“Well?” Reed asked impatiently. “Do you love it or hate it?”
“I think it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, but what difference does that make? I’m here because your sheriff forced me to go with you.” Nicole saw the disappointment in Reed’s face. She hated how easy it was for her to push people away. They’d been nothing but nice to her. They didn’t deserve her rudeness. “It does look amazing though.”
Reed smiled. “It’s not much but it’s all ours. We built it ourselves.”
“You’re kidding, right?” The cabin looked like it had been right where it sat for the past century, if not longer. Her first impression was that this was a home Mother Nature had built herself to live in. Nicole half expected the logs to sprout new growth right before her eyes.
“Reed and I aren’t big kidders, Nicole. That would be our sister’s specialty.” Sawyer hopped out of the truck and held the door for her. Apparently, this part of the country still held to certain practices like men opening doors for women. She wondered what other past practices Destiny conducted on its streets.
“She live here, too?” she asked.
Sawyer shook his head, taking her hand and helping her out of the truck. “Nope. She lives in town.”
She tensed, realizing she’d agreed to Sheriff Wolfe’s demand to stay with Reed and Sawyer. One week here. The place looked tiny. “How many bedrooms does your house have?”
“You’ll see.” Holding her bag, Reed came around the front of the truck and stood beside her, which placed her right between him and Sawyer. Apparently, they were already assuming their bodyguard duties.
Her heart was pelting the inside of her chest hard and fast. She’d been in some tight spots back when she was still in the field with the department, but somehow this seemed scarier to her than any of those times.
“How long have you two lived here?” she asked.
“August it’ll be ten years,” Reed said with obvious pride. “Want to see inside?”
Her legs felt wobbly, but she still took a step forward. The brothers walked behind her as they moved onto the porch. She turned around and saw the mountain peaks off in the distance and imagined how amazing it must be to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. The sights and sounds of Chicago were much more chaotic and jarring.
She sighed, knowing she would be returning to the Windy City in a week. “I bet your sunsets are gorgeous here.
“They’re nice, but it’s the sunrises that take your breath away. We’re facing east now, Chicago.” Reed opened the door to the cabin. “I can’t wait to see your face tomorrow morning at dawn.”
“How early do you get up?” She’d never been much of a morning person, but imagined that both these guys were. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those people who leap out of bed with a smile.”
“Sawyer’s not but I am,” Reed said, pointing to Sawyer.
Sawyer shook his head, clearly not understanding his brother’s love of mornings. “Nicole, maybe you can explain to him why coffee is required before talking.”
“You’re right about that, cowboy.” She turned to Reed. “It might be good for you to write that fact down. Remember, I’m always packing.” She patted the side of her jacket where her pistol was.
“So am I, Chicago.” He turned his waist to show off his own weapon of choice, which was holstered and attached to a leather belt around him. “So am I.”
“Me, too, bro.” Sawyer said. “That’s two against one. Might be smart to listen to the lady and keep your morning motormouth in check, if you know what’s good for you.”
Reed snorted. “Okay, but we are getting up before the sun come
s up. I want to see what morning sunshine looks like on her gorgeous face.”
She shook her head. “Do those kind of lines work for you often?”
He grinned. “That’s a new one, sweetheart. You tell me.”
Sawyer glared at him. “You gotta control yourself. Jason asked us to help Nicole. Keep that in mind.”
She couldn’t stop herself from smiling. The playfulness and yes, even the lustiness of Reed got to her, as did the seriousness and gentleness of Sawyer. The brothers weren’t quite polar opposites but not far from it either.
“Well?” Reed motioned her inside. “Let’s give you the whole tour. Should take about ten seconds.”
She stepped inside and was shocked to see such an orderly room. Nothing was out of place. How could it be the home of two bachelors? Then the thought hit her. Maybe they’re not single. It seemed unlikely, but it was still possible. She hadn’t asked them and they hadn’t asked her. Neither of them wore a wedding ring but that didn’t mean much. They were cowboys, working men. Jewelry didn’t seem to fit into their line of work.
Her granddad had never worn a ring either, though he’d been married to her grandmother for many years. He always said jewelry belonged on two kinds of men—pimps and thugs. Granddad was from the old school of chauvinism, though he’d been her most staunch supporter when she decided to join the force. Had he lived, who knew how much more evolved he might’ve become.