Page 56 of The Cowboy’s Reckoning

“Why did you leave the company?”

“I went to work for a nonprofit instead.” She spoke easily, indicating no hard feelings were involved. “Carl tried to get me to stay, but Jordan Enterprises wasn’t a good fit for me. I might not have liked him, but I could work with him. Growing up on a ranch stiffens the backbone, you know.”

The screen door slammed, and Jordan glanced over his shoulder to see Lil heading down the walk. His heart lifted at the sight of her.

He turned back to Maya. “I appreciate the information.”

“Sorry I didn’t have more.” She lifted her chin as Lil approached and, for a moment, he thought she was going to say something about her sister.

Warn him off. Give him advice. Clue him into something he should know.

“Anyway,” she said, bringing them back to the topic at hand. “You should look into who owns the mineral rights to this place, and who might have reason to want the place other than for privacy reasons. Find out who lived here before Carl owned it. Maybe a grandkid wants it back.” She wrinkled her forehead. “That’s farfetched, but the more you know, the more likely you are to get an answer.”

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Lil said, holding up a phone as she approached. “You got a call.” She held out the device to Maya who checked the screen, then pocketed it.

“Not interrupting,” Jordan said, suppressing the urge to loop an arm over her shoulders.

“Not at all,” Maya said. “I have to get up early, so I’m turning in as soon as I return this call.” She touched Jordan’s forearm and he glanced down at her, noting for the umpteenth time how different Maya and Lil were in looks while sharing the same determined temperament. “If I ever hear anything, I’ll be in touch.”

“Thank you.”

Before she started to the house, Maya said to Lil, “Don’t stay up too late. You’re my ride.” Then, with a lift of her eyebrows that said more than words, she headed across the gravel drive, phone to her ear.

“Whatever is she suggesting?” Jordan asked with a half-smile.

“That was encouragement. She told me to lighten up a while ago.”

“She knows?”

“She’s astute. It’s really annoying.” She turned to lean her back against the fence. “I’m tired, Jordan.”

He traced the back of his fingers down the side of her face, and she closed her eyes as she leaned into the caress. He smiled then pulled her forward and wrapped his arms around her. She exhaled softly and he threaded his fingers through her hair.

“Maya has a point. I’m tense from being on guard all the time.”

“Maybe I can help you relax.”

Her eyes came open. “Can you?”

“I have a technique.”

Her eyes widened, an amused light coming to life in the green depths. “A technique, you say?”

“Would you like a demonstration?”

“Very much so,” she murmured.

He put a finger under her chin. “One condition.”

“I knew there would be a catch.”

“You’re tired, so you should let me do all the work.”

Chapter Twelve

“I’ve heard of this place but never set foot inside.” Lil and Jordan crossed the street to the Wolf Den midblock.

They’d stopped briefly at the sheriff’s office, talked to Deputy Phil, and discovered that Gremlin had not given up a name, despite his claim that he knew who shot the cow. Phil’s assessment was that he’d just been trying to save his ass.