Page 56 of Unforgettable Cowboy
Dylan answered with a dark look.“I regret it when you eat gas station sushi.”
Trev made a face before lifting his beer.
Hayes got to his feet, tossing his empty into the trash next to the stove.“I’m heading back.I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
“Don’t forget to keep your pants inside,” Trev said helpfully.
Hayes intended to bring a change of clothes along with several ice packs, and yes, all his clothing, particularly his pants, would be inside the trailer where Bailey’s favorite thief couldn’t get at them.
“Thanks for the tip,” he said before heading for the door.
Truthfully, he didn’t like the fact that Chance seemed to have ideas about where the mare might be, especially with his uncle staying there alone, which meant that as soon as his event was done the next day, he’d be on his way home to the Tree Fork.
Just in case.
*
Bailey couldn’t sleep,even with Hayes holding her loosely against his hard, warm body.She was comforted by his presence, but still wigged out by the fact that Chance had guessed that the mare might be on the Tree Fork Ranch.
What if he went looking for her?
When she’d asked Hayes that same question before he’d nodded off, he said that he’d take care of it.He hadn’t bothered to say how, and she didn’t ask, figuring he wouldn’t have a plan until he knew the situation he was up against.
She eased onto her back, resting her hands on his muscular forearm where it now lay heavy across her chest.
This was her problem to solve, but she had no answers.It was ironic that the Matthews brothers had enjoyed a reputation for finding trouble back in the day, and now—thanks to her—trouble had found them.
She squeezed her eyes shut, loving the feel of the man lying next to her and realizing that she hadn’t given any thought to being controlled over the past several days.Hayes wasn’t that kind of man.She knew that now.What she didn’t know was the next steps.She simply had too many balls in the air, and she needed a few of them to come down, hopefully in a less than disastrous way, before she could straighten things out.The best thing, the only thing, really, was for her to follow through on her plans, attend the gear shows while working hard in her off time to replenish her stolen stock.Maybe after a few months of travel, when she came back for Storm, she’d have a clearer idea of what was best for her.
Maybe Hayes would have some ideas in that regard, too.Months apart could change things.
But you have this moment.Remember?Live for now and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Easy to say; difficult to implement.Especially when the man lying next to her was beginning to feel like a very important part of her life.
The next morning when Hayes and Bailey stopped by the pancake breakfast, Chance was near the front of the line, chatting up one of the rodeo princesses.They were quite the pair, the spangled princess and the handsome cowboy, which just went to show that looks were deceiving.
Hayes was walking better, having iced his knee for the better part of the evening after returning to town to stay with her.She spotted Rascal sitting by a tree, gazing hopefully at the loaded plates going by.
“Better watch your britches,” she said.
“I’d rather watch yours.”
She gently shouldered him.“Britches aside, what’s your plan?”She kept her eyes on Chance as she spoke, watching as he loaded both his plate and that of the rodeo princess.
“No plan.I just thought I’d go back to the ranch before the roping events.If Chance decides to take a look around on his way south, I don’t want Wade there alone.”
Bailey had been afraid that Chance might do exactly that—load up and head out after his event and take advantage of the Matthews brothers’ absence to have a look around the Tree Fork Ranch.Hayes touched her chin, and she looked up at him.
“We’re all in agreement that Meyers should never have the mare.Don’t be worried about bringing trouble to our doorstep.”
“Hard not to.”She cleared her throat.
He nodded, understanding, and Bailey wrapped her arms around him.Was she truly walking away from this guy?
Once they had their breakfast plates loaded, Bailey looked around for Rascal, having swiped an extra pancake for him, but the little dog had disappeared.Oh well.She and Hayes took their seats, and she wondered if he’d purposely chosen them so that he could keep an eye on Chance.
If so, she was okay with it, because she wanted to keep an eye on the guy herself.
