couldn't believe it. But now it's becoming more real to me. Real is a hell of a lot more pain-'
'I'll leave you two alone.' Bridget moved toward the door. 'Fill her in on the animals, Nick.'
'And Janet.'
'By all means. I certainly can't do that. I haven't seen her since we got to the ranch.' The door closed behind her.
Devon's gaze flew to Nick's face. 'Is something wrong with Janet?'
'Physically, no. Mentally, she's pissed big-time at Bridget, who knocked her out back at the farm.'
'She's afraid of her?'
'I said pissed. She's ready to take on everyone at the ranch. Including me, for accepting the comforts that have been extended to me.' He picked up his cup from the table where he'd set it down. 'Coffee? It's damn good.'
'No.' She sat down on the couch. 'Where is she?'
'At the barn, feeding the cats. She wouldn't trust any of Marrok's people to do it. She said they'd probably poison them.'
'What do you think?'
'I wouldn't be sitting here if I thought they were in any danger. You know that, Devon.'
'Yes.' She rubbed her temple. 'It's just that I'm not sure about anything right now. I guess I need reassurance.'
'You've got it. These people know animals and like them, maybe even love them. The dogs have been given their own person to take care of them, and they're being cosseted like royalty. Ditto, the pig. The parrots are in the back in A1 cages for the night. They were being allowed out of the cages before it was time to put on their covers. The cats were taken to the barn because that's what they're used to now.' He smiled. 'We're all being given what we like and are accustomed to. Humans and animals alike. I've an idea that's Marrok's modus operandi. I haven't seen any hint of an iron hand, but I've been stroked by the velvet glove.' His smile faded. 'How about you? You've been involved with the man himself.'
'The iron hand is definitely there.' She had a sudden memory of Marrok's hand that had so fascinated her when he was in the first-aid tent. Iron hand, velvet glove, stroking, exploring, the soft brush of the nap against flesh… She tore her thoughts away. 'And I haven't noticed any attempt at masking it for me.'
'What's happening, Devon?' Nick asked quietly. 'What have we gotten mixed up in?'
'I don't know yet.' She grimaced. 'It has something to do with Ned and a man named Danner. I'll find out more, I promise. And you're not mixed up in this. It's my fault for bringing Ned home. If I can, I'll try to get Marrok to let you go. But he seemed to think that you'd be at risk if he did.'
'Will you be able to talk him into letting you go?'
She shook her head. 'He says I'm a definite target, and he's gone to a hell of a lot of trouble to get me here. I'll have to get away on my own.'
'Then we stay. We don't go anywhere without you.'
'Can't you see, that will keep me from trying to get away? It would be a stalemate.'
'Then we've got a stalemate.' He shifted his gaze to the blaze in the fireplace. 'I'd have trouble functioning without you, Devon. When I sold the practice to you, I thought I was ready to retire. I would probably have died within a year like so many men who have nothing to live for after they give up their work. I didn't care. I was tired and wanted out of the fight. I'd lost my wife, Carol, and my little girl to that scum of a drunk driver. All my ideals and zest for living had been eaten away. Then when I was working with you the month I'd agreed on before I was due to leave, I found something. You wouldn't give up. You kept fighting. No matter what happened, you just went on. I found I wanted to stick around until you did something to disappoint me.' He lifted his gaze to her face. 'You never have.'
She felt her throat tighten. 'Nick…'
'Enough of this maudlin bullshit. I just wanted to let you know that Janet and I need you. We're not about to let anything happen to you.'
'Janet would argue about that. She doesn't need anyone.'
He shook his head. 'You're blind. You helped Janet when she was down and out. You found a way to get that abusive husband of hers thrown into jail. You gave her a job. You gave her a place in life. You think she doesn't need you? We're family, Devon. An awkward, crippled, sometimes dysfunctional family, but it's been working for us. Right?'
She nodded jerkily. Nick had never talked to her like this, and she was unbearably touched. 'Yes. And I may be the most crippled one of all.'
'Because of that son of a bitch Enright?' He shook his head. 'He didn't cripple you. He just made you grow in another direction. Not a good direction for you, but the rest of us reaped the benefit. You couldn't have a normal life with him on your heels so you channeled all that stored-up love and gave it to all of us. Me, Janet, the animals. Hell, the whole damn world. I've never met a more giving person. It's almost a compulsion with you. So don't talk to me about being a cripple. That's a bunch of crap.'
'Are you trying to embarrass me? For Pete's sake, I just do my job.' Her throat was tight with emotion. 'Could we change the subject?'
He smiled. 'Sure. I just wasn't going to let you get away with bad-mouthing the most important member of our family.'
'And if I persuade Marrok to let my 'family' go, it might be the worst thing I could do. At least here he seems to offer some kind of protection.'
'If you believe him.'
'The big 'if.' ' She tried to work her way through the maze of doubts. 'I believe he did save my life at the clinic. It was close, very close. And he called 911 for the police when he thought there was a possibility there would be trouble. Even if he had nothing actually to do with Hugh's and Terry's deaths, he admits he's to blame for everything that happened because he let me take Ned home.'
'He accepts responsibility for it? That's not a bad sign.'
'Isn't it? Then it comes down to whether it's safer to trust him now or run the risk of some unsubstantiated future threat.' She got to her feet. 'And I can't make any decision until I know more. I'll let you know. You're comfortable here?'
'Janet and I are fine. There are several little private cubbyholes in this monstrosity of a bunkhouse. Bed, nightstand, reading lamp. What else could I want?'
'I'll try to get you moved up to the house.'
'No hurry.' He sat back down in the easy chair. 'I'm kind of enjoying the company. Bridget is interesting. She has an astonishing ability with animals.'
Devon smiled. 'A dog whisperer?'
'Except it seems to extend to every species. She should never have been able to get Casper out of our corral. But she did. And he's settled in very well.'
'So have you. Has she been whispering to you, too?'
He chuckled. 'Maybe she has, and I didn't know.' His smile faded. 'Don't worry about us. We're not in any immediate danger. I'm a pretty good judge of character, and I'm not seeing any threat in these people.'
'You haven't met Marrok yet.'
'No, so he's in your court. As I said, you've never disappointed me, Devon.'
'And I'll try not to.' She opened the door. 'I'll come tomorrow and tell you if-'
'So you've finally seen fit to come down and see us.' Janet was coming toward her. 'Took you long enough.'
'I came as soon-How are you, Janet?'
'Well enough considering this mess you've gotten us into.' Janet's eyes squinted as she studied Devon's face. 'Your eyes are puffy. You been crying?'
'Yes.'
'Sad, or they been hurting you?'
'Sad. My friends…'
'I know all that. What are we going to do about it?'
'I'm not sure yet. I think we're safe here right now.'
'Safe? With that viper swishing around like she owns the place.'
