Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (Hot Cowboy Nights, #3)(45)

He could have just ignored her and walked away. Probably should have. By her reaction, she might have been happier had he done so, but he wasn’t about to let Haley Cooper off the hook so easily. Not this time.

*

Dinner? Alone with him? After what she’d done? Why had he asked her? His invitation had thrown her completely off balance. She’d accepted, but what the hell was she going to do now? What was going on in his head? She hadn’t a clue.

She checked the time. It was almost noon. She was supposed to meet her fellow biologists for lunch, but here she was holed up in her room, pacing the floor. She’d come to Wyoming for a fresh start, but Reid’s appearance complicated everything. He’d always challenged her thinking, and once more he had her feeling unsure of herself. Get it together, Haley. You’ve dealt with the unexpected before. And deal with it she would, just not without preparation.

Snatching her phone out of her purse, she sent a quick text to beg off from lunch, using a headache as a viable, albeit not very creative, excuse.

After that, she kicked off her four-inch heels and massaged her aching feet. Although she loved heels for the height advantage they gave her, she mostly lived in jeans and hiking boots. She almost never dressed up, except for fund-raisers and speaking engagements. She shed her business suit, one of only three she owned. She also owned the same number of little black dresses that she reserved for the aforementioned occasions…and maybe dinners with ex-flames.

She drew a hot bath with the intention of reviewing her lecture notes while soaking in the tub. There was nothing better than a hot bath to relax the mind and body. Well, almost nothing, but the best thing hadn’t been on her menu in months. She wondered if she hadn’t already gone so long without sex if she would have been as susceptible to Reid. If she was going to be running into him regularly, maybe it was time to invest in something with batteries?

Her phone rang just as she shut off the tap. Her gaze darted longingly from the steamy tub back to the phone where caller ID showed Jeffrey’s face. She hadn’t heard from him in weeks. She chewed her lip and then snatched it up. “Hi, Jeffrey.”

“Hi yourself. Haven’t heard from you. How are you settling in?” he asked.

“Not so great, I’m afraid. I’ve only been here a few weeks and have already had a nasty confrontation with one of the outfitters over a wolf kill.” She’d never told Jeffrey about Reid. There was little point in bringing up their past relationship.

“What kind of confrontation?” An edge of worry had crept into his voice.

“I had the guide’s license temporarily suspended while I initiated an investigation, but he wasn’t completely at fault. The situation hasn’t endeared me to the outfitters, but at least he and I seem to have arrived at a truce.” She hoped so anyway. “On top of that, I’m at the Outfitters Convention now to speak about wolf recovery.”

“You’re kidding, right? You’re surrounded by a bunch of redneck hunters and ranchers with guns? You shouldn’t take them on alone.”

She gave a dry laugh. “You’re overreacting. This is the perfect opportunity to present our side.”

“I don’t think so,” he argued. “It could get really ugly before all is said and done, especially once they realize you’re in a position of influence.”

She thought of Reid. He’d already connected those dots. “You fret too much, Jeffrey. I appreciate your call, but I have to get ready now. The gun-toting rednecks are waiting to string me up.”

“Ha. Ha. You shouldn’t take my warning so lightly. This issue is a social and political quagmire, and you’re about to march right into the middle of it.”

“I can take care of myself,” she assured.

“I hope you don’t discover differently. Call me if you need anything. I can be on the first plane.”

“Thanks. I appreciate your offer of moral support, but there’s really no need for concern.”

“Of course I’m concerned,” he said. “I still care about you, you know.”

“I know. But not enough,” she said sadly. “Good-bye, Jeffrey.”

“Bye.”

Haley hung up, undressed, and sank into the now-tepid tub. But instead of reviewing her notes, she tossed them aside to mull over the awkward situation she found herself in. Although she still felt a bit melancholy about ending the relationship with Jeffrey, she couldn’t regret leaving California. Coming to Wyoming had renewed her sense of purpose, but seeing Reid again filled her with so many contradicting emotions.

So much had changed over the years, but the attraction between them remained. It simmered beneath the surface even during their moments of hostility. Now Reid had offered an olive branch. She still didn’t know why. Maybe she really was about to be sucked into a quagmire—just not the kind Jeffrey meant.

*

Hours later, Haley scanned the blank faces of the few people who still occupied the room. It had been filled to capacity only minutes ago for the panel on elk management, but following her introduction, the occupants had begun slinking out, much like rats from a sinking ship. Not a good omen. “Good afternoon,” she said with a nervous smile.

No one smiled back. Her stomach knotted tighter.

She cleared her throat and began again. “It’s my pleasure to be here today as the new liaison from the Rocky Mountain Wolf Management Task Force. We are a team of conservation biologists and wolf specialists contracted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to review and monitor the wolf management strategies in the Rocky Mountain region.” She drew another breath to recite the lecture she knew by heart. “The recovery of the gray wolf after near extinction is a true American success story—”