“Not at you, I’m sure.” I stood and carried my cup over to the breakfast bar. “Likely he was mad because everyone could see the bits and pieces, that in his mind, only he gets to see.”
“Maybe. He calmed down after a woman donated a baby blanket and safety pins to rig up a skirt. Our luggage had already been checked with security. But I was embarrassed the whole trip because several of Ryan’s coworkers were there, all flying in together. That wasn’t how I planned on introducing myself. That’s why, even hours later, I feel the need to bake.”
“Well, bake away. We have a stocked pantry in the basement, so if you run out of flour or anything else, just holler down the stairs to the guys and they’ll bring you whatever you need. If we are out of something, there’s always someone willing to run to the store.”
“Mom?” Nicholas called from the end of the hallway.
“It’s still nighttime, Nick,” I said, heading down the hall. “Back to bed. Come on.” I guided him back into his bedroom and into his bed. Sitting beside him, I pulled the blanket up and tucked it around him as his eyes drifted closed again. “Sweet dreams,” I whispered in his ear before kissing his forehead and sneaking back out of his bedroom.
Tweedle silently waved at me from the kitchen. I nodded before entering my bedroom. My bed seemed to be calling my name and with every step, my brain shut down. I wasn’t awake long enough to register if my head even landed atop a pillow.
Chapter Two
I sensed Grady sliding into bed beside me and felt his heated damp skin snuggle against mine. I turned my head into his chest without opening my eyes. One of his arms moved between my shoulders with his hand reaching into my hair. The other hand slid down my body, parting my legs.
Before I could moan, he pulled my head back by my hair and covered my mouth with his. His tongue searched and swirled as his fingers danced within my panties.
Breaking the kiss, Grady whispered, “We have to be quiet. The house is full of people, but I locked the door.”
I looked up at him as I wrapped a leg around his hip. “I can be quiet.”
~*~*~
“Hmm,” I hummed into Grady’s chest. “That was a nice way to start the day.”
Grady chuckled beneath me. “I vote we call in sick and stay in bed.”
“And the kids?”
“It’s after nine o’clock already. They’re in the classroom with Beth. Tweedle fed them. Anne made them get dressed and brush their teeth. And Donovan drove them over.”
Beth had been employed as the kids’ teacher for a little over a month now. The kids loved her, and she was good at challenging them educationally and socially.
“Beth’s going to have her hands full. With all the visitors, the kids will be distracted.”
“Tweedle didn’t make Beth’s job easier by fueling the kids with sugar. We had a disagreement about apple pie being breakfast appropriate.”
“Oh my goodness, that sounds so good,” I said, rolling out of Grady’s arm and pulling him with me. “Let’s hurry and shower. I’m hungry.”
Grady’s hand wrapped around my waist as we stepped into the bathroom. “Me too. But not for pie.”
~*~*~
“Well, someone got laid,” Katie said as Grady and I entered the dining room thirty minutes later.
“Jealous?” I asked as I sat to the left of the end chair.
“Ladies, behave. Or else…” Hattie scolded, setting cups of coffee in front of both Grady and me.
“Good morning, Hattie,” I said, grinning up at her.
“Good morning, sunshine,” she said, smiling over at me.
“Did you fly in with Wild Card?” Grady asked.
“Yes, and Reggie. Pops and Jackson stayed in Texas to manage the ranches.”
“Reggie’s here?” I asked. “Where?”
“He’s sleeping in the dorms,” Wild Card answered from the living room couch. “How come you don’t get that excited when I visit?” He was stretched out on the couch, shirtless, with Hattie’s afghan covering his midsection. His bare legs were exposed, crossed at the ankles with his feet propped up on the arm of the couch.
“You better not be naked under that blanket. That’s my favorite blanket.”
“You used to like it when I got naked.”
“Neither of you are going to like it when I launch your ass through the living room window,” Grady said to Wild Card.
“Hattie, Grady’s being mean,” Wild Card said as he rolled over and closed his eyes.
