With no choice but to relent, Tristan began planning the first investors’ meeting for the new clothing brand: McCullough Cowgirl. The name was a hit with everyone she told, almost all of whom suggested the line would soon grow to include McCullough Home, McCullough Cowboy, even McCullough Kids.
She’d been tempted several times to call Bullet, or text him, to alert him she’d be in town, but since she hadn’t heard from him, she figured he wouldn’t care one way or the other.
Obviously, Bullet had forgotten all about her. Out of sight, out of mind. Too bad that wasn’t working for her.
“What the hell do you mean she’ll be in Black Forest tomorrow? How long have you known this, Lyric?”
“There isn’t any reason to yell at me, Bullet. I got the call from Liv day before yesterday. How was I supposed to know Tristan didn’t tell you?”
And here he was, in Montana. He wasn’t due to leave for Black Forest until Tuesday. Today was Friday. Tristan would be long gone by the time he got home.
He was so angry, he felt like putting his fist through something. Too bad the only thing close was the side of the trailer. The last thing he needed was to break the bones in his hand, and the way he was feeling, that was how hard he’d hit it.
“Steam’s comin’ outta your nose and ears, Bullet.”
Billy Patterson was the last person Bullet wanted to have a conversation with right now.
“What’s got ya all fussed?”
“Nothin’.” Bullet walked away, but Billy followed.
“Renie told me there’s a big meeting goin’ on at Patterson Ranch tomorrow. Somethin’ about a new business she wants to invest in. You know anything about it?”
“Nope.”
“I heard Tristan McCullough has somethin’ to do with it. That ring any bells?”
It was looking more and more like Bullet was going to punch something, and if Billy didn’t back off, it would be someone instead.
“I said no. I meant no. Now leave me the hell alone, Billy.”
“Okay, then. I’ll call Renie back and tell her to expect me home tonight. And here, Jace and I were gonna offer to drive this load of broncs to Black Forest so you could be the one to leave early.”
“Wait, what?”
“But if you don’t know anythin’ about it, and don’t care to know, then I guess ol’ Jace and I will get
to see our wives a few days earlier than planned. Okay by me.”
“Shit.” Bullet couldn’t hold back any longer. At least now, the closest thing for him to hit was the side of the barn. It still hurt like hell, but he doubted he’d done any real damage to his hand.
“What the hell was that all about?”
Bullet wanted to wipe the shit-eating grin off Billy’s face. He knew damn well what it was about. It was why he’d spent the last five minutes giving him grief.
“She doesn’t want to see me,” Bullet muttered.
“What’s that? I couldn’t hear you.”
“Fuck off, Billy. You heard me.”
Jace was sitting on the fence near the barn, chewing on a piece of straw. “I don’t know about that. Bree told me she overheard Tristan ask whether you were around.”
“You two tag-teamin’ me now?”
Billy put his hand on Bullet’s shoulder and squeezed. “We’re old and married, son. And both our wives are pregnant. We gotta live vicariously through someone.”
“I’m married, but I’m not old, Patterson. You’re the old one in this crew. And Bree isn’t anywhere near as pregnant as Renie is. What’s she goin’ on, month fifteen?”