Page 138 of 11 Cowboys

The bell above the general store door jingles, bright and cheerful, which feels ironic given the way my stomach’s in knots. It’s my first outing since returning to Cooper Hill Ranch, and it feels like I’m stepping out into treacherouswaters.

The second I step through that door with Levi behind me and Lennon and Nash already halfway to the counter, I’m conscious of being noticed. Conversations stop, heads turn, and the quiet is loud enough to crush bone. I know people can be funny about strangers, and I haven’t had the opportunity to get to know people around town. Maybe it’s paranoia, but this feels different.

I keep my chin up, hoping that the jeans, boots, and one of Lennon’s flannels knotted at the waist are enough for me to blend in.

I reach for a basket, and my hand shakes.

Behind me, Levi’s voice is low but firm. “You okay?”

I nod without looking at him. I don’t want my uncertainty to be noticeable when they all keep talking about how brave I am. We move through the aisles. I try to focus on the list in my head—coffee, tinned fruit, headache pills, sanitary products—but every few feet, I hear it. My name. A giggle. The word slut. And even though they don’t say it loud, they say it loud enough.

I’m the girl from the article. The one from the hashtag. The one who slept with a houseful of cowboys and turned it into a national punchline.

At the checkout, the cashier barely meets my eyes. Her mouth is tight, her hands fast. I brace for another comment, a cold smile, or maybe a refusal to ring us up.

But it’s the woman behind us in line who speaks.

“You know,” she says, “half this town’s got more secrets than a priest in Vegas. The difference is, this girl has been broadcast.”

I turn to find Mrs. Langford, the sheriff’s wife, who introduced herself after Nora’s confrontation in the diner. She’s holding a sack of chicken feed and wearing a sunhat like it’s armor. Her expression is sharp as a cattle prod. She points her finger around the room.

“Imagine all your secrets were out on social media. What words would people mutter asyouwalked past?”

There’s a beat of silence while I gape in surprise, and Nash, Levi, and Lennon look around with murder in their eyes.

“You don’t have to like her,” she goes on, glancing at the people behind her. “But don’t pretend you’re any better.”

“Any of you got something to say about our family?” Levi spits, pushing his hat up to reveal the razor-sharp cut of his eyes and jaw. “Say it now. To me. Out in the open.”

I flush hot, shame still rushing through me. The silence is as loud as a pneumatic drill.

“Anyone?” Lennon growls.

“We’re waiting,” Nash says, his usual soft tone replaced by grit and fury.

The other customers look away, pretending to be staring at cans of soda and baked goods, while my cowboys crowd me on all sides.

“I didn’t think so,” Levi sneers.

“This woman isourwoman,” Lennon says, pointing his clipboard at the nearest man. “You understand? And we won’t have this bullshit.”

Nash grins, tipping his hat. “Your opinion isn’t gonna change a damn thing.”

Mrs. Langford pats me on the shoulder. “You’re flavor of the month, dear, but they’ll move on. Or your cowboys will make them move on.” She leans in closer. “I know which option I’d rather choose if I were them.”

I snort, looking up at Lennon, Nash, and Levi, my cowboys who’ve formed a wall of protection all around me, showing me that they’re on my side no matter what, and even though I want to thank them all, Mrs. Langford, the men beside me, but my throat is too tight. So I let the tears rise, hot and quiet, and I smile as the cashier finally rings me up.

Outside, the sun’s too bright. I blink against it.

Nash dips to kiss me, then asks, “You all right?”

“Yeah. I think I am.”

Levi opens the truck door for me and leans in before I climb up.

“Proud of you,” he says.

Then he reaches around me to fasten the belt, kisses me on the tip of my nose, and closes the door.