“Don’t worry, it’s not going to happen. We can’t let this thing between us interfere with our work. I have a ranch to run. You’re here to find my dead wife’s killer. I think you understand that—probably better than I do.”

She released a breath of relief. She wasn’t sure if it was because he understood the situation—or because he still wanted her.

“I understand completely. Which reminds me of the reason I came to see you last night.”

His mouth edged up at one corner. “You mean before things got a lot more interesting?”

She ignored a rush of warmth. “I came to talk to you about Frank Keller.”

His eyes sparkled with what could only be male arrogance. “I guess we got sidetracked.”

Ellie clamped down on the memory of Kade’s hard body pressing her down on the mattress. “I guess we did.”

“Before we get started, I need a cup of coffee.” He eyed the round metal baking pan covered with foil sitting on top of the stove. “If those are biscuits, I could sure use a couple.”

“I can cook you something.”

“Biscuits and coffee will do.”

Ellie poured some of the dark brew into a mug, which Kade carried over to the table. Ellie took him some biscuits, butter, and raspberry jam, carried her own cup over, and sat down across from him, wondering if she’d ever be able to look at the kitchen table without remembering what Kade had said.

“You wanted to talk about Frank Keller.” He took a drink from his mug.

“That’s right. All the way back to the ranch yesterday, I kept thinking about him. I don’t have any trouble believing a guy you fired would be angry enough to kill a couple of your steers. Shooting your dog was definitely personal, something an angry man might do. But setting off a bomb in a mine? Shooting one of the ranch hands? It had to be something more than just payback because he was mad at you.”

Kade sipped his coffee. “I’ve thought about it, that’s for sure.” He set the mug down on the table. “Wyatt said Keller refused to take orders from Alejandro because he was Latino. That could definitely have made him a target.”

“True. Attempted murder seems a little over the top, but I guess it’s possible. Still, it was the mine explosion that convinced us Keller’s the man we’re after.”

“The guy is an explosives expert. Army EOD. There can’t be many of those around.”

“I think we should talk to Will Turley up at the mine. See if he’s ever heard of Frank Keller. Maybe there’s a connection we don’t know about. If not, maybe he can give us the name of someone else.”