Cowboy Command (26 page)
Authors: Olivia Jaymes
Presley grinned.
“We can name him Elvis.”
“
We’re not naming him Elvis.” Seth shook his head.
“
Elvis Aaron Reilly.” Presley sighed in contentment. “It has a ring to it.”
“
We’re not naming him Elvis,” Seth repeated. He was frowning now.
“
If it’s a girl we can name her Priscilla.” Presley was really starting to enjoy herself. Seth pulled her into his arms.
“
Let’s keep our options open. I love you but I’m not a pushover.”
She giggled and let herself melt in his arms.
“No, you’re not. I love you, Seth Reilly. I’ll name our baby anything you want.”
Seth rolled his eyes.
“I know you won’t stay this cooperative so I’ll enjoy it while I can.” She snuggled closer to him, the lights of the tree casting multi-colored shadows over the room and Harry Connick, Jr. singing on the iPod about snow.
Life was a funny thing. She
’d had to die to be born. She’d lived more in the last few months than all the years before combined. She’d found the love of her life while trying to stay alive. She had everything she’d ever dreamed of, all in a little town in Montana.
Epilogue
The next day, Seth strode into the roadhouse. It was Sunday morning and he hadn
’t wanted to leave the warm bed and Presley’s soft body pressed up against his. It was only with supreme will he’d managed to wrench himself from her arms and make the drive to the meeting with his friends.
He sat down at the table, the stench of beer and cigarettes even stronger today than last time. With the falling temperatures, the doors stayed closed more and the smokers stayed inside. Tanner grinned and tossed him a can of soda
, the only thing allowed to be served on a Sunday morning when the bar was closed.
“
Well, you look in one piece. I’ve heard the story but most of the other guys haven’t. Why don’t you fill them in?”
Between sips of Pepsi, Seth reviewed everything that had happened. Reed was laughing when Seth came to the part about Nora and Presley in the pool.
“Shit, was it cold?”
Seth shook his head.
“Actually, no. Presley said the pool was heated but it was about seventy-five degrees outside to begin with.”
Griffin grinned.
“Seventy-five in December. I could get used to that.”
“
Anything new with the drug traffic in the area?” Seth asked. He was ready to change the subject. It felt like all he and Presley did was tell the story over and over to friends and family. The entire town probably knew the tale by now and had changed and embellished on it as well.
“
I’ve had a particular issue in my area,” Tanner answered. “Drug-related crime is way up. It used to be my worst problem was with teenagers drinking and driving. Now I have to worry about them getting high on crystal meth.”
“
I busted a meth lab just last week,” Logan declared. “A fucking meth lab in my little town. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Jared
’s expression was dark. “This whole area is getting overrun. I don’t like it. I think we may need to call in some federal help.”
“
At least the vigilante has been quiet in the last month,” Griffin offered. “That’s something to be grateful for.”
Tanner nodded.
“Maybe he or she has moved on or worked whatever demons he had out of his system? I’d like to think that, but I doubt it. It’s rarely that easy.”
The rest of the meeting passed uneventfully and they all stood up to leave. Seth glanced at his watch, happy to see he had plenty of time to get home to watch football with Presley.
“Hot date?” Tanner laughed as they walked out into the cold. Five inches of snow was expected, with more later in the week.
“
Presley and football.” Seth grinned. He was smiling like a fool all the damn time now but he couldn’t seem to help it.
“
Sounds good. Hope you both have a good Christmas.”
“
Thanks. You too, Tanner.” Seth gave his best friend a closer look. “You were quieter than usual today. Is everything okay?”
Tanner sighed and stared out at the road and the bleak landscape.
“My ex-wife told me yesterday she’s getting remarried.”
Tanner had been divorced for almost eight years. Seth hadn
’t realized his friend was still hung up on his ex. He slapped Tanner on the back.
“
I’m sorry. That sucks, man.”
Tanner frowned and then grinned.
“No, it’s not like you’re thinking. I’m not still in love with Abby. I have love for her. She’s the mother of my two children and she’s a good person, but I’m not in love with her anymore. She’s not breaking my heart or anything. Shit, Seth.” Tanner was openly laughing now.
“
Then what’s the problem?” Seth groused. “You don’t know what to get her as a wedding gift? Go with the silver candlesticks.”
Tanner sobered.
“The guy she’s marrying. I don’t know. There’s something about him that bugs me.”
“
Did you say anything to her?” Seth shoved his cold hands in his pockets. Fuck, it was freezing out here.
“
No. What could I say? My cop radar lights up whenever I’m around this guy? She hated everything to do with my being a cop. She’s not going to be welcoming my opinion.”
Tanner never spoke of the issues that broke up his marriage. Logan knew what they were but he wasn
’t talking, and Seth wasn’t the nosy type who would keep asking.
“
Maybe you’ll get lucky and they won’t go through with it.”
“
Maybe. They haven’t been dating long. Hopefully, they’ll have a long engagement.” Tanner looked up at the sky. “We better get going. Snow’s on the way. I’ll see you next year, buddy.”
Seth laughed at their usual December joke.
“See you next year, Tan. Have a good Christmas.”
Seth hopped into his truck and started the engine, letting the cab warm up. He watched as Tanner backed out and headed down the road to his own town. His friend was rarely wrong about people. If Tanner didn
’t like the guy his ex was marrying, there was a damn good reason.
Seth gunned the engine and headed down the road in the opposite direction. He had hot wings and an even hotter woman waiting for him. They would do something normal today
, maybe watch football, and hang out with friends. But with Presley, it might be normal, but it would never be boring.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Olivia Jaymes is a wife, mother, lover of sexy romance, and caffeine addict. She lives with her husband and son in central Florida and spends her days with handsome alpha males and spunky heroines.
She is currently working on a series of full length novels called The
Cowboy Justice Association. It’s a contemporary erotic romance series about six lawmen in southern Montana who work to keep the peace but can’t seem to find it in their own lives.
Visit Olivia Jaymes at
