Page 58 of Smokescreen

“I mean, I saw them talking all the time. So, if there was anyone Daphne stayed in contact with, I’d guess it would be Cooper.”

“Good to know.”

Hannah paused, and her expression tightened as if a new thought hit her. “Are you going to tell Mr. Harrison we had this conversation?”

Olive shook her head. “Why would I?”

“I don’t know . . . you do seem different than a lot of the women he’s dated. You don’t seem as stuck up.”

Olive shrugged. “I like to think I’m not stuck up at all.”

Hannah continued polishing the silverware another moment before asking, “Do you like it out here?”

Olive didn’t know why, but for some reason the question felt loaded. “It’s beautiful.”

“Is ranch life the life for you?”

She contemplated her answer. “I guess that’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

Hannah finally stopped polishing and turned toward Olive, her gaze serious. “Whatever you do, don’t break his heart. Please.”

With that statement, Olive knew with certainty that Hannah was in love with Reid Harrison.

How far would Hannah go to prove that love, however? Would she sabotage the ranch so she could make herself look like a hero somehow in the end?

Olive wasn’t sure that theory held much weight. But she would keep it in the back of her mind.

CHAPTER 24

Olive helped Hannah for another hour. Then she decided to go outside and stretch her legs.

She hoped while she was out and about she might run into Trick as well. She’d really like to catch up with him, especially after last night’s events. The two of them desperately needed a debrief.

She stepped out the back door and saw a bunch of ranch hands gathered in the backyard around a large smoker. Picnic tables had already been set up in rows, lanterns had been hung from posts around the perimeter of the space, and a small stage had been set up near a grove of trees.

Olive didn’t see Reid with the group outside.

“I think he’s in the stables,” Cooper called, seeming to read her mind.

She remembered what Hannah said about Cooper and Daphne. She wished she could confront him without blowing her cover.

She’d have to figure out another way to find this answer.

Instead, she called, “Thanks!”

She paced across the yard, following the sound of the horses neighing. Finally, she stepped into the stable and the noise behind her faded away. As the scent of horses and hay rose around Olive, a moment of peace washed over her.

She could actually like it here if she let herself. But she couldn’t do that. Compartmentalizing was key in her line of work.

Olive began wandering down the row and paused by the first horse, running her hand along the side of his face.

It was Blaze, Reid’s stallion. “Hey, boy. Have you seen Reid?”

Of course, the horse didn’t answer. But Olive couldn’t help but marvel at how Blaze fit Reid perfectly. They were both strong, solid, and quiet.

Reid was the kind of guy her dad would have liked—at least, in theory. Her father had always thought highly of people who were above reproach. Maybe it was because those people were so unlike him.

Jason’s image filled her mind. Her dad hadn’t wanted her to date. Said she was too young. Said Jason wasn’t right for her.