Bound & Teased (19 page)

Within ten minutes, he was in front of Miss Mazie’s house. Katie was sitting out on the front porch. She stood when he got out.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his gaze sweeping her from head to toe. She wore a pair of jeans and a cute white blouse. She looked okay, and his breath eased in his chest.

“Yes.” She wiped her hands down the front of her jeans. “You didn’t have to rush over here. I didn’t call you as the sheriff.”

Her words hit him in the gut, and he grinned. “I’m glad you called, period.” He strode up to her and drew her into his arms. “As long as you’re okay.”

“I’m fine. It’s nothing, really.”

He leaned back and stared down at her.

“Oh, all right.” She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed. Ry released her. “Gran made me call. I didn’t think I needed to, but...” She gestured to the driveway.

Ry’s gaze followed the movement, and he swore softly. Her red, older model car had four flat tires, and someone had scratched the hell out of the paint job with a key or a knife. “When did you notice this?”

“I didn’t.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Gran saw it when she started weeding the garden.”

Ry strolled over to her car. Damn it was a mess. Whoever did this had to have done it under the cover of darkness. “Miss Mazie’s car?”

“Not a mark on it.” Katie walked over to him. “She was parked behind me, too.”

“Damn kids.” It had to be.

“Is that who you think it was? Kids?”

“We’ve been having some issues with some kids lately—petty thefts and such. Today they tried to rob Roc.”

“Is he okay?”

“Yeah.” Ry made a mental note to call the man tonight. “When did you last look at your car?” He pulled the small notebook out of his back pocket and a pen. Even if Katie hadn’t called him as the sheriff but as her lover, he was still the sheriff. He took his responsibility seriously.

“Last night, when I came home from your place.”

“Nothing amiss, then.”

“Not that I saw. The security lights...” Katie looked up and shook her head. “They’re all broken.”

The lights and fixtures were totally destroyed. Ry pulled his phone out and dialed. He was going to need help to get those lights fixed. “Jed, can you come over to Katie’s? Thanks.” He slipped his phone back into the belt holder, and then he put his arm around Katie’s shoulders when he noticed her slight tremor. “Jed will be here in a few and we’ll get it all fixed.”

“I don’t understand it,” Katie said.

“I don’t, either.” And he didn’t. But something was going on, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. It might mean long hours for Josh and himself, but if it meant catching these punks in the act, he’d do it.

Jed’s truck squealed to a stop at the curb. He got out and jogged up to the pair. “What happened?”

Ry gestured to the scratched up car and the broken security lights.

Jed swore, and Katie’s trembling increased. Ry frowned.

“I’m going back inside.” Katie shrugged away from Ry’s hold. Ry’s frown increased as Katie went back to the house. She didn’t even greet Jed. Why? He wanted to call her back, but Miss Mazie met her at the door and guided her inside.

“How is she?” Jed asked.

“Scared. She doesn’t understand why someone would target her car, and frankly, neither do I.”

“Who the hell would do this?”

“Don’t know. We’ve had so many little things happening, but now things are escalating. What bothers me the most is why only Katie’s car?”

“I heard about Roc.” Jed ran his hand over the scratches on Katie’s car.

Ry nodded as his radio went off.

“Go,” Jed said. “I’ll take care of things here.”

Ry hesitated. “Katie didn’t call me here as the sheriff, but as one of her men.”

“Well, that’s progress.” Jed grinned.

“Yes, progress I don’t want to lose.” His radio went off again.

“You are the sheriff, so go.”

Ry grimaced. “Tell Katie I’ll have a report for her insurance company.”

He didn’t want to leave, but duty called.

****

Jed watched Ry drive away. The incident bothered him. Why would someone want to do this to Katie? He pulled his cell out of his pocket, called the local body shop, and asked them to send someone over with the tow truck.

He glanced at the broken lights. He’d need a couple of new fixtures. In fact, he wanted to put a few extras in. Jed started for the front door of the house. Ry had said Katie was scared, but that didn’t explain why she went into the house without greeting him.

Was she mad because Ry had called him? His muscles stiffened at the thought, and then the jealousy welled up in his gut. Did she want Ry’s help more than his? Damn. Jed wiped his hand down his face.

