Free Harvest Dreams by Jacqueline Paige

any ideas.” He grinned. “I’d do just about anything to not have to sit in a tree again tonight.”
Leena walked over to rub Cora’s shoulders gently. “We, some of us, thought maybe instead of two of us wandering around we’d take turns, one at a time.” Serious male eyes turned to her. “One woman makes a much easier target, and he’s probably more than willing to try for one at a time...” She stopped catching Owen’s look. “Well it’s just an idea to toy with.”
Kevin looked at Dade. “She’s got a point.”
Dade grimaced. “Rule number one with us is you being a male are supposed to agree with us, Kevin.” He growled.
Kevin shrugged and gave him his boyish smile. “I’m sure agreeing with all these women would be much more rewarding than not.” His eyes strayed over Rachel as he said the last part.
Steven stepped in front of him blocking his view of Rachel. “So you think we should let the women wander around out there alone?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Kevin shrugged. “Yeah. From that damn tree I can see pretty much the whole camp. It takes me a while to climb up the stupid thing and I bring any action to your attention if you’re staying back watching.”
“How?” Chris demanded.
Kevin shrugged then flicked a hand towards Kasey. A bright burst of light exploded over her head.
“Oh!” Kasey jumped up. “Oh my gosh! How did you do that? I want to do that.” She brought her hands above her head then down to spread the fireworks over them. “That’s all I can manage.”
*
Chris looked at Kasey and then back to Kevin before he met Steven’s glare, whose look matched his own thoughts that they needed to keep the women away from this too cute Boy Scout Kevin. “Fine.” He said a little louder than necessary. “We’ll try it Leena’s way tonight.”
Kevin turned to leave and all four women followed him out.
The four men stood in the door and watched the girls pat him and smile sweetly at him while talking to him.
“Little puke,” Dade muttered.
“How the hell old is he?” Steven demanded.
“Who cares,” Owen hissed.
“He needs to go find his tree,” Chris growled as he turned to go back inside.
A breeze ruffled over the four men and they glanced around to see Kasey smirking and shaking her finger at them in warning.
“She always knows,” Steven mused quietly.
“Yep.” Chris sighed and then smiled at her.
*
Steven watched Rachel’s every move as she walked under the half moon light. She’d taken more chances then he was comfortable with. Wandering all the way down to the pond and sitting beside it for twenty minutes. Of course for a few minutes Steven hoped the man they were looking for did show up so he could drown him in the pond and be done with it.
When their turn was up and she finally wandered back towards the cottage he had to stop himself from closing her in his arms and holding her with the relief that she was okay.
Walking into the cottage he nodded to Dade. “Your turn.” He turned to look at Cora sitting in the chair. “Anything while we were out there?”
Cora shrugged. “Nothing strong enough to set off alarms, but he’s out there.” Looking at Dade she sighed. “Let’s go.”
Rachel put her hand on Cora’s. “Steven and I will stay out and wander a bit more, so know we’re close by.”
Cora nodded and smiled at her. “That makes me feel better.”
Steven turned to her after they left. “We are?”
She nodded and looked up at him.
How am I supposed to say no to those sleepy brown eyes? “We are.” He held out his hand.
Rachel took it and smiled as they walked back down the path. “I’m too restless to sleep. And there are too many coming and going in here tonight.” She looked at him her eyes slowly moving over his face.
He looked down at her and tightened his hold on her hand. “If you’re going to look at me like that, at least wait until we’re not in the wide open here.” His voice was no more than a whisper. “Let’s