Page 15 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“They’re moving onto the second floor in the North Fork apartments.”

Colby let out a whistle. “Nice apartments. I once shacked up there with a very pretty buckle bunny looking for some action.”

Being a team roper, Colby pretty much got action at every rodeo, if he was to be believed. At close to Rusty’s height, a muscular build, a full head of blond hair and an outgoing personality, Rusty didn’t doubt Colby.

“She must have money, so why isn’t she paying someone to move her?”

“I don’t know if she’s got money or why she isn’t paying someone. And I don’t care. I just want to help her. So can I count on you or not?”

Colby shifted back in his seat. “I’ve got to be in Montana by Friday for a rodeo. You know summer is the busiest time for a rodeo rider.”

“Mel?” Rusty hoped one of them could help.

“I’d have to see if Cort can spare me. If you can fix it with him, I’m in.”

Cort and Lexi owed Rusty for helping them out as much as he did. “I’ll fix it. Stetson?”

“I can probably give you a hand. I’m off shift at three o’clock and can head on over. Did you apply yet for the firefighter position? It closes soon. Training starts September 1.”

“Not yet. I’m hoping the police position will come through since I passed the exams. I spent time getting a criminal justice degree, so I’d like to put it to use.” From the moment he’d left the air force, his plan had been to become a police officer. It was what a lot of veterans did, and it seemed to fit his skill set, at least on paper. He’d have to adjust to civilian regulations, of course.

“I know, but consider this. When you become an officer, you’re going to be handing out traffic tickets, arresting criminals, and doing a whole lot of paperwork. As a firefighter, you’ll be saving lives and property. At least most times. Wouldn’t you be able to use more of your air force training fighting fires? Plus, you don’t get shot at.”

“You think there is nothing greater than being a firefighter.” Rusty admired Stetson’s loyalty to his profession.

“Yup, and you’ll see I’m right eventually.”

“I propose a toast to Rusty passing all those exams.” Mel held up his beer glass.

The others followed, and Rusty held up his shot glass. The requisite clinking ensued.

“Thanks, guys. And thanks, Mel and Stetson, for helping out, but no thanks to you, Colby.” Rusty understood why Colby couldn’t help, but nothing said he had to let his friend know that.

Colby looked aggrieved. “I’ve got to make a living and help the stock business, and the only way is winning rodeos. The more rodeos, the more I make. And I’m determined this year to make it to the National Finals.”

“You say that every year,” Stetson reminded him.

“And one of these years, it’s going to come true so I can spend December in Las Vegas instead of the mountains.”

Colby had moved to Gillette with his mother and brothers when his parents divorced while he was in high school. But the boys had all been born in Colorado, and the brothers had inherited the family ranch in southern Colorado when Colby’s father, who apparently had a lot of issues, health and otherwise, passed away. Colby’s oldest brother ran the ranch and had turned it into a mildly successful rodeo stock company, and the rest of his brothers toured the rodeo circuit together and helped support the stock company in its developing stage. When they could, the boys stopped in Gillette to see their mom, but Colby now officially made his home in the Snowy Mountains of Wyoming, even buying a house there despite being part owner of the bucking-horse business in southern Colorado.

“Do you ever get to stay in that house in the Rockies, what with the rodeos and the ranch business?” Stetson asked.

“Occasionally. And in the meantime, I rent it out on a short-term rental site. I make enough money doing that to pay the mortgage, and if I ever stop rodeoing, it will be like an annuity. Not to mention it’s beautiful country up there.”

Rusty tipped his glass. “To beautiful country and beautiful women.”

Chapter 5

“Jillian, what happened?” Kristy spoke into her cell phone as she and Ariel waited in the outer room of the complex offices. They were scheduled to make their presentation to the gala committee in fifteen minutes, and Marcia had failed to arrive. Or answer her phone.

So when the phone lit up with the name of Marcia’s secretary, Kristy had been relieved. But that lasted about thirty seconds, until she heard the anxiety in Jillian’s voice.

“Marcia had a heart attack yesterday morning. She’s in the hospital, and they are operating on her now. I’ll let you know when I find out more. Needless to say, she’s not coming to the meeting. You’re on your own.”

Kristy felt like someone had just drained the blood out of her. “Let me know when you know.” Kristy clicked off the phone and shut her eyes. Marcia was the heart and soul of An Affair to Remember. And she could sell anyone anything.

“What happened? Marcia’s not coming?” Ariel asked, apprehension in her voice.

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