The Cattleman Read Online Free PDF Page B

muscles are shouting with joy that they’re going shopping.”
    “I’m done with cities. I love the stars too much,” Andrea said.
    Beth was having an honest conversation she couldn’t afford to have at the ranch, even when she thought Juliet was the only person within earshot. The task force didn’t know who supplied information to the cartel. All the workers on the Rocking B had to be treated like suspects. As did almost all the residents of the county.
    “You know,” she said, leaning back against the seat and stretching, “this is terrific. I’m in such a good mood. Nothing is going to stop me from feeling great. Not even Nick’s running away.”
    Kate and Andrea looked at her from the front seat.
    Oops. She hadn’t meant to be that relaxed this afternoon. Should she have told the task-force team while they were sitting in the café? Yes. Instead she’d shared it with their significant others just a few moments later.
    “Nick ran away?” Andrea asked, laughing. “That’s hilarious. Are you sure his horse wasn’t frightened?”
    “Andrea, don’t make me referee. I haven’t been out in almost a year.” Kate was calm and firm.
    “Okay, I’ll take the one hit that I don’t deserve. I told everyone up-front that I don’t ride a horse, but I do apologize for missing out on all the fun that happened while I was in the mountains.”
    “If you’re talking about all the fun of being abducted, you didn’t miss much.” Andrea was still understandably upset. “I don’t know Nick very well, but I can’t blame him for not wanting to get involved further. Not after being shot last year and then almost shot a second time. I don’t want Pete to face any of those murderers again, but there’s no way around it. He’s the sheriff.”
    “I know Nick very well.” Kate caught Beth’s curious gaze in the rearview mirror. “He’ll be back.”
    If she pretended not to have an opinion, maybe the subject would change without her admitting anything. She’d seen Nick’s bravery up close. She was the reason he’d been caught and held at gunpoint. He was probably out there right now looking for signs of the cartel traveling across his land.
    “Nick’s okay. He’s just stubborn,” she finally said.
    Kate lifted her wheat-blond hair off her neck. “Cord forced this on him and he’s rebelling.”
    “From what Pete tells me, you should know. Isn’t he an old boyfriend?” Andrea asked.
    Boyfriend? That must be a bit awkward for Nick. And a small detail Kate and Juliet had left out of their proposition. The awkward conversation was definitely revealing.
    “I’ve known him since we were children. Nick was never my boyfriend, no matter how much everyone believes it.” Her eyes looked only into the mirror, connecting with Beth’s a second time. “Should you talk about this with the guys? You can call as soon as we get to Alpine.”
    “His parents assured me he rides off for two or three days at a time and that he should be back tomorrow.” He’d better be back tomorrow. Her agency had extended her involvement, but only for a few weeks, whether part of a task force or not.
    “You can help him with that, right? Help with the running away?” Kate hinted at Nick’s PTSD symptoms. “With you at the ranch, he has a reason not to run into the mountains when he’s upset.”
    Kate looked and sounded genuinely concerned for Nick’s well-being. Andrea looked confused by the conversation. And Beth found herself unable or unwilling to lie or evade.
    “Well, I might actually be what he’s upset about this time. He left right after I told him your idea for my cover.”
    “He didn’t like the idea? I thought you guys were...well, you know,” Kate hedged.
    “Sleeping together.” Andrea didn’t mince words. “What was Kate’s idea?”
    “We’re keeping it professional, thank you.” Or would they? Could she keep straight when they were supposed to like each other and when they weren’t? Could Nick do