Cowboy Command by Olivia Jaymes Read Free Book Online Page A

-fashioned gentleman the next.  She’d even seen a glimpse of the controlling asshole and it hadn’t been too bad.  Seth was shaking hands with an older man and ushering him to his desk.
    “ Trask, what can I do for you today?”
    The man took off his cowboy hat and sat heavily in one of the wooden chairs. 
    “It’s about my Millie.  She’s been gone for a few days and I’m worried about her.”
    “ When did you last see her?”
    The man stroked his chin.  “I guess it would be Friday night, late.  We were in the barn checking on the horses.  Haven’t seen her since.  Not like her to be gone this long.”
    “ Maybe she just got a turkey or something.”
    Until Seth ’s statement, Presley had assumed they were talking about a human.  Clearly, Millie wasn’t this man’s wife or daughter.
    Presley cleared her throat.  “Can I get you some coffee, Mr. Trask?”
    The older man turned to her and his eyes lit up.  “You must be the new secretary.  What’s your name, darlin’?”
    She smiled and poured the man a cup of coffee.  “Presley.  Presley Lawson.  Cream and sugar?”
    “ No, take it black.”  He held out his hands with a grin.  “Presley, huh?  Seth, does your old man know this pretty little girl’s name?”
    Seth looked anything but happy.  “I told him this morning.  It doesn’t mean anything.”
    Trask chuckled.  “Maybe yes, maybe no.  Damn, this hot coffee hit the spot.  Winter’s comin’ early this year.”
    This was not welcome news to Presley.  She ’d been hoping for a reprieve.
    “ So you want me to take a look around for her?” Seth asked, clearly trying to move the subject back to business.
    The men stood up and drained his cup.  “If you don’t mind.  I don’t get around like I used to.”
    “ I’ll try and find her, Trask.  I’ll call you.”
    Trask slapped Seth on the back and tipped his hat at her.  “Nice meeting you, miss.  This old boy gives you any problems, you just call old Trask, you hear?”
    She liked this man.  He was funny and polite.  “Thank you, but I think I can handle him,” she said with a smile.
    The man nodded and headed out the door.  “I just betcha you can.”
    When Trask was gone she turned to Seth.  “Millie isn’t a person, is she?”
    Seth shook his head.  “No, she’s a dog.  She’s getting up there in age and I fear something has happened to her.  She doesn’t see well any more.  Trask has several dogs, but Millie is his favorite.”
    Seth reached for his coat.  Suddenly, she felt the walls start to close in on her.  She ’d been inside pretty much twenty-four seven since her car exploded.  She needed some fresh air and new scenery.  “Do you want me to come with you?  I can help look for her.”
    Seth looked like he wanted to refuse, but then thought better of it.  “Actually, yes, if you don’t mind.  Another set of eyes will be helpful.”
    She grabbed her coat.  “Do we have an answering service or something?”
    Seth held up his cell.  “If we don’t answer here, it’s routed directly to my phone.”
    Presley blinked in surprise.  “Shit, you must not get much sleep.”
    Seth chuckled and locked the door to the Sheriff ’s office.  “I can route the calls to any phone.  If I need time off, I’ll route it to one of my deputies.  You’ll meet them eventually.  Hank is working a couple of calls from last night still.  Tom is off duty.”
    “ Is it just the three of you?”
    He opened the car door and gave her a hand up.  “We have others, but Hank and Tom are my right hands.”
    They headed off and this time Presley was able to get a better look at the town.  It looked small and a little rundown, with some buildings needing a new coat of paint while others looked brand new.  She saw a sign for a diner, a doctor, and a hardware store on one side of the street.  On the other she could see a bar and a small grocery store. 
    “ Is there a coffee shop in town?”
    In