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Toby leaned in and kissed Robert on the lips, a slow lingering kiss that warmed Sol’s heart to see it. He pulled back and looked Robert in the eye.
“And that’s what I love about you.”
It was time for Sol to make an exit.
He stood. “Thanks for the excellent supper, and my compliments to Matt, by the way. If that’s what I have to look forward to in the way of meals, this is going to be a great week. Tomorrow after I’ve gone for a ride, you think you could show me the new barn? I’ll help you put stuff together too.”
“Sure. And I’d welcome the help.” Toby rose. “I’ll walk you back to the bunkhouse.”
Sol waved a hand. “I can find my own way. You stay here.” He smiled. “Looks as though you’ve got a conversation to continue.”
Besides, he wanted to think.
I want to be ready for whatever awaits me.
Chapter 14
Every time the door to the bunkhouse so much as creaked, Butch froze.
No sign of Sol.
What the fuck is he doing up there all this time?
Except Butch was no fool. He had a pretty good idea what Sol was doing. There was plenty Sol could tell them about him, none of it illegal, but all of it would make the boss and Toby peer at him as though he was a bug to be squashed underfoot.
That was what he feared the most—having people he worked with, laughed with, looking at him differently.
Shunning him.
He’s got no fucking right to tell them anything. And if it comes to that, he’s not exactly blameless, is he?
Then he realized he could be blowing this up out of all proportions. What if Sol hadn’t said anything? What if Butch tore him a new one, only to find Sol had kept his mouth shut, because deep down, he knew he’d played a part in Scott’s untimely death too.
Christ, a fella could go mad with all this shit going on in his head.
He took off his boots, then removed his clothing down to his shorts.
“Are you okay?”
Butch jerked his head in Zeeb’s direction. “Why’d you ask?”
“You’ve been awful quiet tonight.”
He glanced toward the bunks where the guests were getting ready for bed.
No way was he talking in front of them.
“I’m allowed to be, aren’t I?” he retorted. “Now, how about we stop jawin’ and get some sleep. These guys have an early start tomorrow.”
Zeeb’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes sir, Mr. Bunkhouse Foreman sir.”
Butch knew what that was all about. He hadn’t come out with his usual shit, and he was if anything a creature of habit.
Of course Zeeb was going to notice.
Don’t let Sol get to you. It’s only a week. He’ll be gone before you know it. Be cool.
Except that was the problem. Butch was ice-cold one minute, burning up the next.
