Chapter Nine #2
When Dave nodded, they all rose and made their way back to their desks. Rawley folded his arms and looked at Saunders.
“This isn’t going to be wrapped up overnight,” he said.
“You got that right. I was lucky enough to get a motel room and who knows how long I’ll have to stay. What’s with all the people, anyway?” Saunders asked as he gathered up his papers and put them into a stack.
Rawley grinned. “Clifton is a tourist destination. People love coming here to shop during the season.”
“Now is the season, I’m guessing.”
“Yes. It’s from May to mid-October. The Clifton Bed and Breakfast opens in May and closes in October. The Bur Oak Guest Ranch in Spring City opens in March and closes at the end of August. Both places bring a lot of people in.”
“I’m glad I was able to get a room then. Hey, anywhere I can head for a quick meal? I’m dead tired and haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“The Clifton Diner. When you go out of this building, go right. The diner is on the corner at the light. Best burgers you’ll ever eat.”
Saunders laughed. “We’ll see.” He put his hand out for Rawley and they shook. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yes, sir. Get that burger to go, then head to your room and relax.”
“Good advice. Night, Rawley.”
“Night, Laramie.”
Rawley walked toward his desk, but heard Dave call his name. He turned around and entered his office.
“What’s up, Dave?”
“Do you think Saunders will be good to work with?”
Rawley folded his arms. “I do. He seems determined to find those men.”
“Alright. Are you okay with the men I chose to work with you?”
He smirked. “Would it matter if I did?”
Dave barked out a laugh. “Absolutely not.”
Rawley chuckled. “I’m fine with all of them. I trust them.”
“They trust you too. When I told them it was for a case you were on, they all jumped on it. I had to turn Kian, Luke, Deke, and Caysen down. Hud, Killian, and Beau got in there first.”
“I appreciate them all. We’ll be a good team.”
Dave slapped him on the shoulder. “Yes, you will be. Now, I’m going home and getting some rest. You do the same. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yes, sir.” Rawley followed him until he reached his desk. He wanted to straighten up before he left for the day. He removed his hat from the rack, placed it on his head, then strode to the door. He touched the brim of his hat as he passed another agent still sitting at his desk on the phone.
Instead of taking the elevator, Rawley opened the door to the stairwell, then jogged down and out into the lobby.
The ceiling lights reflected off the floor as he made his way to the doors.
He stepped outside and stopped on the top step.
The evening air was still oppressive. He ran down the concrete steps, across the parking lot, then climbed into his truck.
He leaned his head back, blew out a breath, then started the truck, and drove home.
“Shit,” he muttered as he realized he had forgotten to turn his notifications back on in his phone. He wasn’t going to look now; he’d wait until he got home.
****
Skylar sank into the sofa, balancing a greasy slice of day-old pepperoni pizza on a paper towel. Her phone vibrated against the cushion, causing Cosmo to leap up with an indignant meow, swat at the buzzing intruder with his paw, then bound to the floor in a huff.
“Sorry I disturbed your beauty sleep, your majesty.” Skylar wiped her fingers on her faded sweatpants before picking up the phone.
Her heart quickened when she saw Rawley’s name illuminating the screen.
“About damn time,” she whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she swiped open the message.
Friday sounds good but how about you stay with me, and we can go to the cookout from here.
She bit her lower lip, tasting tomato sauce as she typed, What about dinner?
The three dots pulsed for a moment before his reply appeared, I could have something delivered.
Skylar’s fingers hovered over the screen. Okay. What time should I be there?
Six. If I’m running late, the back door will be unlocked.
The door on the side?
No. You’ll have to go to the fence. You’ve seen the garage, right? Between the house and garage, there’s a walk that leads to the back yard and deck. You’ll see it. The dogs will be in the house. If you don’t mind, please open the pet door.
They won’t bite me, will they? A chill crawled up her spine at the thought of those eyes tracking her every move. She’d seen how obedient they were with Rawley, but to them, she was just an intruder in their territory.
Just talk to them. They know you. Trust me.
I do. Okay. I’ll see you on Friday around six.
Sounds good. I need to get a shower. Care to join me???
Skylar laughed, then typed; I wish.
