“My mom wasn’t a very good cook, so I didn’t have a good role model. Maggie’s lucky.”
“Thank you, Sky. That is a lovely thing to say.”
Guests crowded into the kitchen. “What’s on the dessert menu tonight?”
In less than ten minutes everyone was served. Sky and Lanie looked at each other and smiled. “I don’t blame them. I’m taking a piece of each myself.”
Sky had eaten everything on her plate and intended to eat every morsel of dessert. What had come over her? Was it the food or the people? Was it nerves or did she simply feel safe here?
“So am I.” Lanie smiled
They went back to the porch together.
Maggie was asleep on Coop’s arm. “I’m going to lay her down.”
“He’ll check on her a hundred times before we leave.”
“I wish…”
“What?”
“Nothing. These get-togethers are nice.” It did no good to long for something that had never been.
Sky stayed at the poker table as long as she could. She wanted to get back to her computer. But it was a good break—a needed one.
Dirk drove her back to the bungalow. It was dark. Clouds covered the moon. This could be a lonely place, but for some reason it didn’t feel that way. “Are you glad you joined us?”
She rubbed her tummy. “My stomach thanks you. The food was delicious and the company entertaining.”
“When did you learn to play poker?”
“Tonight.”
He turned to her, a disbelieving look on his face. “You’re kidding, right? From the moans coming from your table, you won more than anyone.”
Sky chuckled. “It’s numbers and probabilities, Dirk. I’m good at both.”
“You should go to Vegas.”
She shook her head. “Not on your life. I wouldn’t risk my hard-earned money.” She handed him a small bag of pennies. “Here’s what you loaned me.”
“Why bother? It was only a couple of bucks.”
“I always pay my bills.”
****
Sky was something else. Was there anything about her he didn’t like? He couldn’t think of a single thing. Maybe her stubborn streak and the fact that she thought more of her sister’s safety than her own. But even those were attributes.
He pulled the truck up to the bungalow, not wanting the night to end. “Nice night.”
The clouds moved away and the moon shone bright. “I’ve never seen so many stars. We don’t get this view in the city.”
Sky was one beautiful woman, but she didn’t know it. She wasn’t making an effort to get out of the truck, which was a good sign. “Have you always lived in the city?”
“Always. I never thought about being anywhere else.”
Just as he thought: a sophisticated city girl like Sky would never be interested in living with a wounded warrior in the country. The thought didn’t sit well.
She turned to him. “Thanks for insisting I go tonight, Dirk. I really did have a good time.”
She started to get out of the truck. He reached out to stop her. “Sky?” But she climbed out and headed to the door just as Sully gave out a happy bark.
Was Dirk going to let her go in when the urge to hold and kiss her was as strong as a Texas tornado? He got out and followed her.
She looked around. “It really is beautiful here. You’re very lucky to have this.”
He touched her arm, pulled her close. He wanted to kiss her in the worst way.
The fact that she hadn’t pulled away gave him courage. In the moonlight her eyes glowed dark silver. He touched her lips with his. She let out a little sigh. It was all he needed to deepen the kiss.
Then her arms were around his neck and she was leaning in so close he could feel every curve.
The kiss sent off sparks. Had he ever felt this before?
Never. Had she?
His hand moved up from her waist to her breast. My God, how he wanted this woman. A shiver of pleasure wrapped around him as liquid heat stole through every fiber of his being.
She pulled back and gasped. “I’ve never been kissed like that.” And went back for more.
He was more than willing. But he wanted more than a kiss. He wanted her in his bed. Now.
She put her arms around his waist and pulled him so close she had to feel his hardness. When she moved against him he thought he might die. “Let’s take this inside,” he muttered against her lips.
Sky pulled away. Gasped. “I’m so sorry. That should never have happened.”
“How can you say that? You felt what I did.”
“Maybe so, but it was inappropriate.”
She looked around as if for a way to escape before she rushed for the door. “Forgive me, Dirk. Please.”
In seconds, she had disappeared inside.
Dirk was so startled he couldn’t move. What had just happened? Sky brought out feelings he’d avoided at all cost for the biggest part of his life. He’d never planned on making a commitment to anyone, but once he dropped all the old hurts and fears of the past, he realized he was totally and forever in love. He wanted to make a life with Sky unlike the one his parents or hers had, but one like Shorty’s and Gramps’. One like Coop’s and Lanie’s.
He couldn’t believe he was standing here in the dark wanting a lifelong commitment with the woman who had just left him and ran inside. He let the C word roll around his head—surprised as hell he wasn’t getting sweaty or anxious.
He walked up to the door.
Sully barked.
Sky quieted him.
Over the years, Dirk had wanted a lot of women in his bed. Sky was the only one he had ever wanted in his life.
With their totally different backgrounds, would it be possible?
He turned away. He couldn’t face another rejection tonight.
Making his way back to his truck, he didn’t hold out much hope.
Chapter Twenty-Four
What had gotten into her? One minute Sky was admiring the beautiful night, the next she was in Dirk’s arms and loving the way he held her, the sensations flooding through her, and the kiss she never wanted to end. Had she gone totally insane?
