Page 76 of A Rancher's Vow

The entire way down the long drive to the Silver Stone ranch gates, Charity kept thinking how normal everything seemed. Except for her.

She felt—lost.

Beside her, Dustin finished speaking quietly into his phone, his serious expression settling into rock-solid resolve. The gate slid open, and he took them through and parked outside the main ranch house. Fingers still connected with hers, Dustin tugged her to face him.

“Fern’s bringing you a bag of stuff.”

“From my apartment?” Charity shook her head. “She’s not a miracle worker.”

“Don’t worry about the details.” Dustin pressed a hand to her cheek. “We’ll check in with my brother, then I’ll get you settled.”

She caught herself staring out the window, zero thoughts in her brain, as he paced the exterior of the truck to come around and open her door. A flutter of amusement somehow stole in as she took his hand and let him help her from the cab.

He raised a brow. “Laughing, Tee?”

“Just thinking that shock is one way to train me to stay on my ass.”

A soft snort escaped him, then he had a hand pressed to her lower back and was guiding her to the door. “I’d recommend other, more pleasurable training methods.”

He knocked once then pushed the door open.

In the kitchen, Tamara glanced up from the stove. Caleb sat at the island across from her, peeling potatoes. They both stopped what they were doing to face her and Dustin.

“Hey, guys. Did I know you were coming over for supper?” Tamara asked. “Not a problem, but—”

“What’s wrong?” Caleb was on his feet, gaze darting between her and Dustin. “More social media bullshit?”

“Someone broke into Charity’s apartment during the auction. Trashed the place.” Dustin tucked her harder against his side. “She’s staying here at Silver Stone until we figure out who did it.”

“Of course she is.” Tamara wiped her hands on a towel and moved forward. The concern in her eyes clear behind silver-rimmed glasses. “I’m so sorry, honey. Come here.”

Her open arms were a welcome haven, and Charity closed her eyes and leaned into the embrace. “Thanks.”

“You deal with the police already?” Caleb asked.

“Yeah, but not much they can do.” Dustin shared the rest of his news, speaking softly to his oldest brother.

Meanwhile, Tamara patted Charity on the shoulder then tilted her head toward the living room. “Want to sit?”

“God, no.” Charity shook her head. “Too twitchy. Put me to work.”

She snagged the pot of potatoes and prepared to take over Caleb’s task.

Tamara examined her, as if checking her hand-eye coordination, but eventually nodded. “I get it. Knock yourself out. We’ll talk beds later.”

Charity was only halfway through the second potato when Dustin’s arms surrounded her from the back. His stubble-roughened cheek brushed hers as he spoke quietly. “I’m going to get your place ready. Back in a bit. You okay sticking with Tamara?”

“Of course.”

The question on Tamara’s face was clear, but Charity was too numb to ponder the whys of it. She reached into the pot for the next potato.

Dustin had asked if she trusted him. She did.

Maybe more than she should.

But right now she knew enough to recognize she wasn’t firing on all cylinders. Which meant, as her grandmother had always said, it was time to lean on the people she could trust.

That was Dustin. He’d take care of her.