Page 21 of The Contractor & the Entrepreneur

“That’s a good report. Who’s Clint?” she asked.

“My oldest brother, the mighty sheriff of Coleville.”

She smiled at that, wondering how mighty a sheriff of a small town could be. Yet if he was anything like Rhett, he would be mightier than most men. “What do you mean a murderer kidnapped her?”

He raised one shoulder. “Crazy story, but an anesthesiologist at her hospital was actually a murderer under an assumed identity. He was in love with Lily and kidnapped her. Thankfully Clint saved the day like the hero he is.”

Sloan’s eyes were wide. “That’s horrifying. I’m so grateful she’s all right.”

“Thanks. Me too.”

There was a pause, then she asked, “How many brothers do you have?”

“I’m the fifth of six.”

“Whoa. Your poor mother.”

He chuckled. “She claims boys are the best and she’s blessed, but she’s certainly happy with her four daughters-in-law, especially now that she’s a grammy.” He smiled fondly. “My brother Easton married a gal with an adorable little girl, Presley.”

“Adorable.” She smiled, her heart thumping quick for different reasons. “The word doesn’t seem right rolling off of your tough-guy tongue.”

He grinned at that, grabbed his hat, and said, “Let me get your door, Adorable Sloan Jensen.”

She laughed out loud. Nobody had ever called her adorable. Her dad would’ve scoffed if he heard it. “Thank you. The sooner we get this over with, the better.”

He came around and helped her out of the truck, escorting her into the sheriff’s office. The young man who helped them was friendly, easy to talk to, wrote down their statements, and filed the report. Unless Jaxon and Preston made more of a nuisance of themselves or they could prove they’d had anything to do with some of the ‘accidents’ at the construction sites, there wasn’t a lot he could do but file the report on trespassing and the request for a restraining order to keep Jaxon and Preston away from her and her land.

They thanked him and left. As they walked out into the crisp evening air, Rhett put his hat back on his head and rested his hand on her lower back. Every time he touched her, it felt significant. Was it just attraction or was there something deeper happening here?

Sloan would never let herself rely on a man and had never dated one long term. She either pushed the guy away with her ‘independence’ or she grew bored or annoyed with him after a date or two.

She glanced up at the enticing cowboy gazing down at her. She doubted she could grow bored of him.

“Checked that off. Now … sushi or steak? Or there are other options.”

“I don’t think there are. Not tonight at least.” She smiled. “Steak, please.”

“I knew I liked you.”

He escorted her to the truck and helped her load up. Sloan was stuck on those words ‘I knew I liked you’. Did he? Her own father hadn’t liked her, and she’d never given any other man a chance to like her. Rhett hadn’t liked her a few hours ago. Was he simply a ‘schmoozer’ as her friend Kathy would say? Was she being too trusting agreeing to stay the night at his house?

He loaded up, took off his hat, ran his fingers through his hair, and smiled at her. She had a hard time not believing those incredible blue eyes were genuine.

Mercantile Steak was just down the road. It was rustic, with rich wood on the walls and the floor and stuffed animal heads with antlers as part of the decorations. Definitely not the steakhouse ambiance she was used to. The dead animals looking at her was a bit off-putting, but the rest of the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. Rhett had used the bathroom at the sheriff’s office to wash up a bit, but he still had mud on his boots. Nobody even seemed to notice.

They were seated and a friendly waitress brought waters and took their orders. Sloan excused herself to wash her hands, thankful she’d brought her purse in so she could freshen her makeup. She was enjoying being with Rhett and wondered what the night would bring. A shower and a good night’s rest soundedamazing. Would it be awkward being alone with him at his house? What would his house be like?

When she returned to the table, a middle-aged couple was talking to Rhett. They were all standing and the conversation looked friendly.

Sloan walked up and stood next to Rhett. “Hello,” she said.

The couple looked from her to Rhett and back again. “Well, hello there,” the lady said. “And who might you be, beautiful lady on a date with our favorite single friend, the most eligible bachelor around, in case you didn’t know.”

Sloan chuckled and looked at Rhett. He’d set his cowboy hat on an empty chair earlier. He dipped his head, brushed his hand through his hair, and looked properly embarrassed. She’d never seen a tough guy like him look chagrined. His gaze met hers and she realized it was more than embarrassment. It was concern. The lady seemed so friendly, and the man was smiling at her as well. What was Rhett worried about?

“Sloan,” Rhett said in a husky timbre. “These are good friends of mine, Josh and Sandy Francis.”

Josh stuck out his hand to shake. “Sloan?” His brow squiggled. “Unusual name for a woman.”

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