Falling in love wasn’t in her life plan. Her goal was to work at the bank until she retired, then travel for a few years.
Traveling hadn’t been on her family’s agenda. It wasn’t on Dirk’s. He was perfectly happy right where he was and always would be. Maybe that contentment had nothing to do with where he was, but how he viewed himself and his life.
She sensed a change in him from the way he was on the first day they’d met. There was an openness he hadn’t had then, giving her a clearer picture of who he really was. But did she believe him? Did he honestly think his changed attitude came about because of a letter from his mom?
If she had found a letter from her mom that told Sky how much she was loved, would it have made a difference? If her dad hadn’t been a womanizer would she have never developed this mistrust of men? But there was none of that. Her parents were who they were and the past couldn’t be changed.
But you can change the present.
Where had that come from?
Sky went to her computer. She didn’t have time to mull over what might have been. This was reality. She looked at her watch. The forty-eight hours would be up tomorrow. Was there any way the killer could get to Dory? Dirk and the FBI assured her there wasn’t. Trusting them wasn’t easy, but it was all she had.
Hours later, something nudged her. Sky’s heart thundered until she saw Sully at her chair. When he saw she was awake, he gave a sharp bark. It was his I-need-to-go bark.
Had she not gone to bed?
Evidently.
She struggled to her feet and to the door to let Sully out. She needed coffee. Fast. In seconds the machine was gurgling. She stuck a mug under the spigot to get the first half-cup. “Hot.” But just what she needed. Going back to the computer she looked to see if anything had changed. The last thing she remembered from
last night, the funds from Zip-Post, an international corporation giving UPS a run for their money, had stalled in the Bahamas. She had vowed to stay awake and see where it went from there. That hadn’t happened, as she must have fallen asleep.
This was her last chance to find the stolen money.
She blinked her eyes a couple of times to make sure she was seeing right. The money hadn’t moved.
Sky felt tears coming. She blinked them away and sat back. “What do I do now?”
Sully came through the door she hadn’t completely shut and bounded to her. “How about a little exercise?”
Sully quivered.
“I agree. We’ve been cooped up here long enough.”
She grabbed her windbreaker and headed to the door. She’d take a short run first, then exercise Sully.
“Stay with me, Sully.” She was off, Sully by her side.
The dogs barked as they passed the pens. It was still early, not even six a.m. and no one was at the pens tending the dogs. “Everyone must be sleeping late.”
Sully growled in agreement.
She circled onto the road leading away from Dirk’s and headed for the homestead. Maybe she would run into Lanie.
But when she got there, Lanie hadn’t appeared. “Wanna go to Matt’s?”
Sully gave a sharp bark.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” She took off. Though the early morning was overcast, it felt good to stretch her legs.
Halfway there she saw the figure of a man running toward her. Was it the killer? Had he found her? Like the killer in her office, the man was tall. She should have stayed at the bungalow. Wasn’t she safe anywhere? She turned, kicked it into high gear.
“Sky. Wait up.”
She stopped, her breath heaving, her heart about to jump out of her chest. “Matt?”
He caught up with her. “What’s wrong?”
She’d never been so happy to see anyone. “I thought…thought the killer had found me.”
He patted her shoulder until she calmed down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
She pulled away and looked at Matt’s handsome face, his kind eyes. “Not your fault. I’m paranoid.”
“You’re safe here, Sky.”
“For a moment there…”
“I know. C’mon, race you to the homestead.”
“You’re on.”
And they were off, Sully leading the way.
When they got to the homestead, Dirk’s pickup sat crossways in the drive. She ran toward the homestead just as he burst through the front door, Coop, with Maggie in his arms, Lanie, Shorty, and Thor right behind him.
When she saw them, Sky raised a hand in greeting.
By the time they reached the group, Dirk’s face was a mask of torment. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Sky had never seen him so angry. She glanced at the others and saw the alarm in their eyes. “Sully and I went for a run. I ran into Matt on the way. What’s up?”
“Why didn’t you let me know? Why did you go off on your own?”
“I wasn’t alone, Dirk. I had Sully. Besides, you tell me every day I’m safe here. So does everyone else. You’re overacting.”
He turned on his heel, got in his truck, and slamming the door, burned rubber as he spun out of the drive.
She looked at the others. “Did I do something wrong?”
Matt cleared his throat. “Maybe from now on you could let Dirk know when you go for a run.”
Lanie came over and took her arm. “I think that’s a good idea. If you’re finished, why don’t you join us for breakfast?”
“Does that invite include me?”
“Do you really have to ask, Matt? C’mon, by now the biscuits are either done or burned.”
Shorty laughed. “I took them from the oven before I followed everyone out.”
“Wonderful. Breakfast in ten minutes.”
Sky hadn’t known how hungry she was. Every morsel was gone and though Coop had left to tend the dogs, the others sat around with coffee and a slice of apple strudel. “I can’t believe you made this. It’s delicious.”
“Everything Lanie makes is delicious.” Matt grinned, as he took a healthy bite.
“I agree. But I don’t think I can eat another morsel.”
“I’ll wrap it up with another slice to take back to the bungalow. Dirk told us how hard you were working.”
