Page 127 of Bucked Hard

“No?” I look over, and she nods.

“Scared to death to fly. Says he’d have to be dead and in his casket to get him on a plane, and even then he’d fight it. Says he’ll die a happy man never leaving Big Sky.”

“That so?”

She laughs. “Sure as we’re standing here. But you never know, stranger things have happened.”

I try to smile and nod, and look like I’m reassured, but that dark feeling is wrapping tighter around my shoulders as we approach the dining hall. When we get inside, I see Tabitha, at a table, sitting alone and draining the last remnants of a mug of coffee.

Harriett excuses herself, and I try to keep my head level as I approach the table.

“Hi there. Tabitha, right?” I pull out a chair, set my computer bag on the table and extend my hand.

“Hi, yes.” She looks up and smiles, shaking my hand. “Mary Beth?”

“Yep.” I press a smile to my lips, trying not to dwell on the thought of the other woman up on the hill with Garrett, or that he said he had to be straight away to move the cattle when he left the house this morning. “Thanks for giving me some time.”

“Sure. I’m on my own for the next few hours. My friend Abigail got sidetracked.” She gives a weird look and tight smile. “Some good looking cowboys in these parts…” She giggles, but I swallow back the lump in my throat.

I try to keep myself from freaking out, open my laptop and pull up my interview form with the questions I want to ask.

“Do you mind if I grab some more coffee before we start?” She holds up her mug. “Or, do you want to wait until Abigail comes back? Not sure how long that could be.”

“No, go ahead.” I do my best to sound pleasant as she pushes her chair back and walks over to the buffet where the coffee set up is always available.

I blow out a deep breath and check my email while she gets her coffee.

My head is starting to pound already, and there’s an email from my contact at Conde Nast.

Mary Beth,

I tried your cell, but it went right to voice mail. I’m hoping you get this soon, as we have an opportunity that has come up.

One of our contributing journalists had to back out of a trip due to a medical emergency. This is a feature article on a three-week trip through Thailand. We have made some very special arrangements for exclusive hotels and sites that we do not wish to postpone.

You’ve been on our radar, and this may be the opportunity we both need to see if a more permanent position with Conde Nast would be a good fit.

The details are in the attachment, but I need to hear back from you within the next couple hours. You would need to fly out tonight in order for our arrangements and itinerary to remain in place as planned.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible to secure flight reservations. I know it’s short notice, but as we discussed previously our journalists need to be ready to drop everything when the right opportunity comes up. I know you said you’re always flexible, so I’m hoping that’s still the case—I’m really looking forward to bringing you on board.

Best,

Jeffery Conway

“Are you ready?” Tabitha is staring at me, and I realize I didn’t even know she had sat back down.

Heat floods my face as I stutter. “Um, do you mind? On second thought, I actually think it would be better if we waited for your friend.”

She shrugs. “Okay. Not sure how long she’ll be.”

I slip my laptop back into my bag and stand, slinging the strap onto my shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m sorry. I’ll catch up with you both when it’s convenient.”

She takes a sip of her coffee and gives me a dismissive wave, and I turn, my stomach nearly coming up in my throat as I make my way outside and nearly run up to my cabin.

I need to talk to Benjamin. I rush inside the cabin and grab my phone from the charger, kicking the door closed behind me as I see I’ve missed two calls from the Conde Nast number, and I curse under my breath.

I dial Benjamin and tap my foot, looking at the ceiling and leaning against the dresser as I try desperately to talk myself out of crying.

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