Alexander Ranch

Chapter 11

After lunch Daisy decided that we were done for the day. I was escorted home that night by Ethan and Daisy. Since they were on security detail with me all night anyway, Ethan asked if we could have a movie night. I agreed. I'd had a great day. I hadn't socialized that much outside of work in years. It felt good. Why not cap it off with a movie and my new acquaintances.

Surprisingly, Ethan offered to cooked dinner. Daisy assured me he was a fantastic cook. So, I pointed him towards the kitchen and told him to make himself at home. His shoulder had miraculously healed quite well. He wasn't even wearing a bandage anymore, just a sling. His injuries must not have been as bad as I thought. So why was everyone claiming I'd saved his life? He apparently hadn't even been very hurt.

I took the opportunity to try and let Ethan know that Rene had some form of a liking for him. I didn't want the woman hating me.

"Hey, Ethan," I said, entering the kitchen just as he was putting pasta in the pasta water.

"Hey yourself," he smiled back.

"Hopefully you'll take this the right way. I noticed that Rene seems to like you a lot."

"Rene?" he said absently stirring the pasta.

"Yes, Rene," I continued. "I'm pretty sure she has a crush on you or something."

"Oh. Yea she does," he said distractedly. Then he turned to me and grinned a sly, sexy grin, "You jealous?"

"Nice try," I answered blandly, "but no."

"It was worth a try," he laughed, shrugged and went back to stirring his pasta.

"So, you knew?"

He sighed, "Yes, I know. That is why I don't flirt with her. She's super nice, and I wouldn't want to do anything to lead her on."

"I take it you don't return her interest?"

"No, I don't. I have known Rene all my life and love her like a sister. Why she had to go and start crushing on me is a mystery and darn awkward," he frowned. "But, don't worry. She won't take it out on you, even if we did end up together."

"Which we won't," I added hastily.

"Ouch," he teased then grinned mischievously.

"I'll leave you to dinner," I said shaking my head at him.

While Ethan cooked and Daisy sat huddled over her laptop, I went to my computer to do some research. I looked up Alexander Consulting and, sure enough, there it was. The contact number was the same as the one John had given me that morning. Finding this information was somewhat reassuring. These people were the real deal, so I probably wasn't in any danger from them and possibly well protected. The unsettling part was, if they felt I was in that much danger there was a good possibility I was.

"Diner is ready," Ethan yelled from the kitchen about 45 minutes later. I was treated to penne pasta with sausage and cherry tomatoes in a béchamel sauce, a green salad tossed lightly in a vinaigrette dressing, and a glass of chardonnay. It was wonderful.

"I told you he could cook," Daisy grinned at me as I groaned over a mouthful of pasta.

"Of course I can," Ethan stated slyly. "What hardworking, beautiful woman can resist coming home to a sexy, attentive man who cooks? Nothing gets a woman in the mood like a man who cooks."

"I couldn't agree more," Daisy drawled and rolled her eyes. "It definitely gets me in the mood – to eat."

After dinner, Daisy and Ethan watched some science fiction movie on one of the cable channels. I have to admit, I started dozing right after dinner. I woke just in time to see the credits of the movie, say my goodnights, and head to bed.