Page 34 of Shades of Mercy
Jag swallowed hard. “I know you and your wife lost a son years ago.”
“Doc says Bryar and the baby are both doing well, but I’m a basket of frayed nerves, buddy. I don’t want history to repeat itself. I can’t imagine another loss, seeing Bryar stripped of all happiness again.” Puma lowered his gaze for a second. “My wife is my top priority. It’s fucking hard being strong when all I want to do is pull her close and divulge how weak I am right now.”
Jag felt a bit like a fish out of water. He and Puma had never been the kind of friends to sit around and discuss their worries and fears. Jag guessed they were both a little too rough and rugged, so for Puma to open up meant he needed to vent because he was going mad. “You know what we learned on missions. Be prepared, but don’t borrow trouble. There’s always a risk for everything, but there’s more chance for joy.”
Puma sank back into the chair, looking like he was fighting an invisible battle. “I love my wife more than I could ever put into words. I want to protect her tooth and nail, but my hands are tied.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her carrying our baby, well, I’m relying on the doctor and a higher power to keep them safe.”
“There is something you can do. This place can manage itself. You have a capable team. Be with Bryar. You both need to comfort each other. You need it as much as I’m sure she does. Let me know what you need, and I’ll make it happen,” Jag replied resolutely.
“I’m taking a few days to seal a few deals, but then I plan to stay close to home to be with Bryar. She needs me.”
“You have a great crew. You hand-picked us because you knew we’re reliable. Trust us.”
“I do. This ranch wouldn’t be where it is right now if it wasn’t for each one of you busting your asses.”
“We’ve had great leadership.”
“Now that we’ve been sentimental enough to get through the year, I truly value your help. Now, get out of my office before I lose a tear or two, and you'll have to take my man card.”
Jag left the office. He felt for Puma, unable to imagine the stress and concern the man was going through.
Walking along the path to the cottage, Jag entered through the back door, feeling slightly annoyed that it was left unlocked. He heard music playing and stepped into the kitchen, coming to an abrupt halt in the doorway like a freight train hitting the brakes. Mercy stood at the counter, swaying her hips to the song's rhythm as she chopped something at the counter.
In the hour or so he'd been away, she'd kept herself busy.
Fresh flowers adorned the counter. The small round table was moved to a different spot. The pot and pan rack had been reorganized, and the coffee pot had somehow found a new home on a sideboard.
Curious, he craned his neck and noticed she had also rearranged the living room. Damn, she worked fast.
“I’m guessing those flowers weren’t delivered to the door,” he said when the song ended, because who was he to interrupt her cute dance?
She spun, eyes wide, and the knife in her hand held in semi-defense. She focused on him and frowned. “What the hell, Jag? You scared the life out of me.”
“If the back door had been locked, as it should have been, I could have warned you with a knock.” He raised an eyebrow, then stepped over to remove the knife, setting it next to the cutting board, which was piled high with chopped vegetables. “Those cucumbers and peppers weren’t kept in the fridge.” He shook his head in irritation.
“I went outside to pick some wildflowers since this place needed a bit of sprucing up, and I also grabbed some vegetables from the garden because I was hungry. I’m the cook, right?”
“Which part about you staying inside didn’t you understand?”
“Technically, you said not to leave the ranch without telling you. I stayed on the property.”
He growled. “You know what I meant. I want you to lay low.”
“On the ranch? That’s insane. You said everyone here can be trusted.”
As much as he saw herpoint, he also couldn’t be too lenient with her. She needed to understand the grave situation she was in. “Just be better at taking instructions.”
“This isn’t prison. If you’re going to treat me like an inmate, then you might as well take me back home.”
Noticing her worried expression, he pulled himself back. He recalled what Puma had said,This can’t be easy for her.
“Just keep in mind this isn’t a vacation,” he said as compassionately as possible. He blew out a long breath. “I’m being a bit uptight.”
“No? Really?”
