Read Cattle Valley 27 - Alone in a Crowd for Free Online Page B

wore. “Don’t tell him, but once in a while it’s nice to have an evening to myself.” “I wouldn’t know anything about that. Since Rio and I got together with Nate, I can’t
think of a single night I’ve spent on my own.” Of course he’d been alone when he’d gone to
Oklahoma, but Ryan didn’t count that because he’d been in no mood to enjoy the solitude. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Kit asked.
“Think carefully before you answer that question,” Rio said, coming up behind Ryan to
wrap an arm around his waist.
Ryan chuckled. “It’s a very good thing. I can’t imagine not being forced to eat my
vegetables every night.”
Rio nipped Ryan’s earlobe. “If I didn’t make sure you ate right, you’d live on
microwave popcorn and nachos.”
“Yep,” Ryan agreed. “I’d be fat and happy.”
“And celibate,” Rio added, patting Ryan’s flat stomach.
Drake Smith walked towards the bar, a friendly expression on his too-handsome face. If
Ryan didn’t know Drake, he definitely would be jealous of the man, but he knew for a fact
that Drake didn’t date. Hell, the man’s life was his job, Drake even lived in Asa’s building so
he could be onsite at all times. “Drake,” Ryan greeted, shaking his hand.
“Not here on official business, I hope?”
“Not at all. Just came by to talk to Rio.”
“Then I won’t take up anymore of your time.” Drake reached out to shake Rio’s hand.
“I’ll talk to Asa and see what he says about offering the classes here instead of over there.” “Sounds good.” The moment Drake walked away, Rio turned to Ryan. “What’s going
on?”
“Let’s go to the office.” Ryan gestured for Rio to go first. He’d use any excuse to stare at
his partner’s ass, no matter where they were.
Entering the office, Ryan joined Rio on the sofa. “I haven’t been able to get this thing
with Grooper out of my mind, so I did some digging.”
“And?” Rio prompted when it seemed Ryan wouldn’t go on.
“He lost his partner of twenty-three years in a car accident just before he moved here.”
Ryan shook his head. “No wonder he’s blown that fender bender out of proportion. It shook
him up so badly that he’s started drinking, lost his job and has refused to drive since.” Rio whistled. “Damn, that sucks.”
“It more than sucks, but, yeah, now that I know, I’m going to try and talk to him again.” Rio winced. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“No, but I can’t pretend I don’t know he’s suffering.”
Running a hand back and forth across his heavy five o’clock shadow, Rio sighed. “I
think the best thing you can do for him is to get him out of the house. It doesn’t sound like
he’s made any friends in town, and after what you told me, I’d say he could use a couple.” “He’s not ten years old. I can’t just demand he make nice with his neighbours,” Ryan
argued.
“Tell Nate, he’ll figure something out, he always does.”
“Hell, it’ll just give him a reason to throw another party, and even if he did, there’s no
guarantee Grooper will even show up.” Ryan leaned his head against Rio’s shoulder.
“Although I do feel like we should do something to help.” He couldn’t imagine losing one of
his partners, so he had no idea how Grooper was dealing with the death of his. Guilt sucked
when you didn’t know what to do about it.
* * * *
    Rio was in the process of cleaning Lady’s stall when the barn door opened. He glanced over his shoulder and zeroed in on the box in Nate’s hands. “You should put that back where you found it.”
“Why was it in the garage?” Nate set the box on a bale of hay and opened its flaps.
    Rio rushed over and closed the box before Nate could delve inside. “Ryan threw it away. I dug it out and put it in the cabinet, hoping someday he’d want it.” He picked up the box and headed towards the tack room. “I’ll hide this in here for now,” he told Nate just as the door opened.