by Britt Ringel
“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
