“One is enough.” Tamsyn took off the lid and plucked out a single wrapped candy. “It’s so good to see you in person, although I’m sorry about the circumstances.” She settled into her comfortable chair, wondering what the old rancher wanted to talk to her about. “Brings back good memories.”
“What are you doing with those people?” he asked, brows drawn together in a frown. “You can trust me. If they’re coercing you or using you as a hostage, I’ll deal with it.”
Although rocked by his suspicion of Jeff and the others, she found her voice immediately. “No, no, they’re terrific. I’m here of my own free will, I promise.”
He sat back in his chair with a thunk. “I can’t imagine you leaving the Double Comets spread willingly, any more than I’d walk away from my place here. What happened?” Before she could speak, he waved his hand. “I heard what you said about the town falling and your foreman and the ranch hands.”
“After the town fell, I only wanted to get home. I planned to stay and do the best I could to take care of the animals but then I ran into Jeff and the others and while they were staying at my house I came to realize there was no point in me trying to maintain the ranch under these circumstances. For what? There’s no cattle industry now, barely even any civilization. Jeff says we’ve been quarantined by the Sectors since he activated the warn-off beacon and no one else will ever be allowed to land here, or not for centuries. And my situation wasn’t like what you’ve got here. There was literally no one else but me. And then a swarm overran the ranch and if it hadn’t been for the APC, where we took shelter till it was over, I’d have died. My place was indefensible, not like here.”
Perry was nodding slowly as if he could accept her rationale. “You’re welcome to stay here with me when they go.”
“That’s kind of you but my place is with them.” Tamsyn tried not to blush as she uttered her next words. “And to be completely honest, I’m in a serious relationship with Cody.”
“The guy who wanted to object to you coming to the office with me?”
“Yes. We’re a couple.” She felt a flash of pride claiming Cody.
Perry stroked his chin. “Always kind of hoped you and my oldest would hit it off. Your Dad and I used to kid around about combining our ranches.”
Tamsyn remembered those jokes, which had made her uncomfortable and she didn’t suppose his son had appreciated them either. “I’m in love with Cody now,” she said tactfully. “I’m going where he goes.”
“They aren’t going to try ranching now though, are they?” Perry asked, eyes narrowed. “What are they up to?”
“We’re going to their veterans’ acres,” she said. It wasn’t her place to share anything Jeff might have said to her or the team. “We’ll be safe there and I don’t know what the next steps are.”
He watched her like a hawk watches a mouse. “Your Captain Pearson has the air of a man on a mission.”
“Getting us to their place and making us safe.” She nodded, trying to put conviction into her comment. “Anything else you’ll have to ask him about.”
“I will, have no doubt.” He pushed the candy jar toward her again. “Want another?”
“I’m good, thanks. I’ll take one for Mike though, if you don’t mind.” She reached into the jar and extracted a second candy for Melly’s brother.
“All right, that’s all I wanted. Close the door on your way out—see you tomorrow.” Perry turned on a desktop unit and began manipulating the keys.
If she hadn’t known the man for years she’d be offended but as it was Tamsyn felt nothing but relief. The fact he was done with his questions meant she’d satisfied him and he’d moved on to other concerns not involving her.
Closing the door softly behind her, she headed for the stairs and found Cody leaning against the newel. He straightened as she walked toward him. “Everything okay?”
Tamsyn looped her arms around his waist and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Perry was concerned I was here under duress. Plus of course he had more questions about why I left the ranch and what your team is really doing here.”
”He needs to talk to the captain.” Cody linked hands with her and they descended the staircase, proceeding out the front door and strolling toward the guesthouse.
“He said he would, tomorrow. Thanks for waiting for me.”
“Your personal bodyguard,” he said with a grin. “Don’t want you getting lost between the house and where we’re staying.”
“As if.” She sniffed. “I’m used to being on my own, remember?”
Cody stopped walking and turned her to face him. “Yeah but you don’t have to be any more. I’m here.”
“And I love it. And you.”
They kissed again under the moonlight until a passing ranch hand gave a wolf whistle and shouted, “Get a room.”
“We do have one,” Tamsyn reminded Cody. “Much more private than at the hot springs cabin too.”
“Thank the Lords of Space. What are we hanging around out here for?”
