Page 74 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

Ford laughed. “You make it sound like a bad thing.”

“It is! For me,” said Tanner. “Ty was my last remaining hunting buddy. Unless you’re volunteering to come out of hiding and be my wingman?”

“Yeah right,” said Ford. “You know that’s not happening – any of it. I’m not going to start chasing tourist chicks, any more than you need a wingman.” He winked at Ty before turning back to Tanner. “You’re just worried that your little brother’s starting something serious before you. You’ll have to watch yourself or before you know it, you’ll be the old geezer at the bar hitting on young girls who think you’re over the hill.”

Ty laughed at the way Tanner spluttered. “I … I’m not … I’ve still got it.”

“Sure you do, for now,” said Ford. “So, how did it go, Ty?”

Ty blew out a big sigh. “It was amazing. She’s amazing. Best weekend I’ve ever had.”

“But?” asked Tanner, who was watching him closely.

“But there was a bit of a hiccup at the end – not between Shay and me; we’re good but …”

Ford went to the fridge and handed him a beer. “Do you need food?”

“I’m good.”

“Then come sit down and tell us all about it – I don’t like the look on your face.”

Tanner nodded. “Yeah, what happened?”

Ty checked his watch. He hadn’t heard from Shay since she got home. He’d promised that he’d let her know when he made it back to the ranch. He took his phone out of his pocket.

“I’ll be with you guys in a minute.”

He dumped his bag in the laundry room and ran upstairs to his bedroom.

Ty: I’m home. You doing okay?

Shay: I am. Had a family meeting. They’re going to make sure someone’s with me everywhere I go!

Ty: Good! I’m glad.

Shay: Me too, but I hope we can find whoever this guy is and make him stop soon. I appreciate what they’re doing, but it’s not how I want to live my life.

Ty: I get that, sweetheart. Cash has a girl who works for him digging into it.

Shay: Amelia, right? Alexis told me. Please tell him I said thank you – and ask him to tell Amelia, too.

Ty: Will do. Did you get your assignments for the week yet?

Shay: Yep. I’m going to be a very busy bee!

Ty: You can do it. I have faith in you. Should I let you go so you can get on with it?

Shay: I guess. I don’t want to but I should.

Ty: The more you do now, the less you’ll have left to do on Friday.

Shay: Are you still planning to come?

Ty: I am – and I won’t stop planning on it until you tell me you don’t want me.

Shay: I want you!

Ty: I want you, too, sweetheart – in every way.

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