Chapter 10 Devlin #2
Cookie brings in the food then, placing heaping platters and bowls in the center of the table.
The fried chicken is golden brown and crispy, the mashed potatoes creamy and flecked with black pepper, the gravy rich and thick.
The green beans are cooked with pieces of bacon, and the cornbread comes in individual squares, steam rising from their tops.
“This looks incredible,” Atlee says, her eyes wide.
Cookie gives a grunt that might be his version of a thank you before disappearing back to the kitchen.
We dig in, the conversation pausing as we all enjoy the meal.
I watch Atlee take her first bite of chicken.
The way her eyes close in appreciation, I feel a surge of something warm in my chest. She fits here, I realize, with my family, in this house.
The thought should terrify me, but instead, it feels right.
“Oh, Devlin,” Aubree says suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. “I meant to tell you earlier. I saw Deputy Noah Sanchez this morning when I was getting coffee at Murphy’s. He was watching you pretty intently when you left after dropping Atlee off.”
So not only did Atlee see it, but Aubree did too. I freeze mid-bite, my eyes meeting Jesse’s across the table. A silent communication passes between us. We need to talk, but not in front of the women.
“That right?” I say, keeping my tone casual. “Guess I’m just that good looking.”
Aubree rolls her eyes. “I’m serious. It was weird. Like he was waiting for you specifically.”
“Noah’s always had a stick up his ass about the Nelsons,” Jesse says, his voice light but his eyes hard. “Ever since high school, when Devlin here stole his girlfriend.”
“I didn’t steal anyone,” I protest, grateful for the deflection. “She wasn’t happy with him, so she moved on. Not my fault I was the better option.” I don’t mention that she’s the high school girlfriend I assumed would’ve waited for me while I was off fighting for our country.
Atlee raises an eyebrow at me. “Somehow I’m not surprised you were a heartbreaker even then.”
The tension eases as everyone laughs, and the conversation shifts to safer topics. But I can tell from the set of Jesse’s shoulders that he’s as concerned as I am about Noah’s interest in our comings and goings.
After dinner, when the plates are cleared and dessert has been served, Jesse stands, stretching.
“Devlin, why don’t you join me on the porch for a bourbon? The ladies can catch up.”
It’s not really a question, and Atlee seems to sense it. She gives my hand a squeeze under the table. “Go ahead. Aubree and I have plenty to talk about.”
The night air is cool, a hint of the coming winter in its bite. Jesse retrieves a bottle of bourbon and two glasses from a cabinet near the door, pouring us each a generous measure before handing me one.
“Noah,” he says simply, leaning against the porch railing.
“Yeah,” I agree, taking a sip of the amber liquid, feeling it burn its way down my throat. “He’s getting bolder.”
“You think he knows? About the cattle?”
I consider the question carefully. We were careful about the rustling up until a few weeks ago.
We made the decision to go legit, but it doesn’t take away all the shit we did before then.
Noah has always been more observant than the average deputy, and he did see us the night everything went to hell.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But he’s suspicious, and that’s bad enough.”
Jesse runs a hand through his hair, a gesture I recognize from our childhood. He’s worried. “We need to be careful what we say around others.”
“Agreed.” I take another sip of bourbon. “And if he approaches any of us, we need a plan. Lennon, Atlee’s sister, works for Shawn Cooper. She offered legal help if we ever need it.”
Jesse’s eyebrows shoot up. “She offered? Just like that?”
“Says she owes me for helping Atlee.” I shrug. “I’m not planning on cashing in that chip unless it’s absolutely necessary, but it’s good to have options.”
“If Noah approaches any of us, we call Lennon and request the lawyer,” Jesse says decisively. “No exceptions. We don’t say a word without representation.”
“Agreed,” I say again, raising my glass in a mock toast. “Here’s to staying one step ahead of the law.”
Jesse clinks his glass against mine, but his expression remains serious. “I’m worried about you, Dev.”
“Me? Why?”
“Because you’ve got more to lose now,” he says, nodding toward the house where Atlee sits. “You care about her. That makes you vulnerable.”
I can’t deny it, so I don’t try. “Yeah, I do care about her. But that doesn’t change anything. I mean, you have a shit ton to lose too, motherfucker, unless you don’t think Aubree could be in trouble too?”
“Doesn’t it?” Jesse challenges. “Can you honestly tell me you’re comfortable bringing her into this life? With all its risks?”
The question hits a nerve. I’ve been avoiding thinking about it—about how my feelings for Atlee complicate things, about how I’m putting her in danger just by association if Noah ever finds concrete evidence against us.
“I don’t know,” I admit, the words difficult to say. “But I’m not willing to let her go either.”
Jesse studies me for a long moment, then nods. “Then we’ll just have to be extra careful. For her sake as well as ours.”
We finish our drinks in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The night has deepened around us, stars appearing one by one in the vast Dakota sky. Finally, I push away from the railing.
“I should get her home. She’s had a long day.”
Jesse claps a hand on my shoulder. “It’s good to see you…happy.”
The word sounds strange applied to me, but I can’t deny it’s accurate. Despite the complications, despite the dangers, I am happy with Atlee in a way I’ve never been before.
Back inside, we find the women laughing over some shared joke. Atlee’s face is flushed with amusement, her eyes bright, and the sight of her like this, relaxed and unguarded, makes something tighten in my chest.
“Ready to head out?” I ask, coming to stand beside her chair.
She looks up at me, still smiling. “Whenever you are.”
We say our goodbyes, with promises to do this again soon. Aubree hugs Atlee, whispering something in her ear that makes her laugh. Jesse gives her a more reserved farewell, but I can tell he’s warming to her.
In the truck, driving back to my cabin, Atlee leans her head against the window, looking tired but content. “That was nice,” she says softly. “Jesse and Aubree are cute together.”
“They liked you,” I tell her, reaching over to take her hand. “Not that I’m surprised.”
“What did you and Jesse talk about out there? Noah?”
She’s perceptive, this woman of mine. “Among other things,” I admit, not wanting to lie to her but not wanting to burden her with the full truth either. “Just being cautious.”
She nods, accepting this. “I get the feeling there’s a story there, but I won’t push. Just know that I’m here if you ever want to talk about it.”
“I know,” I say, squeezing her hand. “Thank you.”
When we reach the cabin, I drive around to the back instead of parking in my usual spot out front. Atlee gives me a questioning look, but I just smile.
“I have something to show you.”
As I turn off the engine, her eyes widen at the sight of two rocking chairs sitting side by side on the back porch, facing the mountains.
“When did you do this?” she asks, turning to me.
“Had Carson drop them off while we were at work,” I explain. “Thought it might be nice to have somewhere we could sit together to watch the sunset and enjoy the view.”
She stares at the chairs for a long moment, then back at me, her eyes suspiciously bright. “You did this for us? For…for the future?”
The question holds weight, with implications that should frighten me but somehow don’t. “Yeah,” I answer honestly. “I did. I hope we can have quiet nights together, taking in the views. For as long as you want.”
She reaches across the space between us, her hand finding my cheek. “I’d like that,” she whispers. “I’d like that very much.”
As I lean in to kiss her, I push away thoughts of Noah and cattle rustling and all the complications that threaten what we’re building. For now, I just want to be a man with a woman he cares about, sitting on the porch watching the stars come out. The rest can wait until tomorrow.