Page 31 of A Cowboy's Claim

Jinx eyed him with suspicion. “Is this what’s called finding the silver lining?”

He snorted. “Pretty much.”

She patted Rainbow. “Had too much energy after we got back, but I think I can go to bed now.”

Logan’s lean frame disappeared into the tack room. Perfect.

Declan cleared his throat. “Before you go, I need to ask you something.”

Jinx closed Rainbow’s stall and turned to him. “What?”

“Stay away from Logan for a little while.”

She blinked. “Why?”

“Just for now. While I figure some things out.”

A flush touched her cheeks. “That makes no sense.”

“Sometimes things don’t,” Declan admitted. “But I want you to stay safe.”

“Logan would never hurt me.” Her voice cracked. She glanced toward the tack room, concern written all over her.

“Never said he would,” Declan replied softly. “Promise me anyway?”

She hesitated then straightened her spine. “Fine. But I trust him. And I want to know what’s going on. Soon.”

“You will.”

She left without giving him another hug, which was how Declan knew he was in deep shit.

He made his way to the tack room. Time to get this over with.

Logan looked up as Declan entered. “Everything okay over at Silver Stone?”

“Got work to do, but they’re all safe.” Declan leaned casually against the doorframe. “How’d things go at horse camp?”

Logan dropped a bundle of halters then scrambled to pick them up. “Good. Really good. Girls did well. I think Jinx could be a solid cowboy… if she wants to be.”

“I heard there was some trouble. You handled it?”

Logan froze. “You had someone watching me?”

“If I did, they said you did the right thing. I’m here to say thanks.”

The young man blinked in surprise at what must have felt like a ninety degree turn. “It was mostly bullshit guy stuff, but I didn’t want to take a chance.”

“Bullshit guy stuff sometimes turns nasty, so I’m glad you acted.”

“Hell, yeah.” Logan made a face. “I didn’t tell the girls. First because they were safe, but mostly because knowing about it would creep them out, and I didn’t want them to have that kind of memory messing up what was otherwise a really good time.”

Declan nodded. “Makes sense. I won’t tell Jinx either.”

Logan visibly relaxed and returned to straightening tack.

Declan considered the best approach. “You’ve been here a while, and we can all see you’re doing your best to fit in. We don’t demand everyone’s background at High Water. That’s part of how we help people move forward.”

Logan tensed.