I felt the warm sun streaming through the windows. It was a pleasant way to awaken. The silence was almost deafening but not entirely unwelcome. I grinned as I kicked off the blankets. Today was a new day.
Another guest occupied the washroom, so I quickly changed into jean shorts and a tank top. I was ready to go after pulling on clean socks and my shoes. Sighing in relief, I found the main floor washroom available. I emptied my bladder and washed my hands. The tantalizing aroma of food assaulted my nose. Everything smelled delicious.
Sharlene had eggs, bacon, sausage and home fries on the dining room table. "Help yourself," she said with a grin.
"Thank you. This is an impressive spread," I said, grabbing a plate from the stack. I filled it with everything I could. The food smelled amazing. My stomach grumbled appreciatively. Sharlene smiled when I sat at the table to eat. A few more guests arrived and introduced themselves. I wondered which person was showering when I got up this morning. It didn't matter. None of the men sitting at the table were worth creating those mental images.
I took my empty plate to the kitchen and rinsed it. Sharlene arrived before I could deposit the plate into the dishwasher. "You're a guest. I'll take care of this. There's a rodeo at the Bozeman Stampede. Take the I-90 W and follow the signs once you reach the exit for Frontage Rd West."
"I can use the GPS in the car. Thank you for your hospitality," I said. She waved over her shoulder as I left the kitchen.
Smiling, I entered the dining room and stared as my grin quickly disappeared upon seeing the muscular back leaning over the table to grab food. I would recognize that tight-ass bound by faded jeans anywhere. Shit! Why was he here? Did he follow me, or was everything a coincidence? I wasn't sticking around the house long enough for the answer.
As I drove toward the Bozeman Stampede Rodeo, I resisted the urge to call Hector or Ram. They didn't need to know where I was, and asking them questions about Hal would pinpoint my location. Maybe I could research Hal's family? There had to be something in the public access records.
I watched the streets and listened to the voice on the GPS directing me. When the woman told me to turn right at the next intersection, I turned left instead, finding a library on the corner. I parked in the lot behind the building and practically skipped inside. Hopefully, they had birth announcement records. I had to think about when Hal was born. His birthday was close to mine, but I couldn't remember if it was a month before or after. All I remembered was the shock upon discovering we were the same age.
The librarian smiled as I approached her desk. "Hi. Do you have a records department?" I asked.
"What are you looking for?" she questioned.
"Birth records or announcements," I replied.
"Everything is on microfiche. Do you know how to use it?"
"I've used it before," I said. "Where would I find the September, October and November 1984 records?"
"I'll show you," she pleasantly replied. I followed her to the back corner. She removed a box from the cabinet and placed it on the desk. "You want numbers 1984-09 through 1984-11. Everything on the film is in date order."
"Thank you," I smiled and waited until she retreated before looking at the film.
It didn't take long to find Halton Alexander Nelson, born on September 13, 1984, to James Halton Nelson and Sharlene Mara Nelson (nee Jones). "Well, fuck me sideways," I mumbled. I was staying at Hal's parents' house - small world.
Before leaving the library, I called other hotels, motels and bed & breakfast locations. All venues claimed they were booked for the rodeo and festivals. I was lucky to get the only room available at the Nelson Mansion Bed & Breakfast. Resigned, I left the library to continue my journey.
The roads were in disrepair, and I had to swerve to avoid a few potholes. I missed my turn as I daydreamed about Hal. "At the next corner, turn left," the disembodied female voice ordered. I rolled my eyes and followed her instructions. "You have arrived at your destination."
I looked through the windshield. The main building was several hundred feet away. I parked in the gravel yard, farthest from the entrance. "Damn parking karma," I grumbled. When I was a few feet from the entrance to the rodeo, someone grabbed me. I squeaked and elbowed the person in the guts.
"Jeez, Steph. It's me," Hal groaned.
"Don't sneak up on me!" I yelled.
Hal teased, "You need to be more aware of your surroundings."
"I swear the next time you do that, I will stun you," I warned. Hal laughed and dropped an arm across my shoulder. We entered the venue together. He refused to let me pay for anything. "Why are you here? Weren't you going to Miami for your vacation?" I asked as we ate lunch.
"I've booked my holidays and planned to help my family with the farm and inn. It's a busy time for them," Hal replied.
Narrowing my eyes, I said, "You were supposed to visit Orlando with your SEALs buddies. What happened?"
"Mama called and described a last-minute renter. The woman sounded like you from her description, but Mama said her surname was Juniak. I put two and two together and risked coming here and seeing if it was you. My side trip to Miami is cancelled," Hal explained. Grinning, he added, "I was right. I knew it was you when I watched that sexy ass walk past the diner's window."
"Your mom has a few photographs in the common areas. The man in the pictures resembles you from the back. Are they you?" I asked.
