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“And how long do you think our discussions will take?”

“It’s hard to say. There are more players than I realized at first. And the players are more dangerous.”

“Fuck! Okay, so we need to talk. We have a big event going on today, so unless something is imminent, we’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Hold on a minute. Just how many men are we talking about,” Ruby called from the same doorway Chance had escorted her out of a few minutes before. Kenzie stood behind her, peeking out in much the same way Tildi was.

“Eight. But?—”

Ruby cut him off. “Eight big, strapping boys like the three of you? Land sakes alive. Well, there’s nothing for it. You’re here to help our family.”

“I’m here to help Boone,” Sev clarified.

Ruby turned to Boone. “Does he not know you’re family?”

Tildi had scootched to the side enough to see her Daddy’s lips twitch. Without looking at her, he stuck out his arm and swiped her back behind him. Darn it.

“As I was saying,” Ruby continued. “You’re here for us, so we’ll keep you fed. But I’m up to my elbow getting things ready for the Friendsgiving celebration, so you’re going to have to make a run to Wilder for more supplies.”

Sev jerked in surprise. “That’s not necessary. We don’t want to impose on your plans. We’ll just?—”

Again, Ruby interrupted him. “I don’t take kindly to people talkin’ back. We’re not very well going to have visitors in town and not take care of them while they’re here.”

“The Friendsgiving celeb?—”

“Yes, that’s what I said. And every other meal.” Turning to Boone, she said, “Honestly son, where do you find these people?” Returning her gaze to Sev, Ruby kept going. “And you, Boone evidently hasn’t warned you about my wooden spoon. That’s what happens to people who try to argue with me.” She took her weapon from her apron pocket and smacked her hand as evidence of her veracity.

Tildi put her hand over her mouth so Ruby wouldn’t see her smile. Sev and his men didn’t seem to know what to make of this aggressive, spoon wielding woman. The last thing she needed today was to have Ruby smacking her aching bottom with a wooden spoon. Much better if she concentrated all her wooden spoon wielding on Sev and his men.

Sev gave Boone a look of sheer panic. Boone grinned. “The woman does swing a wicked wooden spoon.”

Shaking his head, Sev forced a smile. “Then I suppose I must thank you for your hospitality. We’ll be happy to gather whatever you need. Boone, this is obviously not the time or place for a business discussion. Maybe we can talk on our shopping trip.”

Ruby moved from the doorway toward the kitchen, motioning for Kenzie to join her. She picked up the knife she’d been using before and went back to work chopping something for yet another casserole they’d be serving.

Boone pulled Tildi to stand beside him. She lifted his arm and cuddled in closer. She loved it when his arms were around her. Without thinking, she slid her arms around his waist. She could still catch the faint scent of smoke and a spice that was just Boone. And she loved it.

Instead of joining Ruby, Kenzie stood in front of Boone with her hand resting on her cocked hip. “Tildi can’t be the only girl shopping for groceries with a bunch of guys, so I’m coming, too. That way, you can’t all gang up on her and come home with six-packs of Fat Tire instead of the bottles of Moscato and Reisling I know are on her list.”

“If you’re going to buy those you might as well save your money and buy grape juice.” Boone shrugged. “But if it gets us in and out of the store faster so we can get back to the ranch, I’m all for it.”

“Yay!” Kenzie clapped and hopped.

Laughing, Boone put a hand on the top of his sister’s head and pretended to be unable to hold her down. “Calm yourself, Tiger.”

“Tiger?” Sev’s deep, confident voice broke into their conversation. “Looks more like a Tigger than a tiger to me.”

Kenzie whirled to face him, cheeks flushed and eyes shooting sparks. “My friends call me Tiger. You can call me Kenzie.”

“I see we’re on the same page. I definitely don’t see us as friends, either.”

That seemed to bring Kenzie up short. Tildi didn’t know her new friend well enough to be sure, but she thought she saw a flash of hurt in Kenzie’s eyes. “Good. Same page. Fine.”

She’d never seen Kenzie so out of sorts. Grabbing her hand, Tildi tugged her toward the mudroom. “Come on, Kenzie. Let’s go get our coats.”

Kenzie grabbed Tildi’s hand like it was a lifeline. “Let’s do that. Boone, we’ll meet you out front.”

The next thing Tildi knew, Kenzie was hauling her across the kitchen to grab their coats and they were on their way out the door.