Page 34 of Once Removed (Blackhawk Security)

Finally, reassured that Phoebe was sleeping peacefully, she closed the door and slipped into the other bed. Opened her Kindle and angled it so its faint light didn’t shine on Phoebe’s face. But she did more daydreaming about Brody than actual reading.

Before long, Lainey’s eyes began to close. It had been an emotional afternoon and evening, and she was drained. Shutting down her Kindle, she slid completely beneath the covers. Moonlight shone on Phoebe’s hair as she slept, and she hadn’t moved an inch since Lainey entered the room. Reassured, Lainey allowed her eyes to drift closed.

She woke with a jerk sometime during the night, and glanced at the clock on the shared night stand. Two AM. What had woken her?

She listened intently and heard nothing. Phoebe appeared to be deeply asleep. But just as Lainey was falling asleep again, she heard the creak of a board. Outside. Close to the house.

She froze. Strained to hear. She lay completely still in her bed, afraid to move in case the rasp of her limbs sliding against the sheets obscured a sound from outside.

After five long minutes, she’d heard nothing. Reassured, she allowed herself to fall into sleep again.

But she slept restlessly the rest of the night.

* * *

Brody was up early the next morning and ate breakfast with his men as they discussed what needed to be done that day. Once everyone was clear about their chores, the men headed outside and Brody went into his office to finish the paperwork he’d started last night. He’d been too distracted by his conversation with Lainey last night, and the memories of the kisses they’d shared, to concentrate on his work.

When he heard noises coming from the second floor, he pushed away from his desk and headed into the dining room for another cup of coffee. He stuck his head into the kitchen and spotted Vi at the stove. “Sounds like Lainey and Phoebe are up. They’ll probably be down for breakfast in a bit.”

“I heard them,” she said with a smile. “But thanks for warning me.”

“It’s more complicated with two extra people in the house,” Brody said. “More work for you. I appreciate that you’re so cheerful about it.”

She grinned over her shoulder at him. “Nice to have other women in the house.” She studied him for a long moment, and Brody began to squirm. “Any chance Lainey might stick around?”

Heat crept into Brody’s cheeks as memories of what Lainey had said she wanted swept over him. “For God’s sake, Vi! Her husband was killed a week ago.”

Vi snorted. “Everyone in Helena knows what a bastard Ron Martin was. Doubt she’s grieving much for him.”

“And you know this how?” he asked.

“The Sweet Spot was gossip central in Helena. I heard everything there.” Her mouth curled into a mischievous smile. “A lot of Helena ladies have their eyes on you.”

“Oh, my God!” He stared at Vi, horrified. “You talked about me at the bakery?”

“I never said a word.” She bit her lip and her eyes twinkled. “Although some tried to pump me for information. But there was talk, and I listened. Anyone would have. I needed to know what you’re up against.”

“And you found out.”

“Yeah, I know who has their eyes on you. But my lips are sealed.” She turned back to the stove and turned up the heat on the bacon. Cheeks burning, feeling as if he’d been grilled, too, Brody retreated into the dining room. Freshened his coffee and slid into his chair. He opened his tablet to read the news, but couldn’t put Vi’s words out of his head. Women in Helena were interested in him.

He was only interested in one Helena woman, and she was staying in his house right now. Another horrified thought crossed his mind -- had Lainey heard any of this gossip?

He’d slid out of his chair to ask Vi when he heard Lainey on the stairs. Even though she’d only been here for a week, he knew it was her and not Phoebe. Turning, he smiled when she stepped into the living room. “’Morning, Lainey.”

She smiled back, but her eyes were puffy. Dark, as if she hadn’t slept well. “Hi, Brody. Phoebe’ll be right down.”

“She sleep okay last night?”

Lainey relaxed a little. “I don’t think she moved all night.” She swallowed. Glanced toward the stairs, as if she didn’t want Phoebe to hear what she said. “Something woke me up last night,” she said in a low voice. “A noise. Around two. Then I heard a board creak.” She glanced toward the front door. “I thought it might be coming from the porch. I didn’t hear anything else, so I let it go. But I thought about it as I was tossing and turning, and figured I should tell you.”

“Thanks, Lainey.” He wanted to wipe that dread off her face. “It could have been a tree, creaking in the wind. Or a steer getting too close to the fence and rubbing against it. But I’ll take a look around and make sure nothing was disturbed.”

“I didn’t think about the animals moving around. That’s probably what it was.” She smiled, but it was strained. “It sounded closer than the pasture, but I’d just woken up. I guess I still have that break-in at my place on my mind.”

“Of course you do,” he said. He wanted to hug her, to ease her concern, but didn’t want to take the chance that Vi or Phoebe would see them.

He thought about the sensation he’d had yesterday at the compound, the feeling someone was watching him. He’d check the ranch thoroughly this morning. Make sure nothing was out of place. If he and his hands had time, maybe they’d pay a visit to the abandoned compound. Trying to change the subject, he asked, “Phoebe going to school today?”

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