Page 4 of Final Escape
“That’s what the others said. A little problem with bears in the trash cans at night and a few wolf howls sent them both packing in a hurry. I gave her our cell phone numbers to call, in case she gets spooked about something.”
His gaze strayed to the petite woman wielding the broom. She had to be a good six inches shorter than Penny’s five foot eight, and with that gleaming cap of short mahogany hair and those sparkling hazel eyes, she looked like an energetic pixie. When she’d mentioned that she had some guy named Harley with her, he’d even felt a flash of serious disappointment that she was committed to someone...
Until he’d discovered that Harley was probably the most battered, disreputable cat he’d ever seen.
“I’m not a betting man, but I’ll give her two days, tops. When we ran into each other at the corner of the building she was as skittish as a week-old filly.”
“Must have been all of your charisma,” Penny teased.
“Or maybe she heard the rumors and believes them. I hope not—we’ll need her rent money if we have a slow summer like the last one.”
Penny’s smile faded. “That won’t happen. Things have died down around here, haven’t they?”
“We can hope.” He lifted a shoulder. “I just want everything in place for you here so I can get back on the road as soon as possible.”
She paled. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Your doctor said—”
“I won’t take chances.” He ruffled the top of her wavy russet mane, which had long since escaped her attempts at a ponytail, just as he had when they were kids growing up on a ranch.
She batted his hand away. “And you think riding saddle broncs isn’t taking a chance?”
“If I don’t pay off those short-term loans from last year, we could lose this place. I’ve got to go.”
“We’ll figure out something. It isn’t worth it, Logan.”
“But you own a quarter of this business and you’ll go down if I do. I can’t let that happen.”
She nudged him in the ribs and made a face. “I think it’s an excuse to leave town and not enjoy that lovely cabin any longer.”
He laughed at that. “I’m getting to know the mice on a first-name basis. You can move into the spare room any time you want—they’d love to meet you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Great offer. I’ll think about it awhile longer, though.”
“At least you’re staying with Aunt Betty. I think she actually has afurnacethere, if I’m not mistaken. And plumbing that works. All the time.”
“She already asked you to move in, too. There’s plenty of room.”
At the thought of all the lace and frills in Aunt Betty’s house, Logan shuddered. The second guest room was done in lilac and pink, with an explosion of flowers on the wallpaper, and though Aunt Betty was a sweetheart, she loved to hover and fuss.
“I’m fine with where I’m at for now. All I need is to get back on the circuit for the rest of this season and then the next, draw good broncs at every rodeo, and not part ways with any of them until the eight-second buzzer. Then I promise I’ll quit for good.”
They both fell silent for a moment, and he knew they were thinking about the same thing—the accusations and ensuing trial that had nearly ruined Logan’s reputation and the beginnings of their rafting company last year.
The legal costs had taken his savings, but at least he’d had good representation. Without it, he would’ve been behind bars...maybe for the rest of his life.
“I’m going to hold you to that promise,” she murmured. “Even if it means throwing you in the boathouse and tossing away the key.”
“I’d sure be a lot of use in there.”
“Speaking of that, I had a really good group today. Those Red Hat ladies are the best.” Penny blew a stray wisp of hair out of her eyes. “And we’ve already got some reservations booked well into June, so we’ve got a good start on the season. I think the new website has helped a lot.”
“Agreed.”
“We’ll be fine, Logan.” She rested a hand on his forearm. “People will forget about what happened. They’ll realize you couldn’t possibly be capable of hurting anyone.”
“Maybe.” He steeled himself, waiting for one of her platitudes about turning his burdens over to God, but she’d probably given up on trying to convince him. He hoped so.
Up on the outside balcony, Carrie stood at the door to her apartment. “Thanks again for helping move my things in,” she called out.
