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She huffed. “You’re right. It wasn’t a cowboy thing at all. I guess, to me, that just sounded like the thing to say.” She shook her head. “I’m so used to being left behind by cowboys, and after Travis, why would I ever want another one.”
“Well, Alex is one. We’ve established that, but he is also a livestock agent, and he has a job to do. I believe that is the job he is more interested in, right now. He’s a cowboy at heart, but that’s not all he does. Travis, Johnnie, and Trace were rodeo cowboys and we followed them around until we caught their attention. So, who is really to blame for us falling for them? We are,” Peyton said.
“I agree. We fell for the wrong type of cowboy. There is nothing wrong with a rodeo cowboy. Most of them are wonderful men, but some, like the ones we’ve known are only interested in winning a buckle and a buckle bunny to go with it. Hank made me see that. They’re all cowboys, but a different breed. Rodeo cowboys and working cowboys aren’t the same. Not in my book. Not after seeing how hard Hank works on his farm growing feed, plus working in the barn, tending to his livestock. I’m not saying rodeo cowboys don’t do that, I’m sure a lot of them do, but they also travel all the time for competitions. All year. Johnnie was rarely home, so anytime he traveled, I’d go until I couldn’t take it anymore. Then I’d sit home and wait for him. To catch a glimpse of him, you know? It’s not the same with Hank. Two totally different cowboys.” Marlowe folded her arms.
“So, what do I do?” Dylan asked.
“Well, I’d apologize first, then listen to him. He did the right thing,” Peyton said.
Dylan nodded. “I will. As soon as I get my courage up. I’m sure I’m the last person he wants to see right now.”
“You never know. He could probably be wondering what the hell happened when he thought he was doing what was best for you and the case. Geesh, Dylan.” Peyton sighed.
“Yeah, I get it, Peyton. I’ll talk to him.”
Later, she sat in her office in the barn, wondering how to tell Alex how sorry she was. He was right. It didn’t mean she had to like it, but she knew it had to take a lot of concentration on that job and all she saw was a cowboy walking away… again.
A knock on the door startled her, then she saw it open, and Justin entered.
“Hey, Justin. Is everything all right?”
“Yes. I checked the fence this morning. I saw Agent Reeves.”
“Where?”
“Where Toga was taken from. He was looking around.”
“Did you talk to him?”
“Yeah, he said he’d be there tonight to keep an eye out. He’s sure they’re going to show up again. Especially since we haven’t repaired that section. I don’t like it.”
“It’s to lure them in, really. Alex—Agent Reeves said he was hoping it would give them false hope that we haven’t discovered the cut fence yet and they’ll try again.”
“It’s been a while, Dylan, and they haven’t been back.”
“Well, we don’t have any livestock in that field, Justin, so we’ll see what happens.”
“And what if they just use that to get to the other pastures?”
Dylan sighed. She had thought of that too.
“I don’t know. We’re going to have to keep an eye out. You said the agent would be there tonight?”
“That’s what he told me.”
“Okay. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m heading back to work. Call me if you need me.”
“I will.” She smiled as he walked out the door.
So, Alex would be there tonight. Maybe she should make a trip up there to talk to him. When else would she get the chance?
****
Alex froze when he heard leaves rustling. There was no wind, so he unsnapped the retainer button on his holster, removed his weapon, leaned back against a tree, and held his gun at the ready. When a dark figure passed by, he stepped out, and cocked his gun.
“Do not move,” he growled out.
