by Elle James
“All the more reason to set a good example,” she said, her tone stern.
“Yes, ma’am.” He turned to Molly. “Shoveling horse poo.”
His brothers howled with laughter.
“Shut it,” Sebastian warned with a glare.
“You could all clean up your language while you’re home,” Mrs. McKinnon said. “There are ladies present.”
“Molly doesn’t count,” Sebastian said. “And Emily’s one of us.”
“That leaves me and Brenna,” his mother pointed out. “And I beg to differ when it comes to Emily and Molly. They’re both lovely young ladies. So, mind your manners.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sebastian said, his brow creased in a deep frown.
Again, his brothers roared with laughter.
The meal went along with the men poking fun and goading each other and Molly jumping in whenever she could throw a barb or two.
Emily felt comfortable enough to join in on occasion. It was as if the ten years hadn’t passed, and they were all still the kids she’d known from high school.
Only the boys had become men. They’d gone off to war, fought battles, watched men die. And she’d stayed in Eagle Rock, married to a man she loved as a friend, because she had been afraid of loving a man who could have ended up dying on a battlefield.
Emily stared around the table at the men who’d seen death and could still laugh. They’d come home to find a father who might not be alive. But they put on a brave front for the mother and sister they loved. They were family.
They didn’t stop loving each other when they were afraid. They powered through and held each other up when they were down.
A lump lodged in Emily’s throat, making it impossible to swallow. She forced food down in tiny bites. Thankfully, the chicken and dumplings went down easily, and she was able to finish the meal without gagging.
When Mrs. McKinnon rose to start clearing the table, Emily jumped up to help.
“Oh, no,” Mrs. McKinnon held up a hand. “Emily helped cook. Brenna and Colin set the table. That leaves Molly, Sebastian, Duncan and Angus to clear the table and do the dishes.”
Despite the matriarch’s edict, Emily still carried her plate to the sink and rinsed it.
“I’ve got this,” Molly said. “You and Colin have better things to do.”
“But you hate household chores,” Emily protested.
“Hate is a strong word. Dislike? Now, that’s more my speed. I dislike going to the dentist, but I do it because it needs to be done.” She gave Emily a broad smile. “I do the dishes, because it needs to be done.”
Sebastian twisted a towel and popped Molly’s backside. “And I’m here to help.”
“That’s not helping.” Molly glared at her brother. “Act your age, little man. As Mother said, there are ladies present.”
Brenna carried her plate to the sink. “Don’t change on my account. I can take care of myself. And I’ve heard all the curse words.”
Colin draped an arm around his younger brother’s shoulders. “’Bastian, seeing as you don’t have a clue how to act around women, how about spending some time with one.”
Sebastian perked up. “You know one?”
Colin nodded. “As a matter of fact, I do.” He turned to Brenna. “Brenna needs a bodyguard when she leaves the ranch.”
The younger brother frowned. “Bodyguard? I had more interesting things in mind.”
Colin explained the situation to his brother.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Can’t say that I’ve ever pulled bodyguard duty. I’m more of a blow and go kind of combatant.”
“Seriously. I don’t need a bodyguard,” Brenna insisted. “I can manage on my own.”
Emily frowned. “If you’re showing houses, you’re alone and vulnerable.”
“I’ve been doing it for two years. I think I know how to handle situations,” Brenna said.
“Yeah, but things are different now.” Emily couldn’t stress enough how dangerous it would be. “Someone is after me. If they think they can get to me through you, they will.”
“I’ll take my chances,” Brenna said, her lips pressed into a prim line.
“Sorry, Brenna, I can’t let a little lady like you wander around the county unaccompanied.” Sebastian puffed out his chest. “Since my brother has enlightened me as to the seriousness of the tasking, I have to agree with him and Emily. You’re not safe. And if you’re not safe, Emily isn’t safe.” He grinned. “I’ll be your bodyguard until further notice.”
“What about your father?” Brenna asked. “Shouldn’t you be searching for him?”
“I can do that while helping you out,” Sebastian said. “When you’re in town, I can ask questions and follow up on leads. And maybe when we’re out looking at land and houses, I might see something, like an abandoned shack where they could be holding my father hostage.”
“Now, there’s a thought,” Angus, Colin’s oldest brother, said. “Going around the county with a real estate agent might be just what we need. If our father is being held hostage, it very well could be in an abandoned house or hunting cabin. Maybe we’ve been looking in the wrong place.”
“Yeah,” Duncan picked up the line of thinking. “Maybe Hank Patterson has a drone we can borrow, or we can hire someone he can recommend who operates one.”
“I’m headed over to Patterson’s place now. I’ll ask him.”
“Why are you going to see Patterson?” Angus asked.
Emily bit down on her bottom lip. She and Colin had decided the fewer people who knew about the phone, the better. But they hadn’t planned to out and out lie to his brothers.
“I want to see if he has any other ideas,” Colin said. “Maybe his team of Brotherhood Protectors has seen something in their various duties. I don’t know what he’ll suggest, if anything. But it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Emily’s lips quirked at the corners. She swallowed a smile.
