Love Under Two Detectives Read online

  “He wanted to be well outside of the larger city so that he could be private with his lover.” Mary understood that, but more, she marveled that the two men were brave enough in those harsh times to be true to themselves and each other.

  “Now, we generally start at the bedrooms—the master bedroom and one or two secondary ones. I think, in the case of Christopher, we’ll do that. I did consider just furnishing the master bedroom, but I don’t know how his mind and his heart are doing at the moment. A breakup is one thing, but this…losing the love of your life to a horrible disease is something entirely different.”

  Mary felt her conscience twinge. Usually, she was happy enough to leave well enough alone. She very rarely shared confidences or things she discovered about others. But perhaps in this case, since the person who’d been the source of her secret insider information could no longer be hurt by her revelations, she should speak up—at least to her aunt.

  “Sometimes a breakup can be like a death,” she said. “The death of hopes and dreams, of the future once joyfully imagined.” She watched her aunt and wasn’t disappointed by what she saw in that woman’s eyes.

  “Indeed.” She placed a hand on Mary’s shoulder. “Ginny, do you and your sisters want to get started on the kitchen and dining room? We’ll be right there.”

  “Of course, Mom. Let’s go, ladies.”

  Samantha Kendall waited until Ginny, Tracy, and Tamara were out of sight. Then she looked at Mary. “I’d gotten vibes a few times in the past when I visited. I’d hoped I’d been wrong.”

  “I think some of the problem for Chris right now is that everyone is treating him like a grieving widow, and he feels guilty because they were definitely headed for divorce when Diane got sick.”

  “And he never said a word?” Samantha asked. She led Mary over to look at the beds—every size from single to full to king and even what the family called Lusty-size were kept in one area.

  “No. I heard it from Diane that they were going to each find lawyers. But once she was diagnosed, he set everything aside. She’d cheated on him numerous times and had even proclaimed she hadn’t wanted Kendall children, just Kendall money.” Mary shrugged. “I don’t know why she confided in me. In the end, the last time I saw her, not long before she died, she regretted the way she’d treated him. I think they made a peace between them.”

  “You and Kate have that in common,” Samantha said. “People sense something in you both and know their secrets are safe. So, if I have this right, when Diane got sick, Chris buried the hatchet and just looked after her—as a loving husband would do.”

  “It was more like a chain saw than a hatchet, but, yeah, basically. I think he’d already begun to grieve for his marriage. It must have been hard on him on so many levels, caring for her in the end.”

  “He’s a good man is our Christopher. I’m very glad he’s headed here. We’ll take care of him. Do you think Jake knows?”

  Mary had wondered that herself. “I wouldn’t be surprised. I just…I wouldn’t have said anything, but I think the weight of the sympathy imposed by others has become a particular burden he needs to shed. And I also figure you’re the best one to help him do that.”

  “Thank you for trusting me. I think even more highly of him now than I did already, and I didn’t think that was possible. And, by the way, that goes for you, and Jake too.”

  They did end up outfitting two bedrooms, and since Jake had led Chris to believe that the house was already furnished, the existence of a master suite would be expected. They would also set up a king-sized bed in the next largest bedroom.

  “Generally, when more than one guy moves into a house that Mother has outfitted with a master suite, they use their own beds to sleep in and take turns in the master bath.” Tracy’s smile was wide. “Unless, of course, they’re like my husbands.”

  “That’s the funniest thing about hetero men,” Tamara said. “Women, like us, if we end up in a hotel room with a single king-sized bed, why, we just share the bed. Two men in that situation? Someone’s sleeping on the sofa, if there is one, or the floor if there’s not.”

  “The amazing vagaries of that pesky Y chromosome,” Samantha said.

  For the most part, Mary and the others trailed Samantha. Aunt Samantha sure is a marvel to watch. The woman put Mary in mind of a general. Then she considered the fact that Samantha Kincaid Kendall had managed three husbands and five sons…definitely Superwoman.

