Page 48 of Rainbow Rodeo

“What do you mean? How did he know?”

“I don’t know!” Dalton shook his head. “It can’t be coincidence. This is not his kind of place.”

“I sure as shit didn’t tell him.”

No. No, neither Bubba nor Sister would do that. Hell, Deb had threatened to castrate him with a pair of hoof nips.

“Who else did you tell?” Dustin asked.

“Not even Deb or Pops.” He chewed his bottom lip. He wasn’t scared. He wasn’t.

“Shit. You need me to come?”

“No. No, it’s probably a stupid coincidence, right? He didn’t even see me.”

“Okay, well, you keep me posted.” Dustin knew all of it. All of the crazy shit.

“Fair enough. I will. Miss you, man.”

“Ditto. See you in two days, Dee.” Dustin hung up, but the I love you was definitely implied.

Always. Eternally.

He finished his smoke, popped a mint, and lifted his face to the sky.

“Hey.” Tank slipped out the patio door. “You okay?”

“I am. I was enjoying the sun.” And worried that someone was hunting him, which was just about stupid.

“It’s pretty out here.” Tank smiled for him, dark eyes lighting up.

“It is. A man could make a life up here.”

“Yeah. I’ve actually thought about investing some and getting a little place in the Roaring Fork Valley. It’s expensive, but I could rent it out when I’m not using it.”

“I bet the hot springs are neat in the winter.” He’d love to have a little place in Glenwood Canyon.

“You haven’t lived until you’ve sat in the pool in the snow.”

“I’m available January and February….” Was that too much?

“Maybe we can rent a place, see what it’s like to be up here for more than a few days. Go snowmobiling.”

“I’d be willing, yessir.” Oh, hell yes.“I love to ski too.”

“I’m better with a snowboard, but I’m all over it. Sunlight Mountain is great.”

Were they actually making plans? Or was it just talk? He sure hoped it was the former.

“You want to go for a walk before steak?”

“I do. We’ll mosey on down on foot, yeah?”

Juicy Lucy’s was right across the pedestrian bridge from the hotel, but they could do the main drag and come back.

“Totally. Work up an appetite.”

“Sounds good.” Tank started whistling, leading the way back into the room. He pulled out Wranglers and a button-down.Fancy.

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