HUNTER

Tack and I sleep better on our second night at the farm. That's probably why he wakes up when I do. We hang out in bed, looking at our phones and texting people. After a shower together, we enjoy breakfast at the dining hall.

Siobhan shows up with the twins and her nephews, Hicks and Hudson. They eat with Tack, Indigo, Golden, and me. Afterward, while Tack and Indigo take the two foster boys for a walk, I help Siobhan bring food to her sister.

"I can barely eat," Carys mumbles and looks sadly at the scrambled eggs. "Maybe I could keep sticky ribs down."

Siobhan frowns at her sister. "You didn't cook for me when I was near my due date."

"You were scheduled for a C-section. You didn't suffer through any of this last-minute misery. But if you had, I would have cooked anything you wanted."

"I hate you," Siobhan hisses. "Sneaky twat waffle."

"Are you this angry because you're planning to make me ribs?" Carys asks with a hopeful smile.

"Yes," Siobhan grumbles. "I can't help myself. You look so much like Mom. How can I say no to this face?"

Carys claps her hands and blows a kiss at Siobhan. "Can you make enough for Pork Chop and the boys? I don't want them to suffer by watching me eat."

"Of course," Siobhan says and glances at me. "Want to help me prepare the ribs while we talk shit about my sister?"

"Yes," I say and glance at the kids. "What about them?"

"I hate cooking. They can help make it less painful."

Hicks shakes his head. "Cooking is for girls."

"I know you're full of shit," Siobhan says and tousles his longish brown hair. "You need to talk to your dad about how to lie better."

I follow Siobhan and the four kids to the main farmhouse. I'm struck by the welcoming nutmeg scent. Aunt Fred's been baking recently.

"Where will you live when this is over?" Siobhan asks me as she digs out a rack of ribs from her parents' freezer.

"I plan to buy a house for Tack and me. It'll probably need renovations to fit our tastes. Until it's ready, we'll likely live here and my mom's place."

"The condo's just a no-go now?"

"I'd return if I was forced to, but since I have a choice, it's a no-go. Besides, Tack needs more room."

"I need more room, too," Hicks announces as he washes the cabbage for his aunt. "I need all the room. No more kids."

"I'm a kid," Hudson says and then eyes his brother and adds, "I'm the best kid."

The twins look at each other and then at Hudson before shaking their heads.

"We're in a happy mood today," Siobhan announces. "No fighting or crying. Only smiles and crazy happy energy."

Using her "Real Genius" laugh, she cracks us all up. The kids imitate her, laughing wildly. Though I'd like to do nothing more than quietly chop cabbage, the five of them wait for me to mimic Siobhan. As soon as I start laughing like a crazy person, Tack and Golden arrive.

"A few days at the farm, and she's already cracked," Golden says, walking past us. "I lasted longer than that."

Tack rolls his eyes and looks over our work. "What's all this?"

"Carys wants ribs," I explain.

"Well, that sounds like a Siobhan problem. You're needed at the donkey pen."

Siobhan considers complaining about getting ditched with a meal to cook and four children to entertain. Then, she remembers her own "only smiles and crazy happy energy" rule.

"Enjoy the donkeys," she says and takes over with the cabbage. "If you see my mom or a club wife without anything to do, send them this way to help me cook."

Tack starts to head for the door before stopping and glancing at Golden screwing around in the fridge.

"Golden, go watch the new boys and send Indigo here to help Siobhan."

"Why?"

"Because I'm asking nicely. You're too pretty to endure what'll happen once I'm no longer nice."

Rather than feel intimidated, Golden laughs loudly. "Hilarious behavior from the lovesick dude. But I'll do you this favor since I'm stuck on the farm today."

Despite Golden's agreement, he ends up sending Indigo to the kitchen and the foster boys with Tack and me to the barn.

"The donkeys like hay," Tack explains in a patient voice. "But we give them carrots as treats."

It's intoxicating how Tack's voice and demeanor change when he's dealing with these rowdy children. I swear I fall in love even more as another side of him is revealed to me.

