The days flew by for Ryker, passing him by like a rainstorm. He was busy with his work around the house, and in the breaks, he went for walks with Liam along the shores of Everbreeze Lake in search of the materials he needed to build the promised bow.

Of course, Liam insisted on helping him and scurried curiously around him. The boy was thrilled that Ryker was spending time with him, and sometimes, it occurred to him that maybe the boy really did miss having a father. So, while the boy searched for the suitable twig, Ryker waded through the reeds, looking for wild goose feathers to decorate the arrows with.

By the time evening fell over the cottage, the whirlwind was exhausted and almost fell asleep over his plate at dinner.

The fire crackled softly in an old fire bowl he had found in the shed, casting a golden glow over the meadow by the lake. Sparks flew into the night sky, dancing wildly and making the skin of his hands shimmer copper-colored.

A soft sigh slipped over Ryker's lips as his gaze was fixed on the thumb-thick branch in his lap. He carved the wood with short, precise movements to shape it for the bow. Ryker's facial features were so hardened that, at first glance, you would have thought he was utterly absorbed in his work.

"What am I doing," he muttered quietly, sinking into the back of the wooden chair he had borrowed from the porch. Although the days had flown by, each seemed to carry a certain heaviness that he couldn't shake off.

Every time he saw Eve, his emotions went crazy. His heart didn't just beat faster; it raced. He forgot his thinking and found himself gazing at her like an idiot. When she smiled at him, he blushed like a teenager at his first love.

The closer it got to Saturday, the grumpier he became. It bothered him that Riona wanted to go out with Eve so badly. Much more than he let on. Hell, it wasn't as if he didn't begrudge them the fun. But when Riona told him with bobbing eyebrows and a dirty grin that they'd found a 'super hot outfit for Saturday' while shopping in the next town, and then made dirty jokes about how the men would definitely follow them around in packs ... Argh!

He found it increasingly difficult to call himself to order. But inside him, there was an unspeakable chaos. Eve was married, even if the divorce was already in progress. He told himself this was why it didn't suit him for her to go man-hunting with Riona. She was still Dylan's wife, who ... Shit! The one he'd found so damn pretty in the family photo. What kind of friend was he?

At the same time, the accusations sank into the dark foreboding that was tightening like a noose around his neck. By now, he had been here long enough to understand the situation.

Liam was full of joy and zest for action, cared for by Eve, but not crushed. The whirlwind was bursting with energy. Kept everyone on their toes, and admittedly, Ray enjoyed Eve and Liam's company much more than he wanted to admit.

And Evelyn was a great mother, that much was certain. She was a good person, even if she didn't seem to have it easy, just like everyone else.

Thanks to her, he felt more comfortable in this place with every hour that passed. And in the masquerade, he was playing here as Ray. But how long would this veil last? What would happen when the truth came out? When Dylan finally stepped out of the shadows? Would Eve be able to forgive him for his lies? Or ... Would she hate him?

The sting in his chest was so unexpected that he groaned. His gaze slid from the shimmering surface of the knife in his hands to the dark forest stretching its branches like claws at him.

Dylan, huh?

Betrayed trust... he could sing a song about that too.

His face automatically darkened at the thought. Ryker was sure that this red box was a gift from Dylan. A few days ago, there had been a bouquet of purple asters on the porch that Liam swore hadn't come from him.

Yesterday, Ray had found three red roses on the porch and thrown them in the trash before the two women saw them.

How much longer would Dylan keep up this nonsense? What was he trying to achieve?

Why didn't he just knock on the door?

It just didn't make any sense.

Could it be that Dylan hadn't gotten the day off yet because of the mission, so he sent someone to put the box and the flowers outside the door? Another friend or comrade who lived nearby or in Canada?

Was this Dylan's way of winning Kaylen's heart back?

What kind of game was being played here?

Questions upon questions... But no answers. Nothing but unease that turned his stomach and wouldn't go away.

He narrowed his eyes almost threateningly and twisted the knife in his hand a few times. Even he had realized by now that his old comrade had not told him the whole truth.

But why?

What was going on here?

That was the question that might finally solve the mystery.

But this question remained without answer.

Right after breakfast the following day, Ray grabbed the little one so the two women could get ready in peace. Liam had already drawn some colorful lines on his face with the lipsticks at this point - to the silent chagrin of the two ladies.

In the middle of the night, Ray had made a small leather strap to which he glued the remaining feathers. This made Liam look like a real little Native of the movies he loved so much.

First, Ray showed the warrior how to use his little bow. The arrows were covered at the head with a padded bag so he couldn't hurt anyone or anything. Ray had built a tiny target for the boy to shoot at to teach Liam how to aim. At first, of course, the arrows flew everywhere but into the target.

Ray saw Liam's disappointment and patiently took his time to show Liam the proper stance. Then things got visibly better. When the first arrow hit, Liam whined until they could finally start playing natives and cowboys.