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A double set of locks was on the front door. Tara had no difficulty opening either of them. The hinges creaked from disuse when she pulled the door open and held it for Sloan.
Her footsteps echoed through the building, adding to its empty feel when Sloan entered. The sun’s hot rays had invaded the small lobby area and removed any lingering chill from the air.
Along one wall sat a vinyl-covered settee with a chair angled toward it, its upholstery ripped along the backrest and on the seat. The only other item of furniture was a low table with one leg partially collapsed under it, canting its surface at a drunken angle.
Completing a critical survey of the area, Tara released a dramatic sigh. “I should have told Daniel, or Kirk, whatever his name is, to bring something to dust off this furniture.”
“I have something in my bag we can use,” Sloan replied.
“It’s a pity you weren’t here when the mine was in operation,” Tara declared and launched into a lengthy narrative about the tonnage it produced, the people it employed, and the many benefits it brought to Blue Moon.
Sloan barely listened as she wandered about the small space, nerves on edge with the anticipation of her coming meeting with Trey, trying to guess what he would say and what she should answer.
“What is keeping him?” Tara’s forceful demand was riddled with exasperation. “How long does it take to fetch one coat and a cell phone?”
“Longer than we thought, obviously,” Sloan murmured. “Or maybe it just seems long.”
“It’s been a good five minutes at least.” Impatient, Tara crossed to the door and pushed it open, then paused, her stiff posture relaxing a little. “Here he comes now.” She stayed at the door, holding it open for the young attendant loping toward the building.
With a sideways turn of his body, he slipped through the opening and halted, letting the bag strap slide off his shoulder and lowering the soft-sided tote to the floor. “Here you go.” He handed the sable coat to Tara and pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. “I had to borrow the pilot’s. The battery was low on mine.”
“Thanks.” Sloan shifted her hold on the baby, freeing a hand to take the phone from him.
“You dallied all that time just to borrow a phone?” Rebuke was in the cool look Tara gave him.
“Actually, I was waiting to make sure the mechanic could get the part he needed,” he replied.
“What part? What are you talking about?” Tara demanded.
“There’s a part he needs before he can get things working right again. It’s okay, though. It’s on its way from Miles City,” he assured her.
“Someone’s flying it here?” she said in surprise.
“No, it’s coming by courier.”
“But it’s a good two-hour drive from Miles City,” Tara protested.
“At least they had the part in stock,” he reminded her. “Anyway, I’m supposed to hike to that gas station up the road and wait for the courier to arrive with the part. The pilot thought that would be easier than trying to explain how to get here, especially when the gate’s padlocked. Would you like me to see if I can rent or borrow somebody’s car and come back here for you?”
Sloan never let Tara answer. “No! Absolutely not.”
“Surely you don’t want to stay here for two hours, do you?” Tara looked at Sloan as if she’d taken leave of her senses.
“If that’s how long it takes, then yes,” Sloan answered without hesitation, Turning to the attendant, sah said, “And I don’t want you to tell anyone that we’re here. Do you understand? Absolutely no one.”
He shot a quick glance at Tara to make sure she had no problem with that. By then Tara had guessed the reason for Sloan’s request. “Sloan’s right. Under no circumstances admit that anyone other than crew was onboard the plane.”
“Yes ma’am. I won’t say a word,” he promised and stepped to the door. “I’ll be back as soon as the part gets here.”
Alone again, Tara turned to Sloan. “That was quick thinking,” she said in approval. “It had slipped my mind that Max has someone in Blue Moon working for him, and that person certainly doesn’t need to know we’re here.”
“That’s what I thought,” Sloan replied, then asked, “Would you hold Jake while I call Trey?”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to talk to him first?” Yet Tara was already reaching to gather the baby into her arms.
“I think it’s better if I do.” Sloan relinquished her son into Tara’s care.
Emerging from the ranch office, Trey automatically let his glance sweep the yard and its buildings, then reach beyond it to the wide plains and its winter-brown grass. The barren look of the land suited his mood.