Hal moved to my side of the table. Taking my hand, Hal replied, "Only the one in the bedroom on the second floor, third door on the right, across the hall from the bathroom."
I gulped. That was my room. The photograph Hal mentioned was hanging on the wall above the bed. I drooled over that sexy bare-back man with sinewy muscles and bronze tan. "It's a great picture," I huskily said. Hal gave me a piercingly sexy look as his lip curled into a slight smile. I wondered if I spoke my other thoughts aloud. Shaking my head to dislodge the sexy images, I added, "Your back has more muscles now. When was the other one taken?"
"A few weeks before leaving for the Navy," Hal whispered. His fingers stroked mine, heating my body from my fingertips to my toes. I groaned when Hal released my hand.
When I cleared my head, I asked, "The picture in the living room?"
"Jamie, my brother," Hal replied. "We may look the same from the back, but he resembles Mama. I take after Pops."
"Why doesn't your mom have pictures of you in the guests' areas?" I whispered.
He chuckled, "We didn't want Mama to display photos of our faces. When she opened the bed and breakfast, a few female guests harassed Jamie and me whenever we were on the premises. Mama removed those photographs to protect us from unwanted attention."
"Then why leave the other ones behind?" I wondered, curious, if Hal loved to display his body for women to ogle.
"Jamie and I wear our shirts in the field. Our muscles have developed since then, and we're not keen on getting skin cancer. Jamie and I use lots of sunscreen," Hal said, surprising me with his answer. I glanced at Hal's face to see if his cheeks turned pink. His face lacked the shade to indicate his shyness or embarrassment. Lowering his voice, Hal added, "Any time you want to ogle, let me know."
Hal chuckled as he stroked my cheek with the back of his finger. I closed my eyes and welcomed the sensation. It wasn't the first time he touched my face. The announcement over the speakers interrupted our moment.
I grabbed the garbage and carried them to the trash can. Hal went to the closest vendor to purchase bottled water for us to drink while watching the barrel races. It was exciting watching the Montana youth making their horses run the course, hoping to get the fastest time to qualify in the next competition.
"If you haven't noticed, most of the racers are girls," Hal said. He talked about rules and regulations, which I ignored when watching the young girls force their horses to run in a cloverleaf pattern around the barrels. I cringed when one girl knocked the third barrel with her knee.
"Why did they add five seconds to the clock?" I asked.
"It's a five-second penalty for touching the barrel. Had she knocked it over, the run would be over because the penalty time is often more than five seconds," Hal explained. "I hope her run is fast enough to make it. She's the top contender."
We watched with bated breath, hoping the girl squeaked by for the next competition. I watched her face turn from a frown to the most radiant smile I had ever seen. The last runner knocked over a barrel. She cried when the commentator announced she would be moving on to compete in the next barrel race.
Hal and I moved to the next arena, where we watched the bull riding competition. "Eight seconds doesn't seem like much time," I mused.
Chuckling, Hal said, "It's forever when you're on that beast." I cringed when the bull bucked its rider, who flew several feet before landing on his ass.
"Have you ever tried?" I asked, curious to learn more about my friend.
"For a few years," Hal confessed. "After my grandfather passed, Dad needed more help on the farm. Since I'm older than Jamie, that responsibility landed on me."
"But you're working at Rangeman and still active in the SEALs," I stated.
"My time in the SEALs ended after my last mission. The only time I use those skills is when Ranger asks for help," Hal explained. I nodded and remained silent. Mentioning Ranger reminded me of the purpose of my vacation.
We sat in companionable silence as I thought about Joe and Ranger. The sound of Hal cheering and screaming broke through my daydreams. "What happened?" I asked.
"Jamie made it to the next competition," Hal replied.
"I wasn't aware he was in the rodeo," I quipped. Hal laughed, knowing I was bullshitting him. Jamie Nelson's name was written in the program. Jamie had a few more events during the week.
Hal brushed off his thighs before standing. "It's time to head home for dinner," he announced while extending a hand. I placed my hand in his and involuntarily smiled upon feeling the warmth of our palms touching. Holding his hand felt natural.
We maintained physical contact as we returned to the parking lot. I rolled my eyes when I noticed his truck parked a few metres from the entrance - damn Rangeman parking karma. Hal chuckled, making me realize I had spoken aloud. "I assume you're parked farthest from the door?"
"You'd be correct. None of these spots were available when I arrived," I sighed.
"Hop in. I'll drive you to the car," he offered. I glanced in the direction of my car before nodding my acceptance. "Good Lord, woman. Do you have a permit?"
"Huh?" I asked. "Permit for what?" I don't have my gun with me. It was in the closet safe in my room at the bed and breakfast.
"Looking incredibly sexy in those jeans shorts."
Giggling, I teased, "You've seen me wearing less for distractions."
