AllFreeNovel
Share Us
From her expression, the Montgomerys were family to Mrs. Grady. “You must love it here.”
“I wouldn’t work for another family. The Montgomerys are special.”
She understood Mrs. Grady’s sentiment and loyalty. Rachelle loved working for Fortress Security, in particular for Micah Winter. Her boss was a good man who adored his wife, Sophie, and their children. A former Secret Service agent, Micah was as fierce a protector as the operatives. She wasn’t surprised Micah insisted she go to a safe house.
Ranch hands came and went in shifts, the conversation focusing on their jobs. They sent curious looks in the direction of the operatives, but no one asked why they were on the ranch and Wolf Pack didn’t offer explanations.
Rachelle received the lion’s share of curiosity from the hands. Cal regarded them with suspicion. Since she doubted any of them were in Mexico, he must view the interest as a threat to his claim. If Cal knew how deep her feelings for him went, he wouldn’t be concerned.
Under the table, Rachelle threaded her fingers through Cal’s. The tense lines of his body relaxed.
Three men entered the kitchen, badges and guns hooked onto their belts. Each man kissed Mrs. Grady’s cheek. The tallest of the three looked at the ranch hands. They six men carried their food and drinks into another room without protest.
The man held out his hand to Eli. “David Montgomery, sheriff of Morgan County.”
Eli shook his hand. “Eli Wolfe.” He motioned to each person as he introduced them. “Jon Smith, Jackson Conner, Rafe Torres, Cal Taylor. The pretty lady beside Cal is Rachelle Carter, our principal.”
David nodded at each in turn, then said to Rachelle, “I understand you were in the middle of a terrorist attack in Mexico.”
“And she outsmarted them.” Cal squeezed her fingers.
“Good job, Ms. Carter.”
“Call me Rachelle.”
“Yes, ma’am. These are my brothers, Caleb and Levi. You’ll meet my other brothers, Elliot and Owen, later.”
David shifted his attention to Eli. “Elliot and Owen are at the Watts crime scene. If you give me your number, I’ll send you my contact info as well as that of my brothers.”
“Appreciate it. We’ll let you know as soon as Maddox sends reinforcements.”
“As long as the principals don’t go into town, you’ll remain off the grid.”
Cal frowned. “The ranch hands saw Rachelle. How do we know they won’t run their mouths about the five men loaded down with weapons and a drop-dead gorgeous woman on the ranch?”
Cal saw her as drop-dead gorgeous? Nice.
David stared at Cal. “With the exception of a few, the hands have been with the Rocking M for years. My men won’t sell out Rachelle. She’s safe here.”
“Cut Cal a break,” Eli said with an easy smile. “He has a personal interest in protecting Rachelle.”
Surprise flashed in the sheriff’s eyes. “I’m surprised you’re on her protection detail,” he said to Cal.
“The commander has mellowed out,” Rafe said.
Jon shook his head. “You need a dictionary. He’ll allow Cal to remain on the detail as long as he’s focused.”
“The heart messes with the head,” Levi said.
“What happens if you don’t stay focused?” Mrs. Grady asked Cal.
“The boss sends someone to replace me on Rachelle’s protection detail, and I take a leave of absence to stay with her.”
“He’ll allow that?” Caleb asked.
“Brent won’t have a choice unless he wants me to resign. I can return to MNPD as a homicide detective if he cuts me loose.”
The Montgomery brothers exchanged glances, then relaxed their stances. David gave a short nod. “Military?”
