Chapter Nine
“Everything okay? You seemed vague when you messaged me last night.” Puma settled himself behind the cluttered desk in the Shades of Steel Security office.
“I have a situation I need to discuss with you.”
“Does this have something to do with you leaving last night?” Puma asked.
“Yeah, it does,” Jag explained the Mercy situation. “She’s here with me.”
“I see. That’s a complicated situation.”
“If you believe it’s too risky for her to stay here, or that I’m putting anyone in danger, we’ll leave.”
Puma didn’t answer right away. He was an analytical man and always took the time to weigh his words. “Mateo is like family. I never met his sister, but I know he was always protective. Anything I can do to help Mercy and you, I’ll do. Not only is she safe here, she’s welcome. She’s part of the team now.”
“Thanks, Puma. I’ll admit, I don’t think she’s a Betty Crocker in the kitchen. In her defense, she’s been tossed into this arrangement. It’s the only cover I could think of that seemed fitting.”
“Have any of the crew met her?”
“No. Mateo had always been a private man. He keeps his circle small.”
“Right now, it seems like the best decision. I’ll make a phone call to Bryar. She’ll be happy to come and show Mercy some pointers.”
“Isn’t Bryar busy with moving?”
“I hired movers. They came in this morning, packed and loaded everything, and all Bryar had to do was point a finger. Within a couple of hours, we were moved into the Manor. I think before the moving van’s tire dust cleared, the crew had their bags packed and were arguing over who would take what room at the farmhouse. Anyway, trust me, Bryar will be ecstatic that there’s another woman on the ranch.” Puma snorted. “My wife complains all the time that there’s too much testosterone around here.”
“I appreciate the help,” Jag said.
“In the meantime, give Mercy a tour, introduce her to the crew, and make her feel at home. I’m sure this isn’t easy for her.”
“No, it’s not.” And Jag knew it wouldn’t be easy for him either.
Puma pressed his hands into the edge of the desk, concern etching lines around his eyes. “I wanted to speak to you about something, too. You and I, we’ve been friends for a long time. I know I can trust you.”
“Of course.”
“I won’t be around much for the next few months. I hit on that detail at dinner yesterday.”
“Is Bryar and the baby okay?” Jag could see the edginess in Puma.
“You know about Blake, right?”
Jag swallowed hard. “I know you and your wife lost a son years ago.”
“Doc says Bryar and the baby are both doing well, but I’m a basket of frayed nerves, buddy. I don’t want history to repeat itself. I can’t imagine another loss, seeing Bryar stripped of all happiness again.” Puma lowered his gaze for a second. “My wife is my top priority. It’s fucking hard being strong when all I want to do is pull her close and divulge how weak I am right now.”
Jag felt a bit like a fish out of water. He and Puma had never been the kind of friends to sit around and discuss their worries and fears. Jag guessed they were both a little too rough and rugged, so for Puma to open up meant he needed to vent because he was going mad. “You know what we learned on missions. Be prepared, but don’t borrow trouble. There’s always a risk for everything, but there’s more chance for joy.”
Puma sank back into the chair, looking like he was fighting an invisible battle. “I love my wife more than I could ever put into words. I want to protect her tooth and nail, but my hands are tied.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her carrying our baby, well, I’m relying on the doctor and a higher power to keep them safe.”
“There is something you can do. This place can manage itself. You have a capable team. Be with Bryar. You both need to comfort each other. You need it as much as I’m sure she does. Let me know what you need, and I’ll make it happen,” Jag replied resolutely.
“I’m taking a few days to seal a few deals, but then I plan to stay close to home to be with Bryar. She needs me.”
“You have a great crew. You hand-picked us because you knew we’re reliable. Trust us.”
“I do. This ranch wouldn’t be where it is right now if it wasn’t for each one of you busting your asses.”
“We’ve had great leadership.”
“Now that we’ve been sentimental enough to get through the year, I truly value your help. Now, get out of my office before I lose a tear or two, and you'll have to take my man card.”
Jag left the office. He felt for Puma, unable to imagine the stress and concern the man was going through.
Walking along the path to the cottage, Jag entered through the back door, feeling slightly annoyed that it was left unlocked. He heard music playing and stepped into the kitchen, coming to an abrupt halt in the doorway like a freight train hitting the brakes. Mercy stood at the counter, swaying her hips to the song's rhythm as she chopped something at the counter.
In the hour or so he'd been away, she'd kept herself busy.
Fresh flowers adorned the counter. The small round table was moved to a different spot. The pot and pan rack had been reorganized, and the coffee pot had somehow found a new home on a sideboard.
