Page 33 of The Cowboy’s Reckoning

*

“Of course, I don’t mind if she works her horses here,” Wade said after helping Jordan hook up the trailer. The past two times women had brought horses to the Tree Fork Ranch, a Matthews brother had got engaged. Wade enjoyed pointing out the coincidence to anyone who would listen, but tonight he didn’t so much as crack a smile.

“Maybe they should all come here.” Bailey stood near her trailer, a big sweatshirt that Jordan recognized as one of Hayes’s enveloping her.

“That was already shot down.”

“Then I hope they get to the bottom of this soon,” she said grimly.

As did he. The McAllen sisters weren’t the only ones on edge because of the shooting. What if this was aimed at him and his refusal to sell? What if he’d brought this upon them?

“I’ll follow Jordan and give Hayes and Trev a ride home,” Wade said to her. “Shouldn’t be gone long.”

Wade and Jordan started toward their respective trucks, but Wade stopped Jordan with a hand on his arm.

“Like Bailey said, it’d be better if they came here for a few days.”

“I know.”

Worry lines were etched into his dad’s face, and Jordan couldn’t do a thing to erase them. Wade would have done the same thing Jordan was doing now, but it was obvious that he couldn’t tamp down his concern. Jordan’s throat tightened. He gave his old man a reassuring nod, then opened the door to his truck.

By the time he crossed the cattleguard at the Willow Creek Ranch and swung the trailer in a U so that the door faced the ranch house, his brothers and the McAllen sisters were crossing the yard to meet him. Wade got out of his truck and limped over to where Lil and Meg stood near the gate.

“I’m sure sorry this happened to you.” He took in both of them as he spoke. “If I find out anything, I’ll let you know. And you’re welcome to bring your horses to the ranch. We have lots of space for you to ride.”

The sisters thanked him and then Wade asked Jordan if he wanted them to come back in the morning.

“I’ll let you know,” he said.

A few minutes later, the taillights of Wade’s truck faded in the distance, leaving Jordan, Lil and Meg standing awkwardly next to his trailer.

“I’m going to bed,” Meg said. “I think Betty can guard the house instead of the goats tonight.” She and the big dog headed toward the walkway, but Lil stayed where she was, hands in her pockets.

“Lock your door tonight,” he said.

“You do the same,” Lil replied.

He gave her points for effort. “Get some sleep if you can. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

Lil looked ready to tip over from exhaustion, but he had a feeling that she was dragging out her departure because she was in no hurry to face the night ahead. He reached out to tuck the dark wisp of hair behind her ear. It stayed this time. Her lips parted at his touch, but she didn’t move away. He wanted to touch her again. Let her know that he was there and that she honestly wasn’t alone in this.

“If you need anything tonight, just text. I probably won’t be asleep anyway.”

“Right. Thanks.” She bowed her head and started across the driveway.

He turned toward his trailer, only to stop when she said, “Hey.” He looked back. “Thanks for the hug.”

He was surprised she mentioned it. “The one you tolerated for two point five seconds?”

A rueful smile tilted her lips. “That’s the one.”

He lifted his chin. “Next time we’ll go for four seconds.”

“I can do five on a good day.”

“Yeah?” Jordan’s gaze strayed to her mouth before he caught himself and Lil’s smile faded.

“Maybe when things aren’t so complicated, we’ll give that a shot.”