The Heart of Devin MacKade (The MacKade Brothers 3)

“Four?” It was Cassie’s turn to chuckle. “Well, you’re going to need plenty of practice, then.”

“Let’s just see how we survive one night. Pack them up, will you, Cassie? Jared will walk over through the woods and get them.”

“On one condition. You’ll call, anytime, if you want to bail out.”

“You’ve got my word on that one.” There was another crash, and something shattered. “All right, Bryan, now you have to die. Hurry, Cassie—I have to believe there’s safety in numbers.”

Though it tugged at her heart a little, Cassie supervised the overnight packing, while her children bristled with excitement. They were so eager to go, and she tried not to fret that it was Emma’s first sleepover.

She made certain they had clean clothes, toothbrushes, instructions on how to behave. They even took the cat. When they trooped off toward the woods with Jared, she was completely, utterly alone.

With too much time, she realized, to think, to brood, to worry.

She went down to the inn, found the handful of guests well occupied and content. Still, she set up cake and coffee in the parlor, offered complimentary wine to those playing cards in the sunroom.

Seeing that she wasn’t needed, she set the table for breakfast, and checked her pantry and refrigerator, though she knew she was well supplied for the large Sunday breakfast the inn was becoming renowned for.

At loose ends, she wandered outside. She wasn’t used to having nothing to do, no one to look after. Certainly, she had often fantasized about how she would spend an evening alone. A bubble bath, a book, a late movie on television.

That was what she would do, she told herself. As soon as she ran into town and made sure Devin was really fine.

She dashed up the stairs, then let out a yelp when she saw the shadowy figure on the porch swing.

“I saw you were busy,” Devin said. “Thought I’d wait.”

She still had a hand against her speeding heart. “I thought you had to stay in town.”

“I dragooned Donnie into staying at the office. It’s the least he can do, after he left me with the phones all damn afternoon.” He held out a bouquet of yellow tea roses. “I brought you flowers. I was going by the florist and remembered I’d never brought you flowers. I know you like them.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“Are you going to sit down with me?”

“All right.” She sat and held the roses in her arms as she would have a child. “They’re beautiful,” she said again. “I should put them in water.”

“They’ll keep a minute.” Curious, he tucked a hand under her chin and turned

her face to his. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing. I was so worried,” she blurted out. “I couldn’t leave, and kept waiting for you to call. Devin, why didn’t you call? I’m sorry,” she said immediately. “I shouldn’t nag you.”

One of the scars, he mused, and kept his fingers firm when she would have looked away. “Don’t be sorry. I did call, several times. Your phone was busy.”

“Everyone’s been calling. I’ve heard a dozen different stories.”

“The truth’s probably less exciting.”

“He had a gun, didn’t he? You knew he had a gun when you went into the bank.”

“I had to do my job, Cass. He wasn’t going to get anywhere, and even if he did, there was a canister inside the moneybag that would have spewed red paint all over him and the bills.” His grin spread. “Actually, I’m kind of sorry we couldn’t play that part out. It would have been some show. But he might have hurt someone.”

“He might have hurt you.”

“Well, then, you didn’t hear about how bullets bounce off me.”

Instead of laughing, she pressed her face into his shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re all right. I’m so glad you’re not hurt. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I’m happy to be all of those things.” Slipping an arm around her, he set the swing in motion. “I’d have come sooner, if I could.”