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“There’s no reason to apologize to me.”
“Until I can get a new security system installed, the guys and I are going to be out, patrolling twenty-four seven.”
“Do what you need to do, Smoke. You have to protect your ranch.”
“I may have to have one of the ranch hands take you into Asheville on Monday.”
“Let Maureen and I sort that out.”
He leaned down and kissed my cheek.
“Let me know what I can do.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist and nuzzled my neck. “Know that every minute I’m out there, I’d rather be in here with you.”
I felt my cheeks flush but loved his open display of affection. As with everything else, I couldn’t remember whether he and I had been in the past. Or even if I was that kind of person. Probably not, given when he’d kissed me so passionately at the winery, I was as flushed as I was now.
When Smoke went back outside, I went into the kitchen. Ms. Wynona was sitting at the table with her head in her hands.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
She looked up, brushed away her tears, and stood. “Yes. Of course. What would you like for breakfast this morning? More oatmeal?”
I walked closer and took her hands in mine. “I want you to sit back down and tell me what’s wrong.”
“Pay no mind to me, Ms. Gallagher.”
“Please call me Siren, err, Siobhan, or whatever you want to call me other than Ms. Gallagher. And I’ll warn you, I’ll not eat even a speck of food until you tell me why you were crying.”
“Did Mr. Smoke tell you what happened with the cattle?”
“Only that things escalated.”
“They were slaughtered and left lying on the ground.”
I gasped and put my hand in front of my mouth. “How cruel.”
She shook her head, pulled a tissue from her sleeve, and wiped her eyes. “Poor, innocent animals.”
“Who would do such a thing?”
“Evil people who care only about money.”
“But why would they just leave them for dead, then? It doesn’t make sense.”
Ms. Wynona stood and tossed her tissue in the trash. “I’ve said too much as it is. He’ll be upset with me if I don’t make sure you’re fed.”
“I sense Smoke would never get upset with you about anything, and I can make my own breakfast.”
She cupped my cheek with her palm. “Child, sit yourself down and let me do what Mr. Smoke pays me to do.”
* * *
I didn’t see Smoke for the rest of the day, even from a distance. When it grew dark, I went into his bedroom instead of the one I’d been staying in and saw packages sitting on the bed.
“I forgot all about those.” I jumped when I heard Smoke’s voice from the doorway.
“What are they?”
