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Chapter Thirteen
Slade spent the returntrip from the cabin, juggling his need to speak with Evan and his desire to indulge in a heart-to-heart candid talk with Nicole. She had rendered him speechless with her less-than-enthusiastic declaration of love, although, he believed he hid his surprise well. Suspecting her feelings were running as deep as his own wasn’t the same as hearing her announce it. One of his rare cases of amusement had tickled his throat at her disgruntled attitude, then again, he could easily recall his own reluctance to accept he’d gone down the same path he’d been teasing his brothers about these many months.
Nicole’s head rested against his shoulder, Sam’s head on her thigh, with Evan seated next to her. He could see exhaustion on her pale face and around her closed eyes, feel it in her slumped body. Evan kept his face averted and didn’t talk. Slade held her hand and decided to let her rest and assimilate her thoughts while he returned home to speak with his brothers and Evan. She was made of sturdy stuff, his girl, and would be fine until he returned to her place in a few hours. Tomorrow they would go into Casper together and give their statements. Knowing her, Nicole would want to confront Michael Renaldi, would need to get answers before she could move past what had happened between her and Tony. God knew he’d faced his conscience more than once before allowing his brothers in and finally coming to terms with his actions.
“Drop Nicole off first, Brett,” he said even though he still shuddered from how close to harm, or worse, she’d come. “Reed, is there any way to find out where the other two Renaldi siblings are?” It just occurred to him they too might be nearby and in on the eldest’s actions.
“Already on it and waiting for an answer.”
Nicole stirred and lifted her head. “You think they might have come here with Michael? I can’t see the three of them bonding together to commit such an act.”
“Yet, you sounded surprised when you saw your shooter,” Brett pointed out.
“I was, still am. Tony’s twin was the one sending me threatening texts ever since he died. And Doug was angry when I rebuffed his attempt to get me to sleep with him.” Her soft lips curled in a sneer. “The guy’s a man whore and first-class jerk.”
This time, Slade let his humor show in a smile. Her fierce tone proved the evening’s events had put a dent in her, but she was far from damaged. “Wish I had seen that put-down,” he murmured in her ear.
Instead of replying to that comment, she sat up straight as Brett pulled into her drive. “How’d we get back so fast?”
“You zoned out for a while. It takes longer driving around the woods than walking through them.” He opened his door when Brett parked, addressing his brother. “Give me a minute, will you? We can talk at my place.”
Swiveling around from the driver’s seat, he said, “No problem. Take care, Nicole. I’ll keep Allie from rushing over, at least until you give your statement tomorrow.”
Reed agreed. “Lily will wait also.”
Evan didn’t speak until Nicole slid out. “I’m glad you’re okay, both of you.”
“Thanks to all of you. Good night.”
She appeared relieved he wasn’t staying then pleased when he stated at the door, “I’ll return in a little while. There’s Paul.” He nodded to the handyman standing outside his cottage, his hand lifted in acknowledgement of their safe return.
“He’s one of the few things I did right since moving here. Go. I’m fine.”
He gave her a quick kiss, itching to stay regardless of her obvious need for the chance to regroup. Returning to the truck, he wished for once, life would go easy. Since that wasn’t likely to happen, he addressed the next pressing issue sitting next to him as they headed back to the ranch, pinning Evan with a direct look and comment.
“Tell me why. I already figured out you’re the one behind the vandalism these past months.”
