“He’s very perceptive. Almost too much,” Matthew admitted. “I delved into his background. His mother’s a drunk and hangs around a biker gang. According to the reports, they’re searching for Garrett. His mom spent three years in prison for her part in the arson. The boyfriend received a ten-year sentence but recently got out on parole. I can’t decide if he’s trying to stay low to keep them from finding him or if he doesn’t know.”
“He seems a bit lost to me,” Mac added. “He’s one of us. His record speaks for itself. Julio and Rebecca have stayed busy with all the DC meetings about her new position, plus the trials will begin soon. Thanks to Julio and his partner, Jameson, we have a good lead on those trafficking routes. If what he says is true, Garrett fits the bill for what we need to keep the ranch appearing legitimate. He’s spot on with the security issues. We need more men. It’s difficult to changeup the pattern when we need their eyes on our visitors in the cabins. They take precedence.”
Matthew sighed as he scratched the scruff along his jaw. The click of the door handle alerted him to Rachel’s presence.
He held out his arm for her to cuddle against him while she warmed her hands with her mug.
“What did you decide?” she asked. “Garrett seemed nice.”
“You have to stop eavesdropping,” he admonished. “Leo always says keep your enemies close. He’s staying in the old cabin by the lake. I don’t want you down there until I clear him,” he said firmly.
“I can handle myself, Matthew. You and Delaney taught me how to shoot,” she reminded him. “Plus, why bring him on if you don’t trust him?”
“His record showed they pulled him for special assignments. I want Julio’s or Leo’s opinion before I give him the green light,” Matthew explained. “Mac, why don’t you head toward the Blue Moon? See if you hear anything about why he suddenly pushed his foot in the door after six months of working for Mystic.”
“You got it, boss,” Mac agreed. “I have a feeling it has to do with the woman, Snow. I believe she’s the child left on Baron’s doorstep. Maybe you can pay him a visit and inquire about his new breeding stock. The man’s proud of it.”
“I’ll call Julio first, then head over,” Matthew said, playing with Rachel’s braid. Tugging it, he asked, “Do you think you and a couple of the hands can ensure the cabin’s clean and ready to go?”
“Sure. I have my marketing meeting with the printer at noon, but I can postpone,” she said as she picked up Garrett’s cup.
“No. It’s essential to keep up appearances. With the women recovering on the other side, I don’t want anything seeming off. Take the truck. We’re getting a thunderstorm rolling in, and I don’t want you stuck out there alone,” Matthew said.
“I’m checking on Delaney. She seems in low spirits lately,” Rachel said, eyeing Mac. “I don’t want her stressed during this pregnancy.”
Mac focused on his mug. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate the company.”
Rachel sent Matthew a worried glance. The ranch cook didn’t seem the same since she returned from the hospital after her car accident. Mac insisted she stay with him until Delaney got back on her feet. From the way Mac avoided the topic, the couple assumed things weren’t going well.
“I need to call Leo. Julio’s in meetings all day, and I want to get his approval on hiring Garrett. His application crossed my desk months ago, but I dismissed it. It didn’t make sense for a man with his kind of money to want hard work with long hours,” Matthew said.
“Maybe he doesn’t know what to do with it?” Rachel suggested, “People who inherit this kind of money tend to do two things. They either blow it in a few months or they keep quiet.”
“He’ll be close enough for us to keep an eye on him,” Matthew said, taking Mac’s cup. “Let’s get going.”
They put everything in the dishwasher, and Matthew drove Rachel to their home. He waited until she climbed into the truck before entering the house and going into his office.
Texting Derrick “Leo” Armstrong of Serenity Securities, he logged on to his computer and waited for his boss to come online.
“What’s up?” Leo said as his image came across the screen.
“Garrett Johnson arrived this morning. He requested a job,” Matthew said, pulling his application from the file.
“What’s the problem?” Leo asked.
“He has five million dollars in a bank account, and he’s living in a bunk house with a bunch of men. He’s giving Mr. Baron his notice this morning and plans on returning in two hours,” Matthew informed Leo.
“What’s his story?” Leo asked, leaning back into his chair.
“He mentioned a woman. Garrett said he wanted to work with his brothers-in-arms. I’m not sure if I believe him,” Matthew admitted. “Julio and Rebecca flew to DC for four days. I want to hire him and keep him close.”
“Then do it and keep me posted,” Leo ordered. “I’m not babysitting you through each hire. You and Julio are in charge there.”
Matthew stared at the screen. “Garrett Armstrong has a target on his back and doesn’t know it. Since his discharge, he has moved from ranch to ranch, staying low-key. Either he knows about them, or he’s in the dark. We don’t need trouble to call attention to the ranch.”
“Then you’ll help him like we do the others,” Leo ordered. “If you run into any problems, give us a shout.”
“Will do, boss. Tell the family I said hello.”
