Page 79 of River Ride

“I have time for that.”

Susan walked over to the registration desk and said, “This is Cassidy Sherrin, Travis.” To Cassidy: “This is our boss, Sheriff Travis Frost.”

Travis blinked twice. Cassidy was gorgeous. Blonde hair, blue eyes, about thirty-five. He offered his hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“You too, Sheriff. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Travis figured what the girl heard was pretty sketchy, but he forged on. “Susan, the three of us should sit down on Monday and go over the basics of how the Inn operates.”

“We should, Travis. That would be helpful to Cassidy. Would you like to set a time?”

“Let’s make it ten o’clock on Monday.”

“Wonderful. Let me show you to your table, Travis, I believe your guest just arrived.”

“Hey, Marilyn,” said Travis. “Glad you could make it.”

She was dressed up. Red dress, high heels. Her black hair brushing her bare shoulders. A beautiful woman, but not the one he was looking for.

All through dinner, Marilyn was pushy. She stated her case and spelled out what she wanted from him. She was looking for a relationship, something permanent and committed. Something to build a future on—together.

Exactly what Travis didn’t want, but he listened politely to her ramble on as he ate his perfectly grilled steak.

Marilyn Pellegrino convinced him of one thing, and he was committed to it. He didn’t want to see her again.

After dessert and two cups of coffee, Travis walked her across the parking lot to her truck. No hand-holding. Nothing. He didn’t kiss her, and it created an awkward moment between them.

“Good night, Marilyn.”

She drove off without a wave and Travis felt bad for one second, then he was over it.

“Marilyn Pellegrino is a definiteno.”

Chapter Fifteen

Sunday, July 14th.

Wild Stallion Ranch. Montana.

“Dad, do you know how fuckin hot it’s gonna be wearing our suits in the middle of July?”

“Sure do, Virge.” Travis set a plate of sunny side up eggs on the table and popped down four slices of bread in the toaster.

“It will be just as hot for the rest of us too, but only for a few hours. Then y’all can come home and take your suits off.”

“What time is the funeral, Billy?” I asked.

“Eleven, Harlan, and then the reception afterwards.”

Travis buttered the toast and put it on a plate. “We’ll stay at the reception long enough to give our condolences to Kody’s wife and that will be it. When we’re finished in town, we’ll come home, saddle the horses and go for a long ride.”

“All of us?” asked Virge.

“Yep. Billy can ride Bonnie Grace.”

“Yep,” said Virge. “She ain’t been ridden enough since…” He shut up and shoved another piece of toast into his mouth.

“That will be fun,” said Billy. “I haven’t ridden a horse since I chopped my fuckin leg in half.”

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