Chapter 21
21
Though it was midmorning and she’d been awake for hours, Stephanie was still having a hard time believing that Beverly had arrived. Late last night, long after she’d fallen asleep, her phone had started ringing.
Frightened to death, she’d answered it quickly, certain that it would be Hardy telling her that more danger was on the way. Instead, Bev had been on the line.
“Stephanie, I’m so glad you answered right away,” she said in a chatty tone. “Any chance you were awake?”
“I’m awake now.”
She sighed. “Sorry about that. I didn’t want you to get scared when I walked in your door.”
“Hold on, what did you say?”
“I’m with Carter Russell. We decided that we couldn’t let you and my brother have all the fun,” she joked. “He’s going to drop me off at your cabin in about an hour. See you soon.”
After they disconnected, Stephanie had practically jumped out of bed, she’d been so happy. Later, when Carter came in the cabin with Beverly, Stephanie had felt nervous and awkward. Yes, she was pleased to see Beverly, but they were strangers.
And Carter was movie-star handsome and had a way about him that oozed confidence and power. Stephanie hadn’t known what to say.
She should have expected Beverly to take care of things. She’d lightly hugged Carter, said that he could visit with them in the morning, and then ushered him out the door.
Then, while Stephanie was wondering about sleeping arrangements, Beverly announced that Hardy had told her that the couch folded out and there were extra linens, blankets, and pillows in the tiny hall closet. Fifteen minutes later, she told Stephanie that she was exhausted, and they could talk in the morning.
Which was why Stephanie was tiptoeing around the kitchen now. Beverly was still sound asleep.
Now that she was a pro at her coffee machine, Stephanie made herself a cup of coffee and sat at the small table to wait. If she felt more comfortable, she would’ve gone outside on the porch, but that wasn’t an option.
“Sorry,” Bev said, startling her thoughts. “I didn’t mean to sleep in.”
“You’re fine.”
“Give me a minute and I’ll join you. Would you mind making me a cup too?”
“Of course not.” She was delighted to have something to occupy her hands.
When Beverly emerged again, she was dressed in faded jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, and her hair was brushed and shiny. “Thanks for the coffee,” she said as she sat down in the chair across from Stephanie. “Now, tell me how you are.”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t?”
“It’s a mixture of a lot of things, I guess. Sometimes I’m okay. Sometimes I’m bored. Other times I feel angry and out of sorts. I don’t like that this happened to me.”
“Of course you don’t. I’m sure all those emotions are common in a situation like this.” After taking another sip, she added, “Even though Will told me that the cops in Batavia are still on the case, I’m sorry you’ve been here alone.”
“It’s all right. Hardy’s been spending a lot of time with me.”
“He has?”
Beverly looked shocked. Stephanie felt her cheeks heat. “He’s been nice. We’ve become friends.”
“That’s good.” She smiled. “I’m sorry. It’s just that my brother’s always had a reputation for being rather gruff. I knew he would protect you and be kind. I ...” She laughed softly. “I guess I’ve never thought about him being good company.”
“He’s been easy to hang out with,” she said, electing not to mention all the hours he’d spent by her side watching The Love Boat .
“Well, that’s good.” Looking a little scattered, Bev rubbed her arms. “Are you chilly?”
“A bit.”
“Do you ever light the fire?”
“No.”
“You know what? I think a cozy fire is just what we need.” She walked around the unfolded couch and crouched down in front of the fireplace. “Do you know if the flue is open?”
“I have no idea.”
Bev peered in and jiggled a lever. “I got it!” After putting a couple of pieces of wood in the grate, she lit a match. Then another one. “Uh-oh. This might take me a minute. What do you think?”
A knock at the door saved Stephanie from replying.
“Steph, it’s me!” Hardy called out. “Carter’s here too. You ladies decent?”
“We are!” She hurried to unlock the door.
And then promptly felt self-conscious again. Hardy’s eyes went directly to her, searching her face. “You all right?”
“Yes.” She nodded to Carter. “Gut matin.”
“Good morning to you, Stephanie,” he murmured. “Okay if we come in? Hardy and I have been up for hours.”
“Hours?” Beverly said as the men walked in and Hardy closed the door behind them. “Did you not sleep at all, Carter?”
“I slept enough.” Looking sheepish, he added, “Sometimes it takes me a while to get settled back into the big house. It’s a lot of space for one man.”
“You going to give me a hug, Bev?” Hardy asked.
“Of course.”
Stephanie felt a lump form in her throat as she watched Hardy wrap his sister into a warm hug. It was obvious that their bond was strong—even though they didn’t see each other very much.
“Would you like some coffee?” Stephanie asked.
“I’ll take some, if it’s no trouble,” Carter said.
“It isn’t. I’m good at making coffee now.”
Walking into the kitchenette, she pulled out another cup while Beverly and her brother folded up the couch and put the pillows back in the closet.
In no time, the four of them were gathered in the living room. She and Bev sitting side by side on the couch, while Hardy was sitting in the lone chair and Carter was leaning against a wall and staring at the fireplace. “What have you gals been doing?”
“I was just attempting to light the fireplace.”
Hardy chuckled. “Attempting?”
“I couldn’t get the wood to start.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Carter said. Kneeling on the hearth, he added, “You should’ve texted me or your brother. One of us could’ve helped you.”
Bev folded her arms over her chest. “I’m not about to start calling my little brother to do something so basic. And certainly not you.”
“Why not?”
Stephanie tried not to smile as Bev blushed.
“Because I can do it, Carter.” She got to her feet.
When Stephanie looked at Hardy, he met her gaze and winked. And did nothing.
“Bev, go sit down,” Carter said.
When it looked like she was going to argue, Stephanie couldn’t help but speak. “Danke, Carter. We would appreciate your help.”
Bev stilled, then finally moved to one side. “Fine.”
Looking at the pile of logs, Carter rearranged them. Opening up a small wooden box situated to the right of the hearth, he pulled out three pieces of treated kindling and added the kindling on top. Finally, he opened up the container of matches, scraped the end of one along the fireplace, and lit the wood.
Two minutes later, after a few forceful puffs of air, the wood caught and a fire began to blaze.
“You got it!” Stephanie said. “Gut job.”
“Thanks.” He grinned at her. “Things should warm up in no time.”
Instead of looking grateful, Bev looked impressed. “You did that so fast.”
“I wouldn’t be much of a rancher if I couldn’t even start a fire, Bev.”
“I know.” She looked away. “I just thought ... well, I don’t know what I thought.”
“Maybe you thought I only knew how to make reservations at fancy restaurants?”
“Of course not,” she said quickly.
But even Stephanie caught the look of guilt in Beverly’s eyes.
Hardy grunted. “Bev.”
Carter found his cup, drained half of it, and then placed it on the coffee table. “Stephanie, I’m going to take my leave and let you and Hardy fill Bev in about everything.”
“Please be careful,” Stephanie said.
He patted the holster that she now realized was hidden in the small of his back. “I’ll be all right, and I’ll be only a call away. I know you already know the drill, but we have a lot of people here seeing to your safety. If anything seems off or odd at all, you need to let us know. Someone will come running.”
“Danke—for everything.”
“Of course.” He smiled at her before slipping out the door.
When it was just the three of them, Bev pressed her palms to her face. “Boy, I sure messed that up, didn’t I?”
“By insinuating that my boss—who grew up on this ranch—wouldn’t know how to light a fire in the fireplace?” Hardy asked in a sarcastic tone. “Yeah, sissy. I’d say you messed up real good.”