Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (3 page)

He pulled the rose bush aside and quickly dug into the loose dirt. His hand touched a bucket, and it had something in it. He laughed softly. Luck was with him again. This was her hiding place. Pearce got the bucket out and hurried to his horse. Now he’d find his own hiding place. Tonight, when they met, he’d take care of his biggest problem.

* * * *

Kira checked the ER. There’d been no new admissions. She got a list of the names and addresses of the victims of today’s attack. She’d decided to visit them individually and ask questions. The tiniest bit of information might crack the case.

She started first with the couples who had both drank the tainted punch. As she went from house to house, people told her the same story. They got the punch and didn’t see anyone hovering around. But one family gave her new information.

“My friend and her husband drank some of the punch earlier than us. Tina told us it was good, and she’d been able to get her drink from the smaller punch bowl set to the side and back of the grounds. There were long lines at the other refreshment tables. That’s why we walked back, and sure enough there was only one other couple, and they were leaving.

“But my point is, Tina and her husband didn’t get sick. The poison must not have been in the bowl at the time they got their drinks.”

“Do you know what time that would have been?”

“No, but they live across the street. I’ll call her and see if she can come over.”

Tina agreed and soon arrived. “Hi, I’m Tina. I haven’t met you.”

“I’m Kira Bevyns, the bride’s sister.”

“Oh yes, I remember now. You walked down the aisle beside her. You have a question for me about when we got our punch?”

“Do you remember what time you and your husband went to the small bowl?”

“It was pretty soon after the wedding ceremony that we got to it. The other lines were long, and we walked off. We just happened to see the smaller bowl. We each got a cupful and sipped on it while we ate.”

“And you never felt a twinge of sickness?”

“No, we’ve been fine. We were shocked to hear about the others having to go to the emergency room.”

Kira stood. “Thank you both. You’ve been very helpful.”

“I hope you get this crazy person,” Tina said. “I’d like for life to settle down and be peaceful here on the ranch again.”

“We all want the same. See you.” Kira strode to the truck her father had loaned her. Her cell phone rang just as she started to drive off. She stopped and answered. “Hello.”

“I got impatient waiting for your call. I thought maybe I’d encourage you again to join me. Rex has been called out to do an emergency surgery, so you can get used to us one at a time.”

“Hakan, I’m not planning on getting used to either one of you. A relationship gets too complicated with one man. I can’t imagine how it would be with two, especially you and Rex. He alone is more than I want to tangle with.” She heard his soft chuckle.

“I like the idea of tangling. But forget all your reservations about relationships. We’ll take it a day at a time. Tonight we’ll have a good meal, get to know each other, and maybe tangle a little.”

Kira took a deep breath. She liked the sound of his deep, warm voice, and the thought of tangling with him caused a fluttering in her belly.

“I’m saying yes against my better judgment, plus I’m tired and hungry or I’d never consent.”

“Good. Drive straight to the hospital. I’ll take you to our home and drive you back later.”

“No. I like to have some control. I’ll follow you to your home.”

“I have a great sound system in my car with lovely jazz music or easy listening. You’d be totally relaxed by the time we got home.”

“Don’t push me. I may take back that yes.”

“See you at the hospital.” He ended the call, but not before she heard him chuckle once more.

Kira called her mom to tell her she’d be home late, and then drove to the hospital and parked. Hakan must have been watching out the front. He made rapid strides to the truck and opened her door.

“I’m parked in the doctor’s lot right around the corner.”

He put out his hand, but she pushed it away.

“I’m quite capable of getting out on my own. And I don’t need to walk to the parking lot. I’m driving my own vehicle.”

“Don’t you ever let your date act like a gentleman? Come on and I’ll drive you back here. I want you to hear my great sound system.”

“Somehow I never expected you to be so excited over your man toys. All right, but I’m still driving myself to your house.

“Unless I can change your mind.” He walked beside her toward the parking lot.

“That doesn’t happen often. I wait to see if I can trust a man is being sincere before I let him influence my decisions. Most of them haven’t stayed around long enough for me to find out.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “Who understands a man’s mind? I don’t. I guess I wasn’t receptive to their wanting to have sex because they bought my dinner. I usually had money ready, and when they tried to insist on sex, I told them they couldn’t afford me. Then I handed them the money for dinner and got out of their car.”

“If I’d been nearby I would have punched them in the face for you.”

Kira laughed. “One of them got out of the car and grabbed my arm. I punched him. He fell on the sidewalk. I hurt his pride more than anything. Surprisingly, he never called again.”