Colin hadn’t exactly lied. He just hadn’t told his brothers the whole truth. Their trip to see Hank would serve dual purposes—continue their search for their father and find a way to hack into the cellphone Alex had hidden in the floor of their house.
Colin turned to Emily. “Ready?”
“Wouldn’t you rather one of us went with you?” Angus asked.
Colin waggled his eyebrows. “As much as I appreciate your company, Emily is prettier. And I promised to keep an eye on her.”
“She’ll be fine here on the ranch with all of us here to keep her safe,” Duncan pointed out.
“Again, I appreciate the offer, but I kinda would like to spend a little alone time with Emily.” He shook his head. “And you made me spell it out when I didn’t want to be so obvious.”
Duncan raised his hands in surrender. “Sorry, man. Didn’t realize you were taking Emily on a date. I didn’t know it was that way between the two of you.”
“It isn’t,” Emily assured the brothers, though her cheeks heated, and she had to look guilty. Not that she had anything to feel guilty about.
Colin was putting on a show to convince his brothers that he wanted to be alone with her. It was all fake. He only wanted to be alone with her, so they didn’t have to reveal the fact they had a cellphone they wanted Hank’s computer guy to hack into.
Emily hated lying to his family. The sooner they found out what was on that phone, the sooner they could share it with the rest of his family, and they wouldn’t have to keep secrets.
Secrets had been what got Alex killed and might be what would get her killed as well.
“I’m ready when you are,” Emily said. She looped her arm through Colin’s and smiled at his family. “Don’t wait up on us. We might be late.”
Sebastian whistled. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Which leaves just about anything open to possibilities,” Molly said, her lips twisting. “Be careful out there. If someone is out to get you, they could be waiting for you to leave the ranch to make their move.”<
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“We’ll be on the lookout,” Colin assured Molly. “Thanks for caring.”
“I just want you to bring Emily back safe. She makes some mean dumplings, and we can always use a backup in case Mama goes on a cooking strike.” She winked and looped her arm around her mother’s shoulders.
“Don’t tempt me,” Mrs. McKinnon said. “Now, go on, get out of here. The sooner you get there, the sooner you get back, and I can quit worrying about you two.”
Emily left the house, still holding onto Colin’s arm. She didn’t let go until they reached the passenger side of his truck, and he opened the door. Truth was, she didn’t want to let go. She liked holding his thickly muscled arm. She wondered what it would feel like to be held so close to his body that they could feel the beat of each other’s heart.
He’d changed a lot since he’d left to join the Marines. He must have grown another four inches since high school, and his muscles had thickened, his shoulders getting broader and his chest was as hard as stone.
A shiver rippled across her skin.
“Are you cold?” Colin asked as he handed her up into the truck.
Heat rose up her neck and into her cheeks. She was glad the sun had gone down and all the light shining on her face was from the inside of the truck, casting her in a shadow as she climbed up into the seat. “Maybe a little,” she responded as she bent her head to buckle her seat and pull herself together.
Now wasn’t the time to fall in love with her best friend. They had bigger issues to solve than affairs of the heart.
Chapter 11
Hank Patterson, former Navy SEAL, had already helped the McKinnon family through his team called the Brotherhood Protectors. The group of men were former special operations Marines, Navy SEALs, Army Delta Force and Rangers.
They’d helped when Duncan had troubles with the Faulkner clan when they’d kidnapped his baby girl.
One of Hank’s men was a computer genius capable of hacking into databases with the tightest of firewalls and security systems. Surely, he could handle one older model cellphone.
Colin and Emily drove to the White Oak Ranch where Hank lived with his movie star wife, Sadie McClain, and their baby girl Emma.
At the gate, he hit the intercom button and looked up into the camera so that whoever was on the other side could clearly see who was driving the truck. “Colin McKinnon here to see Hank.”
A moment later, the gate opened, and Colin drove through.
“I’m already impressed with Hank’s electronics,” Emily murmured.
“I understand he has all the latest in communications equipment and weapons. He could run his own army out this ranch, if he wanted.”
“That’s a lot of power.”
“Yeah, but he’s a good guy. He only wants to help people who can’t help themselves. In the process of providing security services to others, he’s giving former military men a place where they can best use the training they worked so hard to acquire. Most of the men he employs would have had a much harder transition into the civilian world without an organization like the Brotherhood Protectors to work for.”
“I didn’t even know they existed until today. It’s nice to know they’re so close to Eagle Rock.” Emily tilted her head, appearing thoughtful. “Perhaps I could contract them to provide my protection.”
Colin’s jaw tightened. “I’m here for you.”
“And I appreciate that you are,” Emily said. “But you’ll eventually have to return to your unit. And we don’t know if that will be before or after we discover who is behind the attacks on me, my house and my husband.”
Emily had a point.
Colin’s lips thinned. He was on active duty. He couldn’t be gone from his post forever. And Emily had made it clear a long time ago that she had no desire to marry a military man. She’d never wanted to go through what her mother had when she’d lost her husband to war.
