Page 56
No Easy Answers
While they ate lasagna, roasted vegetables, and bruschetta, the group discussed the package that had exploded. Ella Mae was too young to understand the conversation, and Charlie was old enough to deal with the threat reasonably. After what had happened with Olivia, he wanted to know when there was danger on the farm. He was an intelligent kid whose creative ideas often helped. Keeping him out of the loop would do more harm than good.
Burke was relieved when the group decided to all stay the night in the inn or the farmhouse. That way, no one would be vulnerable walking through the forest in a small group.
Rissa stayed quiet during the conversation, not contributing either way. When the kitchen was clean, he took her hand and moved into the living space off the main lobby for a little privacy. “I heard Amber offer you a room here at the inn, but I have another idea. One I like far more.”
Her eyes twinkled at him. After spending the afternoon making love in the Q Lab, he hoped she was as eager for more as he was. “Would you and Frizzle come to the farmhouse, stay in my room with me?”
A smile lit her face. “We’d love that. I’ll grab a few things from the Q Lab on the way.”
When they were preparing to head to the farmhouse, Burke whispered to Amber that Rissa was staying with him, so that his sister wouldn’t worry that she was alone in her Q Lab. Amber grinned and hugged him. “Good. It’s wonderful to see the two of you as a team.” He agreed wholeheartedly.
Those who were staying at the farmhouse moved as a group, everyone alert for intruders or tricks. Rissa’s cheeks flushed when they moved to her Q Lab, and everyone waited outside for her to pack a bag.
Upstairs, he showed her and Frizzle his room, grateful that he’d always been a neat person. The military had reinforced that trait. When the door closed behind them, Rissa dissolved into a fit of giggles. “I feel like a teenager from one of those movies. Sneaking into my boyfriend’s room while the family is watching from behind doors and windows.”
Burke grinned. “It was a little weird, but I’m glad everyone knows we’re together.”
She nodded. “We’ve been adults for a long time and, we’re not doing anything wrong, but having everyone wait while I packed a bag for a sleepover?”
She laughed again and Burke had to capture the joy with a kiss. Of course, the kiss turned hot in an instant.
Frizzle barked, pulling them apart. Rissa grinned. “To be continued, I hope.”
“Always.”
They set up Frizzle’s dog bed, and Rissa put her own things in a drawer, then laughed at the pink bathroom fixtures. All very domesticated. And exactly right. Except for the pink. After they’d caught this asshole, he’d bug Ford to start the renovation.
Frizzle wasn’t ready to settle, so they moved down to the kitchen to make some tea. Ford, Jolie, Knox, and Thea were already there doing the same thing. Olivia and Nash walked in next. “Charlie’s watching Ella upstairs. She’s so excited to be having a sleepover here; I don’t know how long it’ll be before she crashes.”
Rissa smiled. “Charlie’s a terrific older brother.”
Nash nodded. “He loves the job.”
Olivia smiled at Rissa. “I finished my latest draft earlier today. I’m ready to work on that world-building unit with you tomorrow if that works.”
Rissa’s face lit up and reminded Burke of how much she loved her job. Creating new units brought her the same look of joy as she’d had when they’d set up scavenger hunts for his siblings. Rissa loved helping people, and when she combined that love with science, he figured she was as happy as she could get.
Jolie turned to Burke. “While they’re working on the unit tomorrow, how do you feel about tackling Jay’s room? Amber doesn’t have any guests.”
He nodded. “That works for me. Unless it might be too emotional for Amber.”
Jolie rolled her lips together. “I’ll ask her. The pregnancy hormones are a lot, but I know she’d like to dig in.”
Jolie pulled out her phone and texted. Burke took out his phone to do the same with Lawson, but his brother and Dani entered the kitchen at the same time.
Soon, they had a plan. The Malssum siblings would tackle Jay’s room in the morning. Rissa and Olivia would work in the library on their world-building unit.
The rest would work on making Christmas cookies with Seth and Mara over at the inn. The activities would keep everyone safely indoors with at least one other person present. This would give Marcus and the FBI time to determine whether Curt had hired anyone and, if so, who that person was.
Burke figured Rissa’s theory was the most likely. Curt wouldn’t have personal contacts who were experts at hurting others. Hopefully, the investigation led to a quick arrest, and then the mess would be over.
When they headed up to their respective rooms, Burke locked the door behind them. Frizzle moved to sniff the room over.
Rissa smiled. “No one’s been here since we left.”
Frizzle kept sniffing anyway.
