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Need you, Sir.

My heartbeat quickened. Supper could wait.

I heard footsteps behind me and Zeeb joined me. “Anything wrong?”

I pocketed my phone. “No, just need to go out for a—”

“For Christ’s sake,” he interjected, “Don’t say you’re going for a walk. We’re not idiots. We all know where you’re going.” He glanced at Garrett who was leading Lucy back toward the stable. “And Idomean all of us.”

“Yeah, I got that part yesterday morning. Only sorry I didn’t see the aftermath.”

Zeeb cackled. “Oh, I think he was pretty shocked. Not about you and the boss, mind you—it was more the idea that gay cowboys were a thing.”

“He never sawBrokeback Mountain?”

“Sure, but he thought that was just Hollywood. So we kind of—”

“Dropped him in the deep end,” I said with a smile.

Zeeb guffawed. “Hey, it’s like you know us or something. But yeah. Walt started talking about some guys he follows on Instagram, and then he and Matt shared pics of their favorite hunks. I guess by the time they were done, Garrett’s eyes had popped out of his sockets and his ears were bleeding, but at least now he knows how the land lies. Thankfully he’s okay with queers.” He inclined his head toward the house on the hill. “He okay?”

“You’re asking me? He’syourboss.”

Zeeb locked gazes with me. “Yeah, and you’ve seen more of him this past week than I have, so let’s cut the bullshit.”

I stared at the house. “I don’t know. That’s why I’m going up there—to find out.”

Except thatwasbullshit, but Zeeb didn’t need to know that.

He tugged the strap of the backpack over my shoulder. “Got your toothbrush in there? Your PJ’s?”

I laughed. “None of your goddamn business. See you tomorrow.” Zeeb laughed too as I headed for the path.

I strolled up, my mind going over what I had planned. When I reached the door, Robert opened it before I could knock. “Hey.”

The first thing I noticed was a tightness around his eyes, a hand rubbing the back of his neck.

He needed me, all right.

“Is it just us?” He nodded, and I remembered—Matt was getting supper ready down at the bunkhouse. I didn’t hesitate. I went inside, removed my boots and jacket, walked into the living room, headed for the nearest armchair, and sat, gesturing to the rug in front of me.

“On your knees, hands on your thighs.” He did as he was told, and I could almost see the layer of calm settling on him. “Take a breath.” I watched as his chest rose and fell, and I breathed with him. “Okay. Talk time. Seeing as you sent out the equivalent of the bat signal.” Not that I minded in the slightest.

He tapped his temple. “There’s a lot going on in my head right now.”

“Getting crowded in there?”

Another nod.

“Then let’s do something about that.” I cocked my head to one side. “Have you eaten?”

“I grabbed a bite. I… I wasn’t hungry.”

We could always eat after.

I leaned forward, lifted his chin with my fingers, and kissed him on the mouth, loving how he melted into the kiss. “Just so you know? We’ve got all night.”

His hands trembled on his thighs, and he sagged a little.