Page 51 of Tempting Fate
“I’m ninety days sober.”
He held her gaze, a world of pride shining in his expression. “That’s a big deal, Raylene.”
Her chest squeezed. It was the best thing he could’ve said, because it was a big deal. Not touching a drink in three months had taken every ounce of strength and courage she had. Each day was still a struggle.
“Logan doesn’t know…about my drinking. And I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell him.”
“What happens between us, stays between us.” This time there was something else shining in his eyes. Something a little playful and a little suggestive.
She never knew whether his flirting was bona fide interest or him just playing the horndog, a role he’d apparently perfected in the Navy.
“In that case, let’s not tell him about his pick either,” she said. “I’ll get a new one tomorrow at the hardware store before we go back to the site.”
He’d started to take their plates to the sink and stopped in the middle of the kitchen. “It’s time to give up on that, Ray.”
“Uh-uh, I’m not leaving until I find it. I don’t care if someone’s trying to scare me off, I won’t go without the gold.”
“Then you’ll be here forever, because there is no gold.”
“You’re wrong.” She got up, took the plates from him, and stuck them in the dishwasher. “It’s there, and I’m going to find it.”
He pinned her in at the sink. “What makes you so certain?”
“My dad wouldn’t have told us about it if it didn’t exist.” Ray was a bastard, but he wasn’t prone to believing in fairy tales. If he said the gold was there, it was there.
He exhaled. “Suit yourself, Ray. But I think you’re wasting your time.”
She shrugged. “I have to find a place for Gunner before I can leave anyway.”
“Yeah, about that.” He moved in closer, completely boxing her in. “You got any ideas? Because I’m thinking after Tawny’s dress situation, Nugget isn’t feeling too hospitable toward you and Wilbur.”
“I was told by Harper Matthews that there’s a stable at Sierra Heights. Do you know the guy in charge there?”
“You mean Griffin Parks?” He lifted her chin with his finger, so she’d have to look up at him. “The same Griffin Parks who owns the Gas and Go where you had your famous incident with Jake Stryker? I believe he was there that night.”
“Oh jeez.” She’d been in rare form that night. Raylene squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block the memory. But it all came rushing back.
“Have you been drinking, ma’am?”
“No. Have you?” She flashed a little boob, and when he didn’t take the bait, screamed, “Don’t you touch me!”
Jake ignored the accusation. “Ma’am, I’m gonna need to see your license.”
“Uh…I don’t think so.”
“If you want to drive away, you’ll have to take a sobriety test, and I’m afraid that starts by you giving me your license.”
“Do you know who I am?” She jabbed her finger at his badge.
“More important, do you know who you are?” Jake said, and Griffin had laughed.
“I’m calling my father,” she said, and tottered backward on her high-heeled boots. “In case you didn’t know, he’s Ray Rosser of the Rock and River Ranch.”
“I think that’s a good idea, call him,” Jake told her. “That way he can drive you home and you can sleep it off.”
She dumped her purse on the floor, looking for her cell phone. She found it in a pile of makeup and tampons, made a big show of pounding in a number, then staggered off to a private corner of the store.
Lucky had come in and gotten her that night, and they’d had a big fight on the way home. If she had to guess, he’d already fallen in love with Tawny by then.
