My cheeks heated but I nodded. I wasn’t going to deny what anyone with eyes in their heads should be able to see.
“Good. Then give him, give the two of you, a chance.”
I nodded.
“Good.” She grinned and stretched. “Before I head back upstairs, there’s one more thing we need to discuss.”
I groaned. I didn’t mean to, but it was out before I could stop it. Instead of taking offense, Quinn chuckled and assured me I didn’t need to worry.
“Come Saturday, you and I are going on a little trip. No arguments. We’re going to pick up some things you’ll need until we find out who tried to make you into a stain on the road.” The look she gave me dared me to argue. “Second, are you licensed to carry concealed?”
“In Kansas.”
“Good. Did you bring your gun with you?”
I shook my head. “I learned a long time ago that most cops have a dim view of bikers being armed. Because of that, and because I didn’t think I’d be here for long, I left my guns at home.”
“No problem. We’ll get you outfitted with what you need in the morning.” She thought for a moment before continuing. “Lucas can push through your CCW here. If he can’t, I can. If all that fails, I’ll get Ciara to do it.”
“Ciara?”
“My older sister. She’s a member of the Texas Rangers.” She pushed back her chair and climbed to her feet. “I want you carrying from now on. I’ll talk with Lucas and he’ll make sure no one hassles you about it. But after what happened today, I want to make sure you’re safe and that Annie is as well.”
“That makes two of us.”
Surprised, I turned in my chair. Drew stood in the doorway behind me. He wore a pair of low slung jeans and nothing else. Quinn chuckled softly as my eyes made the long – and very slow – journey from his bare feet up to a narrow waist, washboard abs and broad shoulders before dipping lower once again.
He padded across the wooden floor to where I sat. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to hold a hand out to him and wait for him to take it. Quinn looked on in obvious approval as he bent to lightly kiss me. Then he took the chair she’d occupied a few moments earlier.
“I want you to listen to Quinn,” he said as she tossed her empty beer bottle into the trash. “Lucas already spoke with me about making sure you are armed from now on.”
“All right.” I looked up at Quinn. “Thanks. I’d appreciate it if we could talk some more in the next day or two.”
“Sure.” She gave me a cocky grin. “That’s what friends are for.”
I smiled and nodded. It was exactly what they were for.
“Before I head up, you two need to remember something. The house will protect you from just about everything – including prying eyes and ears.”
With that, she left the kitchen. I dropped my head in my hands, embarrassment warring with desire.
“She means well – I think,” Drew said.
“She does and she cares for you.” As I looked up, I made a decision. Quinn had been right about one thing. She needed to give Drew a chance. “Did your sister tell you anything about what Sam and I talked about the other night?”
He shook his head. Worry clouded his blue eyes.
“The official explanation is I’m having some trouble adjusting to civilian life.”
“The unofficial explanation?”
“Something happened that last tour, something bad and I did come home with PTSD from it. I’m not the only one. But it is the reason the thing happened that gave it to me, to us.” I shoved to my feet, unable to sit still. “I’m not supposed to talk about it. Hell, I’ve already said enough to have the powers-that-be threatening to take action against me.”
“Meg.” That was it. He didn’t say anything more. But a moment later, he stood behind me. He arms went around me and he drew me against him. He held me there, his embrace gentle and protective. “Could this have anything to do with your wreck?”
“I don’t see how but I’m going to make some calls tomorrow.” I ran my hands down his arms until they covered his hands. “I need you to do something for me.”
“Of course. Name it.”
I turned in his arms. As I looked up at him, I felt suddenly shy. It had been a long time since I felt that way. Not sure how to begin, I rested my head against his shoulder and breathed in the scent of him.
“Meg, it’s all right.” He lightly stroked my hair.
