Page 44 of The Cowboy Who Stayed
“If it isn’t Viv’s young friend,” he announces. He holds out his hand to give mine a shake. “Pleasure to see you again, Rhett.”
I ignore the offer for a handshake, opting for a rigid head nod instead. “Wouldn’t’ve expected you to still be in town, Craig. Still using the real-estate convention as an excuse?”
“It was a conference, and it’s no excuse. Rapid City hosts it annually.”
“Rapid City is also forty-five minutes away.”
He gives a short laugh. “I’m not sure I’m tracking what your point is?”
“Seems a mighty far way to drive for a drink,” I answer casually, then sip from mine. “Rapid is known to have the better nightlife of the two. Few would opt for Ironhaven over it… unless they had other reasons to be here.”
“Am I missing something?” interjects Joaquin. “Real-estate convention? Rapid City? Who cares?”
“Conference. And that’s a good question,” says Craig. His lips spread into a wider, condescending grin, his neatly trimmed beard framing it. “I don’t think it matters either way. A man can enjoy a drink anywhere.”
“Right, including where his wife lives several states away.”
Joaquin and Ricky exchange a pointed look.
The grin falters on Craig’s face, and I watch as a vein throbs at the side of his neck. He lets out a lone chuckle devoid of any real humor.
“You’re real protective of Viv, aren’t you?” he asks. “I have to say, I never pegged a guy like you for being her type.”
I give no other reaction than a clench of my jaw and free hand at my side. My fingers flex open and shut and then open again.
“You know what I mean, don’t you?” he goes on. “The whole young-guy-playing-cowboy-on-a-ranch type. She’s always preferred a certain type of man. Someone who can match her intellectually; someone who can properly handle her. She’s a lot of woman. Takes a real successful kind of alpha male to give her what she needs.”
“Then I guess since she’s now divorced, she’s still looking for him.”
Despite their confusion, Joaquin and Ricky bust up in laughter. The vein in the side of Craig’s neck throbs harder.
“You’re a regular ol’ comedian. Maybe that’s what Viv sees in you.” He gives a shrug, sliding his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “It doesn’t matter either way. My wife isn’t easily impressed.”
“Ex,” I say. “She’s your ex-wife.”
“Maybe on paper. But let me let you in on a little secret, Rhett.” He takes a step toward me, his gaze hooked unblinkingly on mine. “Nobody on god’s green earth knows that woman like I do. She’ll always be my wife.”
He reaches into his wallet and tosses two twenty dollar bills on the counter.
“Will you let the bartender know this should cover my tab? You’re a great guy, Rhett. Hope you find a nice girl of your own someday. Enjoy the rest of your evening, fellas.”
He nods at Joaquin and Ricky, who’ve fallen silent again, then takes his leave. He walks out the door with a whistle on his lips.
“I’m still lost,” Ricky mumbles. “Who the hell was that?”
His question’s left unanswered.
I polish off my beer and then make my own exit. If there was any doubt before about what Craig Gibson’s doing in Ironhaven of all places, that friendly little chat just confirmed it.
His reappearance in Vivica’s life is no coincidence. He still thinks of her as his wife, and he obviously wants her back.
The real question is, does Vivica feel the same?
THIRTEEN
Vivica
There’re a hundred things I could be doing today. Ninety-nine of them are smarter than sitting in my kitchen waiting for my ex-husband to knock on my door.
