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“Excellent. We’re made for each other.” He noted her quick glance his direction and wondered if she knew he meant what he said. Delilah was perfect for him.
When he parked in front of Shane’s cabin, his mood had mellowed considerably. Might have had something to do with the company on the drive. After the snake discussion, Delilah asked him about his baseball card collection and how he’d started the hobby.
A fun way to spend the time. She seemed genuinely interested and Matt rarely had a chance to talk baseball with anyone. His teammates were football and NASCAR fans. “Hope you didn’t mind me droning on about my secret vice.”
“It’s fascinating. I loved to watch baseball with my dad, but he wasn’t a card collector. He took me to a professional game once. We enjoyed it.”
Matt turned off the engine. “What team did you watch play?”
“Texas Rangers. They won the night we attended the game. I’ve been a fan of theirs since then.”
He came around to her door. Matt clasped her hand and approached the porch. He knocked on the door, glancing in the large window into the living room.
He caught a glimpse of the back of a woman with long, dark hair as she broke out of an embrace with Shane Frost and hurried out of sight. A door slammed and a moment later a vehicle engine turned over. Was the woman or Shane leaving, or both of them?
The front door swung open. Shane frowned at Matt and Delilah. In unbuttoned jeans, an unbuttoned shirt, and bare feet, Shane stepped back. “I suppose you want to talk.”
“Evan called.” Delilah moved past her cousin, her hand still cradled in Matt’s.
“And Zach. I hear you two have been stirring up trouble all over town.” As he closed the door, a vehicle sped around the side of the house.
From the corner of his eye, Matt saw a silver SUV speed past. Guess the lady didn’t want to stick around for the interrogation. “Sorry to chase off your visitor.”
Shane shrugged. “She had to go back to work anyway. I need coffee. Want some?”
“Sounds good.” People tended to relax more over food or drink. Maybe Shane would be more forthcoming than his brother or cousin.
He and Delilah followed in Shane’s wake and sat at a round wooden table in the kitchen.
“Coffee, Dee?”
“No, thanks.”
“What brings you by this early?”
Delilah laughed. “It’s 10:30. Most of the workforce has been working for over two hours.”
Shane set a mug of coffee front of Matt before pouring the last of the coffee for himself and joining them at the table. “Point taken.” He sipped the steaming liquid. “I haven’t had to worry about time for years.” He sent her a pointed look. “Guess that’s about to change.”
Delilah shrugged. “I’m only carrying out Mom’s instructions. It’s nothing personal.”
“Maybe not to you, cousin, but it’s all kinds of personal to me. You’re taking away my livelihood.”
“Your livelihood doesn’t consist of sleeping half the day away and staying up all night like a vampire. Will you go back to work now?”
“All things considered, I suppose I’ll have to do something for money, won’t I?”
Matt’s eyes narrowed at the sharp edge to Shane’s words. “Where did you work before Michelle won the lottery?”
“Hunting and fishing guide.”
Made sense. “Think you’ll go back to that?”
“Never stopped. I find some hunts are more challenging than others.” Though he smiled, the sentiment didn’t reach his eyes. “There’s nothing more I love than a good challenge.”
“What’s your favorite weapon to use on a hunt?”
“Mossberg .308 Scout rifle with a Vortex scope.”
