Although she’d been enjoying the company, Sissie had never been so relieved to see Jack enter the Sass and quietly let her know the party could end anytime. There was only one problem. The ladies-only party changed once Casey left. It was Sissie’s own fault for telling them they weren’t leaving till the food was gone. The only sure way to have that happen was to call the fellas.
She had to admit it was good for business, but right now she wasn’t thinking about making money. Sissie needed to know that Ryan was okay.
“Have you heard from . . . Mark?” Sissie asked softly as she cut him a piece of cake.
Jack nodded. “If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have come.”
She didn’t miss his sarcasm. Holding the frosting-covered knife and waving it at him, she shook her head. “Y’all know better than that, Jack.”
He laughed it off and took the cake plate from her. “And we all know you’d never hurt anyone either, so put that dang thing down before you get pink frosting all over my uniform.”
She laid the knife on the table then grabbed the plate from Jack. “I think you want to eat this outside on the porch where it’s quiet.” She headed for the door, knowing full well he’d follow. She wasn’t above making a scene, and he knew it.
Sissie walked to the end and took the same seat she had with Ryan. This is getting to be a habit. One I don’t like. Unlike Ryan, Jack sat in the rocker next to her and put his hand out. She handed back the plate. “I really can’t believe at a time like this, all you can think of is cake.”
He took the fork and lifted it to his lips. “Multitasking.”
Jack was a dang good sheriff, but sometimes he was frustrating as heck to deal with. He was laid-back even at times like this. Am I the only one who is panicking? “Then tell me, what did Mark say?”
“They arrived at their destination without issue.”
“That’s it? Why come outside for that?”
Jack smiled at her. “I came outside because you took my piece of cake out here. Somehow you’re forgetting who we’re dealing with. Mark Collins gives only the information one is required to know. Nothing more. So if you’re wondering if your boyfriend is okay, then I suggest you call him.”
She was pissed. No one was taking her concerns seriously. They gave her instructions and told her what to do, but they didn’t reciprocate. “Y’all know I ain’t got a boyfriend. And y’all know he ain’t gonna tell me anything.”
Jack became serious and said, “Sissie, there’s a reason he doesn’t talk much. It’s not because he doesn’t want to. It’s for all our safety.”
Sissie turned away from Jack and looked at the street before her. It was fact, and she knew it. That didn’t lessen the fears within her. She had no idea how Hannah managed being married to Mark. This was what he did for a living. It wasn’t going to end anytime soon. Sissie couldn’t bear to live like that. Worrying each time the person she loved left and not knowing if he’d return. Good thing I don’t live that lifestyle. My biggest worry is what to feed the hungry ranch hands each night.
She tried to convince herself that was true. It wasn’t that she didn’t care. It was she cared too much. If anything happened to any of them, she’d break. Everyone thought she was a rock, the glue that held the town together. They were wrong. Casey is strong. Hannah is strong. Heck, even Donna is stronger than I am.
She should be happy everyone believed the role she’d been playing all these years. For once in her life, she wished someone would look past what she showed the world and see what really lay beneath. Someone who needs someone to lean on.
Jack wasn’t that person and never would be. “You’re right. Mark keeps everything to himself. That doesn’t mean it makes things any easier for those waitin’.”
“No, ma’am. I guess it doesn’t. All I can say is bad news travels fast, and I haven’t heard any.”
That was Jack’s way of telling her to relax. Trust and believe. “So what am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
“First of all, I’d walk back into that bar and get me another piece of that cake before it’s all gone.” She shot him a warning looking. “Then, Sissie, I suggest you do what you always do.”
“And what is that?”
“Make everyone believe that it’s okay, whether it is or not.”
Sissie knew she would even though she wasn’t feeling it. Inside she was a mass of nerves. After her little talk with Donna, she was more confused than before. She could understand why Ryan did what he chose to do, but letting Donna think there was something when there wasn’t, wasn’t the way to do it. It’s only going to make things worse when the truth comes out.
The noise from inside was getting louder, and she knew she’d been away too long. She had to go and quiet everyone down before the ranch hands got off duty and showed up. Otherwise, it was gonna escalate. “I better get back in there before you gotta do more than just eat cake.”
