Missing In The Mountains. Julie Anne Lindsey

a bite of bunless burger into her mouth. “I got really fat.”

      Sawyer let his gaze trail over her, indulging himself in the admiration of her new curves. “Agree to disagree.”

      “I’m working on getting back in shape now,” she assured him. “It feels good but getting chubby with a purpose was fun too.” Her lips twitched, nearly accomplishing a smile.

      By the time dinner was done, and Sawyer had cleared the table, some of the smoky air between them had cleared, as well. Emma joined him at the sink in companionable silence as they washed and dried dishes by hand before putting them away. It was dangerously easy to be with Emma when she wasn’t looking at him as if he might be the one in need of protection from her. Easy to let himself think there could a future for them, that he could somehow make up for his absence when it had counted most.

      But Sawyer couldn’t afford to think that way. Couldn’t afford to get distracted until he brought Sara home safely as promised. Only after he’d proved himself worthy of Emma’s trust would he allow himself to dream of more. Until then, he had work to do.