Chapter 16Claire
I took off my jacket and headed for the kitchen. There was Grady. And the captain. I hadn’t seen her in quite some time. She was wearing tight-fitting doeskin pants and a white tank top with a thick leather belt. She was seated, her back to me, and I could see the ends of a couple of scars peeking from beneath the white fabric. She turned and gave me a shy grin and slight nod, and I snuffed the weird fluttering in my stomach upon seeing her here. I had often seen her from afar, riding her horse, directing troops. Days I didn’t spot her around the fort, I felt disappointed. I let out the breath I’d been holding.
“Captain, Grady, hello.”
“Hi, Claire,” said Grady smiling warmly, his ruggedly handsome face lighting up. The captain grinned again but remained silent. She look