Jack chuckled. “What’s wrong with eating cake?”
Sissie shook her head. Getting up from her rocking chair, she said, “I really need to find you a wife.”
Jack choked on his last bite. “What? I don’t need cake that bad. I like my life just the way it is.”
Sissie smiled as she walked past him. “That’s what y’all say.” Her first thought was Donna. She’d be great for him. Normally she was attuned to the connections happening around her, but with everything else going on, she was off her game. They could be a perfect match. Turning back to Jack she said, “Why don’t you go back in and ask Donna for a second piece?”
Jack laughed loudly. “I think I’ll pass. Good try.” He got up, and instead of going back inside he went down the steps and walked toward his office.
At first, she was just teasing, but Sissie wasn’t about to cross him off the list yet. The best way to get things back to normal was by doing what was normal. Her normal was running the saloon. But it wasn’t as fun as fixing couples up. When people first realized she had a gift for seeing true love in people even before they first dated, she had every single person in town coming to her. But Honeywell was small and sometimes the match wasn’t there. The only hope was someone new would come along and be the one. She wasn’t sure Donna fit that bill for any of the fellas here and vice versa, but she didn’t see why she couldn’t protect Donna, run the saloon, and maybe even find her a date. Finding Donna a husband shouldn’t be top on my list, but somehow it is. Go figure. Guess nothing will interfere with me being a hopeless romantic.
When she entered the Sass again, she felt better. Rejuvenated. It was time to take back control. She wasn’t sure who might be out to hurt the people of Honeywell, but they were winning if things changed too much. I can do this.
She saw Donna with Lou. Watching from a distance, she couldn’t tell what they were saying or if they had a connection. She was more surprised with Lou than with Donna. He wasn’t a talker, yet he was chatting with her. For a brief second, she almost thought she saw a smile. Oh, girl. Not another one. Lou was a Navy SEAL. That meant she’d live the same lifestyle Hannah did. Although Hannah didn’t complain, she knew Donna needed someone different. Not so dang serious.
She didn’t want to admit it, but Lou was a contender. Their body language said something, however she still wasn’t getting the true love vibe. Of course, she wasn’t totally relaxed either.
Walking to the bar, she asked Lou for a bottle of beer. He opened it and handed it to her, never taking his eyes off Donna. Yup, they’ve noticed each other. But he ain’t the one.
She’d let them enjoy their conversation for now. Jack may have given the all clear for the guests, but she was responsible for Donna’s well-being. As long as Donna was with Lou, Sissie could actually put her feet up for a bit. She normally wasn’t tired, but somehow she was beyond exhausted.
Lack of sleep was catching up to her. If it wasn’t bad enough before Ryan came to town, it was nearly impossible now. Taking a beer with her, Sissie went upstairs to her apartment. Thirty minutes and I’ll be like new.
Ryan expected to be walking into a room filled with women all sitting around doing whatever they do at baby showers. He’d been lucky never to have to attend one. He’d thought about waiting till everyone left, but he needed to see Donna and Sissie now.
As he climbed the stairs, he thought the crowd was a lot rowdier than he’d pictured them. Guess that means they’re having a real good time. When he opened the door the room was still decorated in pink and white, but this was no baby shower. There were guys throwing darts, popping balloons, or shoveling food in their mouths. He scanned the room for Sissie, but she was nowhere to be found. Donna, on the other hand, was sitting at the bar talking to Lou. He knew Lou was one of Mark’s men, but he didn’t seem to be working too fucking hard, monitoring the place. Damn it. I knew better than to trust anyone.
Ryan stormed over to the bar and barked, “I want to talk to you.”
Lou didn’t flinch at his words. He turned to Donna and asked, “Can you watch the bar for me?”
Donna shot her father a hard look then turned back to Lou and said, “Anything for you darlin’.”
Ryan knew she was pushing his buttons, and it sure as hell was working. If Sissie was here, she’d be feeling his wrath as well. Ryan headed outside, and Lou followed.
“What’s your issue, Watson?”
“Don’t you think your commander would like to know you’re flirting instead of protecting the people of Honeywell?”
“Is there a threat I’m not aware of? Because from what I see, everything is under control,” Lou answered calmly.
“It’s not about what it looks like. It’s about what it is.”