His jaw clenched as he pushed aside his anger. First things first. He jumped into his truck and drove to the local hardware store to get what he needed.

Within an hour, Jed had the security lights fixed, had installed a couple more, and had the mechanic tow Katie’s car to the shop.

“Katie?” he called, walking into the house.

“In the office.”

Jed smiled when he saw her sitting behind the big oak desk, pencil tapping against her full lips as she stared at the computer screen.

“All fixed.” He sauntered up to her desk, fighting the urge to snatch her out of her chair and drag her into his arms.

She didn’t look up from the screen.

“Ry said he’d bring you the police report for your insurance company.”

“Thanks.” Her tone was dismissive.

Jed frowned. “What’s bothering you?” he asked, leaning against her desk.

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

Her head snapped up. “Jed, I’m not in the mood.”

“Katie.” He straightened from his position.

“Jed, honey, can you come help me for a minute?” Miss Mazie called out.

“I thought Miss Mazie was at the shop.” Damn, this was all he needed. He wanted to talk to Katie and find out what was bugging her.

“No, she’s been in the kitchen,” Katie said.

“We’ll talk about this later.” And they would. He would get to the bottom of her sudden disinterest because it gnawed at his gut and heart. He dropped a soft kiss on her nose.

He found Miss Mazie standing in the living room. “What do you need, Miss Mazie?”

“Can you come into the kitchen for a minute?”

Jed nodded then followed Miss Mazie into the kitchen. She probably needed him to pull something off a shelf for her.

“Jed, I’m worried.” Her hands tangled in her apron.

“I’ve fixed the lights.” He hadn’t expected this. “It was probably just kids.”

“That’s fine. But it’s Katie I’m worried about.” She moved to the sink, her back to him.

Jed stiffened. “Why?” What was going on that they didn’t know about?

Miss Mazie turned from the sink, and Jed could see the concern in her eyes. “She’s been getting phone calls.”

“Hang ups?”

“I’m not going to elaborate. You need to ask her.” Miss Mazie shook her head. “She’s going to be angry enough that I told you about them.”

“Don’t you worry.” Jed touched Miss Mazie’s shoulder. “I’ll talk with her. She won’t be angry because you’re concerned.”

“Jed.” Miss Mazie touched his arm. “Please tread carefully.”

Jed smiled at her. “Miss Mazie, I would cut my right arm off before I hurt Katie.”

“You’re such a good man. Just like Ry.” She patted his cheek and then went to check something in the oven.

Jed digested Miss Mazie’s words before he marched out of the kitchen to Katie’s office. Her head was down as she typed on the computer. He didn’t want to disturb her working. But he wasn’t going to leave without telling her goodbye.

“Katie.”

She raised her head. Her green eyes somewhat unfocused and clouded.

Jed didn’t like it. He made a spur of the moment decision.

“Would you pack a bag and come stay with Ry and me?” At least then they could keep her safe.

Katie shook her head. “I can’t leave Gran.”

“I don’t like it.”

“Jed.” Her eyes became brighter. “Please leave it for now. I have a ton of work to do, and I need to get it done.”

“Fine.” He didn’t like it, but he did understand her needing to get work done. “But you need to tell us if anything out of the ordinary happens.”

“Okay.” A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. “Thanks for fixing the lights and taking care of my car.”

“My pleasure.” Her mood seemed better, but something was off as her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Tonight, he and Ry would find out what was bugging her.

****

On Saturday morning, Katie smiled as she strolled from the front of Ry and Jed’s house out to the barn. Her mood was much better than yesterday. The damage to her car and the security lights had shaken her more than she wanted to admit to Ry and Jed.

Even last night at dinner, she’d told them it was just the shock of the damage. But she wondered who would do such a thing and if it had something to do with her father. Last night she’d awaken at every little sound.

Children’s laughter floated in the air. A smile curved her lips. It was a new day. Ry had to work today, so Jed had invited her to join him and the kids.

She rounded the barn and found a lineup of kids standing outside the ring fence, jostling for position.

“Ah, good, my help has arrived,” Jed said. “Kids, this is Miss Katie, and she’s going to help me out today.”

“Hi, Miss Katie,” the kids chorused.

“Hi.” Another smile crossed her lips. The kids ranged in age from what looked about six to twelve.

