Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders) (33 page)

Dalton tried not to let his shock show.

But it must have, because Tell said, “Why in the hell does that surprise you?”

“Maybe because you haven’t always thrown in behind me.”

Brandt snorted. “If you’re talkin’ about the years you spent getting in bar fights, I’ll remind you that me’n Tell backed you plenty of times.”

“Any time we had a problem with you or what you were doin’ or what you weren’t doin’, little bro, we told you. And if you really think about it, us getting in your face about shit didn’t happen all that often.”

He couldn’t argue with that.

“Besides, the last couple years you were here workin’ on the ranch, after Dad got sober and Mom left, we had no idea what you were doin’ with yourself in your off-the-ranch hours. You slammed that door in our faces whenever we asked. So we stopped askin’.”

Dalton couldn’t argue with that either.

“We might’ve gotten concerned you had a gambling problem if we’d known how often you were playing poker during that time. But when you told us that you paid cash for the Fox family’s land…well, we couldn’t exactly chew your ass for bein’ a successful card player, now could we?” Tell complained.

“So we think it’s bullshit, whatever stick you’ve got up your ass about this. About us.” Brandt’s jaw tightened. “One thing we’ve always been able to count on is the three of us stick together. No matter what. That ain’t changed just because you have.”

At least they recognized he had changed. But he hadn’t found the balls to give them the real reason for his fear that
they’d
change toward
him
. So he deflected. “You’re both on board with my plans?”

“It’s your land, Dalton. You can do whatever the hell you want with it. You get that permit, well, then we’ll talk.”

“All of this might be a moot point anyway. I found out the hard way that not only is the Crook County branch office of the WNRC in charge of processing applications, they also determine who’s granted the permits.”

Tell’s eyes widened. “Oh shit.”

“Yeah. I knew Rory had been assigned a special project at the WNRC, but she wasn’t allowed to talk specifics. And I kept my application on the down low for obvious reasons. So guess whose application came across Rory’s desk today?”

“Yours.”

“Yeah.” Dalton ran his hand through his hair. “She showed up here a few hours ago and lost her mind on me. Rory and I have a tangled history, some of it not pretty. Needless to say, she thinks history is repeating itself and that I was just usin’ her to get a fuckin’ permit. Jesus. That burns my ass because she knows better. I’m not fuckin’ around with her this time.”

Brandt looked skeptical. “You two are involved, seriously involved from what I’ve seen, and neither of you had any idea what the other one is doin’ outside of the hours that you spend together?”

When Brandt put it that way…it sounded unbelievable.

“Maybe it’s because you two ain’t doin’ a whole lotta talkin’?” Tell wiggled his eyebrows. “I remember them days.”

“That could be part of it. She’s pissed and I’m pissed and we’re cooling things off for a few days.”

Tell pointed at the duffel bag against the wall. “Is that why you’re goin’ somewhere?”

“No. I talked to my buddy Boden last night. I left some stuff undone since I wasn’t sure how long I’d be gone when I left. So I’m leavin’ for Montana in the morning.” Or maybe he’d just take off tonight.

“When’re you comin’ back?”

“Thursday.”

“Don’t suppose you’re gonna stop by the rehab hospital on your way outta town?” Brandt asked.

Dalton shook his head.

“Been a while since you’ve been there.”

“Has he made any improvements?”

“No. But that don’t mean—”

He held up his hand. “I don’t want to talk about Casper.” Ever. “If you need me to check cattle or fix fence or babysit your kids while you’re visiting him, I’m more than willing to help out. But it is not helpin’ out sitting in Casper’s room and letting him glare at me. I’m done with that.”

Neither of his brothers responded. They weren’t happy, but at least now maybe they’d stop bugging him about it.

Brandt stood. “Well, drive safe. Let us know you made it up there okay.”

“Will do.”

Tell clapped him on the back. “Fair warning. I’m totally takin’ you up on the free babysitting offer.” He dug in his jacket pocket. “Before I forget…” He handed Dalton a wad of bills. “You forgot the jackpot, so me’n Brandt picked up for you.”

“Thanks.” Dalton pretended to count it.

“You don’t think it’s all there?” Tell demanded. “You are one suspicious motherfucker.”

“Nope. Just checking to see if you added the hundred you owed me for the side bet.” He smiled. “Is it included in here?”

“No.”

Dalton held out his hand. “Pay up, bro. Fair’s fair.”

Brandt laughed and said, “Told ya he’d remember.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Rory yelled, “Come in,” after two knocks sounded on her office door Thursday morning.

“Hey, Rory.”

Her jaw might’ve actually hit the desk when she saw Dillon Doland, her ex-fiancé, in the doorway. “Dillon? What are you doing here?”

“I’m in the area for business. Thought I’d stop by and say hello.”

Remembering her manners, she gestured to the chair in front of the desk. “Please. Sit down.”

“Thanks.” He pinched the crease of his khaki pants after he sat.

At their first meeting, Dillon’s fussiness with his clothes made her wonder if he was gay. After their less than spectacular sex life when they dated, she still wondered that.

Not nice, Rory.

Dillon bestowed his movie-star bright smile. “You look great.”

“Same goes for you.”

“You still part-time here?”

“Technically? Yes. But I’m on special assignment so I’m fulltime until that ends.”

“What’s the special assignment?”

She winked. “Super duper secret.” She’d been so mad at Dalton she’d just blurted out that information and she shouldn’t have. Wouldn’t it be her bad luck if he blabbed to everyone…just like he used to? What would happen if the director found out?

Then the worst kept secret in the office would be out. Big deal. The permit application cut off date is tomorrow anyway
.

