Love Under Two Benedicts(31)

“Sheriff Kendall, it’s Kelsey Madison over at Lusty Appetites. Could I speak to Matthew, please? It’s important.”



* * * *



“For a man who’s getting regular sex, you’re a mite tense there, Deputy Benedict.”

Matthew narrowed his eyes, his gaze slicing right through the man who’d spoken those teasing words. His steely-eyed glare might work on most men, but it seemed to have absolutely no effect whatsoever on his cousin Adam. And since his cousin was also his boss, he supposed he could let the comment slide.

Like hell.

“If my mood isn’t to your liking, Sheriff Kendall, perhaps we could step outside around back and…talk about it.” Matthew gave Adam his best smile.

Adam’s shit-eating grin just pissed him off even more. “We could do that, Deputy, but I’ll take you, same as I always do.”

“I’m bigger than I used to be,” Matthew warned.

“Yeah, but I have a ton of sexual frustration to add fuel to my fire. Seriously,” he stepped over to the coffee pot, poured two cups, and handed Matthew one, “you and Steven spend every spare minute with Kelsey. I thought the three of you were a done deal. I’ve been expecting any day now that you would ask me to be your best man.”

Matthew accepted the brew and the chance to share confidences. Next to Steven, Adam was his best friend, despite the two years between them.

“Yeah, I’d have thought that by now we’d be a done deal, too.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“It’s taking us longer to cut through Kelsey’s defenses than we thought it would. Oh, believe me, on a physical level, we couldn’t be happier or better suited. But emotionally? She’s still locked up tighter than a girls’ school at midterm.”

Adam sat in his chair behind his desk and relaxed back. “I guess that’s only to be expected. None of us can really understand what she’s been through. You just have to be patient with her.”

“Oh, I know. We both know. And we’re not giving up on her. She doesn’t really understand it, but she’s ours, and we’re keeping her. That part is definitely a done deal.” He paused for a moment to sip his coffee. He thought of the way Kelsey had resisted awakening this morning, the way she’d snuggled down between them so sweetly. He especially thought of the way she seemed to totally relax as soon as she arrived at the ranch. “I’m certain she feels more for us than she’s willing to admit.”

“Getting her to admit it is the problem?”

For the most part, he and his brother thought so. “Yeah. Steven and I have just about run out of ideas. We took Mom’s advice and asked Kelsey to help us redecorate the front parlor at the ranch. Mom says that should start sending the message that we’re serious and help her to develop a sense of belonging there. If you have any suggestions to add to the mix, we’d be obliged.” He got up and paced toward the window. He stood for a long moment, watching people and traffic.

“That’s not the heart of it, is it?”

Adam’s quiet voice and the question reminded Matthew that his cousin had inherited more than just a love for wearing a badge from that long ago Adam Kendall. He had the family’s sixth sense, too.

“She’s never talked about it. Not once. I think…I think before she can admit any emotional attachment to us, she has to open up about her loss.”

Matthew wondered what Adam would say to that. Then the phone rang. Adam picked it up on the second ring.

“Sheriff’s Department,” Adam said. “Hi, Kelsey. Sure, he’s right here.” Adam held out the receiver. The look in his eyes made Matt’s heart skip a beat.

“It’s your woman. She sounds funny. Like something’s wrong.”





Chapter 11



The only message Steven got was something had happened at the restaurant, and Kelsey was at the Lusty Clinic.

He literally raced into town and nearly broke down the door entering the building and didn’t even care that several gazes immediately snapped to him. He scanned the small crowd gathered, all people he knew, and spotted Kelsey in the midst of them. In three strides, he reached her, his hands going to her shoulders, his gaze anxious as he took in every inch of her.

“You’re all right.” The relief was enormous, and he closed his eyes for one moment.

“Of course I’m all right.”

Only she wasn’t. He knew that in a heartbeat. Whatever brought her here hadn’t been any physical injury, but she was hurting. Her face looked drawn, and the tone that came out of her sounded so icy it could have cut granite.