Ruthless (Wolf Ranch 6)

5

NATALIE

A few hours later, after doing a load of laundry in the creepy basement then pinning it out to dry on the line outside, I finally got around to dealing with the coffeemaker. As Nash had suggested, I carried the coffeemaker into the living room—its new home until I knew it wouldn’t zap me or blow a fuse. I set the machine on a side table near a plug as I heard the sound of someone coming down the driveway and park. I wasn’t going to think about how I got strangely giddy at the idea of it being Rand. He’d said he was coming back, and I hadn’t realized how much I’d looked forward to it until now.

But when I pulled back the curtain and looked out, it wasn’t Rand but an older man climbing from a late model pickup truck. I’d never seen him before, but unless I’d poured someone a drink at Cody’s, pretty much everyone in town was a stranger.

I pushed open the screen door and met the man as he approached the house. I pegged him as being in his early sixties, a few inches taller than me. His large belt buckle was attempting to hold his stomach in, but I wanted to give him room in case it gave up the fight. I’d also give him space because the look on his face wasn’t all that welcome.

“Morning,” I said.

“Ma’am. I’m Nathan Brown, one of your neighbors.”

I glanced around as if I could see his house.

“Live up in the hills to the south of here.”

That meant he was a shifter.

“Nice to meet you,” I replied. He wasn’t carrying a plate of brownies, so I had to assume he wasn’t here to be the welcoming committee. I sort of liked Rand’s welcome better.

“Knew your uncle. He was a good man. Private. Kept to himself.”

I nodded, letting him talk.

He glanced up at the house. “The place needs lots of work. Thinking maybe since you’re from the big city and all, you might want someone to take it off your hands.”

I frowned. “You mean sell?”

“This place is pretty big for a little lady. Doubt you’re up for the challenge this place will bring you.”

“It is big and a challenge.” He didn’t look fit enough to climb the porch steps let alone reshingle the roof.

“I’d like to make you an offer on the place. Fair market value and all.”

“That’s… generous of you. I just got here, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet. I’ll think about it, all right?” The answer was no, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. The guy who’d lived next door had offered top dollar for my place although I’d learned from the DEA it was because he’d wanted to combine the properties to have enough room for a private runway for his drug shipments. Boyd Wolf had also offered to buy the place, no doubt for legal reasons. I’d turned him down, too.

Sure, the place was dilapidated, but it was mine. It had been Uncle Adam’s, and he’d left it to me for a reason. I hadn’t exactly figured out what it was, but I wasn’t going to sell. Not yet. If I ever decided that was the best option, I wasn’t selling to this guy.

He looked shifty. What sixty-something took on a place like mine? It needed work. He should be heading to Arizona or somewhere warm for the winter. Eating peanuts at the local VFW. Not dealing with bad wiring and electrocuting kitchen appliances.

He also didn’t look like he was made of money. His clothes were dated and worn. So was his truck. That didn’t mean he didn’t have the means to buy my land or a hundred properties, but what was his angle?

“Montana winters are long,” he advised.

“I’ve got a heavy coat and boots. Thanks so much for stopping by, Mr. Brown.”

He stared at me as if waiting for me to say more. When I didn’t, he nodded then shuffled back to his truck and drove away. Only when the dust settled did I go back inside and plug in the coffeemaker. Before I could make a pot, I heard someone else coming down the drive.

This time it was Rand. He pulled up and parked.

There went my heart, just like before. It leapt right into my throat. God, he was handsome. I had no idea I had a thing for cowboy hats and snug jeans. Just the sight of him climbing from his truck had me hot. My fingers itched to grab the thick strands of hair beneath the edge of his hat and tug him down to kiss me.

I definitely hadn’t thought this way about Nathan Brown. Gah.

I was such a mental slut when it came to Rand because I’d imagined all that while he carried in two bags from the hardware store and what looked like a takeout bag of food. Not sexy times offerings.