When havent I been? Ive crashed and burned before. Hed learned how to avoid serious injury during his training. He related the sequences of occurrences that had him bunked up in the McKaslins spare apartment. Banged up, but Ill survive. I dont have my pack with me, or I could start surveillance tonight.
Youre on the property? Man! Talk about Providence.
No kidding. Hunter Takoda was a good partner, the best of the best, and theyd worked together for the past five years.
Your footwork paid off. Im going to head out tonight, once the lights are out and everyones bedded down for the night
He heard the crunch of tires on gravel, and high beams upon the driveway cast spears of light around to the back of the garage, where he was.
Because of years of being partnered together, Brody didnt need to tell Hunter that he had to check something out. Hunter waited patiently on the other end of the secure call while Brody limped through the dark apartment as fast as he could go, stubbed the toe of his injured foot on the leg of the coffee table, bit back the gasp of pain and crouched in front of the windows.
He heard the garage doors crank open as a big gray carthe one registered to Mrs. Alice McKaslindrove into the garage beneath him and out of sight. He heard the engine die, and the garage doors eased downward.
A tidy, well-kept woman in her fifties, wearing a dress and heels, tapped down the walk to the front porch, opened the door and disappeared inside. Lights flashed on in the kitchen windows, but the blinds were drawn.
Im going out tonight. Ill rough out the property. Theres got to be a few more service roads around here than I could find on the map. McKaslins moving the money somehow.
Think its a family operation, like the last case we busted over in Idaho?
Brody thought of Michelles easy goodness. It was hard to see her engaging in criminal activity. I may just have to spend some time ferreting that out for sure. Wasnt that too bad?
Oh, I know. All those pretty blond women. Hunter laughed. Yeah, I did the original surveillance. I know what youre thinking. When was the last time we got to work with really pretty women?
Really pretty and really decent women dont have a tendency to garner the FBIs interest. Brody hoped Hunter wouldnt figure out the truththat he had a personal interest in Michelle.
Interest. Thats as far as it could go. He could secretly like her, what did that hurt? As long as he kept his objectivity. He was a professional. He was the best in the agency at what he did.
Hed finish this job the right way.
Chapter Four
As Michelle saw it, there were only two problems with having a horse. One was that she had to get up every morning at five to feed and water Keno and change his bedding. And the second problem was that the stable was in the opposite direction of the garage.
Stop that, Keno. She flicked her ponytail out of his mouth and gave him a sharp glare; the one that said, cross me and youll regret it.
Except that everyone, even her horse, already knew the real her. Ever playful, Keno shook his big head from side to side. The instant she bent back to work, he tugged on her ponytail again.
All right, all right. I know. Michelle rescued her hair and leaned the pitchfork against the side wall of the stall. Ive got things to do, I dont have time to let you order me around this morning.
Keno, her best friend ever, knew when he had the advantage and moved in to cinch the deal. He leaned the length of his nose against her sternum and stomach, as if to say he loved her. And what was a girl going to do about that?
Michelle melted like hot gooey chocolate left in the sun and gave her horse a hug back. Okay, okay, you win.
The big dark bay shook his black mane and nickered in excitement. This is what she got for ignoring him yesterday. It wasnt as if you were neglected, you big baby. You had the other horses to keep you company.
The poor, neglected gelding stood still while she snapped the blue lead rope onto his matching nylon halter and led him through the wide stall door into the pasture.
What a great morning for a ride. The morning was fresh and the breeze sweet and warm as the new sun welcoming her. As boring as it was living in smallville, this was worth it. Freedom sparkled all around her, and she laughed at the nuzzle of Kenos whisper-soft lips against her face.
She buried her left hand in his sturdy mane and braced the other on his back. She hopped on, pulled herself astride. Keno shifted with her weight, holding back all his power and energy until she sent him into an easy lope that made his mane dance and the meadow speed by.
She hadnt ridden him yesterday, and he stretched his legs now as she leaned forward, gripped him hard with her thighs, and urged him into a faster run. But to where?
