by Julia Bright
“He could have placed a bug. Say nothing.”
This time a real sob came out. She met Adam's gaze as desperation filled her.
“Go shower, I'll make breakfast, and then we can go into town to talk to the sheriff after we get the truck.”
She nodded and turned to leave the room. “The horses are safe.”
“Good. I'm glad the storm didn't hurt them.”
Swirling panic made her want to run, but she walked to the bedroom where she removed her dirty clothes. When she got a look at herself in the mirror, she jerked back. Her hair was frightful with mud and twigs caught in the strands. Why that asshole thought she'd been lying about the storm was a mystery to her.
After picking the twigs from her hair, she stepped into the shower and stood under the spray for a full minute. Agent Hardy had pissed her off. Worry filled her, but they couldn't talk. Would the FBI bug her house?
She stepped out of the shower as Adam entered the bathroom. He reached in and pushed her under the spray. She wasn't in the mood for sex and was about to say something when he moved closer and kept his voice low.
“I found a listening device on the underside of the table. I can buy equipment to make sure you're not being listened to. I'd guess your lines will be tapped, especially the main line to the house. We need to drive into Cheyenne and go to Walmart. We can find a cheap device there for detecting bugs. I'll order a better device later, and we can do a thorough sweep.”
“Are you kidding?”
He stood straight and met her gaze with a serious expression. “No, I'm not.”
“Do they—”
He cut her off with his fingers on her lips. “Be careful what you say. We'll do a full sweep this evening. We'll buy cameras and better equipment. Yes, they think we killed that guy. I didn't destroy that bug, because then it would stop transmitting, but I have a radio in the kitchen blasting music, and I think we should put the bug somewhere like on the windmill or something, so they think it's still working.”
“Shit.”
“Don't worry, be chill. We'll act like nothing is wrong. Let's eat breakfast and then I'll take the bug to the windmill before we leave. We should lock up.”
“Jesus, Gramps rarely locked up when he left home. He's probably rolling in his grave.”
“Or he's cheering you on.”
She sighed as Adam cut the water. They dried then she wrapped her hair in a towel and pulled a robe on as she went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. They didn't cut the music. Instead, they worked beside each other, saying few words, as they made breakfast.
Her eyes cut to his every few minutes as her nerves got to her. She hated that she'd drawn him into this mess. Somehow, they had to escape the crap she'd gotten them into.
When he finished with the eggs, and she pulled the biscuits out of the oven, he turned off the radio. The silence seemed odd, and she wondered if the FBI agent knew they'd figured out they were being recorded.
“We'll get the truck first,” Adam said.
“I hope it's okay. That storm was terrible.”
“I guess the four-wheelers are lost to us. Maybe you'll find them later after that mess is cleaned up.”
She nodded and took a bite of biscuit, chewing before she spoke. “I don't know what he'll do about that home. It was destroyed.”
“I'm glad we found that storm cellar. That was scary.”
She grunted and took another bite of food. In the time that Agent Hardy had been there, she'd forgotten she was hungry. How she'd forgotten about her hunger was a mystery, but now it was back full force. She grabbed another biscuit and chowed down.
“These eggs are great. Really hit the spot,” Kelsey said, thinking she sounded stupid. But she didn't want to say something that would make her sound guilty. “The biscuits are what I needed. Thank you for making them.”
“Sure,” he said.
She ate more biscuit, and after she swallowed, her lips twisted up.
“What?” Adam asked.
“I think I'll start that roast. We need something for dinner, and we won't be here. Who knows how long we'll be in town with the realtor. I need to pick up a few groceries too. We can buy those at Walmart.”
She almost wanted to congratulate herself for tossing out the Walmart thing. If this stupid FBI agent was watching them, they'd have a reason for going to Walmart.
Having a listening device in her house was too much pressure. She wanted to cry but having Adam with her made everything better. He would keep her safe. She had no doubts that Adam wouldn't let her down.
18
Adam turned up the music before he popped the bug off the bottom of the table. He was angry this FBI agent had figured out they'd killed Zaeim. Next time, he'd have to be more careful. The thought made him trip. There wouldn't be a next time. He'd killed the bastard, and that was it.
He took a few steps and warmth filled him. It had felt good killing Zaeim. War had been hell. Learning how to kill without hating yourself had taken time. The men and women who went up against the US Army, trying to destroy society, deserved to die, but wasn't killing Zaeim and people like him even better?
Many times, he'd thought the enemy soldiers weren't into the fight. Often if they caught them without a leader nearby, the enemy gave up. They didn't want to die, but men like Zaeim, they didn't care about anyone but themselves.
He placed the listening device on the windmill and left the battery-operated radio beside it, blaring music.
Kelsey met his gaze and lifted a brow. They headed to the car and drove out into the pasture to retrieve the truck and trailer. From the ridge where they'd left the truck, he saw the wide swath of damage the tornado had left. Nothing on Kelsey's land had been touched.
Before he got in the truck, Kelsey held up her hand. “Did you hear that?”
