kindness and understanding. “I wish there was an easier answer. How was the wedding?”
I smiled and spied the cruiser, watching Percy pretend to drive, the lights flashing red and blue. “It was nice. Exactly what Elaina wanted.”
“Good. She deserved it. All right, enough chit-chat. I’m gonna take care of the kid, you make a report. Thanks for calling and taking care of things last night.”
We shook, and I watched Windsor head to his car. Percy waved when he slipped over to the passenger seat. I waved back, my heart clenching when I considered what he was going home to.
They drove off, and as I gave Bella some love and attention before heading inside to make a report, the Jasper lodge caught my eye. It sat off in the distance, nestled closer to the base of the Pyramid Mountains. Memories of a certain dark-haired, green-eyed man invaded my mind, along with the scorching hot kiss we’d shared.
Would he be back today? I got the feeling he wouldn’t give up so easily.
Chapter Seven
Lachlan
“Is that a horse?” I squinted out my windshield at the road ahead of me and released the gas, letting my BMW slow. I’d been on my way out to the Campbell Stables again, determined to have a chat with Easton, and force him to listen.
It was indeed a horse. This small town thing was nuts. Who rode a horse in this day in age when they could drive a car?
I veered to the other lane and went around it, glancing back over my shoulder and catching the sharp angles and deep-set eyes of her rider.
“Son of a bitch.”
It was Easton. I slammed on my brakes and brought my car to the side of the road a few dozen feet ahead of him.
The shock of finding a horse lumbering up the highway was nothing compared to the shock of running into the man I’d been unable to stop thinking about.
I stepped out of the car and slammed the door, leaning against it with my arms crossed as I watched him approach at a lazy stride. It was a quiet stretch of road, and there were no cars in the distance in either direction.
But a horse?
He recognized me, of that I had no doubt. His sharp eyes remained locked on my face, unwavering. The closer he got, the more I was able to make out their color. The sun danced across their surface, refracting a swirling mixture of yellows and oranges and browns. They were unique and captivating. Attentive and guarded.
Dressed in distressed denim, a checkered button-down in a russet red and white, cowboy boots, and a worn cowboy hat, with his dirty-blond curls peeking out the bottom, Easton Campbell was far hotter than he had any right to be. Christian was right, I might have unintentionally developed a little thing for the country boy look. Too bad he’d declined riding me like a horse the other night. I had a feeling it would have been epic.
“I’d say I’m shocked to see you again, Lachlan Montgomery, but I ain’t.” That low rumbled drawl hit me right in the balls. How could such lazy speech be appealing in any way, shape, or form?
“Just out for a drive on this fine morning.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. “I was born at night, but not last night. I’d bet my favorite girl here you was on your way to the stables because y’ain’t finished with me.” He patted the long neck of his horse, slowing her to a stop a few feet away from my car.
“Nothing gets past you. I have got to ask. Why the horse? I saw a truck on your property. Do you not drive?”
“I drive just fine.”
He didn’t offer more of an explanation, but his eyes narrowed, and his almost-smile vanished.
I pushed off my car and approached. The horse blew a breath, snorting and making her lips vibrate. Despite having her eyes covered, she tilted her head at me. I froze and didn’t go any closer.
Easton continued to stroke her neck and mumbled soft words I couldn’t make out. “Were you on your way to my front door again?”
“Might have been.”
“Why?”
“I was going to offer to take the man of the house for a coffee so we could chat. Last I heard, that was you?”
“Day’s all booked up, I’m afraid. Sorry ’bout your luck.”
I ground my teeth, urging myself to stay patient. “How about tomorrow?” I didn’t want