“I’m going to need some backup today,” he said. “I’m taking Stella out to run some errands and see the sights.”
“Roger that. What’s our departure ETA?”
“Thirty minutes.”
Buck had given me the rundown of his plans for the afternoon, and I’d agreed to go along with them, even the stuff he was keeping a surprise.
At one on the dot, we were waiting on the porch when Rock pulled up in an SUV. There was a man I didn’t recognize sitting in the front passenger seat.
“Who is that?” I asked, pointing as we walked toward the vehicle when the biggest man I’d ever seen in my life climbed out. I had no idea how he’d fit in the car in the first place.
“Hey, Ink. I’d like you to meet Stella.”
The guy looked like one of those Transformers’ characters after it turned from a car into a superhero. His arms were bigger around than my entire body, and his legs were twice as big as his arms. He was wearing athletic shorts and a ripped tank top, probably because no other clothes would fit him. His head was shaved except for a Mohawk that had been dyed platinum blonde.
“Stella, this is Breckin Ryan, also known as Ink. Ink, this is Stella
Hunter.”
When he took his time looking me up and down, I did the same thing right back to him. I had no reason to ask why he was called Ink. Most of his body was covered in it. He was trying to intimidate me, probably something he did with everyone he met to the point it had become a habit.
I had no doubt the man could snap me in two without raising his heart rate, but I also knew that if he tried, Buck would take him down.
I folded my arms and gave him another once over. “Nice to meet you, Breckin.”
“Ink.”
“Right.”
“You did that to me the first time we met,” Buck leaned in and said after Ink walked back over the vehicle and opened the back door for us.
“What’s that?”
“You let me know in no uncertain terms that you wouldn’t take any shit from me or anyone else.”
“Isn’t that what your friend just did to me?”
“He isn’t my friend. Just someone I work with.”
“Evidently, there’s some history between you.”
Buck put his arm around my waist and nuzzled my neck. “Don’t go all reporter on me now, Stella. Most of the time, I think Ink and his attitude are bullshit. That’s not history.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Buck leaned in and kissed the side of my neck. “Come on, darlin’, a day of adventure awaits.”
18
Buck
I wanted to end our day in downtown Crested Butte, so I told Rock to head toward Gunnison when we left the Roaring Fork.
I waited to see if Stella would ask where we were going, but as she’d said, she was willing to go along, even for the surprises.
While the drive into Crested Butte was one of my favorites, the reverse was pretty too. It followed along the Gunnison River until it reached the tiny community of Altamont, where it divided into two, the East River and the Taylor River.
Altamont was named for a famous racehorse, a favorite of the owner of Fisher Ranch, which eventually became the unincorporated community. There wasn’t much there besides a couple of four-seasons resorts favored by hunters and fishermen, but it was a beautiful place. I knew Stella thought so too when she craned her neck to take it all in. Maybe on one of our adventures, I’d bring her back here to fish.