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“That’s because it wasn’t. I have to go to an emergency meeting at the Governor’s office. Not just me—a whole load of landowners are gonna be there. Apparently, some assistant fucked up and forgot to call me to inform me of the fact. Someone’s ass is gonna be hauled over the coals for that.”

I had a sinking feeling the meeting wasn’t in Bozeman. “Where?”

“Billings.”

“And that’s…”

“About four hours in a car, there and back, is what it is.” Lord, he looked pissed, not to mention disappointed.

“Then let’s do this another time.”

His eyes widened. “We’re not gonna—”

“Whoa there, cowboy. I was talking about moving the chest and the sling.” I cupped the back of his head and gazed into his eyes. “And whenever you get done, and you come home, I’ll be waiting for you. Matt’ll make sure you’re fed—and thenI’llmake sure the rest of your needs are met.”

I’d do whatever was necessary to help melt his tension into nothingness, even if I had to fuck his brains out to create therightkind of tension.

It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it.

Chapter Twenty

Robert

I drove the car into the space behind the house, got out, locked it, then went back to open it again to retrieve my hat from the passenger seat. My shoulders and back were tense, and they’d been that way since about ten minutes into that fucking meeting. A soak in the tub seemed like a really good idea.

Then I remembered—Toby would be coming up to the house.

Warmth seeped through me. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Our first encounter had been amazing, but the situation had changed.

Now he knows.

As I neared the front porch, I spied Teague sitting in one of the rockers, hands clasped over his stomach, his gaze locked on the horizon. I’d called him once I hit Bozeman.

He glanced up as I approached. “So how was it?”

I sighed. “Same shit, different day.”

“Anything I need to know?”

“Not yet. I’ll know more tomorrow, but wheels are in motion, put it that way. Everything okay here?”

He stretched his long legs out. “Yeah. We’re gonna do another ride-out tonight after dusk.” His eyes twinkled. “You don’t need to come.”

I arched my eyebrows. “Oh? And why is that?”

“Because you have better things to do. You probably just sat through the meeting from hell. Have a night off.” There was that twinkle again. “Besides, you’ve got someone waiting for you inside.”

It didn’t take a genius to work out who.

“When you called, I said I was coming up here, and Toby asked to tag along. Matt’s got supper waiting for the both of you.” He smiled. “I figured you wouldn’t mind that.” He removed his hat and turned it in his hands.

I knew my foreman. “What’s bothering you?” Becausesomethingsure was.

“About last night. I—”

“You apologized already. Three times, as I recall.”

“I felt bad about it, okay? Walking in on you like that.”