Page 39 of Wrangled and Tangled (Raven Peak Ranch #1)

B riar chose steak and potatoes, a classic cowboy meal if I’ve ever known one.

She’s got music on in the living room, blasting loud enough that we can hear it outside from the porch.

Spencer decided to grill the steaks, so while the potatoes bake in the oven, we’re outside sipping beer and searing steaks.

“Come on, one song?” She asks us to dance once again, even though we’ve turned her down twice now.

My phone rings, and a number I don’t recognize flashes on the screen. Showing Spencer, he nods and walks into the house to turn the volume down.

“Hello?” I answer, unsure since I’m not used to random numbers calling my phone.

“Mr. Macabe?” The undeniable voice of Detective Royce says.

“This is him.”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, but I wanted you to hear the news from me,” he pauses as if I’m going to stop him to say something.

When I don’t, he continues, “The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations has officially cleared you as a suspect, and you should be receiving information on your trailer as soon as tomorrow.”

“What? I mean, well–thank you, obviously, but what happened?” I ask, “If you can’t discuss it with me, I understand.”

I don’t want him thinking I’m some asshole who thinks the whole world should tell me things.

“There was a hair identified on the body of Moe Callus, belonging to someone on the FBI’s most wanted list,” he sighs, and I choose not to ask any further questions.

“I’ve already spoken to your publicist and set a time for a press conference to announce our findings and clear you publicly of any and all suspicion. ”

“Thank you,” I almost trip over the words but get them out.

With a mutual ‘have a good night,’ we hang up, and I turn to find Spencer and Briar waiting in the doorway behind me.

“Well?” Briar starts as I stand there staring at my now blank phone screen.

“Who was that? What did they want?” He asks, and I walk up to him, grip his shirt, and kiss him. I’m free, I knew I would be, but it’s taken a long time, and now the rodeo can officially begin again. The thought makes me pause.

The rodeo.

“The police cleared me and my trailer,” I tell them, backing up a step and smiling. They both throw their arms around me, and I’ve never felt more alive than I do right now.

It’s this moment, I just know.

I’m done with the rodeo. I need to talk to Staci so I can tell her that I’m retiring. She can get everything wrapped up for me, and then I just need to tell the rest of my team. I have no idea how, but for him and Briar, I’ll do it.

“Now you have to dance with me!” Briar laughs, and we do. Spencer turns off the grill, plates the steaks, and lays them on the kitchen island before joining us as Briar belts the lyrics to some pop song I don’t know.

I’m a terrible dancer, but I don’t really care. I’m free, and I’m with two people I’ve come to love. We’re dancing around, singing at the top of our lungs, Thelma’s perched on the television stand, watching us flail around.

When the song ends, Spencer wraps me up in his arms and kisses me. Briar hoots, and soon enough, we’re enjoying our steak and baked potato on the back porch under the string lights Briar begged Spencer to leave up after her party.

It’s damn near picture-perfect, at least for me.

Staci called this morning, telling me to get my ass to the police station for the press release. I guess I should have looked at her texts last night, but I was enjoying myself.

Sue me.

Rushing around, I quickly get dressed. Spencer and Briar left early this morning, heading out to tackle the farm chores.

Shooting a quick text to Spencer letting him know where I’m going, I head out to the truck.

I still have to put the address for the police station in my phone, just in case.

If I get lost and wind up late, Staci may castrate me.

Pulling in, there’s a few uniformed officers milling about and a podium set up with a half dozen microphones. Camera crews I recognize as various other news outlets are set up a ways away from the podium. Kenzie steps out of the station, waving me in.

“Let’s go, Show Pony!” She calls.

Staci doesn’t spare me a glance when I walk in, only barks orders at me not to open my mouth.

Stand there. Look pretty. Smile and wave.

Understood.

In the haze of contentment with Briar and Spencer the last few weeks, I’d almost forgotten that’s all I’m good for.