AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Brooks tossed his napkin onto the table and narrowed his eyes.
“Are you crazy? Does Dave know this?”
“No, sir, but I’m going to ask to be removed from the case.”
“Well, good luck with that. With rustling at an all-time high in Clifton, I can almost guarantee you won’t be.”
Alex sighed. He knew it would upset his dad about Dylan. His father was a stickler for the rules.
“True, but I’m going to ask anyway.”
Brooks shook his head and continued to eat. Alex hated disappointing anyone, but especially his father. He did this job because of him, and Alex knew he’d never break the rules as he had done. He just didn’t know what to do where Dylan was concerned.
****
Dylan sat on the sofa with a glass of wine and smiled listening to Peyton.
“I think I’ve figured it out,” Peyton said as she sat beside Dylan.
“Figured what out?” Dylan frowned at her.
“I’ve been blaming cowboys for how they hurt me, but if I had never fallen for them, it wouldn’t have happened. Does that make sense?”
“I think what you’re saying is that you fall too easily for cowboys.” Marlowe nodded. “I think we all have. Maybe we do fall too easily for them and that’s why we decided to stay away from them. It’s not them so much as us not being able to resist them. Could that be it? We fall for thembecausethey’re cowboys, but end up being hurt because they weren’t therightcowboys. I have the right one now, and you both need to find yours.”
“It actually does make sense. I knew Travis was trouble, but yet, I was so attracted to him because he was a bull rider. I had no idea he’d hurt me like he did.” Dylan shook her head.
“I fell for Johnnie for the same reason, and Peyton, you wanted nothing more than a man like your father when you were younger. That was Trace.”
“Oh, I got more than a man like my father. I got his exact double in everything that had to do with how he treated women, except the physical abuse, but he wasn’t a good man, just like my father.” Peyton sighed. “I do think that’s what the problem is. We fall too easily. Especially for a man in cowboy boots, hats, and jeans. Along with that cowboy swagger. Yeah, I think it’s more my fault than theirs. They didn’t ask me to fall for them, but they also didn’t push me away. I was just another conquest for any who came along, and I won’t be again. No matter who that cowboy is. I will avoid cowboys from now on.”
“We live in Clifton. You can’t avoid them.” Marlowe shook her head.
“I don’t mean avoid all of them. Just the ones who appeal to me and might get me thinking differently.” Peyton shrugged.
“Well, good luck with that.” Dylan picked up her glass of wine and took a sip.
“I see where this is going. You, Dylan Marie Walters, are attracted to Agent Reeves and you’re trying to convince yourself that since cowboys can’t be avoided, you’ll see him once the case is over.”
“Honestly, I don’t want to avoid him.” Dylan shrugged.
“What? Did something happen?” Marlowe sat up and stared at her.
Dylan grinned. “We had sex.”
“Oh. My. God. When?” Peyton’s eyes narrowed as she stared at her.
“Last night when we were stranded at his house—”
“I’m sorry.Lastnight? And you’re just telling us now?” Peyton snapped.
“I’ve been busy.” Dylan laughed.
“With what? Screwing the livestock agent?” Marlowe giggled.
Dylan gasped. “Marlowe!”
“What? I told the truth,” Marlowe said as she shrugged.
