Page 23 of Tangled Threats on the Nomad Highway
“You and the boys will be headed over in abit.”
“Oh.”
Vanna’s lips curled in a knowing smile andshe waggled her eyebrows. “The new couple needed a little alonetime.”
“Oh.” Marian’s cheeks were hot asfire, and she ducked her head, staring at her knees. “He’s a goodman?”
“One of the best. Truck wouldn’t stand forwhat’s happening between them if he didn’t think he could trustBane with her life.” Neither of them spoke for a beat; then Vannacontinued. “These men, they look rough on the outside, but youwon’t find a more loyal and loving group if you tried. Gunny’s afan of Bane’s. I’m sure you saw that up in Kentucky. You trust him,right?”
“Yeah. A lot. More than I should,probably.”
“No, girl. There’s no one I’d trust morethan Lane.” She laughed softly. “Well, except for Truck, of course.But Lane? He’ll bend himself into a pretzel to help someone heconsiders family, and that’s how he sees you and Myrt and the boys.He’s said it, I’m sure, and it might take a while to completelyunderstand what he means, but it boils down to the fact he’d diebefore he let someone hurt you. That’s not an exaggeration, either.I’ve seen the man throw himself into situations where the outcomewasn’t certain, to make sure his people, those he loves, wereokay.”
“I get it. We had a talk, and I listened towhat he said and didn’t say. I know what he did for us.” She liftedher head and stared at Vanna, watching for any consternation orcondemnation, ready to stand up for Gunny if needed.
“Oh, honey. Looks like you’ve got aprotective side to you too.”
“If I’d known what was happening—”
“You don’t have to defend yourself here,Marian. Not against something that was out of your control. No onehere will criticize you for that.” Vanna’s expression made Marian’sbreath catch in her throat. “We all have guilt about things thathappened where we could effect no change. Just gotta get past itand see the good in what’s happening today.” Slapping her palmsagainst her thighs, Vanna pushed to her feet. “Ready to go see yournew home?”
“Home?” Standing, she turned to face Vanna,who was moving towards the closet. “We’re going to stay there? Nothere?”
“Honey, you’ll be less than a quarter of amile away. I’m just a shout from the porch over there, and you canbe here as much as you want.” She disappeared inside the closet,and Marian heard rustling, then a soft, “aha.” Backing out, Vannahad a suitcase in her hand. “Let’s get you packed up. Boys’ bagswon’t take long. I’ll do those”—she tossed the suitcase on thebed—“and you can get your stuff gathered. The men are waitingdownstairs to walk you all over.”
Marian stepped over to the bed and stareddown at the suitcase. Another example of the generosity of thesepeople, this woman.We’re so lucky Vanna found Myrt.“Ithink I love you, Vanna Mom.”
“Oh, Marian. It’s just an old suitcase. Idon’t use it anymore. You’re doing me a favor, honestly. It’s justbeen cluttering up that closet. But I love you too.” The boys’ bagsthumped against the floor in rapid order, one after the other.“Done here. You need some help?”
“No. I’ve got it.” Marian had transferredher things from the garbage bag to a single drawer in the dresseralong the wall, and it didn’t take long to retrieve and arrangethem in the suitcase. She shook her head at Vanna’s attempt toreach for the boys’ bags and looped the straps over her shoulder.“Ready.”
Downstairs, Gunny and Truck waited withBlackie and another man, each of them armed with a largeflashlight. Marian glanced at the windows and realized she’d beenupstairs long enough for night to fall. Clenching her teeth againstthe urge to apologize, for what she didn’t know, she forced apleasant expression. That morphed into a true smile when the boyswalked into the room, Thad his accustomed half a step behind hisbrother.He’s protecting him.She recognized that for whatit was now, having seen it modeled by each of the men in theroom.
With only a modicum of conversation, theywent out the back door of the kitchen and made their way through afield, coming to the other side and weaving between trees.
“Should get my brush hog out here, clear apath.” Truck’s light flicked back and forth.
“I can do that in the morning.” Gunny’svoice came from behind her.
“Not too early, me and Peaches gonna be uplate.” The drawled words were Blackie’s, and she realized his lewdmeaning when the men around her laughed softly.
“I got you, brother.” The beam from Gunny’slight kept a steady trail in front of Marian’s feet. “Watch thattangle, little sister. Careful now. Gimme that.” The suitcaseslipped from her fingers. “Shoulda noticed it back at the house.Boys, get your own bags. Your sister shouldn’t be haulin’ yourstuff around.”
Every light in the woods zeroed in onMarian, and she froze. Thad stepped into the spotlight and took thebags from her, handing one behind him to who she assumed was Luke,but the lights were so brilliant she couldn’t see beyond theglowing circle. Chin down, she tried to escape scrutiny and knewshe was unsuccessful when a hand landed on her shoulder.
“Little sister.” Not Gunny, and theunfamiliar man touching her made every hair on her body stand onend. Marian stumbled sideways, out from under the light grip,lifting a hand to shade her eyes. “Hey now, it’s okay. It’sBlackie. I won’t hurt you.”
Marian tripped over an unseen obstacle, herplunge to the ground halted painfully by a sudden grasp of herupper arm. Struggling futilely, she quickly subsided with her headdown, elbows next to her sides as she gasped for air.
“Let go of her.” Thad sounded too far away,and Marian struggled to stay in control. “I said let her go.”
“It’s okay.” Crackling branches accompaniedsomeone’s approach, the grip on her arm not easing. “I’m fine.” Asshe pushed those words out with a little more force, it seemedthey’d heard her, because the footsteps stopped. “I just got turnedaround with the lights. I’m fine.”
“Little sister.” That nearby repeat ofGunny’s name for her was not in his voice. “You don’t know me, buttrust that if we’re this close to you, I don’t pose any threat.None at all. Sweet lady, I just didn’t want you to fall, that’sall.” The hand on her arm slipped down, cupping her elbow. “I’ll beyour guide until your eyes readjust, if you’ll let me.”
“Who are you?”
“These reprobates call me Horse. I’m withBlackie, and as close to Bane’s best friend as he’d ever find.You’re safe with me.” She tried to take a step, finding herselfstill tangled with whatever had first tripped her. “Just a sec.” Hecame into view at her side as he knelt, one hand still anchoringher elbow, the other working at her ankle. “There, that should doit. Gunny, you need some help with the mowing, I’ll be up and at’em early enough. Just give me a wave. This isn’t safe for folkswalking back and forth.”
