Page 59 of Wanted by the Lawman

“Seriously? I just arrived and you’re leaving,” she moaned.

“In my defense, I didn’t know you were coming.” He kissed her cheek. “Are you ready?” His question was for Wynn.

“Sure…I…” she looked toward the pool. How in the world would she get her clothes back?

Kiersten must have detected the awkwardness. “How about Wynn and I hang out and I’ll take her home?”

Zander looked for Wynn’s approval. “Does that sound like a plan?”

“I don’t mind since you have work to do.” She clasped her hands together. This would give her the chance to grab her things from the pool room so there wouldn’t be any questions from Zander’s parents.

To both her disappointment and appreciation, Zander didn’t give her a kiss before he left. That certainly would have raised a lot of questions from his sister.

Kiersten opened the refrigerator door and bent to look through the contents. She popped her head over the top of the open door. “Do you like cold chicken?”

“I like chicken cold, hot, fried, grilled, marinated, you name it.”

“Great. How about I rummage us up some food. I’m starving. You’re not in any hurry to get home, are you?”

“No.”

Once they were seated at the bar, both with plates filled high with chicken, cole slaw, and pickled beets, Kiersten munched and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Okay, now that I have you alone, what’s the deal between you and my brother?”

Wynn half expected that this was the direction things would head. She understood though. The protective sister wanting the lowdown only seemed right. “Let’s see, long story short, I moved in next door to him and he took it upon himself to help me out of some tough situations.”

Kiersten stared with narrowed gaze. “Come on, it was obvious you two weren’t upstairs playing board games.” Her smile softened her words.

“I know you’re probably concerned—”

Kiersten scoffed. “It’s none of my business, really, but I’m just happy to see he’s over that witch of an ex. That was one screwed up relationship from the very start. I tried to tell him, but you know how men are. They can’t see past the point where their being fed.” Realizing what she said, she lightly smacked herself in the forehead. “Oh my. I just said that aloud, didn’t I? I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, it is. I know about Sam, and I know about their tumultuous relationship. But, I can’t say that he’s over her. He and I…well…” she looked toward the door, “I’m not sure I’m here to stay permanently.”

“Oh, things are difficult?” she popped a piece of chicken into her mouth.

Wynn picked at her own chicken. “To say the least. They were complicated when I moved to Wyoming.”

“I hope things work out. What I can say in all truth, Zander is a great brother, friend, and gentleman. If you need help, he’ll certainly be there to help you. Just remember underneath all those tats and scowls, he has a heart of gold.”

Wynn didn’t respond. How could she?

~~~**~~~

“Are we good?” Zander asked Rudy who was sitting in the passenger seat of the truck.

“After you kept part of the investigation from me? Sure.” He shrugged. “After I thought about it, I saw your point.”

“Glad we’re past that.”

“Lanie likes Wynn,” Rudy said.

“Great.” Zander stared at the window of the trailer they were watching.

“I think she’s great too,” Rudy added.

“Awesome.” There was a long hesitation. Zander looked over at his friend sitting in the passenger seat. “Since you demand that we talk while on this surveillance, what are you truly asking?”

“What do you think of her?”

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