He turned, looking around and then he heard the noise. It was a cow mooing. Kelsey laughed and moved to the gate, opening it so the lost cows could come home.
“Seriously, they all came back?” Adam asked.
“I guess so. Looks like we'll need to do a little more work on the fence, the patch should hold for a few weeks though.”
“With everything that happened, I'd forgotten that the fence had been cut,” he said.
“I guess I’ll need to find some new workers since I can’t trust those men. Let's take the truck back to the house and leave it there. I think Gramps' old car needs a wash and some gas.”
“Sure. I'll drive the truck, and you can take the car, then I can drive into town if you like.”
“No need. I'll see you back at the house.”
Had the FBI guy left a listening or tracking device on the car? He had no clue. The man couldn’t be trusted, that much was evident.
When they got back home, Kelsey grabbed an ice-chest, and they headed into town. There wasn't too much storm damage on the way, which surprised him. The storm hadn't scared him off moving here.
He stole a glance at Kelsey and goodness flowed through him. He was getting more used to the idea of being in a relationship with her.
The Realtor was first up. The guy was snarky at first, then when they told him about the house and barn, he verbally attacked them, saying it was their fault.
“So you're saying a tornado hitting a house was my fault?” Kelsey said.
“Yes. You caused it. You drew it there.”
“Now wait a minute, Mr....what was your name?” Adam said.
“Andrew Walker.”
“Mr. Walker, I'm not a weatherman, are you?”
The guy smirked. “No.”
“Then I think you'll abandon blaming Ms. Brantley for the tornado. If people attracted tornados, then Cheyenne would have been hit, not some abandoned farm in the middle of nowhere.”
Walker sputtered, and he looked like he wanted to say something else. Instead, he huffed out a breath. “Just leave. Your cows, are they still there? If they are, I'll have my guy round them up, and it will cost you.”
&nbs
p; “They wandered home already,” Kelsey said. “Nice talking to you.” She waved as she left the office.
He stalked out, wanting to flip the guy off, but knew it wouldn't accomplish anything. “Really, nice talking to you?”
Kelsey spun around, her brows lifted. “It's like 'bless your heart' it doesn't mean what I said.”
“You're a complicated woman,” Adam said.
“Nah, I'm not. I'm just normal. But thank you, I like being called complicated.”
He chuckled then lifted her hand to kiss it. “Now to Walmart?”
“Sure. I don't think we need to stop anywhere else,” she said.
Before she slipped into the car, he pulled her into a hug. “Just remember, this vehicle could be bugged.”
She stiffened and nodded before he let her go. He'd place bets she'd not even considered the full extent of the ramifications of killing Zaeim. Having the FBI investigate her was probably beyond anything she'd thought would happen.
If she hadn't thought she would make it home from Algiers, she hadn't figured the US government would look into the death. Now that the FBI was looking at them, he figured they'd either find something soon or drop it.
Walmart was busy. People were talking about the storm. No one stopped them in the store to ask what had happened to their property which was good. The fewer people they talked to and could mess up their story with, the better.
They were both new to the area. Kelsey had taken over her grandfather's property, and he guessed no one knew her. With their items bought, the cold stuff in the ice-chest, they stopped at a burger joint to grab food. They ate at a table far away from everyone else.
When she was halfway done eating, she met his gaze, desperation shining in her eyes.
“Do you think we can talk here?”
“I don't know. How about we take the car to a carwash, and I'll check it for bugs? If I find one, we'll toss it down the drain of the wash place.”
She nodded and finished her burger. There were no bugs on the car, no tracking devices, nothing. It made him feel better. She went over the interior while he washed off the dirt and mud. They gassed up before they left town to head out to the ranch.
Once home, Kelsey put up the groceries while he went through the house, checking for bugs in every corner. After he finished inside, they both walked around outside, finding only the bug connected to the windmill.
He nodded to the house, and they went inside. Once locked in, she threw her arms around him and cried. Still a little suspicious of how well that device worked, he turned on some low music before he leaned back and lifted her chin. She looked wrecked. His heart went out to her, wishing he could make it all better.
“We have to be careful for a while,” he said.
“Jesus, what if they arrest me?”
Fear twisted through him. “They won't. They have no evidence. Hardy left the bug here to see if they could catch us saying anything. With it outside, it won't catch anything. In a few days, I'll drop it in a pond. The FBI guy will give up and leave. Someone will tell him to back off. We killed a terrorist, not a respectable citizen.”
She sniffled and shook her head. “I wish I was that confident.”
“I have work tonight.” He didn't want to go, but he needed money. He wasn't sure where the property was located, but he wanted to buy it and prove he was worthy. He would contact a realtor next week and find out more about the property.
“Come out when you can. I'm going to spend a few days organizing the house, deciding what I want to keep and what to give away,” Kelsey said.
“I'll help you if you need to move stuff. Also, what are you going to do about the two men working for you?”
“I'll find someone else. I can't have them around. I don't trust them.”
