Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“You were right.” I smiled as I dabbed my mouth with a napkin. Every bite was more than worth the coordination hassle. The burger was meaty and rich on a buttery brioche roll, while the fries were crispy perfection topped with a garlic-rosemary finish. “Food is good.”
“Glad you like it.” Looking up from his plate, Jude grinned back. If he’d noticed how messy of an eater I was, he didn’t let on. His gaze was as welcoming as ever. “Nice to have someone to enjoy it with.”
As we finished the food, the pretty server returned with our check. Jude and I slapped down credit cards at the same time.
“No, I’ve got it.” Jude handed mine back to me. “My invite, my treat.”
“I’ve got next.” I didn’t want to argue over the check, but I did like to keep things fair. Of course that promise meant a convenient excuse to see Jude again, and I wasn’t complaining.
“Deal.” Jude tipped generously, signing his name to the receipt with a flourish.
I nodded my approval as he pocketed his copy of the receipt. I’d dined with any number of entitled officers over the years, who acted like tipping was a personal affront. I appreciated that Jude’s kind nature extended to those in service positions.
We made our way back to the truck. The sun was flirting with the idea of setting, the long, hot summer day coming to a close, but the air remained warm and dry as we headed back toward Lovelorn. We weren’t that far out of Durango, however, when Jude’s truck started sputtering. He managed to coast to the shoulder of the lonely county highway.
“Shit on a shingle.” Jude thumped his head backward against his headrest.
“Told you. Chevy.” I reached for my door handle. “Pop the hood.”
“Aye aye, Sergeant Jennings.” Jude gave a harsh laugh as he complied before joining me at the front of the truck. Given the age and likely high mileage of his truck, any number of things could be the problem, so I made a thorough inspection of the engine area under the hood.
“Aha!” I made a triumphant noise. “Loose connector. Got a screwdriver?”
“Yep.” Jude rummaged in the backseat before returning with two different sizes of screwdrivers for me to choose from.
“Wire’s almost shot.” I did the best fix I could, but I continued to frown as I stepped back from the truck. “Should get us home.”
“Good.” Jude passed me a towel for my greasy hands. “Guess Luna’s right, and I should think about replacing the truck. I can’t keep breaking down, especially on the way to calls in the middle of nowhere.” He groaned as he leaned against the driver’s side door. “And if I wait, I’m just risking a bigger problem that will tank the trade-in value.”
“Yep.” I shut the hood with a slam, as if that might keep the truck from misbehaving again. Fixing it, even something as simple as a loose connector, felt good. Like working with horses, muscle memory had taken over, and being able to rely on my prior skills made me stand that much taller. Nice being of assistance.
“Hell.” Jude made a frustrated noise as he slid behind the wheel. “Truck shopping means dealing with car salespeople, most of whom know far more about trucks than I do.”
“I know trucks.” I shrugged before buckling up.
“That you volunteering to come along when I go shopping?” Jude asked hopefully.
“Could.” High on the satisfaction of fixing the truck, I smiled, facial muscles as loose and easy as my tone. “I can tell…if you’re…getting fleeced.”
“Good. Definitely bringing you.” Jude gave a decisive nod as he resumed the drive back to Lovelorn. “And thanks for coming tonight. It was good to have company for the meeting and dinner.”
“Meeting wasn’t bad,” I allowed.
I didn’t want to go into great depth about the content of the sharing, but I could admit privately that knowing I wasn’t alone in my frustrations was nice. I also hated needing accommodations and knowing that reality was likely permanent. Plus, simply being there had felt important, a little like being back on duty, being there for my personnel, making sure they felt heard and seen.
“I’ll keep you posted on the next meeting time. Happy to give you a ride.”
“We’ll see,” I said, but this time I actually meant the hedge. I’d consider returning, especially since it meant more time with Jude, more time when I could feel that much more human again. “Text about truck too.”
“Will do. I’ll get your number when we’re back at the ranch.” Jude’s smile widened, all white teeth and full lips. I had to look away.
In the past, I’d always been able to ignore nice smiles from all genders when needed, giving all my focus to the job. However, here, I wasn’t on duty, and Jude wasn’t a subordinate. Risky. Very risky. Yet, I couldn’t help the way my lower back tensed, anticipation already gathering for the next time we met.