Page 10 of Cowboy Stalker
“And I’m docking your pay for it, you old coot.”
He looks unconcerned. “Then I’m taking back the world’s best boss pen I got you.”
She frowns. “You never got me one of those.”
“Well, I definitely won’t now,” he answers. The familiar bickering between them makes me feel warm inside. I grew up listening to these two argue. It wouldn’t surprise me if Russell arranged for them to get matching burial plots so he could spend his afterlife annoying my gruff aunt.
She grunts. “Go, get that fence fixed. Griffin will help me with the chicken coop.”
I steel myself against my nerves as I climb into the utility vehicle. I’ve been on a few high-speed chases, but there’s nothing quite like Aunt Dorothy. She’s the type of driver that they make traffic laws for. She shouts to be heard over the sound of the whipping wind. “Don’t you have a class or something today?”
I shouldn’t be surprised she knows about the conference coming up in Asheville. Even when I was a kid, she seemed to know everything. “It’s supposed to be tomorrow. But I’m thinking of staying around for a few more days. I’ll catch the training next year.”
“I didn’t know mandatory classes worked that way.”
I keep my mouth shut. I don’t want to be away from Missy and Daisy.
She must be reading my mind. “She’ll be fine, you know.”
The moment she says the words, guilt rushes through me. Maybe if I’d been there that night my dad got so angry. Maybe if I’d tried harder to get those As in school that he was always on me about. “You can’t know that.”
“No, but you will. Rumor is, the cameras around her place feed right to your phone. I bet you don’t miss it when a butterfly flits through her yard.”
She takes a turn so sharply that I grip the side of the vehicle, clinging to it. Driving with her gives me a new appreciation for what a lizard on the roof of a car goes through.
I don’t say anything again because I’m not about to tell my aunt I have a special sound set on my phone for Missy’s place. I do get notified when the local stray cat runs through her yard or when the raccoons come out at night to inspect the trash can for potential meals.
“You’ll only be gone the one night. Nothing bad will happen. Besides, I’ve already added a crib to the guest room. You bring them for Sunday dinner one of these days.”
I blow out my breath. She’s right. I need to take the classes. Then maybe I can sweet talk Missy into a date when I get back.
The next day feels like it lasts fifteen years. I have to force myself not to fiddle with my phone. Why didn’t I install cameras in Ernie’s Diner? Huh, maybe someone here can help me hack into his. Does he even have any?
Shaking off the thoughts, I get through the final class presentation and breathe a sigh of relief. I gather my things and head to the hotel. Some of the guys are getting together for drinks after this, but I’m not interested.
Instead, I take the elevator up to my room. In the hall, my phone dings. Even though it’s not the alarm tone for Missy’s rental, I still reach for it. I swipe to see a text message from Missy. It’s a picture of Lorna’s peach cobbler.
Missy: It’s the last slice.
Me: I’m hungry for something different.
Missy: Too bad you’re not here. We could both taste something sweet.
Me: Let me take you on a proper date tomorrow, then we’ll share dessert.
Three dots appear then disappear on my phone. When the longest two minutes of my life have passed with me pacing the hotel hallway like a lunatic, I text her again.
Me: I want to see you.
Missy: I’d like that.
Me: Is that a yes?
Missy: Only if you promise to share the last piece of cobbler with me.
Me: Done.
I can’t help grinning like a fool. I check my watch. I’m too wired to possibly sleep, and I want to be near Missy. Call me crazy or obsessed, but I’m in love with this woman already.
