Page 47 of Rancher's Heart

“I need you to do a background on Troy Wilson.”

“Griff, that’s Elle’s ex, do you know what you’re doing?”

“He moved into the old Hays place and I need to know who he knows. Elle just told me there would be no way for him to pay what I know it went for. There’s a backer, and we need to know who it is.”

“So essentially he kicked his ex-wife and kid out of their home?”

“Look, I’m not complaining about that.” I thought of that beautiful woman in my house, making it feel like a home, ratherthan just a house. “It was a dick move, but I'm more interested in his motive and the fact that there was someone willing to put their own ten million behind it.”

“I’ll get on it. Hey, speaking of the Hays boys, Billy is missing. Do you know anything about that?”

“No, first I’ve heard of it. Not like it’s really sad for the town to be down one less drug-dealing drunk.”

“Griff, do you need to tell me anything?”

“Not my handiwork, this time. I’m sure he’ll turn up alive and well.” He’d turn up alive, how well would be questionable.

CHAPTER 26

ELLE

The sun shone brightly and was only covered momentarily by the fluffy white clouds in the sky. “I have a question to ask you,” I said as I dragged my feet through the cool water.

“Ask away,” Griff said from behind me. We were sitting on the dock before I had to leave for work. Griff had laid back, one arm behind his head, and the other resting on my back.

“Mrs. Gordon asked me if I’d consider working full-time at Jake’s clinic. I guess Phyllis is retiring, and they don’t want to post the job to the public if they don’t have to.” I avoided looking at him, but I didn’t know why.

“What would it mean for you?” His voice was low, and I turned to look at him. His eyes were closed, his jeans rolled up to his knees, and his usual plaid shirt untucked from his pants.

“No more shift work, a shorter commute to work. I’d be home by six every night and every weekend off.”

He let his head roll to look at me. “What do you think?”

“I was asking your opinion.”

“And before I tell you what I think, I want to know what you think.”

“I would miss the excitement of the ER, but I want to be a mom who works regular hours and be present for Parker every day. Have more time with you.” I looked from Griff back to the water and waited for his response.

“If you want to take the job, and I think you should take it. And for the record, I’d be very happy to have you home every night.” He sat up, and I shifted, so I was looking at him again.

“Really?”

“Really.” He grinned and leaned forward to kiss me.

With one quick movement, I stuck my arm out and pushed him off the dock. He wasn’t paying attention and lost his hold, tumbling into the water. His white cowboy hat bobbed along from the ripples he made.

Standing there waiting for him to surface I bit my lip, worrying that he’d been down there too long. Suddenly, without warning, he surfaced with a splash, his hat on his head and water cascading down his body.

Taking a step back as Griff swam to the dock, I watched his muscles flex under his white, now soaking-wet t-shirt as he hoisted himself out of the water and back onto the dock. He stalked toward me, his boots squashing with water every step he took.

I rolled my lips trying to stop the laugh that was threatening to escape. He raised his arm and motioned with his index finger for me to come to him. Shaking my head I kept walking backwards, but he was gaining on me.

Turning, I took off up the hill. I didn’t dare look over my shoulder. I could pretend I was further ahead than I really was. His thundering footsteps behind me let me know he was close. He slid his finger around my belt loop and pulled me off the ground mid-step.

“No, Griff, let me go,” I begged through my laughter. “Please I didn’t mean it.” I couldn’t even say it with a straight face.

With little effort, he hoisted me over his shoulder, and my hair fell over my face, and I bounced along my head, almost hitting his ass with every step he took. His powerful arm was hanging onto my legs, and I reached out to slap his ass. “Let me down you big brute.” I wiggled on his shoulder but he just held onto me tighter.

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