to instinctively accept and not judge her. Which was insane if he knew she was Emery. She should be terrified of him, or at the very least be repelled by him for what he’d done. She was neither.
“So, first question,” she said.
He nodded.
“Why the thee and thou in your prayers? Are you Amish?”
He chuckled and swallowed a drink of juice before saying, “Respect.”
“Hmm.” She regarded him. Every word mattered with this man. He did seem like the type to be very respectful of deity, elderly people, and positions of authority.
Suddenly clanging bells seemed to sound in her head. That was it. She’d wondered earlier, but thathadto be why he’d killed Travis. Someone in authority had told him to, and though Greer was definitely independent and tough and responsible for himself, he also was the type to follow orders from authority or someone he respected. Did that make him less responsible for Travis’s death or did it make him a mindless sheep who just followed his shepherd? Who was his shepherd? That’s who Emery needed to go after. What if his shepherd told him to eliminate Emery? Her throat constricted.
Several beats passed as he ate and she tried to calm her racing heart. Finally, he looked up at her as if awaiting her next question. Emery forced herself to plunge ahead and try not to worry about someone telling Greer to shoot her in the head and him obeying. He’d promised to protect her and keep her safe. She clung to that.
“Are you in the military?” she asked.