“Well, fucking plan it now. Wilder, you’re a good friend. I do not blame you at all.”
“It’s taken me a long time to visit you. I wasn’t sure of the reception I’d get.”
“You know me better than that. You were under oath. Everything happens for a reason. My reason for moving here and getting away from Marilyn was to meet Courtney, and quitting was to become a deputy. Let it go, Wilder. Please.”
Wilder blew out a breath. “All right.”
“You’ve lived in Clifton your entire life. Do you know Sam Garrett?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve known Sam for years. Hell of a good man.”
“Yes, he is. I was happy he offered me the job.”
“If you’re happy, then I am too, Nevada. I struggled with you leaving MDOL. I took a three-week vacation and did nothing. It was more to get my thoughts together.”
“Obviously, you mean shave when you say you did nothing, right?”
Wilder grinned, and then they both laughed.
“I started letting it grow right after you quit. I trim it occasionally,” Wilder said as he ran his hand over the beard.
“Do you like it?”
“Nope.”
Nevada chuckled. “Then shave that ugly thing off.”
“I will. Dave already told me to get rid of it.”
Two hours later, he drove home. He knew he had to let it go. If Nevada didn’t blame him, then he needed to stop blaming himself.
Nevada had been one hell of a livestock agent. It happened six months ago, and Nevada seemed happier. That was all Wilder needed to see.
He pulled into the driveway of the home he shared with his brother. It was a beautiful old farmhouse that Nick had gutted and upgraded. The wraparound porch was one of Wilder’s favorite things about it. When their parents sold the ranch, they gave each son money from it, and Nick used it to refurbish the farmhouse their great-grandfather handed down. Nick asked Wilder to live with him. Wilder was sure it was because Nick hoped he’d quit the MDOL and work with him, but Wilder loved his job too much. Even though Nick made a lot of money on the Christmas tree farm, Wilder loved being an agent.
Throwing the door open, he stepped out to head inside. It was finally cooling off, but not much.
After walking up the steps, he wiped his boots on the mat and entered the kitchen. He placed his keys in the dish by the door, removed his hat, and hung it on a peg. After he got some food in him, he needed to relax for the rest of the evening. Since he had most weekends off, he was glad it was Friday. He rubbed his hand over the beard. He’d shave tomorrow.
“Wild?”
“Hey, Nick. Did you already eat?”
“No, I just finished shaping some trees with the men. How about sandwiches? I’m too damn tired to cook or go anywhere.”
“Sure.”
“Let me just grab a quick shower. I won’t be long.”
“Sounds good. I’m beat too.” Wilder saw Nick nod, then disappear down the hallway.
Wilder took a seat in the recliner, raised the footrest, and closed his eyes. He hoped he had the energy to make a sandwich.
****
Rory Heston swore as she drove back to the barn. Someone stole her cows. Two were missing, and she’d have to call the sheriff’s department. She couldn’t afford to lose any cows. She just lost over two thousand dollars because someone thought it was all right to take what belonged to her. What a Saturday this turned out to be.
After parking her truck by the back porch, she walked up the steps and entered the kitchen. It was too damn hot out to be looking for her cows.