Page 95 of Wrangled Love

She grabs the box from the counter. “Thanks for bringing more honey and the other supplies. I’m going to put a few more welcome baskets together before the afternoon rush.”

We typically have several guests stop by after their morning activities. Good thing I was the one who walked in on her and Earl. I doubt anyone else would’ve found that live show amusing.

“Sounds good.” I check the clock on the wall to see it’s later than I expected. “I’ve got to pick up Caleb soon, but I can swing by later if you need anything. Maybe next time, keep the Earl performance at home,” I suggest with a giggle.

“No promises.” She grins, strutting off to the storage room.

As soon as I step onto the porch, I pull out my phone and text the girls.

Backroads & Bad Decisions Group Chat

Briar: OMG. You’re not going to believe who I just caught mid-make-out.

Charlie: If the next word is Heath, I swear I’m going to be sick.

Briar: Ethel. And. Earl.

Briar: They were making out at the checkout counter in the general store.

Wren: Iknewit!

Charlie: Pretty sure they’ve been sneaking around since dial-up internet was a thing.

Charlie: Props to Ethel. Get it, girl.

Birdie: But in the general store?!

Charlie: Hey, when the mood strikes, location becomes a suggestion, not a rule.

Charlie: Right, Briar?

Briar: Oh, I’m the poster child for PDA now?

Briar: Last time I checked, Jensen and I weren’t groping each other next to a shelf of pastries.

Charlie: It’s only a matter of time.

Birdie: Wait! I just realized my punch card is full. Next time I ride with Earl, it’s on the house!

I wonder when that’ll be, considering she’s still lying low. Her dad and the deputies have continued investigating the disappearance of the missing farm animals from the fair, and it’s only a matter of time before they figure out Birdie’s involvement. She’s lucky law enforcement moves at a snail’s pace in this small town, or she’d probably be in trouble already.

Wren: You’re not serious, right? You have to stop riding with him.

Birdie: I’m not passing up a free ride. That’s highway robbery.

Charlie: Not as bad as livestock theft.

Birdie: Too soon, Charlie. Too soon.

I walked to the cabins this morning, so I swing by the cottage to grab my car keys before heading out to pick up Caleb from camp.

I kick my boots off at the door before stepping inside.

“Anyone home?” I call out.

Jensen should be here, unless he’s out with Heath and Walker. He’s been meeting them for lunch once a week, and occasionally lends a hand in the fields during the afternoon if his schedule permits. He usually comes back covered in dust and sweat, but he always has a smile on his face. It’s a world away from running his tech firm, yet it’s obvious how much he enjoys working on the ranch with the guys.

His truck is parked out front, so he shouldbe around. I head to the kitchen to find him seated at the table with his computer in front of him and his phone in hand, mid-conversation. It’s on speaker, and I’ve heard enough of his calls to recognize his assistant Beth’s voice on the line. She and Carlton, his chief operating officer, have been holding things down at DataLock Systems headquarters while Jensen’s been away.

---