Page 41 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

“I have a dog now,” Andy replied. “He’ll alert me if any unwelcome visitors show up, but I sure appreciate you bein’ here while I was gone.”

“No problem, Andy. Have a good rest of your night.”

“Thanks, you too.”

Stepping back, he watched the deputy drive off, but as he turned to head home the trees in the fields beyond caught his eye. Staring at the dark woods a sudden chill pricked his skin. His first instinct was to run to the barn, grab one of his powerful flashlights and check it out, but there was no way he’d leave Helen in the house alone. Jogging across the road, he walked quickly into the house, and found her draining a pot of pasta.

“I hope this is okay,” she said as he pecked her on the cheek. “There was a jar of spaghetti sauce in the pantry and it’s heating up in the microwave. I’m afraid I’m not much of a cook.”

“It’s perfect darlin’. I’ll grab the plates.”

“I’m really tired,” she mumbled with a sigh. “After we eat I think I need to lie down.”

“I’m pretty beat too. We could both use an early night.”

“What time are your clients coming tomorrow?” she asked as he fetched the sauce and opened the jar.

“Around nine. When are you goin’ back to help your mom?”

“Probably about the same time. I really wanted to stay and watch you but I know she needs me, and I still have to set up the silent auction table. It takes ages.”

Watching her stir the sauce into the pasta and dish it out onto the plates, though he tried, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.

“Helen,” he began as they sat down to eat, “how did you meet Kenny?”

“Clubbing,”

“Clubbing?” he repeated, startled by her response.

“Yeah, I met him at an underground club in Dallas. My favorite one, actually. It’s called Nighthawk.”

“I didn’t know you were into the night life. How much time do you spend at those places?”

“When I get bored I go back to the city for some fun. The clubs I go to are great. I’d love to show you.”

“I enjoy a country bar with a live band, but what you’re talkin’ about isn’t my thing, darlin’,” he said with a sigh, twirling the pasta around his fork. “But gettin’ back to Kenny. You said you two crossed paths at a club. How did it happen?”

“It was nothing out of the ordinary. I was sitting at a table with my friends and he sent over a bottle of champagne.”

“Champagne?”

“Yeah. Even though it’s underground it’s a high-end. Anyway, one of the girls waved him over, and when he joined us he sat next to me. The next thing I knew we were dancing.”

“Did you actually date him?”

“No, nothing like that. We’d meet for coffee, and we’d go for rides on his bike. But that aside, when all this is over I’d reallylove to take you to Nighthawk. We could have a weekend in the city and stay at—”

“Helen, I have this ranch. I can’t just up and leave.”

“Can’t you find someone to take care of things?”

“Sure, but I’m sorry, I really have no interest in those kinds of places.”

“You might change your mind once you see what it’s like. At least think about it. And we don’t have to be gone all weekend. We could go for just a night. My parents have an awesome penthouse.”

“Right now, all I care about is gettin’ through tomorrow,” he said solemnly. “Durin’ the day I have client’s comin’, and you have the event, then tomorrow night you have to hand over those envelopes. I can’t see past that. And I’m suddenly beat,” he added, laying down his fork and leaning back in his chair. “I’ll clean up my plate, then take a quick shower and hit the sack.”

“You go ahead, I’ll take care of the dishes, and I’m hungry. I’ll join you when I finish.”

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