Page 109 of A Rancher's Vow

“I asked Tucker to make sure I’m on the regular chore list as well as tech support. Even if I’m busy with computer stuff, I need time like this.”

“Agreed.” Dustin tossed a dirt ball at his friend and laughed as he avoided the return volley.

By four thirty he was washed up and ready to roll. Charity blasted through the doors of the cottage, rushing to the shower. “I need fifteen minutes,” she shouted. “There were goats. Again.”

He caught her by the arm and halted her forward momentum. “You can have thirty, but there’s a toll to pay before you go any farther.”

She raised a brow.

Dustin puckered up.

Charity smirked, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a lip balm. “Here you go.”

When she would have smeared his lips using the tube, he scooped her up and kissed her soundly. Dropping her to her feet, he patted her on the butt toward the shower. “Nice try.”

Patchwork Annie was curled up on the porch when they left half an hour later. She wagged her tail but happily stayed in place.

“Lazy beast.” Dustin opened the truck door for Charity. “I guess that means she feels the cottage is home.”

“She was a good girl, staying with me all day.” Charity hummed thoughtfully. “I guess we don’t need to worry about her doing that anymore.”

Dustin was already closing the truck door, but the comment gave him a bit of a jolt. He pondered the idea the entire walk to the driver’s seat. Charity didn’t need protection anymore. She didn’t need to stay at Silver Stone once Caleb confirmed Patty had been dealt with.

Except, she had to stay.

Screw it. What he wanted, and his new plans for the future,hadto be discussed as soon as dinner with his family was over.

Charity was quiet as well, staring out the window as if deep in thought.

“Missing your family already?” he asked, closing the distance between them to take her hand.

“Hm, what’s that?” Charity blinked then pulled on a sort of smile. “Oh, yeah. It was great to see them.”

He wanted to offer for the ladies to come visit anytime, but that discussion needed to come after dinner as well.

Nine-year-old Carter opened the front door for them and all but shouted a welcome. “Hey. Dad is burning something. Mom went outside to help.”

“It’s always nice to have help burning things,” Dustin replied, hand on Charity’s back guiding her inside.

Charity stepped into the house and was mobbed by Carter’s sisters. Harper and Chloe immediately demanded she watch their dance steps.

Carter took Dustin by the hand and pulled him into the family room. Little boy super-serious expression on his face, he folded his arms over his chest. “I can dance, too.”

“Really?”

Carter lifted his chin as if daring him to say something rude.

Not happening. Dustin just nodded. “Good for you. Charity taught me to dance a few years ago. I’m out of practice, but do you want to seemyroutine?”

Carter’s jaw dropped, then he nodded eagerly.

Which meant when Charity walked into the room with the girls, Dustin was in mid-pirouette. By the time Ivy and Walker entered the house, Dustin had all three children copying his pliés while Charity applauded furiously.

“Well done for an impromptu performance,” Ivy said. She pointed to the hallway. “Wash your hands and come to the table.”

Conversation was never dull when there were children involved. Dustin and Charity chatted with his brother and sister-in-law while answering endless questions about the horses, the trucks, how much water fell into the lake every day, why blue was better than green, and how much dirt weighed.

By the time dinner was over, Dustin’s ears were ringing in a good way.