the shot, tossing it back before I even walked into the living room.
“Whoa. Now I’m worried.”
I replaced the shot glass with the wine and folded my arms as I started to pace the floor. “I met a man. Well, one sexy cowboy.”
“O-kay. That doesn’t sound like a bad thing,” she said as she closed the door, moving around me toward the couch. “Why don’t you sit down?”
“No! I mean, not yet.” The truck ride had been one of the most uncomfortable things in my life. I could still feel the burn from his hand with every step I took. Damn the man. I couldn’t get his face out of my mind. I was acting completely irrational, struggling to come to terms with why I felt so attracted to him.
“Girl. I’ve never seen you like this.”
Laughing, I shot her a look. We’d been besties growing up, her vivacious edge drawing me out of the shy book nerd I’d been. I’d even managed to snag a position as a cheerleader because of her connections and her popularity. Then I’d been forced to move away with my family to Maryland but had always wanted to come back to Montana. Being able to purchase a veterinarian practice had been my dream and one that had come true, even if I was up to my eyeballs in debt.
Why in God’s name did I suddenly feel like the situation I’d immersed myself in had become a nightmare? Because you stuck your nose into something you should have left alone.
My inner voice did little but piss me off.
“So, tell me about this cowboy. Is he really hot?” Her laugh after asking the question was laced with concern. She knew me better than anyone. After returning to Montana, it was as if the years had melted away, forging an even stronger bond than before.
I hesitated before answering, likely to try to curtail my enthusiasm.
“Very hot. He’s rough and tumble. He’s the kind of man fantasies are made of. Six foot something, all muscle and the sexiest, dreamy eyes you’ve ever seen. He’s got the kind of body that was made for jeans, or maybe jeans were created just for his perfect butt. Yummy.”
I failed.
“Yummy is right. I hope he has a twin. What’s his name?”
I slumped, finally turning in her direction. “I have no idea.”
“What?”
“I have absolutely no idea. But we kissed.”
Sandra grabbed her glass of wine, taking several gulps. “Do you want to start this story over?”
I finally moved toward the chair, easing down with care, trying not to wince. My entire body continued to tremble, but I wasn’t certain if it was from my interaction with the cowboy or the real fear I’d felt from the reaction of the auctioneer and the guards who’d literally tossed me out of the auction hall.
And the few words that had been issued.
“You need to stop meddling.”
“A little girl like you could easily get hurt.”
“I went to a cattle auction and took a few pictures, asked some questions,” I admitted.
“What? Girl, I warned you to just lay low until I could do some digging. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself mixed up in,” Sandra huffed. “Why did you do that?”
“Because I had another strange call from a basic asshole and I refuse to play some victim.”
“What do you mean another call? You didn’t tell me that.”
“I thought the first one was just a crank. But last night, the mysterious caller gave me a clear warning.”
“Of what?”
“To keep my nose to myself.” Groaning, I realized there wasn’t enough wine in the world to make me feel any better. “I don’t know, Sandra. I guess going to that barn in the middle of the night really bothered me.”
“I can understand that, and I know you. You push, but now, you’re scaring me. Although I’ll have your back. I do have enough firepower to take out half of Missoula.”
While we both laughed, I heard the nervousness remaining in her voice.
“Tell me about the calls.” Her tone was demanding.
I took a gulp of wine before answering.
“My office phone rang in the middle of the night a few days after the incident at the barn. While there was no one on the other end, I knew someone was there. And yes, I redialed the number, but I got one of those messages telling me the number wasn’t in service.”
“Sounds like a spammer.”
“At three in the morning?” I snapped then dropped my head. “Ugh. I’m sorry. I certainly don’t mean to take this out on