“It fell through. Today, as a matter of fact.”
“Shit, man. That sucks. Have you applied other places?”
“A few.”
“Where?”
“A lab in Fort Collins. Another one in Colorado Springs. A family operation in Taos and Salt Lake City. Two places in Wyoming: Casper and Powell.”
“You leaning toward any in particular?”
“I was intent on Albuquerque.” He shrugged. “Haven’t heard from the others. What about you? You doin’ much traveling for Jackson Stock Contracting 2.0?”
Ike laughed. “Not yet. Hugh is still getting settled in California. Mostly I think he and Harlow are playin’ grab ass until she starts teaching classes, so I’m takin’ it easy while I can. Sifting through old contracts and contacts, trying to sort through which ones would be better for me to approach and which ones I’ll leave to Hugh.”
“What’s Riss doin’?”
“Bein’ a pain in my rear. Calls me every damn day to update the schedule on when she won’t be available because she’s takin’ cattle to market. Like I’m supposed to keep track of that shit?”
“Aren’t you? How else will you know if you’ve got transport to a rodeo if she’s booked the trailer to go to Sioux City to drop off cattle?”
Ike scowled. “I’ve kept everything in my head for years and didn’t need to ‘input data’ into a computer program just so she can double-check it like a damn schoolteacher grading my homework.”
Tobin shook his head. “Dude, don’t be one of those guys, okay?”
“One of what guys?”
“One of the old-timers who refuse to change with the times because ‘there ain’t nothin’ wrong with the way we been doin’ it’. You’re familiar with technology; you used it when you were brokering cattle.”
“There’s just something about Riss demanding that I conform to her way that rubs me the wrong way.” Ike stood. “As soon as you’re done with your paperwork meet me at the Buckeye. First round is on me.”
But it ended up being more than one round.
Tobin lost count after eight rounds.
He kicked Ike’s butt at pool. Four games to one.
Then they switched to darts. Bastard evened the score there and beat him four games to one.
There weren’t any more games to bet on at the Buckeye, so they had a drinking contest.
Bad idea.
Sherry, the bartender, called in a favor—and a sober driver to haul their drunken asses home.
Chapter Twelve
Jade was still up at eleven p.m. when two vehicles tore up the driveway.
One pickup was Tobin’s.
She watched from the porch as two people hauled a body—a big body—out the passenger side.
Tobin half stumbled between a guy on his left side, and a woman on his right side.
Seeing Tobin’s arm draped over the woman’s shoulder . . . Jade had a seething moment of jealousy. She wanted to shove the woman aside and warn her to keep her hands off him.
She’d never been a violent person. Hadn’t understood that feeling of possession, so this overwhelming need to yell, Back off, he’s mine! threw her for a loop. Instead, she curled her hands into fists and dropped them by her sides.
The woman said, “Up you go. Left foot. Nope, your other left. Good. Now your right. Left. Right. Left. Just twenty-seven more to go, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart?
“Pissh off, Rissh. Ain’t that many steps.”
They reached the top step and the woman said, “Where do you want him?”
Jade tipped her chin at the chaise. “At least if he gets sick out here I can hose him and the porch off.”
“I ain’t gonna get shick.”
“Okay, party hearty, sit down first, then slowly turn your body. Hey, can you make sure the head end is up higher?” the woman said to Jade. “He doesn’t need to be in full recline.”
“Sure.” Jade slipped behind the chair and adjusted the pegs until they were almost upright.
“We’re gonna let go now, Tobin. Don’t roll or you will land right on your fool head, got it?”
“Got it. You’re kinda mean, Rissh.” Tobin grinned. “I kinda like that about you.”
Another spike of jealousy had Jade seeing red and scrutinizing the interplay between Tobin and the redheaded woman.
“I kinda like you too, Tobin, when you’re not shitfaced.”
“Sho you’ll go out on a date with me?” Tobin slurred.
The woman’s gaze caught Jade’s and she rolled her eyes. “I am so going to love rubbing it in your face that you only asked me out when you were hammered, Hale.” She stepped away from the chaise and offered her hand. “Hey. I’m Riss. A . . . friend of Tobin’s.”