Page 9

DOYLE

Between the scentand sound of sizzling bacon, and the veritable playground of mechanical parts spread out before him by an eager boy that reminded him all too much of himself, Doyle put all thoughts of the TCR on hold.

But when his wristband buzzed with a com from the resort, he snapped back to reality fast enough to feel ashamed.

“Excuse me,” he said, slipping out the door so he wouldn’t have to explain the tech and cause any more abnormalities in the timeline.

“Yes?” he whispered.

McGovern’s response came back loud and harsh. “Well? What’s happening, Doyle? Report.”

“I’m tracking the missing piece. I’ll let you know when I have it.”

“We need it now.”

Doyle pressed his eyes closed in exasperation at the obvious yet useless statement.

“That’s why I need you to leave me alone so I can focus on finding it,” he said through gritted teeth. McGovern wasn’t his boss or commanding officer. I’m not in the military, I’m an engineer working for Bennet Systems for shit’s sake.

“Hurry up,” snapped McGovern, and the line went silent.

“Asshole,” Doyle muttered then sighed.

He’d have to get back to the search. People were counting on him. He wondered, though, if it might be possible to sneak back out to spend some more time here with Teddy and…nope. Bad idea. After all, the woman was married, and he didn’t need a real-life cowboy beating the shit out of him. Nor did he want to risk the timeline any more than he already had.

Doyle opened the door ready to thank Sadie for breakfast and make his excuses. This wasn’t his world. He didn’t belong here.

“I appreciate the hospitality, ma’am,” he said.

They looked up from their places at the table where they’d shoved aside some of the metal pieces to make room for dented plates made of tin.

“Now, don’t you dare try and tell me I made all this food to go to waste, Wally. Sit your ass down right here and eat.” Sadie patted the spot next to her.

Doyle hesitated. Something about her demeanor had changed since his chat with McGovern. He was sure of it. The hard line in her forehead had softened, and she was smiling at him, eyes glinting with invitation.

“I really should keep searching—”

“Nonsense,” Sadie cut him off. “What good is searchin’ on an empty belly. And I sure as heck ain’t feedin’ this to Darcy. That mule would never appreciate my cooking.”

Doyle couldn’t help but return her smile. The woman was mesmerizing. Her long, thick braid lay temptingly over her shoulder, the loose and wild end teasing the top of the perfect breasts he’d gotten an eyeful of less than an hour ago. That thought brought an uncomfortable bulge to his jeans that prompted his decision to take the offered seat.

“My stomach won’t let me say no,” he quipped as he reached for the tin fork beside his plate and dug in.

Sadie watched him as she slowly chewed her own mouthful, and he wondered what she was thinking about. This close, he noticed the scent of lavender wafting off her, and he inhaled deeper.

He needed to be careful, but his readings led him there, he reasoned, so he had to be close to the cloaking device. She insisted it wasn’t nearby, but how would she know for certain? It was far more likely that she wasn’t aware of the strange metal rod. And if eating her delicious cooking would help get him on her good side, why not make his life a little easier?

Stomach filled and mind made up, Doyle stretched and leaned back in the seat, letting his long legs slide forward beneath the table.

“Theodore,” he offered, fiddling with one of the metal scraps on the table, “how would you like to join me on a treasure hunt?”

The boy’s oaken eyes lit up at the suggestion. “Would I!”

“Now hold on there just a minute,” Sadie said, standing. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Why not?” Doyle and the boy said in unison.

Sadie shook her head for a second like she’d seen a ghost. “Well, Teddy can’t waste his time on your wild goose chases. He has chores to do.”