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West slid out of the truck. Lizardman followed with a happy bark. Eva jumped out her side. The ground was slick from the rain last night, and she carefully picked her way through the mud and rain puddles. The swampy marshland sucked at her new boots.
West dragged out the shotguns from the back of the truck. He’d promised Eva they’d go shooting this morning before he left her with Cole to make more calls.
She winced at the thought. Cole wouldn’t want her around after yesterday’s fiasco, but she’d do anything to bond with her new family, even face brutal rejection, and if that happened? West would have no choice but to let her hang out with him for the rest of their time here.
That could be good.
West handed her the shotgun while he settled the strap of a bag carrying the shatterproof bottles for target practice over his shoulder. “You know there is an abandoned mine over here,” he said.
That sounded intriguing. “Is that so?” she asked.
“But you probably shouldn’t go over there. It’s haunted.”
Her heart skipped. Now it was doubly intriguing. “No! Really?”
West grinned. Of course, he knew exactly what would happen when he brought up the most interesting thing about the place. No one could stop her from exploring now. She was far more curious than Curious George could ever be.
West kissed her forehead. “Well, if you can believe Porter, it’s haunted… so that doesn’t mean much. Burro Mine is from the pioneer times when our place was first settled. They excavated a limestone quarry there, I think. You can even find an old wagon stuck in the mud out there.”
Eva grabbed West’s arm. “Let’s go!”
He laughed. “I’m not sure if I can find the time, but you should definitely see it. Get Cole to take you. He knows the area like the back of his hand. Our pops couldn’t pry him from there when he was a kid.”
But Eva wanted West to take her! She’d find a way to make it happen. She leaned into him. “Yes, but who will protect me if you don’t come?” she asked.
He made a noncommittal sound as they approached Cole. His younger brother stepped back like he’d just seen the ghost of their quarry mines. “West.” His voice sounded like a warning.
“What?” West’s eyes widened too innocently. “I’m taking Eva shooting. Try to stay out of the way. It’s her first time.”
Or hundred-and-fiftieth time, but who was counting? She had to find some way to convince West to show her around the place. And if he tried to teach her how to shoot by putting his arms around her? Even better.
I’ll be his finest pupil.
She smiled over at Cole. “I’ll be a country girl after West is through with me. Just point me to a horse.”
Cole’s eyes ran to her legs. “Nice boots,” he muttered. “Those will be perfect for the mud out here.” Judging from the way he said it, they wouldn’t be at all.
He could be nicer!
At least she wasn’t wearing those stupid overalls of his… which were kind of attractive. She liked the look actually. Eva immediately decided to buy some of her own. Unfortunately, she’d left her phone at home to avoid that stalker.
Instead of fessing up to taking his jeans, she decided to tease him about it instead. “When I said to change up your look, Cole, I didn’t mean for you to turn into a hick. You look like Jed from the Beverly Hillbillies.”
A crease of amusement pressed against his cheek, though he shook it away. He pointed out to the hillside. “Keep your shooting out there by the mine. There are cattle out in the marshlands that I’m trying to herd out.”
“The mine?” She glanced back at West. “I seriously can’t wait to see it.”
West’s eyes turned considering on his brother. “It’s been years since I’ve been down there. I don’t know where the entrance is. You’ll have to ask Cole. The mine’s his favorite place.”
“Yeah, when I was twelve.” Cole headed back to the post, picking up the wiring to get the fence up. “I don’t have time to go down there anymore.”
“Are you saying that you don’t have enough help out here?” West asked.
“You offering?” Cole asked. His lip curled up at the effort of bringing up another fallen post. The whole fencing had been trampled or blown over by something. It must’ve been the storm.
Eva got ready for West to nod and offer her services, but instead he pinned his brother with a hard look. “I told you I’d hire you more help around here. Why don’t you take me up on that?”
Cole shoved the post into the soft mud. “We’ve got things handled.”
