I told you once, said a muffled male voice. You need to leave the farm. Do it now! Its not safe for you here. The caller hung up after the last word.
Alarm wormed its way through her, making her tremble.
Tyler moved to sit beside her. Turn on the light.
With shaky hands, she groped for the switch. She turned the table lamp on and was grateful when the light dispelled the gloom.
Tyler was on his phone. Hey, I need a call traced now. He held out his hand for her phone. She set it in his palm. He quickly rattled off her phone number to whomever was on the other side of his phone conversation. The caller ID comes up blocked. I need to know where the call originated and if the phone can be tracked. He cupped a hand over the phones microphone. This will take a few minutes.
Heather drew her knees to her chest as they waited. The tick of her mothers grandfather clock sitting on the mantel seemed extraordinarily loud.
She knew the moment they had an answer by the troubled look on Tylers face. Her blood ran cold in her veins. As soon as he hung up, she asked, What happened? Were they able to trace the call?
They were able to triangulate the approximate location. He laid her phone on the couch. The call originated from somewhere here on the farm.
Her stomach sank. Betrayal swamped her. Shed stepped into a surreal world where she had no idea what was what. Not only had her brother not trusted her enough to tell her what was going on, but someone on the farm wanted her gone.
Once the guys and I have secured our covers, you and Colin should leave.
She let out a mirthless laugh. We have nowhere else to go.
Your in-laws?
I told youtheyre in an assisted-living facility in Florida.
A friend? Seths fiancée?
Her shoulders sagged. My life revolves around the farm and Colin now. Theres no one who Id feel comfortable asking to stay with, especially with Thanksgiving coming up. As for Olivia, Id rather keep her out of this. Shes grieving. She doesnt need to know about Seths troubles.
Maybe she already knows?
Heather shook her head. Liv is as uptight as they come. No way would she have let Seth get away with what he was doing. She shrugged. Besides, when I talked to her at Seths funeral, she said she was going to visit her folks in California for the holiday.
Tyler laid his hand on her arm. Dont worry, Heather. Im not going to let anything happen to you or your son.
As much as she wanted to believe him, she knew that life could turn on a dime. A life, any life, could be snuffed out as quickly and as silently as a candles flame.
* * *
The next morning dawned with a cloudless blue sky bathing the living room in soft light. Heather rubbed her stiff neck and glanced at the time on her phone. Early still. The farm employees wouldnt start their day for another couple of hours. Good. She needed some time to figure out how she was going to explain why shed formed a partnership. Shed just buried her brother.
The thought brought the ache of loss to the forefront of her mind, diminishing the physical pain of stiff muscles from falling asleep sitting upright on the couch, her feet tucked beneath her. With a little start, she realized Tyler had spread the blanket that had hung on the back of the couch over her while she slept.
She was touched by Tylers thoughtfulness, and her gaze landed on the man sleeping in the chair across the room. After the second menacing phone call, hed double-checked that all the windows and doors were locked. Hed taken her rolling pin and placed it into the channel of the windowsill in Seths room, saying the window would be too easy to jimmy open.
Now his eyes were closed, his legs spread out in front of him and his arms hugged a pillow to his chest like a favored toy. For some reason the sight stirred something inside her, something she hadnt felt in a long time and refused to feel now. Not for this man. Not for any man. Shed had her one true love.
In the light of day, Tyler was even more of a presence than hed been last night. His days growth of beard darkened his jaw, emphasizing the contours of his face. Dark circles rimmed his eyes beneath the splay of long lashes resting against his cheeks.
Despite her anger at Agent Tyler Griffin, she appreciated that he accepted the responsibility for her brothers murder. He didnt make excuses, but hed pushed her brother to risk his life, a means to an end. Hed put his mission before her brothers safety.
Ken had been like that. Quick to assume responsibility. Always putting the military before his family. She hated the little whisper of bitterness that floated at the edges of her mind. Shed admired Kens dedication at first but came to resent it in time.
It had been five years since hed left on that final mission, promising to return soon. And not a moment went by when she didnt hope thered been some mistake and hed come home to her and Colin.