I was relieved to see he was wearing shorts. And, yes, ex-husband or not, I looked, which earned me a glare from Grady.
Hattie giggled as she returned the pot to the kitchen. It was then that I noticed the breakfast bar was covered in baked goods.
“Tweedle, why are you still baking?” I asked.
“I just finished the last of the pies, and then I’ll take a break as the breads rise.”
Bones and Ryan entered through the garage, both carrying two brown bags each of groceries. Tweedle started pulling ingredients before they could even set the bags down.
“You’re making homemade bread?”
“I already made apple-cinnamon bread for Bones, banana bread for Katie, and blueberry French bread for Lisa. Now I’m making sour dough, French, and ciabatta breads for sandwiches later. Do you think two dozen loaves will be enough?”
I turned to Grady and raised an eyebrow.
“Tweedle, you’re going to get me in trouble,” Grady said. “I told the girls they wouldn’t have to lift a finger to help this weekend. I have all the food being catered or slapped on a grill.”
“But we’re days away from the weekend, so unless Hattie wants her kitchen back, leave her be,” Bones said. “Besides, she’s less trouble when she’s baking.”
Tweedle glared at Bones, pulling the eggs from the top of the bag he was holding. Ryan took the bag from him and helped Tweedle take care of the groceries.
“I’m perfectly content,” Hattie said, handing Bones a cup of coffee before she plated some muffins and carried them over to the table. “She even washes everything as she works. The kitchen’s spotless.”
Hattie sat next to me, and Bones sat across from me. Donovan entered through the front door and held a hand up for Hattie to remain sitting as he retrieved his own cup of coffee. Ryan started another pot, as Hattie sat beside me, smiling while she watched them.
“Bridget?” Bones asked me.
“She and Trigger should be on their way back,” I answered, snagging a blueberry muffin. “The thief was arrested around three this morning.”
“You’re kidding me,” Donovan said. “The reward for that bastard has been out for months.”
“It takes a thief to catch a thief,” Tweedle said, laughing from the kitchen. “I miss Bridget.”
“She has a unique set of skills,” I said, saluting my cup at Tweedle. “Kind of scary how knowledgeable she is at high end heists.”
“It’s a nice break from the sex traffickers and murderers you usually go after,” Grady said, turning to me and winking.
“The thief also murdered two people,” Ryan said as he put the milk in the refrigerator.
Bones glared at me from across the table.
I glared at Ryan. “I liked you better when you didn’t talk.”
The corner of Ryan’s mouth turned up in a smirk.
My phone chirped, alerting me to a text message.
Tech: Are we working today?
I took a picture of all the baked goods on the breakfast bar and sent it to Tech as a reply.
Two minutes later, Tech walked through the garage entrance, heading straight for the breakfast bar. “This explains why Katie didn’t come back to the apartment.”
“I ate so much, we’ll need a forklift to get me out of this chair,” Katie said, rubbing her six-pack abdomen.
Tech carried his plate and a folder over to the table and handed me the folder. “I’d like Bridget and you to go over this later. Sounds like wha
t you were looking for.”
Ryan walked over, carrying three bowls of fruit. He handed a bowl to both Grady and me before he sat with the third. I smiled as I picked up a piece of cantaloupe with one hand and opened the file with the other. I smiled wider when I saw the million-dollar reward for another jewel thief. I closed the file when Donovan tried to look. If we could snare this guy, we’d win the bet with Donovan.
Tech smiled back at me.
“You promised Bridget would have this weekend off,” Bones said, pointing at me.
“It’s only Tuesday,” I said, shrugging. “The weekend doesn’t start until five on Friday. Plenty of time.”
“Speaking of which,” Donovan said as he read something on his phone. “I need a six-man team for a rescue and recovery in Mexico. Bus leaves in an hour.” Donovan stood, snagged a piece of pineapple from my bowl and headed for the door.
Grady looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“If you’re not back in two days, Mr. Tanner, I’ll come down there and kick your ass. This is your party—and you promised I didn’t have to do anything.”
