“Randy, take our customers and head out to the skeet range,” Sully said. “We’re going to ride to Triple C-East and get Charley a pair of boots.”
“Okay, boss,” Randy called, and with a nudge to his horse, led three well-paying gentlemen away from the stables.
Charley said, “I’ve never seen Cash’s store or stables.”
“He’s got everything a city slicker needs to turn her into a country girl.”
“Well, hang on,” Charley said, and with a pat to Rain’s neck, she started toward his truck. “Can you open your truck for me?”
“Sure. Why?” he said and unlocked the truck with his key fob.
“My purse is under the seat of your truck. I need my credit card.”
Sully clicked the remote a second time, locking the truck just before Charley yanked on the door handle. Her head snapped backward, her braid danced, and she turned to him with her hands on her hips. She was so cute and sexy. He’d held thosesaucy hips this morning when she’d straddled him in bed, and, totally naked, she’d fed him strawberries before they’d flirted. He hadn’t taught her how to make love cowgirl style yet. But he intended to.
“Let’s saddle up,” he said. “You can pay me back later.”
“Okay,” she said agreeably. “Iwillsaddle up this time.”
Sully stood by to make sure she was safe, and this time, her foot didn’t slip through the stirrup. When she was settled on Rain, Sully gave her knee a pat and saddled up on Storm. They took the shortcut between his ranch and Triple C Ranch-South. Ten minutes later, they passed in front of her cabin. Everything was calm and quiet, so they ventured along the main highway. Crossing it took them to Triple C Ranch-East. Riding down the main drive of the ranch would take them to the house. Heading along the right side of the drive wrapped around to the dude ranch. Sully veered to the left, which took them to Cash’s store. Sully dismounted, and Charley did so all on her own. After tethering the horses so they could drink from the water trough, Sully grabbed her hand. Opening the door and letting two customers, carrying bags, leave first he and Charley then entered her cousin’s shop.
“Howdy folks,” Cash called from behind the counter. “Come on in. What’s up?”
“Hi, Cash,” Sully said, lifting his hand in a wave.
“Hi, Cash,” Charley echoed. “Apparently, I need some cowboy boots.”
“Sully brought you to the right place,” Cash said. Coming around the counter, he gave Charley a hug and then shook hands with Sully. “What size do you wear, Charley?”
“Seven.”
“Over here,” Cash said, and with a wave over his shoulder led them through the roomy shop full of saddles and every kind of riding accessory, past the Western wear for men and women,to the displays of men’s, women’s, and children’s boots. “Let me know what strikes your fancy, Charley.”
“My gosh,” Charley said, taking in the wide variety of styles and colors as she began to look. “I love all the choices.”
“I didn’t know if this would be your day in the store or out on the trails,” Sully said, knowing Cash and his employees took turns running the store.
“I’m sticking close to home these last few weeks of Tracy’s pregnancy to be on the safe side,” Cash said. “Speaking of being safe, what’s the latest on the Old Colorado City murders?”
“In addition to Charley’s mother being shot, there have been five women in Charley’s age range strangled to death,” Sully said.
“What’s your dad have to say about the killings?” Cash asked.
“We’ve considered that guy, named Vaughn, who you met the other day as the killer.”
“I can see that,” Cash replied with a frown. “I didn’t like him.”
“Me, neither. Turns out Vaughn has a gun that takes the same caliber bullet as the one that killed Charlotte Fleming.” Sully paused and said, “That’s off the record.”
“Got it,” Cash said with a nod. “Absolutely.”
“But Vaughn’s killing doesn’t fit the other murders,” Sully added.
“Right,” Cash agreed. “That’s what I was thinking.”
“What about these boots, Cash?” Charley asked, holding up a red leather boot.
“Excellent choice,” Cash said and walked toward her. “A very well-made boot with the perfect heel to keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup.”
