Page 37 of Falling For Her Cowboy
“Someone’s in a good mood,” Aimee said, breezing into the shower room. She snagged her shower caddy and went over to one of the sinks. She switched on the water and reached for her toothbrush.
“I am.” Melah turned her back to Aimee to hide her smile. That damn grin was back. She went over and collected her caddy and phone. The music was still playing at full blast. She set her stuff down on the sink.
“Did it have something to do with you not coming home last night?” Aimee shot her a look.
Melah refused to make eye contact with her. There was no hiding her smile now.
“Maybe…” She snagged her toothbrush and brushed her teeth so she wouldn’t have to respond to any more of Aimee’s questions. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to share any details about her and Ridge. She didn’t know what the relationship was between them, but whatever it was felt too personal to share.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and are smiling. Ridge seems to be a good guy.” Aimee smiled at herand finished up at the sink. She tossed Melah a wink then made for the showers.
Melah’s face warmed. Well, it would seem Aimee had put two and two together.
She had stored her blow dryer beneath the sink. The one thing that made it easier with living in the bunkhouse with only one other woman, there was plenty of room for their items to be spread out. She dried her hair, glanced at it, and decided on two braids. That way, if the sun was beaming down on her, she could toss on a hat to shield her from the warm rays.
She applied some of her favorite products to her hair and scalp before parting it down the middle. The twin braids didn’t take long. She cleaned up the sink where she had been working. Aimee had left the shower room a few minutes ago. She, too, had to report at the same time as Melah.
Satisfied with the way her hair came out, she put all of her stuff away, snagged her phone, and went back into her room. She held on to the towel that had suddenly loosened as she made her way to her room. She arrived at the door and froze in place. A chill went through her.
All of the drawers in the dresser were left wide open. Her clothing tossed everywhere. Her beddinghad been thrown on the floor. Her eyes immediately went to the safe she’d had installed underneath her bed. She dashed into the room and put her finger over the biometric key. A click sounded, alerting that it was open. She pried it apart, took out her Glock, and flicked off the safety as she kept it loaded.
Who the fuck had been in her room?
“Aimee!” she hollered. She stalked back to door and kept her finger off the trigger. One of the first things she’d learned when handling a gun:Don’t put your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to pull it. At the moment, she didn’t want to accidentally shoot Aimee. Her nerves were frazzled at the fact that someone had invaded her personal space. She glanced down the hallway and didn’t see anyone.
“What’s wrong?” Aimee came flying out of her room next door. She had a weapon in her hand, too. She must have picked up on the panic in Melah’s voice. She had a sports bra on and a pair of unbuttoned jeans.
“Someone has been in my room.” Melah used her gun to point back in her room. She held on to her towel with her free hand to keep it from falling off.
Aimee brushed past her and stood in the doorway.
“Son of a bitch,” shemuttered.
She turned to Melah who shook her head.
“I didn’t even open my drawers when I came home. I removed my clothes and went straight into the shower room,” Melah said.
“Let’s check the rest of the house. We have to notify Andy and Buck.” Aimee raised her gun and aimed it true. The house wasn’t that big. There was the common area, kitchen, dining space, and a laundry room for the hands. The private bedrooms and the shower room with toilet rooms were housed in the same area.
Melah and Aimee cleared the entire house in under three minutes. There was no one in it but them.
Aimee walked over to front door and jiggled the handle. It was locked. Melah’s heart raced. Who the hell would sneak in and rifle through her shit?
“Throw some clothes on and check to see if anything’s missing. I’m calling Buck.” Aimee strode away and went down the hall where their bedrooms were located.
Melah glanced around the common area at the large couches, a fireplace, and a television for the hands to watch when relaxing after work.
The hairs on the back of her neck were erect.
Suddenly, somewhere that was supposed to be asafe haven for her was ruined. She glanced down at her faithful weapon and knew from this moment on, she wasn’t going to go anywhere without it.
Her gut had never led her astray when she was deployed, and she was going to listen to it now.
She gripped the gun tight and went to her room. Whoever had come into her private domain while she was gone, better not try it while she was here. They would not walk away the next time.
She guaranteed that.
Chapter Twelve
