nd Silas, who had crept up to join them. “What the hell were you thinking?”
Silas scowled. “You think we’d just sit on our porch while these two snuck up on you or that girl?”
Otis snorted. “Not likely.”
Devin started to say something before his jaw went taut and his gaze cut to behind Greg. Kelsey’s wobbly voice whispered, “Is it over, then?”
“I told you to stay put,” Devin snapped, his gut still cramped from the close call to her safety.
“You can ground me later, Dad,” she returned sarcastically despite looking small, pale and shaken in the moonlight as she stood there in nothing but a short robe. “Are they…”
“Yes, they’re dead. We made sure of it. Come on.” Greg took her arm and nodded to the older men. “Thank you, both of you. You may as well come inside. The police will want your statements.”
“I’ll place the call and wait here.” Devin spotted Tom standing several yards away, his rifle in his arms, his stance protective as he took in the scene. Fuck, but it was good to know their relationships with all three men went deeper than guests and hosts and employers and employee. He was also happy to breathe a sigh of relief the danger to Kelsey had been laid to rest once and for all. With the arrest of Sven Lindgren in Sweden, she could return home in a few days without fear.
The hard part, he was ready to admit, would be getting used to not having her around anymore.
It was close to four in the morning by the time the Billings police had taken everyone’s statements, talked to Jordan and left with the bodies of the Kilpatricks. Kelsey still couldn’t believe the friendly couple had been hired to kill her. They’d seemed so nice. She’d refused to talk to either McAllister, but from what she heard, the Kilpatricks’ alias had withstood the FBI’s background search and more investigation would be needed before they could determine if the couple were professionals. If she weren’t so tired, shell-shocked and despondent, that information would likely freak her out more. As it was, when Devin and Greg ordered her to bed, she didn’t take umbrage at their bossiness and fell into an exhausted sleep as soon as she hit the mattress.
For the first time in days, Kelsey awoke alone in her bed, and she missed the presence of Greg or Devin. That didn’t bode well for her return home, but she’d known the time would come when she’d have to go back to her less-than-satisfying sex life. Such were the woes of indulging in fantasies for a short time.
It felt strange to discover herself not only alone in bed but in the house as she padded into the kitchen. Like her first morning here, the coffee pot stood filled with her cup next to it. No note was needed as she knew where everything was now. She didn’t know when the McAllisters would come get her, but she did remember today was the last day Mary and Les would be around until they returned in the spring. May seemed like such a long time away, she thought sadly, taking her mug with her as she left the house.
The ranch seemed so quiet and deserted without guests moving about or any activities taking place. Shielding her eyes with her hand, she peered out toward the pastures and could barely make out a handful of riders among the herd of cattle. Even with the distance though, she had no trouble zeroing in on Devin and Greg, the coldness that had gripped her since last night thawing as she drank in their tall frames, wide shoulders and the skill with which they maneuvered their horses among the herd. With a sigh of longing, she forced her feet to move, walking over to the social hall with a lump in her throat.
“My goodness, what a night you must have had.” Mary came bustling over as soon as Kelsey entered, wrapping her soft arms around her in a motherly embrace that brought tears to her eyes.
“Now, Mary, the boys kept her safe, so don’t fret. You’ll upset the girl.” Les put his arm around Kelsey’s shoulders as soon as Mary released her and gave her a quick but tight hug.
“Thank you both.” She smiled as she stepped back, needing the space to get herself under control. “I know you’re packing up for the winter. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Aren’t you a dear? Thank you, but no, we’re about done. I do hope you’ll come for a visit next year,” Mary said.
“Oh, well, I don’t know.” She’d wanted to go home since she arrived, so she couldn’t imagine wanting to return, at least not anytime soon. She would miss everyone, especially Greg and Devin, but the ache she experienced when she thought of not seeing them again would go away in time, wouldn’t it? It was just the stress and unhappiness with her situation that brought them together and prompted her into going after them. How much longer could it last, anyway, when it was just sex? “If you’re sure I can’t be of help, I’ll say goodbye.”
“You take care,” Les said, holding the door open for her.
I always do, don’t I? Kelsey nodded, walked back out into the bright sun and spotted Cleo in the corral. Returning her cup to the house, she saddled the little mare, swung up and steered her toward the path that would take them to the creek. She had thanked Otis and Silas last night, but wouldn’t mind wasting the afternoon riding solo and then visiting with them by the stream.
Devin and Greg sat on the porch watching Kelsey gallop toward the stables, both admiring her skill in riding, the way her bright hair flew around her face and the sway of her small body. It had been Devin’s idea to give her space today. He figured after having them hovering for days and insisting she stay close before the threat against her had been confirmed, she would appreciate the freedom to spend a few hours as she pleased. As she rode into the corral, he could see the rosy hue covering her cheeks, the blush of pleasure much easier to handle than seeing her pale features last night.
As if reading his thoughts, Greg said, “She held up good last night. Better than most would under the same circumstances.”
“She did. Gotta admire the hell out of her for that,” Devin murmured in agreement.
“Jordan called. They’re upset she still won’t speak to them. He said to tell her they’d be at the airport Friday morning to take her back.”
“Yeah, I figured that from what I heard in the barn.” And he’d been trying not to jump down his friend’s throat for the twist in his gut when he thought of not having her around.
Greg snorted. “You’re not fooling me. You’re pissed, likely at me because you’ll miss her as much I will.” Pushing to his feet, he stretched, saying, “She still doesn’t like it here and wants to go home. A sub’s needs always come first.”
Devin rose, his eyes on Kelsey as she as she strolled toward the porch. “Then I guess we should make the best of her last two days here.”
Chapter 15
Kelsey left the stable and started toward the house wondering what they would have for dinner. But when she spotted Devin and Greg waiting for her on the porch with muscled arms crossed, booted feet spread, their rugged, bristled jaws taut and their eyes shadowed by their lowered Stetsons, all thoughts of food fled as her pulse spiked and her palms turned clammy. Her whole body went on high alert, the girls and slutty bitch did their usual jig upon seeing them. With any luck, they were ready to sate a different kind of hunger in a way she’d been dreaming of for way too long.
“Did you enjoy your ride, little bit?” Greg took her hand as soon as she stepped onto the porch.