He stood in the room, hands on his hips, and Sierra could nearly see the tactical wheels turning in his mind. Finally, “We’re going to need help,” Rowan said quietly. “This is bigger than we thought.”
Rowan’s hands stilled on the security camera as his blood still simmered beneath his controlled exterior. Whoever had violated Sierra’s sanctuary had made a deadly mistake.
After they called the police, and after they’d taken photographs and dusted for prints, they spent the rest of the afternoon putting her house back together.
Then he’d started installing the security system, phase one.
He planned on having the entire perimeter locked down within a week. Phase two.
The front door sensor beeped as he tested the connection for the third time. Perfect. He moved to the kitchen window, adjusting the angle on the exterior camera until it captured the full approach to the house. His phone buzzed with the live feed—clear picture, night vision enabled.
He wouldn’t get caught off guard again.
The sound of truck tires on gravel pulled his attention to the window. Saxon’s newly acquired Ford pickup—something that looked like it had seen better decades but ran clean—rumbled up the drive with Mack riding shotgun. Both men climbed out, Saxon looking decidedly uncomfortable in his attempt at ranch wear. Phase three.
“Nice truck,” Rowan called from the porch, not bothering to hide his amusement.
“Don’t start.” Saxon wore a flannel shirt, jeans, and aviator sunglasses, which he took off to survey the scattered security equipment. “Dolly at the diner said it belonged to her late husband. Seemed I might blend in.”
Rowan shook his head. “Dolly? You’re on a first-name basis with the locals already?”
“Information gathering requires building relationships,” Saxon said, then grinned. “Not only does she make excellent pie, but she knows everyone’s business for three counties.”
“You just like pie.” Rowan grinned, the first genuine smile he’d felt since discovering the break-in.
Okay, maybe there might have been smiling on the inside when Sierra had clung to him earlier. Like she might need him.
“What did you find out about the mineral rights?”
“Still working on it. Property records require a delicate touch. But I’m making friends, earning my PI credentials one slice of apple pie at a time.” Saxon nodded toward the security equipment. “How’s the fortress coming?”
“Almost finished.” Rowan held up his phone, showing the camera feeds. “Motion sensors on all windows and doors, exterior cameras covering approach routes and the barn area. Everything feeds directly to my phone.”
Mack whistled low. “Impressive. Think it’s enough?”
The question hit the center of Rowan’s chest. Was anything enough when it came to protecting the people he loved? His mind kept circling back to the image of Sierra and Huck walking into their ransacked house, the stripped look on Sierra’s face.
“It’s a start,” he said finally.
“Do you think they found what they were looking for?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hammer.” Saxon’s voice carried the weight of experience. “You know whoever did this will escalate if they don’t find what they’re looking for.”
“I know.” Rowan’s jaw tightened. “That’s why we’re going to find them first.”
The screen door creaked, and Huck bounced onto the porch, wearing work gloves that swallowed his small hands. “Mr. R! Mom said I could help with the wiring.”
Looking at the kid’s eager face, Rowan felt something shift in his chest. What a great kid. Once upon a time, he’d dreamed of having a son.
Wow, that came out of nowhere. “Want to learn how security systems work?”
“Yeah!” Huck practically vibrated with excitement.
“Mack, Saxon—meet Huck.” Rowan gestured to the boy. “Sierra’s son.”
Mack crouched to Huck’s level, extending his hand with a grin. “Nice to meet you, Huck. I’m Mack, Rowan’s brother.”
