Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

> Jarvis agreed with that assessment one hundred percent.

“There was a time when I felt sorry for Mia. She and Norton were close before he met Regina.”

“You don’t feel sorry for her now?”

“Are you kidding? She landed on her feet. Her husband was sinfully rich and even better looking.” Selina slid the bangles up and down her arm. “People don’t realize how quickly things can change. I used to have more money than Regina. Back when I was Mrs. Payne Colton.”

Jarvis snapped out of his Mia worries. This was exactly the opening Asher had hoped for. “From where I stand, it seems you landed on your feet, too.”

“Of course it looks that way, to you. And I do have some pull, although being his ex-wife means more trade-offs.” She reached over and squeezed his thigh, just above his knee. “These days Regina might have the bigger bank account, but I can be seen out and about with whomever I please. She’s stuck fawning over that love-blind old man.”

Jarvis stopped her wandering hand before it crept too much higher on his leg. With a giggle, Selina subsided. “I hope she’s being smart about things.”

“What things?”

“Well, if Norton catches on to her antics and affairs, she’s doomed. And if she’s been spending as wildly as she seems to be, life after divorce will be a bear. Voice of experience.”

“Was the adjustment difficult?” He really didn’t care, but he needed to keep her talking.

“In some ways.” Selina yawned. “But I’m set for life. A beautiful home, an excellent salary and benefits, plus all the help I need is just a finger-snap away.” She snapped and then stroked his knee again. “Payne used to complain and taught his kids to resent me, but he really should’ve been more discreet.”

“About what?”

“Oh, everything and nothing,” she said. “His secrets and misdeeds are my gold mine.”

Asher would go nuts when he heard this.

“I’ll let you in on a secret, cowboy.” She reached out and petted his shoulder this time. “A smart woman is always paying attention. Don’t you ever underestimate a pretty face.” She sank back into her seat once more, and before Jarvis could prod more out of her, she was out.

“Great.”

Parking in front of her house, Jarvis roused Selina enough to get her inside. He didn’t venture any farther than the foyer, though he’d done enough errands here that he knew the layout well enough. Once she was steady on her feet, he pressed the Jag keys into her hand and urged her to lock the door behind him.

Back outside, he couldn’t get away fast enough. He rumbled across the sleeping ranch in the older pickup and parked near his room. He wanted out of the suit and into a shower.

Jarvis had once found Selina calculating and clingy. Tonight he’d gone a few rounds with the new champion of manipulation, Regina. Knowing Mia was eager for news on her dad, he planned to text her as soon as he was back in his room.

Walking to his door, he nearly jumped out of his skin when the shadows moved. “Asher. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“You’ve never been jumpy,” his boss replied. “Did something happen?”

It took a moment for the genuine concern to sink in. He’d only spent a few hours with high society, but he wasn’t cut out for that level of sniping and veiled threats. He’d made the right choice coming to work at the Triple R. “Dodging Selina’s wandering hands makes me jumpy,” he admitted.

“Was she chatty?”

“A little.” He unlocked his door and invited Asher in. “She let me drive the Jag.”

“Lucky you.”

He smiled and tugged his tie from his collar. “I’ll say. That was the bright spot and it was so early on I nearly forgot it.” He shrugged out of his coat and draped it over the chair.

Each room in this bunkhouse was a small apartment, furnished with a bed, dresser, small table, two chairs and a private bathroom. Each man on the crew who stayed in these quarters could add what he wanted to the setup. Jarvis hadn’t added much beyond a good television. He’d put most of his belongings in storage since hiring on here.

Asher braced his hands on the other chair, impatient now. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“You were right to think blackmail. She definitely knows something damaging about Payne,” Jarvis reported. “She warned me not to underestimate a pretty face, that smart women are observant.”

“She didn’t tell you what it was?”