She could nose him into the rays of the rising sun and take him on the river trail, as she often did, or she could circle him around along the fence line. Yep, thats what shed do. Because from the rise near the house, shed get a good look at the garage. Shed be able to see if Brody was up yet.
And if he was, shed invite him in to meet her parents. And since she had several clients this morning, shed take him with her on her way to town and connect him up with his bike. That way shed at least be able to say goodbye to him before he rode off forever.
Speaking of goodbyes, there was her dads truck. The old tan-and-white pickup lumbered down the driveway and kicked up a soft plume of dust into the clean morning air.
Dad was going to town? He was usually in the fields this time of morning, checking the crops and irrigation equipment. There were always a thousand things to keep him busy.
But to head to town? Nothing was open, not even the coffee shop.
Brody. The realization pierced through her chest, leaving a physical pain. Surely Mom and Dad found the note shed left, detailing the events that led to the stranger staying the night in the garage apartment, and Dad was taking charge, like always. He was taking Brody into town.
What? Without getting to say goodbye to him? As if!
Michelle signaled Keno to stop. At the crest of the knoll closest to the house, she could see the garage and the windows above it. The blinds were open, so that meant that Brody was obviously up. Thanks to the low angle of the sun, she could see right into the apartment. No one was there.
Sadness ripped through her, sharp as a razor blade. And how could that be? Shed only know Brody for what, like thirteen hours, and most of those shed been asleep. So why did she feel so sad? As if shed lost something of immense value? It made no sense.
He was gone. She laid the heel of her palm over her heart, wishing the sadness would stop. Watch over him, Father. Keep him safe on his journey. Help him find whatever hes searching for.
Michelle swore she could hear the faintest answer, but the wind gusted and the seed-heavy grass rattled before she could grasp the words.
It was as if the sun had gone down on her, and how much sense did that make? But thats what it felt like as she walked Keno back, cooling him off before she brushed him down in the gentle warmth of the rising sun.
Maybe it was the promise of a man like Brody. The hope of what she wanted in her life. A big strong man who was a little tough, looked a little dangerous, who was unique. A rugged individual. A good man of faith with a gentle heart.
There had to be men like that somewhere in the world. All she wanted was the right man. The best man. Someone she could love with all her heart.
Yeah, like they just fell out of the sky like rain.
She checked the water in the trough, poured grain, forked fresh alfalfa into the feeder and gave Keno one last hug before she locked the stall gate after her. She hadnt felt this lonely in a long time, so why now?
Her steps echoed in the stable, melancholy sounding. She remembered when the stalls were full, and her sisters were always around, coming and going, cleaning stalls or grooming their horses. Now there was only the brush of dawn at the open doors as she stepped out into the morning alone.
Meeting Brody had done this. It made her wishfor one impossible secondthat her life could change. That she could find love and a family of her own. That she would be able to be loved and to love, to give her soul mate all the love shed been saving up in her heart just for him.
Whoever he was.
Well, not Brody. That was for sure.
At least it was Friday. Shed better remember to give her sisters a callwell everyone but Kristin because she lived in Seattleand set up a game tonight. It was her turn to host. What was she gonna do for food?
They could barbecue, but then she was a disaster when it came to Dads propane grill. Shed set the cobs of corn on fire last time. She wasnt the best cook, so she didnt want to torture her sisters with some lame casserole. Wait, maybe shed pick up a take-and-bake pizza from town. Perfect.
Feeling a little better, she kicked off her boots at the back steps and skidded to a stop in the threshold.
There, seated at the round oak table in the kitchens sunny eating nook was a dark-haired man. She recognized the tousled shanks of hair and the long powerful curve of his shoulder and back.
Brody. He was here? He hadnt left?
Her knees felt unsteady, so she leaned against the door frame realizing too late that shed swept her sleep-rumpled hair into a ponytail, and she hadnt showered. Without makeup, and wearing a pair of old cut-offs, she had to look totally gross. She had to smell like her horse.
She was afraid Brody was going to leap out of his chair in horror and run on his injured ankle for the hills.
She couldnt blame him if he did.
Here, Michelle, honey. Her mom noticed her first as she turned from the stove. Youre just in time. Do you have a full morning at the Snip & Style?