Ken had been the love of her life. She doubted shed ever find anyone she could love like that again. The thought filled her with a stinging emptiness.
One of Tylers eyes popped open. Caught staring, she felt a heated flush creep up her neck. She took that as her cue to stand and divert her attention, which was hard to do considering every fiber of her being was aware of the man stirring in the chair. Plus the last thing she wanted was for him to think she was interested in him in any way.
The sooner they found Seths journal, the quicker Tyler would be gone from her life and she could grieve in peace without worrying about drug lords and murderers.
Tyler sat up and tucked his sidearm back into its holster. He met her gaze. Gmorning.
Morning, she replied and stretched out the kinks from the awkward position shed maintained through the night. She went to the front window and pulled the curtains back all the way. The view of the acres of trees stretching out in all directions usually brought her a nostalgic sense of pride. This morning however, she felt only anxious.
Someone living on the farm had probably killed her brother.
And threatened her.
Who?
She clenched her fists at her sides. A sense of betrayal wrapped around her, making her pulse pound.
The quick footsteps of her son racing down the stairs forced back the tide of anger. She rounded the couch and caught him in her arms.
Lifting him high, she said, Whoa, slow down, little man.
He stared at her with frightened eyes. You werent in your room.
She hugged him to her chest, sensing his unspoken fear that she, too, would go away. Im right here, buddy.
Colin pulled back and leaned to peer around her shoulder. Good morning, Mr. Tyler. Are you having breakfast with us? Colin asked.
Heathers heart hiccupped. Her son was so accepting, so trusting. She prayed he never lost that ability.
Not today, buddy. But thank you for asking me.
Heather met Tylers gaze. He clearly wanted to talk to her. She ruffled Colins hair. How about pancakes?
Colin let out a whoop. Pancakes!
The second she set him on his feet, he was off at a mad dash to the dining room. The sound of a chair being dragged across the hardwood floor to the kitchen counter filled the house. A cupboard banged open. She tensed, hoping the glass bowl she imagined Colin reaching for didnt slip from his hands and break on the counter.
Tyler came to stand beside her. Her senses flared as waves of heat coming off him warmed her chilled limbs.
I take it pancakes are a special treat?
Tylers low voice washed over her, making her pulse spike. Uncomfortable with her reaction to him, she stepped away. Yes. Pancakes are a special treat.
One corner of Tylers mouth curved upward, making him look boyish and roguish at the same time. Id love a rain check.
Words stuck in her throat. She nodded.
Im going to retrieve my truck, he said, keeping his voice low so Colin wouldnt hear him, which she appreciated. I left it out on the shoulder of Johnstone Lane. Ill return with my colleagues Blake and Nathanial.
Sounds like a good plan, she replied. Well be okay. She hoped.
Let me program my number into your phone, he said. Just in case. The guys arent staying far away. Well be back within the hour.
As she watched him punching his numbers into her phone, she had the strangest urge to plead with him not to go. She lifted her chin in determination. She would not let fear rule her life.
* * *
Tyler hesitated, suddenly loath to leave Heather and Colin, even for as long as it would take him to get his truck, go to the motel to retrieve his travel bag and the guys and then drive back here. He had a sneaking suspicion that the reason he didnt want to leave was much more complex than he wanted to admit.
This whole assignment had become extremely unpredictable. Heather and her son were distractions he couldnt afford, yet he had to stick close. To protect them.
Yeah, that was right. Wanting to stick close to the stunning widow had nothing to do with the fact he found Heather appealing.
He couldnt forget his primary objective was to bring down the drug ring and discover the identity of the mastermind. Not yearn for the dark-haired beauty.
Stalling, he found the restroom and freshened up as much as he could. But he wished he had his to-go bag handy. The stubble on his face itched. He stepped into the living room and made a decision.
Making sure his sidearm was concealed beneath his shirt, he entered the kitchen and stopped in his tracks. Colin stood on a chair pushed up to the counter. Heather was pouring milk into the measuring cup Colin held over a large bowl. The domestic scene looked like something one would see in a greeting card. Tenderness flooded his system.
Thats enough, Mommy, Colin exclaimed, then dumped the milk into the bowl.
