Chapter 31

I remained there for a while, just enjoying the fading view of the mountains, when I heard footsteps approaching. Frowning, I wondered who on earth it could be, since all the hands, including Melvin, lived in town and had left over an hour ago. Before I could say anything, someone leaned up against the fence next to me.

“Didn’t see you at the grill today, which was a shame since we had to endure Bulldog’s cooking until I volunteered to take over. Wondered where you’d gone,” a strong voice said, and I recognized it immediately. He was one of the sheriff’s cronies, but not as rowdy as the rest of the bunch. I remembered it had been months since he’d stopped by.

I looked at him and smirked. “You sayin’ you missed me, specifically, or my cooking, Sam Kinsey? What with all the fresh meat around you this afternoon, it was easy pickings. So, I don’t believe you.”