Page 42 of Kevin's Destiny

“Why would I hear about it?”

“Did you hear about a Director in the FBI that was taken down by a Federal Prosecutor?”

“Holy shit, that was out in California. Yes, I heard about it. What do you know about it?”

“Katherine, Caleb’s girlfriend was the woman they tried to abduct to get her to shut up.”

“Talk to me, Kevin.” Yvonne leaned forward and cradled her coffee cup in her hands. “I was FBI, but we weren’t privy to the intimate details of the case. How do you know so much?”

“My involvement was a fluke really.”

“How so?”

“I used my vacation to come visit with Caleb. I hadn’t seen him since before his mother was arrested, and he didn’t show up to any of her trials. He didn’t want to know, which I totally understand and agreed with him. Anyway, once everything back home settled down, I made a surprise visit here to see my son. Katherine had only arrived here a few days prior, and they were sorting out what to do. Long story short, I didn’t stay long, I contacted my boss back in Seattle about the situation, and weagreed that I could extend my vacation to go to LA to get Ilsa and bring her to safety in my home.”

“Who’s that?” Yvonne felt her hackles rise when she felt instant jealousy course through her system.

“One, Katherine’s mother, two, she’s a criminal defense lawyer, three, she was married to one of the people Jason Black took down. Larry from the FBI.”

“Black as in the Federal Prosecutor?”

“Yes, he’s living in a cabin just like this one with Ilsa Miller, and is helping Erin with a case that’s been ongoing for a couple of years. I have no clue how it’s progressing. All I know is that these people came after Erin, her ranches, her people, and Grayson and Larry from the FBI were involved.” He looked at her with a smirk and told her what he remembered about the case.

“Holy shit, that’s huge.” She sat back with a shocked expression. She continued to sit there as Kevin told her everything he knew about the situation and what he had heard over the years. “Damn, it’s no wonder then.” She shook her head and started to laugh.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, since starting here, I couldn’t understand why Erin would surround herself with people that didn’t know anything about the ranching business. Manchester, you, me, Black, and Ilsa Miller. Your son, and Staci, I can understand, they’re working their own businesses, but the others I mentioned, along with all the former military people living and working here, now it’s perfectly understandable.”

“What conclusion did you come to?”

“Erin’s surrounding herself with people that not only need her help, like the horse rehabilitation, but they will drop everything to be there for her. Be her defense if needed, that’s where the military people come in. The lawyers are to helpher once the people that come after her will have first-hand knowledge of what happened, and defend her. With us, though we’re not military, we know the law, and what can and can’t be done to the people trying to hurt her. Smart business practice if you ask me.” She giggled, and as she finished her coffee, she looked at him with a grin.

“I so want to be her when I grow up.”

They shared a laugh, then she sighed as she cleaned up their breakfast dishes, and looked at him sadly.

“What is it?”

“As much as I enjoyed this weekend, I’m going to have to move back to my cabin today.”

“Why?” Kevin asked, genuinely confused by her statement. “There’s no reason we can’t continue to be together. Not unless you have a secret husband that will be joining you here.” He shook his head, then looked at her. “I’m sorry, I’m not pressuring you, but I don’t want you to leave. That might be a little clingy on my part, but I’ve learnt over the years to speak my mind.” He chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck, and looked at her sheepishly. “At least, that’s what I told myself after my divorce. You’re the first woman I’ve been with since then.”

“Wow, okay, but it’s not that, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself getting to know you more intimately. I like you, Kevin, but I don’t know if Erin would agree to us living together.”

“Why not? The others that live here do it. They didn’t live together when they first started working here. Hell, Caleb and Katherine had their own cabins before they decided to share one. I’m not putting any pressure on you, but I don’t think Erin would mind. I do know that I overheard a conversation that if anyone shares a cabin, let Cole or Naomi know that one is empty so when the new people arrive, they’ll have a place to stay.” He looked at her with a smirk. “Besides, I really don’t think Erin gives a flying fig if we have a relationship or not, and frankly, ifshe says anything, it’s just none of her business. As long as we’re not hurting each other, or causing trouble with the other’s job, there’s no point in advertising what we do.”

“Ah, okay.” She didn’t say anything for several moments, then looked at him. “Can I think about it? We’ve only known each other a few days and already went to bed together. I’m not saying it was wrong, but you have to admit it was fast.”

“I agree, and yes, take all the time you need.”

“Thank you, you said you put something in the crockpot, may I ask what it was?”

“Nothing special, when it’s all put together, it’ll be a Buffalo Chicken dip.”

“Do you have the veggies for it?”

“No,” Kevin said in shock, then looked at his watch, and back up at her.