“Agreed. It’s safe.”
Lou stood there without any emotion. Ryan hated that about Mark, and it wasn’t any better with Lou. When Ryan was younger he lacked self-control, and he probably would’ve taken a swing at Lou just to make a point. Tempting even today.
“You seem so damn sure of yourself. If everything was okay, back to normal, I don’t think Collins would have you here.”
“Let’s just say the threat has been contained in this area.”
“This area? What does that mean?”
He could see Lou didn’t want to provide any details. That seemed to be the theme of everything that was going on lately, and he’d had enough of it. Either Lou was going to come clean, or Ryan was going to make sure everyone knew Honeywell wasn’t so safe after all.
“Your choice. Tell me, or you can answer the entire town’s questions.”
“What questions do they have?” Lou asked, cocking a brow.
“The ones I tell them they should have.”
“Blackmail, Watson? Really?”
“I call it a business decision. What does contained here mean?”
Lou crossed his arms and began to speak. “It means we’ve detained the ones who remained behind.”
“Where did the others go?”
“In search of what they’ve been looking for.”
Shit. “They were watching me, weren’t they?” Lou nodded, and Ryan continued, “Collins knew when he had me go with him to the bunker.” Lou confirmed that as well. “And he sent me back here because?”
“The person they brought in is—”
“Marina.” Ryan’s heart raced. Collins wasn’t lying when he said she was risking her life. He’d been angry and accusing her of things he had no proof about. He just wanted Janet’s death avenged and was lashing out. The only thing that made him feel better was knowing how secure the bunker was. As long as they were inside, nothing was getting to them. “He should’ve told me. I could’ve helped.”
“Your help is needed here.”
Ryan shot him a confused look. “I thought you said the threat was gone.”
“It’s never gone. We have these guys on ice, but more will come. Today we can breathe easily. Tomorrow might be an entirely different story.”
Things were definitely changing and not for the better. Instead of one location to worry about, there now were two. “What do you need from me?”
“Have your men report to me.”
That wasn’t going to happen. He’d lost control of so much already, but the people on his payroll were more than just employees. He was responsible for their lives as well. They had families waiting for them back home. If they wanted to be part of the military, they would’ve enlisted. “We’re willing to work in conjunction with your efforts, but not under you.”
“Decisions will need to be made and followed immediately. There is no room for debate during these times. Lives can be lost. I’m telling you, if they are to remain in Honeywell, they need to report to me.”
“And not the sheriff?”
Lou shook his head. “We work as one unit. Your choice. The only way you’ll know what is going on is to comply with this request.”
“You’re as big of an ass as your boss.”
“I’m not out to make friends. I’m in it to save lives. Yours included.”
He was over a barrel. Collins knew who they were dealing with. Ryan was running blind with no way to obtain the needed information. “I’ll talk to my men. It will be their choice, not mine. What I need in return is full disclosure on what’s going on.”
“I’ll share what’s happening in Honeywell. Nothing further.”
For the next hour Lou provided him information on how Honeywell was being protected and the issues they faced. He also gave some background that hadn’t been part of the deal. Ryan had thought Collins had searched out these guys for years. He was shocked to find that wasn’t the case. He and his team had only been brought into this about a year ago. The same time Donna had given the information about JT to Casey. He couldn’t understand how those bastards were able to go undetected so damn long. Marina and Janet met almost seven years ago.
He needed to know what happened during those missing six years. No matter how hard he pushed, Lou told him some things were better left unsaid. Ryan couldn’t picture how much worse it could get than what he’d just learned. I know Janet wasn’t the only victim. I don’t want anyone else that I care about to pay that price too.
Ryan had never imagined what Janet was up against all those years ago. He thought her lack of sharing was because they’d grown apart. That was a large part of it, but now he knew there was more. She was trying to protect them. She tried to protect us. Now Collins is trying to protect us. Yet people keep dying.
Throughout this intense conversation Lou kept his cool. It was unnerving. He was more like a machine than a person. That might make him a great soldier, but he couldn’t picture him as anything more. Donna seemed to be friendly with Lou. Maybe too friendly.
There was still something troubling him. He needed to know what was going on between Lou and Donna.
