He lost track of how long he stood in the dark kitchen, waiting for something, anything to happen.
Hana’s excitement and enthusiasm had made him laugh. A fresh start in a place that didn’t have war and people didn’t go around brandishing guns. A safe home. It was all Hana had wanted.
Epic fuckin’ fail.
Seven months after her arrival, she’d been dead.
Despite modern communication, he hadn’t received the news for almost three weeks. Too late to attend her funeral. And worse, she’d died alone. The reports he’d read and a chat to the local cops told him she hadn’t gone easy. She’d given whoever attacked her hell. Unfortunately, the DNA hadn’t helped the investigation.
“If you’re intending to haunt me the least you could do is tell me what happened. Give me something so I can catch these bastards.”
“Who are you talking to?”
The light flicked on, and he blinked to acclimatize. Ella tightened the belt of her dressing gown, but not before she flashed her breasts.
“Nice.” He winked at her, his gaze pointed.
“Don’t change the subject. Who were you talking to?”
“Your friendly ghost. I don’t get it. If she wants something, why the hell doesn’t she ask and be done with it? Hints are for the birds.”
Ella yawned wide. “You’re a fine one to talk. Soldier men, according to your mother, are terrible at conversations. When the discussion becomes uncomfortable, you grunt or say you don’t want to deliberate on the topic.”
Dillon snorted. Sounded like something his mother would say.
“Or snort,” Ella added. “Now that I know you’re breaking the soldier rules and having a conversation.” She did quote marks in the air. “I’m going back to bed. Keep the friendly ghost busy and I might get a few hours of solid sleep.”
Dillon watched Ella as she shuffled from sight. Or more accurately, his gaze hooked onto her curvy arse. A sigh escaped once she’d disappeared from view because his mind had jumped straight to sex. That was plain wrong when she was in pain from her injuries and sported a bruise on her face because of him.
Soon, he’d head back to his team. Ella was a complication he didn’t need.
Best to concentrate on the bird thing, get it sorted and leave as he’d originally intended.
Safer for everyone.
* * * * *
Dillon had left by the time she woke the next morning. He’d left a note.
Thanks for dinner. Take care. Dillon.
Ella scowled. Honestly. Was it too much to ask for more details? Like was he going to visit again, for instance? She slammed the coffee cannister on the countertop. She was all for brevity but there was a time and a place. Dillon Williams… Grrr! He made her crazy.
She stomped over to her electric kettle, her aches and pains taking time to make themselves felt through her temper. Ow. Ow. Ow.
“Dillon Williams, this friends with benefits is not working for me. You can take your benefits and stuff them somewhere else.”
* * * * *
Dillon stilled at the sound of an approaching motor vehicle. All the locals were aware of the landslide blocking the road, so why was someone driving up here?
He turned, and his sister leaned out of the passenger window and wolf-whistled. Dillon shook his head and waved. His younger sister was just as crazy as ever. Although his mother would deny this and blame her husband, Dillon suspected Summer took after their mother. Local rumor said his mother had been wild in her younger days.
Nikolai pulled alongside. “You didn’t have to come to meet us.”
Dillon gave his brother-in-law a one-fingered salute, and Nikolai grinned, his brown eyes sparkling in his tan face, indicative of his Maori heritage. His brother-in-law irritated him too. In fact, Nikolai needled him on purpose to get a response. A wry smile etched into his face, digging deep enough for him to feel the stretch. The ribbing usually worked, too.
There was a time when he would’ve punched Nikolai’s nose rather than restraining the impulse.
Dillon approached the vehicle—a rental they’d collected in Palmerston North. “Mum is excited. She didn’t expect you this early though.”
“Tell me about it,” Summer said through the open window. “She rang me three times yesterday and texted me this morning about what to buy at the supermarket and what did the baby need. You owe me, Dillon. Not only am I bringing manpower, but I’m also distracting our mother and putting myself in the way of umpteen lectures.”