  She did ask for their opinions, and she did listen, sometimes going with a suggestion from one of them. But she moved efficiently, and in less than an hour and a half, they had everything selected for Christopher’s house.

  Mary liked the layout of the house that her cousin would soon move into. The downstairs bedroom was left empty. Jake had told his mother that Chris had a desk and some bookcases he was sending in order to outfit a home office. The rest of the house—from the two bedrooms upstairs, linens for the beds and the bathrooms, all the way down to the living room, kitchen, and dining room complete with dishes and pots and pans—was ready to move into by the end of the afternoon. That included basic supplies like towels, soap and shampoo in the bathrooms and cleaning supplies in the kitchen.

  “I thought that we might actually have more time than just the week,” Samantha said. “But Kate handled the one obstacle to Chris’s moving here.” She looked at Mary. “When your folks are ready to stay home, they’ll be tested, too. And if quarantine is required, well, there’s a plan for that as well.”

  “That makes me feel much better. Thanks.”

  “No thanks are needed. We’re family.”

  Family had always been more important to Mary than she’d ever let on. All things considered, her timing couldn’t have been better. Coming here might turn out to be the best decision of my life.

  * * * *

  The meeting at the combination gun range/fitness complex was winding down. They’d attended a long planning session there with Adam, Jake, and Jordan. Matt Benedict had also been in attendance, along with Marcus and Robert Jessop and, of course, Grandma Kate.

  Anthony had been involved in a couple similar meetings in the past when one or another of the residents of Lusty had been in danger. The situation a couple of years back involving Norm Kendall and his best friend and cousin, Will, was the first example that came to mind. Those two Kendalls had been the target of a deranged former client.

  He didn’t have to think very long or hard on why that case came to mind, either. He put his attention back on the moment.

  “We’ll get in touch with Clint,” Anthony said. “Let him know that we’re drawing up a plan to temporarily convert Lusty to a gated community.”

  “We don’t anticipate a problem with that because the town is situated on private property.” Toby looked around the table. “We’ll make a list of the authorities that will need to be notified, but from what we can see, it should not be a problem.”

  “This is a step that I never thought we’d ever take,” Kate Benedict said. Then she looked around the table. Anthony wondered if it was his imagination that she seemed to focus on Adam and Jake. “This will only be temporary. I mean that, gentlemen.”

  Adam sighed. “Grandma Kate, I know I’ve groused some and muttered about making Lusty a gated community in the past. Please believe me when I say, that was my frustration talking. I really don’t like this any more than you do.”

  “I do know that. I also know these next few months could be rough on you—well, you and Robert. You both share the annoying quality of believing the responsibility for the health and safety of everyone in the family rests in your hands.”

  “It doesn’t?” Adam and Robert responded at the same time. That brought a chuckle from everyone and eased the tension somewhat. This was serious business. Anthony had known many of these people for years. He knew how seriously they all took the health and safety of their family.

  Robert Jessop sat forward. “Greg and Cody are as comfortable as they can be, under the ci
rcumstances. Marc and I will administer the first tests when we leave here, and it shouldn’t take too long to know whether or not they have the virus. Dr. Li Cheng was thorough in his report, so we know what to expect and what to look for. If they test negative, we’ll do it again in a couple of days and continue on until the quarantine period is over. If our guys test positive, we’re ready for that, too.”

  “Our labs in Abilene, Houston, and Dallas are sending sufficient testing kits here,” Kate Benedict said. “They’re also going to increase production, as they’re possibly going to be needed elsewhere in the area.” She looked around the table. “We’ll make them available, free of charge, to the state, or other states, if they’re needed.”

  “I spoke to the triplets out in L.A.,” Adam said. “They’re wrapping things up and heading home. Should be here in a few days.” He looked over at Jordan. “So that will be four more trailers we’re going to need.”

  “Four?” Anthony asked. He was vaguely aware that the “triplets” Adam referred to were Paul, Lucas, and Wesley Jessop and that they were screen writers.

