Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

Jarvis climbed the stepladder to look over the wiring for this section of the string lights. “You don’t sound all that sincere,” he commented absently.

“I’d be less disappointed if you tell me it’s a nonexclusive kind of thing.”

It wasn’t. Well, technically it wasn’t anything. But if it became something, he wouldn’t be sharing Mia with anyone. He just shook his head.

“Come on, Jarvis,” she cajoled. “I could use a little romantic excitement, even if it is vicarious.”

He tested each bulb within reach, pausing to look down at her. She was staring at his crotch. Ew. “Are you running low on gossip fuel?” He climbed down, moved the ladder and climbed up again.

“Knowledge is power,” she said, examining her nails now. “I shared my secrets with you.”

“Did you?”

“Didn’t I?” She swirled the golden liquid in her glass.

So that was the reason she’d called. She was worried she’d said too much after the party. Being Selina, she would assume that he’d do what she’d done and use any secrets to her advantage. Or maybe she really was more worried about sharing juicy gossip with her friends at the next Sunday brunch.

He moved the ladder again and waited until she met his gaze. “You didn’t.”

What might have been relief flashed across her flawless features. “Tell me your secret, anyway.” She leaned in on the other side of the ladder. “I know you can’t possibly be serious about this cowboy nonsense.”

He gave her an innocent smile. “A real man doesn’t joke about boots and belt buckles. Besides, being a cowboy means helpin’ purdy ladies like you.” He laid it on thick, hamming it up and earning her spiky laughter.

He found the problem at last. Where the nonfunctioning section connected to the previous strand, the plug had been loosened just enough to break the connection. He made the fix and verified everything worked properly again. He supposed he’d let her get away with the fake call, but it put him on edge.

“All better.” He folded the ladder, keeping it between them. “Anything else, Selina?”

Color flared on her cheeks and her gaze roamed over his face. “You know how to make a woman feel special,” she said. “I enjoyed our evening at Norton and Regina’s party.”

Just hearing Regina’s name made him angry. He smothered the reaction, not willing to give Selina any reason to ask more questions. Crossing his wrists over the top of the folded stepladder, he just waited for her to spell out what she wanted. She watched his hands and licked her lips. The woman was an operator who believed he would just fall in line for the chance to land in her bed.

Asher, knowing nothing about his feeling for Mia, would want Jarvis to dive in. Although he admired his boss man, respected him and sympathized with him, he couldn’t even pretend it was an option. No matter what kind of blight she was to the family, there were lines Jarvis wouldn’t cross. “There is someone,” he said. “Just met her last weekend.”

She stroked one perfectly manicured fingertip over his banged-up knuckles. “Then it’s not serious.”

Jarvis chuckled at the blatant invitation. “Serious enough.” He eased just out of her reach. “Any other maintenance concerns?”

Her lips curved into what might be the first genuine smile he’d seen. “Not today. Thank you, Jarvis.”

“You’re welcome.” He stowed the stepladder and headed out with a tip of his hat.

“Whoever she is, she’s a lucky woman,” Selina called after him. She strolled over, shading her eyes as she looked up at him sitting in the saddle.

He winked. “I’ll tell her you said so.” He cantered away, grateful for the wind on his face and the raw power of the horse under him.

Selina was treacherous with a hefty streak of pathetic. He supposed if he found something that negated the deed of sale, he could make Asher’s day by ousting the woman. Somehow, he didn’t think it was exactly the solution his boss was hoping for.

When the house was well out of sight, he slowed his horse and took the time to update the task schedule. A couple of items had been added to his list, including another pass over the fence near the warming hut where Mia had first hidden. He made a note to handle that task.

Thinking about the timing and knowing his brother, he looped Duke’s reins around the nearest paddock fence while he went into his room to call Spencer.

“Catch any criminals today?” he asked when Spencer picked up.

“Better than wrangling steaks in progress,” his brother replied.

Jarvis opened his laptop and then accessed the cloud file Mia had prepared. “The cattle are far more personable than your criminals.”

“Probably true. You calling to bail on our meeting?”