Page 133 of Dream Weaver

“That’s what we’re here to find out.” Edwards puffed out his chest.

“So, go find out.” My mother huffed and pointed him to Harlon. “That would allow you to stop harassing my daughters.”

“Harassing?” Edwards protested.

My mother crossed her arms. “Yes, harassing. Not to mention that it’s past this poor child’s bedtime.” She patted Claire about as warmly as she tended to pet Roscoe — stiffly and from a distance.

Since when does Mom know about bedtimes?Pippa muttered in my mind.

Shh. She’s on a roll. Don’t mess this up,Erin warned both of us.

“Much past her bedtime, not to mention the trauma of having armed vigilantes appear on her doorstep,” my mother went on, incensed.

“It’s okay—” Claire started cheerily.

I led her briskly inside. “I know it’s scary, sweetie. Let’s go to bed.”

“Yeah,” Pippa announced, standing guard at the door. “We can decide about suing for harassment in the morning.”

“Suing?” Edwards’s eyes bulged.

Ingo touched his boss’s sleeve and pointed to Harlon. “She does have a point about starting there, sir.”

Having bribed Claire with brownies in the kitchen, I peeked out from behind a curtain and listened in.

Edwards glared at Ingo, then Mike, and finally, his men.

“What the hell are you waiting for?” he hollered at them. “Get over there and secure the suspect for questioning.” Then he backed away from the house. “We’ll need you to come in for a full report tomorrow, but that’s enough for now.” Looking at my mother, he added, “Thank you for your time.”

My mother rewarded him with a bored smile. His men piled back into their vehicles, leaving Edwards and my mother at ground level, with my sisters, Ingo, and Cooper looking on from the porch.

My mother looked between Edwards and Mike, waiting, no doubt, for one to challenge the other to a duel over her. Edwards would probably have jumped at the chance, but Mike turned away with a firm wave.

“Goodnight, Virginia. Take care.”

My mother watched him go, eyes flaring. She’d always been thewant what you can’t havetype. On the other hand,heartbreakercame a close second, and she had a willing Edwards to indulge her.

Her eyes slid over to him, and I could see her calculating.

“I don’t suppose someone can recommend a decent hotel in town?” she asked.

Decent, unlike the ranch, her tone suggested.

Edwards jumped on the opportunity. “As a matter of fact, I know one.”

“You don’t say,” Mom cooed softly.

I caught Mike rolling his eyes. Had he once fallen for a similar line?

It was easy to picture him thirty years younger, an irresistible, handsome devil on a motorcycle, revving away at the alluring mystery woman who’d caught his eye. Hell, he still was an irresistible, handsome devil with a motorcycle. Just a little grayer around the temples — and a lot wiser.

For once, I was fully supportive of Mom putting her moves on Edwards. The sooner we were rid of our unwelcome visitors, the better.

Fifteen minutes later, red taillights shone, marking the ADMSA’s exit. My mother drove in the middle, which gave every impression of a presidential limo flanked by its escort.

By then, I’d rejoined the others on the porch. We watched the convoy drive off, then breathed a collective sigh of relief. Quiet stretched — the good kind — for the next minute or so. Then a slight breeze made the weather vane on top of the barn squeak.

I’d made that wind vane — a dragon spitting fire — without really knowing why I’d chosen that particular design. Now, with so many trials and tribulations behind me, I wondered if I’d unconsciously imbued it with a little special something.

---