  Adam grinned. “Like every other male in the family, they’re protective of their wife and each other. So they decided that they would each quarantine separately for the first fourteen days they’re home.”

  “In their case, quarantine is mostly for form. Unlike Greg and Cody, it’s doubtful they’ve been exposed. But since we’re taking that precaution with everyone who comes home…” Robert let the sentence trail. “Christopher will be living alone in that house Aunt Samantha is outfitting for him. He’s agreed to quarantine there before heading to the office.”

  “He, like Mary, was pleased to know that we’ve made arrangements for the rest of his family in New York. As we’ve done for those in Wyoming and Montana.”

  Kate’s comment was a reminder to him just how far-flung the family was.

  “Every trailer is outfitted with all the amenities of home, including a laptop and a complete entertainment system,” Jordan said. “Along with enough food and water, of course.” Then he grinned. “I’ve heard the aunts are cooking and baking up a storm.”

  “And very happily doing so.” Kate smiled. “That will give us six trailers set up and available, and that should be enough,” Kate said.

  “I’d like to purchase a few more and keep them out by the cottage,” Jordan said. “Just in case we need them.”

  “All right. Do what you think best. We don’t know if this is going to be a full-blown situation, or not.” Kate looked around the table. “What worries me is how very contagious this thing is. In the worst-case scenario, we have several houses that currently are vacant, that can be used if necessary.”

  “I think we’ve got it all covered—for now,” Jake Kendall said. “I say that because this is a new situation for us all, and I think it will be a very fluid one. Robbie, do you have anything more to add?”

  “No. As you say, we’ll learn as we go. I think the plans we’ve made are good for now.”

  “Excellent. We’ll get together as needed,” Grandma Kate said. “Thank you all for coming.”

  It didn’t take long for the meeting to break up. He and Toby had a few private words with Kate, and then they were headed to the car. Their thoughts of course turned to Mary Kendall.

  “Have you ever met this Christopher?” Anthony asked Toby. He’d started the car and began to negotiate his way out of the parking lot.

  He wasn’t exactly jealous that Mary had accompanied Aunt Samantha and some of the other Kendall women on their quest today to furnish a house for another man.

  Not exactly.

  “I know precisely how you’re feeling right now. It’s kind of a pisser, isn’t it?” Toby chuckled. “I don’t have a great deal of experience with being in a committed relationship, but something tells me we have to kind of get rid of this niggling jealousy of ours—or at least make damn sure Mary doesn’t find out about it. And no, I’ve never met him, but we know Will, and Chris is his brother.”

  Anthony exhaled heavily. “Yeah. I feel marginally better knowing you’re on the exact same page.”

  “I think the circumstances have something to do with it, too. We’re feeling threatened by life at the moment.”

  Anthony sure as hell couldn’t deny that. One of the things he had to do at some point was to put a call in to Chief Robb. Kate had suggested he do so, and that had been a relief of another sort. He’d already decided he’d contact the chief on his cell phone this evening. Better to do it privately as opposed to officially.

  Anthony didn’t envy Robb with regard to the hot potato he was about to hand him. While there had been some stories about the virus in Washington State in the national news, it didn’t seem as if anyone was connecting the dots. Most likely the federal government will be making some announcements soon.

  Anthony mentally shook his head. They had a plan to keep Lusty and her residents safe. Now they needed to let it go. All that could be done had been done. Now it was a case of wait and see.

  Both his and Toby’s cell phones announced an incoming text at the same time. He smiled, because the sound of the ping told him who the message was from.

  “She just got home,” Toby said. “Good timing.”

  “It is.” Two minutes later, he turned the car right and then right again and into the small driveway. Mary had left her Buick on the street.

  As they entered the house, the sound of water running reached them. Looking down the short hall, past the kitchen, they could see the bedroom door standing open.

