by BJ Wane
“I do, but it’s been a while.” She blew out a breath, the heavy sigh a sign those entertainments weren’t enough to appease her. As he continued driving down the unpaved road, he saw her frown at the three stables off to the right.
“What?” he asked, pulling to a stop in front of their two-story, log cabin home.
“Is this it?” Kelsey waved a hand toward the window with a shake of her head. “I didn’t see a nearby town between here and the airport.”
“Because there isn’t one. We lie north between Willow Springs and Billings, both about a forty-minute drive from here. People come to the ranch to get away from everyday life, which is why the McAllisters think it’s a good place for you to stay until they can learn more about who your assailant was after. No one knows you’re here or that we’ve stayed in touch with our former boss.”
Shaking her head, her tone laced with disbelief, she asked, “What the heck do you do all day and night?”
His mouth curled in amusement. She was such a city girl. “This time of year, we work twelve to fourteen hours a day except Sunday. Camping season lasts from May through mid-September and once we close the ranch activities for the winter, we still rent out the cabins for those who want more privacy and a rustic retreat while here to ski, or just a quiet winter getaway. Devin and I also spend a few months visiting our families during the worst of winter. From the look on your face, you’re not an outdoors person.”
She lifted one slim brow. “Only to walk from store to store when I’m shopping.”
He shrugged, unconcerned with the stark differences in their daily lives. She would have to make the best of what they offered for the time being. “Sorry, no shopping around here. We can take you into Billings one day, if we can spare the time.” He slid out of the truck, not surprised Devin wasn’t around to greet them. Grabbing her suitcase from the back, he jerked his head toward the front door. “Come on in. I’ll show you your room and you can get settled while I check in with Devin.”
Kelsey’s jaw almost dropped as she entered Greg’s home. The tiled entry gave way to the largest, two-story room she’d ever seen in a house. A place like this would cost in the millions in Philly and there was something appealing about the wooden beams above and the floor to ceiling rugged stone fireplace in front of them. She tried to keep up with his long-legged stride as he led the way past the open kitchen sporting a hanging rack of copper pots and pans dangling over a gray concrete counter-topped island but didn’t mind the view of him from behind. The man looked as good going as he did coming, making her warped mind wonder what he looked like when coming in an altogether different way.
Pull your head out of the gutter, girl. Even though Greg had shown her every courtesy on the long drive out here, he hadn’t expressed a hint of interest in her other than as a temporary guest. Since she was currently dealing with worse things, that didn’t bother her.
“My rooms are on the opposite side of the house and Devin’s quarters are upstairs,” Greg said as he veered down a long hallway. “There are two guest rooms separated by a bath at this end. You can pick either one.” He set her bag down in the hall and lifted his hat to run his fingers through his hair before settling it on his head again. The girls and slutty bitch tingled with warmth and Kelsey decided she must be in desperate straits over being stuck here if she found even that simple gesture sexy. Settle down! she scolded her happy places as her body seemed to dance a jig at the thought of spending time in the wilds with nothing to do but ogle the man doing a favor for her foster parents. Cocking his head, those moss green eyes turned sharp and assessing without warning. “What’s wrong?”
She wasn’t dumb enough to ask him what he meant. “Nothing, just jet lagged.” She waved a hand toward the first room. “This will be fine. Go on back to work. I take it I’m not a prisoner and can walk around and acclimate myself.”
“So long as you stay within close proximity to the house where one of the hands can see you from the pastures or the barns you can go where you please. Let someone know if you want to hike through the woods, then stay on the paths and don’t venture far enough you can’t see any of our buildings. Don’t bother the guests and don’t enter any of the enclosed pastures or corrals. We have livestock that aren’t broke in yet.”
“Gee, I’m glad I’m free to roam around,” she drawled with as much sarcasm as she could muster up. “Do you honestly think there are worse hazards and risks out here than in Philly? I thought you lived there when you were working for Jordan.”
