'It's not going to go away,' he said softly. 'It wasn't enough. You know it as well as I do. Any touch, any word. I wanted you again even when I was walking away from you. Want to do it on a real bed as soon as we get back to the ranch?'
Yes, she did. She was starting to shake at the thought. 'I'll have to think about it. It's… upsetting.' She moistened her lips. 'You evidently don't believe in truth in advertising. You said it would be like coming home. No way. Unless home was in the center of a hurricane.'
'Okay, I was reassuring you. I wanted it to be like that for you, but I lost control. Maybe we have a chance of that coming later.' He frowned. 'I'm not perfect.'
No, he wasn't. But his faults were like the threads on a piece of granite that gave the stone interest and character. One could never be sure when one of those threads would give way and cause destruction and chaos. Why was she even expecting tameness from him when she had been just as primitive? She pulled her hand away. 'You gave me what I wanted. Home is a concept that you'd find boring, and so would I. It's not what we want from each other.' She started down the slope. 'And I'm not perfect either, Marrok. Let's just work on enjoying the time we have together.' She tried to smile. 'Which according to Bridget may not be that long.'
Marrok started to curse.
'I'm joking,' she said.
'I'm not,' he said tersely. 'Nothing is going to happen to you.'
'There's Walt.' She began to hurry as the helicopter set down. 'Right on time. Is he usually this prompt?'
'Yes. I mean it, Devon. Bridget is wrong. I'll keep you safe.'
He was dead serious and not to be deterred. She tried anyway. 'Hey, that's pretty sexist,' she said lightly. 'It's you Bridget is really worried about. Maybe I should promise to keep you safe.' She could feel his gaze on her back as she ran toward the copter. 'Come on, Ned, Wiley. Let's go.'
BRIDGET WAS WALKING TOWARD THE house from the bunkhouse when the helicopter landed. She stood watching as the dogs jumped out and ran toward her. 'So this is Wiley…' She didn't try to touch him. 'Smart boy,' she said, gazing into his eyes. 'You don't need much help, but I'm here for you if you want me.' She turned back to Marrok. 'Sid just got here. He was worried about Wiley.'
'We stopped at the cave. Ned needed to be there.' Marrok helped Devon from the copter. 'Any word from Sarah's place?'
She nodded. 'There was someone scouting around today. Danner must have broken the code.'
'Why didn't you call me?'
'It was obviously reconnaissance. I told them not to do anything in case we wanted to make a move of our own.' She turned to Devon. 'And we're having trouble with your Janet McDonald. She's decided that she's not needed at Sarah's and wants to come back here.'
'She didn't give it long,' Marrok said dryly.
'Sarah Logan runs a tight ship. I can see why a woman like Janet would feel useless.' Bridget said to Devon, 'Your call. But if you tell her to stay, I don't promise you won't have a mutiny on your hands.'
'She's safer there.'
'If you can keep her from flying the coop.'
Devon said wearily, 'Bring her back.'
Bridget nodded. 'Walt, be ready to leave in an hour, okay?' Her gaze shifted to Marrok. 'They'll try to trace us. Do you want me to let them do it?'
Marrok thought about it. 'Not yet. We have to bring Nika here first.' He started toward the house. 'I'll have her brought here tomorrow.'
'Do you want me to go after her?' Bridget called after him.
'No, you have enough on your plate.' Marrok disappeared into the house.
'And he doesn't trust me,' Bridget murmured. She looked down at Wiley. 'You know all about distrust, don't you? But I think you trust me. Come on, I'll take you down to the bunkhouse to Sid.' She started across the stable yard. 'Do you want to go with me to pick up your Janet, Devon? Maybe you can persuade her not to leave Sarah's.'
'I doubt it.' She hesitated. 'Yes, I'll go.'
'One hour. But if you tell Marrok you're going, he's going to raise hell. Danner knows about Sarah now. I don't care either way. Do what you like.'
'I usually do.'
Bridget gazed back at her. 'That's not true. You have a keen sense of duty. But you did what you wanted this afternoon, didn't you?'
Devon could hear the heat sting her cheeks. It couldn't be clearer what Bridget meant. She refused to deny it. 'Yes, I did. Not that it's any of your business, Bridget.'
'It's my business. More than you could dream. You made a mistake. I could tell the minute I saw Marrok get off the helicopter. You're… joined. I could see it.'
Devon shook her head. 'We only had sex. That's crazy.'
'You bet it is. You may have ruined everything.' She added bitterly, 'But I can't do anything about that now. It's too late. I'll just have to try to salvage what I can.' Her pace quickened as she looked straight ahead. 'Screw him all you please. It doesn't matter now. I'll meet you at the helicopter.'
SARAH LOGAN WAS WAITING AT the helicopter pad with Janet McDonald beside her when they landed a few hours later.
'I'm sorry, Devon,' Sarah said. 'I tried to persuade her to stay.'
'I'm not needed here,' Janet said. 'Nick can stay and watch over those dogs. I have to take care of you.'
'Janet…' Devon gave up as she studied Janet's expression. 'It's safer for you here. But come along if you have to do it.'
'I have to do it,' she said flatly as she looked at Bridget. 'But I'm not sitting next to that viper. I'll sit in front.'
'I'm flattered,' Walt said. 'I think.'
'Thanks, Sarah,' Devon said as she shut the door. 'I'm sorry to bother you.'
'I didn't bother her,' Janet said as they lifted off. 'I tried to help, but she's got so many people, they're stumbling over each other.' She glowered at Bridget. 'And I knew you didn't realize what a nasty piece of work this one is.'
'I'm suspecting,' Devon murmured. 'But I can handle her.'
Bridget snorted. 'Not funny.'
'I agree. And I wasn't amused at what you said back at the ranch.'
'I was honest.' She was silent a moment. 'I want the best for you. If it doesn't hurt Marrok.'
'For God's sake, look at me,' she said in exasperation. 'I'm a plain Jane. No femme fatale.'
'What's this all about?' Janet asked suspiciously.
'Ignore them,' Walt said. 'It's tactful… and safer.'
Bridget looked down at the ground below them. 'Land at the Monterey airport. We'll change copters. Marrok doesn't want us to lead them back to the ranch.'
'Yes, ma'am,' Walt said. 'Though we'll be lucky if they don't get a fix on that helicopter, too.'
'Not in time,' Bridget said. 'It will be safe enough.'
'She's probably lying,' Janet said coldly.
Bridget turned to face her. 'You're right to suspect me. That's the safest thing to do when you're trying to take care of someone. But you might remember we wouldn't even be in this predicament if you hadn't pulled a tantrum and threatened to bolt. Shut up unless you have something valuable to contribute.'
Janet's face flushed with anger. She opened her lips to reply, then closed them again. A moment later she said, 'I don't have tantrums.'
'What do you call it?'
'Not a tantrum. I did what I thought I should do.' She stared Bridget in the eye. 'And you'll have to prove to me that you're not a liar.'
'I don't have to prove anything,' Bridget said. 'You're the one who has to prove herself. You're pissed because I put you down. You don't like to lose. But I was only doing my job, and I've done everything I could to make you comfortable and safe. I'm done. Now you can contribute or sulk in the bunkhouse. But don't think I won't work your