“You are one bad lady. I can see you think you don’t need a man, but I’m going to work on convincing you otherwise. Here’s my car. I’ll drive you around to yours.” He opened the door with a grin on his face.

“I better watch you. You’re very determined.” She got in, and Hakan got in the driver’s seat. He put on his music, and then drove around to her father’s truck. “Sure you won’t let me drive you to my house? I promise to behave and bring you back when you ask me to.”

“Maybe next time, we’ll see. That is a great sound system.” Kira got out and into the truck. She leaned out her window. “Lead the way.”

Shaking his head, he headed for the main road, and she followed behind. Part of her had been very tempted to accept his offer. But the past had taught her to be cautious.

The vast prairie spread out around them, and as they drove, the mountains got closer. She’d left her window down to let in the cool, fresh air. As they got farther away from the center of the ranch, the more she relaxed. She liked the countryside. This was her first chance to explore since arriving.

For a second, she squirmed in her seat. She had lots of work to do to find the enemy, and here she was planning on having a fun evening. But she knew she needed the time to relax and unwind. Tomorrow she planned to find a place to be alone, shape-shift, and have quiet time to think.

Hakan put on his blinker to turn into a long driveway. At the end was a large house. Lights shone in the front windows. Kira got uneasy.
I thought he said Rex was gone. So why would the lights be on?

Kira parked and got out. Hakan walked up to her and put his arm around her waist. “Welcome to our home.” He guided her toward the front door.

She pulled away and put space between them. The slightest touch from him or Rex made her shiver. “Why are the lights on?”

“Rex knows I hate coming home to a dark house. There’s something very welcoming about lights shining to greet you. He’d have turned them on when he left earlier to fly to the hospital where he’s operating.”

Hakan opened the door and made a flamboyant sweeping movement with his arm to welcome her. “And may you visit us often in the future.”

Kira stood in the center of the large room. On one side was a television with a sofa in front of it, and on the other side a couple of chairs were set in front of the fireplace. The room was a mixture of modern and Western. “It has a nice karma to it, warm and restful.”

“Thank you. We’ve been happy here. My mother did most of the decorating. She has a flair for it.”

“She’s Nanna’s daughter.”

“Yes. As you probably know, Sahale and Lang are my brothers, and Rex, by way of his father, is my cousin. Come on into the kitchen, and we’ll see what’s for dinner.”

The kitchen was huge, a dream for someone who liked to cook. She didn’t. Polished pans hung from wooden rafters above a large island.

“Sit, and I’ll open a bottle of wine.” Hakan opened the refrigerator and peeked into several pans. We’re having chicken Marsala, twice-baked potatoes, and a salad. So I’ll open a bottle of Riesling.”

“One of my favorites, but how did you have time to cook all of this?”

“I cook very little, mostly grilling steaks and such. Lonato is the cook. He had the afternoon off before his emergency call, and he told me he’d have something in the refrigerator in case you accepted our invitation.”

“Lonato?”

“That’s Rex’s first name. I’m one of the few who occasionally calls him Lonato.”

“He cooks? I can’t believe it.”

“You will when you taste his food. If he wasn’t such an incredible surgeon, he could have been a chef.” Hakan handed her a filled goblet. “Enjoy your wine while I heat up our meal.”

She eyed the large wineglass. “Are you trying to get me tipsy?”

“Can I do that with one glass?”

“Probably. I’ll drink slowly.” But the wine was refreshing, and while she drank they talked about the house and the architectural plans that Rex and Hakan had drawn up themselves. She’d emptied her glass before she realized it.

“Wow, you must have needed that.” Hakan removed the food from the oven. “I’m glad this is done. You need to eat.”

“I seldom drink. This is good wine, and I enjoyed the conversation.”

“A compliment, I’m overwhelmed.”

Hakan filled their plates and put them, the salad bowls, and the rolls on the table. “Shall I refill your glass?”

“Yes, but no more than halfway.”

“I’ll turn on some of Lonato’s favorite music.” The classical strains of Tchaikovsky filled the air as they began to eat.

“So far tonight I’ve learned more about Lonato than you. What special talents are you hiding?”

“None. I’m a doctor, and I like to study different areas of medicine. That’s how I got into epidemiology. I took some extra courses after my interest was piqued. Otherwise I’m pretty boring. I like to work around the ranch. I do some of the hard labor such as mending fences, and then also working with the few animals we have.”

“I’m surprised you don’t have a dog.”

“We will. Once we’re married we’ll get one and have him trained before we have a child. Children need a dog and other animals.”