the center, then put on a matching one. “I can teach you a few things. But don’t worry, A.J. can cook for you, too. I raised my boys not to expect women to wait on them.” Her expression suddenly changed to one of mild shock, and she clutched her imaginary pearls. “You’re not an Auburn or Tennessee alum, are you?” This was part jest, part serious on his mom’s part. He just never knew which way she was leaning at any given time.
“Mama,” he said, delivering a warning flavored with a little love.
“No, ma’am. I assure you I’m a newly proud Bama fan.” Ana’s lips tipped into a broad smile. Her cheeks were a soft pink, still flushed from having been caught in the act with A.J. again.
“Glad to hear you have good sense,” his mom replied as A.J. helped Ana tie on the apron.
She pulled her hair up into a high ponytail, which was a shame since he was loving the relaxed version of Ana, her auburn hair tumbling over her shoulders in soft waves. She’d let it air dry today, which enhanced her naturally wavy hair, making it look like she belonged on a beach, not on the run from the FBI while chasing down Russian spies.
“Where is everyone?” he asked while his mom busied herself with washing her hands in the farmhouse sink.
She dried her hands on her apron. “It is Wednesday. We don’t all have wild hours like you. But Caleb will be in soon for lunch. Dad had to run some errands. And Ella and McKenna are around here somewhere.”
“Why aren’t they in school?” he asked before turning to Ana. “McKenna is my niece, and Ella’s my sister. She’s a teacher.”
“It’s summer, or have you forgotten? And you know Ella helps Beckett by entertaining McKenna while he’s at work.” His mom tipped her chin at A.J., and he got the message. Go find Ella and apologize about the “bachelor” party.
The fact his sister had yet to call A.J. and yell at him meant she was still too angry to talk to him.
“I need to go find my sister.” He looked at Ana for permission to leave. “You’ll be okay?”
“She’s in good hands,” his mom answered for Ana, and Ana shooed A.J. away. Her body more relaxed. Already fitting in. She’d make a great Alabama woman, wouldn’t she?
And did he want to move back home someday? He sure did miss his small town and family.
A.J. raked a hand through his hair as he wandered out of the kitchen in search of his sister. This was all a bit strange. He really was beginning to wonder if he was fast asleep in the forest, and Mrs. Shaw was playing some mind tricks on him.
He shook off his doubt, or nerves, whatever it was, while checking the rest of the house. After finding it empty, he made his way outside. He snatched his shades from where they hung on his shirt to protect his eyes from the glaring June sun.
Ella stood outside the white and green horse stable with McKenna off in the distance. As he strode their way, McKenna spotted him and trotted her colorful, spotted Appaloosa closer to Ella and dismounted.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, “Yo!”
Ella spun around in surprise, her cowboy boots kicking up dust, and shielded her eyes with her hand beneath the brim of her straw cowboy hat. “What in blazes are you doing back here?”
“Uncle A.J.!” McKenna tore the thirty or so yards to get to him while Ella handed off the horse to one of the guys who worked on the ranch.
“Hey, sweet pea.” He scooped her into his arms, forgetting she was eleven, not five, and spun her in a circle. Her long black hair, which she’d inherited from her mother’s side, fanned out behind her. McKenna’s birth mom was part Cherokee, and McKenna had been blessed with her grandmother’s rich, silky black hair.
“You’re back already!” McKenna exclaimed once he set her down, her face beaming. “Why are you here?”
He didn’t want to lie to a kid, so . . .
He shot an uncomfortable look Ella’s way as she took her sweet time to get to them. “I’m here with a friend for work, but can you do me a favor?” He leaned down to eye level with her. “Can you not tell anyone I’m back home? It’s kind of top secret.”
McKenna brought a finger to her lips and nodded before he pushed back upright.