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I was asleep within minutes.

Friday, June 17

Toby smiled when the ranch came into view. “Well, that was an unexpected adventure.”

“I think we got off lightly.” From my phone call with Teague that morning, I’d learned the extent of the damage caused by the flash flooding. Eastern Montana had been worst hit, the first of the floods occurring six hours after the heavy rainfall. The ranch had been unaffected, thank God.

Toby had provided the alarm call—I’d awoken to his mouth on my cock.

My stomach let out a loud growl, and we both laughed. Matt was already at the house, Teague had told me, cooking up a storm.

I drove the truck to the stables, and Paul was there, waiting for us. “Thank God you’re safe,” he said as we got out and walked to the back of the trailer. “Are the horses okay?”

“They’re fine,” I told him. “But in need of a good feed.”

“So are we,” Toby added with a grin. “Not to mention a hot shower and clean clothes.”

“Go get a change of clothing,” I told him. “I’ll wait for you. Then we’ll go up to the house. Food first, then shower.”

“Don’t suppose I could use your tub again?”

I smiled, and waited until Paul had led the horses into the stable. “Only if I get to share it.”

Toby’s eyes lit up. “I think it’s big enough, don’t you?”

Then all talk ceased when the bunkhouse door opened, and Butch, Zeeb, Walt, Declan, and Garrett came hurrying out.

“Hey, boss.”

“You made it back, then.”

“You look tired.”

Butch snickered, and I arched my eyebrows. “Nothing, boss.”

I grinned. “Glad to hear it. And now that you’ve seen we’re both in one piece, we’re going to go eat.” My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I took it out. When I saw Errol’s text, I scowled.

“Something wrong?” Toby asked in a low voice.

“Just something I’ll need to take care of once we’ve eaten.”

“Is it anything that can wait? At least until you’ve had a bath.”

Fuck it.“Yeah, it can.”

I paid the accountant well—he could dance tomytune for once.

I shook Errol’s hand, and he walked down the path. He passed Teague on the way up, and dipped his hat toward him.

Teague strolled toward me. “I didn’t know Errol was due here today.”

Neither had I. “Just a few things to sort out.”

He peered at me. “Everything okay?”

The thought crossed my mind to lie, but I was way past that, after the night I’d had. It had been many years since I’d slept on the ground, but my bones had known about it when I woke up. “No, it is not. I’m sick and tired of dealing with shit I can’t control.”

Teague’s eyebrows shot up. “We gonna talk on your doorstep, or am I invited to sit?”