Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(67)

She paused at the meat counter where they displayed only certified grass-fed and hormone-free choices. In addition to the expected chicken, beef, pork, lamb, and veal, there was ostrich, rabbit, bison, elk, and even alligator.

Nikki couldn’t help inquiring of the butcher, “Do you carry American Kobe beef?”

“American Kobe?” he asked with surprise.

“Yeah,” she said. “I’ve heard a few ranchers out West are cross-breeding Japanese cows with American Angus.”

The butcher scratched his chin. “I know of a few outfits out West supplying the upscale steak houses, but we don’t carry it in the market yet. I could look into special ordering it for you if you like. Do you want me to ask our buyers?”

“No, thank you,” Nikki replied. “I was just curious to know if it was catching on at all.”

She wondered if Dirk had any chance of making a go of it or if Wade was right about cattle ranching being an altogether losing proposition. Then again, someone had to raise cattle for the high-end markets.

Nikki hesitated over a twenty-dollar bison steak, but decided that her vegan sister would probably gag at the sight of it. With a sigh, she opted for veggie burgers instead and then headed to the bakery for Shelby’s gluten-free buns. Stopping midway to wander the wine aisle, Nikki lingered indecisively in the enormous selection of reds. She knew almost nothing about wine, as all her prior boyfriends had been beer drinkers. Her eyes lit on the Shiraz. She’d never tried it until the dinner with Wade. Thinking about it, she was stunned to realize just how closed to new things she’d been and how limited her world had become.

New things weren’t safe. There was always a chance she wouldn’t like them—but she’d liked the Shiraz very much. She’d like the beef too. And the mountains. Being truthful, she hadn’t even minded the night in the cabin that much. It had felt like an adventure. Every day with Wade had brought something new and exciting. Yet, she’d played it safe, choosing to return to dull and predictable.

Was this who she really was? Who she wanted to be?

Nikki closed her eyes to the image of Wade sitting across the table from her and filling her glass that night at the Old Hotel. She’d tried many new things with him. The wine labels blurred before her burning eyes. Passing on the Shiraz, Nikki opted for a bottle of Biltmore Merlot instead.

After grabbing a bag of buns for the veggie burgers, she decided to quash her misery with something wickedly chocolate. She moved on to the pastry section where she nearly drooled over the mouthwatering selections—until her gaze lit on the cannoli. The remembrance of what had followed their last meal together incited a yearning that went bone deep.

Damn it! Am I so far gone that I can’t even make a trip to the grocery store without thinking about him?

No matter how hard she tried to push them aside, her thoughts kept returning to Wade. She wandered the aisles, replaying almost every minute they’d spent together—from the first cocky wink at the Denver airport to the breath-stealing vision of his soap-slickened body. She mentally freeze-framed the last day together when he was shirtless, wielding the ax and gleaming with sweat.

Aching for him in the worst possible way, Nikki abandoned the bakery for the freezer section where she hoped to drown her misery in a tub of Mayfield Cookies ’n’ Cream topped with a large jar of fudge sauce.

*

Nikki pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex with an ominous feeling. She supposed the three police squad cars and crowd of gawkers had a great deal to do with that, and strongly suspected she’d find Shelby in the thick of it. Leaving her groceries in the car, she approached her building with jangling nerves. Judging by the demolition-derby condition of Shelby’s car and the smashed apartment windows, her fears that Shelby’s psycho ex would eventually show up had materialized. Given the evidence, his weapon of mass destruction must have been a sledgehammer. She pushed through the crowd to find the police questioning her sister who, thank goodness, looked unharmed.

Her landlord intercepted, confronting Nikki and shaking a fist. “I’m holding you liable for these damages, Miss Powell. The rental insurance doesn’t cover willful destruction of property.”

“Wait a minute,” Nikki replied. “How can you blame me? I wasn’t even here and don’t have a clue what happened.”

“Your sister was here,” he accused. “Maybe she can tell us all what happened.”

“Are you all right, Shelby?” Nikki asked.

“I am now.”

“What happened?” Nikki asked.

“Dwight showed up…wanting money.”

“Money?”

“Yeah. He heard you had some. Said he needed a loan. He didn’t like the answer I gave.”

“Which was?”

“I told him to piss off.”

“You know the assailant?” one of the officers asked.

“Yeah. I know the dickhead,” Shelby replied.

“Did he threaten you?” the officer asked.

Shelby rolled her eyes. “No. He brought me a damned posy of pink carnations. What the hell does it look like?”

“Look, miss…” The cop scowled. “I have a report to make and I’ll need a little cooperation from you.”

“You’re going to arrest him, aren’t you?” Nikki asked.