It wasn’t even ten o’clock and Tansy figured she’d been through an emotional wringer already.
Nerves from having Sam sleep in the next room, the joy of running with one of her best friends, excitement over the DOD projects, the worry she’d absorbed from Sam about the plane.
And the kiss.
The Kiss.
Had to be capitalized, even in her head.
It was taking every ounce of willpower she possessed not to jump him, to drag him up to her room and have her way with him.
All the ways she’d been imagining.
She’d always had a healthy imagination, and the list was extensive.
But she wanted something long term with Sam, and she wouldn’t screw it up by rushing things.
They’d take their time like civilized adults.
Because they knew each other so well, she wanted to skip a couple of steps, but that wasn’t wise.
Sam’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Tell me about Phail. What’s the town like?”
They’d taken Sam’s car because it was bigger, and he was a control freak. Tansy didn’t mind driving, but she preferred being the passenger so she could focus on whatever was important at the moment.
At this moment, jumping into bed with Sam seemed the most important thing, but she shoved that aside to focus on the town.
“Phail was founded over a hundred years ago by Samuel Phail, who moved from Inverness, Scotland. He married a local girl, Jean, and they founded the sawmill.”
“Phail is a last name? I’ve never heard of that one. Wonder how much teasing kids in the family have to suffer through.”
Tansy nodded. “You saw the way someone changed the Ph to F on the sawmill sign. I’m sure that’s happened a lot. According to what I’ve read, the Phail family was kind of a big deal back in Scotland. Apparently, there was some kind of big family dustup and a lot of the clan moved away. The ones who left changed the name to MacPhail, but the original group kept their name. And I’m sounding like a history lesson.”
Sam reached over to squeeze her hand. “I enjoy listening to you, Tans. You’re never boring.”
She squeezed his in return before he took it back to take the curve.
“What’s the town like now? Are there lots of Phails running around?”
Tansy shrug. “I haven’t had a chance to get to know it yet. I’ve only been in a couple of businesses and haven’t really spoken with anyone other than cashiers.”
Sam shook his head at her. “They probably don’t bite, Tans. Unless you’ve moved next door to a vampire colony.”
She smiled. “They’ve all been out and about during the day, so I doubt it. Although I didn’t notice a lot of mirrors.”
“Have you bought garlic?”
She laughed. “I have. I think we can safely cross vampires off the list. The streets and sidewalks have been plowed and cleared. The stores I’ve seen are kind of like the lodge. Old but solidly built and well-maintained.”
Sam slowed as they rounded the last corner and pulled into the town. She looked around with more curiosity than she’d felt before.
Now she could admit to herself that she’d been trying to rush in and out so she could hunker down by herself.
Because she’d been hiding out again. Running away and hiding. The only consolation to that embarrassing fact was that she’d accomplished a lot in her isolation.
Her therapist would be shaking her head right now. The Riveras had ensured all of their foster kids had regular access to therapy.
Dr. Yun had agreed with Tansy’s statement that she didn’t need as much social interaction as most people. But the doctor had called her out on using that as an excuse to hide away from conflict and potential embarrassment.
Tansy knew she spent a lot of time in her own head working on her projects, but she also knew she was human. And humans needed companionship.
Sam had only arrived yesterday and already Tansy felt more vibrant and energetic. Ideas were racing through her head with more speed and details.
Sam energized her like no one else.
Sam drove the entire length of the town, then turned around at the end and drove back to a parking lot next to the general store.
On the sidewalk, he nodded up at the sign. “I see the sawmill isn’t the only target.”
Phail General had become Fail General with a bright orange F painted over the black lettering.
Sam pointed across the street to the No Fail Diner, which was spelled the regular way. “Let’s eat first, then we’ll stock up.”
She slipped her arm through his as they crossed. “And you’ll tell me your plans.”
The way his body tightened made her think he was avoiding her question. Which meant he hadn’t made up his mind yet. Sam liked to mull things over, which she understood, but she could help him mull.
And it would keep her mind off The Kiss. And the fact that when they returned to the lodge, they’d be all alone again.
Sam held open the door and guided her inside with a hand on the small of her back. Something she’d only read about in movies before. It sent a thrill up her spine.
The spicy scents of cumin and paprika surprised her, along with the regular smells of coffee and bacon.
The diner had a long counter that ran the length of the room. A dozen booths with blue and green tartan vinyl covers on the seats ran along the front and side edges of the diner. Stools were covered in the same tartan, and a coat of arms featuring a griffin and a buck decorated the wall.
An Asian woman behind the counter waved. “Have a seat anywhere and I’ll be right with you.”
They chose a booth on the side wall that gave them both a good view of the diner and the people. She knew Sam never liked having his back to a room.
When the waitress arrived, she held two coffee mugs and a pot. “Coffee first?”
Sam nodded. “Thanks. Tansy here doesn’t do coffee, though.”
“I’m Sato. Can I get you tea? We have a wide selection.” She pointed to a chalkboard over her shoulder and Tansy smiled at the variety.
“I’ll have lemon-ginger, please.”
