In reality, Chassie had spent more time with Edgard in the last two weeks than he had. Edgard had accompanied Chassie on the morning cattle checks. She’d taken him to town for supplies. They cooked supper together. Hell, that flirtatious Brazilian had been teaching Chassie Portuguese and how to tango.
If Edgard stuck around would Trevor be jealous if Chassie and Edgard became close in a way that had nothing to do with him? Even when Trevor didn’t have a right to be?
Would Chassie be jealous? Or would she roll with it like she’d rolled with everything else?
She knocked on the door and poked her head in. “Hey, hon. Edgard’s back. There’s something he wants to show me in the barn.”
Trevor grinned. “Chass, baby, a country girl like you oughten be fallin’ for that tired old line. For shame.”
“It’s only a tired line if it don’t work. Obviously it’s worked on me, since I’ll be in the barn with him.”
“Can I come? Or is this a private showin’?”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “After what I was shown last night, I think that
‘privacy’ ship has sailed for all three of us, don’t you?”
No coy bullshit. “I’m damn glad you’re always so straightforward. It’s one of my very favorite things about you.”
Chassie blushed. “Thank you. But your sweet-talkin’ ain’t keepin’ me away from my present.”
Trevor lifted both brows. “Edgard bought you a gift?”
“So he says.”
“This I gotta see.” He slipped on his coat as Chassie nearly skipped ahead of him to the barn.
Inside the dark space, she yelled, “Ed? Where are you?”
“Back here, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart?
Chassie raced to the corner stall and stopped at the open door. “Omigod. Are you serious? Is that really for me?”
“Yep. She’s all yours. Nothin’ to be scared of. She’s friendly. Really friendly. See?”
“Edgard, you sweetie-pie, I could just kiss you!”
Talk about being friendly.
“That’s a mighty big temptation.”
“Look at her. She’s darling.”
“Oh for f**k’s sake,” Trevor muttered. He’d kill Edgard if he’d bought Chassie a horse. Kill him.
The stall had been cleaned since this morning and a fresh layer of straw spread out.
Chassie was on her knees. Edgard was right beside her. Close beside her. Practically on top of her.
The next sound he heard wasn’t a whinny, but a baaa-baaa. Chassie laughed and leaned against Edgard, allowing Trevor to see the animal.
“Why in the hell did you buy her…Jesus, is that a goat?”
“Yep.”
He blinked. Nope. The furry creature was still right there. “Why did you buy my wife a goat?”
“Because she wanted one.”
“Right. Since when have you wanted a goat, Chass?”
“Since always,” Chassie retorted. She returned her focus to Edgard. “Do you think she’ll be lonely?”
“Not for long,” Edgard said with a big smile.
“Always?” Trevor repeated. “Why didn’t I know that?”
“Because you don’t know everything about me, Trevor. A girl’s gotta have some secrets.”
“Yeah? If it’s such a great big secret then how did Edgard hear about it?”
“Chassie told me one of the first days we were out doing chores.”
“I’m surprised you remembered. We’ve talked about a lot of stuff.”
“And some stuff, not so much, eh, querida?”
Trevor ground his teeth together. “What kind of stuff?”
But Chassie ignored him as she was too busy rubbing her fingers on the top of the goat’s head. “Ooh, feel right here. She’s so soft.” She placed Edgard’s hand under hers and they stroked the grayish-white coat together.
A goat. Chassie wanted a goat? What else didn’t he know about his wife?
Probably nothing as earth shattering as your love affair with a man.
“I can’t f**kin’ believe this.”
“Why not? Is Edgard buyin’ me a goat what gets your goat, Trev?” Chassie teased.
Edgard busted out in deep belly laughter and he high-fived Chassie.
“Very funny, Chass.”
“I thought so.” She cooed, “Isn’t she sweet?” at the animal.
Edgard kept grinning at Chassie with a very pleased look on his face. “Not as sweet as you.”
Chassie bumped him with her hip. “Do I need to get a bucket to catch the honey drippin’ from your mouth today?”
A low-pitched chuckle. “Maybe.”
Trevor stood there dumbfounded, feeling as if he’d materialized in another dimension.
“So tell me about my new pet. What’s her name?”
“Greta. Marlin said this little gal has a great disposition and she didn’t have any problems giving birth.”
“She’s pregnant?” Chassie squealed.
“At least her name ain’t Billy.” Trevor trip-trapped into the stall. He dropped to his knees to get a closer look at the creature, which was trying to eat a balled up piece of leather. Familiar leather. His eyes narrowed. “Hey. Is that my glove?”
“Oopsie.” Chassie gently tugged it out of Greta’s mouth, chastising, “Bad girl, Greta.”
The nanny goat lowered her head in apparent shame and let out a mournful baaa-baaa.
Edgard and Chassie both laughed.
“Did you feed her?”
“Not yet.”
“She probably needs a drink first. I’ll get a bucket of water.” Chassie was off like a bullet.
Greta butted Edgard in the chest until he scratched behind her ear. She butted him again and he shifted sideways until he and Trevor were hip-to-hip.
Just as Trevor was about to open his mouth, Edgard said, “Before you chew me out, Chassie needed something to cheer her up today.”
“Agreed. How’d you find a goat seller when you’ve only been here two weeks?”
“I asked Gus. He told me about Marlin Jones who lives out by Devil’s Tower. I’d planned to wait and take Chassie with me so she could pick one herself, but like I said, after losing Meridian this morning, she needed a pick-me-up.”
As they petted Greta, Trevor grumbled, “At least you didn’t buy her a damn horse.”
“Well, now that you brought it up, there’s something else I need to tell you.”