Kat squatted on the floor and her knee poked through a tear in her skirt. She dug her finger under the flap. From the broken twigs entangled in the frayed threads, she must have caught the linen on a branch after leaving the cave. She fluttered the end of the leather strap between her fingers and thought about her morning. Her outing had certainly been more active after Gray had caught up to her. It was a shame her dress had been ruined. At least it was a simple dress and not adorned with beads and finery. She thought for a moment. If she planned to find employment, she needed to present a tidy appearance. A reconstructed slit would show her skill with a needle. She hoped there was a sewing kit in the trunk. Her other option would be to change into a fresh gown. Tugging on the leather strap, she pulled the lid open. The hinged top of the trunk bounced against the foot of the mattress. Kat looked down, her eyes wide. The interior of the box was completely empty. The sound of laundry flapping in the breeze broke into her memory. She had not paid much attention as she walked into the house. Thinking back, she remembered ducking under a clothes line filled with skirts and blouses. The line sagged in the middle under the weight of the wet fabric. Laura’s obsession with cleanliness had surpassed floors and bedding. Kat pushed herself to her feet and turned in a circle. There had to be something she could do. Regardless of what lay ahead of her, she was certain that she could not stomach another encounter with Gray. Yesterday, on their picnic, his demeanor had been warm and friendly. She actually thought he enjoyed their time alone together. But today, he had been cold and distant. She didn’t know what to anticipate at their next encounter. At least with Reece, she knew what to expect. The time they spent together was never how she would prefer it, but at least there was no guessing as to the frame of mind he would be in. She walked to the dresser and ripped open each draw. Gray’s shirts were in one, stockings and breeches in another. The corner of her mouth pulled up in a wicked smirk. She wondered if he would be bothered with her rifling through his clothes. She shrugged. He should have been nicer to her earlier today. She pushed her hip against the drawer and slid it closed. There was still no needle and thread. She leaned against the wall, and a hard object jabbed the base of her spine. She pulled away, reached her hand behind her, and rubbed the sensitive area on her lower back. She turned and stared down at the glass knob. It was attached to the door that separated her from the room where Gray slept. He hadn’t forbidden her from entering, but he had not indicated she would be welcome. She gripped the handle lightly. Cool to the touch, the knob didn’t threaten to tattle on her if she breached Gray’s privacy. She twisted the glass and inched the door open. It didn’t matter what he tried to hide in there. She’d already seen his lack of personal tidiness. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Expecting to find a dressing room or utility closet, she had not prepared for the furnishings he had lived among.
