“Careful,” Kat urged as she held open the front door to Sadler’s apartment building while searching nervously for people inside.
Reynolds had regained slightly more awareness and walked with Sadler’s assistance at a marginally faster rate than she had managed at the convention center. The threesome called an elevator and quickly entered the car when it arrived.
“Second floor,” Sadler said. “It’s a left out of the elevator. Apartment two-oh-two.”
“Which one is Tabitha’s?” Kat said and immediately regretted asking. After all we’ve just been through, how can I still be jealous?
“Uh,” Sadler temporized, “Two-oh-three.” He witnessed Kat’s sour reaction and quickly added in defense, “I moved here first.”
The elevator doors retracted and he stuck his head out. The hall was deserted. “Good, nobody. I shouldn’t be surprised considering it’s one in the morning on a Wednesday.” He eased Reynolds down the hall.
Sadler had to rebalance the doctor in order to free his right hand. Once he swiped his wrist over the door controls, the lock whispered a soft click and Kat pushed his apartment door open. Sadler carefully walked the half-conscious doctor to his couch and gently lowered her to the cushions. Reynolds was prone seconds after that, back in her own dream world.
Kat inspected the living room. It was cozy but not small. The floor was covered with short, white carpeting that matched the couch and chair in the room. An entertainment center lined the far wall that featured a mounted screen. Around a corner, a half wall separated the living room from a modest kitchen. Beyond the kitchen was a short hall leading to the back rooms.
Her eyes scoured the living space for pictures. There was one on the end table near the couch, probably a family gathering judging by the faces. She felt herself smile when she declared the living room Tabitha-free. She also felt a little guilty at her distrust.
Sadler moved to the kitchen as he said, “Doctor Reynolds obviously has the couch. You can take the bedroom and I’ll sleep on the floor out here.” He filled a glass with water from the sink and pushed it on the counter toward Kat.
She stared at the sparkling liquid in the clean glass. It had taken him less than five seconds to produce the crystal-clear water.
As he watched her, a ghastly expression crossed his face. “Oh, wait a minute! With your… ability, maybe you shouldn’t spend the night in my bedroom.” He began to blush furiously. “I promise you it’s over with Tabby but, still…”
Kat glowered at him and blew out an exasperated breath. “Fine, let’s put Maggie on the bed and I’ll take the couch.”
Sadler winced at the suggestion and tugged at his shirt collar uncomfortably.
Kat’s shoulders slumped. “Really?” She placed her hands on her hips and continued to torment him. “I suppose the kitchen counters and the shower are out as well.”
“Maybe I should just move,” Sadler suggested before a long sigh escaped him. His green eyes became melancholy and he said, “I’m not sure it actually matters. I guess you won’t be staying in Waytown much longer anyway. If you can wait until tomorrow though, I’ll fly you out to the mine where you can pick up Porter’s bonus.” He looked at her thoughtfully. “I guess you’ll have to be Kat Smith for one more day.”
“I’m not running, Sadler,” Kat stated steadfastly. “And I’m going to stay Kat Smith.” She stepped into the kitchen with a solemn expression. “Kallista Pendleton has been dead for twenty-five years. Pre-Cat followed her a couple weeks ago. I’m Kat Smith now.” She smiled at him. “I finally know who I am and I like who I’ve become.”
Sadler wrapped his arms around her and returned the smile. She pressed into him.
“I like who you’ve become too,” he replied. “Who you are. But what about the Pelletier’s Society?”
“Maybe they’ll keep looking for me, maybe they won’t,” she said. Her voice took on a hard edge. “But if they find me, I’ll make certain they wish they hadn’t. If enough of my memories come back, maybe I’ll even be able to send them a warning. Leave me alone or their dirty, little secrets won’t stay secret.”
Sadler squeezed his arms around her. “I don’t want you to go back to Shantytown.”
“I can talk with Mr. Porter,” Kat suggested while looking hopefully into his eyes. “Trade my bonus for sponsorship to become a citizen?”
A dangerous smile played over Sadler’s lips. He slowly lowered his mouth to hers. “If that doesn’t work, there are other ways to become a citizen. None are easy or cheap, but we won’t stop until we’ve tried them all. I’m in your corner, Kat.”
Kat felt the corners of her mouth turn upward. Her heart raced. “And I’m in yours.”
The gap between them closed. She could suffer seeing his bedroom’s past for one night. Then, we’ll have to move.
* * *
For updates on future books, visit http://www.thiscorneroftheuniverse.com. If you liked Scorched, consider leaving a review where you bought the book.
Other books by Britt Ringel:
This Corner of the Universe
No Way to Start a War
The Wrong Side of Space
Loyalty to the Cause
Last Measure of Devotion
Hero of the Republic