“While I applaud your loyalty… You know you can trust me. Keeping secrets is an official part of my job.” Dillon raised an eyebrow. “Or I can guess if you’d like. I’ve got a good idea what you’ve been tasked to do, given your field of study.”

“Was I assigned this job because of your recommendation?” she asked sharply.

“No. So why don’t you tell me what it is?”

She sighed. “I’m processing applications and then screening applicants’ land for the elk farm test program.”

“Really? Congrats on landing a big project because it’s an important program to the state. How’s it going so far?”

“Busy. I didn’t think we’d get so many applicants.”

“With the drought, ranchers have been forced to cut down their herds. Everyone is looking for replacement income. I imagine you’re getting applications from ranchers whose land fits the criteria, but have no intention of turning it into an elk farm.”

“The director mentioned that to me. I’m hoping he’s wrong and all these applications are legit.” After she’d calmed down following the confrontation with Dalton, she wished she’d had the presence of mind to ask if his application was legit. Yes, she’d shown up at his place loaded for bear, but she stood by everything she’d said—on a professional level. On a personal level? Well, she’d have to wait and see.

She tuned back in to Dillon’s commentary. He hadn’t noticed her momentary blip in concentration. “…it’s been interesting seeing it from a different angle. Any chance this temporary position could roll over into fulltime?”

“Doubtful. This WNRC office is fully staffed. I’ll return to my previous part-time position once I’m finished.”

Dillon looked thoughtful. “Did you take this job because it’s in your hometown?”

Tempting to lie, but she admitted, “No. It was the only job available.” On such short notice.

“Except for the job you already had at the Wyoming State Parks.”

“That wasn’t a permanent position.”

“I had the pull to make it permanent,” Dillon reminded her.

Didn’t he understand that’s why she’d left? She’d be stuck there with him? At least working here part-time she had options. “It was best if we didn’t work together after…”

Silence ensued.

Dillon sighed. “You broke it off with me without really much of a reason why.”

Rory’s eyes narrowed. “Is that why you’re here? To get answers?”

“Maybe. Things were going great between us and the next thing I knew, you returned the engagement ring and left town.”

Going great. Right. “Look, this isn’t the time or the place—”

“Then have dinner with me tonight so we can discuss it.”

Crap. She’d fallen right into that one.

“You owe me that much, Rory. I also wanted to mention new career opportunities for you, but it wouldn’t be prudent to discuss them in your current place of business.”

He knew that would intrigue her.

“Is there a quiet place we can have dinner and a conversation?”

“The Twin Pines is a supper club outside of Sundance.”

“Sounds good to me. Will six o’clock work?”

“Yes, that’ll give me time to change.”

“You’d look beautiful wearing a flour sack.”

Dillon’s compliment, while sincere, didn’t affect her the same way Dalton’s compliments did. “Thank you.”

He smiled and stood. “Looking forward to seeing you at six. I’ll let you get back to work.” He left her office.

Rory didn’t take waste time dwelling on how their discussion would play out tonight. She had plenty to accomplish before then.

Three raps on her door and Glennis poked her head in. “Rory? Can I come in?”

“Sure. What do you need?”

“Just checking on whether…” She sighed. “Okay, I’m a snoopy busybody and I’m dying to know if that man really was your ex-fiancé.”

That startled her. “That’s how Dillon introduced himself?”

“He said he was Dillon Doland, assistant director for the Wyoming State Parks and he used to work with you. Then he chuckled and mentioned he’d been engaged to you.”

“I find it weird he’d say that.”

Glennis’s gaze sharpened behind her glasses. “Know what I find weird? That Dillon has more than a passing similarity to Dalton. Tall, dark-haired, blue eyes. Charming.”

“Which describes half the men in the world,” she retorted.

Glennis shook her finger. “Maybe you didn’t realize at the time you’d started something with Dillon because he reminded you of Dalton.”

“Bullshit.”

“I know you and Dalton have a history, Rory.”

“How?” she demanded.

“Because of your familiarity the first day he sauntered in here. And sweetie, I am a Sundance native. I’ve got a grasp of geography and I know you grew up practically next door to his family’s ranch.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Does Dalton have any idea that you almost married a man who looks like him?”

“No.”

“What do you think he’ll do when he finds out?”

Rory stared at the door after Glennis left. She was wrong. Her attraction to Dillon had nothing to do with his looks and that he had some of the same physical characteristics as Dalton.

Did it?

And besides, didn’t all women have a type that appealed to them? Tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed men did it for her.

Putting it out of her mind, she got back to work.

Dillon was waiting by the hostess stand at the Twin Pines when Rory arrived.

He pulled her in for a hug and brushed a kiss on her cheek. “Rory. You look beautiful.”

She’d put extra effort into her appearance, wearing a form-fitting dress in dark pink, topping it with an iridescent shawl she’d crocheted herself and finishing her bohemian look with bone-colored riding boots.

“You look stylish, as usual.” He’d worn a navy suit jacket, blue and white striped shirt, jeans and loafers. One thing about Dillon; he was always impeccably put together. Even after spending all day out inspecting parks land on horseback, he’d return to the office in the same condition he’d left.

“Hey, Rory.” Naomi the manager looked between her and Dillon with a frown. As if she’d expected to see her with Dalton.

Rory bristled. She could have a business dinner with whoever she wanted. And the only reason she was here was because Dillon might have a lead on a job or two for her.

Naomi led them to a table in the middle of the restaurant. “I know you prefer a booth, but this is all I’ve got at last minute. As you can see we’re swamped tonight.”

Dillon pulled out her chair. “Thanks.” To Naomi she said, “What’s going on?”