"Ah," he stated, accepting Jo's vague answer without further questioning. A brief wave of concern passed across his face, but it soon turned casual again. Had it not worked out because of the baby? Or her injury? There were so many more queries he wouldn't have been hesitant to ask nearly a year ago. Now, he simply attempted to tread on coals without getting burned.

When Jo didn't glance up, he frowned. Had she only returned to bring him the news of their love child? Without much else to say in response, Zach reached out for his drink and took a long sip, hoping that it would fill some of the silence. Once, he would have reveled in their comfortable silences, each sat in a chair by the fire, noses in their own research.