He left a little after two but wished he could stay. She'd given him a key to the lock on the front gate and one to the house. He closed and locked the gate before he left. Her being out here alone made him nervous, but he didn't have too much choice in the matter if he wanted to buy the land. Money didn't grow on trees or in fields, he had to work for it.
He wasn't sure which was worse, spending his time working when he'd rather be with Kelsey or sleeping in this bed alone. The last few days had been incredible, and he realized he was falling for her. Now, he had to show her he wasn't useless, and that he wanted a relationship with her.
19
Two days after the FBI agent had shown up at her house, Kelsey headed into town to ask the realtor for a key. She wanted to retrieve her two four-wheelers.
When she stepped into the office, she froze as she watched Mitch step out from a room at the back. He paused when he saw her, his eyes going wide before his gaze dipped to the floor.
“Morning, Ms. Brantley.”
“Mitch, how did your place weather the storm.”
He wouldn't meet her gaze, which made her even more suspicious. “Fine.”
“That's good.” An odd feeling washed over her like a snake slithering too close, or a spider crawling on her neck. The urge to run filled her, but she held her ground.
“Ms. Brantley, back again. Did you destroy more of that property?” Mr. Walker asked.
“I didn't destroy anything. I need to go on to the ranch and retrieve my four-wheelers.”
“Well, since Mitch is going out there, you can go with him.”
She wanted to say no, but she needed her equipment.
“I didn't know Mitch had anything to do with my neighbor's property.” Fear crept up Kelsey's spine, and she thought about the truck Adam had heard. Then there were the two sections of damaged fence. Could Mitch have done that? And why would he have tried to harm her?
Walker looked like he wanted to roll his eyes. “He's been taking care of the land while it's been on the market.”
She didn't like this one bit. Her anger, along with her fears, grew. What if Mitch was behind the bad stuff that had happened on her property? At first, he'd been nice, then as time went on, he'd changed. Their last altercation had left her afraid. She'd been worried about his actions. That's when she'd decided she needed to hire someone else to help her on her ranch.
“That's interesting.” She almost opened her mouth and accused him of cutting her fence but held off.
“Why don't you go out there with him and retrieve your equipment but hurry. The owner doesn't want anyone on his property.”
“What are you doing with the price now that the house was destroyed?”
Walker blew out a breath and shook his head. “They didn't have insurance. He wants out now. Doesn't want to deal with anything. I'm not even sure he'll want to pay to clean the property.”
His candor surprised her. The owner would be angry he'd said that if he knew.
“I'm leaving,” Mitch said.
The price drop intrigued her. It was right next to her property, which would give her more grazing acreage. She'd have to clean it up, and the flooding creek was an issue.
On her way out to the car, she wondered if she should call Adam. Heading out to an empty ranch with Mitch was the last thing she wanted. Calling Adam wasn't necessary; besides, he was in Denver with a client. She could handle this jerk on her own.
At the ranch, she found her four-wheelers on the far side of the hill from where the house had been. Neither of them started, but she was able to roll them onto the trailer she'd brought with her.
Mitch seemed quiet, and still wouldn't meet her gaze. His body language screamed his guilt though he stayed silent. When she drove off the property, the skin on the back of her neck tightened. That man freaked her out. No question, she'd have to find someone else to help her work her ranch.
Adam texted that he'd be gone for the rest of the week with his work gig. He didn't elaborate, so she assumed he was busy. They weren't in a relationship, not really. What they had was strange. She wondered if he would even stay with her if they hadn't traveled to Algiers together.
Late at night on Thursday a week before T
hanksgiving, she couldn't sleep. She fired up her computers and looked for information about Zaeim. Not much was being said. It was like that faction had moved on, finding a new hero to worship.
A few people were talking about finding out who had killed Zaeim, but for the most part, the online community thought it was a local who had killed the man. Before she shut down, she looked into getting fake passports. It would be difficult, nearly impossible with the new security measures, but not out of the question.
A little disgusted with herself, she shut off the computer. Maybe sleep would come now since it was close to midnight. She left the lights off when she headed into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. The moon was about a half sliver, and the stars were bright, providing enough illumination she didn’t need to turn on the lights. After getting the glass, she thought about going outside but hesitated. Her skin prickled and her stomach rolled.
She stilled, staring out the window, searching for what made her skin crawl. Then she saw movement. Someone was on her property, moving around in the dark. She'd locked up earlier, but fear still held her. Could the person skulking around be Adam? He hadn't texted that he would head her way, in fact, he'd said he was flying back to Denver tonight and would drive out in the morning.
Her hands were shaking as she headed to the den to unlock the box where she had a handgun. She used her phone's flashlight on low to make sure she had the dials spun to the correct setting then opened the box.
With her heart in her throat and the small Barretta in hand, she moved to look out the window. The intruder wasn't visible, so she moved back to the kitchen and waited. Ten seconds ticked by, her heart beating so fast she thought it would beat out of her chest. Then she saw the guy. He was tall, looked about average build, but she didn't recognize him. She didn't really get a good look though. Whoever he was, he moved away from the barn and down the main drive headed back to the fence. No way would sleep come now.