Grady leaned over and kissed me before strutting down the hall. He’d been covering home base for too long, watching the kids as I took out-of-state jobs. He needed a mini adventure.
Ryan picked up his phone and texted someone. When he read the reply, he turned toward Tweedle. “Bridget said she’s minutes away and can keep you out of trouble if I go with the guys.”
She pursed her lips and squinted her eyes at him. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Babe, you fell on the luggage conveyor.”
“I thought it was the auto-walk,” I said.
“That happened at the first airport,” Ryan said.
“Snitch,” Tweedle said. “Go! But you have to be back in two days. And if you get hurt—”
“I know. I know. There’ll be hell to pay,” he said as he walked into the kitchen and kissed her.
“Aww,” Katie said, sarcastically. “Look at the love birds. Who would’ve thought Ryan was such a romantic?”
Ryan glared at Katie before heading out the door.
I turned to look at Bones who was looking at the clock.
“If you’re thinking of a quick visit with Bridget, keep it out of my garage. I’m tired of walking in on you guys.”
Bones laughed, moving toward the garage. Before he got to the door, Bridget opened it. He grabbed her hand and propelled her back outside.
“A bit obvious,” Tweedle said, giggling.
“They are a naughty bunch,” Hattie said, nodding her agreement.
“Not me,” Wild Card said, getting up from the couch and folding the blanket. “I’m just a lonely cowboy.”
“Please,” I said. “You have women strewn across the U.S.”
“Except in Michigan,” Wild Card said as he stretched his arms over his head, his chest and ab muscles pulling taunt. “What’s wrong with the women here? I’m a catch.”
“And what exactly do they get if they catch you?” Katie asked. “An STD?”
“You can inspect the product if you’d like,” Wild Card said, leaning over Katie. “I assure you it’s perfect in every way.”
“I might not be able to win a fist fight against you, Wild Card,” Tech said as he looked up from his plate of pastries. “However, I’m perfectly capable of wiping out your bank accounts, having you declared dead by the government, and then switching your records for someone on the top ten most wanted list.”
Wild Card straightened and took a step away from Katie. “That won’t be necessary. Message received.” He moved toward the basement stairway. “I think I’ll take that quick trip to Mexico.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Tech said before turning back to his plate.
“That was kind of hot,” Katie said, turning to Tech.
Tech glanced up at her. Standing, he took her hand in his and pulled her toward the garage door.
Tweedle giggled as they left. “Damn. Is sex the only thing people think about around here?”
Bridget walked in through the garage.
“That was quick,” I said to Bridget, winking at Tweedle.
Bridget smirked. “Probably the first time Bones has been turned down. I’ll make it up to him when he gets back.”
“Sexual relationships should be private, ladies,” Hattie said, shaking her head at us.
Bridget and I grinned at each other.
Hattie rolled her eyes before turning to Tweedle. “Do you mind if I plate up some cookies and muffins for Whiskey’s construction crew? They’re building the new houses down the road.”
“Not at all,” Tweedle answered. “I have a feeling I’m not done baking this week. I’ll be nervous the entire time Reel is gone. Damn it, I mean Ryan.”
“Are you going to tell us why you call him Reel?” I asked as I helped Hattie load a platter.
Bridget and Tweedle exchanged grins.
“His dad is—well was, until recently—the town drunk. He got Loretta knocked up the weekend he told his wife, now ex-wife, he was out fishing. Nine months later, Rod and Reel were born, though that wasn’t their legal names.”
I smiled a big smile. “Nice. How pissed would he be if I spread that story around so everyone starts calling him Reel?”
“About as pissed as you were when Reel intentionally threw you under the bus with Bones about Bridget capturing a murderer,” Tweedle said, smiling as she plated another platter of cookies.
Hattie giggled. “I like her. She’s spunky.”
“Yeah. I think we’ll get along just fine,” I said as I gave Tweedle a fist bump.
