39

I was relieved to see the dining roomsat empty except for a single filled plate in my spot at the table. After grabbing the dish, I slipped on my boots and coat and stepped outside. The men no longer went silent in my presence, now used to me traipsing around in the snow. Pavel even came over to greet me, following my steps to the kennel while trying out some of the English he was attempting to learn. It was awful, but I’d never tell him.

Albert barked something at Pavel, who gave me an apologetic smile. “I leave now. Boss teach me

how . . .” As he scratched his head in thought, a weird sense of anticipation ballooned in my stomach at just the mention of Ronan, knowing he was the only one referred to as “boss” around here. Unable to come up with the word, Pavel moved his hands like they were on a steering wheel.

“Drive?” I supplied.

“Yes. He tell me I suck ass.”

A laugh escaped me. Pavel should probably stick to letting Ro