Page 2 of Wyoming Bodyguard
“Thanks, Peg.”
Irritated, he stalked past the potted Ficus and skirted around the metal filing cabinets beside Peggy’s workstation. Her messy handwriting scrawled across a bright blue sticky note. “Popswants you to come by for dinner tonight.”
He fisted the note and tossed it into the trash can tucked under the desk. He’d call his dad later. A home-cooked meal was tempting enough to have him stop by the ranch after work, but the fact that Dax wouldn’t just call him directly chapped his ass.
At some point, they had to bury the hatchet.
“We’re heading to Tilly’s,” Reid said. “Madden’s got a plan to win some good favor.”
Peggy arched her brow, deepening the wrinkles along her forehead. “Is that so?”
Reid aimed a bright smile at Peggy. “Sure is. Want to join us?”
“Nah, you boys have fun. I’ve got plenty to keep me busy around here.” She flipped the next page of a home decorating magazine, her sign the conversation was over.
“Things are pretty slow today,” Madden said. “Why don’t we all knock off early?”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Peggy said.
Madden couldn’t help but grin at Reid then tilted his chin toward the front door. His grin widened at the golden letters scrawled across the glass. Money might be limited, business slow, but having something he created tightened his chest in a way nothing else ever had.
Not even the McKay Ranch.
Because Sunrise Security washisbaby. His lifeline after an injury overseas stole the future he’d been raised for.
Madden stepped outside, and a wall of heat pulled him back to the moment. He filled his lungs with hot, dry air before turning toward Tilly’s.
Reid fell into step beside him. “No matter how much time I spend here, I’ll never get over how pretty this place is. The mountains looming on the horizon, the wide-open space on the other side of this charming ass town and the local women aren’t bad to look at either.” He dipped his chin in the opposite direction.
Madden followed Reid’s eyeline and grimaced.
Lily Tremont walked along the sidewalk arm and arm with her father. Her hair was the color of unharvested wheat and tumbled down her back. It framed high cheekbones and sun-kissed skin. Her long legs matched the length of her dad’s, and her sleeveless shirt showed off toned arms.
A part of him wanted to encourage his best friend to take a shot at the woman he’d known his whole life—their families’ ranches side by side. But he wouldn’t wish her icy demeaner on anyone.
“You don’t want to bark up that tree, my friend. Trust me.” Madden watched her disappear into Tilly’s and bit back a groan. Walking into the tavern with her as a witness set him on edge.
“You sure? She’s always friendly when I see her around town. Couldn’t hurt to say hello.”
The smirk lifting a corner of Reid’s mouth told Madden his buddy had more in mind than a quick hello. Madden kicked a cluster of pebbles on the ground and a cloud of dust covered his cowboy boots. He shoved his hands in his pockets, aiming a tight smile at a duo of women who slid past them on their way to Cloud 9 Café. The smell of coffee permeated the air as they passed.
“Even before I enlisted, her nose was too high in the air to notice anything beyond herself.”
A quick glance showed no traffic coming from either direction. He jogged to the other side of the street. Sweat dotted his hairline that had nothing to do with the blistering heat.
Reaching the old, weathered door, he pulled it open and stepped inside. The dark paneled walls and scarred floors swallowed the natural light. Neon signs buzzed, showcasing drinks offered at the bar. Square tables cluttered the interior of the room with booths lining one wall, interrupted by a stone hearth and giant fireplace.
Reid swept off his hat and led the way to the long bar stretched along the back wall. Madden followed, sandwiching his hat in his hands.
Chairs scraped against the floor as people swiveled to watch him walk through the lunch crowd. He met every gaze, lifting his lips at the side and nodding in greeting.
He approached Lily’s table on the way to the bar. She narrowed her hard, blue eyes, her pouty red lips pressed in a tight line.
He widened his grin and shot her a quick wink. He might never win over Lily Tremont, but he wouldn’t let her get under his skin. Wouldn’t let her derail him from his mission, not today.
Because today was the first step in winning over his town and setting his business on the right path.
Reid made a beeline for two empty stools.
