Page 39 of Taken by the Lawman

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Two days had passed and still no word from the suspected killer.

Kiersten’s bruises had healed some and could be hidden under make up. The family had gathered at the main house. The delicious smells of her mother’s cooking filled the air. She moved her eyes to Deegan who sat with her brothers in the living room. They were sharing war stories and they had become instant friends. Even Kace who had been suspicious seemed friendly and welcoming. Deegan had won them over, just as he’d done her. He looked so handsome in a plain white T-shirt that stretched across his wide chest and faded jeans. His hair was thick and sprinkled with silver, and he had broad cheekbones covered in a shadow of whiskers and deep-set eyes. The blaze in the fireplace caught his irises and made them shine. He had no clue that she was watching him.

Swallowing with difficulty, she closed her eyes for a mere second and when she opened them, she found that Deegan’s gaze was fixed on her. As her brothers continued to joke about something Zander had done involving shaving cream and a bet, Deegan continued to wreak havoc on her body from twenty feet away. She resisted the urge to wrap her arms around her waist, feeling as though she’d been made love to without a single touch. One corner of his beautiful mouth lifted as if he could see straight into her thoughts.

Sally, Cull’s soon-to-be-wife, called everyone to the table and with regret, Kiersten tore her gaze from Deegan’s and made her way to sit in her chair, next to Nix and Kace. Laughter billowed up from everyone as they gathered at their seats and started digging in. Beatrice, matriarch of the Cade clan, cleared her throat. “Excuse me, family. Did we say grace?”

“Sorry, Ma,’” everyone mumbled and bowed their heads.

“How about you say grace for us, Kiersten,” Beatrice ventured.

Kiersten popped her eyes up and nodded. They all folded their hands in prayer. “God, thank you for this meal. Bless everyone at the table and please teach Kace some manners so he doesn’t chomp and slurp. Amen.”

Laughter ensued and Kace looked at her with a scrunched gaze. “Nicely said, brat.” Kace grabbed her shoulders and playfully gave her a noogie.

“Stop!” She pushed away from him, laughing, while trying to fix her frizzy hair.

Conversation at the table was limited for the first five minutes while everyone dug in. Kiersten found her own appetite restricted, partly owing it to the shock of having Deegan sitting directly across from her. Occasionally, they’d make eye contact and her heart would knock against her ribcage. She pulled off a piece from her crusty roll and popped it into her mouth, chewing while doing her best to keep her eyes downward, focused on her plate.

“Ma, I hope you’re feeling better,” Phoenix said from the end of the table.

Beatrice nodded. “Much better.”

“That’s because we’ve made her rest each day.” Thick brows lifted over Bo’s round, blue eyes…matching those of his children.

As if on purpose, Beatrice switched subjects. “Kiersten, why didn’t you tell me you were already home, and with company? This is a welcome surprise.”

Kiersten felt Deegan’s gaze on her. She knew she had to be careful because her mother could sense a rat in the barn from where she sat at the table. “We wanted to get away from the city for a few days.”

“Is there trouble that your father and I need to know about?” Her round cheeks creased with concern.

“Of course not.” Kiersten shoved a forkful of mashed potatoes into her mouth. She felt a kick at her ankle and she narrowed her gaze on Kace, daring him to say one word.

“What do you think of the ranch, Deegan?” Bo asked, his eyes held a bit of suspicion.

“I haven’t seen a lot, but I hope I can change that before I leave.” He raised his eyes to meet Kiersten’s and she almost choked on her food. She reached for the sweet tea and drained it.

Cull wiped his hand across his mouth and reached for a roll. “We might be seeing more of Deegan.”

Kiersten looked at Cull. Where did that come from? “Why is that?”

A big smile curved her brother’s lips. “I’ve invited him to come out during inoculation season and help with the livestock.”

“Why would he want to do that?” she mumbled.

“I’d enjoy helping work the land. Although I don’t know a lot about ranching, I do enjoy riding horses,” Deegan said easily.

“So, you and Kiersten work together?” Sally asked.

Kiersten let Deegan handle this one. “Yeah, but I’m in the field most of the time so we don’t see each other that often.”

“Are you two—”

“No!” Kiersten blurted out which made Sally jump.

“Going to eat some of Ma’s blackberry pie,” Sally finished her sentence with a confused expression.

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