His sister had always been pretty, but marriage and motherhood agreed with her. Her chubbiness had reduced into sexy curves while her eyes glowed with happiness.
Nikolai climbed out and strode around the front of the vehicle. A big, strong man, he stretched out his hand. “Good to see you, bro.”
He shook Nikolai’s hand then drew him in for a man hug. “Noted,” Dillon said once he pulled back. “What are you going to tell Mum when she asks about Nikolai?”
“That Nikolai wanted to check out the landslide and your place. I’ll tell him you need help with…with… I’ll tell her it’s secret SAS stuff. She’ll be nosy but I’ll plead ignorance and divert her with Sam. Anything else, I’ll wing it.” Summer winked at Nikolai. “I’m excellent at using initiative.”
“You are, sweetheart.” Nikolai opened the vehicle for his wife and closed the door once she’d climbed out. He opened the rear door and bent over to kiss his son. “Behave.” He kissed his son’s black curls again before dragging out a daypack and shrugging it onto his shoulders. “I’m leaving my sat-phone with Summer.”
“I have mine. Summer, did you learn anything else on the black web?”
“I’m still researching. Hopefully, I can leave Sam to Mum and pretend I’m napping. She’ll accept that excuse.”
Dillon grimaced. “Mum is usually a step ahead of us.”
“Grandsons are excellent distractions.” Summer wrapped her arms around Nikolai’s neck and kissed him.
Their closeness and strong love made Dillon uncomfortable, and he turned away. His mind jogged to Ella. Sassy and forthright. Sexy and fun. He clenched his hands and attempted to shake her free. Like a tick—an unwelcome parasite—thoughts of her clung with determination.
“Do you have a plan?” Nikolai asked once Summer drove away.
“I figured we’d do a recon tonight. This afternoon, I can show you the traps I’ve sighted. I want to repair my boundary anyway, so we’ll go armed with fencing gear.”
“Did they have guards posted?”
“Nah, not that I noticed. I figure they won’t worry much with the road blocked. No one with any sense will visit their place.”
Nikolai slanted him a look, his dark brows cocked. “You saying I have no sense?”
“If the hat fits.” Dillon maintained a straight face with effort.
“You’re trying to wind me up. I can feel the key in my back.”
Dillon chuckled.
“You okay? Your head in the right place?”
Dillon’s amusement died. His shoulders stiffened. “I’m fine.”
“Yeah, that’s what you told Summer. Tell me.” Nikola’s voice held a challenge. “Josh thinks it’s something else. He said your head wasn’t in the game.”
A harsh sigh worked up his throat. He’d promised himself he’d seek help once he arrived home. He hadn’t. Instead, he’d wallowed until Ella burst into his life. He trained his gaze on the ground. He told himself it was to watch his footing. Big, fat liar. It was so he’d miss Nikolai’s reaction, although his brother-in-law wasn’t stupid.
“Hana,” he said in a heavy voice. “I failed her. She died.”
Nikolai squeezed his shoulder and kept walking. “Hana wouldn’t want you to knock yourself out like this. She loved you.”
“Yeah,” Dillon said hoarsely. That was part of the problem. “I didn’t love her.”
“Were you screwing around on her?”
“What? No, I told you all this during our phone
call. Besides, when did I have time?”
“It bears repeating, because you’re wallowing in the past. Did Hana realize you didn’t feel the same way?”
Dillon sighed. “Yeah, she knew. She hoped I’d change my mind.”
“And in another recap, why did you get married if you didn’t feel the same way?”
“It was the only way she could come to New Zealand. She was in danger in Afghanistan. The New Zealand government was being an arsehole about letting her into the country. But worse, she fuckin’ died in New Zealand in a senseless bloody home invasion.”
“I’m sorry, man. It sucks.”
“That’s why I need to understand what’s going on here. For Hana. If these guys are stealing birds and selling them to collectors, they need to be stopped. She’d be appalled if she knew.” He hesitated to tell Nikolai about the ghost. His brother-in-law would call in the medical folk if he learned of Dillon’s ghost. Hell, he’d do the same if Ella wasn’t suffering the same delusions.
