I brushed the hair back from my face. “I’m fine. Just pissed.”
Walker strode over to the counter, glanced at the note, and cursed. His head snapped in my direction, his finger pointing. “No more rescue operations until we find this guy.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he kept right on going. “I don’t want to hear it. It’s too dangerous.”
I threw up my hands on an exasperated sigh. “If you would shut up and listen for one single second, I was going to say that I didn’t have the resources to take any more horses at the moment anyway.”
Walker’s jaw worked. “Well, good.”
Tuck cleared his throat. “If you two are done bickering, can we focus on getting this note to a crime lab and figuring out how we’re going to keep J safe?”
“She’s never going to be alone, that’s how.”
I sighed and began rubbing my temples. “I’m not stupid. I’m going to take precautions, but I’m not living with some big, hulking shadow.”
“Jensen—” My brother started.
I held up a hand to cut him off. “No. Come up with another option.” I reached out and squeezed Walker’s arm. “I love you, but I need some air right now. I’ll be with Ember.”
I strode out of the office and towards the paddocks. The sun still shone down, and I let the rays seep into my back as I rested against the fence. Ember was still happily munching away. At least, she was safe.
“We just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
I didn’t turn at the sound of Tuck’s voice. “I know. But I can’t live my life with someone constantly hovering over my shoulder. I already have a hand helping with the horses every day.” I turned to face him. “I need my moments alone, or I’ll go crazy.”
Tuck reached out and slid a strand of hair behind my ear. “I get it. I just want you safe.”
I let my head fall to his chest. “Compromise?”
He trailed a hand up and down my spine. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“A ranch hand comes up with me to feed and make sure there’s nothing suspicious going on, but he leaves afterward. And I don’t open or close the Kettle alone.”
Tuck’s hand slipped beneath the fall of my hair, gently pulling my head back so our gazes locked. “Deal. But Walker and I are also adding cameras to all the gates at the ranch. The feed will go to your phone, so you’ll be able to see and hear whoever you’re letting in.”
I took a step closer, our bodies flush against each other. “If it makes you feel better, fine.”
“It does.” He gave my hair another little tug. This time, it sent sparks of pleasure down my spine. “I want to kiss you so bad right now, I can taste you on my tongue.”
My belly clenched. “I want your mouth on mine.”
Footsteps sounded, and Tuck released me. “Fuck.”
There was no lying to myself now, I wanted more. I wanted Tuck’s hand in mine as we walked down the street. His arm around me at a movie. His lips on mine whenever we damn well pleased. I just had no idea if he would ever want the same.
35
Jensen
“You’re doingpopcorn and brownies and cookies, right?”
The hopeful tone of my little boy’s voice had a smile tipping my lips. “Is it New Year’s Eve, or is it New Year’s Eve?”
A massive grin spread across Noah’s face. “It’s New Year’s Eve.”
I pulled the cooling brownies over to slice them. “Have you decided what movie you want to watch?” Every year, Noah and I had the same tradition—as many treats as our bellies could handle and a movie marathon. I always told him he could stay up as late as he wanted, but he’d yet to make it past ten.
Noah climbed up onto his stool so he could oversee the brownie slicing. “Karate Kid.”