“Main menu is on the big chalkboard. I’ll give you a few minutes and grab your tea.”
The menu included breakfast and lunch options, both with vegetarian options, and with a decided Mexican flair to the choices.
Tansy rarely had many options when she ate out. She didn’t eat meat, and that limited choices in most places. But not here.
They both decided on the Mexican breakfast skillets and after Sato took their order, Tansy leaned in. “What plans have you been spinning around the property?”
He smiled at her and sipped his coffee. Sato had refilled it already.
“I’ve always liked the idea of running my own business, but nothing has ever fit. Not like the FBI fit.”
His face clouded over, and Tansy reached over to pat his hand. “Until now.”
He nodded. “For the past few years, I’ve been playing with the idea of founding a training facility.”
“What kind of training?”
“Protection detail, for the most part. Teach people how to look out for others and themselves, how to cope with an assault or a kidnapping attempt.”
Tansy’s heart melted a little more for this wonderful man. “You’ve always dealt with the aftermath of a kidnapping. Now you want to be more proactive. Help people avoid the traps in the first place.”
His face lit up, making her feel as if she’d found the right connection in a mechanism.
“Exactly. I’d like to help people learn to be more aware, learn to protect themselves, learn how to avoid dangerous situations. Or maybe train people to be bodyguards. A lot of the people I’ve worked with over the years have some of the skill sets required, but most are lacking in one area.”
“What kinds of areas do you mean?”
Sam leaned forward and tapped the table for every point. “Strategies for keeping people safe when exiting or entering buildings and vehicles, setting up a safe area indoors and outdoors, tracking in the woods and on the streets, knowledge about body language and eye contact. Physical fitness and martial arts training. Defensive and offensive driving skills. Teaching research skills to improve their knowledge of the clients and the potential for attacks. Ways to check vehicles and buildings for explosives and tracking devices.”
Tansy grinned. “This is great. You’ve already taught a lot of that to me, so I know you’d be good at this. Really good. It’s an exciting idea, Sam.”
His face showed his pleasure at her words. “I want to talk with Joe about it. And you. It’s only an idea.”
Tansy smiled. “Sounds like our property might be what you’ve been looking for.”
He took her hand. “I’d pay rent or lease or whatever you call it. If everyone thinks it’s a good idea.”
“You’ve been talking with others about it?” She’d been wishing she’d been the first, but that was silly.
“A few. Joe, obviously. And Nico. My buddy Graham.”
“Do I know Graham?”
Sam shook his head. “I don’t know if you’ve met. He’s an electrician and a mechanic. Likes playing with machines. He’d find your DOD projects a lot of fun. He’s the best driver I’ve ever met, and he wants to be a part of things if I ever do decide to go ahead.”
Tansy hadn’t seen excitement light Sam’s eyes for his job in a long time. It was an excruciating job when the ending was positive. Unimaginable when it went wrong.
“I want some of the lodge and sawmill for my labs, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t share the space, Sam. I think this is a great idea. You have my vote.”
Sato brought their meals, and they dug in to the best food she’d eaten in a long time. Certainly better than anything she could make.
“Maybe we need to hire a cook.”
Tansy laughed. “Maybe we can steal whoever cooks here. This is fabulous.”
Sam put down his fork and looked at her. “I need to talk to Joe.”
“I think he’ll be on board with the idea.”
Sam shook his head. “Not that. I need to talk to Joe about this.” He motioned between them.
Tansy sighed. Sam was the quintessential honorable man. “I’m a grown woman, Sam. Joe’s not my keeper.”
“No, but he’s your older brother. And he’s one of my best friends. I need to talk to him.”
Before they went any further. Because he had lines he wouldn’t cross, even if she thought they were silly. “Fine. Talk fast.”
Sam wanted to pull out his phone and call Joe right there, but that wouldn’t do. He had to figure out how to say it.
He knew it was early in a relationship to tell anyone, never mind someone important to them both, but he couldn’t move forward with Tansy until he cleared his conscience.
They’d only shared a few kisses. He didn’t know if her heart was close to where his was. Where his had always been.
But he wanted her. In a forever kind of way.
And he needed Joe to be okay with that.
When they paid the bill, Sam asked Sato about the best places to buy supplies. Interest lit up her face. “What kinds of supplies do you need?”
Perfect. “Tansy owns some property north of town. We’re looking to pick up food supplies, along with some security bits and pieces.”
Sato’s eyebrows rose. “Security? You won’t need much of that around here. People mostly mind their own. Don’t have a lot of theft and that sort of nonsense.”
As usual, Tansy stayed quiet with strangers and let Sam do the talking.
“Phail General might have what you need, or they can get it shipped in for you. Phail Phoods will set you up for the food. You sticking around?”
Sato was looking at Tansy, who nodded with a small smile.
“Welcome to Phail. We hope you don’t.” Then she hooted at her own joke, making them smile. “You’ll get used to that. With a name like ours, you’ve got to have a sense of humor.”
As new locals, Sato introduced them to Manuel, cook extraordinaire and Ginny, owner and baker.
