There’s a pause, and I look up to find his gaze is lasered to mine.
“I was expecting you but didn’t know there’d be extras.”
Falcon responds, “Helping an old friend.They won’t be trouble, but if they can hang around while we get this run made, it would help us out a lot.”
“There’s room.Angie, my housekeeper, will get them settled,” the cowboy, Sawyer, says.“Angie, we got company.”
The woman, Angie, looks about fifty and sweet as pie as she steps onto the porch and smiles at us.
“Hello, come inside.Can I get you something to eat or drink?”
Falcon answers with a shake of his head.“I think we’re good for now, but thank you.”
Then Rooster adds, “Sorry to be direct, but these ladies may need something to sleep in, possibly a change of clothes for tomorrow.”
Then Falcon says, “Yeah, funny story, and I’m sure Rooster will be happy to fill you in.Maybe there’s somewhere we can go to catch up while the ladies get settled?”
I’m waiting for the cowboy to kick us all off his land, instead Angie waves to me and Kristie.
“Of course, come with me.We’ll get you situated.”
And that’s how I wind up a few hours later, showered and wearing borrowed sweats and t-shirt, wandering around in the middle of the night on a ranch in Northern New Jersey, trying to figure out what exactly my life is.
Of course, I didn’t see him standing there in the dark, like he’s a part of the shadows themselves.
“So, they call you Bit?”His voice is low, gravelly, and not exactly thrilled.
I nod, swallowing hard.“Yeah.Elisabeth Corona.But everyone calls me Bit.”
He tilts his head, the corner of his mouth lifting just slightly.
“Figures.”
“Figures?”I shoot back, because apparently my mouth hasn’t gotten the memo that we’re in survival mode.
“Second I saw you I said to myself, now that woman looks like a little bit of trouble.”
He crosses his arms, muscles flexing under his shirt, and hell if my brain doesn’t short-circuit for a second.
I should be scared.
Cautious.Something.
But instead, I’m curious.
Warm.Intrigued.
And when he says, “You can stay in the guest room till this mess blows over.Don’t touch the bulls, don’t wander after dark, and for the love of God, don’t mouth off to the help.”
I can’t help the smirk that slips out.
“Definehelp.”
“I’d tell you to stay out of trouble, but what would be the point?”he asks, but it’s like he’s not even talking to me.
“Gee, you know how to make a girl feel welcome, don’t ya?”
I have no idea what’s gotten into me, but I can’t help but goad this man.