I'm floating on a cloud by lunchtime. Tack and I eat with Siobhan and the kids at the farmhouse. The cooker out back emits a wonderful scent from the slow-cooking ribs. I feel relaxed in this place, surrounded by safe people.

As the day gets as sticky and hot as the ribs, Tack and I hide out in his room. We look at houses on the market and talk about dogs. We're just getting frisky when I receive a text from Suzanne.

"I need to talk to you."

"This can't be good," I mutter to Tack. "I'm going to talk to her alone."

"Why?"

"In case she wants to talk about my sex life. I don't want you feeling shy."

Tack smirks at my laughter. He's still grinning when I roll off the bed and leave the room.

I end up in Bear's former bedroom. Settling in a chair at the window, I dial Suzanne who answers on the first ring.

"I want to fly back to Banta City," she blurts out rather than say hello.

"Okay, but is that a good idea?"

"No. The estate staff is grieving, and my return would prove disruptive to them. I've also been informed by our new security chief how my absence from Banta City protects you. Most people think you're traveling with me, and I'm currently hopping from country to country. Those are all good reasons to remain gone."

"But?"

"I need to see you," she says in a tone stuck between domineering and miserable. "I can't stand how far away you are from me right now."

"I miss you, too," I reply, feeling the distance between us. "But you can't be here yet. What if you got hurt because of me? I couldn't live with that guilt."

"I don't care about my safety. I need to know you're safe."

"Can I be honest?"

"Always."

"You don't trust others to take care of this situation. If you were here, you could throw your power around to make people do what you want. But instead, you're stuck far from the action, hoping no one fucks up here. That's killing you."

"But I do miss you, Hunter."

"I know, and I miss you, but we both know you shouldn't come back."

"I need to know you're safe."

"Today with Tack and Siobhan has been great. I'm excited about Carys's baby. I've temporarily fooled myself into forgetting about what happened on the road that day."

Sighing, I realize how comforting life was when Suzanne could swoop in to fix problems. I miss the reassurance of her presence. Yet, I want to learn to depend on Tack rather than my mom.

"We have to be smart right now," I explain in a softer voice. "We need to step back and let the professionals do their jobs."

"Very reasonable suggestions. However, I feel like I could sneak into town and wear a wig to visit you."

We laugh at the idea. "But then what? You'd need to go to the estate. Everyone would quickly know you were back."

"Are you sure staying at the farm is a good choice? It made sense when everything first happened, but what if this situation drags on?"

"Carys is about to have her baby," I say, hearing a whine in my voice. "Tack and I are living together in his room. Siobhan is here with the twins. I got to feed mini donkeys today. I don't want to leave."

Suzanne surprises me by laughing. "You sound like a little girl."

"Right now, surrounded by these particular people, I'm able to stop thinking of Atticus dying. Or the chaos in the street. Or the way my body just collapsed when I got tasered. Maybe it'd be smarter to go somewhere else, but I feel like I won't be able to breathe anywhere but the farm."

"Okay, baby. I knew I shouldn't come back. Everyone was telling me how I ought to stay away, but I don't bow to everyone. I'll bow to you, though."

Tearing up, I feel a heaviness in my chest. I wish Suzanne could hug me. A mom's embrace holds a special magic.

Rather than whine about how much I miss her, I stay strong on the phone. That way, Suzanne will keep her ass away from Banta City until the authorities have tracked down the stalker.

Once I hang up, I hurry back to Tack's room. I cry in the pillow like I used to when I was a kid and my dad would blow me off. Every time my heart broke, my sobs would fill the house. Then, I'd wipe my tears and move on with my day.

I manage to do the same now. First, I cry into my pillow while Tack rubs my back. Next, I clean myself up and hide out with him for the afternoon.

Later, we'll check on Carys and get dinner. I can goof around with Siobhan. Tack will relax with his friends. As the farm faces another day on lockdown, I can pretend the world outside this place isn't crawling with danger.