“Drew, I’m a mess. It was always just Mom and me. Maxon’s Mill is as close to the opposite of Mossy Creek as can be. We were looked at with suspicion and hatred because of what we were. Mom was the only thing that made it home. I know she hated it there, but we stayed, and she did her best to make sure I was happy and had everything I needed. The only explanation for why that I can come up with is that something happened here, or someone from here did something, and it hurt her so much she didn’t dare come back. Either that or she didn’t trust herself to for fear she’d do something foolish. Judging from this morning’s events, it might have been both.” I blinked back the tears pooling in my eyes. Why couldn’t she have told me about this part of her life?
“What do you want me to do? Just name it and it’s done. I promise.”
“It’s stupid, I know, but could we go upstairs and just talk for a bit? Maybe you could hold me and remind me that not everyone’s like those people from Maxon’s Mill who made my life growing up hell. Remind me the last few days haven’t been a dream because despite the wreck and this morning, I’ve felt more welcome and cared for than I have with anyone but Mom.”
“Of course.” His thumb gently caressed my cheek. “But I need you to listen to me for a moment. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Today was tough for you. I get that. Hell, babe, you reacted better than I would have.” He smiled and lightly brushed his lips against mine. “Now I want you to think about this. Within an hour of you getting here from the ER, folks started coming to check on you. You, Meg. They were worried about Annie, but they knew we’d be taking care of her. But they knew who caused the trouble today and they knew how that would impact you. They wanted you to know they are here for you. Not just Uncle Bob and Aunt Camille. Not even just my grandmother and – God, I can’t believe I’m saying this – my mother. But Miss Peggy and Janny and all the others were here to let you know that you’re one of us and they aren’t going to sit back while anyone, not even the Luíseachs, hurt you.”
“I want to believe you.”
God, how I wanted to.
“Do.” He lightly brushed away tears I hadn’t realized I’d shed. “Now let’s go upstairs. We can talk or just sleep. It’s up to you.”
“How about a little of both?”
“Like I said, Meg. It’s up to you.” He reached for my beer bottle and tossed it into the trash. “All I ask is that you trust me and let me help you.”
“I do and I’ll try.”
Chapter 16
A soft knock sounded at the bedroom door. Groaning, I buried my head in my pillow. It was too early, and I’d gotten too little sleep. Aw hell, who was I kidding? I’d gotten no sleep. After coming upstairs, Drew and I settled on the bed and talked. Well, maybe not just talked. There’d been a bit of making out like a pair of horny teenagers that left me wanting more. But the thought of making love, especially for the first time, in a house that was semi-sentient and might broadcast the whole thing to Quinn and her mother put a stop to anything else happening.
Another knock and the door slowly opened enough for Quinn to peek in. Seeing me looking at her more than a little blearily, she smiled and stepped inside. She closed the door and glanced around, no doubt noting Drew’s absence.
“He’s not here,” I groused. “Left half an hour ago for work.”
Quinn unsuccessfully tried not to smile. Then she dropped onto the mattress at my side. “I am so glad you’re not a morning person. I’d have to kill you.”
I growled and she chuckled. “Then you
know how close to death you are,” I countered.
“Ah, but there’s fresh coffee downstairs.” She grinned when I sat up so quickly I almost knocked her off the mattress. “You’re feeling better.”
I nodded. I might be exhausted but I did feel better. Talking out what had been bothering me helped. Drew proved to be an excellent listener. More than that, he didn’t try to placate me or offer empty reassurances. Between us, we’d drawn up a plan of action, one I hoped to put into play soon. But that had to wait until I found out what Quinn wanted and then made a phone call or two.
“Before we go down, think about this. No one is going to say anything about you and Drew sitting up and talking all night.” I opened my mouth to say something, I’m not sure what, but she stopped me. “Meg, it’s obvious you didn’t sleep any. Sorry, but you look exhausted. My guess is you two talked and not much else. At least you were up here, behind closed doors. When Lucas and I first got together, both Ciara and our mother found us asleep on the sofa downstairs more than once. Talk about embarrassing.”
I grinned, picturing the scene. Knowing Quinn and Lucas had been caught like that eased the embarrassment I’d been fighting.
