Page 16 of Cowboy's Way

Looking across the yard, I smile at the sight of Faith sitting around and laughing with her contractor, his wife, Debbie, and Bobbi. She has a cup of beer in one hand as she lazily pets Bruno with her other hand, just as pretty a picture as I’ve ever seen in the flesh, but I can’t help feeling it’s all a mirage.

“Can’t tell which one of you looks more lovestruck, you or that beast of yours,” Demo says handing me a plastic cup full of amber liquid. Knowing he’d never put the good stuff in anything but glass, I brace myself for the burn.

“Getting downright poetic at your advance age, ain’t ya?”

“Just want to make sure you …”

“Tread carefully. I know.”

“You gonna trace her?” he asks me and I raise an eyebrow at him.

“I suppose you will if I don’t.”

“Professional curiosity, what can I say?” He shrugs.

“Nothing about her adds up,” I say, turning my back on her in case she looks over at us. “She’s dripping in money but doesn’t act like it. She doesn’t bat an eye over talk about her looks or sex, but I thought she was going to jump out of her skin when Risk mentioned what we do.”

“Nor would I be surprised if she had a husband, another reason I want you on guard.”

“No way,” I immediately spit out the words. There’s no way I’m going to explain my adamant response, but that woman was a live wire in my arms. “She mentioned an ex when your sister was over helping her the other day. Could have been a husband, but that’s past tense.”

“You mean Anna?” he asks, nodding toward Hans and his wife. It takes me a second to respond, because all I can think is how brutal it must be to have so my half-sisters.

“Nah, Paverson. She brought her some plants from her nursery to make up for what the hogs destroyed.” I snap my head back to Demo when he lets out a solitary chuckle and smile, acknowledging the truth. “Okay, you’re right. The sheriff wanted an excuse to get her measure. Where is she, by the way? I figured she’d be here.”

“I have Charm looking into that tonight,” he says, looking around to make sure no one else is close by. “Sheila gave me the heads up that there’s been a lot of chatter from the Feds lately. Best she stay away from us until she gets a read on what’s happening.”

Not sure whether to nod my head in understanding or shake it in sympathy. “Let’s just hope none of your siblings or their kids ever try to trace their DNA.”

“No fucking kidding.” He mumbles, and while he’s probably closest to Sheila and one of his half-brothers, none of them go out of their way to advertise their connection. “Looks like you won’t have a problem getting answers from Faith tonight.In vino veritas.”

At that sentence, I look back over my shoulder where Bobbi is pouring her shine into Faith’s cup and I let out a groan. “More like ‘in shine vomit-us’. You gonna join us?”

“Nah, I’ll be in my office, licking my wounds that you saw her first.”

“It had nothing to do with that, old man. I just have a killer wingman.” We’re both laughing as we part ways and I’m pleased when Bruno lifts his head to acknowledge me; I don’t mind admitting I’m a little jealous of all the attention mywingmanhas been lavishing on Faith.

“You having fun?” I ask her, sitting on the log beside her.

She looks up at all the stars in the night sky above us and takes a deep breath. I can’t tell if it’s the smoke from the fire or what, but her eyes suddenly look moist. Blinking and wiping them before she looks back at me, I’m treated to the most beautiful smile I’ve ever had aimed in my direction.

“Yes,” she breathes out the word in such a way that the tempo of my heart goes into overdrive.

Leaning closer to her face, I ignore those around us and lightly place my lips on hers.

“Take your boots off—we’re going home.”

At the word ‘home’, Bruno stands up and lets out awoof, announcing his departure before heading toward the dock.

“You go get you some, girl!” One of the ladies good-naturedly cheer Faith on as the others laugh and give us hell.

Once her boots are off, I scoop her up into my arms and head to where Bruno’s waiting on the dock, just as the prospect is pulling my boat up.

We’re less than halfway back to Faith’s place when I look over to see her sound asleep, so much for either a Q&A, or a T&A, session tonight, but the least I can do is bring her back to my place to keep an eye out for her.

*

While I sleep more comfortably on my couch than I did the night before on the bench outside of Faith’s place, it’s much too early when my phone starts ringing.

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