“Yep. I’m gonna take care of the food and drinks, and Tiffany’s probably gonna arrange the decorations, the date, and all that. She’s already gathered donated auction items and that kind of thing.”

“Well, I’ll definitely see what I can do. In the meantime, what about those security cameras?”

“I’ve already got it under control. I called someone today, and they said they’d be installed by the end of the week. I can hook them all up to the computer in my house and check the cameras at any point in time.”

“Sounds fancy,” he said.

“I’m sparing no expense. If I can put together enough information and catch this son of a bitch on camera, then I can make all this stop.”

“And maybe then Cheyenne will stay?”

I saw the smirk on Michael’s face, and I simply shook my head. I made a few drinks for those that had walked up to the bar, but I could see Michael’s eyes watching me intently.

“What?” I asked.

“You care for her,” he said.

“Of course I do. She’s my sister’s friend, and she’s been through some tough shit lately.”

“She’s a skilled horsewoman, a spark plug with a great personality, and she’s very easy on the eyes. Come on, you care about her, and you know it,” he said.

“Seriously, Mike. I’m good,” I said.

“I know you are. Because you’ve had a very beautiful woman living in your house for a while now.”

“Can I get you another drink?” I asked him.

“If I say no, will you admit that you like her?”

“Another beer coming up,” I said.

Michael laughed at me while I got him another beer. I had too much on my mind to debate with my neighbor on how I felt about Cheyenne. Of course I cared for her; she’d had her life threatened by the dipshit in town who burned her barn down. I helped her out because Tiffany had devoted so much of her time to Cheyenne’s cause, and I could get behind it too. Sure, we’d had to hide her being at Smith Ranch so she could keep her grants, but she’d do the same for Tif and me if we needed help like that.

In a heartbeat, she would. I was just returning the favor I knew she’d do us.

“Things going well since you reopened?” Michael asked.

“No sprung leaks, no major issues, no clogged pipes. I think we’re back in business.”

“That’s good,” he said. “Have you ever thought about someone coming after this place?”

“What?”

“Think about it. If your girlfriend was right about people around her being targets, then it’s plausible that they would eventually come after this place.”

“She said something along those same lines this morning,” I said.

“She’s not crazy. It’s a logical train of thought,” he said.

My silence told him everything he needed to know.

“You thought she was crazy. Don’t tell me you told her you thought she was crazy.”

“Holy shit, I’m not that stupid,” I said through my grin. “I just don’t think it would’ve happened.”

“Did you think someone would try to burn down your barn?” Michael asked.

“Have I mentioned that arguing with you is a pain in the ass?”

Tags: Claire Adams Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net