Page 29 of A Rancher's Vow

“Oh, no. You really should have. It was spectacular.” Dustin trotted along at her side, Patchwork Annie beside him.

Charity kept marching farther from Frank Stone before she was tempted to say something that would make things worse.

She glanced at Dustin’s face, only to discover him grinning from ear to ear. “You’re not mad at me for losing my temper?”

“I’m feeling happily justified that he pissed you off even faster than expected.” Dustin punched a fist in the air. “Sweet. I didn’t curse at him first. Tamara won’t givemeshit.”

“Dustin,” Charity scolded. “Not what I need to hear right now.”

He caught her by the arm and turned her toward him. Tucked to the side of the barn where no one could see them, he leaned over her and cupped her cheek. “You’re fine. He was being a dick.”

“Don’t insult dicks. They have a purpose, and when wielded correctly, they don’t cause aggravation.”

A burst of laughter escaped him. “Noted. So, before we start stomping again—”

“Shut up, Stone.”

He just grinned harder “—do you want to stay? Because I can take you back to Heart Falls.”

“Of course, we’re staying.” She frowned at him. “You still need to be gone from the circus back home. Plus, Caleb wasn’t lying about needing information. Tucker forwarded me the lists of what’s needed and how long they’ve been waiting. Looks as though digging through the files might be the only way Silver Stone will ever get the data they need.”

“Then we stay.” He tilted his head toward the way they’d come. “Sneak back and grab our bags? And the leftovers, if there are any?”

“God, yes. I was so busy in stomp mode,” she winked, “that getting away from that man was the only thing on my mind.”

“A properly timed exit is a beautiful thing.” He brushed his lips over her forehead. “Come on. Let’s sneak.”

The return trip to the truck for their stuff was rather anticlimactic. A few men in cowboy gear passed by, dipping their chins at Dustin and offering Charity appreciative smiles. Frank Stone was nowhere to be seen.

Charity carried the cooler. Dustin slung their bags over his shoulder then guided her to the trailer. “Frank wasn’t lying when he said it’s small. I don’t mind sleeping in the barn.”

The trailer was teeny, but squeaky clean. She dropped the food on the table and slipped around the small space to open windows and let in fresh air. “No. We can share, and what’s more, I think we need to. There’s a reason.”

Dustin put her bag on the foot of the bed. “Go on.”

She peeked into the small icebox then transferred the remaining food from their dinner into the open space. Unwelcome butterflies took flight in her belly.

Stop it. This is about being a friend. The friend who Dustin needs right now. Not about sex.

Charity twisted to face him. “You mentioned the bachelor auction and that you won’t be able to go home. But Ginny’s expecting right around then. Do you really want to be chased from your own home and family during a milestone like her baby’s arrival?”

“Of course not, but if I have to stay away, I will. They’re too important to me.”

“But if you weren’t expected to take part in the auction, then that’s one problem off the list.” Charity raised a brow.

He snorted. “The only acceptable way to get out of the auction is to be out of town or…” Dustin blinked. His expression brightened to a full grin. “Out of town or off the market. As in I already have a girlfriend, thank you, very much.”

“Exactly.” Charity glanced at the ceiling guiltily. “I have to confess I figured that out exactly five seconds after I’d already claimed you as my boyfriend just to piss off your uncle.”

“I totally approve of your initial motivation and the following brainwave.” Dustin clapped softly. “Tee, you’re brilliant.”

“It means we have to pretend to date.”

Dustin shrugged. “No worries there. We’ll go dancing a few times, like we would usually do. We can grab a pizza with Shim and Fern, like we would have anyway.”

“You’re right. Who knew dating would be this boring?”

He laughed. “Not boring, but simple. I’ll pass this update on to the family so they can start spreading the word. The sooner the news gets out, the better.”