Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers)

car next to a large, blue tank of a car from the seventies. Annie shook her head. “Oh, you think I’m joking. No, ma’am. If Ahmed decides he wants you, he would just kill me and take you.”
    Annie laughed as they walked up the steps toward the party. They entered through the open doors into a huge foyer. Marble floors, antiques, crystal chandeliers, and priceless artwork hung on the walls. When she looked closer, she saw family snapshots on table tops and other little homey touches throughout the area.
    “Oh, there you are! We were hoping you’d come.” The Rose sisters bustled over to them, dressed in their finest floral dresses and matching hats.
    “Why, I have never seen such beautiful women. How are you ladies doing tonight?” Cade kissed their cheeks and grinned down at them before Miss Daisy smacked him on the arm.
    “Don’t you be sweet talkin’ me in front of your girlfriend. She might decide you’re a rascal and not marry you.”
    “Howdy, ma’am, Cade,” a tall, wiry man with slicked back light brown hair said. He was handsome in his black suit and tanned skin.
    “Happy Thanksgiving, Noodle. How are your parents?” Cade asked. Holy cow! She didn’t even recognize him!
    “They’re doing well. They are walking around here somewhere. Have you had any more problems, Miss Hill?”
    “No, thank you, deputy.” She smiled at him before Cade started talking fishing with him. She decided to go walk around some and see more of the house while they were discussing baits and lures.
    The sitting room was packed with people. She recognized most of them, even if she couldn’t remember their names. They all waved or stopped her to say a couple of words to her as she made her way to the bar set up on the far side of the room.
    “Annie,” a smooth voice encompassed her.
    “Your highness?”
    His eyes gleamed as he silently laughed at her. His manners were way too good for him to actually laugh out loud. “Just call me Mo. Everyone else does.”
    “Oh, well, thank you, Mo, for inviting me.”
    “You’re part of the town too. Danielle talks very highly of you. I hoped you and Cade would join us for dinner soon.”
    “I’d like that. Thank you.” He was so different from Cade, but they both had the same kindness. Cade exuded power through his quiet strength. Mo exuded power through his bearing.
    Annie talked with Mo until he was cornered by Pam Gilbert to discuss fundraising for new school computers. Annie quietly excused herself and continued through the room. She was enjoying her time on the outskirts of the room as she watched the people of this small community talking and laughing.
    Just the sight of the whole town dressed up and happily chatting away made her want to belong. She had a man she loved, in a town that welcomed her . She even kind of had Justin and the Davies family.
    An older, portly fellow with black pants, dark orange dress shirt and suspenders came towards her, sporting a big, bushy gray beard. He smiled, and his large belly jiggled as he waved to some people across the room.
    “I just wanted to tell you that I’m so glad you have come to join us.” He shook her hand and smiled jovially.
    “Thank you, Mr…?”
    “Wolfe, John Wolfe. It’s about time the law did something about those drugs. Keeneston is such a perfect town, but we just aren’t prepared for such things. And, that Devon Ross is as sleazy as they come. I really hope you can bust him soon.” Only through years of training did she hide her shock. She put on a gentle smile and gave a little laugh.
    “I’ m sorry, Mr. Wolfe, but I’m just a guidance counselor, not a cop.”
    “A cop? Of course you’re not a cop, missy, you’re DEA,” he said matter-of-factly. “Now, you just let me know if you need any information, and if I don’t already know the answer, I can find out for you. It was a real pleasure meeting you. All the kids at the high school just love you. I hope you decide to stay around after this case.” He gave her a wink as he waded back into the crowd.
    Annie stood still, feeling a bit silly as she stared after him. How was that possible? Had she just been punked? She smiled again and started to mingle. Lesson one, never show a reaction. So she talked to Dani, Kenna and Paige and allowed herself to be dragged around the room and introduced to practically everyone in the town by the Rose sisters before Cade caught up with them.
    He came up beside her and lightly ran his hand down her