Page 34 of Rogue Cowboy
She held out her hand with a juicy chunk of chicken temptingly close.
The dog looked like a mix breed—some border collie—tri-color, and the way he cocked his head and his tongue hung out to the side a little was endearing, but his direct gaze was assessing, and to Cole’s mind clearly plotting mischief.The dog looked well-fed and confident, but Cole couldn’t see a collar, not too unusual in rural areas as collars could get caught up on fencing and shrubs, harming the animals or trapping them.The dog dropped to his belly, inched toward Riley with the sock in his mouth, eyes on the prize.But he was aware of Cole coming up from the riverbank.
“Don’t move,” Riley bossed.“You’ll spook him.”
Cole stopped, doubted the dog was afraid of much.
The dog dropped the sock, and reached for the chicken, and as Riley reached out to retrieve her sock, the dog swallowed the chicken, grabbed the sock and ran off into the bushes.
Rohan’s home.Everyone is weird but trying not to be.He’s changed.I want to be the sister he remembers.
It was the first time Riley had ever reached out to him first since their marriage.And he’d read the text obsessively.So few words to communicate so much.He had questions.None of them answered by text.
Change is natural.
Doesn’t always feel like.
You’re his sister.That’s what he needs.
His reply felt inadequate, and Cole wondered what his own sister would have been like had she lived.Would they have been close, or would they have drifted like he had with his cousins?Riley answered immediately, making him wonder if she had trouble sleeping, like he did.Probably how Rohan did.
Are you safe?Coming home soon?
He knew she meant Texas, but for a moment, he’d allowed himself to pretend that she meant home to her.He’d sent money to the account he’d started for them, but she hadn’t touched it.And he had two long years left, with what felt like no end in sight.One mission blurring to the next and nothing ever fixed.Just training followed by more training as if through physicality he and his team could become the superheroes the country said they needed and then discarded.
Feels like forever away.
You sound tired.Are you safe?
I am now.
Chapter Seven
Cole rose early.Hard to sleep in even if he’d wanted.Life on a ranch or as a soldier didn’t permit lounging.He’d slept in the bed of his truck so the sounds of other cowboys and cowgirls waking before full light to care for their animals had him up and alert.There were rows of porta-potties and one row for outdoor showers, and he debated—shower now or later.
Hearing Riley’s trailer door open decided him.He jumped up, folded his bedding, and stored it in his truck.
“Good morning,” Riley greeted.She held two to-go cups of coffee.Her smile was tentative.She looked tired.His fault?He hadn’t slept well, replaying their day together and contemplating next steps.
“It’s better with you in it.”
Her eyes widened, and she searched his face.His tendency since childhood had been to keep his expression neutral and words brief—not wanting his family to worry about him or ask too many questions.But Riley would need more.Words and warmth.
“I thought you might want coffee,” she said, handing him a cup.“And if you’d like—” she dangled a key chain with a bejeweled horse and several keys attached “—to use the bathroom in my trailer to shower, change or whatever.There are facilities here, but it gets gross pretty quickly.”
“Thank you,” Cole said, surprised by the offer and trust.
“I thought to help you with the horses this morning.”
“Then you better hurry.”She dropped the keys in his palm and strode off.
Cole delayed a moment so he could watch and enjoy the view before ducking into the trailer for the speediest of morning ablutions.
*
“What are youdoing?”she muttered to herself.And how could he look so…so… There was no other word except hot.Unfair as he hadn’t even washed his face or brushed his teeth, yet all she could think about was how his lips had felt against her neck last night.
She’d been too upset by the attack years ago to even think about dating any local men; besides Cole was…