Jed sauntered over to her. “Your job is to keep them entertained while each one gets a ride.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?” Was he nuts? There were ten kids there.

“You’ll figure it out.” He dropped a kiss on her nose and strode to the gate.

“Ready, boss.” Katie looked up to see one of the ranch hands leading one of the smaller and gentler horses out into the ring.

“Thanks, Finn.” Jed placed his hand on the gate. “Maggie, you’re first today.”

The little girl squealed and danced over to Jed. The other kids all let out a moan then looked at Katie.

She squared her shoulders and smiled. “Okay, kids, let’s have some fun.” She’d figure something out.

****

After each kid had ridden, Jed leaned against the fence, watching Katie with the kids. Parents would be arriving anytime now to pick them up.

“She’ll make a great mother,” Ry said, coming up to him.

“Yeah.” Jed grinned. She’d been playing hide and seek with the kids with the occasional game of tag thrown in, well away from the riding ring.

“Is everything ready for tonight?” Ry asked.

“Yep. Katie came directly here, so she hasn’t been in the house yet.”

“Good.” Ry rubbed his jaw. “I’m going to go up to the house, shower, and change.”

“Okay. We’ll be there as soon as all the kids are gone.”

Ry hesitated.

Jed stared at him. “What’s up?”

Ry’s gaze went to Katie and the kids, then back to him. Jed shivered with apprehension.

“Do you think any of the parents will think it’s odd that Katie is here?”

Jed frowned. “I hadn’t really thought about it.” He usually made the kids stay right outside the ring and watch. But now Ry had planted the seed. “It shouldn’t matter.”

“I know it shouldn’t. But I don’t want Katie hurt.”

“And you think I do?”

“Jed.” Ry put a hand on his shoulder. “We told her we don’t flaunt our alternative lifestyle to the town.”

“We don’t. We’ve been very careful.” And they had been. Yes, they’d taken Katie out in public, but they kept public displays of affection to a minimum until they were alone or at the club outside of Monroe.

“Yes, but having her here with us and the kids. Some parents might be upset. You’ve never had a woman help before, and you know as well as I do, this could cause rumors.”

“Fuck.” Jed gripped the fence hard. The last thing he wanted was for Katie to be hurt. “I want her here. I don’t want to hide her away.”

“I agree. We just need to be aware there may be a backlash.” Just then a tan, mid-sized car pulled up. “Tommy Miller’s parents.”

Jed took a step and then stopped. The couple saw him and Ry, waved, and then made their way to where Katie played with the kids. They both watched as Katie greeted Tommy’s parents. They talked for a few minutes then the couple took Tommy’s hand and went back to their car.

“See you next week,” Tommy’s dad yelled before they got into their car and drove away.

Ry let out a breath, and Jed sighed.

“Well, that seemed to go well,” Ry said.

“Yep.” Jed heard one of the girls giggle. Katie was squatting down, talking to the girl, and his heart squeezed.

Ry’s gaze was on Katie and the girl, too. “I’ve found what I think will work in one of the catalogues I got last week.”

“It’s a big step.” After Katie had watched the two of them play together, he and Ry had talked. They wanted to have Katie with them permanently.

“Yes, but we’ve wanted to make her ours for a long time.”

“I love her,” Jed said.

“I do, too.” Ry slipped his arm around Jed’s shoulders. “And I know she has deep feelings for both of us, otherwise she would have told us off that first day in her grandmother’s kitchen.”

“What happens if she refuses?” Jed didn’t want to think about that, but he needed to. His heart was too invested, and the last thing he wanted to do is have it shatter. Hell, he never stopped loving her from the time she was eighteen.

“We convince her. Simple as that.” Ry squeezed his shoulders before releasing him. “I’m heading for the house. I’ll be waiting for you two.”

Jed watched Ry saunter away and grinned. How lucky was he? The two people he loved more than life itself were with him.

****

Katie let out a sigh. Playing with the kids had tired her out, but it was all good.

“Momma’s here,” Lucy said. The little girl was the last one to be picked up. Ry had already gone up to the house, and Jed was finishing up in the stables.

Janice Collins stepped out of her big black SUV. Her husband ran the local bank. Katie walked Lucy over to Janice.