Page 19 of Haystacks and Hoaxes

A man cleared his throat behind them, making them both jump a little.

Mila whirled around with the sketchpad gripped in her hands.

Decker was standing there, with the sleeves of his blue dress shirt rolled up and his wavy hair askew. “Here’s an idea, ladies.” His voice was dry. “How about we smile all the way to the great room?”

“Grumpy,” his wife taunted, moving his way. Her hands ended up in his hair, straightening his tousled locks.

He took advantage of her nearness to brush his lips against hers. “Thought we agreed you would go get some rest.”

“It’s on my to-do list.” She leaned in for a second kiss. “I couldn’t resist taking a moment to scout out the artist for our next family portrait.”

“Is that so?” Decker shot Mila a curious look.

“And a portrait of the new baby when he or she arrives,” Chanel added in a dreamy voice. “You weren’t joking when you said Mila is a magician with a pen. She just finishedgiving me a live demo.”

Mila, who’d turned back to the window to give them a bit of privacy, spun back in their direction. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yep.” Decker shook his head in admonishment at her. “We’re also overdue for a meeting in the great room.”

“Oh, Chanel,” Mila breathed, moving across the room to hug her sister-in-law. “Congratulations, you guys! I would seriously love to sketch your family, both now and after the new baby arrives. I can do it in charcoal, ink, or watercolor. Your choice. Just let me know.”

Decker made an exasperated sound as he steered the two women toward the door. “I’d like to get back to saving Mila’s hide first. Otherwise, there won’t be any family portraits.”

“I’m leaning toward charcoal for your first family portrait.” Mila shot her brother a wicked look over her shoulder. “It’ll be easier to capture your dark scowl.”

Though he pretended to glower at her, he was unable to hide the twinkle in his honey-gold gaze. The two of them were still bickering when they entered the great room.

Rock grippedthe cane he’d been leaning on, feeling close to drooling. Decker Kingston’s sister was that beautiful. He’d been hoping his lonely-and-single-guy memory had exaggerated her beauty during her interview earlier. If anything, though, she was even more stunning with red-rimmed eyes and a mildly swollen nose this evening. It was clear she’d been weeping.

Anger simmered inside him, heating his blood. Whoever had planted the bomb on Mila’s doorstep was going to pay. He intended to use every resource at LonestarSecurity to make sure she received the justice she deserved. On the upside, her stepbrother was no longer acting like she was simply being a drama queen. The concern etched into his forehead was genuine.

“Sit,” he ordered imperiously, pointing her into the recliner closest to Rock, “before I go find my cattle prod.” Though his voice was teasing, his expression was not.

“Be nice.” His wife gave Mila a hug after she plopped onto the creamy leather chair. “It’s been a long, stressful day for her.”

What an understatement! It had been both the best day and worst day of her life.

“I’ll send in refreshments before I take off.” Chanel danced a welcoming smile around the room.

“To rest, please.” Decker hooked an arm around her to draw her close when she tried to walk past him.

“To rest,” she agreed, adoringly bumping noses with him. Then she glided out of the room.

Mila gave an exaggerated yawn that looked entirely fake. “Fortunately, I’m too wiped out to gag over all your sweetness, Deck.”

Gil Remington snorted out a chuckle. The auburn-haired retired sheriff was perched on one arm of the sofa.

“You have no room to talk.” Decker wagged a finger at him. “You and Bliss still act like newlyweds.”

Though Gil was in his mid-fifties, he’d recently remarried and was now the father of twins.

Rock’s brother, Gage, and his newly minted fellow private investigator, Johnny Cuba, joined in the chuckles that followed. They were the only other two people in the room. Gage could probably relate to what Decker was talking about since he’d recently gotten engaged to the love of his life, Ella. Johnny, however, was as single as Rock — aformer bull rider with short, windblown black hair and a devilish glint in his eyes. From what Rock had heard, he was between girlfriends. The admiring gleam in his gaze as it rested on Mila further verified that rumor.

Rock tried not to let it bother him. Mila was their coworker, one he barely knew. She also reported to him, which underscored the need for him to keep things professional between them. Always. But that didn’t make him any more interested in watching Johnny flirt with her. He instinctively moved closer to Mila, thumping his cane with a little more energy than necessary against the hardwood floor.

She glanced his way curiously, which had been his goal.

“You hanging in there, partner?” He wouldn’t mind a little reassurance that she was okay.

---