Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(70)

“I thought maybe you could explain his plans.”

“You’ll need to talk to Dirk directly,” Wade said. “My brother’s decided to expand his cattle operation, and I’ve pretty much washed my hands of it.”

“So things between you and Dirk—”

“Haven’t changed for the better.”

“I’m sorry to hear that… I’m thinking I might come up there for the closings.”

Wade’s pulse quickened at the thought of seeing her again, but then he wondered at her motives. He couldn’t see the point of her return when she already said she was selling everything. “It’s not necessary,” he said, “especially given how you hate to fly.”

“I do, but it wouldn’t be so bad with a companion.”

“A companion?” He felt a violent surge of jealousy.

“Yes. I’m thinking about asking Shelby to come with me. I’d rather not leave her alone with her stalker ex-boyfriend still on the lam.”

“Shelby? That would be your sister?”

“Yeah. I’m surprised you remembered that.”

“I remember everything, sweetheart.”

Silence.

“You do realize it’s winter here, right?” Wade said. “Your thin Southern blood probably won’t tolerate subzero temperatures very well.”

“I can take it.” Another pause. “Are you trying to talk me out of coming?”

“Just trying to save you expense, discomfort, and aggravation.” More like his discomfort and aggravation. “You really don’t have to be here for the closings, you know.”

“I know, but I’ll be there anyway. I’m flying up next Friday. We’re gonna spend the weekend. Any suggestions on where we should stay?”

Yeah, in my bed. He had little doubt they’d end up in there anyway. But as much as he missed her, it would only be like a quick fix to a junkie. The high would be great, but the crash would be hell. And then what?

“You might enjoy Big Sky,” he suggested, telling himself it was all for the best.

Another pause.

“Thanks,” she said. “I’ll book a reservation there. See you Friday?”

“Sure. Bye, Nikki.” He disconnected on the lie. Evans would be handling the closings. He’d be long gone.

*

Nikki clicked the phone off with a hollow feeling. But then again, what did she expect after almost three months? Initially, the sound of his mellow baritone had sent a warm ripple through her, but then he’d become so painfully aloof. Their conversation hadn’t played out at all as she’d thought…as she’d hoped. She’d taken a huge step to call him. Why couldn’t he at least have met her halfway?

She wondered if it was really worth all the trouble to go up there. She hated to fly. It was early December, freezing cold, and Wade’s reception on the phone had been anything but warm. Was there any chance he’d welcome her back? Was there even a glimmer of hope? It was impossible to know his true feelings when she couldn’t see his face. Maybe the whole thing was a waste of time.

Shelby plopped onto the sofa beside her. “So what did he say?”

“Not much. He advised me to sell the river piece and lease the rest.”

“Why lease any of it if you can sell? I’d take the money in a heartbeat,” Shelby said.

“Yeah, you would,” Nikki said dryly. “And you’d probably head straight to Vegas with it.”

“Probably.” Shelby grinned. “A girl’s gotta have some fun, after all.”

“He tried to talk me out of coming back.”

“He told you not to come?”

“Not exactly but he was very discouraging.”

“Cold shoulder, eh? It has been a long time, Nik. Do you think that maybe…”

“He’s involved with someone else?” Nikki finished the thought she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge aloud. She mentally kicked herself for her stupidity. Just because she’d been pining didn’t mean he was doing the same. In all likelihood, he was involved with someone. The thought that she might have lost him for good made her stomach churn.

“You’re probably right. I’m just going to make a giant ass of myself, aren’t I?”

“Maybe so.” Shelby’s reply didn’t make her feel any better. “But you’re still planning to go, aren’t you?”

“Yes. But my going really has nothing to do with him and me. The closing on the riverfront parcel is next Friday and I have a lease offer to consider on the remaining pasture lands. If I sell everything the taxes are going to kill me, so I might be better off to entertain the lease. If I do that, if I keep the land, I should at least learn a little about how it all works, don’t you think? So I’m going up there to talk this deal over. It’s all strictly business,” Nikki insisted.

“You trying to convince me or yourself?”

Nikki frowned. “It’s all true.”

“C’mon, Nik,” Shelby cajoled. “It’s past time to come clean. I think there’s a much more personal reason why you want to hold on to some of that land. It’s your only tie to him. Once it’s sold, you’ve got no connection at all to him, no reason ever to go back. Why is it so impossible for you to admit?”