“I have only one more thing to say before we go find you some coffee.”
“What?” I looked at her, suspicion growing.
“Drew’s a good guy, even if I spent half my life wanting to pound him into sand.” She grinned and got to her feet. “Like I said last night, I can tell he cares for you and you for him. Believe me, you could do a lot worse than hooking up with Drew Grissom.” For a moment, the haunted expression she’d worn when talking about her ex-husband returned. Then she shook her head, as if shaking off memories she didn’t want to recall. “And, if you’re up to it, coffee’s brewed and breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.”
“Coffee sounds very good right now.” Maybe after a pot or two, I’d be able to focus. Thinking clearly might require another pot of that wondrous brew.
That was all the incentive Quinn needed. She crossed to the closet and looked inside. By the time I’d crawled out from under the sheet, she’d tossed a pair of black cargo pants and a long-sleeved black tee shirt onto the foot of the bed. They were an almost exact match for what she wore. Interesting. She obviously wanted me to make a statement, but what? More importantly, why?
“Get dressed.” She indicated the small half-bath adjoining the bedroom. “Do you want to get armed up before coffee or after?” she asked as I gathered up the clothes.
“Is Annie up?”
“She is. I’m guessing we have about ten minutes or so before she gets downstairs.”
The fact she knew how long it would take Annie to go downstairs spoke volumes about their relationship. It also had me stopping at the bathroom door. My first instinct was coffee and then weapons. However, I had a feeling Annie would object if she knew what Quinn and I planned. Maybe I could grab a mug of coffee on my way to getting armed up?
“Give me a few.”
Less than ten minutes later, Quinn led me downstairs. We detoured into the kitchen long enough to grab mugs of coffee. Judith told us not to be long. Breakfast would be ready shortly and, judging from the sounds from upstairs, Annie and Sam would be down soon. Then, to my surprise, she kissed first Quinn’s cheek and then mine. It reminded me so much of how Mom greeted me almost every morning we’d been together that tears stung my eyes.
“Holy hell.”
It was out before I could stop it and Quinn smiled in response. When we’d climbed down the stairs at the far end of the kitchen, I thought we were going to the basement. Well, it might have started out that way, but it was so much more. We stepped into a media room that had me drooling. Comfortable looking sofas and overstuffed easy chairs sat in front of one of the largest TVs I’d ever seen. I recognized several gaming systems set up in a case on the wall near the TV screen.
We walked through the media room to the far end of the basement. That wall was lined with bookshelves. Some of the shelves held books. Others housed trophies and other collectibles. Quinn stopped before one of the shelves and I waited. A moment later I heard a soft snick. Quinn grinned and stepped back as the shelf slowly swung open to reveal a metal door behind it.
“Impressive.”
No other word adequately described the room beyond the metal door. It ran the full width of the basement and appeared to be about ten feet deep. Several large gun safes lined one wall of the room. A collection of pistols and rifles that had me drooling lined the side walls. As if that weren’t enough, several display cases rested in the middle of the room. They held a wide range of ammo boxes, not to mention blades of almost every shape and form.
“I’ve always had guns,” Quinn commented as she moved to look at the handguns. When Lucas moved in, he brought his own collection and my sister added hers not long ago.”
“This puts my small collection to shame.”
“You’re welcome to anything here.” Quinn stepped back so I could make a pick.
As I did, she moved around the room. By the time I’d chosen a Remington 1911, she’d rejoined me. She looked at the pistol in my hand, her expression serious. In that moment, she reminded me of the manager at the indoor range in Wichita I normally shot at.
“You prefer the 1911?” she asked.
I nodded.
Without a word, she took the Remington from me and replaced it in the case. Then she moved to one of the gun safes. I watched, wondering what shew as up to. A few moments later, the safe opened and she reached inside. When she turned back, I blew out a breath. In one hand she held a beautifully crafted Wilson Combat CQB Tactical LE. I swallowed hard as my fingers closed around the grip. Reluctantly, I looked at Quinn and held the gun out to her.
