“Maybe. Randy mentioned that Jonathon had contacted one ranch owner, and he gave them permission to search his ranch.”
Billy set his sandwich down. “That’s good, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I just want to find them. Find out why they brought Mallory to Montana and get some damn answers.”
Staring at my half-eaten sandwich, I picked it up and took a bite. Billy and I finished off our dinner in silence as we took in the view before us. The sun was slowly making its way lower in the sky. My phone rang, and I saw it was Chad.
“It’s Chad,” I said as I looked at Billy and then picked up my phone. “Hey, you back from Chicago?”
“Yes, I am. So does this mean we’re going to start talking to each other all the time again?” he asked with a slight laugh.
I cleared my throat. “Are you busy?”
He paused. “I just got home from the airport. Is everything okay?”
“Would you be able to come to my place? I need to talk to you. I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.”
“Yeah, sure thing, can Krista come? I haven’t seen her in a few days, and she might be upset with me if I leave her again.”
“Yes, please bring her. Um, except Mallory is a bit…well, she’s passed-out drunk, so I don’t think they’ll be meeting one another.”
Chad laughed. “That’s okay. We’re about to eat dinner, so maybe a couple of hours?”
“Thanks, Chad, I appreciate it.”
“Sure, we’ll see you soon.”
I said goodbye and hit End before I glanced over to Billy.
“He’s not a part of this, Liam. I feel it in my bones.”
I frowned. “I wish I could say the same thing.”
##
MaryAnne had woken up and was sitting at the kitchen island, a cup of black coffee in one hand and toast in the other.
“When was the last time you drank that much, babe?”
Her response was a groan.
Billy and I both exchanged a knowing smile.
“I only slept for a couple of hours. I still feel a bit drunk.”
The doorbell rang and Piper made a beeline toward it, barking as she ran. I opened the door to see Chad and his wife Krista standing there.
“Come on in, and thank you for coming.”
Krista walked in and I kissed her on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Krista.”
She flushed. “Thank you. It’s the pregnancy glow.”
Chad placed his hand on his wife’s lower back and guided her into the kitchen where Billy and MaryAnne were.
“Billy,” he said, reaching his hand out. “Good to see you again.”
MaryAnne stood. “Hi, Krista, I’m MaryAnne, Billy’s wife.”
