Page 31 of Dairy and Deadly

Johnny reached across Ashley to stroke the top of his furry head.

Can Opener purred louder and stretched across her lap to push his head more firmly against Johnny’s hand.

Despite the trouble brewing outside the cabin, it was a cozy, restful moment. She even had a fire flickering in the fireplace. “Looks like you found that stack of wood out back.”

“I did.” She gave him an anxious look. “I hope it’s okay that I helped myself to it?”

He waved away her concerns. “If you need anything else, and I mean anything, Ash — financial, legal, or otherwise…” He left the possibilities dangling in the air between them.

“I’m okay,” she assured. “Really. If anyone had a case against me, they would’ve filed it by now. My partner and I were close friends. His wife and I still are. I’m the godparent of their son.”

He hoped she was right about no one having a case against her. It was insane the kind of stuff that could slither into a civil court these days. On the upside, it didn’t sound like her partner’s widow would be inclined to testify against her. That was a big point in her column.

“You’d better be okay.” He winked at her. “Because I’m way too busy to hold interviews for a new farm hand.”

She made a face at him. “I’ll try not to inconvenience you, boss.”

He let that slide. “For best results, you’ll need to soak those pinto beans overnight. I’ll bring some spices in the morning to throw in.”

“Can Opener and I are in your debt.” She gave him a cheeky smile.

He shook his head at her. “You don’t need to keep feeding him. His food bowl in the barn never runs out.”

“But he’s a hungry boy!” She thrust both hands into the cat’s furry sides, giving him a rub-a-dub-dub-dub that notched up the decibel level of his purring again. “Just look at him! How could you say no to that face?”

“Easily.” Johnny chuckled. “Watch me.” He bent his head closer to Can Opener. “No.”

Can Opener reached out and swatted his forehead. It was a playful swat, since his claws were retracted.

“Why, you little?—”

He dove for the cat, and a wrestling match ensued, one that was punctuated by laughter on both his and Ashley’s part.

At one point, Johnny’s forehead bumped against her wrist, but it didn’t feel like he was invading her space or overstepping anything. It just felt right. Exactly right.

It wasn’t until a fist pounded on the front door that he straightened. “You expecting company?”

“No.” She eyed the door cautiously as she patted her stomach. “Though I’m really glad you stopped by.”

“Me, too.” He stood, preparing to leave so she could enjoy her visit with whoever was knocking.

She walked with him to the door. “I honestly can’t imagine who would be stopping by this time of day. I only know a few people in town.” She pulled the door open a few inches and froze. “Martin?” There was a hollow quality to her voice that set Johnny on edge.

The man standing on the porch looked like a thundercloud in a pinstriped navy suit — a very tall, very slender thundercloud with carelessly tousled hair that had been sprayed in place and a pinky ring that made Johnny want to punch something. He knew without asking that he was staring at her ex-fiancé. He also instinctively knew that the guy was an idiot despite his law degree. Anyone foolish enough to let a woman like Ashley go was out of his mind.

“Am I interrupting something?” Martin’s golden gaze glittered angrily as he sized Johnny up and down.

“Yep.” Johnny couldn’t resist baiting him.

“No,” Ashley said at the same time. “Well, sort of,” she amended wryly. “This is my new employer, Johnny Cuba. Johnny, this is an attorney I knew back in Dallas. Martin Hobbs.”

“Just somebody you knew, eh?” Without waiting for her answer, he informed Johnny coldly, “I’m her fiancé.”

“Ex-fiancé,” Ashley corrected in a testy voice. “What do you want, Martin?”

“Number one.” He held up one long, skinny finger. “To surprise you for Valentine’s Day.” There were no flowers in his hands. No gifts whatsoever. Was the guy cocky enough to think his presence was the gift? “Number two.” He held up a second bony finger. “To clear up our little misunderstanding. May I come in?”

“No.” She stomped back into the cabin and returned with her feet shoved into a pair of slippers. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say outside.” She stepped onto the porch, hugging her arms around her middle.

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