Wilder gritted his teeth before he said something he’d regret.
“I’m not fucking her, so get that out of your head. I have a woman.”
Bernie laughed. “Like that makes a difference. You know, get a little strange once in a while.”
“Fuck off, Bernie. Some men have morals, but obviously you’re not one of them.”
“Yeah, man. Whatever. Let’s just get back and get to work.”
“Fine by me.”
Wilder followed along and tried to rein in his temper, but the more he thought about it, the more pissed he became. Rory was an excellent boss to her men. She provided a home for them and paid them good money.
Wilder had told Rory that people do anything to get more money.He knew it was tearing her apart trying to accept that her men were behind it.Things had to get moving so he could arrest them.
“Damn it,” he swore.
They rode back into the barn an hour later, dismounted, then cooled the horses down.
After putting the horse out in the corral, Wilder got the wheelbarrow and rake, then headed for the first stall. Someone had already taken the horses out.
“Mighty big of you. You could have shoveled some of this shit too,” Wilder muttered.
“Talking to yourself?”
He glanced over his shoulder to see Rory in the doorway.
“I am.”
“Do you do that a lot?” she said with a smile, throwing his words back at him.
Wilder smirked. “Only since I’ve been here.”
Rory laughed, and he loved hearing it. He knew she was going through a rough time, and it was about to get worse. He frowned, and the smile left her face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing that can’t wait. I have to get this finished.”
“Wilder—”
“Rory, please. I’ll get with you later.”
He heard her sigh, then she left the stall, and he leaned the rake against the wall, removed his gloves, and hung his head.
A shadow fell across him, and he looked over to see Hal in the doorway.
“I’m just getting started.”
“I’m not here about that. Let’s talk.”
“Sure. About what?”
“Here,” Hal said as he handed him an envelope.
“What’s this?” he asked as he took it.
“Your cut.”