Chapter Six
A Bovine Interruption
More than anything, Theon was grateful that she’d stepped back when she had. If she’d gotten any closer, he might’ve ended up giving in to his urges and kissing her. Heck, he would have, and as far as he knew, a makeout session wasn’t exactly standard protocol when investigating a crime scene.
Not to mention the fact that she was still his ex-girlfriend.
He had no business getting intimate with her, no matter how badly the thought burned his insides.
It certainly didn’t matter that more than once he’d wondered whether she would object to him bringing his lips to the base of her neck or reaching down to knead one rounded cheek.
His arousal strained against his pants as he walked behind her, heading for his truck.
Good thing she’d been staring into his face earlier instead of much, much lower.
If she’d gotten so much as a glimpse of the extent of his desire...
well, that would’ve complicated matters for them on a whole other level.
Get your head together, Theon. He ground his teeth together. You’re supposed to be working a case together. You’ve got real problems to worry about, and you’re getting horny at a crime scene.
His erection pulsed defiantly.
Thank goodness we came in separate vehicles.
It was afternoon when they arrived at Svenson and Sons.
Theon climbed out of his truck, staring across the property.
It was almost twice as large as Green Sanctuary, with several more barns and equipment, all scattered across the expanse of land.
As they approached the main house, he could barely contain his awe at the sight.
There were no workers around, or at least none he could see.
A few animals were grazing in the distance.
Were the workers on a lunch break as well?
“What can I do for you folks?”
A wiry man in his seventies sat on the front porch, his hat pulled over his face.
He lifted it, giving Theon a glimpse of his eyes, one of them milky.
They narrowed at the sight of the duo before him.
From his calm demeanor, Theon guessed there hadn’t been an attack on this ranch yet. That was good.
“Mr. Svenson?” Janice flashed a badge. “I’m Detective Janice Kennedy. I’m here with Theon—”
“I know who you both are.” His features twisted into a frown. “The heck are you doing on my property?”
She looked momentarily stunned by his response. “Well...I’m sure you’ve heard about the recent attacks on other ranches in town.”
“Of course I have.” Svenson gave a snort. “Old Man Benny won’t shut up about his vegetables. What’s that got to do with me?”
Theon thought it was a little amusing that a man two decades older than Benny had called him old, but he suppressed a smirk. “We’ve reason to believe you might be next. Yours is the only ranch that hasn’t been attacked. We think—”
“Wait a minute. Theon Gardener? Ain’t you an animal guardian or somethin’?”
“Animal rescuer,” Janice corrected before he could.
“And he’s here because I asked for his help on this case, Mr. Svenson.
I think these attacks might be from some wild creature.
If it’s okay with you, we’d like to take a look around your ranch, make sure whatever’s responsible for the previous attacks isn’t lurking on your property. ”
The old man shook his head, his milky eye darting between Theon and Janice. “The hell are you talking about? My ranch is safe. Half the men who work for me could take a bull in a fight.” He snorted again. “Think I’m afraid some wild dog might attack my vegetables or cows? Better think again.”
“That’s what Martha said,” Theon heard her mutter.
“What was that?” Svenson demanded.
“Look,” she replied, “we just want to do a quick sweep. The odds that you’ll get attacked are high. Four out of five ranches already got hit. It’s just—”
“No. I don’t need you snooping around my property and disruptin’ my business.” Svenson leaned forward, pushing his hat a little higher up his face. “If you want to look around, get a warrant.”
Theon could’ve sworn he heard Janice grind her teeth. She looked like she was on the verge of snapping at the old man. “We’re trying to help you, sir. There’s no telling how much damage this creature might deal to your—”
“Wait,” he interjected. “Let me talk to him.”
Janice blinked at him for a moment, looking positively surprised, but she nodded. Theon climbed the porch steps, nearing the old man.
“I’ve got a ranch, too, you know,” he said. “That’s what Green Sanctuary used to be. I love that place more than damn near anything else. Wouldn’t want anyone snooping around my ranch, so I understand how you feel.”
The old man squinted at him, but merely grunted.
“We just need to make sure there’s nothing here,” Theon told him, “and we’ll be out of your hair. Won’t even bother you again. How’s that?”
