Wrong Way Home - Taken (Criminal Delights 1)

Taron nodded quickly and smiled.

Colin smiled back. “But bed first. Doctor’s orders.”

Chapter Fifteen

They spent almost two weeks in the bunker, with Taron leaving only to take care of the basic needs of the animals and to water the garden. It was for the better because for a few days Taron’s cold had gotten pretty rough, and he needed the care and rest, no matter how much he claimed to be fine.

All in all, learning about Taron’s entire setup, the different water sources, the air filters and so on, had been an interesting experience. Everything felt so hands-on.

Once they re-emerged from the bunker, Colin had considered escaping again, but that had only lasted until the June sunshine hit his skin. It wouldn’t hurt to stay a while longer, so the next two weeks passed repairing the damage caused by the storm and looking after Missi and her kittens. Taron had even brought Colin more books from the library, all chosen to align with his taste.

He seemed to put a lot of thought into gifts. Earlier that month, he’d brought Colin his favorite chocolate bar, even though sweets weren’t usually on the menu, and Taron didn’t like spending money on things he didn’t need. Another time, he let Colin sleep past noon, just to surprise him with a breakfast in bed. Taron was a gruff guy, but he could also be very giving, no matter how silly his world view was.

Colin came back with fresh water from the well just in time for breakfast. The house smelled of butter, eggs, and rabbit bacon fried crispy—exactly the way Colin liked.

He thanked Taron and sat across from him, piling the eggs on top of toast. “Are you going out?” he asked, noticing that Taron wasn’t wearing the old shoes he used around the homestead.

Taron nodded with his mouth already full. He was wearing a T-shirt, which showcased the broad arms that were such a treat to Colin. Perhaps later in the day, he would even take that off.

Colin rested his chin on his palm. Every bit of information needed to be ripped out of Taron by force. “Where?”

Taron made the gesture of casting with one hand. Fishing then. Colin’s grandfather had tried to convince him watching a piece of plastic float on the water surface until a fish swallowed the bait was an excellent pastime, but Colin had hated it with a passion, so he never asked to join Taron.

“We could grill it outdoors. Could be a fun evening,” Colin said, wolfing down his food. Taron wasn’t the kind of guy who’d scold him for speaking with his mouth full.

Taron’s eyes lit up.

Colin grinned at him, but then memories flooded his mind, and his smile faltered. Taron picked up on that immediately and poked Colin’s foot with a questioning look. Colin swallowed and leaned back in his chair, pulling closer the cup of herbal tea they drank instead of coffee.

“I was thinking about my grandparents, because Granddad liked fishing so much, and it just... hit me. I stayed with them for a few years when my parents were away. Now they’re dead and I miss them.”

Taron’s shoulders fell.

Colin shook his head. “No. I need to do some work in the garden. It’s just… that maybe we could do something for my birthday. I never really had any parties thrown for me since my grandmom passed away. Well, I guess I could count that birthday threesome two years back as a party,” he said, trying to pull himself together. The melancholic mood had come out of nowhere.

Taron frowned.

His serious face did it. Colin chuckled and gently rubbed his toes against Taron’s calf. “No, but maybe we could do something else. There was this new Avengers movie I really wanted to see.”

Colin was confused for a moment, but then remembered that Taron had lived in the woods for the past fifteen years and was not up to date with modern pop culture. “Superheroes.”

Taron smiled.

“No, not like Batman. They’re the other ones,” Colin said helplessly but ended up shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter. But I’ve been following this series for years now, and this movie will be like the final chapter.”

Taron stroked his hand.

Colin glanced at the warm, large hand covering his. There was such comfort to the touch that for a brief moment he just stayed still. “In two months, August 13th.”

Colin squeezed Taron’s hand, suddenly desperate to get out of there and have fresh popcorn while seated in an uncomfortable chair. Just because he wanted to. He usually preferred to watch movies at home, in peace, but the fact that he was forbidden from leaving made cinema a tempting perspective. “I could grow a beard in two months. Nobody would recognize me.”