Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
JB strode over to the SUV and flung himself behind the wheel while Cole climbed inside a second later. He looked to see Logan fuming in the early-afternoon sun for another second before stomping over to his truck.
“Friendly neighbor,” Cole said softly, breaking the silence of the SUV.
JB huffed a laugh, letting the cool air from the AC wash over him while he watched Logan thunder away in a cloud of dust and spitting gravel. “Yeah, he’s an interesting one. Luckily, he’s a relatively small pain in my ass most days, and the rest of our neighbors are much more agreeable.” Turning to look over at Cole, he lifted an eyebrow. “If I’m remembering right, you’re one of Rowe’s hackers.”
“Yes.”
“Rowe train you to be a bodyguard too?”
“Technically, no. I’ve taken some basic self-defense classes from Sven, one of our bodyguards, and I spar a little with the guys when they need a large object to punch at.”
JB laughed. “You’re definitely that. But what were you gonna do?”
“I’ve found that in many cases I don’t need to do anything but stand there silently. Most people see that as enough of a threat.”
Shaking his head, JB threw the SUV into drive and started toward the guest house down a side road off the main drive. “Yeah, I can see that.”
“But I do know how to handle myself in a fight. I would have had your back.”
“Thanks,” JB murmured, trying to squash the sudden flight of butterflies. Hot and protective. Oh, yeah. He was seriously screwed, and not in the fun way.
Chapter Four
Everything was bigger than Cole had expected, but maybe that was just a Texas thing.
The two-story main house had a wide front porch that stretched across the whole of the house, its white siding and red brick looking pristine despite all the dust floating around. A large barn sat behind the house some ways out, and horses gathered in the corrals while another held cows. He spotted another barn and people were hard at work everywhere he looked. More cattle milled about farther out. Lots of cattle.
Nerves tightened his gut. What the hell was he going to do out here? He was used to city living. Also, he felt bad about throwing his presence into what looked like quite the operation. What had Rowe been thinking? He looked out over the beautiful hills and felt completely out of place.
They parked in front of a cute white clapboard house. JB led him past the veranda and into a combination living and dining room with a small kitchen along the far wall. He had an L-shaped gray couch, a desk in a tiny den, and a four-seating dining table. Pictures of what Cole was assuming was the ranch graced the walls, and he wondered who the photographer was. One was of a gorgeous sunset, striped in red and orange.
“I live here, but it has an extra bedroom, so I hope you don’t mind sharing. I could put you up at the main house, but I figured you’d enjoy the privacy here more. I know I do.” JB smiled and walked down a short hallway past one door. “That’s my room. Yours is here. You can set up your computer equipment in the den. Unfortunately, there isn’t room in your bedroom.”
Cole peeked in the open doorway to confirm it. It was a neat and tidy room, but there was space for only a bed, dresser, and a couple of nightstands. “I’m sure it’s fine. I appreciate you having me.”
“Happy to.” JB set Cole’s suitcases on the bed in the small room.
Cole eyed the handmade quilt and immediately moved the suitcases to the floor. He’d hate to snag the colorful thing. “It’s a beautiful quilt.”
“My grandmother made it. She used to keep us in pretty quilts and we still use them, though she’s long passed.”
“My mother makes pillows and throws for my place.”
“My mother is like one of the ranch hands. Not a creative bone in her body.” JB laughed. “You’ll see. She’s a country woman through and through. Was born in a pair of cowboy boots. She does have a way with the horses, though. Like magic.” He backed out of the room. “I’ll leave you to get settled. I have more work to do outside, and we’ll have dinner here tonight.”
“Thanks,” Cole said as JB disappeared down the hall.
The bedroom was small but bright with the afternoon sunlight streaming in. He quickly unpacked his clothes, putting most of them in the dresser while hanging up his shirts to hopefully pull out the wrinkles. Then he took out his phone and hit the button for Quinn, who answered after the second ring.
“All settled in at the ranch?” Quinn asked.
Cole could easily picture him in their office, his dark hair mussed, his black-framed glasses perched on his nose. “I don’t have a workspace set up yet, but I’m all unpacked and ready for this vacation. What’s going on there? Any news on Briggs yet?”