Page 77 of Tempest

Ken stood across from her and shrugged. “SAI should open an office in Texas. There’s plenty of business here. Hell, the oil business alone could keep an office hopping. Not to mention all the problems at the border and the freight that goes in and out of the Port of Houston.”

Ryan wrapped his arm around Ivy and grinned. “Honey, let’s open an office here, and that way you can eat all the barbeque you want.”

Looking up at him, she let the idea play around in her mind. It wasn’t a half-bad one. “How would we find people to join us?”

“I was just kidding, Ivy.” He raised his eyebrows and waited. “Are you?”

“I don’t know?” She looked around the room. “Definitely going to need to think about it.”

“I’ll help you out when I can get away from the ranch,” Rick said. “I had fun this week. Climbing up oil rigs brought back a lot of good memories. I miss being on the Teams. This week gave a little of it back to me. Count me in part-time.”

“Me too,” Mac added. “I have a full-time operation with the dogs, but I enjoyed the hell out of this week too. I’ll come help out when I can.”

Grace gave him an approving smile. “I would enjoy seeing you if you happened to be in the area.”

Ivy watched Mac’s face flush as he tipped his head at Grace. For a big ol’ mean SEAL, he sure was a softy when it came to her friend. “Well, that gives us one full-time operator and two part-time. Think we’re going to need a lot more than that.”

“Why don’t you offer to buy Butchko Security? Roll their operation in yours and give them the capital to grow their business. From what I’ve seen this week, they do a hell of a job,” Ken added.

“If we put the word out, we could end up with more than enough people,” Rick said. “I know quite a few guys from the Teams who might want to retire in Texas. Ken probably knows some men from Delta who could use a good job.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” Phoebe said quietly. “I’d move down here and work out of your office.” Her eyes slid over to Colin and she shrugged. “Turns out I like what the state has to offer.”

Ivy looked at Ryan and wondered if it was possible. “Lots to think about.”

“Let’s eat,” Colin called out. Lifting the lids off the food that had been delivered, he passed a plate to Phoebe. “Make a plate, sweetie.”

Ivy tried not to choke when she heard her brother use an endearment. Maybe he had been right earlier. Bill Bellows had somehow afforded his kids the opportunity to find what they needed most. Someone to love.

Ken came over and stood next to Ivy while people filled their plates. “If you decide to start something down here, let me know. I’d love to come work for you after Bellows Energy is sold.”

Ryan had his arm wrapped around her waist and held her close to his side. He’d been pretty much glued to her all week. Seemed that someone having a gun pointed in her direction made his overprotectiveness go into overdrive. Not that she minded, but a little breathing room might not be bad.

“I have no idea if this is something that Max and Rory would even consider,” she told Ken. “If they do and it happens, I will definitely be offering you something. But not until we sell Bellows Energy. I need you here.”

“Absolutely,” Ken agreed. Turning, he walked to the other end of the table and started filling a plate of food.

“Is it a crazy idea?” she asked Ryan.

“Not really. The oil business alone would keep an office busy. Add to that SAI’s specialty with recovering kidnapped people. That long stretch of border with Mexico would keep two offices busy.”

“You’re right. It’s definitely worth a conversation to see if there is any interest.” Slipping out of his hold, she turned. “Let’s eat.”

“Good idea. You’re going to need your energy for later on.”

“You better eat double, sir. Lord knows you’re going to need it.”

“Music to my ears.” He took her hand and led her in the direction of the food. Whispering in her ear, he said, “I’m going to take you up against the wall as soon as I get our bedroom door shut. It’s going to be hard and fast, so you may want to take those panties off before we leave the office today. Wouldn’t want to rip the good ones from that fancy store.”

“Sweet Lord, have mercy,” she whispered. How in the world was she going to last until they got home?

***

The group stood on the roof and watched Rick, Mac, and Rocko climb into the helicopter. They stood against the wall and watched as Rick prepped the bird. Once the rotors started up, the wind whipped around them and Ivy held her skirt down.

The sun was sinking and the sky was painted in bright shades of orange and pink. As the helo lifted and swung into the sky, Ivy waved. Watching it move toward the east, she wondered if it was possible to stay in her home state. Maybe SAI Texas would be the answer.

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