“Devin did. I was in Albany until we were paired up on a case, and yes, there are wilderness hazards a city girl like you could fall prey to. Here.” He pulled a pre-paid cell phone from his back pocket and handed it to her. “Stick close and you’ll be fine, but if you need help, I’ve programmed my, Devin and our stable manager, Tom Weston’s phone numbers in there. Tom lives in the apartment above the largest barn and is always around when Dev and I are either out for the day with guests or away from the ranch.”
Something akin to panic dug its claws into Kelsey’s abdomen at imagining him leaving her alone here for so long. It was a struggle, but she managed to fight off the need to beg him not to take off anywhere without her. That alone was a testament to how much out of her depth, alone and abandoned she felt in this place. At home, she was comfortable spending time alone, even going to movies or somewhere to eat by herself when she wasn’t with friends, coworkers or the McAllisters.
“Hey.” Greg reached for her and wrapped a thick, muscled arm around her shoulders. Naturally, the girls and the slutty bitch took the friendly hug to heart and reacted to the press of that large body and the steady thud of his heart beneath her ear by going all warm and tingly. “Relax and let yourself enjoy this time. Who knows, you may end up liking it here enough to book a vacation next year.”
Kelsey huffed a laugh and stepped back, both surprised and a touch piqued when he released her immediately. “Let’s not get ridiculous. Go away. I need to get settled and send a note to my boss. You do have internet out here, don’t you?”
He tipped his hat down and started back up the hall, tossing over his shoulder, “Why, no ma’am, we still use smoke signals to communicate. Didn’t Jordan tell you that?”
“Moron,” Kelsey muttered, her lips twitching as she heard the front door close. She wondered if Devin Fisher was as sexy and easy to be around as Greg.
An hour later, she discovered Devin was nothing like his friend and business partner. Her bedroom window offered a stunning view of the mountains and tall pines as well as the barn closest to the house. Putting away her clothes in the small dresser next to the four-poster bed, she caught a glimpse of another tall, broad-shouldered man leading the biggest horse Kelsey had ever seen into the stables. Ink black hair brushed the back of his neck below an equally dark Stetson.
“Oh my,” she breathed as her traitorous body sat up and took notice when he turned around and her eyes were automatically drawn to the way leather chaps framed his pelvis. If all the men around here were that panty-melting, she wouldn’t get bored, just needy for a diversion from all this space and quiet. “Behave, damn it,” she scolded herself out loud. “I’m not some horny hussy lusting after every man I see.” But if she became desperate, she suspected she could easily become one.
Turning from the window, Kelsey set up her laptop on the desk and sent her boss a quick e-mail stating she would get back to her accounts tomorrow, once she acclimated to the time change, and all the other differences from Philly she was stuck enduring for the next month. The good news was she wouldn’t have to give up her daily walking regimen. Instead, she would have to adjust to stumbling her way over forested terrain instead of strolling city blocks window-shopping fun stores calling her name. If the jerk that accosted her weren’t already dead, she would be tempted to go back and kill him for that alone.
The mid-afternoon sun shone high in a cloudless blue sky by the time she left the house to stretch her legs. Curiosity pulled her to
ward the barn, and the man she’d spotted entering a short time ago. She’d seen a few other cowhands milling about, two riding out in a field where a small herd of black cattle grazed. Two horses, both sporting coats in varying shades of reddish brown that reminded her of Greg’s hair, were busy chowing down on a bale of hay in the corral next to the largest barn. Even from several feet away they appeared huge, with rippling muscles every time they shifted their long legs. She had to admit they were beautiful creatures as she entered the stable and took in the tall, regal equine heads hanging out the long row of half doors to their stalls.
The murmurings of a soft, deep voice resonated down the aisle as Kelsey strolled across the wide, neatly swept concrete floor, keeping her distance from the horses sticking their noses out toward her. She passed ten stalls lining each side by the time she rounded the corner at the end of the row and spotted the dark-haired man who caught her eye from the house running a brush along the side of the black beast he’d led inside.