Svenson eyed him for a moment, moving his jaw slightly. Finally, he sat back.
“Fine,” he grumbled. “But make it snappy. I want you two off my property before dinnertime.”
“Thank you,” Theon said. “Don’t worry, we’ll make sure no harm comes to your ranch.”
He could feel Svenson’s gaze on them as he and Janice left the porch, making their way across the property.
Scouring the entire ranch could take an hour at least, so they opted for a quick sweep instead, heading for the barns.
Based on the recent attacks, it seemed more likely that they’d find their culprit there instead of out in the field.
He braced himself, preparing to rise to the defense in the event of an attack. Whatever it was they were up against, he would do his best to take it down. And he’d be sure to protect Janice.
He glanced at her as they moved to the next barn.
She had a determined expression on her face as she pulled the door open and peered inside.
For someone treading such dangerous waters, she didn’t look the least bit unsettled.
Theon’s jaw clenched. If it were up to him, he’d keep her away from this case, especially since there was now a high chance that the supernatural was involved.
But only one of them was part of law enforcement, and it wasn’t him. Besides, what were the odds that she’d listen to him if he suggested that she stop digging for answers? There wasn’t much he could do besides make sure she was safe.
They found nothing in this barn besides various farming equipment and heaps of hay.
The next barn contained a couple dozen cows that must’ve been asleep before they walked in.
The second he and Janice walked in, they were greeted with angry moos.
Nothing out of the ordinary. Their culprit didn’t seem to be here yet.
Still, it was only a matter of time.
“Damn it,” Janice said, scowling in the direction of one of the cows. “I was pretty confident we’d find something, you know. Especially from the way Svenson was behaving.”
Theon frowned at that. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t you think he was acting a little suspicious? Didn’t want law enforcement snooping around his property.”
He thought that was a normal reaction to two people randomly appearing on his porch and claiming he might get attacked, but he didn’t mention it.
“He’s also the only one who hasn’t been affected by these attacks so far,” she pointed out. “What are the odds that he’s not our guy? For all we know, he could’ve orchestrated the whole thing.”
“Whoa. That’s one hell of an accusation.”
“It’s not.” She shook her head. “It’s a hunch. I just hope I’m wrong.”
“You could be.” When she shot him a sharp look, he shrugged and explained, “Look, I don’t think there’s anything supernatural about that old man. Not sure how he’d manage to get anywhere without leaving tracks.”
Janice stared at him for longer than a few seconds, then turned and continued scanning the barn as though the culprit might be hiding among one of the cows. Somehow, Theon could tell she was still thinking about that moment they’d shared earlier, back on Mama Martha’s ranch.
He swallowed, trying to ignore the wave of desire that immediately surged through his chest. They’d been so close, he could almost count her individual eyelashes.
Thank goodness she’d had the sense to step back before he did something stupid.
If they’d ended up kissing, he doubted he’d have been able to stop himself.
Still...it didn’t feel right, the way they both seemed to keep skirting around the subject.
“At some point,” he said, without really meaning to, “we’re going to have to address the elephant in the room, you know.”
She cocked her head slightly, still gazing at the cows. “What elephant?”
“Us.”
Her head jerked around so suddenly, it was a miracle her neck didn’t snap. Those green eyes fixed on him, and he saw her lips part in a silent gasp.
“What do you mean?”
“You broke up with me, Janice,” he said. “Right out of the blue, you ended things, and then you avoided me for weeks. You made it clear you didn’t want to see me again. And suddenly, you reappeared. Do you have any idea what it’s been like on my end?”
Her face tightened suddenly. “Believe me, it hasn’t been easy for me, either. But I told you already, I just need your help with this case, and I’ll leave you alone. I wouldn’t have come to you if I didn’t think you could help me.”
Somehow, those words stung more than they should. He bit his lip. “You left. We had a good thing going, and you ended it. And all you’ve done since you returned is act like nothing happened. Like we didn't happen.”
“It’s for the best.” She took a step toward him, and he felt an almost electric spark deep in his gut.
She must’ve felt it, too, because she immediately retreated.
“It’s not like we’re getting back together, is it?
And we didn’t have a “good thing” going.
I told you why we couldn’t be together anymore. ”
You don’t seem present emotionally. He hadn’t forgotten those words.