[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
elusive clue that will tie a suspect to the crime, Carl will be fine.
What if he doesn t find a clue? Trace asked, expressing what
worried him the most. No one, least of all his lover, should have
to deal with continued crimes that wreaked havoc with his life.
Vincent wrapped his arm around Trace s shoulders and started
leading him back toward the front of the barn and the rest of the
guys. Don t worry. After a time, petty crooks like this get sloppy.
They ll make a mistake.
Pulling away, Trace glared at his friend. These things
happening to Laramie aren t petty, he snapped. They re
threatening his livelihood. They could put him out of business.
It just irritated Trace more when Vincent rolled his eyes.
Fortunately, the other firefighter s words calmed him a bit. I
mean petty because they re foolishly done. Carl has asked around
the community, and Laramie has no other enemies, he muttered,
keeping his voice low. His neighbors don t have a problem with
him because his farm is well maintained and he keeps the facilities
clean, which means there isn t much smell even though he deals
with pigs, he said, pointing at the dozen low slung pig barns that
took up several acres south of the house. His clients love him
because he delivers quality product, on time. Hell, he s not even in
debt, other than the house and a new tractor. His uncle had a hell
of a brain for business, and he passed it on to Laramie.
Trace stumbled back a step, his jaw open in shock. How
how the hell do you know all this? he whispered fiercely. He was
aware of most of what Vincent had just rattled off, except the
neighbors part. He and Laramie had spent a number of hours
chatting about their pasts. In fact, the only thing they d never
discussed was the future. Maybe I need to change that.
Vincent s face flushed and he ran a hand through his dark hair.
Look, you didn t hear it from me, okay? Carl would skin me
alive if he knew I d said anything. Just, Vincent shook his head.
Case information is supposed to be sensitive, and the only reason
he mentioned it to me is because he s your He paused,
63
Charlie Richards
obviously searching for the right term.
Boyfriend? Trace whispered.
Vincent s brow lifted and the corners of his lips twitched.
Does he know that?
Trace resumed walking. Probably not.
Uh huh.
Without turning around, Trace lifted a hand and gave him the
finger.
No thanks! Vincent called, laughing.
Trace chuckled as well, because really, it was funny in an ironic
kind of way. He hadn t been looking for a new boyfriend, but he
hadn t been with any other men since that first time with Laramie.
Even when he went dancing, he d left alone. His brows shot up.
Before he could ponder the situation any more, Sam hailed
him. Trace, we re ready to start the stalls, you up for that?
Sure, sure, he replied. As long as someone else cuts the
boards and tells me where to hold them, I m your man, he told
him, grinning.
Roger snorted, his green eyes twinkling as he teased, Ain t
that the truth. You can t use a measuring tape to save your life.
It really was true. He d tried to build a dog house with the
guys for one of their fellow firefighters and it didn t matter how
carefully he measured, he always got the distances wrong.
Trace smirked. Good thing I got you to take care of that manly
duty, Roger, he said, batting his eyelashes.
A water bottle came flying at his head. Trace caught it on
reflex, winked at Roger, then opened the plastic container and
swigged down half the contents. Thanks.
They got to work on the interior of the building, and Trace
managed to mostly concentrate on what he was doing.
64
Piggyback
Chapter Nine
aramie wiped the sweat from his brow after tying off the
L
last strand of wire.
Finally, Dirk muttered from next to him.
Chuckling, Laramie nodded. Yeah. Of course, the bastards
had to make the hole wide enough to drive three trucks through.
Argg, he grunted, stretching at the waist and popping his back.
Damn, his hand snickered. That sounded like it hurt.
Naw, Laramie replied. It felt good. Self-induced
chiropractic adjustment, he said, winking.
Dirk rolled his eyes and picked up their tools. He shoved them
into his saddlebags and mounted. So, what s with those guys
building the new barn? I thought you said the construction
company couldn t get it done for another couple months, he said.
Laramie crossed to the mount Todd had brought him earlier
and swung into the saddle. Yeah, looks like my, uh, buddy,
called in a few favors to get it done earlier, he said, stumbling
over his words.
That was nice of him, Dirk said, his horse falling into step
beside Laramie s as they headed back toward the farmhouse.
Yeah, Laramie murmured. Come on. I m ready for supper.
He urged his horse into a ground eating lope, knowing Dirk
would follow. He didn t really want to try to figure out why Trace
had done this for him. This kind of action didn t seem to fall into
the category of fuck buddy or friend. Trace seemed like a pretty
straight-forward guy. If he d wanted something more, wouldn t
he have said something?
Maybe this is his way of doing that. You d like that, wouldn t you?
65
Charlie Richards
To have a steady man as sexy as that?
Shit, he muttered, trying to ignore the little voice in his head.
Laramie had no delusions about a player like Trace. He wouldn t
stick around for long. It was best to keep this firmly in the friends-
with-benefits category.
He rode into the yard and his jaw dropped open, shock
coursing through his system. He reined in his horse, staring.
Where there had previously been just a flat piece of earth when
he d left stood a massive barn. Laramie gaped at the structure as
Dirk rode up and stopped next to him.
Wow, boss, the man muttered. Your, uh, friend yeah, he s
a keeper if he can pull this shit together.
Laramie s jaw snapped shut and his brows shot up as he
watched his stable hand trot toward the structure and the group
of men lounging on and around the tailgate of a red dodge pick-
up. Shaking his head, Laramie nudged his horse to get it walking
again.
He recognized Vincent and Carl, and the foreman Sam. The
other two men looked familiar, but he couldn t remember who
they were. Trace was not among them, and he didn t like the spike
of disappointment that went through him. Especially, since it was
immediately alleviated when he saw the man s truck still parked
by the porch, meaning that his lover was around here somewhere.
Swinging his leg over his horse s back, Laramie dismounted.
Wow, guys, he called, making certain a smile was on his face.
This is amazing! How the hell did you get this done so fast?
Well, it s not completely finished yet, Vincent said, striding
forward. He held out a beer, which Laramie gratefully took. We
still need to hang the stall and tack room doors, put fixture
coverings on, and a couple other things. A few of us will come out
in the morning and take care of it, he assured.
Laramie shook his head. You really don t have to do that. If
you make a list, the hands and I will finish those things up. In
truth, he d end up doing them himself because everyone was so
busy, but he hated feeling any more indebted to these men than
he already did.
Nonsense, Carl replied, wrapping an arm around Vincent s
66
Piggyback
shoulders. We already know what needs to be done. Me and
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]