Chapter 77

“That’s an awesome idea, Wade!” Allyson said.

Wade glanced at her, surprised. “You think so?” Hope filled him and he wondered if they could really see the possibilities.

“Yes. I mean, I have no idea how one works, but you have a lot of unused land and there isn’t one in town, or even that close. Don’t you think it’s a great idea, honey?”

Casey came out of his stupor. “Um, yes? I mean, where did this come from? Was this your idea, Lance?”

“It’s been a dream of mine for years, Casey. But Lance is onboard with the idea.”

“I can help with all the legal issues,” Lance interjected. “I know you have a lot to talk about, but you can ask me anything about the process, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll definitely find out for you.”

“Oh, God…does this mean we have to plant trees?” Landon’s question came out as more of a whine.

Wade chuckled. “Yes, but don’t worry, you’d have to plant only two or three hundred by yourself.”

Landon’s jaw fell until he realized Wade was messing with him. “Ha-ha, funny man.”

Jake laughed. “I can’t believe you fell for that.”

Wade turned his attention back to Casey. “I’ve written up—I mean, we’vewritten up the start of a proposal. I still need to get more information about cost, and of course, we have a lot of questions, but I think we could have it up and running in two or three years.”

“Let’s take a look at what you’ve got after dinner. Meet in the great room?”

Wade grinned. “Sounds good.”

“So, I hear we’re all going out to see Landon Thursday?” Allyson asked,

Thank goodness she had changed the subject, because Wade was pretty sure he was grinning like a fool. Lance, wore a big smile, too.

After dinner, Lance set up his laptop in the great room, then started to leave.

Wade grabbed his arm. “Where are you going?”

“I figured you guys would want some privacy to read the proposal and talk, right?”

Wade twined their fingers. “This involves the Dwyer Ranch. You’re part of that now. You should be there.”

Lance swallowed hard and Wade couldn’t help but stare at the way his Adam’s apple bobbed. He fought the urge to lick him right there, knowing anyone could walk in on them. Then it hit him that maybe Lance didn’t want to participate. Maybe he was thinking he would still be leaving at the end of the year and he didn’t want to offer any input on the ranch.

Lance squeezed his hand. “Not sure what’s going on in that head of yours, but the happy look in your eyes went away.”

Damn. Lance could already read his moods. “I wondered…if maybe you didn’t really wantto be part of the conversation tonight?”

“I do. I promise, Wade. I was just surprised you wanted me there.” He laughed. “For fuck’s sake, we sound like we’re in sixth grade and we’re talking to our first crushes. Do you like me? Check the box, right?”

Wade laughed and pulled him closer so he could whisper in Lance’s ear. “You were my first crush. And if it hasn’t been obvious, I definitelylike you. So, yeah, check that box.” Satisfied to feel Lance shudder, he kissed his cheek just as Casey entered.

They had a lot to talk about. 18

Lance

Despite the fear that Milton Randle was going to pull some crap, the first half of the week passed fairly uneventfully. Security cameras were installed and monitors were set up in the house, but everyone decided to continue with the nightly patrols, just in case.

Wade had pulled the duty on Wednesday night and was crawling into bed just as Lance was leaving for work Thursday morning.

He sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Wade’s arm. “Hey. How’d it go?”

Wade yawned as his eyelids started to close. “Jake tried to come out and run the perimeter with me. I’d told Charlie he shouldn’t let him, but the kid insisted. I finally sent him home around two this morning. He was falling asleep on the horse.”

Lance’s gut roiled and he pressed his lips together in a tight line. “You were alone all night?”

Wade’s eyes flew open and he pulled himself up to a sitting position, leaning his back against the headboard. “Hey, I was fine. I’m a big boy, you know.”

He shook his head and gritted his teeth. “Milton is bonkers. You don’t know what he’s going to pull next.”

Wade’s lips curved into a small smile and his honey brown eyes twinkled. “Are you seriously worried about me, Lance?”

Heat rose in his cheeks and he realized how silly he might be acting. But damn it, Milton was psychotic. He leaned back his head and stared at the ceiling. When had he become the worrying kind? Wade was a strong man and was more than capable of defending himself. He sighed and looked at Wade again, who was still smiling. “I just don’t trust him, Wade. What if he sends a group to hurt you? What if he’s seen the cameras and is pissed off?”

“Oh, he definitely knows about the cameras.”

Lance froze. “How? I thought they were hidden.”

Wade squeezed his hand. “One of his hands already found the cameras and got a message over to Jake that they knew. Sort of a ‘ha-ha—you tried to pull one over on us but we found out’ kind of thing.”

Lance raised an eyebrow. “When did this happen?”

“Yesterday. I heard about it last night when I was with Jake. He’d just told Casey. Pissed my brother off something fierce.”

“Then I say again, that won’t help us catch Milton.”

Wade grinned. “Maybe, but think about it, Lance. Milton is so sure of himself and so sure that he has the town in his pocket—no matter how many times the sheriff warns him to stop—that he’s going to trip up. He’s so narcissistic, he probably thinks he’s smarter than the cameras. But either way, Lance, we win. If he does try something, the cameras will catch it or if he doesn’t try something, then the cameras are actually a good deterrent.”

Lance wasn’t sure what to think, but he was also a little distracted by the stubble covering his husband’s face. He traced his fingers over the stubble. “I don’t trust him. He’s not smart, but he’s got money and that’s all it takes to get things done. I’m sure that’s how he got someone—or several people—to torture the cattle.”

Wade leaned into Lance’s hand and clasped it. “He’s an ass and yeah, he’s nuts, but I’m not so sure he still has a lot of money. When I was over there the day of our wedding, I thought I was looking at a completely different ranch. The house is in disrepair—the barn, too—and the grounds looked awful. He’s not keeping up the place and I have to wonder about his finances.”

“He sure struts around town like he’s got money to burn. Wonder where the money went? Wait…if he’s out of money, or not as rich as he used to be, why does he want to buy the land?”

“He’s always wanted our land. And if he really is having financial issues, he probably assumes he can get a loan from the bank. Think about it…he’s been part of this town for decades and he’s had more than a few city officials in his pockets.”

Lance pressed his lips to Wade. He was tired of thinking about Milton and he had to get to the office. Wade pulled him closer, drawing out their kiss. Lance’s belly flipped in his gut and he thrilled once again at his new life. Being in Wade’s arms was a dream come true and he hated pulling away. Unfortunately, life intervened.