Seeking Love in Salvation (The American Soldier Collection 16)

“Yup,” Ridge replied and then took a slug from his bottle of beer.

“From New York?” Beck asked.

“I gathered, from the accent,” Ridge replied.

“What’s with you? You’re not even expanding on any information. Did you find out what they do for a living? Why it’s the two of them and a little kid?” Sparrow questioned. He was the oldest and always liked to be in charge and to keep up with what was going on. This was their property and he wanted to know exactly who was living in that cottage and whatever else he could find out about them.

“You want to know? Ask them questions tomorrow, but just know that the one quiet sister with the kid looks sick and withdrawn. Like maybe she’s ill or recovering from something.”

“How could you tell, Ridge?” Beck asked.

Sparrow felt his gut clench. They didn’t need some screwed up women living next door and causing trouble. The point of having this ranch was to be alone. He didn’t even want to rent out the cottage, but in the past year they allowed some friends, fellow troops, to come stay there until they figured out where they wanted to go next. He was fine with that. But two women and a kid? Shit.

Ridge looked up at his two brothers and then the empty chair where Jace should be. He had been missing for the last four days.

“Because the sister, Valentina, the one who called about the cottage and made the final decision on it, is drop-dead gorgeous. I think if the sister wasn’t sick then she would be pretty fine-looking, too. Just an observation,” he added, but Sparrow thought his tone sounded off. Like maybe he’d observed more and wasn’t ready to say it.

Beck and Sparrow put their forks down.

“What do you mean? You allowed them to rent the place because you want down the sister’s pants?” Beck asked before Sparrow could.

Ridge raised one of his eyebrows at him.

“Like I need to resort to that type of shit to get laid? I don’t think so. What I’m saying is that she is a very attractive young woman. Very assertive, and likable. I got the feeling that the woman with the kid, the sister, was timid, shy, and on edge. The kid freaked out when Valentina disappeared into the house with me. When the kid came running inside, he was crying, and then saw me, stopped short, covered his eyes, and fell to the floor.”

Sparrow’s gut ached. That didn’t seem right at all.

“It was like the sight of a man, of me standing there next to his aunt, scared him. She immediately calmed him down and held him in her arms. It was just a feeling, but I think there’s more to that. I’m telling you,” Ridge stated seriously.

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Beck said.

“Do we know who told them about our place? I mean, why come all the way from New York and hope that a place would be available and work out? It’s reckless, especially with a little kid to haul around,” Sparrow said, seeming angry at the fact.

“So many people have asked about the place in the last several months,” Ridge told them.

“Anyone we’re close to?” Sparrow asked.

“Gunny McCallister.”

“Shit. Something is up. I’m going to give Gunny a call. The last thing we need is trouble around here. Gunny should know what we’re dealing with, with Jace, and how peaceful we needed this place to be. Shit,” Sparrow said and then stood up and pulled out his cell phone.

“What makes you think there’s a problem?” Ridge asked.

Sparrow gave him a sideways glance and a firm expression. “We’ve lived in Salvation long enough to know that if Gunny McCallister recommends a place for someone from out of town to stay, then something is going on.”

The phone rang three times before Gunny answered it. Sparrow ran his fingers through his hair.

“Hey, Sparrow, what’s up?”

‘“Why don’t you tell me? Seems we got a bite on the cottage today. Two women and a kid. Know anything about them?” Sparrow asked straight out. He didn’t beat around the bush. It was part of his personality. He figured people have a harder time lying to you when you confront them head-on.

Gunny chuckled.

“Good, so you met Helena’s friends?”

“Helena?” he asked and looked at his brothers. Helena was their cousin.