Duke snorted out a laugh. “Maybe. How’d it go with Celine? Wasn’t sure if you’d be around when I got back. Kinda hoped you wouldn’t.”
The sincerity in his buddy’s voice shocked him. “You and me both. She let me spend time with Parker, which is all I can ask for. I think some of the ice has started to melt. You’re right. I need to keep showing up and proving myself. Now I have to figure out how to do that.”
“What do you mean?” Duke asked, frowning.
Lane flicked out a hand, gesturing to the mess on the desk. “I need a job, man. I’ve got some savings, but that won’t last me too long. Then there’s the financial chaos my dad left. I want to use that to set myself up. Maybe start a business of my own.”
Duke set both feet on the ground and leaned forward. “What kind of business?”
Taking a deep breath, Lane dove right into the idea that had taken form in his mind. “A security business.”
“Meaning?”
“Installing security systems, providing one-on-one protection when necessary, hell, I could even do some investigative work if needed. A catch-all kind of thing. Whatever the people in Hillmore need to keep themselves and their families safe, I’ll provide.”
“And you know how to do that?”
Lane let out a gruff laugh. “Not at all.”
A slow grin spread on Duke’s face. “Do you have any experience running a business? The logistics, financials, operations?”
“Nope. Not a clue. All I know is how to ride a bull and win championships. But I need a job, and I need one quick. I haven’t been in town long, but it’s clear there’s a need for something like this. At least Celine does. The sheriff’s department can’t be everywhere at once, and she doesn’t trust me enough yet to let me be there. If something like this existed, she’d be safe. She’d be protected. I don’t want anyone else in this town to feel as helpless as she does right now.”
“I think it’s a great idea.”
Lane raised his brows, surprised again by Duke’s sincerity. “You do?”
Duke nodded. “Yep. And you’re also a lucky sonofabitch.”
“What do you mean?”
“I happen to be a whiz at numbers, logistics, and operations.”
A mixture of dread and excitement dropped deep in his gut. “What does that have to do with me?”
“You need a job quick, I get that, but you can’t build a business from the ground up overnight. Especially when you don’t have any experience. You need a partner. Someone who can help set things up, can be your right-hand man.”
“I thought you stopped by for a quick visit before you get back on the rodeo circuit.”
Duke shrugged. “I’m not closing the door on that forever. I might go back, might not, but until then I have to find something to keep me busy. This could be just the thing. At least for a little while.”
Doubt nagged the back of Lane’s mind. He wasn’t completely sold this was the right decision. But he couldn’t ignore the zip of adrenaline shooting through his veins.
A zip of adrenaline he hadn’t experienced since his last bull ride.
Tired of all the uncertainty surrounding him, he shoved aside all the doubts and reasons this was a bad idea. “You sure about this?”
Duke’s toothy grin split his face. “As sure as I am about anything.”
Lane extended a hand over the desk. He waited for Duke to fit his palm in his then gave a hearty shake. “All right partner. Let’s give this a try.”
Water soakedinto Celine’s t-shirt as she wrapped Parker in a soft towel and carried him to his bedroom. Bathtime was one of her favorite activities, but it hadn’t held the same joy tonight. She could blame it on the fear that swarmed around her like a tumbling weed.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop picturing what such a simple everyday task would look like with Lane by her side.
He’d shocked her today. Showed her a side of himself she never believed could exist. Now, all she could do was pray andhope it wasn’t an act. That he was serious about wanting to be a part of Parker’s life.
A shudder of excitement shook her shoulders, and she stared down at her son’s sweet face. Now that Lane knew about his child, she could tell the rest of the town. He’d have an aunt to dote on him as well as a father. He’d have more than just her and her mother.
