Page 38 of Chance

Blaze was next, and they embraced. “You weren’t lying that you look like a beach bum. It’s a good undercover outfit.” He nodded toward the side of the house where his clinic was. “I can’t stay too long; I have appointments. But I can clear my schedule for the next couple days so we won’t have too many people coming out here, if needed.”

“That’s probably a good idea,” Chance agreed. The less people around as they figured this out, the better.

Porter reached out to shake his hand, but Chance hugged him instead. Chance always had to smile at Porter’s reluctance to hug anyone. He didn’t get away with it. All of them hugged each other; that’s just how it was.

Porter let out a breath. “I thought we’d get a break from all this drama for a while, but here it is.”

“That’s the greeting a brother longs for. Good to see you too.” Chance was already moving around the table, unconcerned about Porter’s lack of social skills; Porter was just being pragmatic. “Let’s sit.”

All of them sat, and Sadie sat next to Porter. Sierra wasn’t here, but there was no time to ask.

“I told them all about our conversation,” Porter began. “I thought it would be best if I prep them.”

Blaze wiggled his eyebrows. “So you brought back your pregnant ex-girlfriend.”

For some reason, Chance felt protective of her. “If you talk about her like that, you’re getting slogged in the face.”

All of the men let out a little “Whoa.”

“I was just kidding,” Blaze said, his tone lowering. He looked around as if Kelly would appear. “I wouldn’t say that in front of her.”

Chance pointed at him. “Don’t say it behind her back either. ‘By the grace of God go I’—isn’t that what Mama used to say? Maybe you shouldn’t judge others until you’ve walked in their shoes.”

“That’s enough,” Porter cut in. “No one’s judging anyone.”

Blaze frowned and put his hands up. “Sorry. I just meant it’s an ironic situation.”

Chance nodded. “It is. But she’s afraid. That ex did a number on her. She thinks he’s following her. I don’t know, but I’m glad she’s here. She’s safer at the ranch. Let’s get down to details about Ms. Connie and the reservation. We may go out there tomorrow. Kelly actually knows the woman pretty well; I guess she was good friends with her grandmother. So maybe that’s a plus. What do you guys think?”

Porter let out a long breath. “I think I’m already tired of the Stone family constantly asking for updates.”

“They’re just antsy, like we are. But they’re good people. It’s been nice to get to know them. In fact, I was thinking they feel like extended family or something.”

Porter cocked an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

Chance had to laugh at the way his family could pull in ranks and shut people out. It reminded him of the Stones and how they’d made Kelly fill out the nondisclosure. They were big personalities, and they’d all been through a lot. Just like his family. “I think Ms. Connie might know something. You guys remember how Dad would always go out to the reservation, and when we would ask him where he was going, he would say it was a fundraising meeting?”

Nash snapped his fingers. “That’s right. I never thought about that. But Dad went out there once a month, at least.”

“I remember asking Dad if our ranch donated to a certain cause, and he would just tell me not to worry, that I would find out when he died and everything got settled.” Colt shook his head. “I haven’t even thought about it until now.”

Porter frowned and steepled his fingers. “There are donations in the accounting. There are some causes that Dad gave to, and there were some tax exemptions that Dad took as far as owning ranch property.”

Chance’s phone buzzed. He was tempted to ignore it, but he glanced down and saw the message.

Someone is in the house.

He bolted to his feet. “Kelly said someone’s in the house.”

Without any further discussion, the Cross men hurried out of the house and into their vehicles; they were a sight to behold. Chance got in with Colt, and the rest of them piled in the back of his Dodge Ram truck.

Colt turned to him. “Who else did you tell you were here?”

“No one.” Chance looked at all of them. “Did any of you say anything to anyone? The security? Blaze, to anyone at your clinic? Nash? Any girlfriends?”

All of them shook their heads. “No.” A resounding answer.

Porter pulled out the weapon he always had attached to his side. He turned off the safety. “I don’t think it’s a social visit. I have that feeling.”

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