Yasmin said, “You’re barking up the wrong tree, Sheriff.”
“I’m not barking up any trees yet.”
“Brian’s been a big help to me.”
Sheriff Gannet nodded slightly.
Brian said, “Who do you think did it, Sheriff? Why’d they hurt Yasmin’s farm?”
“If I knew that, we’d be arresting them, wouldn’t we?”
Yasmin said, “Surely it’s just kids making trouble?”
“That’s one possibility.”
Brian guessed wildly, “Maybe it’s a distraction. Luring you here while a crime is happening somewhere else.”
“I doubt it.” At least her expression was more amused than accusing now. She turned to Yasmin. “Leave the tractor where it is. I’ll send an investigator around to dust for prints, for what it’s worth. If I were you, I’d start locking buildings and having the dogs run loose.”
“I hear you,” Yasmin said.
“Call me if you think of anything or see anyone suspicious.”
“I will.”
Sheriff Gannet gave Brian a nod. “I’m glad Ms. Wydell has some help around the place. You keep your eyes open too.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When the sheriff’s car had pulled off down the drive and out of sight, Yasmin sighed. “My insurance will send someone too. Probably not for a few days, knowing how slow they move, but if you see them today, tell ’em not to touch anything till the cops are done, right?”
“I can do that.”
She shook her head. “I remember back when we never even locked our front doors. I’m getting old.”
“You’re not!”
She smiled and reached up to pat his cheek. “You’re a good boy, Brian. I’m glad Zander brought you home.”
Brian watched her cross the yard and head into the barn. He really, really hoped that his being here wasn’t the thing bringing trouble down on her. Of course it’s not. Stupid, random vandalism has nothing to do with men like Turov.
He kept Luger close as he moved through his chores the rest of the morning. And maybe it was rabbits or deer that made the dog sometimes stare off toward the woods, ears pricked. When they broke for lunch, Luug’s reluctance to head to the house, his low growl and bristling hair, could’ve been aimed at a possum or coyote. But Brian couldn’t help fretting. Drive fast, Nick. Safe but fast. I’ll be better when you’re here. Two days felt like forever.
Chapter 3
Brian tweaked the strand of wire under his hand, testing the staples holding it to the post. He tried to keep his attention on the fence, but those two days of waiting were up, and he couldn’t help watching the road where Nick’s rental truck would be arriving, anytime now. He slid his hand farther along the wire and winced as he managed to stick a barb into his wrist. Okay, not doing so good with the attention thing. He licked at the bead of blood trickling down toward the cuff of his leather glove, and grimaced at the taste of dirt.
An approaching rumble yanked his attention up, but the vehicle that rounded the bend was a pickup pulling an empty horse trailer. He watched it go by, then bent back to his task, determined to focus. Stupid, pokey wire. Something bumped his thigh, making him squeak and whirl around. Luger stood there, tail wagging, a stick in his jaws.
“Not now. I need to work.” But he took the stick even as he said it. His throw was a bit feeble. Still, Luger leaped after it like it was an escaping deer, galloping through the weeds to snatch it up. At least one of them was relaxed and having fun.
It made no sense to be so on edge. Nick had called half an hour ago to say he and Charlie were off the freeway and getting close. It was only in Brian’s worked-up brain that something would happen between then and now to snatch Nick away.
Midafternoon traffic was light. Nick was a good driver. Everything would be fine. They’d pull ’round the bend anytime now. Anytime…
Half an hour later, he’d given up even pretending to check the fence and leaned on the gate, turning at the sound of each car and truck coming by. Luger had stopped romping in the empty field and come to lie in the long grass near his feet, panting lightly.
Brian tugged his hoodie closed across his chest. It wasn’t cold— certainly not by Minnesota standards— but he felt chilled.
They’re not coming. They decided the whole thing was crazy, packing and moving here on a moment’s notice just because I did. Nick found someplace better to go. Or they had an accident. Or Nick got kidnapped… He totally knew that little voice in his head was nuts. Nick had been close when he called, he wasn’t the type to make a promise and break it, and no one was going to kidnap him out of a moving truck…
Brian shoved his hands in his pockets, playing with the stuff in there to distract his mind. The sight of Nick’s familiar battered Taurus, cresting the hill toward him, was such a relief his head spun and his vision grayed out for a moment. He pulled his hands out to cling to the fence post as Nick slowed and turned in, and something went flying.
Barn key! Damn! He dropped to his knees, digging through the weeds, looking for the glint of it. He could hear Nick’s car approach and stop, but he didn’t look up from his search. He bet his face was flaming red. Where is it?
There was the clunk of car doors, the crunch of feet on gravel. Nick’s voice. “Hey, Brian, what’re you doing?”
“I dropped a key.” He tilted his head, trying to see if the light caught anything shiny.
“I come second to a key these days?”
The humor in Nick’s voice had a little echo of something else— hurt maybe— enough to make Brian look up and scramble to his feet. “No! Sorry! I—” His thoughts got lost in the shine of Nick’s eyes and the curve of his mouth and the swoop of his dark hair. Then Brian’s brain caught up with the fact that Nick was right there, within reach, on the other side of the gate. He slammed against the gate and grabbed Nick’s arms, ignoring the way the bar jammed into his chest.
Nick pressed up close, digging his fingers into Brian’s hair, pulling his head down. Their mouths met, smooshed together, almost too hard, then eased enough to become a kiss. Nick’s hands on his head steadied him, and his lips plucked at Brian’s, then softened, turning the kiss slow and warm.
Eventually they eased back. Brian stared into Nick’s pretty gold-gray eyes. “You’re here. Really here.”
“I said I would be.”
“I know… It hasn’t felt quite real.”
Charlie said, “Two days of driving feels damned real to me.” He raised an eyebrow at them, from where he stood leaning on the open passenger door. “One boyfriend delivered, safe and sound.”
Nick turned to glance at him. “Delivered? Hah. I did the driving.”
“I navigated.”
“We used Google Maps.”
“I kept you from falling asleep behind the wheel with my witty repartee.”
Brian felt bubbly. “You’re both here.”
Charlie quirked a grin at him. “Although still on the other side of a gate.”
“Oh— it’s not locked. Come on in. I need to find this key.” He let go of Nick and bent to scan the ground again. “I’m such a klutz.”