one speed, and it’s full throttle. She loves the yard at Tessa’s cottage, our new place. Lots of space to run around and play. A big backyard, lots of grass. I haven’t had a chance to meet the neighbors yet, but Tessa said they’re all friendly and they’ll keep an extra lookout for Jamie.”
“From what little I could see driving through town, it seems charming. I’d love to explore it, if I have the time.” Camilla stood, smoothing down the ruffled cotton maxi-style skirt she wore. “Speaking of which, can you recommend a hotel or motel, some place to stay while I’m here?”
Beth sucked in a breath of surprise. “Oh, no! Within everything going on with Evan, I totally forgot you were staying with me—us.”
“It’s okay, Beth. You didn’t plan on having your world turned upside-down by my brother again, and having to leave your home. I’m grateful you have some place safe to stay until the authorities catch him.”
“You can stay here.” Beth had almost forgotten Ms. Patti was in the room, until she spoke.
“Ms. Patti, while that would be great, you don’t have the room. Not with Nica and Heath being here, along with me and Jamie. Brody told me Ridge and Shiloh are both going to be here soon. I appreciate the offer, but…”
Ms. Patti smiled, and Beth caught the calculating gleam in her eyes. She couldn’t help wondering if Ms. Patti was up to something more than simply an offer of a bed for her friend.
“I actually meant Ms. Stewart could stay at Dane’s house.” She turned to Camilla. “Dane is our son. He runs the day-to-day operations of the ranch, and lives in the foreman’s house here on the property. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind sharing the space with you for a few days. There’s plenty of room, as long as you don’t mind being in a house with a few of my sons. Pretty sure Ridge will bunk there too, since the Big House is full up. Not sure about Shiloh’s plans yet.”
Beth hid a smirk behind her hand at the Machiavellian manipulation Ms. Patti employed, neatly boxing Camilla into a corner. Camilla’s wild-eyed stare resembled a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming semi, but there wouldn’t be any wriggling off Ms. Patti’s neatly baited hook. Good, she thought. Camilla needed a good shake-up to her life, and being around so many Boudreau men might be exactly what her friend needed.
“I…um…are you sure they won’t mind my staying? I mean, I’m a stranger. Maybe this isn’t the best idea. I can get a room—”
“Nonsense. It’s settled. You visit with Beth. I’ll go tell Dane he’s got a new roommate. He or one of my other boys will be by in a bit to take your bag to the foreman’s house.” Ms. Patti grinned before adding, “Welcome to Shiloh Springs.”
Beth couldn’t hold back her laugh after Ms. Patti got out of earshot. She laughed until her sides hurt, and she was bent over, trying to catch her breath. Camilla looked shellshocked. Beth knew the feeling, because she’d been treated to Ms. Patti’s take-no-prisoners approach more than once when she’d first visited Tessa.
“What just happened?” Camilla stared through the opening between the kitchen and living area, a bemused expression on her face.
“You met the real Patricia Boudreau. She likes you. Trust me, if she didn’t, you’d be back in your rental, headed toward Austin.” She hooked her arm through Camilla’s. “Now, no more games. Tell me why you’re really here.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The day had dragged on forever, with one thing after the next pulling Brody away from the one place he wanted to be. With Beth. Questioning Greg revealed little more than he’d already known and did nothing toward pointing him toward who might be behind torching the Summers’ barn. The only enlightening moment had been Greg revealing he’d kept up the insurance payments on the family home and property without his parents knowing. That put an interesting twist on the possibility the arson was motivated by money. And he was well aware people did a lot of crazy things out of greed.
He’d met Jeff back at the Summers’ barn, and surveyed the added damage, and helped collect new evidence. Jeff had volunteered to drive it to the lab in Austin on Monday. Might be a good idea, because Brody didn’t want to leave Beth, not while Evan remained free. He’d played a part in catching Evan and his buddy, Trevor, when they’d kidnapped Tessa.