Page 63 of Something Tangled Something True (Rosa Ranch #1)

COWBOY CROSSING

I know she’s not thrilled about having a security detail, and, if I’m honest, I have no idea how we’ll afford it or where we’d go to look for something like that, but I’ll figure it out.

I woke up to the first of what I’m sure will be many threatening text messages. This one was overtly so as opposed to the veiled warnings of some of Lola’s earlier messages.

It read:

Watch your back, cowboy. We know what you’re hiding.

The message was so cliché, I actually had to laugh, but the “we” has me worrying this problem might be bigger than either of us realized.

That was followed by another with nothing more than a photo, not of Lola and me together like the ones before, but of the barn bursting into flames.

The image was taken from somewhere on the fringes of the property.

My hair's been standing on end ever since, skin crawling with unease, and my head has been pounding all day from a lack of sleep and my constant panic from last night.

Lola’s tucked into the corner of the couch, a book three inches from her face, when I get inside, an involuntary smile stretching my lips at just the sight of her.

“Maybe you should use that health insurance for an ophthalmology appointment,” I joke.

She dog-ears the book and sets it on the end table.

“In case you weren’t aware, Ryder Lockhart, this is America. Health insurance doesn’t include your eyeballs or your teeth,” she says with a light chuckle.

“I know, Lols. I’ve been in this country thirty-four years. I got you vision and dental too,” I say, ruffling her hair and stealing a handful of popcorn from the bowl beside her.

“Well, aren't you just the most thoughtful little peach?” she says, clearly imitating Lemmon’s accent.

“You know, I’ve wondered my whole life if that voice of hers was a choice because I’ve met her daddy, and he doesn’t sound a lick like that,” I muse.

“Doesn’t matter if it’s intentional or not. It’s annoying.”

“That’s a fact I can’t deny. Now,” I say, moving the popcorn bowl and dragging her into my lap, “how about we move your things into our room and go on a drive later?”