Page 30 of Between a Rock and a Hard Cowboy

He glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner. “It’s only six.”

“I know,” her tone lowered.

He drew in a breath. “Okay. Coffee and breakfast first. Then you, me and the box are taking a trip up to the house. We’ll give them until seven?” he asked.

“You’re more generous than I would be but sure. That sounds good. Don’t you have to like feed cows or horses or chickens or something early anyway?”

“Yes. Usually, but they’ll keep for an hour or so. And Ethan is going to have to get out and clean up this snow anyway.” But Linc had a feeling that was going to wait until they had at least gotten a look at what was inside this box.

What was important enough to lock away and hide? Critical enough that his grandfather had carried the key to that box every day of his life until he died?

They were about to find out.

ChapterFifteen

“Iknow, Linc. I’m going to take care of the snow as soon as I have my coffee, okay?” Ethan said the moment Linc walked into the kitchen, before he’d had a chance to even open his mouth. “I hooked up the plow last night so—”

Ethan stopped dead mid-sentence when Eva entered the room behind Linc.

“Um, good morning, Eva. What a surprise seeing you here so early this bright and snowy morning.” Ethan’s brows crept high on his forehead as his gaze shifted between Linc and Eva.

“Stop,” Linc said in a flat,don’t fuck with metone.

That protest might be enough for Linc, but it wasn’t for Eva. Especially since she knew Ethan was just the first of many nosy bodies in this household who were going to make incorrect assumptions about her spending the night with Linc.

“We were decorating the lodge for the Yule log thing. He wouldn’t let me drive back to Rosie’s in the snow.”

Ethan let out a snort. “In that little tree hugger car of yours? He’s right. That wouldn’t be able to navigate this heavy shit.”

William Wilder had walked into the room during the snow discussion. “I have to agree with Linc and Ethan there. No one should drive in this kind of weather unless they absolutely have to.” He grabbed a mug and said over his shoulder, “And good morning, Eva. Coffee?”

“No, thanks. Linc made some for us at the lodge.” She realized how familiar and… intimate that sounded and added, “While we were waiting for it to be a decent hour to come over here.”

“Mm-hm. Gotcha.” Ethan failed at hiding a grin behind his coffee mug.

“Eva?” Poppy, looking like she stepped out of an ad for a ski resort in a winter white oversized sweater, matching leggings and furry booties, stopped in the doorway. “What are you doing here?”

Eva drew in a breath and shot a glare at Linc. Apparently he wasn’t going to say anything. It was all up to her.

Time to get the topic of conversation off her and Linc’s non-existent relationship and onto the real reason they’d come and subjected themselves to this scrutiny this morning. But she was only going to explain once. “Where’s Wyatt?”

“Upstairs getting Darcy dressed, I’d guess,” William said.

“I’m right here.” Wyatt walked into the room. Behind him came Darcy precariously holding an unhappy-looking cat while being trailed by Bingley the dog. “Why? What’s up?”

Wyatt’s gaze hit on her and one expressive dark brow lifted. “Good morning, Eva.”

She let out a sigh. The room was much too crowded, particularly since she and Linc seemed to be the center of attention for the masses gathered.

But at least, finally, they were all here. All except for Olivia, who was upstairs in bed. Doctor’s orders. She would just have to get caught up later. They could move this discussion upstairs to the bedroom in a bit, even though she was sure Wyatt wouldn’t be too keen on that.

“I found what the mystery key unlocks,” she revealed, redirecting the attention of the group.

“You did what?”

“Where?”

“Oh my God! Are you kidding?”

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