“Just don’t piss her off,” Bridget said. “I’ve seen her sedate two grown men with her spiked cookies, then dress them up in Halloween costumes and drop them off in the middle of town square. She’s not someone you want to cross.”
Hattie and I looked back at Tweedle.
“I only did that once,” she admitted, waving a spatula in the air to emphasize. “And they totally deserved it.”
“As long as they deserved it, dear,” Hattie said, nodding her approval.
Grady returned to the kitchen, clad in military camo and carrying a bulky duffle. Wild Card came up the stairs, dressed similarly with two more duffle bags.
“You got sniper rifles?” Wild Card asked.
Grady nodded. “You got night vision gear?”
Wild Card nodded toward the bag in his right hand. “Ladies,” he said bowing his head before he walked out the garage door.
“Behave,” Grady said to me before smacking his lips to mine. “I mean it.”
“You have two days, Mr. Tanner,” I warned.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, heading out the door.
“Ryan’s always been the only badass I’ve known,” Tweedle said. “Looks like he’s just one of many around here.”
“Oh, Ryan’s still a badass even compared to the others,” Bridget said. “You should’ve seen what he did with the stack of C4 they confiscated a couple weeks ago. Blew trees up from their roots right out of the ground.”
“C4? As in explosives?” Tweedle asked, turning a little white.
“For the record, I wasn’t the one who let that slip,” I said, pointing at Bridget. “I was warned over and over again, never to mention Ryan’s training if I met his wife.”
“What else don’t I know?” Tweedle asked as she pummeled a wad of bread dough.
“Probably best if we wait until they return safely from cartel country before we tell you the rest,” Bridget said, taking a step away from the counter.
“Cartel country?” Tweedle asked.
“You did hear the part about them going to Mexico, right?” I asked.
“And you saw the camo and gear?” Hattie asked with a raised eyebrow.
Tweedle pouted, looking at each of us. “I had an image in my head that they’d be staying at a resort and saving a tourist.”
“They might be saving a tourist,” Bridget said, nodding
.
“And they might even stay the night at one of the resorts before they fly back,” Hattie agreed.
“Tweedle…” I said, looking between Bridget and Hattie. “Hattie and Bridget mean well, but they’re lying to you. The guys will most likely be jumping out of a chopper in the middle of the jungle, hiking miles into some well-guarded compound, shooting the shit out of people, and high tailing their asses back out. I’d also place a wager that the trip will include Ryan blowing some shit up. You need to face the facts. Your husband does some dangerous shit. Once you can come to terms with it, you’ll worry less.”
“How do I know if he’s any good at it? That he won’t get hurt?”
“I’ve worked plenty of jobs with your husband,” I said. “I can assure you; he knows his shit.”
“The rest is faith, dear,” Hattie said.
“I think this weekend will be good for you,” Bridget said, stepping closer to rub Tweedle’s shoulder. “It will give you a chance to see Ryan’s soldier side.”
“Or… She’ll get to see him get his ass kicked in the Circle of Hell,” I said, laughing. “Carl’s still arguing that Franky’s plastic sword is not as motivating as the lead pipe.”
“I saw the video,” Reggie said as he closed the sliding door on the back deck. “Carl’s original design was terrifying.” Reggie shuddered. “I still can’t believe Donovan’s only injury was a fractured arm after Meathead slammed him into the floor like that.”
“You came!” I lunged at Reggie, my arms wrapping around his shoulders as he swung me around. “I missed you.”
“Missed you too, sis,” Reggie said, kissing my forehead before setting me back on my feet. “I’m glad Donovan postponed the tournament for a month so I could make the trip.”
“That was all Lisa. She told Donovan that unless he wanted to be served with divorce papers, he couldn’t fight in the Circle of Hell until the doctor cleared him.”
“Damn,” Reggie said. “She’s got him by the balls.”
“Language, Reggie,” Hattie scolded, handing Reggie a cup of coffee. “This is a family-friendly home, and we’re trying to clean up the conversations around here.”
Hearts and Aces (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 7) Page 2