Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(41)

“He was standing watch for you both, wasn’t he?”

Lily nodded. “He could have sent someone else, but he chose to do it himself.”

“You’re not just employees. You’re his friends. Brent wouldn’t hesitate to put his own life on the line to protect you.”

“Just as we would do for him.”

A true friend, indeed. They were family. Rowan’s heart squeezed. She longed for that type of friendship, deep and true. “How did you and Remy meet?”

Lily grinned. “I worked with him on a couple missions before we were paired up to search for a missing woman. Remy is quite the charmer and I never took the light flirting for anything but passing the time until that missing person search. That Cajun charmer captured my heart despite my best intentions.”

“Ah, now, baby, that’s no way to tell the lady I swept you off your feet,” Remy drawled from the doorway, the charm quite evident. His eyes twinkled as he gazed at his wife.

Oh, man. Rowan sighed. She so wanted that kind of relationship with her future husband. Brent’s face popped into her mind and she admitted to herself that she would like for someone like Brent to be the one. Wasn’t up to her alone, though. Would Brent be interested or would she be forced to wait for someone else to come along? Rowan had a feeling that no other man would measure up to Brent Maddox.

“Dream on, sweetheart. I married you for your family.” Lily turned to Rowan. “The Doucet men know how to treat their women and Marie, Remy’s mother, is the best cook in the state.” She rolled her eyes. “Marie’s been trying to teach me to cook since I married Remy. It’s a lost cause.”

“Not true,” Remy protested. “You’ve made great strides. You only burn a couple things a week now,” he said with a wicked grin.

“Thanks a lot.”

Brent walked into the kitchen, his gaze locking on Rowan as he crossed the room to her side. “Good morning,” Brent murmured as he wrapped her in a hug. “How much did you sleep?”

Rowan didn’t want to lie to him so she didn’t say anything.

Brent drew back, studied her face, sympathy growing in his eyes. “I was afraid of that.” He winked at her. “We’ll try another cowboy movie tonight.”

She laughed. “That should do it, all right.”

“What smells so good besides you?”

Rowan hugged him just a little tighter at that comment. “Muffins. They should be ready in a few minutes.” She motioned to the pot of coffee. “The magic elixir is ready. I’ll have omelets going in a couple minutes. I assume you’re hungry.”

“Guilty. How can I help?”

“Chop whatever lunch meat you and the others like in your omelet while I mix the eggs.”

Minutes later, the omelets and cinnamon muffins were gone, the coffee pot empty, and the orange and grape juice wiped out. Rowan had to smile. Not a hardship to cook for people who appreciated everything she did for them.

She glanced at the clock as she started gathering empty dishes. Good grief! It wasn’t even six o’clock. She was so going to pay for yet another short night of sleep. Man, how did Brent and his people do this all the time? She felt like the walking dead while they looked as though they’d slept for twelve hours when she knew it was closer to three or four a piece. Maybe. They had stamina to spare.

She needed to call Coffee House, make sure everything was on track, that the baked-goods delivery had come on time, and Lacey had shown up this morning. Rowan hoped Frank hadn’t been a problem again. Yeah, she knew Adam had promised to keep an eye on things, but he couldn’t keep watch all night and stay at the shop during working hours. Her stomach knotted, making her wish she’d opted for a soft drink instead of coffee this morning.

A large hand cupped the side of her face with a gentle touch. Brent’s warmth seeped into her chilled skin. His eyes held concern. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I’m worried about the shop and Lacey. What if Frank showed up at Lacey’s house last night? He was so angry with her and he’s not one to give up easily. He’s a bully determined to get his way and he wants Lacey under his thumb.” Or on the receiving end of his fist.

Brent brushed his thumb over her bottom lip, then pulled out his cell phone. The Fortress CEO typed in a message. Seconds later, his phone signaled an incoming message. Satisfaction lit his gaze. He turned his phone so she could see the message on his screen. Lacey is here at Coffee House. All quiet at her place overnight. Still working on the code. Getting closer.

She reached up and kissed him. “Thank you,” Rowan whispered.

“For what?” he murmured as Remy and Lily left the room.

“So many things. Taking care of my employees. Taking care of me. You told Lily what bath supplies to buy for me, didn’t you?”

He lifted one shoulder.

Another kiss. “Thank you for noticing the details, Brent.”

His eyes lit. “My pleasure, sweetheart.” He cupped the back of her neck and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Are you ready for today?”

“I don’t think that’s possible. I can’t think of much worse than planning my sister’s funeral.” Her voice choked off. “We were supposed to grow old together, you know? Raise our children together. Now, I’ll be raising Alexa myself.”