“I take it you have a plan?”
“They have cameras. I’ve found a couple but I might have missed some when I was blundering around clueless.”
“We won’t have the element of surprise.” Nikolai frowned. “Summer will be upset if I get hurt.”
“The knee better? You’re not limping.”
“Physio signed off ages ago. It’s almost one hundred percent, but my life is easier now that I’m training men rather than on active duty. Summer likes having me home more often. Did you know she’s writing a book? A romance.”
“Summer has always had her nose in a book.”
“Not always,” Nikolai said with a grin.
“Don’t!” Dillon barked. “No more about my sister’s sex life.”
“We can talk about yours. Your mother mentioned Ella several times.”
“Ella?”
“Marlene is matchmaking.”
“Ella is a friend. That’s all.”
Nikolai shot him a look as they reached the blocked road.
“A friend,” Dillon repeated.
“Whatever you say. Hell, it will take a while for them to clear this. It looks as if more of the hill could go.”
“Ella’s car is under there.”
Nikolai stared at the scar on the hillside and the mountainous pile of earth blocking the road. “She’s lucky she’s alive.”
“Yeah.”
After a brisk walk, they arrived at his house.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect after your mother’s complaints you live miles from her,” Nikolai said.
“The only reason I chose Eketahuna was for Hana to have family close. We both loved this place when we first saw it. Dad likes getting out here too. He looks after the alpacas and the dog for me when I’m not at home. Says it gives him an interest. You hungry?”
“I am, but first show me these alpacas of yours.”
Dillon greeted Rufus with a rigorous head scratch and dinner while Nikolai released the alpacas from their night shelter.
“Are you keeping them indoors every night?” Nikolai asked, a faint smile on his face as he watched the animals trot outside to their paddock. Rufus scampered after a rabbit.
“Only while the weather is wet. They’re capable of living outdoors, but Hana and I decided if we handled them often they’d be easier to deal with for shearing, drenching, and vet visits.”
“They’re cute.” Nikolai fished out a cell phone and snapped photos. “I’ll send them to Jake and Louie.” His dark brows lifted. “Want to pose with one?”
“No,” Dillon snapped.
Chores completed, Dillon led Nikolai inside to the kitchen.
“Bacon and eggs do?”
“Yep. I’ll make the coffee.”
One thing he liked about Nikolai. He pulled his weight and helped Summer around the house. Despite his initial fears, this man was perfect for his adventurous sister. And just like that, his thoughts slid to another woman with attitude.
The distant whop-whop of a helicopter saved him this time.
“Crap.” Dillon strode outside with Nikolai behind him.
“Is that landing at the neighbor’s place?”
“Yeah. It arrives around once a week, sometimes more often, but the time varies.”
“Have we missed our window of opportunity?” Nikolai asked.
“We’ll check out the place tonight, anyway.”
They chatted while they ate breakfast.
“Jake hooked up with that hippie chick,” Dillon said.
“She doesn’t resemble any hippie I’ve met,” Nikolai said. “She’s also crazy wealthy now. Jake grumbles about being a kept man.”
“He’s retired though. I’m sure Josh told me that.”
“Yeah, he trained as a cop and is working for the Sloan Police force. Says there is all sorts of crazy happening in the town. He swears he saw a UFO last week.”
Dillon barked out a laugh. “What was he drinking?”
“He swears he’d been on duty all afternoon and had drunk nothing stronger than coffee. I asked for photos but he said shock struck, he dropped his phone and the UFO disappeared before he recovered it.”
After Dillon stacked the dishes in the sink to do later, he grabbed the camera and tucked a gun in the small of his back.
“Do we need weapons? I didn’t bring mine because we flew.”
“A precaution.”
He led Nikolai out to his shed where he collected a hammer and staples and shoved them in a day pack before grabbing three posts.
“You want me to carry something?”
“Another three or four posts.”
