Page 44 of Storm Warning

“We’ll pitch in where we can.”

“Good. Why don’t you and Andre heat the grill? I vote for hamburgers for dinner tonight.”

“I’ll second that.” Iona motioned toward the collection of spices on the kitchen counter. “The spices are in the spice rack. It has everything you’ll need for dinner.”

“We saw frozen French fries in the chest freezer,” Riley said. “We’ll bake them while you’re grilling the hamburgers.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Andre looked at Elias. “Why don’t you and Iona choose rooms upstairs? Riley is in the primary suite. I’m in the room next to her. While you’re up there, I’ll get the grill going.”

“Sure. We’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

Iona followed Elias out of the kitchen.

Riley opened the refrigerator, pulled out the hamburger meat, and handed it to Andre. “I’ll find the bowl you need while you turn on the gas grill.”

He walked outside onto the patio and fired up the grill. By the time he returned to the kitchen, Riley had already lined up various spices beside the large bowl she’d laid out and a plate to stack the raw hamburgers along with a platter to use when they were grilled. “I didn’t know what you wanted to use, but these spices are pretty common.”

He skimmed the labels and chose the four spices that he wanted, dumped the hamburger into the large bowl, and liberally added spices to the meat. After washing his hands, Andre kneaded in the seasoning and formed patties he set on the plate.

Elias returned and took the plate of hamburgers outside along with a spatula. Iona followed him.

Riley stared at the closed door for a beat. “They’re spending a lot of time together. Have you noticed?”

Andre washed his hands again. “Yeah, but maybe because they’re the only single ones on our teams rather than some interest on both sides.”

“I don’t think so. I’ve seen the way they look at each other. Besides, we weren’t paired up before I was kidnapped.”

“We weren’t officially paired up, but we were a couple, Riley. Everybody knew it. I didn’t make a deal out of it, but we weredefinitely a couple. I haven’t been interested in anyone else since I first saw you.”

Riley stared. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

“How about, ‘I feel the same way, Andre?’”

Her mouth curved. “I feel the same way, Andre, and I don’t know what to do with this information.”

“I’m going to tuck that in the back of my mind and pull it out to look at until I’ve convinced you we’re the real thing.”

Iona walked into the kitchen and pulled up short when she saw them standing close together. “Sorry to interrupt.”

Riley blinked and turned to her team leader. “No problem. What do you need?”

“Parchment paper.”

She turned away from Andre, searched the pantry, and handed Iona the roll of parchment paper. “Here you go.”

“Thanks. Carry on.”

When they sat down to eat later, they discussed Christopher and Rex. “That dog is a sweet thing.” Iona popped a French fry into her mouth.

“I’m afraid the ambassador won’t let Chris keep him.” Riley sat back and folded her arms. “Rex isn’t fully grown yet. He’ll be a big dog, and the ambassador is gone for months at a time.”

“I think Brent has a plan for that.” Andre took Riley’s empty paper plate along with his own and dumped them in the trash. “There’s no way he would have brought Rex to Tennessee only to dump him back in a shelter.”

Riley scowled. “That would be cruel.”

“Yeah, it would.”

Elias set aside his empty glass. “The boss has been looking for a pet for his daughter. I think Rex fits what he wants if Chris can’t keep him. This way, Brent can invite Chris to come see Rex when he and his father are in the country. Brent can see Chris for himself and check on his wellbeing.”