“I’ve looked at them hard, Kade. I don’t think any of your men would go behind your back to have sex with your wife. Or hurt her or you in any way. As near as I can tell, these are men you can trust.”

Kade’s shoulders relaxed. “I was hoping you’d say that. Wyatt and the others . . . they’re more than just employees. They’re guys I rely on every day with the most valuable things I own. My land and my cattle.”

She considered the advantages of having more time to do her job. “Maria can probably handle the cooking—she’s more capable every day.” She glanced around the big stainless kitchen. “But it’s not a small job. She’ll still need someone to help her.”

“Mabel’s due back in a couple of days. Turtle can help out until she gets here. That frees you up to do whatever you need to.”

“All right, that sounds good. Why don’t we tell them tonight at supper?”

He nodded. “We can do that. Most of them will be back by dinnertime, ready to go to work first thing in the morning. Might not go smoothly, though, not at first. These guys aren’t stupid. They’re going to figure out you’ve been investigating them, too.”

“I won’t lie to them. I’ll tell them the truth. I just need to find a way to make them understand.”

Kade flashed one of his devastating smiles, and Ellie’s stomach lifted. “If anyone can, you can, darlin’.”

Kade pressed a quick kiss on her lips. She watched his long-legged strides as he crossed the room, grabbed his hat off the peg, and tugged it on.

“It’s Sunday,” he said. “Put on something pretty, and I’ll take you to church.”

“Church? What about supper?”

“I’ll have you back in time to cook. Tonight’ll be the last time you have to worry about it.” He touched the brim of his hat in farewell and walked out the back door.

Ellie heard the fading crunch of Kade’s boots and leaned back against the kitchen counter. Her stomach was fluttering; her knees felt weak. She had never met a man who could make her feel this way. She wasn’t good at relationships. She was in way over her head with Kade. She didn’t know how to deal with a man like him, didn’t want to think of the consequences of getting in so deep.

Ellie wished she knew what to do.

* * *

Kade left the house in search of Conner Delaney. He needed to bring the security team up to speed on the situation with Frank Keller. Turned out Trace Elliot, who’d been at supper last night, had already filled his boss in.

Kade spotted Delaney walking toward him at the same time Delaney spotted him.

“I was on my way to find you,” Kade said.