Kyros reached for Sam’s arm. He looked deep into her eyes, his own full of sadness. “If you don’t ask him, you will always wonder. You’ll never be sure. It’s a simple question. That’s why he sent you away. He didn’t want to turn you into an operative. He lived that dangerous life far too long, and he didn’t want it for you. He wanted you safe and sound because he loves you. I know that because I am a father, and a father knows such things,” Kyros said, thumping himself on his head.

“Ever hear that expression, too much, too little, too late?” Sam snarled.

“Many times. Did you ever hear the one, you snooze you lose?”

“Touché,” Sam said.

Sam walked back to Kollar’s house. It was almost light out; Pappy and Alpha were nowhere to be seen. “It figures,” she mumbled to herself as she opened the door. He was sitting in his chair, his legs draped over the arm. She sailed past him with all the dignity she could muster. You snooze you lose, huh? She called over her shoulder, “Do you love me?”

“Yeah,” came the response.

Sam stopped in her tracks. He said yeah. Meaning yes, he loved her. She forgot about the pajama bottom as she whirled around and tripped, sprawling in the doorway. In a heartbeat Pappy was on the floor and they were eye to eye. “I said yes in case you didn’t hear me.”

“I heard you, that’s why I tripped. You love me, but you kicked me out of here. You humiliated me. You made me think, for months, that I was inferior.”

“Because I love you. I’m not good at this fancy word game. In fact, I stink at it. I didn’t think you’d want to live on a mountain for the rest of your life. That’s the way it would have to be. I couldn’t ask you to give up your life. If it’s any consolation to you, I knew it was a mistake the minute I did it. I’m still not sure it was the wrong thing to do. The way I did it was wrong. I haven’t slept through the night since you left. I’ve lost fifteen pounds. I’ve thought about you every moment since that day.”

He was so close. She’d never realized how truly beautiful his eyes were. She could see herself in them.