Beneath the Stetson(43)
* * *
Bailey peeked through half-closed lashes, eyeing the buzzard that circled far overhead. Had she and Gil been comatose that long? She lifted her hand and squinted at her watch. Almost four o’clock. By the time they put themselves to rights and finished the drive to Midland, Cade would be waiting on them.
She nudged her lover’s shoulder. “Gil.”
“Hmm?” He didn’t stir.
“We have to go.”
“I bought us an extra hour,” he mumbled.
“We’ve used that and more. I’m serious. Move, Addison.”
He levered himself up on one elbow and blinked. “Crankiness is not a nice trait in a woman,” he said. “Maybe you could work on that.”
His droll humor made her smile. “Duly noted.”
He helped her to her feet and she leaned into him, relishing the intimate feel of skin-to-skin contact.
Gil pinched her bottom. “I’d kill for a shower.”
“Yes, well...you’re the one who opted for alfresco shenanigans.”
“You’re the only person I know who could use that word with a straight face.” He kissed her nose.
“It’s a perfectly good word.”
“Do they teach you that in law enforcement training?” He lowered his voice. “I’ve got a sixty-two fifty-one down at the Motel Six. Shenanigans without a license.”
She burst out laughing. “You are so full of it. Get dressed before someone comes to arrest us.”
They were woefully unprepared for the aftermath of their romp. Fortunately, Gil remembered a container of wet wipes in the glove box. With the aid of those and the items in her purse, Bailey was able to restore her appearance to some semblance of dignity and decorum. Though she had left home looking perky and fresh, she was now definitely disheveled.
It didn’t help that Gil kept trying to snitch her bra or tweak unprotected body parts. And that was not the only distraction standing in her way. Who could help noticing the breadth of his muscled shoulders or the fact that even now, he was semierect. As if his hunger had been only partially sated by their coupling.
But at last, they finally climbed back into the truck and headed out to the highway. When they made it onto even pavement, Gil shot her a look. “I have a favor to ask.”
She pulled down the visor mirror and checked her reflection, wetting her finger to remove a tiny bit of something stuck to her eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure you used up all your markers back in Dry Gulch.”
“I’m serious.”
“Okay.” She closed the mirror. “Tell me.”
“I’m meeting up with a friend tomorrow morning and helicoptering three counties over to check on some stud bulls we hope to buy. I use a high school girl in town to babysit Cade in the evenings whenever I need her. But it occurred to me that he would really enjoy spending part of the day with you. Chance has activities for children out at the ranch, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. But you don’t have to do this. I don’t need a grand gesture to prove that you trust me with your son. It isn’t necessary.”
“So you don’t want to hang out with him?”
She sighed. “Of course I do.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Now seemed as good a time as any to share the news she had been sitting on since midday. “I talked to my boss when I went home to change clothes.”
“You called him?” Gil’s jaw was tight.
“No. He called me. Apparently as soon as we left the hospital, Rodrigo del Toro did some digging and went up the chain of command. He informed my boss that he would assume responsibility for the investigation since he had unlimited funds and Alex was safely back at home.”
The word Gil said under his breath was harsh. “So that’s it? The state drops the case without a resolution?”
“No, of course not. But del Toro doesn’t like working with a woman, and he holds the purse strings right now, unfortunately. They’ll send someone else to step in for me here in Royal. And besides, I’m needed back in Dallas to take over a new case.”
“When?” It wasn’t her imagination. He was pale beneath his tan.
She swallowed, feeling on the defensive and not sure why. “This coming Thursday. I have to wrap up all my notes and file a final report.”
“I see.”
The next few miles passed in uneasy silence. She didn’t understand Gil’s reaction. It was no secret that her assignment in Royal was temporary. Perhaps Gil was angry because Alex’s kidnapper hadn’t been apprehended.
“I don’t think you have to worry about public safety,” she said, after at least fifteen minutes had elapsed on the dashboard clock. “We’re almost ninety percent sure that Alex was targeted specifically. This isn’t some rogue criminal who poses a threat to the general population. And now that Mr. del Toro is here―with money to spare for security details―I think any real danger is minimal.”