“Feels good, doesn’t it, boy? Mind your manners and I might have a carrot or two for you.”
Some impish part of her prompted Kelsey to ask, “What happens if he doesn’t behave?”
The man turned slowly, as if her sudden presence didn’t surprise him. Nudging his hat back, she got a look at his midnight blue eyes, a shiver skating under her skin at the cool assessment he subjected her to before answering.
“A firm hand is needed when dealing with bad behavior, especially if it’s destructive. You must be Greg’s temporary guest.”
The emphasis he put on Greg’s name didn’t bode well for this man welcoming her on the ranch. She tried not to take it personally but couldn’t help the tight clutch in her chest that reminded her of other people who hadn’t wanted her around for long. “Kelsey Hammond, and you won’t even know I’m here,” she tried assuring him.
“Since you’ll be residing in my house, that’s doubtful, but mind the rules and we’ll get along fine. I’m Devin Fisher, Greg’s partner.”
Oh, dear. Considering the low hum of awareness spreading through her, the same response she got around Greg, the odds of the two of them getting along fine weren’t in her favor. What was it about this man that stirred her even though he made it clear he was none too happy about having her around? Whatever it was, it pushed her into goading a response from him other than that frown between his eyes. “Your partner? Greg didn’t mention you two were a couple.”
Devin blew out a disgusted breath, as if he’d dealt with that misconception once too often. “We’re not. We’re friends and business partners. Now, go away. I need to finish brushing Thor. But stay close. I’m not in the mood to come searching for you.”
Kelsey halted in mid turn to say, “Which is it, go away or stay close? I can’t do both.”
Her buttocks clenched as he narrowed those dark eyes. Whoa, where did that come from? she asked herself as the image of the man she’d watched delivering a spanking to that young woman a few weeks ago popped into her head, that stranger wearing the same expression as Devin’s face now conveyed. It was way too easy to imagine Devin treating her to the same punishment if she pushed him too far. Instead of that thought acting as a deterrent, her body tingled in reaction and with as much enthusiasm as she had to Greg’s nearness. Crap, it really is going to be a long few weeks.
“Ms. Hammond, do us both a favor by turning around and trotting out of here. Now.”
“Fine. I’m going for a walk.” She grumbled but let a small smile curl her lips. “But I’m telling Greg you were mean to me.”
Devin refused to smile as he watched Kelsey twitch her cute ass and skip down the aisle and out the stable door. She put on a good front, but there had been no mistaking the insecurity lurking in her bright blue eyes. He doubted his curt words were the cause, so why the sliver of guilt tightening his muscles? Greg had a lot to answer for and the number one infraction was not telling him their temporary houseguest was the exact body type he favored. He’d been drawn to the petite ones since puberty. There was something about their small, dainty stature that tugged at the macho, overbearing side of him. Add in Kelsey’s feisty nature that was at odds with the lost, uncertain expression in her eyes and he knew keeping his distance from Ms. Hammond would be a battle. Good thing he was adept at winning, even if he found her pixie, fey appearance and striking white/blonde hair tempting. Not to mention that look in her eyes that conveyed she wasn’t as sure of her cocky acceptance of her circumstances as she let on.
He had only to remember another pair of blue eyes, those staring lifelessly up at him as he and Greg refused to give up on trying to stop the flow of blood pumping from a nicked artery they’d failed to prevent. Even after they’d thrown their bodies over Catherine Valdez to shield her from the spray of bullets two masked gunmen aimed their way as they broke into the safe house, one bullet had managed to hit her. And one was all it took. He and Greg had each suffered three hits before taking the assailants out, and they’d learned how much more painful the guilt of losing a witness was compared to the physical agony of getting shot. The fact they’d given in to Catherine’s pleas and joined her in her bed that night hadn’t helped to ease their conscience.
