“Uh huh. Shall we take this knife fight inside?” he asked.

“Oh, sorry.”

I walked into the house and felt him close on my heels. I put the knife away and put on a pot of coffee, knowing I wouldn’t get much sleep tonight anyway because I’d be sitting out on my porch all night making sure nothing happened to my barn.

“How was work?” I asked.

“How’re you doing, Cheyenne?”

“My question first.”

“But you’re the lady,” he said, through a grin.

“I’m doing alright. How was work?” I asked again.

“Work is just fine. I’m not canceling the fundraiser.”

“I’m glad. Wait. What?”

“I’m not canceling the fundraiser,” he said again.

“The fundraiser is pointless, Colt, and you know it,” I said.

“It’s going be held at my house, and Michael will spread the word to people who support you in this town. Tif and I are still gonna throw it, if only to show you the support you still have around here.”

“There’s no support in a town that burns down barns, Colt,” I said.

“And that’s why I’m still throwing the fundraiser. To show you how wrong you are about that.”

“Whatever. It’s not my call. I’m still rehoming the horses,” I said. He wasn’t talking me out of my plan, no matter what he tried to pull. I’d made up my mind. This town had chewed me up and spat me out, and I knew when my presence and expertise were no longer wanted. I could sell the sanctuary and open up shop somewhere else.

Somewhere that wasn’t built on corruption and actually appreciated my skills.

“Michael said he’s looking forward to your phone call whenever you’ve got the paperwork ready.”

“When did you talk to Michael?” I asked.

“Last night at the bar. He came in, and we talked for a while.”

“So, do you think he really wants the horse, or he just doesn’t know how to tell me he changed his mind?” I asked.

“Of course he wants it. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who can’t say what he means. I think he’s a straight shooter. We also talked about how I could catch the asshat going around doing all this stuff.”

“You gonna do the sheriff’s job now?” I asked.

“If that’s what it takes. I’m getting security cameras. They’ll record all the time and be installed around the house and the barns by the end of the week. They’ll be hooked up to my computer so I can see the feed anytime I want. I’m going catch who’s doing this, Cheyenne.”

“I’m sure you will, Colt,” I said.

“Cheyenne. Look, I don’t want you to go.”

“And neither do I! Do you think I want to leave you and Tif behind? I don’t want to leave the life I built after Dexter and all that bullshit! I don’t want to be chased out of another town because of circumstances beyond my control. But Colt, they burned down my barn, killed my horse, tried to burn down your barn, and all that tells me that the snake and the spiders and who knows what else weren’t accidents!”

Colt got up and took my shoulders, and I instantly felt rooted to the floor. It was like his electrifying touch had a mesmerizing hold over me, and I’d forgotten just how soothing it was. How grounding it felt to have his skin pressed against mine. Even if it was just his hands.

“Then let me throw this fundraiser for you. It’ll buy me some time to catch this jackass, which will mean that you can stay. Just give me that much, Cheyenne. Please.”

“Every minute I stay—”

Tags: Claire Adams Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net