“We heard many of the hospitals were destroyed. What are they doing to replace them?” Camri asked.
Micah frowned. He wanted to know where Kenzie had gone. He wanted to speak with her and tell her how he felt. No doubt the kiss explained that in part, but he needed to tell her.
“Micah?”
He looked at Camri, who, by her expression, seemed to understand. “She slipped out the back door.”
He nodded. “We can talk more about the hospitals, but first I need to speak with Kenzie.”
Camri gave a slight huff. “I think you said plenty.”
He grinned and looked at his best friend and then Patrick. “Gentlemen, I’m sure you understand.”
“Of course they do,” Camri interjected. “We all do. Go find her.” She pointed the way.
Micah didn’t need to be encouraged further. He headed out the back door of the warehouse and glanced around. The rain was no deterrent to a man in love. He went to one side of the warehouse, but she wasn’t there. He went quickly to the other side and saw her standing by one of two large kettles. It looked like she was stirring something.
She was soaked. Her auburn hair had been braided and twisted together, but pieces had pulled loose and hung limp and wet around her face. Never had Micah thought her more beautiful.
“Kenzie.” He said her name with a soft reverence. She didn’t seem to hear him.
He stepped to her side and glanced down at the water in the kettle. It was empty. She kept stirring with her paddle even though there was nothing there to stir.
“Kenzie.”
She looked up, almost startled to find him there. He grinned as her expression again took on a look that suggested wonder—awe.
“Don’t ever tell me again that you don’t have feelings for me.” He chuckled. “I think we both know now that it isn’t true.”
Her eyes narrowed as she seemed to regain her wits. “I was ... worried about you, just like the others. I’m glad you’re safe. That’s all.”
“That’s all? You kissed me like that because you were glad I’m safe?” His right brow arched up.
She bit her lower lip and looked back at the water. After a long pause, she said, “Yes.”
He leaned closer. “Have you been kissing all of the survivors like that?”
She dropped the paddle and moved away from the kettle. “I didn’t kiss you. You kissed me.”
He laughed. “I may have initiated the kiss, but you, my dear, most assuredly returned it.”
“It didn’t mean a thing.”
He laughed even more and reached for her. “Shall I do it again and prove my point?”
She whirled on her heel and put several steps between them before crossing her arms. “What do you want, Micah?”
“You, of course. I want you to stop denying your feelings for me. I want you to admit you love me, because I love you. You do know that, don’t you?” He closed the distance between them. “I love you, Kenzie.”
Her porcelain skin seemed to pale even more. “Don’t. Don’t love me. I don’t want you to love me, and I most certainly do not want to love you.”
He felt almost sorry for her. There was fear in her eyes. “Kenzie, you don’t need to be afraid. I’m not Arthur Morgan. I would never treat you as he did.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“Yes, I can.” He reached for her again, but she quickly sidestepped him and put out her hand.
“Don’t. Please.” Tears slid down her cheeks and mingled with the rain. “I can’t bear it.”
