Page 29 of August’s Cowboy Braxton

"Then we’ll know."

She wrapped her arms around herself. "I don't want it to be her."

“For your sake, neither do I."

"But you think it is."

"Yeah." It wouldn’t do me any good to continue to try to convince her. Addison wanted proof and she deserved it. So despite the warning bells going off in my head and the tightness in my chest when I thought about something happening to her, I’d support her while we got the proof she needed.

She stood and walked to the window. Stared out at the rain still pouring down.

I stayed at the table to give her space.

"Make the calls," she said finally. "Set the trap."

“Are you sure?"

"No. But let’s do it anyway."

It took an hour to reach everyone and plant the false information. Ruby clucked and fussed and said she'd check on Addison at Morgan's place tomorrow. Orville confirmed extra patrols would pass by the ranch overnight. Kyle agreed to meet at the arena tomorrow, sounding way too excited about private time with Addison.

Evie was last. I watched Addison's face as she made the call.

"Hey, Evie. Sorry I ran out like that earlier." Pause. "No, I'm okay. Just needed some air." Another pause. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something. You know that album that went missing? At the meeting with everyone yesterday, Morgan mentioned there might be a duplicate in the stock office behind the main arena. I'm going to check tomorrow night after everything winds down."

I could hear Evie's concerned voice through the phone but couldn't make out the words.

“I’ll be fine by myself, yeah. I just want to see if there's anything that explains the Cedar Draw connection." Addison's voice stayed steady. "Nobody needs to know. It'll only take a few minutes."

More talking from Evie's end.

"I will. Promise. Talk to you tomorrow." She ended the call and set the phone on the table. "Done."

"How do you feel?"

"Like I just set up my mentor."

"Or proved she's innocent."

"Maybe."

I stood and moved toward her. "You did the right thing."

"Did I?" She turned to face me. "What if I'm wrong? What if it's not her and we just wasted time while someone else⁠—"

I leaned down and kissed her. It wasn’t planned. I’d just felt the need to stop the spiral I could see building behind her eyes.

She made a small sound and melted into me. This kiss was different from the one we’d shared earlier… softer… steadier. A promise instead of a question.

When I pulled back, her hands were fisted in my shirt. "What was that for?"

"You needed to stop thinking for a minute."

"Did I?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe I needed more than a minute."