Thor shoved his head against Devin’s shoulder, demanding his treat. “Yeah, yeah, I’ve got it right here.” He held the carrot out to the stallion, stroking his hand down Thor’s sleek neck. The three-year-old black had been his first livestock purchase two years ago when he and Greg settled here in Montana and had begun plans for the ranch. That last case had taken an emotional and physical toll on both of them, and they’d decided to retire and return home to lick their wounds and start over with a new career. The two of them had hit it off ever since middle school, grown as close as brothers and stayed that way despite living most of their FBI years in separate cities. They rarely fought or disagreed, but that might change over the next few weeks if Greg’s insistence on having Kelsey here interrupted the peaceful existence Devin had found on their ranch.
“Do you have a new guest?”
Devin turned at his barn manager’s question, waiting until Tom reached him before answering. “That was Kelsey Hammond, the girl Greg mentioned would be coming to stay for a few weeks. She’s a city girl, so if you can keep an eye on her when she’s wandering around, I’m sure he would appreciate it.”
Tom rested a hand on Thor’s flank, cocking his head with a small grin and shrewd glint in his brown eyes. “Greg’s got himself involved with a city girl?”
With a derisive snort, he replied, “Not involved other than as a friend doing a favor for a friend and she’s about as green as you can get.” And he sure as hell hoped it stayed that way. “She has instructions to stick close and since she didn’t seem overly thrilled with being near horses, I doubt she’ll venture out of the house much, except maybe to wander over to the clubhouse.”
“I’ll be sure to pass it on. I’m heading out to bring in the mounts for the fishing excursion tomorrow so I can get them saddled and ready first thing in the morning. Anything else you need before I call it a day?”
Devin opened the stall gate and slapped the black’s rump to prod him in. “No, thanks. How about a game this evening?” He and Greg often sat down to a game of poker in the evenings if they weren’t on an excursion. Sometimes a guest or two would join them, but most often it was just them, Tom and maybe a few of the cowhands.
“Sounds good. I’ll meet you at the social hall later. Be sure to introduce me to your houseguest.”
“Greg’s houseguest.”
Tom gave him a two-fingered salute off the brim of his hat and smirked as if he didn’t believe that reiterated statement. Devin scowled, watching the older man stroll back out and grab the tethered reins of his horse. For a sixty-something-year-old man, he swung up into the saddle with the ease and agility of a much younger cowpoke. The part-time manager’s job that included the upper level apartment in the barn fit into Tom’s semi-retired schedule and offered him the flexibility to hel
p out his older, disabled brother. Devin could trust him to watch out for Kelsey if Tom was nearby when she was walking around. As long as she didn’t get in his way or cause trouble, they would get on fine the next few weeks.
Kelsey delivered a kick to a large stone as she came out of the stable, trying hard not to get upset over Devin’s lack of enthusiasm toward having her at the ranch. After being abandoned at the age of five and shuffled through the foster care system for the next five years, she thought she had developed a thick skin against personal affronts. God knows she’d gotten enough practice shrugging off hurtful disappointments as an adult every time a relationship had ended without a commitment. The only people who had entered her life and stuck by her for the long haul because they wanted to were the McAllisters. Strolling past a row of small, neat cabins, she headed toward a path in the woods, admitting she wouldn’t trade Jordan and Theresa for the world, even though they pawned her off on two hunky strangers, one of whom wished she were far away from here. At least Greg seemed okay with having her around for a short time.
The late afternoon temperature had already dropped to a pleasant seventy-four degrees, but as she entered the dense, tree-shaded forest, the much cooler air drew a shiver. Making sure to glance behind her every few yards to ensure at least one of the buildings remained in sight, she followed the well-worn trail up a steep slope. The hike reminded her of the two mountain trips she’d taken with Jordan and Theresa over ten years ago. Damn, time flew by once a person reached adulthood. Where had her twenties gone? Here she was turning thirty in a month, and had nothing to show for the past decade other than earning a degree in accounting. Whoopee! Could she get any more boring or have less to show for all those years? Where was the excitement, the sense of adventure or accomplishment?