Page 45 of Longest Ride

“Ain’t she?”

Chapter Ten

Saturday, September 28th.

Wild Stallion Ranch. Montana.

As soon as Travis shut the water off in the shower he could hear his cell ringing on the vanity. He stepped out of the stall and grabbed the phone before it went to message. “Livvy, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just missing you badly. Did you get Tammy home yet?”

“No, not yet. She’s made a mess of things and she’s at Annie’s ranch in Texas. Between Tammy running off and the triple murder, I haven’t had time to think straight. I’ll drop by on the way to the station.”

“Thanks. I’d love to see you.”

Travis ran across the hall to his bedroom and grabbed up the shirt he’d worn the day before. Tara’s perfume lingered on the flannel and her face flashed through his brain.

While they were dancing, she’d given him her number and he was seriously thinking of calling her. He needed a release from the stress he was under, and a stranger would be the best way to get it. No explanations required.

I have no time for a relationship with anybody.

He finished getting dressed thinking about Tara, gave his head a shake and hurried to the kitchen to make breakfast for the boys.

He wasn’t ready for Virge and Harlan giving him the gears. “Did you get her number, Dad? That woman you were dancing with last night looked like she was hot for you.”

“She wouldn’t be too smart if she was hot for me, now would she?”

Billy chuckled.

“Are you going to call her?” asked Virge.

“I didn’t say I got her number.” Travis poured himself a coffee and got a carton of eggs out of the fridge.

“Are you going to call her, Dad?” asked Harlan.

“I might.”

“You owe me five bucks, Harlan,” said Virge.

Billy laughed.

Coyote Creek Inn.

Travis drove his own truck to the station thinking they’d need more surveillance vehicles for a round-the-clock vigil on Paula Fleming. The boys went on ahead to start the day while Travis made a brief stop at the Inn.

He and Olivia Best weren’t a couple in the truest sense of the word, but he saw her now and then and the sex was always great. She seemed happy with the arrangement and didn’t complain, but with all that was going on, Travis had been truant in his visits.

Olivia sat behind the registration desk in the lobby looking naturally beautiful at seven thirty in the morning. About a year older than Travis, medium length platinum hair and a face that would stop clocks, she took his breath away.

A big smile when Travis walked in the front door, she stood and led the way to her private quarters and there was no doubt in his mind what Olivia wanted from him.

As she closed the door of her apartment and locked it, Travis picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Not a lot of time to spare.

“Sorry I’ve been neglecting you, Liv. You are on my mind, always, if that’s any consolation. I’m sure it isn’t. Just say’n.”

“I’m happy to be in your thoughts, sweetheart.”

Always sweet and gentle. She’s way too good for me.

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