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“That’s Riley’s. Mine’s beyond that. I’ll give you a tour after we check in with Deck and Riley.”
The odor of smoke filled her nose as wind streamed over her. She desperately needed a shower and a change of clothes.
———
Christian led the way to Deck’s door, praying he’d be nice to Andi. Or at least cordial, especially after all they’d been through. He didn’t want her hurt. She’d brought a protectiveness out in him. Not that she needed it. She was clearly strong and a fighter—after all she’d been through. Her resilience was amazing, even if she didn’t see it that way.
He reached for the doorknob, but it opened before he could turn it.
“Hey,” Riley said. “Andi, so good to see you again.” She engulfed Andi with a hug.
Andi looked overwhelmed, but a smile graced her lips.
Thank you, he mouthed to Riley.
“Come on in,” she said, stepping back. “We’ve got breakfast going.”
He looked to Andi, at the vulnerability in her eyes, but she held her head high.
“Whoa,” Deckard said, rounding the corner. “You reek of smoke, dude....” His words cut off at the sight of Andi. “Sorry,” he said, giving Andi a nod.
“No problem,” she said. And then they all stood there, awkwardness filling the room.
“Why don’t you show Andi to my house,” Riley said to Christian, then shifted her attention to Andi. “Feel free to use any of my clothes.”
“Thanks,” she said, smoothing Tad’s jacket, nearly forgetting that’s what she still had on.
“We’ll get cleaned up and then come grab breakfast and fill you in on the case,” Christian said.
A moment later, he led the way down the winding dirt path to Riley’s house. Opening the door, he stepped in behind Andi.
“Nice place,” she said, gazing about the room until she fixed on the shelf unit to the right of the kiva fireplace. “Are those belt buckles?” she asked.
“Yep. Barrel racing.”
“Your sister’s in the rodeo?”
“Yep. The local circuit.”
“That’s awesome.” She indicated the buckles. “May I?”
“Sure.”
She strode over to the hewn pinewood bookcase, and he moved to her side.
Her gaze danced along the rows of buckles. “So many. She must be really good.”
“She was offered a spot in the PRCA, but she preferred to stay close to home.”
“Wow.” Andi slipped a strand of hair behind her ear, exposing the gentle slope of her neck, and the image of him trailing kisses down it flashed through his mind.
Whoa! Get a grip, dude.
“How about you or Deckard?” she asked in the midst of his muddled thoughts. “Do either of you ride in the rodeo?”
“Deck rides saddle bronc, but I prefer just free riding. How about you? You been riding?”
She nodded. “My brother is a ranch manager, and we used to go a lot before I moved up here.”
