Page 50 of Gotta Dig Deep
If he was very, very lucky, she might find her way to something for him, though.
That flash of “this is it” had never happened to him before, and no matter how much his friends talked about it, he hadn’t really believed in love at first sight.
Until now.
He’d do anything for Glenna, anything at all. Legal or not, if it meant she’d sleep easy, he’d be all over it.
I’m so fucked.
***
Glenna
The two men seated at her table held a silent conversation with just their stares. Glenna knew the instant it was concluded because Cooter tipped his head to the side while Horse sat a little straighter in his chair. Shamu glided to stand between her and Horse, and she was amused to find the dog leaning on the man next to her, instead of his normal position against her.
Guess Shammy approves.
“I’m assuming Glenna has your number, yeah?” Horse’s fingers twitched and she squeezed tighter for a moment, reassuring him about something she didn’t quite understand. “I’ll kick off my side of the inquiries soon as you leave, and we’ll call you once we know anything.”
Glenna looked inside herself for the annoyance she normally felt when someone made decisions on her behalf and couldn’t find it. Somehow Horse taking charge of this situation felt right.
Cooter nodded and pushed back from the table. “I’ll hit up the feedstore and talk to the attorney in town.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Horse turned to her and fixed her in place with a smoldering look. “Thoughts on anything else for here in Belle?”
“Hit up Doc Martin’s office and talk to the receptionist. Darcy Mae is a shameless gossip and hates me, so if there’s anything that would cause me distress, she’ll gleefully pass it along.” Glenna gave his hand a final squeeze and released him, rising from her chair and moving around the table. “Thanks, Cooter.” Arms wide, he met her with a hug, his strength wrapping around her gently.
“Anything for you, Glenna.” His whisper next to her ear was quiet and sad, and she pulled back, studying his face. He shook off her concern, chuckling brokenly. “I’ll call with what I find out.”
“Do that.” Horse appeared behind her, his hand on her waist, and Glenna stepped back so she was pressed tight to his chest. “Much appreciated.”
Once Cooter was out the door and gone, Glenna turned to Horse and watched as he took off Shamu’s harness then pulled his phone out, not looking her way as he hit a couple of buttons. “Back in a minute,” he muttered, putting the device to his ear before pulling the door open. Then he went outside, Shamu slipping through the closing door with ease.
“And then there was one.” Glenna shook her head as she tried to make sense out of the last hour. Jackson showing with a strongarm entourage was weird enough, but Cooter running to her defense and then backing down was another heaping helping of strange.
She wasn’t sure she was ready to look closely at her reaction to Horse standing firm at her side, or his comments about potential violence. And she sure wasn’t ready to study the way he’d had a wordless conversation with Cooter that had given her butterflies in her chest.
She sure wasn’t ready to examine the almost-kiss. Nope, not at all.
“I’ll make more coffee.”
Direction decided, she busied herself in the kitchen, then moved to the living room to tidy things there. Gathering the sheets and blankets left from Horse’s recuperation, she started a load of laundry, then returned to the living room to see if anything else needed attention. She found Horse seated in a chair near the windows, Shamu at his feet.
“Oh, I didn’t hear you come back in.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder. “There’s coffee in the kitchen, if you want a cup.”
“I’ll get one in a minute.” Jaw tense, Horse leaned forward and propped his elbows against his knees. “We need to talk, darlin’.”
The sweetness of the endearment flowed over her, and Glenna tried to hold the evoked emotion tightly, needing to understand how it made her feel. Cherished was the first word that popped into her mind, and Glenna shook her head, because that didn’t make any sense.
Neither did your willingness to kiss a stranger, woman.
“About what? Did you already get some information?” She pushed her thoughts aside and settled on the edge of the couch, holding her muscles tight.
“I did. It only took my guy a minute to find out who Moorcock works for, and it seems your trouble might be tied into some problems my club’s been battling.”
“Do I need coffee for this?” She held up her empty mug and was rewarded with a brilliant smile.
Horse scooped her cup into one hand and strode towards the kitchen. “Probably wouldn’t hurt” was tossed over his shoulder just before he passed out of view. He was back in a minute with two cups, placing one on the coffee table in front of her. Glenna was surprised to see it was the exact shade of milky she preferred for everything except the first cup of the day.
