Cowboy Truth: Cowboy Justice Association #3 by Olivia Jaymes Page A

headed toward the two women in the corner of the room.
    “We just want to know what Sheriff Wright is doing,” Mary was saying. “Just keep us in the loop.”
    Ava’s eyes went wide when she looked over Mary’s shoulder and saw Logan. Mary must have seen the change in expression as well and whirled around, her expression going slack.
    “Sheriff, how nice to see you. Thank you for paying your respects. The family appreciates it.” Mary swallowed, her face flushed.
    Logan took his time answering. “Bill Bryson was a good man. As for whether the family appreciates it, that’s not a factor as to why I’m here.”
    “Of course,” Mary nodded in agreement. “Well, I need to check in the kitchen.”
    She was gone in a flurry of movement, leaving Logan with Ava.
    “I assume you heard that,” Ava stated.
    “Enough. She wants you to be sure to feed them information on the investigation?”
    Ava sipped her wine. “Yes. Can you believe it?”
    If she’d asked that question a few days ago Logan would have said no.
    “She was talking to George earlier. I’m guessing he put her up to it.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you planning to do it?”
    “No,” she said, clearly offended. “Part of your draconian oath was that I keep my mouth shut about the investigation. But I wouldn’t have said anything anyway.”
    Logan chuckled. “Always the good girl. Your sister isn’t going to be too happy with you.”
    Ava sighed. “That’s nothing new. She thinks I don’t have any common sense.”
    “Do you?” he challenged.
    Ava chewed on her bottom lip. “I admit I live in a fantasy world, but I do manage to pay my bills so the power isn’t cut off. I miss a few meals when I’m working on a book. I know not to use the toaster in the bathtub and not to mess with a bull.”
    “All important things.”
    “Mary thinks I was crazy to become an author. After all, you don’t get holidays, vacation, or health insurance.”
    Logan couldn’t stop himself from teasing her. “You don’t have health insurance? Hell, even I get insurance.”
    “I have health insurance,” she protested. “I just have to buy it myself. It’s good coverage.”
    “I bet it is.” Logan held up a hand and smiled. “Listen, I need to get out of here. We’ll start combing through the statements tonight. Don’t forget the pizza, and don’t be late. I get cranky when I’m hungry.”
    Ava groaned. “Yes, oh Great One. I wouldn’t dare be late.”
    “And don’t forget about tomorrow night. You’re my cover, remember?”
    Logan looked over his shoulder as he moved toward the front door. Ava was shaking her head and he had to laugh at her long-suffering expression. She didn’t want to go out to the road house but he had her cornered. She’d go and help him with Christina. She’d also get out of her fantasy world a little bit which wouldn’t be a bad thing.
    He’d show her a good time tomorrow night. Make sure she had fun and meet some new people. She just needed to loosen up a little bit, and Logan had an idea of how to do it. Hopefully, the weather would hold.
    No one could stay uptight on the back of a Harley.

Chapter Six

    A va straightened the frilly cuff on her red blouse with a sigh and picked her cell up from the bed, depositing it on the dresser.
    “I feel ridiculous,” she said. She was on the phone with her good friend Kaylee who was not only a friend but also a fellow author. Ava had needed the fashion advice prior to tonight’s non-date with Logan. They’d settled on black jeans, a red blouse with wide sleeves, and a pair of cowboy boots from her college days that she’d found in the back of her closet. It was a far cry from her usual uniform of pajama pants and a T-shirt.
    “Red always looks good on you. You’ll wow this guy.”
    “I’m not trying to wow Logan,” Ava corrected. “All I am tonight is a smokescreen so he can let this other girl down easy.”
    “That doesn’t mean you need to look