Heather set the milk carton aside and handed him an egg. You remember how to crack this?
Yes, I can do it myself, Colin insisted, snatching the egg from her hand.
Heather met Tylers gaze over Colins head. Honey, Ill be right back. Try not to let any of the shells get into the mix.
Heather moved to stand in front of Tyler. Shed tied her dark hair back with a ribbon. White flour dusted her cheek. She looked so pretty and so fragile. The oversize sweats she wore hid her feminine form, but her beauty went deeper than her skin. It was in the gentle way she related to her son, in the way shed taken care of Tylers injury. An injury shed inflicted out of fear and the need to protect her child.
Beneath that soft female exterior was a strong and brave woman.
Is something the matter?
No, everythings good. He was quick to assure her. I was thinking Id have the guys pick up my truck and head on over here. If youre okay with that plan.
The relieved smile she flashed hit him square in the chest.
Of course its okay. That would be great. Well make plenty of pancakes.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, Heathers dining room was filled with three large men and one small boy who stared at the newcomers with awe as they ate pancake after pancake. Shed made a triple batch of pancake batter, fried up three pounds of bacon and made a gallon of orange juice. Though it had been years, she remembered what it was like to cook for hungry men. Ken had brought home his army buddies often to their small duplex on the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Washington.
Heather didnt blame Colin for being mesmerized. Shed forgotten what it was like to be around men like these. Hard men. Men who not only faced danger but sought it out.
Shed thought Tyler intimidating on his own. Flanked by his fellow team members, she pitied anyone who would take on this trio.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Blake Fallons hard features could cut diamonds out of stone. Though she doubted the stoic man realized how his penetrating dark gaze softened when he answered Colins many questions in the subtle accent of the Southern states.
The other man, Canadian Customs Border Patrol agent Nathanial Longhorn, was charm personified. His comments made Colin giggle in a way usually reserved for silly cartoons. But there was a lethal grace to the man that made Heather suspect he was the type of guy one wouldnt want to cross.
That was delicious. Tyler tilted his chair back on two legs and smiled at her across the table.
His praise brought heat to her cheeks.
Thank you, Mrs. Randall, Blake said. His deep voice rumbled from his chest. Its been a while since weve had a decent meal.
Hey, now, Nathanial said. My cookings not that bad.
Blake raised an eyebrow. Says you.
You make a mean hot dog, Tyler quipped.
Heather couldnt help but laugh at the ribbing between the men.
I will admit these pancakes were out of this world, Nathanial stated, then eyed Heather. There was a touch of vanilla and something else...
Its a family recipe, she said. Highly guarded.
He grinned. Ha! A challenge. Ill ferret out the secret.
The front legs of Tylers chair dropped to the floor. Tension radiated off him in waves as he shot to his feet. Someones here.
A knock at the back door punctuated his words.
Wow, howd he know that?
Rob! Colin cried, jumping out of his chair and racing to the door.
Colin, wait! Heather hurried after him.
Nathanial snagged Colin by the waist and lifted him off his feet. Slow up there, speedy.
Heather hadnt even seen the man rise out of his seat, let alone beat her son to the door. He carried him to the living room. Within seconds, Nathanial had her son laughing hysterically as the man acted out a story.
Tyler moved to her side while Blake disappeared from the room like a puff of smoke.
Heather frowned at Tyler. Its Rob Zane. Hes a longtime employee.
No doubt he suspected Rob was in on the drug ring, but, then again, she figured Tyler would suspect everyone on the farm.
She hated the thought that one of the farms employees could be involved in smuggling drugs and threatening her, let alone her brothers death.
Especially the man her parents had trusted completely. She wasnt about to drag Rob into the danger surrounding the farm.
Unless he was already mixed up in it.
The thought shook her to the core.
No. She wouldnt, couldnt, believe such a thing. Despite how uncomfortable he made her feel at times, Rob was a God-fearing man. Or at least he had been once. Hed been a friend of her parents for as long as she could remember. Despite the unsubstantiated suspicions that hed been responsible for the fire that had claimed his family, he deserved the benefit of the doubt from Heather. Didnt he?