“It isn’t about the money.It’s about what you’re asking me to do.”And your inability tolisten.
“I’m worried.For mysafety.”
“I’m not a security guard,” Nate replied, then hated himself a little for how unfeeling he sounded.
The problem was hedidfeel for Mrs.Hyatt.He didn’t want to dismiss her concerns out of hand, no matter how annoying she was.
But when she refused to take the precautions that wouldactuallyhelp and insisted on the only precaution that involvedhimin her house overnight—like this wasn’t about safety and was instead about trying to make her husband thinkshewas sleeping around.
She’d put together a whole proposal.What would be expected of him.What she’d pay—a handsome amount.Technically, he could do it.It didn’t go against any Honor’s Edge policy, but he didn’t feel the least bit comfortable with it.For a wide variety of reasons that didn’t even all have to do withher.
“I can investigate.I can watch Michael.That’s the extent of it.I’m recommending, once again, you go to the police,” he said, trying to put as much genuine empathy into his voice as he could manage.“I get that they’re not perfect, and you’ve had a bad time with them, but I’ll talk to them for you.”
He didn’t think she’d had a bad time at all.He didn’t think she’d eventriedto involve the police, because he didn’t think this was about a threat.And he felt pretty awful about that, but an investigator had to rely onsomeinstincts.
“I’llhelp, but I cannot… be your bodyguard or whatever,” Nate continued calmly and clearly—God, he hoped.“If you’re really concerned that Michael is watching you right now, I’ll be happy to drive behind you to the police station and make sure you get there safely.I’ll sit on Michael as long as you want me to.But I am not followingyouaround, Mrs.Hyatt.”
She was frowning now.It was something like the fifth time he’d explained it to her.He had no desire to see her a victim, but he wasn’t sitting in her house either.He’d watch the ex-husband formonthsbefore he did that.
“What if he sends someone to hurt me?”
“That’s why you need to go to the police.I am one man, and I am aprivate investigator.Please, go to the police station.File a report.I’ll follow if you want, or I’ll check up on it tomorrow, but that’s it.I can sit at Michael’s office and follow him home if you’d like, but that’sit.”
She sniffed, offended.“Fine, I’ll go to the police.I’ll see whattheysuggest, and I’ll let you know.”
“Good.I’m happy to help in whatever ways I can as aninvestigator.”He really emphasized that last word.
“It doesn’tseemlike it, Nate.It really doesn’t.”With that she turned on a heel and stalked for the door.
He was no doubt meant to chase after her and apologize—but he’d be damned.
He was bending over backward not to tell her to go to hell.He didn’t want her in danger, but since she never took theactualrecommended precautions, he had to believe that she wasn’t.
He scrubbed his hands over his face.Maybe he should quit.Become a ranch hand.Stay the hell away from people and all their myriad problems.He’d tell Sam that, see how quickly it made her laugh.
The thought cheered him a little bit, as did looking at his phone when it rang and seeing Sam on the readout.
“Hey.I was just thinking about you,” he answered, trying to shake everything off with Mrs.Hyatt and lean into positive.
“Hi.I’m on my way back from Helena.”There wasnothingpositive in Sam’s tone.“Listen…”
She didn’t say anything else, so Nate had to brace himself.“What is it, Sam?”
Her sigh was a little shaky.“I’m on my way back.I’ve got to stop by the ranch first, run something by Aly, so I might be a little bit later than I anticipated.”
He couldtellsomething was wrong, bothering her.“How about I meet you at the ranch?”
“You sure?”
He looked down at the request from Mrs.Hyatt.“Yeah, I’m sure.How far out are you?”
Chapter Twenty-One
The Bennet Ranch
Landon scraped thecaked-on mud off his boots.He knew better than to believe in the recent warmup.It was too early for this kind of warmth to stick around.
Still, he was enjoying it.Oh, the mud of it all would be tiresome come May, but for now, he would just be grateful.Something he was learning.Easier to do with ranch stuff than anything else, but Aly seemed convinced gratitude in one area could lead into other areas.
