Page 350 of Rangers Last Promise

“It looks drunk.”

“You’re welcome.”

Max walked into the room, inspected every corner, and jumped onto the bed.

“No.”

He turned in a circle and lay down.

Trigger grinned. “He listens well.”

“He usually does.”

“Maybe he knows you need company.”

“I’ve had his company for three years.”

“I meant human company.”

I gave him a look.

Trigger didn’t move.

Marriage had made him braver.

Or more foolish.

Probably both.

He crossed his arms. “You planning to tell us why you finally came?”

“Wolf said the room was here.”

“He has said that every time he called you.”

“I was busy.”

“Driving?”

“Yes.”

“From what?”

I looked out the window.

Main Street stretched below us. People moved between the stores. A woman pushed a stroller along the sidewalk. Two men repaired a sign near the diner.

Life continued at a pace that didn’t require anyone to run.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

Trigger was quiet for once.

Then he pushed away from the wall.

“Dinner is at six. The Magnolia Ladies will arrive at five thirty and pretend they weren’t invited.”

“Were they invited?”