“One of the best.” Mel grinned when Lacy walked over to join them. “You’ll sleep like a baby after being out here.”
“I’m counting on it.” The tension that had been so evident at the airport had eased through the course of the evening. “I see why you like it so much here,” she added. “There’s such a wonderful sense of peace.”
Dean leaned against the sturdy fence, propping his boot on the lower rail and drawing Mel back into his body. Lacy struck him as a really nice person, dedicated to her job and her team, completely unaware of any potential wrongdoing. “Colorado has a lot to offer.”
Lacy’s gaze darted between Dean and Mel and she gave a credible, if exaggerated, yawn. “Guess that air is already working,” she said, turning back toward the cabins. “Good night, you two.”
Mel craned her neck to peer up at him. “You chased her away,” she accused under her breath.
“Did not.” She’d gotten the hint without any real effort on his part. “We’re newlyweds, remember?”
Mel’s head dropped back against his shoulder. “I remember you said something about the Big Dipper.”
He chuckled, scanned the sky, and then pointed out the constellation. Not that she really needed the help, but it added to the image they were projecting. With his arms around her waist, her laughter in his ears, he returned to the matter at hand.
“You recognized him immediately at the airport.”
“Yes.” Her voice was low and soft, matching his. “You’re worried he recognized me too.”
He moved her hair, nuzzled her neck. “Guard. Nine o’clock.”
“I noticed.”
He felt a tremor roll through her body, rippling against his. She wasn’t cold and Mel never revealed an ounce of fear. Dean wouldn’t mind at all if this sudden, intense intimacy was getting to her too. Misery loved company after all.
“You haven’t seen him until today?”
She turned, tossing her hair, and pressing hard against him. “I left that operation, that part of my career behind in his village. It’s a coincidence we landed this assignment.”
“I don’t believe in coincidence,” Dean muttered.
“How about plain bad luck?” Her fingers traced the placket of the Henley he wore under his open flannel and denim jacket.
Well, sure. He’d seen his share of ops go sideways. “Yeah. That happens.” He tracked the guard’s movement while doing his best not to let his body react in predictable ways to Mel’s touch.
“I don’t frequent dude ranches or cooking classes. It’s a safe bet that Spalding is the only one who even knew he was here.”
“Andrew saw him in Afghanistan.”
“Saw him. Didn’t meet him.” Somehow her voice managed to snap like a whip though she didn’t raise her voice. “Didn’t have a name until tonight and no reason to think he’d come to the States.”
True. Dean took a long, deep breath. His concern for Mel was casting a long shadow over his normal logic. “I’m telling you Atwell is interested. Curious. Whatever you want to call it, he’s watching you.”
“Well then, by all means, let’s make it clear I’m not into anyone else.”
She looped her arms around his neck and his hands automatically coasted up and down her spine. A position they’d used time and again on other assignments. Pressed together from thigh to chest, they could get a full view of their surroundings without raising suspicion.
Her lips brushed against his. “Thanks to your excellent doting hubby routine, no one noticed me scrutinizing Spalding and the others.”
But she’d been too focused on her assessments, missing the way Atwell’s dark gaze kept returning to her. His hands gave her hips a squeeze. “Your conclusions?”
Her nose crinkled across the bridge. “The friendship seems sincere, which makes sense if Atwell saved him and the crew during that documentary. Still, something is making Spalding nervous.”
“Must be Atwell’s previous life or current interests.” Dean dropped his forehead to hers.
To anyone who might see them, they were a couple, deeply in love. Every breath was filled with Mel and he fought for focus.
“A couple of my buddies had friends on that security detail. Spalding made an impression. He had an angle and he went after it. I’m betting he was all about getting an interview with a real-life crime lord.”
“And he got in over his head,” she finished his thought for him. “Ended up owing favors.”
“There’s more going on here than a dude ranch, Mel. The only time I saw Atwell get antsy was when I offered to send up the drone tonight.”
“Then this walk is about searching for something interesting.” Her eyes danced with anticipation.
He adjusted his stance against the fence, stroked her back. He’d lost track of the guard. “We’re here to deepen our cover. I don’t like the way he was eyeing you.”
“You need to let that go.”
He grunted.
“Wow. Look at that. You sound just like a husband already.”