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“Did you find something?”
“No, ma’am, but I want you to call your men in from the other pastures—”
“And let them steal my other bulls? No.”
“Dylan, I think they cut the fence to throw us off. They want me to think they’re going in that way, but there are no bulls there. So, why cut that fence? I have another agent working with me on it now. He’s going to the east pasture and I’m going to the north. I believe they’re going to try to steal one of your other bulls.”
“Please don’t let that happen,” Dylan whispered.
“Darlin’, I am going to do everything in my power to not let that happen.”
“Is this other agent as good as you?”
“Well, considering I haven’t done anything yet, I’d have to say he’s better.”
“You’re trying, Alex. I did a search on the internet about rustling and everything you told me was the truth. Sometimes the livestock is never found, but I have faith in you finding the culprits. Toga might be—” She stopped when a sob tore from her.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’ll do all I can. Please call your men in. Agent McCallister and I will take care of it.”
“All right. I trust you.”
“I’m sorry? Did you say you trust me? A…cowboy?”
“Do not be a smartass, Agent Reeves. I trust you as an agent.”
“But not as a cowboy?”
She smiled. “I’m working on it.”
Alex chuckled. “I’ll take it. I’ll call you when I know something.”
“All right. I hope to hear from you soon. Either way.”
“Miss me,” he murmured as he disconnected.
“Miss him? Every minute of the day and night.”
The following weekend, Dylan took Zoey into town to see Marlowe and Peyton at their ice cream shop. She needed to get out of the house. It had been a long week without seeing or hearing from Alex. She missed him and Zoey always asked about him and Peaches. She loved that dog.
They entered Scoops of Joy to see it packed. The weather had warmed up significantly and people were out and about. There were some tourists from the Bur Oak ranch, and she knew in a couple of months, the Clifton Bed and Breakfast would be full too.
Dylan loved how the little towns thrived during tourist season. Everyone who came to the small town fell in love with it. She couldn’t blame them. Clifton was the epitome of small-town life.
She smiled when she saw Marlowe waiting on a customer and Peyton ringing one up.
“Aunt Marlowe,” Zoey cried as she let go of Dylan’s hand and ran behind the glass case to hug her aunt.
Dylan walked to the case and smiled.
“She acts like she hasn’t seen you in ages.”
“She loves her aunt, don’t you, Zoey?” Marlowe squatted down and hugged Zoey.
“Aunts. She loves heraunts,” Peyton said after ringing up an order, then laughed when Zoey ran to her.
Peyton picked her up and looked at Dylan.
“What are you doing in town?”
