Page 12 of The Texas Ranger: Saddled Up
“Tansy?” Bear had seen first-hand how his buddy reacted every time the woman was in sight. “That wouldn’t be a puppy after it’s mama’s tit now would it?”
“Fuck you. I need to let that fantasy fade.” Echo dipped his chicken wing into the cup of sauce and popped the entire thing into his mouth.
“Maybe you should follow your own advice. Let her know you like her. What do you have to lose?”
With a slight shrug, then a frown, Echo said, “Too complicated. I’ve got enough on my plate.”
Bear stared into his beer and grumbled, “I think Aasia’s back with Fletcher.”
“Damn. That sucks, but you know that won’t last. It only takes so long before a woman sees right through the bullshit.”
Dropping back into the chair, Bear sighed. “Yeah, I already know that, but how many chances is she going to give him?”
“Look, “Echo began, “I know Aasia. She isn’t one to lead a guy on unless she sees something in him—sees potential. I’ve been around you two together and she’s wearing a smile the entire time. Have you seen her when she’s around Fletcher? She’s about as sad as if she lost her gawd damn dog.”
“You sure do make a lot of references toward dogs, you know?”
“I read something the other day that said when a man is lonely, he’ll start wanting to adopt a dog. You think that’s true?”
“Hell if I know.” Bear emptied his glass.
“What’s on your mind? You look like you’ve got the world on your shoulders.”
“Just like you said, it’s complicated. What do I have to offer her? I can’t even offer her honesty.”
Echo sniffed loudly. “The way I see it, you have a lot more to offer than Fletcher, but it probably is best you keep the lines drawn, if you know what I mean,” he said in a lowered voice.
“She has no clue you’re keeping track of her boyfriend. Women do like honesty and nothing about our lives are on the up-and-up.”
Bear swallowed against the ache in his throat. He turned his gaze away from Echo to watch the dancers kicking up their boots high on the planked floor. He caught a glimpse of a woman with long dark hair and a build like Aasia’s. His heart took a leap. Was it her? Had she changed her mind about coming to Oscar’s?
The woman turned and he saw her profile. Nope, it wasn’t Aasia. Yet, the two women looked so similar they could be sisters. The lady caught him staring and her smile widened. She offered him a semi-wave before she whirled around the floor. No doubt, she was beautiful, but she wasn’t Aasia. No one compared to her.
Grimes who was sitting at a high top across the pool room had Bear in his snares. What the hell? Grimes hadn’t beenhimself lately. They’d once been good friends and lately they felt more like enemies.
Bear turned his attention back on Echo. “Maybe I should tell her the truth.” Bear didn’t realize he’d said the words aloud until Echo responded.
“Hey, I’d want to tell her too, but we’d only be putting her in jeopardy. I know you don’t need a reminder, but if Fletcher had anything to do with the ambush on Texas Heat things will get ugly quick. You’ll need a clear mind.”
“I think we’re headed down the wrong pipe, buddy. Fletcher’s a lot of things, up to his ears in illegal shit about his campaign, but he doesn’t have the balls to be involved with the cartel.”
“So why was his name mentioned during an interrogation?” Echo said.
“Beats me. But it’s a dead-end where our case is involved.” Bear rubbed his temples. He wished he had something, outside of campaign fraud, to bring Fletcher down.
“Too bad you need to sit on this new development. Can’t risk the case we’re working on.” Echo said.
“He’s more of a piece of shit than I first thought.” Bear wished he could wrap his hands around Fletcher’s neck.
“I guess this makes you want to intervene and tell her everything even more. I won’t stop you but make sure you do the right thing. For everyone.”
Bear could see how that could be a risk, but he also never trusted Fletcher. The man was a dickhead and he didn’t deserve Aasia. Bear guessed he didn’t have the right to judge because he’d been living a double life for a long time, and he’d been lying to Aasia. To her he was just a hand at Creed’s Creek Ranch, but in truth, he was a Texas Ranger investigating a lot of suspects, including her fiancé. Hell, he’d even investigated her at one point.
The deeper the team got to the center of the long list of criminals the more dangerous the situation became. The less Aasia knew the better.
Even Silver was taken out for what he knew and that bastard seemed untouchable.
“Don’t worry. I’d never jeopardize the team, or the mission.” Bear scraped his hand down his whiskered jaw.