His heart squeezed tightly in his chest. He loved being a marine. He loved that he was part of something much bigger than himself. Defending his country, the people and their way of life was deeply ingrained in him.
Yet, he loved Emily. Always had. Could he give up his career in the military in order to stay in Eagle Rock with Emily? They’d only kissed. What if she wasn’t as into him as he was into her? He could give up his military career and not win the girl. Then what? What kind of life could he lead back in Montana?
He could join forces with Angus, who’d given up his career in the Delta Force to remain in Montana to run the ranch, with their father, when he returned, or by himself, if he didn’t. Angus would need help. The ranch had the capacity to expand its beef production. But that would require more people to help manage the animals, the feed and repairs to fences.
Colin thought about it. Now that he’d been away from home, he’d seen what the world had to offer. Would he be satisfied to remain in Montana for the rest of his life? And what about the work he’d done to earn his spot on the Marine Force Reconnaissance team? Was he willing to walk away from all that? For the love of a woman?
He shot a glance toward Emily. When he’d thought he could never have her, it had been easier to be away. Now that he was home and nothing stood in the way of him forging a new relationship with the woman, he really had to stop and think about it.
There was no doubt she was the one for him. But was he the one for her? Would she change her mind about being a military wife and, potentially, a military widow?
Not that Colin had any plans to die in the near future. But then, neither had Alex. And he hadn’t been in the military.
Like he’d said, there were no guarantees in life. Death was the only guarantee. When it happened was unpredictable.
Would he give up everything he’d thought mattered to him to stay in Montana with Emily?
At that moment, she glanced across at him with those blue eyes he’d never forgotten.
Yes.
Eventually, he’d have to retire from the Marine Corps, anyway. He could see himself growing old with this woman, sitting in a rocking chair on a porch, overlooking the Crazy Mountains or a beach in Florida. It wouldn’t matter to him, as long as he had her by his side to the end of his days.
Emily frowned. “What?”
“What?” he shot back, stalling.
“You were looking at me funny.”
“I was just thinking you haven’t changed since high school.”
She snorted. “I’ve gained ten pounds, and I’ve got wrinkles showing up at the corners of my eyes.”
“They add character.”
“They make me look old.”
“So, what’s wrong with looking old?” He could imagine her blond hair turning gray, the crow’s feet getting deeper, and she’d still be beautiful to him.
“Nothing, if you’re a man,” she said. “Women aren’t allowed to grow old without someone making a big deal about it. Men just look more distinguished.”
“We’re lucky if we get to turn gray,” he reminded her. “Even luckier if we get to know our grandchildren.”
She glanced out the side window, apparently unaware her face reflected in the glass wearing a melancholy expression.
“Hey.” Colin reached out and took her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m preaching to the choir. You of all people know about missing out on that kind of relationship.”
Emily nodded. “My father would’ve been a really good grandfather,” she said. “He loved kids. And my mother always wanted four or five grandchildren. She made me promise to have at least two. She said she’d keep an eye on them from Heaven.” Her gaze went to where he held her hand. “Now, I’m thinking I’d be foolish to bring children into a world so dangerous.”
“You can’t let your current circumstances color the rest of your life.” He squeezed her fingers gently. “This too shall pass, and Eagle Rock will once again be that safe, wonderful place to raise a family.”
“Not for me,” she said. “When I lost my baby, there was some damage to my female p
lumbing. The doctor said it would be highly unlikely I’d ever get pregnant again.”
The hollowness in her voice hit Colin in the pit of his gut. Emily had always dreamed of having children. She’d wanted them to grow up with an appreciation for the simple things in life, like walking in the rain, riding a horse and petting a dog.
“I’m so sorry,” Colin said. How did one console a woman who’d lost the most important function women alone could perform? Childbearing was a part of who she was.
Losing her baby had hit her hard. Losing her ability to have more…
Wow.
He had no words, but he had to try. “You know, being a mother isn’t just about bearing children.”
“I know. But I’ve always wanted children, of my own,” she whispered.
His heart hurt for her.
Thankfully, they arrived at the ranch house.
Colin slowly rolled to a stop and shifted into park. “Need a minute?” he asked, not wanting to push her after revealing something as devastating as she had.
“No, I’m okay. I’ve had three months to learn to deal with my new normal. I’m almost over it.”
“Almost.” Colin snorted. “You’re the strongest woman I know.”
“I’m sure you’ve met stronger in the military.”
He shrugged. “Physically solid, but you’re every bit as strong, if not stronger than any one of them.”
She gave him a weak smile, squeezed his hand and pulled hers free. “Thank you. Right now, I wish I was smart enough to figure out this phone. Hopefully, Hank’s guy will do the job, and we’ll get some answers.”
A tall, brown-haired, green-eyed man stepped out on the porch, carrying a toddler girl in his arms. He smiled and waved at them as they climbed out of the truck and walked toward the porch.
A beautiful, petite woman with silky blond hair and baby blue eyes emerged behind him, a smile lighting her gorgeous face.
“I swear Sadie never ages,” Emily murmured. “And she’s as nice as she is beautiful.”
