Ennis unfolded before us on the next bend. I glanced at the mortuary as we headed down Main Street toward the bar, a tight knot in my throat forming instantly. The snowstorm had covered it with a pristine blanket of white, concealing the loss and devastation. Ennis had lost three cherished residents in three days. Four if you counted Justice Bear. But no one would mourn his loss except Chance.
“I can’t remember a time we had four deaths so close together. Most of our older residents move to warmer climates when the cold gets to them, so we don’t have many deaths per year. Just the occasional ranching accident or car crash.”
“Four? Who am I missing?”
“One of our older residents, Miss Ellie, stayed with her granddaughter rather than moving, and she died earlier in the week. Then there was Justice Bear, Frank, and now Duke—unless a miracle occurs.”
I’d called Josh on our way back and told him to meet us at the bar with Max. He was waiting for us on the sidewalk with a few of his friends and Max seemed to be the center of attention. I laughed when we pulled to a stop in front of the bar. Max sat perfectly still with a dog treat balanced on his nose. His marble-sized eyes stared down his nose in concentration. He was almost in a trance, while he waited for Josh to give his next command, and the only indication he gave that he knew Logan had returned was a quiver in his hindquarters and a slight thump of his tail.
I reached for the door handle, but Logan stopped me with his hand. When I turned to him, he jerked his head to the left and mumbled, “Jake.”
On the trip to Yellowstone the night before, I’d texted Jake to let him know what was going on and where I was going. He’d replied asking questions about Duke, but not about Logan and me. I hoped it was a good sign he was waiting for us.
Our eyes met through the windshield. Jake was leaning against the bar in the lazy way he had when he wanted to look cool for the girls. His gaze drifted to Logan and held, then narrowed. I moaned because I knew what that meant. He was still in protective brother mode and wasn’t finished with Logan.
“Let me talk to him, Logan. We don’t need another scene.”
Logan shook his head. “He needs to hear it from me, Skylar.”
“Hear what, exactly?”
Logan reached out and snagged me behind the head, drawing me to him for a quick hard kiss. “It’s a guy thing,” he whispered against my lips. “Take Max and Josh inside the bar and stay there until we’re finished. I’ll check in with you before I head to Duke’s office.” His tone brokered no argument, the order given with military authority in the belief it would be followed without question.
Normally I didn’t like being ordered around, but I was willing to obey this time in hopes Logan knew what he was talking about concerning Jake. “I’ll listen on one condition.”
Humor glinted in his eyes. “All right, let’s have it.”
“Ask nicely.”
Logan blinked. “Come again?”
I’d overheard enough conversations in the bar to know that if you don’t train a man early in the relationship, they’ll walk all over you. My friends said it was important to put your foot down right from the start to avoid unnecessary conflict. “Ask me nicely to go inside the bar instead of ordering me around.” I gave him a sweet smile and tried to look reasonable. There was a fine line between training and bitching, I was told. The trick was to be sweet and sincere. Men won’t argue with sweet and sincere I was assured.
Unfortunately for me, Logan stared at me as if I’d lost my mind, then turned abruptly and got out of the truck without another word. I scowled at his backside as he marched toward Jake. Clearly there were some men you just couldn’t train.
_______________
Logan approached Jake with a grin on his face, chuckling at Skylar’s attempt to manipulate him. Jake pushed off the wall at his approach, his gaze darting between Logan and the direction of his truck.
“Why is Skylar drilling holes in the back of your head?”
Logan glanced over his shoulder and watched Skylar climb out of his cab. She threw him a scowl, then said something to Josh before they both disappeared inside the bar with Max.