Page 23 of Operation Wolf: Hunter
I shrugged. “I convinced her to give it a try,” I answered. “Just trying to honor Daniel’s wishes to keep it in the family. We have a little arrangement going, and there’s a lot of work to do. We sure could use some help with the house. And, in case you really are in danger, I’d feel a lot better if you stayed with us on the ranch instead of out here, by your lonesome.”
Mrs. Jones nodded. “It certainly would be nice to have some extra money,” she said. “I was barely squeezing by between my social security and the little bit Daniel was still paying me. And since he died, I’ve been worried I’d have to sell the house and move in with one of my children.” Her lower lip trembled a little, and then she squared her jaw. “But I’m afraid I’ll need to think on it for a night, Mr. Golden. I can’t go making rash decisions, not at my age.”
“I understand completely.” I looked out the window and then stood up. “Well, it looks like the rain’s let up enough for me to drive home safely. But I do hope you’ll say yes, and at the very least, I’d love it if you came by to see the ranch sometime.”
“Oh, I will,” Mrs. Jones said. She surprised me with one of her old sunny smiles. “I’d love to meet this new relative of Daniel’s to see if she bears any kind of resemblance to him.”
“Well, she sure has his mouth,” I told her. I was struck by just how hot it made me even to think about Kia’s mouth. I’d nearly lost my mind when she kissed me last night, and thinking about it made my lust come roaring back. “She’s feisty, so I have a feeling you’d probably like her.”
I took my leave of Mrs. Jones, thanking her for her hospitality before I climbed into the truck.
I mused on what I’d said to her, realizing I was sincere. Mrs. Jones probably wouldlike Kia. Even though Kia was a pain in the ass, she had a certain amount of spunk to her that the old woman would find charming. I could easily imagine Mrs. Jones plying Kia with heaps of food and regaling her with all kinds of stories of the farm, and I was suddenly eager to make it happen. Maybe Kia would develop an affinity for the ranch and her deceased great-uncle if she knew more about him and would decide not to sell the ranch.
Maybe she’ll even decide to stay on the ranch,my wolf suggested.
I scoffed.Trade in her glamorous New York City lifestyle to put down her roots in Texas? I don’t fucking think so.
But the idea did have some appeal, and I found myself whistling a happy tune as I drove away, heading over to pay Johnny a visit.
