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“Why wait?”
Kieran looked out the windshield and saw that someone had erected a large tent between the barns. A banner hung across one side and read: Congratulations, Kieran! Dylan flipped something on the grill and talked to Harry while everyone else mingled with Hope and Gary.
“What’s this?” Kieran asked. The banner gave it away, but he couldn’t believe Finley had pulled off a surprise after the botched birthday party attempt in December.
“Surprise!” Finley cried.
Kieran laughed. “I know what it is, but planning a party was pretty presumptuous.”
“Nah. Hope consulted her crystals.”
Kieran quirked a brow because he knew Finley didn’t really believe in that stuff. “The tent, tables, and chairs were already here on the ranch. I texted Harry from the courtroom as soon as we got the judge’s ruling, and she put everything in motion.”
“The banner?” Kieran asked.
“I ordered it a few months ago when your lawyer told you about the hearing. I didn’t need crystals to know I was going to need it someday. If the judge was a blind fool who couldn’t see the truth, then I would use it when you graduated from college.”
Finley’s faith in him never ceased to amaze Kieran, and he leaned over and kissed him when he put the truck in park. “Thank you for going with me today.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” Finley replied.
Clapping and cheering erupted from the people gathered to help Kieran celebrate. They all came over to greet him when he stepped out of the truck. He received hugs, backslaps, and bumped fists. Everyone on the ranch had turned out to congratulate him with only two noticeable exceptions—Cash and Ivan. None of this would’ve happened without Cash’s financial and emotional support. Kieran would be able to repay the debt when his settlement was finalized in a few months.
“You guys missed the excitement,” Rue said. He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “A sedan with government plates pulled in about thirty minutes ago. Two guys got out and went inside the house with Cash. The tall guy with sandy brown hair dressed and moved like an agent.” Sounded like Agent Scott. “I couldn’t get a read on the dark-haired guy with him. He was slightly shorter, leaner, and moved like he didn’t have a care in the world.” That definitely wasn’t Agent Rowland. “About ten minutes later, Cash texted Ivan and asked him to come to his office. None of them have come back out yet.”
“Quit hogging Kieran,” Hope called out.
He slapped Rue on the shoulder and went to mingle with everyone, but his thoughts never wandered far from the meeting that was taking place in Cash’s office. When Dylan needed the barbecue sauce he and Harry had made, Kieran volunteered to go get it so he could nose around a bit. He wanted the opportunity to thank Agent Scott for whatever role he’d played in Ritchie’s cooperation. His ex had struck an agreement to turn State’s evidence and enter WITSEC like the agents thought he might. As part of the deal, Ritchie had confessed to his participation in the past and present auto theft rings, which exonerated Kieran. Without that, he would’ve remained a convicted felon. Ritchie had asked to speak to him, but Kieran had declined. His cooperation was to save his own ass and wasn’t for Kieran’s benefit. There was nothing left to say between them, and Ritchie had settled their score. Ritchie wanted the feds to think he was the mastermind, but everyone knew better. Ritchie had ensured he stayed alive and nothing more.
Kieran was at peace for the first time in…ever. He wanted to thank those who had made it possible, and he was damn nosy about the meeting taking place in the house. His curiosity grew when he stepped inside and heard Ivan shouting. Kieran couldn’t make out his exact words, but it was definitely his voice. He eased down the hallway but stopped short when he rounded the corner and found a stranger in the kitchen. It was the dark-haired man Rue had described. The stranger had sun-kissed skin, a neatly trimmed dark beard, and sky-blue eyes. He somehow leaned against the counter just as indolently as the stride Rue reported. Kieran had walked in just as the guy had taken a bite of an apple he’d filched from Harry’s fruit bowl. His pale blue eyes assessed Kieran as he chewed. Though this guy was weary, he’d bet money he never served time. So why was he here?
“This is bullshit, Cash,” Ivan yelled from down the hall. “Why does paying up a favor become my problem?”
Kieran cocked his head to hear Cash’s response, but his voice was too low. The stranger across the room chuckled, recapturing Kieran’s attention. “Who are you?” he asked.
The stranger’s mouth curved into a wry smile. “I’m the favor.”
“And now you owe me,” Ivan thundered. “Big time.”
Heavy footfalls rapidly approached, and Kieran scooted over to the refrigerator and whipped the doors open just as Ivan stomped into the room. “You,” he bellowed. Kieran peered around the door to see which one of them Ivan had addressed. Big Red stared daggers at the newcomer and pointed his forefinger at the man. “Come now.”
The new guy purred and waggled his brows as he straightened to his full height. “Yes, Daddy.”
Ivan’s face turned an unhealthy shade of red. Kieran feared the big man was having a stroke when his face turned purple, but the foreman pivoted on his heels and stomped from the room.
Kieran turned back to the stranger with what he suspected was an awed expression because the guy shrugged casually. He tossed the rest of his apple into the trash and crossed to Kieran. Extending his hand, he said, “I’m Rory.”
Kieran shook it and introduced himself. “Don’t worry about Ivan. His bark is worse than his bite.”
Rory’s lazy smile turned purely wicked. “Let’s hope not. See you around, Kieran.”
He couldn’t wait to tell Finley what he’d witnessed. He was tempted to request a transfer to Ivan’s crew just so he could experience the fireworks on the daily. Someone cleared their throat, and Kieran poked his head around the door to find Agent Scott standing in the kitchen.
“I hear congratulations are in order.”
Kieran shut the refrigerator and crossed the room with his hand out. Agent Scott shook it firmly before dropping his arm. “Thank you, sir. I’d hoped for an opportunity to express my gratitude.”
Scott glanced in the direction Rory and Ivan had gone. A wry grin spread across the agent’s face. “Trust me when I say it was all my pleasure.” He snorted and added, “My younger brother is a lot to handle. I just hope he doesn’t cost Cash a foreman.” He didn’t look that worried about it, but Kieran didn’t point that out.