Me too. Tomorrow night. Have a good night, sweetheart.
You too. She set the phone down and smiled. She couldn’t wait to see him.
Getting up, she walked to the kitchen, her bare feet cool against the floor.
Cosmo’s water dispenser needed refilling, the plastic reservoir showing only a thin layer at the bottom.
She also topped off the reservoir food dish with premium kibble, he fixed her with narrowed eyes, tail twitching in disapproval.
“I’ll be back Sunday. I think. I’m not sure if I’m staying with him tomorrow night, but if I do, you’ll be fine.
” She pulled out a kitchen chair, the wooden legs scraping against the floor, and plopped down with a sigh that stirred her bangs.
“Why didn’t he ask about Saturday night?
Maybe I should have. What do you think?” She looked down to see Cosmo sauntering through the doorway, his sleek fur catching the late afternoon light, tail held high like a victory flag.
A burst of laughter escaped her. “You’re lucky I love you!
” she shouted, her voice echoing through the house.
When Friday arrived, golden afternoon light streaming through half-drawn blinds, she had packed and unpacked at least six times.
The cookout tomorrow required casual clothes, which she’d selected; a red sleeveless blouse with a pair of white shorts and her T-strap sandals.
She had painted her nails a bright red this morning, but what else would she need for an overnight stay?
“How ridiculous is this?” She pulled out another soft cotton T-shirt, the fabric worn to perfect comfort, folded it, then tucked it into the small overnight bag with its fraying zipper.
She placed her hands on her hips, shook her head as she took the shirt back out, the scent of her lavender detergent wafting up.
“How many shirts do you need for one weekend?”
Her watch showed it was almost five. She’d been lost in her manuscript for days, fingers flying across the keyboard, and now Friday was slipping away.
With a deep sigh that seemed to come from her toes, she emptied the bag completely, then repacked her soft lounge pants with an oversized T-shirt, three soft cotton shirts in varying shades, two pairs of perfectly broken-in jeans.
For tonight, she chose her most comfortable faded jeans with the hole just beginning at the knee, a vibrant blue T-shirt that brought out the color of her eyes and scuffed white sneakers.
As an afterthought, she carried her cowboy boots and white straw Stetson to the SUV, just in case he suggested another ride along the winding trails.
She smiled, remembering how he’d thundered past her on that horse, his body perfectly still in the saddle as if he and the horse were one entity, dust billowing behind them as that powerful animal flew across the open field, muscles rippling beneath its gleaming coat.
After closing the case and clicking the brass latches, she hoisted it up and carried it outside to her vehicle. She swung open the back door, set the case on the carpeted floor, then closed the door with a solid thump. She headed back inside to make sure everything was off and locked.
Taking a deep breath, she squatted down to rub Cosmo’s velvety chocolate-brown ears between her fingers.
Skylar’s heart pinched with guilt for leaving him, the sensation like a twist in her chest, but the magnetic pull toward Rawley tugged at her with the force of a riptide.
She understood why he couldn’t abandon his dogs.
At least Cosmo was a homebody who preferred dusty rectangles of afternoon sunbeams to outdoor adventures.
The cat barely moved from his throne on the windowsill most days anyway, his blue eyes half-closed in contentment.
“Be good, sweetie. I love you,” she said as she stood, then watched him weave around her ankles. “I know what you’re doing. You think you can sweettalk me into staying home so you can ignore me. I’m going to see a hot, sexy man with biceps like tree trunks. I’ll be home soon.”
Skylar scooped up her purse and jangling keys from the hand-painted ceramic dish, then walked out onto the porch, locking the door behind her with two firm twists.
Then she headed to her vehicle, the SUV responding with a chirp.
Once inside the sun-warmed interior, she pushed the ignition button, backed out of the gravel driveway with a spray of pebbles, and drove toward Rawley’s place.
She pushed open the gate, then the back door and stepped into the kitchen, the late afternoon light casting warm stripes across the tiled floor.
With a soft sigh, she set her leather case down on the counter.
That’s when she noticed the dogs sitting side by side, heads tilted, eyes locked on her as if she’d just arrived with their favorite surprise.
Their tongues lolled out in anticipation, and their tails thumped the floor in a steady rhythm.