Page 71 of Cowboy and the Convict

“And you did.” Janie pointed at the right side of her head. “This whole part of it.” She took the brush from Riley’s gloved hand. “Go. Have fun with your friends.”

Riley’s worried expression lingered, but a smile slid into place. “Thank you.” She leaned down to give Janie a tight squeeze. “You’re the best.”

“That’s what I tell your dad all the time.” Janie tipped her head to the door. “I’ll let him know you agree with me.”

Riley nodded. “You should.” She ran to grab her keys, coat, and shoes, carrying them along as she raced back through the kitchen for the door leading to the garage. “Thanks again, J.”

“Be careful and have fun.” She waved as Riley ducked out the door, then turned to the bowlful of mixed color, picking it up just as Devon came down the stairs, fresh from the shower after a day of keeping Moss Creek in line.

“Where’d Riley go?”

“It sounded like she might have forgotten she made plans with her friends tonight.” Janie pointed at her head with the pick end of the brush. “I’m gonna go put the rest of this on. I’ll be back.”

Devon’s eyes skimmed her head then landed on the bowl. “You need help?”

She lifted her brows at him. “You want to play hairdresser?”

“I mean,” he snagged away the bowl, “role play might be a little fun.”

Her head tipped on a laugh. “You are such a nerd.”

“And you picked me, so what does that say about you?” He reached for the brush, taking it and dropping it into the bowl.

“So many things.” Janie went back to the kitchen chair and lowered into the seat, crossing her legs and tucking her feet into the seat. “But it’s nothing that hasn’t been said a million times before.”

“Who said them?” Devon took his spot behind her, setting the bowl onto the towel Riley spread across the table’s surface. “I’ll hunt them down and make them regret it.”

She wasn’t going to name any names. He hadn’t reacted well when he found out Aiden was part of the catalyst that led to her walking out of his life three months ago. “Right. Because it’s such a good idea for cops to turn into vigilantes.” She tipped her head back to look up at him. “How about you focus on your new profession and make my gray hair regret its appearance in my life.”

Devon leaned down to brush one of his whispers of a kiss across her lips. He barely pulled back, mouth hovering over hers. “I could do both.”

Janie leaned up to press a firmer kiss to his upside-down face. “You don’t have enough time to do both, Peters. We have a game to be at in two hours.”

“Shit.” He checked his watch. “That’s right.” Straightening, he looked over the task in front of him. “What’s the plan of attack here?”

Janie explained how to work in rows down each section, painting color on both the front and back side of each slice, then he went to work. The man wasn’t fast by any means, but he was thorough.

Not surprising. That was kind of his MO.

Once her regrowth was well-coated, she straightened, wincing a little with the movement.

And Devon didn’t miss it.

His brows pinched together in concern. “Are they getting bad?”

She shrugged. “Meh.”

The non-answer earned her a frown. “Have you taken anything?”

“Everything except whiskey.” She shot him a mock scowl. “But last time I did that I never heard the end of it.”

Devon’s frown deepened. “Last time you did that, a strange man had to take you home and make sure you didn’t die in your sleep.”

“At least you admit you’re strange.” Janie turned for the front living room. “I’m going to go vacuum while this cooks.”

“No fucking way.” Devon hooked an arm around her waist, pinning her to his side as he pulled open the freezer to fish out an ice pack. “You’re going to relax so those cramps don’t get any worse.” He pressed against her, urging her down the hall. “You know what happens when you try to push through.”

“Are you lecturing me, Peters?” She tipped her head back, careful not to drag color across the shoulder of his Henley. “Because I don’t like being lectured.”

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