"I'm partial to you wearing jeans and these sexy shorts," he said. Hal stroked along my jaw, from ear to chin. He held my face between his hands and pressed his lips against my forehead. For some reason, it felt more intimate than usual.
We were silent as Hal drove me to collect my rental. I wasn't sure how to feel about my growing attraction for Hal. He never talked much, so I didn't feel the lack of conversation stifling. "Thanks for the ride," I said when he stopped beside my car.
"Anything for you, Steph," he replied. "I'll see you at home." I waved dismissively. He waited until I started the car before leaving. I had a feeling he would wait for me to pass him, then follow me home.
My phone rang before I put the car in gear. "Hello," I replied.
"Is this Stephanie Plum?" the man asked.
"It depends on who's calling," I joked.
"Paul Jennings. Your godfather gave me your contact information," he replied. "Do you have a few minutes to meet with me?"
"Um…" I replied, looking for Hal's truck. I was right about him waiting for me and raised a finger for him to give me a minute. Hal nodded and pulled his vehicle out of the exit. I returned to my call but kept my eyes on Hal. "Where?"
"Meet me at Cromwell Law on South 22nd Ave," Paul replied. He gave me the street number, which I added to the GPS.
"I'm not too far away from there. I'll see you in twenty minutes," I said. Uncle Joe said Paul Jennings would meet me in Bozeman, Montana, but I couldn't fathom why. Was there more to the inheritance than just a profitable company? I refused to let my mind come up with one ridiculous scenario after another.
Paul ended the call with a curt, "See you there."
I put my car in drive and left the rodeo's parking area. Hal followed me. He called when he noticed I wasn't heading to the bed and breakfast.
"Hi, Hal," I wearily replied.
"Is everything okay?" Hal asked.
"Kind of?" I said, making my words sound like a question. I took a deep breath. "I'm meeting with my lawyer about an inheritance."
"And it's bad?" Hal questioned.
"I don't know. It's too overwhelming," I confessed. "You don't need to come with me." Secretly, I wanted Hal to be there for emotional support. Should I write my will? What more can the lawyer say? Was he here to finalize the paperwork? Would I have to pay a fee for the transfers? Do I have to pay more in taxes to the IRS?
"Steph!" Hal screamed into the phone. "Stop rambling. Wait until you meet the lawyer before you make more assumptions."
"Thanks, Hal," I said. The disembodied voice indicated I should turn left at the next intersection. "We're here," I announced while pulling into the parking lot behind the building. Hal parked beside me. He jumped from the cab and ran to my door to open it. I smiled when Hal pulled me from my vehicle and tightly embraced me. This was where I wanted to be - protectively ensconced in Hal's arms.
Hal kissed the top of my head and whispered, "I want you here, too."
We held hands as we entered the building. Hal stroked my hand with his thumb. The steady rhythm was keeping me calm. He squeezed my hand before releasing it. I felt the loss of the warmth Hal offered.
"May I help you?" a kind woman asked.
"I'm Stephanie," I barely said before she ordered me to follow her.
I followed the receptionist to the conference room. When I entered the room, I was surprised to find my Uncle Vincent sitting across from a studious-looking man close to his age. Uncle Vincent stood from his seat to approach me. "It's so good to see you, Stephanie," Uncle Vincent said.
"Not that I'm upset about your visit, but why are you here?" I asked.
"We have the financials to discuss. It couldn't wait," Uncle Vincent replied. He turned to Hal and extended a hand. "I'm Vincent Plum, Stephanie's uncle."
"I'm Hal Nelson. Are you Vinnie's dad?" Hal asked, grinning.
"No," Uncle Vincent replied.
"Vinnie's dad is Uncle Tony," I explained. I extended a hand to the other man. "Hi, I'm Stephanie Plum."
"Paul Jennings. It's a pleasure to meet you," he politely said. I watched Hal shake Paul's hand. "Hal, we'll need you to wait in the reception area while we conduct business. Everything we need to discuss is between Vincent and Stephanie."
"Can't he stay?" I asked.
"Not for the first part," Uncle Vincent replied. I nodded and glanced at Hal. He gave me the sexiest of smiles before kissing my forehead. I couldn't stop myself from watching his sexy ass disappear past the glass wall. Uncle Vincent's laughter filled the room, and I blushed.
"Sorry," I mumbled.
"Is Hal your boyfriend?"
I shrugged because I didn't know what I was to Hal. We were close friends but hadn't labelled our relationship as anything else. Do I want to be his girlfriend? Yes.
"Okay, let's get down to business," I ordered, unwilling to discuss my personal life with a stranger in the room.
Paul waited until I sat beside Uncle Vincent before removing the paperwork from his briefcase. "I pre-filled the Change of Registration paperwork. Read it over and sign on the line above your printed name."