Page 56 of Cowboy Mountain Man

“I heard you.”

“I didn’t know how else to tell you.”

“You did good.”

Her fingers tighten. “And the horse picture wasn’t from today. I figured it out after you left. The light was wrong.”

I draw back enough to look at her. “June’s fine.”

Her eyes close. “Oh, thank God.”

“She’s fine,” I repeat.

She presses her forehead against my chest. Then starts laughing. Just one small, unsteady sound. “I’m going to have some very complicated feelings about that horse.”

I kiss the top of her head. “She can take it.”

Ellis approaches slowly. “Hope?”

She lifts her face.

“We need somebody to check you over,” he says. “Then I’ll need a statement.”

She nods. His gaze drops to her wrists. Mine follows. Red marks circle both of them.

I take one hand carefully.

Pike is talking behind us. Complaining. Making excuses.

I look over my shoulder.

Ellis notices. “Mercer.”

I turn back to Hope. She’s watching me. Her thumb moves against my hand. “He doesn’t get any more of today,” she says quietly.

I let out a breath. Then another. “No,” I agree. “He doesn’t.”

Alden comes inside. His lip is split, and one cheek is starting to swell.

Hope steps toward him. “You’re hurt.”

“I’ve had worse.”

She looks between us. “Do they teach you that answer?”

He smiles carefully. “First day.”

Alden looks at me over her head, saying, “You kept your head.”

“Mostly.”

“Enough.”

Ellis points toward the equipment cases. “These are the ones?”

Hope goes to the stack. “Yes. Same logo. There should be labels.”

She shows him where to look. The serial numbers match. One of the deputies starts photographing everything in place.