Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders #15)(85)

Brandt looked skeptical. “You two are involved, seriously involved from what I’ve seen, and neither of you had any idea what the other one is doin’ outside of the hours that you spend together?”


When Brandt put it that way…it sounded unbelievable.


“Maybe it’s because you two ain’t doin’ a whole lotta talkin’?” Tell wiggled his eyebrows. “I remember them days.”


“That could be part of it. She’s pissed and I’m pissed and we’re cooling things off for a few days.”


Tell pointed at the duffel bag against the wall. “Is that why you’re goin’ somewhere?”


“No. I talked to my buddy Boden last night. I left some stuff undone since I wasn’t sure how long I’d be gone when I left. So I’m leavin’ for Montana in the morning.” Or maybe he’d just take off tonight.


“When’re you comin’ back?”


“Thursday.”


“Don’t suppose you’re gonna stop by the rehab hospital on your way outta town?” Brandt asked.


Dalton shook his head.


“Been a while since you’ve been there.”


“Has he made any improvements?”


“No. But that don’t mean—”


He held up his hand. “I don’t want to talk about Casper.” Ever. “If you need me to check cattle or fix fence or babysit your kids while you’re visiting him, I’m more than willing to help out. But it is not helpin’ out sitting in Casper’s room and letting him glare at me. I’m done with that.”


Neither of his brothers responded. They weren’t happy, but at least now maybe they’d stop bugging him about it.


Brandt stood. “Well, drive safe. Let us know you made it up there okay.”


“Will do.”


Tell clapped him on the back. “Fair warning. I’m totally takin’ you up on the free babysitting offer.” He dug in his jacket pocket. “Before I forget…” He handed Dalton a wad of bills. “You forgot the jackpot, so me’n Brandt picked up for you.”


“Thanks.” Dalton pretended to count it.


“You don’t think it’s all there?” Tell demanded. “You are one suspicious motherf*cker.”


“Nope. Just checking to see if you added the hundred you owed me for the side bet.” He smiled. “Is it included in here?”


“No.”


Dalton held out his hand. “Pay up, bro. Fair’s fair.”


Brandt laughed and said, “Told ya he’d remember.”


Chapter Twenty-One


Rory yelled, “Come in,” after two knocks sounded on her office door Thursday morning.


“Hey, Rory.”


Her jaw might’ve actually hit the desk when she saw Dillon Doland, her ex-fiancé, in the doorway. “Dillon? What are you doing here?”


“I’m in the area for business. Thought I’d stop by and say hello.”


Remembering her manners, she gestured to the chair in front of the desk. “Please. Sit down.”


“Thanks.” He pinched the crease of his khaki pants after he sat.


At their first meeting, Dillon’s fussiness with his clothes made her wonder if he was gay. After their less than spectacular sex life when they dated, she still wondered that.


Not nice, Rory.


Dillon bestowed his movie-star bright smile. “You look great.”


“Same goes for you.”


“You still part-time here?”


“Technically? Yes. But I’m on special assignment so I’m fulltime until that ends.”


“What’s the special assignment?”


She winked. “Super duper secret.” She’d been so mad at Dalton she’d just blurted out that information and she shouldn’t have. Wouldn’t it be her bad luck if he blabbed to everyone…just like he used to? What would happen if the director found out?



Then the worst kept secret in the office would be out. Big deal. The permit application cut off date is tomorrow anyway.


“While I applaud your loyalty… You know you can trust me. Keeping secrets is an official part of my job.” Dillon raised an eyebrow. “Or I can guess if you’d like. I’ve got a good idea what you’ve been tasked to do, given your field of study.”


“Was I assigned this job because of your recommendation?” she asked sharply.


“No. So why don’t you tell me what it is?”


She sighed. “I’m processing applications and then screening applicants’ land for the elk farm test program.”


“Really? Congrats on landing a big project because it’s an important program to the state. How’s it going so far?”


“Busy. I didn’t think we’d get so many applicants.”


“With the drought, ranchers have been forced to cut down their herds. Everyone is looking for replacement income. I imagine you’re getting applications from ranchers whose land fits the criteria, but have no intention of turning it into an elk farm.”