Curious, he craned his neck and noticed she had also rearranged the living room. Damn, she worked fast.
“I’m guessing those flowers weren’t delivered to the door,” he said when the song ended, because who was he to interrupt her cute dance?
She spun, eyes wide, and the knife in her hand held in semi-defense. She focused on him and frowned. “What the hell, Jag? You scared the life out of me.”
“If the back door had been locked, as it should have been, I could have warned you with a knock.” He raised an eyebrow, then stepped over to remove the knife, setting it next to the cutting board, which was piled high with chopped vegetables. “Those cucumbers and peppers weren’t kept in the fridge.” He shook his head in irritation.
“I went outside to pick some wildflowers since this place needed a bit of sprucing up, and I also grabbed some vegetables from the garden because I was hungry. I’m the cook, right?”
“Which part about you staying inside didn’t you understand?”
“Technically, you said not to leave the ranch without telling you. I stayed on the property.”
He growled. “You know what I meant. I want you to lay low.”
“On the ranch? That’s insane. You said everyone here can be trusted.”
As much as he saw her point , he also couldn’t be too lenient with her. She needed to understand the grave situation she was in. “Just be better at taking instructions.”
“This isn’t prison. If you’re going to treat me like an inmate, then you might as well take me back home.”
Noticing her worried expression, he pulled himself back. He recalled what Puma had said, This can’t be easy for her.
“Just keep in mind this isn’t a vacation,” he said as compassionately as possible. He blew out a long breath. “I’m being a bit uptight.”
“No? Really?”
He ignored her sarcasm. “You’ll have access to do whatever you’d like on the property. I just wanted the opportunity to show you around. There are a lot of areas on the ranch that can be dangerous.”
“It’s a pain in the behind when Mateo treats me like a suffocating brother. I don’t need a suffocating cousin, too.”
“Mercy, I get it. I do. I’m just doing my best.”
She nodded. “May I have my lunch now?” “Fine, but make it quick.” His patience was becoming frayed.
“Yes, sir.” She scooped up the vegetables and placed them into two bowls, sprinkling seasoning over each, then poured in Italian dressing and handed him one. “I can overlook your mood and offer you food.”
He looked down at the contents. “I’m not a rabbit.”
“Fine, suit yourself.” She shrugged, took her bowl to the table, and sat down.
He reconsidered his options as his stomach growled. What harm could it do? His body and mind might resist the idea of no meat, but he needed something on his stomach.
Jag sat down at the table and he dug in. It wasn’t too bad. “Thanks for lunch.”
She looked at him through her lashes. “It’s okay to try new things, Jag.”
“Gotcha. I spoke to Puma. He said Bryar will come over and show you the ropes. At some point. I’m guessing sometime later, because she goes stir-crazy,” he said around a bite.
“I’m looking forward to meeting her.”
“From what Puma said, she thinks this ranch needs a woman’s touch. Like this cottage. I like what you did.”
She seemed almost surprised at the compliment. “I didn’t think you’d notice.”
“I’m not blind.” He’d noticed the T-shirt she’d tied at the waist and cut-off jean shorts that she was wearing too. “Nice outfit.”
“I wasn’t allowed to pack a bag before coming here. Mateo stopped along the way and bought me the basics. By allowing him to pick out my clothes, I see that he still thinks of me as a kid. He grabbed bulky T-shirts and jeans. I did find a pair of scissors and made shorts. There’s nothing I can do to save the value pack of granny panties. They might be comfortable if they were the right size.” She squirmed in the seat. “Please tell me this town has a place for me to grab some things.”
“Hell if I know. I haven’t paid any attention.”
“Fine. Then can I use your phone, or a computer, to buy some things online?”
He contemplated her request and realized she’d only brought a small bag with her. Although he didn't know much about women, one thing he did understand was that there wasn't a woman who traveled lightly.
“Are you seriously considering this?” she huffed.
He fished his phone out of his pocket and slid it across the table to her. “Have at it.”
She swiped it up. “Passcode?”
Ah, shit. “Pride I’m watching this series about zombies, and it's so riveting.” She turned and hurried across the grass.
Jag leaned in and said in Mercy’s ear, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“You weren’t joking. She’s a little high-strung. Is she always like that?” Mercy felt a little intimidated.
“Nine times out of ten. Do what the rest of us do. Plaster a smile on your face and nod your head.”
“Noted.”
“Let’s go inside.” He laid his hand on the small of her back, sending a wave of warmth through her body. How did he have the skill to turn her inside out?