  The night before, they’d tucked Mary in between them. But rather than indulging themselves, they’d just held her. Anthony and Toby had come to the decision that last night was going to be for holding, and for healing, just a little. They’d invited her to go to the Roadhouse with them for supper tonight so that they could have a proper date before they became intimate.

  So the plan was to come home, get ready, and head out on their first date. And then tonight, when they got back, they’d have her between them again, but this time, they’d make love to her. It had been a sound plan, a good plan, and one that Mary had reluctantly agreed to. She’d made it very clear to them both last night that she wanted to have sex right then and there. And maybe it was sneaky and highhanded of them, but they’d coaxed her into just snuggling down for a few minutes, first. They’d both read the exhaustion on her, and when she’d dropped solidly into sleep a few moments later, they’d both known they’d made the right decision.

  But now it was time to reconsider the grand plan of supper date and then sex. That open bedroom door was an invitation if ever he’d seen one.

  Anthony looked over at Toby. “What do you think?”

  “I think it’s a damn good thing the roadhouse doesn’t take reservations for dinner in the first place. That means we can’t possibly be late for one.”

  Anthony felt the weight of the world slide off his shoulders. He nodded once and headed toward the bedroom and the luxurious shower that lay beyond. He tossed his suit jacket on the chair in the corner of the bedroom and got rid of the rest of his clothes in record time. By the sound of things, Toby was doing the same.

  Then, with his best friend beside him, he stalked toward that enormous shower and the naked, wet, and waiting woman who smiled at them from behind the glass.

  “God, she’s magnificent.” Anthony’s gaze never left Mary. They were standing just inches from the glass door. He took his time looking at her, but she didn’t notice, because her attention—that minx—was clearly on them.

  Not on their faces, of course, but on their cocks.

  “After you, as you are older than me.” Toby reached out and opened the door and waited for Anthony to enter.

  Chapter Seven

  Oh my, I am so very lucky.

  The sight of Anthony and Toby standing before her, completely naked and totally hard, actually made her mouth water. Mary was no shrinking virgin. She’d had a couple of serious relationships over the
years, so she’d assumed that she’d known what to expect when it came to sex.

  Well, guess I’m going to have to toss all that knowledge out under the heading of “useless.” These two men had the biggest cocks she had ever seen up close and in person.

  Mary had timed it all perfectly, and yay for her. She figured they’d hear the shower and see the open bedroom door and do exactly what they’d done.

  The shower door opened, and Anthony and Toby entered the hot, steamy enclosure, shutting the door behind them.

  “You’re luscious.” Anthony closed the distance between them. Toby moved, too, until she felt him close behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders and drew her back against himself as Anthony stepped just that much closer. Suddenly this very large shower seemed to shrink in size. She could feel the muscled flesh of Toby’s body against her own and his hard, naked cock pressed flush to the small of her back just above her ass. She inhaled deeply and took in the scent of them both, enhanced by the heated water. Her nipples peaked, and she could have sworn her pussy actually dripped.

  “You’re not bad yourself.” Mary tried for a tone she would describe in one of her novels as sophisticated and sultry. The smirk Anthony gave her told her all she needed to know about her success in that regard.

  She gave him a half-shrug. “I’m not exactly a femme fatale.”

  “Fuck woman, any more ‘femme fatale’ and we’d be on our hands and knees, our tongues hanging out.” Toby’s words thrilled her and made her laugh.

  “Believe it,” Anthony said. He cupped her face and leaned down, giving her a very sweet and way too brief of a kiss. “You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. I can’t ever remember wanting anyone like this.”

  Mary set aside her natural tendency to toss out a glib line. Honesty shone from Anthony’s eyes, and she needed to give that back to him—to them both. “Me, neither. When I woke up this morning, and you both were already up and making breakfast, I was kind of pissed. I wanted you so badly last night. But now…” It was hard as hell for her to admit that she’d been wrong about something. “But now, I know you made the right decision. I was more tired and stressed than I realized. Thank you for taking care of me.”