“I can’t.” The gun had to cost an easy three thousand before she’d added the laser sight.
“You can, and you will.” She pushed the gun back. “It’s the best 1911 I have other than the one I carry. Besides, until we know what’s going on, Lucas and I – not to mention Drew – want you carrying the best we can supply. I doubt you will have to use it but, if you do, you can bet your ass the gun won’t misfire or jam.”
“Quinn.” Even though I knew I should insist on another gun, I didn’t want to. I’d fired a similar Wilson before and it had been the sweetest handgun I’d ever handled.
“Meg, I get it. I do.” From her expression, I knew she did. “But it’s necessary.” Now she grinned. “Besides, Drew was very clear about wanting me to make sure I gave you the very best. He threatened to raid not only my collection but Annie’s grandmother’s if I didn’t.”
I rolled my eyes. Drew and I needed to have a talk. “All right, but only until I can get to Wichita and get my own gun.” Damn, it was bad enough I had to deal with the fear of driving – and possibly denting – Miss Serena’s Land Rover. Now I had Annie arming me with weapons I knew not only knew were more firepower than I’d ever need but that cost more than I’d ever consider paying for an everyday carry weapon.
And, yes, weapons in the plural. In the time I’d taken to select the 1911, Quinn gathered everything she thought I ought to have for what I assumed must be the coming zombie apocalypse. Why else would there be a tactical shotgun, a Glock 30SF and a Sig Saur P226? Then there was the tactical knife, a boot knife and what looked suspiciously like a butterfly knife.
Quinn watched with a critical eye as I picked up each handgun, made sure they were unloaded and then tested their weight and feel. Without speaking, I reached for one of the several boxes of ammo she’d laid out. With an ease I hoped reassured her I still knew how to handle a gun, I loaded 1911. When I looked up at her a moment later, approval shone in her eyes.
“When’s the last time you went shooting?”
“A week before I came here.” She didn’t say anything, but I felt the need to explain. “Mom took me shooting for the first time for my tenth birthday. From then on, we made it to the range or somewhere out in the country where we wouldn’t be a d
anger at least once a month. I kept it up after left active duty.”
“Good.” She cocked her head, listening. “We don’t have long before everyone’s downstairs. I know I’m throwing a lot at you. Hell, I’m asking a lot of you by asking you to keep an eye on Annie whenever you’re together. I know you want to find the answers to why your mother sent you here.”
I stopped her before she could continue. “Quinn, if I didn’t want to do this, I’d say so. Yes, I want answers but now it looks like my problems have washed over onto Annie and that makes her my responsibility. I’d never be able to live with myself if something happened to her or the baby because of me or my mother.”
“Nothing’s going to. We’re going to make sure of it.” Quinn spoke with such conviction I could almost believe her. “Be honest now. Are you comfortable carrying concealed?” She leaned against one of the display cases, her arms crossed under her breasts.
I could have hedged but why? I’d already told her I not only owned several guns but that I carried concealed back in Wichita. Truth be told, growing up in Maxon’s Mill showed me how important it was to always be armed. Usually, my talents were enough to protect me. Fortunately, they had been growing up. But I knew there were times more mundane forms of self-protection worked better.
Besides, seeing a very deadly looking gun pointed at you was a great deterrent.
“I am.” I shoved my hands into my pockets. Part of me wanted to explain, but another part reminded me I really didn’t know Quinn or any of the others. Then I remembered Mom’s letter and her telling me I needed to start trusting people.
“Quinn, the short answer is yes. I’m more than comfortable carrying concealed or open. Let’s just say, experience has taught me the more means of defense I have, the better.”
Her brow furrowed and concern darkened her eyes, but she didn’t ask any of the questions I could read on her expression. Instead, she nodded once. Then she shook her head in resignation as Ali yelled down the stairs that breakfast was ready and she was hungry!
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