But Nathan kept Dad’s message from me, and when I found out, he did what he was so good at: convinced me that traveling home to be with Cocoa would have been pointless, then made me feel weak for crying about it.She’s just a horse, Linnea. Quit overreacting.
By the time I finish up, it’s dusk, the sun a lemony stain behind hazy clouds on the western horizon and the temperature dropping by the minute. When two pairs of headlights sweep across the barn entrance, Bruneau takes off, tail wagging.
I swallow my disappointment that Dad’s brought a guest. It’s not unusual, but I was looking forward to a low-key evening just the two of us. After parking the wheelbarrow, I grab my coat from the feed room. When I step outside, a gust of wind kicks up a pocket of snow, blinding me for an instant.
A truck door thumps shut, then a second one, followed by the murmur of voices from the driveway and an excitedwooffrom Bruneau.
Maybe it’s his FBI friend, Luke. Or an outdoorsy citizen is here to talk shop. Though that last option is more likely during hunting season.
Just as I swivel to slide the barn doors shut, Dad’s guest steps into the glow from our porch light. A ripple of unease fires under my skin. I stare, not quite believing it.
But even from a distance, I’d know that scruffy jawline and head of wild, dark curls.
What in the hell is CJ doing here?
My heart hammers against my ribs while I try to make sense of his presence. He’s here with Dad. They arrived together. That’s not a coincidence.
I square my shoulders and walk toward where CJ’s crouched to pet Bruneau so I can get ahead of this disaster.
When I step into the light, Dad shoots me a warm smile. “Hey, Linn.”
CJ looks up, and for a split second, those stormy eyes brighten. It makes me melt just a little because how nice is it that he’s happy to see me?
But I quickly shoot him a look that saysdon’t you dare bring up the Sweetwaterbefore I step into Dad’s side hug. “Hey, Pop.”
“CJ, this is my daughter, Linnea,” Dad says when I step back.
“Hello.” He gives me a polite nod, and his smile looks tight, but I can’t worry about his feelings right now.
Damn him for being just as handsome as that night we danced and fooled around. Those wild curls framing his storm-blue eyes and bearded jaw, and the dark green uniform pants hugging strong thighs and his trim waist. Just one glance and already my heartbeat is skipping faster, heat traveling down, down.
“Okay if CJ joins us?” Dad’s question snaps my attention away from CJ. “We didn’t get through everything at HQ this afternoon, and?—”
“It’s fine,” I tell him while the words ricochet inside my skull. HQ, as in the Gibbs field office. As in…
Fuck!
The realization steals my breath. CJ works with Dad.
“Dinner’s mostly ready,” I rush to add.
“Can I help?” CJ’s tone is way too eager for this awkward exchange.
“No,” Dad and I say in unison.
Dad’s grumpy tone takes me by surprise, but I paste on a reassuring smile. “It’ll just take me a minute. And sounds like you guys have work to do.”
Dad thanks me but I’m already heading for the house.
Inside, after trading my boots for my house slippers, I continueinto the kitchen while reality sets in. That new job CJ wouldn’t tell me about? The one he felt the need to celebrate with a night at the Sweetwater and a fancy stay at the Shore Lodge?
CJ is Idaho’s newest conservation officer. And his mentor is none other than my dad.
Fuck my life.
Chapter Nine
A shotof whiskey would help. I shake this off, but the voice that lives in my mind has been yammering all afternoon, and it’s just gotten a new reason to get loud.