Stopping just under the tree, he pulled her into his arms.
“This is good?” He needed to hear it from her. Wanted to make sure she wasn’t having second thoughts about him. It had been days since they’d been together. Too many days.
Kara smiled and he relaxed. “Yes, this is good.” She lifted onto her toes and kissed him. “Which surprises me, and I think surprises you too.”
He shrugged. “I had a clue it would be.”
She nudged his shoulder, then her smile slipped a little as she looked over her shoulder. “There’s a truck outside of your place.” She motioned.
He glanced over and groaned. “Shit.” He dropped his arms and started heading towards his truck at top speed while he pulled out his phone to call Daryl.
Kara was on his heels. “What can I do?” she asked just as Daryl picked up.
“It’s okay, boss,” Daryl said. “It’s Bucky.”
“I’ll be there soon.” He hung up. “It’s Bucky. Not my uncle.” His pace slowed.
“What do you need?” she asked when they reached his truck.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her until they both relaxed into one another. “You,” he answered. “Just you.”
“Tomorrow at the Firehouse. I’ll plan on you driving me home,” she said with a smile, then she pushed him towards his truck.
“Kara?” he said, getting in the truck.
“Yeah?”
“I plan on waking up with you the following morning.” When she nodded, he shut the door and headed back to his place.
Sure enough, Bucky was standing on his front porch when he parked next to the new truck.
Bucky—no one knew or remembered what the man’s last name was… maybe Bucky was his last name—was a Cedar staple. He was one of the largest business owners in the area, which earned him instant respect.
However, since Bucky was close to Nick’s uncle, he was always cautious around the man. Nick and his father had always traveled to Casper for any of their vehicle needs.
“Nice day,” Bucky said when Nick stopped beside him.
“Sure is,” Nick answered and then motioned to the truck. “Looks like you changed your mind about working with my uncle.”
Bucky nodded and then slapped Nick’s shoulder. “It’s your problem now.”
“Mine?” Nick shook his head as Bucky started walking towards another waiting truck. “I never signed a loan with you.”
Bucky stopped and looked at him. “Your ranch was put up as collateral for this truck and the other two vehicles. When I get them back from Wilbert, they’ll be delivered here. My office will be in contact about payments—”
“Like hell,” Nick broke in as he pulled out his phone and called his lawyer. “Stephen, I’ve got Bucky here trying to unload those three vehicles my uncle tried to purchase with the fake deed.”
“What?” Stephen answered, then groaned. “Shit. I’ll be right over. Don’t say or sign anything.”
When Stephen showed up half an hour later, Bucky was fuming. Nick had sat down on the porch after telling the man he was not taking possession of anything and waited without a word while Bucky paced and cursed.
“Someone’s gonna pay for these,” Bucky shouted at Stephen. “I special ordered these all the way from Denver for Wilbert.”
“And Wilbert is currently sitting in the county jail for fraud.”
“Wait,” Nick broke in. “If you special ordered these and my uncle took possession of them the day after my father’s funeral… When did he order these?”
Bucky frowned. “The beginning of November.”
“Long before my father was even in the hospital?” he asked, and Bucky nodded. Nick growled and stormed towards the front door. “I’m expecting you to handle this,” he said to Stephen and then slammed the door behind him while he went inside to call his aunt and get more details.
If this was true, his uncle had been planning this for a while. Which just pissed Nick off even more.
Chapter Thirteen
The next night, Kara and Liz walked into the Firehouse and within minutes had drinks in their hands as they headed to the dance floor.
Liz had come over early with several outfit choices and had settled on a black top that pushed up her ample Ds, a tight black skirt, and her red cowboy boots, which she said were lucky. Kara wore a white bustier with her jean skirt and her black cowboy boots. Even though Kara’s Cs were no comparison, the bustier showcased them well enough that the moment they had stepped inside, she had caught several men staring. Most likely they were looking at Liz, but Kara didn’t mind. Nick had promised to meet them there.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Nick waved to her from across the dance floor. Since her drink was empty, she made her way towards him and watched his eyes heat when he noticed what she was wearing. He had on a dark gray T-shirt, jeans, and his boots and hat. He looked every part the cowboy.
“Hey, cowboy,” she said, leaning against him. “Want to dance?”
“Wow,” he said, running his eyes over her face. “Just wow.”
She stepped back and did a little twirl for him. “You like?”
“That outfit should be illegal,” Nick said, pulling her back into his arms and kissing her.
“That kiss should be illegal in public,” Liz said from beside them, causing them both to laugh. “I need a drink.” Her friends’ eyes narrowed on Nick. “You’re buying. I want a burger and fries too.” She pointed at him and walked over to take a seat in a booth.
Kara laughed and then shrugged towards Nick. “It’s the price you have to pay for crashing tonight.”
He kissed her again. “One I’m willing to pay. Go, sit down. I’ll order. Burger?”
“And fries and another one of these.” She held up her beer. He took the empty bottle and made his way towards the counter while she went over and sat next to Liz.
“He’s got it bad for you,” Liz said.
“What makes you say that?” she asked, leaning on her friend.
“I recognize the look,” Liz answered.
“Like you’ve ever seen the look before.” She rolled her eyes. “When have you been in love?”
“Not me personally. But I have had plenty of men fall in love with me,” Liz joked.
Kara laughed. “Like who?”
“Whom, and…” Liz glanced around the room and started pointing and naming off several of the men in the bar.
“That wasn’t love,” Kara said, just as someone sat at their table. Believing it was Nick, she smiled and glanced over. Her smile fell away instantly when she saw Willy sitting next to her.
“Well, well. We heard there was a party going on here tonight,” Willy said as two of his buddies, Dean and Mike, sat in the empty spots.
Dean was built a lot like Willy—thick everywhere and not necessarily with muscles. Mike, however, was tall and thin and worked at the mill. Kara knew that the guy could lift bales of hay without even breaking a sweat. The three of them together would easily scare anyone they ganged up on.