“Sit,” Dave said as he strode around his desk and sat.
“What’s up, boss?” he asked as he took a seat.
Dave stared at him, and Wilder did all he could not to squirm.
“I’m going to come right to the point. The beard has to go. We’re out there in public, and we have to look presentable.”
“And I don’t?”
“No, you sure as shit don’t. Shave it off, Wilder. It’s way too long. Make it a close-cropped one if you want to have a beard.” He leaned back in his chair. “I know you blame yourself for Nevada quitting, but it was his decision. I was there, remember?”
“Yes, sir. Reece suggested I talk to him.”
“I agree. Now, get back to work, and I want that beard gone or shaved down by next Monday.”
When Dave pulled some papers across his desk to look at, Wilder got to his feet and made his way back to his desk.
Friday, after work, Wilder walked out of the office, climbed into his truck, opened the glove box, and found the piece of paper with Nevada’s address on it. Then he entered the address into his GPS. He sighed and pulled out of the parking lot.
They’d been friends for years. Since the academy and became agents at the MDOL at the same time. He wondered what reception he’d get as he drove toward Nevada’s place.
Wilder had been happy when Nevada transferred to the Clifton office, but now Nevada was a deputy instead of a livestock agent.
Blowing out a breath, Wilder slowed the truck when the GPS told him he had reached his destination. He pulled onto the berm and tried to gain the courage to see his friend and discover how he truly felt.
He took a deep breath, turned into the driveway, and drove up to the house.When he drove up the tree-lined driveway and the house came into view, he let out a whistle. The land surrounding the house was gorgeous, with large pine trees. About a hundred yards from the house, a barn and corral sat. The place was beautiful.
Wilder knew about Nevada having money. When his parents were killed in a plane crash, he inherited everything since he was an only child, but Wilder didn’t realize just how much money he had until he saw this place.
He stopped at the front porch and looked toward the door. Flowerpots hung from the roof of the porch, and bushes with flowers sat along the front of the house. He took another deep breath, blew it out, and stepped from the truck.
Glancing around, he didn’t see anyone, so he walked up the steps, knocked on the door, and heard a dog barking. The door opened, and a beautiful woman with hair the color of wheat looked at him with a smile on her face.
“Hi, can I help you?”
“Uh, yes, ma’am. Is Nevada around?”
“He’s in the barn,” she said as she pointed over his shoulder.
Wilder glanced at the barn and back at her. He touched the brim of his cowboy hat and smiled.
“Thank you. I’ll just head over there.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“No, ma’am. We worked together at MDOL, and I just wanted to stop in to see him.”
“Oh, okay. You’ll either find him in his office or at the indoor corral.”
“Thank you,” he said and turned to walk down the steps.
It was hotter than hell today. The sun beat down on his shoulders, and dust wafted up from under his boots as he made his way to the barn. He let his eyes adjust when he stepped inside, then walked down the aisle.
He grinned at seeing the horses. He loved them and had two of his own, but he’d love to have more.
He rubbed a few velvety noses, then stopped at the door withOfficeabove it, but it was dark inside, so he headed further into the barn. He could see Nevada standing at the rail surrounding the corral.
Wilder stepped up beside him, and when Nevada glanced over, he did a double-take. A big grin lit up his face, and Wilder sighed with relief.