Page 37 of Shades of Mercy
“I smell a story,” Bones grinned.
“Well, you see—”
“She’ll have to save the details for another day. I just wanted her to meet everyone, and now I’m going to show her the lay of the land,” Jag wasn’t sure who was more disappointed that he’d interrupted. Probably Mercy, because she'd have had a whopper of a story to tell that'd make Jag look pathetic.
“Don’t forget me. He’s saved the best for last.” Arrow jumped over the fence and greeted Mercy with a dip of his dusty Stetson.
“I’m glad I got to meet all of you. I’m not good with names, so you’ll need to be patient with me for a spell.” She smiled, and Jag swore someone had placed diamonds in her eyes.
He was confident she wouldn’t have any trouble fitting in.
“Ready?” Jag inquired.
“Absolutely. See you, guys.” She flashed them one last smile before moving on ahead.
Jag turned and spoke low so Mercy wouldn’t catch him, “Close your mouth, Bones. And everyone else, keep the bro code in mind.”
“I didn’t think the bro code meant anything when it came to cousins,” Atlas said, but as soon as he saw Jag’s miffed expression, he shrugged. “Okay. We get the point.”
Jag doubted that Bones would back off as easily, but he didn’t have time to worry about anything but jogging to catch up to Mercy.
“Is there a fire?” he asked as he caught up.
“There’s something about this country air that puts energy into my step. I see what you mean. The crew is great.” The wind caught the ends of her hair, and she pulled them away from her cheeks.
“I’m going to have to beat them off with a stick,” he muttered.
“My safety is your business. My love life is not.”
“I’m afraid it is, sweetheart. I didn’t bring you out here to be your chaperone.”
“I thought you said you’d trust these men with your life? If that’s the case, why would I need a chaperone?”
He’d walked right into that ambush. “They’re still men. That means that fifty percent of their brains are in their Wranglers.”
“Is that where your brain is?” The afternoon sunlight caught the mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
“Any man who says differently is lying to you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. But he’s quite handsome.”
“Who?”
“Bones. That name doesn’t seem fitting for a man with all those muscles.” She seemed to have a chirpy pep in her step.
Jag chuckled. “He got his nickname because he put his sniper skills to good use while across the pond.”
“Everyone has a past. I admire someone who has fought for their beliefs to stop terrorists.” She stopped and looked up at him. “Wouldn’t that be ironic if I found my soul mate while I’m here?” She glanced back toward the men.
He shook his head. “You might be more concerned with filling their bellies. Once you serve them up burnt food, they might not be smiling from ear to ear.”
“I think I can manage to fill theirbellies.” She smiled up at him. “Is Bones a threat?”
“I believe he’s smitten with me.”
Her moan could have revived the dead. “So what?”
“Nothing.” He didn’t miss a stride as he bent and plucked a blade of grass.