Yeah. Somehow she managed to talk like a normal personwith consonants and vowels and words and everything. Im, uh, didnt know Brody was here.
It was the nicest surprise ever.
He twisted in the chair, hooking his arm around the ladder back, looking like a dream come true as he smiled. Slow. Steady. Your mom offered me breakfast and Im not about to turn down a home-cooked meal. Mrs. McKaslin, I cant remember when Ive had such a privilege.
Goodness, youre awfully well mannered for a biker. Michelles mom tried to look stern, but pink blushed her face as she set two more plates on the table. She was pleased with the compliment. Call me Alice. Michelle, I put your plate in the oven to keep warm. Micks is in there, too.
Hes not with Dad?
Hes not up yet. Hes not answering his phone, anyway.
Michelle knew better than to say anything more. She grabbed a hot pad from the hook on the wall and found her plate in the oven. Uncle Mick was a sore point in the family. Her stomach tightened with worry over it as she headed to the table.
Whos Mick? Brody asked, absently, as if to make conversation in the suddenly tense silence.
My uncle. Michelle dropped into the chair closest to him. Hes going through a divorce and lost his job, so Dad hired him on to help out this summer.
Hmmph! was the only comment Alice McKaslin made as she switched the burners and set the frying pan heavy with hot grease on a trivet to cool.
Brody quirked his left brow.
Michelle knew his question. She didnt even need to ask. How weird was that? Uncle Mick is Dads favorite brother. I was named after him. I was supposed to be a boy, so they named me Michelle instead of Michael. Anyway, Uncle Micks not the most responsible of men. Hes a rad uncle, but hes
never grown up, and thats not attractive in a forty-nine-year-old man. Her mothers stern look said everything. Now, its time for grace.
Michelle clasped her hands and bowed her head during the prayer. As she whispered an amen, she looked at Brody and wondered. Was it chance that hed landed here? Or was he part of a bigger plan?
He looked noble with his high proud cheekbones and the slant of his straight nose. He sat straight in the chair, head bowed forward as he added a silent prayer to the end of her mothers grace.
Okay, she had to like him even more for thatif it was possible to like him any more than she already did. He was so sincere and faithful as he muttered an amen and reached for his fork. He looked a little sheepish as he caught her watching him.
I always say a prayer for my mom and dad. Theyre in heaven. He shrugged as if a little embarrassed.
Could he be more perfect?
Brody, Alice said as she poured a glass of milk, where are you from? Thats some accent youve got.
Me? I thought Id gotten rid of that. Ive lived in the West so long, its practically gone. He shook his head when Alice offered him the creamer. He lifted the steaming cup of coffee by his plate and sipped. Savored. Swallowed. Sure is good, maam. Im from West Virginia.
Goodness. That sure is a long ways from here. Did you live there long?
Born and raised. Brody dug into the delicious-looking hash brownsso buttery and golden crisp and made from real shredded potatoes. He took it as another sign he was on the right path. Im a country boy at heart, even though I moved to the city when I was twelve.
Was that in West Virginia, too?
Yes, maam. He felt the steel around his heart harden. There were a lot of things he didnt like to think too much about. Spending his teen years in a boys home for lack of foster care was one of them. He cleared his throat, tried to keep his mind focused. To not let the sadness of his past effect the quality of his present life.
Mom, youre being nosy again. Michelles eyes sparkled with those little glints of blue sapphire that could captivate the most professional, dedicated agent. You dont have to give us your life history. Where are you headed next when you get your bike?
I dont rightly know. That was the truth. He was ready to go on about how hed be heading up to Glacier, that was the background story hed hatched up, but the truth sidetracked him.
He had vague ideas about what he wanted to do when he left, but he didnt have a set plan. It bothered him. The past ten years at the Bureau had been demanding worklong hard hours, constant travel, tough assignments and dangerous missions.
It wore on a man. Chiseled at his soul.
He believed in the power of prayer. He figured hed leave it in Gods hands. That the good Lord would point him in the right direction.
Surely you have family back in West Virginia. Youre eventually headed back there? Alice McKaslin prompted.
I dont have any family.