“Is everything all right?”
Rory stepped back from Wilder and wiped her eyes. She saw Bernie looking in at them.
“Yes, I just got a little emotional thinking about my cows. I’m fine, Bernie.”
“Yes, ma’am. I understand.” He looked at Wilder.
“Just giving the lady a shoulder to cry on,” Wilder said.
Bernie nodded, then moved down the barn’s aisle.
“I’m sorry,” Wilder whispered. “I lost my head for a minute and didn’t think about anyone being close.”
“It’s all right. Just work with him today. Maybe he’ll say something about it if he’s involved, and you can gain his trust.”
Wilder reared back. “Damn, maybe you should be in law enforcement.”
“Are you making fun of me?”
“Damn straight, I am.” He chuckled when she pushed him.
“Get to work, Richards.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He touched the brim of his hat, strode around her, and out of the barn.
She sighed as she thought about losing more cows. Shaking her head, she hated the idea of calling the insurance company if more cows turned up missing, but that’s why she had coverage. Rory was sure she wasn’t the only person filing claims about missing livestock.
****
Later that afternoon, Wilder led the cow out of the milking parlor. He put her in the corral close to the barns.
“Come on, Boo-boo,” he said, then chuckled at the name. “Who names a cow Boo-boo?”
“I do.”
He spun around to see Rory behind him, then turned to hide a grin.
“Yes, ma’am. Well, she is your cow.”
“She’s my favorite, followed by Bugaboo.”
Wilder snorted, making Rory laugh.
“Boo-boo and Bugaboo. Did you name all of them?”
“No. Too many for that. I only named a few.”
“Your favorites, right?” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“Of course. I’ll let you get to work. I have to work on the books.”
“You know, you never answered me about spending a night at my place.”
“I’d love to.” She looked around the barn, stood on her toes, quickly kissed his lips, and then strode from the barn.
Wilder grinned as he watched her walk away, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off her ass covered in those tight Wranglers. He hoped the weeks flew by.
The next night, he knew he had to get busy figuring out who was doing the rustling. As he lay on the bunkbed, he watched Buster, Joel, Bernie, and Duane playing poker while Abe straddled a chair, eating a sandwich, and watching. Wilder knew Abe and Hal were working tonight and Abe would be heading back to the parlors after he ate. The men were drinking, laughing, and having a good time, and all he could think was who was in on the theft of Rory’s cows.