Page 79 of Space Oddities

I nuzzle Cookie, scratching behind her ears like I would a dog, murmuring compliments in thanks. Eventually she trots off to her pink barn, tail swishing as she goes.

My heart may still lie heavy and bruised in my chest, but my soul feels lighter.

On the way back to my trailer, I step in cow shit.

Twenty

Black Moment

Ian

“You’re on your own, Kincaid.”From over the phone, Jules’ unapologetic voice stabs at my already pounding headache.

“What do you mean, I’m on my own?” I kick my office chair, making it spin out from behind my desk. “You’rethe one who told me about the private eye.” Squatting down, I run through all the desk drawers one more time, just in case I missed my spare key the first go ’round.

“Chicks before dicks.”

My hand pauses mid file flick. “Are you serious right now?”

“Yes. I’m serious.” She heaves a deep breath like somehowshe’sannoyed withme. “Listen, I already told you, Trish got to the ranch safe and sound. She’s out back with Cookie now.”

I slam the desk drawer shut and stomp toward the kitchen. “Your cow?”

“Yes. Operation Emotional Support Animal is a go.”

“Jesus.” I need new friends. Or a drink. Or at the very least some ibuprofen.

Turning the corner, I pause to scan my normally pristine and orderly kitchen, which at the moment looks like a bomb went off in it. Drawers open, pots and pans on the floor, papers and utensils everywhere. I put Jules on speaker and drop the phone on the island. “You know what?” With both hands I rip out the junk drawer where my spare key fob wassupposedto be and dump everything out on the floor. Still no fob. “I’ll head to the ranch as soon as I find my spare key. I’ll talk to Trish then.”

“Um, yeah, about that.”

I dump the next drawer as well. No fob.

“You won’t find it.”

I pause with my hands on the third drawer. “Why not?”

“Trish mentioned she needs to messengertwokeys back to you. So I’m pretty sure she took your spare, too.”

“Are you serious? I have a work meeting tomorrow morning.”

Jules chuckles. “Have you ever heard of Uber?”

Suddenly exhausted, I fall back against the remaining cabinets and rub both hands down my face like I can somehow erase what Jules just said. But I can’t.

I wonder how long it will take the dealership to get new keys made.

“Plus, you’re not on the list.”

“What list?” Maybe if I paid extra they could rush—

“The security list for entrance onto the property.”

My nostrils flare as I shoot a death glare at my phone, lying so innocuously on the marble counter. “What do you mean I’m not on the list?” I snatch up the phone, barking into the receiver. “Why thehellam I not on the list, Starr?” Any semblance of calm I’ve been clinging to dissipates as my face heats and blood pressure rises. “I was on the list before.”

“Yeah, well, that wasbeforeTrish. After Trish, I had to take you off the list.”

She’s talking to me as though I’m a small child, and it’s a good thing she isn’t in front of me, because I’d probably try and strangle her.

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