“You seemed to be in deep conversation with Donna. What were you two talking about?”
“Sir, I have no problem answering questions regarding security, but when it comes to my personal life, it’s off limits.”
“There shouldn’t be anything personal going on between the two of you,” Ryan warned. Lou chuckled, which threw Ryan off. The guy never smiled. “Something funny?”
“Just the look on your face was pretty much the same that Sissie gave me when she saw me talking to Donna. I’m not sure you guys need my protection because anyone trying to mess with Donna is surely going to be fucked up by you two.”
That’s my girl. While he was with Mark and the others, he’d worried about what was going on here. He was glad to hear Sissie had it under control. How that happened since she wasn’t anywhere to be seen wasn’t clear. He’d be dealing with her right after Lou. “I’m glad you know to keep your distance.”
With that Ryan walked back into the Sass. Looking around the room, he still couldn’t locate Sissie.
Lou said softly as he walked past, “She’s upstairs. Alone.”
He thought he was more subtle than that, but Lou didn’t miss a beat. It was pointless to deny it. Ryan wanted, no needed, to see Sissie. They had things to discuss, about what had transpired while he was gone. He knew Collins wouldn’t be pleased with him sharing what he’d learned, but secrets only put others in jeopardy. Lou was here and didn’t seem all that concerned about what might be lurking. Ryan, on the other hand, wasn’t so confident. I never would’ve thought Janet would be killed by someone at the Pentagon. Never will I underestimate anyone again.
He was still trying to come to terms with asking someone else to look after one of his own. The first time was because his back was up against the wall, and Collins suggested her. If there had been any other option, he’d have taken it. That wasn’t the case the second time. His team was already here, and he could’ve left them in charge, but instead, he asked her. He tried telling himself it was because Donna seemed to like her. He knew it had nothing to do with Donna. I like her.
Ryan wanted to explore the connection they had. It wasn’t the ideal time by any means, but then again, when was? One thing he’d learned over the years was time doesn’t stop for anyone. He practiced that in business and never let an opportunity slip through his fingers. But he sucked at it in his personal life. If anything, he was all business, and what appeared to be a social life was in fact just another business lead.
There was so much going on that needed his full attention, but he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Sissie was bold and brash and would be a formidable opponent in a boardroom. Yet, his thoughts of her were anything but professional. When she stood in front of him and their eyes locked, he could see her bottom lip tremble. It took a hell of a lot of restraint not to pull her into his arms and claim them. So when she turned and kissed him goodbye, his body begged for more.
If there had been any other way, he would’ve told Collins to go without him. Staying in Honeywell would only have endangered more people. Even now, he feared what his being there might bring. Although he wanted to hold her, Ryan’s first priority was to make sure she was safe.
Ryan didn’t want to intrude, but he needed to see her. He crossed the room and headed for the stairs. At the top, there was only one door. There was no doubt in his mind what he wanted when he first knocked. She’d invite him in, and they’d sit and talk. But this was her apartment, and she hadn’t invited him here. What am I thinking? I can’t just show up here.
He knew he should’ve called to let her know he was returning. When it came to Sissie, he questioned his judgment. It can’t always be about what I want. It should be about what’s best for her.
His being here and pursuing anything with her was not in her best interest. The heat might be on Marina and Mark at the moment, but that could be short-lived. If those assholes think there’s something between Sissie and me, she could be used as a pawn.
Instead of knocking a second time, Ryan turned and started down the stairs. Lou was at the bar once again when he entered the saloon.
“Everything okay?” Lou asked.
As Lou said before, personal questions weren’t going to be addressed. “I’ll be at the hotel. You have my number if anything changes.”
Stomping across the room, he opened the door. Just as he did, he heard her voice call out to him.
“Ryan?”
He could tell she was surprised he was there. Everything in him wanted to turn around, go to her, and pull her into his arms. If he did, he wouldn’t let go. I need to do what’s right.
Once he turned and saw her lovely face, right and wrong would go out the window. Forcing himself to move forward, he walked out the door and shut it behind him. He heard the door echo; his frustration was taken out by slamming the door. It’s not what he’d intended to do, and he hoped Sissie understood. He didn’t know how she could when he didn’t understand it himself. Right fucking sucks.