Dillon strode the slight incline and led Nikolai into the cool of the bush. Fine weather for a change. Lately, rain dominated the weather forecast. Water saturated the ground and mud splattered Nikolai’s pristine boots. That amused Dillon.
They took half an hour to reach the boundary fence.
“The first of the cameras is here on the right. It’s high in the tree and blends.” Dillon lowered his voice because he wasn’t sure who was around.
“Bit of a cheek trapping on your land,” Nikolai murmured, jerking his head in a silent indication he’d spotted the camera.
“I guess they decided I was gone for most of the time and it wouldn’t be an issue. My presence will create problems, especially since I’ve started birdwatching.”
Nikolai snorted. “Have you spotted a kiwi in the wild?”
“When I was a kid.” Dillon yawned. “Josh and I went camping with the scouts. If we’re lucky, we might hear one call tonight. They’re hard to spot because their color blends.”
“Not sleeping?”
“Have been lately.” The truth. Ella had helped in with this apart from the night he’d punched her. “You have nightmares?”
“Used to. Not so much now. You?”
Dillon grunted, the sound enough of an answer.
Nikolai froze. “What’s that bird?”
Dillon followed his gaze. “A kokako. They’re rare, but the population is growing in this area because of the sanctuary at Mt. Bruce. You should get Summer to take you to visit. Mum will babysit Sam. She is friends with the workers and you might wrangle a private tour. Ella works there, but she’s off until Monday.”
“You’re not one to mention a woman so often,” Nikolai said, his tone innocent.
“She reminds me of Summer.”
“Interesting.” Nikolai’s lips twitched.
Dillon’s first instinct was to lash out. He resisted. Barely. Instead, he dumped his posts. “This is the boundary fence with Pukaha Mt. Bruce.”
“You checked over there?” Nikolai dropped his posts too.
“Found a few traps. We’ll check on them now.”
“No cameras here?”
“Haven’t noticed any.”
Nikolai nodded. Dillon vaulted the fence, and Nikolai followed suit. Both scanned their surroundings—thick trees with a vast array of ferns and saplings beneath. Not much s
unlight reached the ground below the canopy. Thick leaf litter cushioned their footsteps, not that they bumbled around. Instinctively, they slipped into soldier-mode and stepped noiselessly through the trees. They paused frequently, listening for other trespassers or voices and scanning for cameras and bird traps. Communication was hand signals, and Dillon was pleased to have Nikolai along. Someone to watch his back, and he’d guard Nikolai in return. Summer would gut him if anything happened to her husband.
Dillon spotted the trap he’d noticed previously and halted. He pointed it out to Nikolai. They discovered six more although none of them contained birds. Nikolai snapped several photos.
By common consent, they retreated to the spot where they’d left the fencing gear.
“The photos should be enough to get action from the sanctuary and the cops,” Nikolai murmured. “My gut tells me your instincts are right. There is something shady going on here.”
“It burns me they’re getting away with poaching birds.”
“We’ll stop them. Let’s get this fence of yours mended. You going to run stock here?”
“I’ll need to once I expand. I have one hundred hectares in total.”
“Are you retiring soon?”
Dillon’s thoughts slipped to Ella. “No.”
“Just asking,” Nikolai said in a mild voice. “You’ll know when you’re ready.”
If he didn’t get killed first. Neither of them voiced this, but Dillon was certain they both thought it. Soldiering in Afghanistan held risk.
With Nikolai’s help, he removed the rotten posts and dug in new ones. Not perfect since he didn’t own strainers to tighten the wire but alpaca proof.
“I’ll play birdwatcher during our return,” Dillon said.
Nikolai stared at Dillon then nodded. “I could take photos to show Summer. She hasn’t visited your place. Find me birds, bro.”
They ambled back to the farmhouse, stopping often and coincidentally near cameras to photograph birds and the scenery.
“Toasted sandwich okay for lunch?” Dillon asked.
“Yeah. Do you have a laptop? I’ll download the photos from your camera while you make me lunch.”
Stranded With Ella Page 11