Page 70 of Concrete Evidence
That’s when Avery saw a special light in their eyes not evident in the past.
“Oh, my goodness. Are you two... together?” Avery’s gaze darted from one to the other.
Craig kissed the tip of Leanne’s nose. “The most beautiful gal inside and out was right here in front of me, and I didn’t have the sense to see her.”
Leanne blushed. “I’d wanted him to notice me for years. It finally happened.”
“You never said a word,” Avery said.
Leanne grinned, her eyes glistening with tears. “I thought Craig wouldn’t give me a second look when he’s—”
“Say it. I’m an old man, eight years older.”
“Not true.”
“For sure when you bounced around here at sixteen, and I was twenty-four.”
Avery crossed her arms and shook her head at them. “My two favorite people have found a real gift. I’m incredibly happy for you both.”
“Yep.” Craig nodded. “We’ve been blessed despite the tragedies going on around here.”
“We are survivors,” Avery said.
40
DURING DINNER AT THE RANCH,Marc directed the flow of conversation to those seated around a table on a massive stone patio. He studied an outdoor kitchen that rivaled a decorator’s magazine and inhaled the tantalizing smells of barbecue and the trimmings. Senator Elliott’s Olympic-size pool complete with a small waterfall caught his eye. Lots of white stone and exquisite landscaping, a luxurious lifestyle Avery had grown accustomed to. Made him question if his crazy attraction to her headed toward disaster. He could never provide for her in the way she’d grown up.
Marc shifted his thoughts to the safety precautions for his mother, Tessa, and Avery. “It’s critical to keep me informed of unusual happenings or conversations. Craig, Leanne, and Mia need to heed all I’m requesting.”
“How would Tessa and I recognize anything unusual?” Mom said.
He noted the telltale pain lines of a headache creasing herforehead. “I see you’re not doing well, Mom. Have you taken your prescription?”
She gave him a timid smile. “After we’ve eaten so as not to upset my stomach.”
Back to business. Marc trusted Craig as a man who valued responsibility and cared about those on the ranch. He received the truth in private before dinner, and Marc hoped he’d made a good decision.
“We need to discuss protective measures,” Marc said. “Later on tonight, I’ll share with the ranch hands what’s necessary. The sheriff’s department has deputies stationed at the main gate to keep anyone from entering.”
“But the gate’s locked and monitored by a security system,” Mia said.
“Right, but that doesn’t stop anyone from climbing over or hacking into it. We have no idea who could be part of the threats, and there’s the extreme likelihood of a mole among the ranch hands. All of you must be the eyes and ears to keep danger from marching through the front gate.”
“You’re our bodyguard, right?” Tessa removed her earbuds and tucked them into her jeans pocket.
“Yes, while I’m here. In the meantime, I need everyone’s cooperation.” He captured the gaze of each person there. “Mom, Avery, and Tessa, none of you leave the ranch without me or another agent. Mia is included, and I’ll share this with her. Neither do you roam the ranch without an escort. Solo exploration is limited to no farther than the gazebo.”
“Why am I included?” Avery said. “My Sig is with me all the time. I’ll be back and forth to the office, and I don’t want to be a burden. It’s less than twelve hundred and fifty feet from the house.”
“An escort is for your own good.” Craig leaned in closer to her. “We don’t know who is threatening you.”
Avery glanced at the pool, but Marc doubted she concentrated on the still blue water. “You’ve both made your point. This is an inconvenience, but at least I’m home. Mrs. Wilkins, Tessa, I apologize for sounding selfish.”
“It’s okay,” the other two said as if choreographed, and the tension eased.
Marc gave Craig his attention. “Let me know when you plan to run errands away from the ranch. Make sure someone goes with you, either me or a deputy.”
“Got it,” Craig said. “The deputies won’t let anyone through without proper ID verification, but that doesn’t stop someone on foot or driving in on the back road near the family cemetery.”