Sky’s glance swept the table. This was family. Dirk’s family. Maybe they could answer her question. “Why was Dirk so upset? He had to know I couldn’t be very far.”
They looked at one another. Matt cleared his throat. “He didn’t take time to think, he just acted.”
“That doesn’t sound like him.”
“He’s in love.” Shorty smiled. “Don’t you know that?”
Sky felt her face flush. It had to be bright red. “You’re mistaken. I’m his client and he cares for my wellbeing. That’s all.”
“If that’s what you want to think.” Lanie stood to clear the table. Matt stood as well and started gathering dishes.
Shorty patted Sky’s hand. “You love him, too. You just haven’t admitted it to yourself.”
Sky put her face in her hands and felt the heat. They couldn’t be right. She hadn’t known Dirk very long. Certainly not long enough to fall in love. And falling in love with a devastatingly handsome man wasn’t in her life plan.
She lifted her head. The table was cleared; dishes were being put in the dishwasher. “I had better get back. I have work to do. Thanks for the wonderful breakfast.”
Matt came over to walk her out. “Don’t fret over it, Sky. Everything will turn out as it’s supposed to.”
“That sounds like something Shorty would say.”
He chuckled. “Probably. But it’s true.”
“I know. But Dirk’s really angry and I don’t know what to do about it.”
Lanie came over with two foil-wrapped packages. “Give him this and tell him you are all invited for dinner. The other one is yours. Tell him we’re having his favorite meal.” She smiled. “He’ll be happy in no time.”
“Will you work the dogs today?” It seemed to be one of Lanie’s jobs.
“I’m giving Shorty the day off so I’ll be cooking. The guys can handle it.”
With Sully beside her, Sky took the two plates and headed back at a sedate walk. She wasn’t so sure Lanie was right about making Dirk happy with a plate of sweets—definitely sure they were wrong about him being in love with her and her with him.
No way.
When she was back at Dirk’s, the dogs were barking their heads off. The fur on Sully’s back stood up. “What?”
Dirk and Coop were on the field giving a lesson. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Except the dogs weren’t acting right.
She walked around the pens. Nothing. Maybe they’d seen a squirrel or possum.
She put Dirk’s plate on the bench next to the house where she’d seen Lanie put others and took hers to the bungalow. “Let’s practice our signals, Sully.” She couldn’t bear to stare at the computer all day just waiting.
She found a spot away from the guys and put Sully through his paces.
But her mind wasn’t on Sully. It was on Dirk who was still on the field. She could feel his eyes glaring at her even from this distance.
She had no sooner entered the bungalow than her cell phone rang. “Dory. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Just bored. I want out of here so I can get on with my life. Have you and Dirk made any progress?”
Sky walked to her computer and looked down. The account hadn’t moved. “We’re working on it. The forty-eight hours are just about up. Have the FBI called in more security?” Tell me they have, she begged silently.
“I overheard Bart tell Magee there would be two more agents here soon and to cook more food. So I guess they are. You know they don’t tell me anything.”
“That’s a relief.” Sky felt her body weaken with the news. Dory wou
ld stay safe.
“What about you? Are they taking precautions?”
“I’m safe here. Don’t worry.”
“When will this be over, Sky? How much longer will we have to live like this?”
“I have a feeling it won’t be long.”
Once the forty-eight hours were up, Sky had no idea what the killer would do. She did know he wouldn’t sit back and do nothing.
The thought made her shiver.
Chapter Twenty-Five
By the time Dirk finished with the last dog, and along with Coop, had fed and watered them, his anger had gone from boiling to a low simmer. Though Sky couldn’t come and go, as she would like, she wasn’t a prisoner. She was free to run, to visit the homestead, even go to Matt’s if she so chose. So why had fear gripped him in a stranglehold that made it hard to breathe when he’d discovered she wasn’t at the bungalow or at the homestead? Because he’d thought the killer had found her. No doubt about it, he’d panicked.
Why?
Because you love her and you want her safe.
Dammit, anyway. How had this happened? Sky was too good for him. Smarter. She spoke how many foreign languages, for God’s sake? He spoke Texan. Period. Most likely, she had a portfolio that would make his savings account look puny. She liked living in the city. The thought made his stomach curdle.
Opposites.
He turned on the water spigot, washed his hand, and splashed cold water over his face. His glance was drawn to the bungalow. No doubt, Sky was at the computer wishing for a miracle. Even if she found the ten million they wouldn’t have the killer.
Damn it! They needed a break in the case.
If Sky’s life didn’t include him, he’d have to live with it. Right now, he had to intensify his focus. Time was running out. Once they left here tomorrow morning she would be in dire danger.
The mission was off-course. In the SEALs when they went on a mission, it had to be completed or die trying.
This was no different.
He went to the bench by the house and saw the plate. Sitting down, he inhaled the apple sweetness. In minutes the plate was empty. He picked up his cell phone and dialed.
Hansen answered on the second ring. “What can you tell me?”
“The forty-eight hours are almost up. Sky is safe. Can you say the same for her sister?”
Wounded at Home Page 19