They went on their way with a half dozen cinnamon buns that smelled like heaven.
In Phail General, they met Troy Phail, who looked ex-military to Sam. When Sam talked security systems, the guy proved he knew his stuff. Not your typical sleepy small town general handyman. Sam was pretty sure Troy was exactly the kind of guy you wanted at your back in a fight.
Tansy wandered around the store while the two men talked and Sam had a hard time not following her every movement.
“Your woman in danger?”
Was she his woman? He sure as hell hoped so.
“Potentially. Some asshole wants to rip off her work and take credit for it.”
Troy frowned and looked over to where Tansy was checking out the electrical supplies. “What kind of work and who should we be looking out for?”
“Tansy is a scientist working on all kinds of things. I don’t have the name of the asshole yet, but I’ll let you know when I do.”
Troy nodded and pulled a card out from beneath the counter. “Here are my numbers. Call if you need help.”
Sam pocketed the card and finalized the order before Tansy finished her tour of the store.
They made a couple more connections while they bought food, including coffee, and then they were heading back to the lodge.
“You need a name for this place, Tans. It’s not just a lodge or a sawmill and it’s awkward calling it both. What are your plans for the place? Maybe that’ll help you come up with a name.”
She was silent for a minute and he waited, knowing she liked to marshal her thoughts.
“I want to use parts of the property for various types of science. I want to build a greenhouse to help me become more self-sufficient, and I know a botanist who would love to run it. My friend Bella is an arson investigator, and I thought she could use one of the cabins for training and investigating. A mini fire lab.”
Sam hadn’t seen that one coming.
“When I told Aisling about the sawmill, she promised to come help me if she can play in there and make a workshop. I thought I could use a few of the bedrooms or cabins for other areas of focus. Robotics for sure, but I don’t know what else.”
“You’ll need to get those turbines up and working soon.”
She nodded. “I’ve got two to start, but I may need to add more at some point. I want to turn one of the living spaces on the main floor into a gym with workout equipment and mat space for martial arts. I don’t know if the floor is strong enough.”
“Will Aisling be able to help?”
“I hope so. There are a lot of possibilities for learning on a piece of land this big. And I want to make sure we impact the wildlife as little as possible.”
“You’ll get it right. Like you said, lots of possibilities.”
Her head turned sharply toward him, but a quick look showed she was thinking hard and not actually seeing him.
“I think naming it after the lake makes the most sense. Midnight Lake. Midnight Lodge. I wish I could use Döva, but I associate that with my Sacramento lab.”
“Döva?”
“It’s the Hopi word for possibilities.”
Sam knew Tansy and Joe were a mix of Ojibwe and Hopi. Her heritage was important to them both. Both sets of grandparents had been strong environmentalists. Parents too. Their passion for taking care of the planet and all of its inhabitants had been passed down.
“I’ve been calling this place Midnight Lake in my head, so I’d like to stick with that. It’s easier.”
Sam nodded. It worked.
Sam pulled into the driveway and Tansy hopped out to unlock the gate and relock it after he pulled through.
He pulled around the back of the barn because they hadn’t found a better place for the vehicles. Tansy had put the charging station here because it was a clear spot out of sight of the road.
The tree coverage wasn’t great, but Sam figured the damage had been done if the plane had been scouting the property.
Tansy moved to the trunk where they’d stacked the groceries. She’d brought along backpacks and reusable bags for the trek back.
“You’ve been doing the two-mile trek with everything you’ve bought for four months?”
She shrugged. “I have a bike. I used it for the solar panels.”
He’d forgotten about those. “Do I want to know how many of those you hauled?”
Another shrug. “Three or four dozen. Once I figured out a system, it was fine.”
Then she’d built a scaffold, improvised a pulley system, hauled the panels up three flights, and installed them. Alone.
Sam moved so that when she turned, he was able to cage her between him and the trunk. He placed his hands on either side of her and leaned in. “You’re pretty impressive, Tansy.”
That made her skin flush, and she laughed. “Hardly.”
He leaned in further and her eyes widened. Her gaze tracked from his mouth to his eyes and back. Her eyes sparkled.
Sam closed the distance and brushed his lips over hers. Softly. Thoroughly.
Tansy dropped the bags she had picked up and ran her hands over his chest and arms. Even through his jacket, her touch had his muscles flexing. Wanting to show off for this woman.
He’d never felt like a caveman before, but Tansy brought it out in him. Maybe because she was the most independent creature he’d ever met.
And he wanted her to need him.
Tansy hummed into the kiss and Sam hauled her up into his arms, leaving her toes dangling above the snow.
When they broke off, she laughed and threw her arms around his neck to hug him. “You’re really good at that.”
“I hear a but coming.”
Another laugh. There was nothing as precious as Tansy in free spirit mode.
“But we have at least two trips in front of us. We bought a lot of stuff.”
Because he hadn’t been thinking about the hike they had to make.
With a sigh, Sam slid on the large backpack, picked up another few bags, and locked the trunk. “Let’s go.”
The faster they got the task done, the better his chances of kissing her again.