Page 86 of A Rancher's Vow

Moments later they were out the door and in the saddle. Luke stayed quiet for the first part of the ride. The morning promised a gentle warmth instead of killer hot. Dustin rocked easily in his seat, thoughts of Charity filling his head.

How to keep her safe. How to make her know they needed more of each other.

“You’re growing up all right.”

Dustin shifted his attention to the side. “Come again?”

Luke shrugged. “I should say, you’vegrown upall right. You’re a good man, Dustin.”

Warmth swelled in Dustin’s gut. He dipped his chin at his brother, then did the only thing possible under the circumstances.

He put his heels to Molasses’s sides and took off like a streak before Luke could grab his reins. They raced over the trail toward the far fields, running the horses with a carefree delight that was only possible with family. Knowing they were there for each other.

For him. For Charity.

They pulled their horses to a walk just before cresting the final hill, companionably side by side as they reached the top. It was one of Dustin’s favourite routes to ride. He often added the loop to his chores even when it wasn’t assigned. The sky had brightened now, sun above the horizon. Colours of gold and yellow and darker shadows from the trees spread fingers across the wide fields. It was such a beautiful spot.

Luke pointed to the west, shaking his head. “Trespassers.”

No one was there now, but ATV tracks were clear in the new grass. Dustin and his brother made their way to the small shelter built near one of the northernmost Silver Stone fence lines.

The open side of the lean-to faced east. Inside the shelter, it was shadowy enough Luke opened his phone and hit the flashlight on. With the bright light, it was clear to see someone had arranged a few log stumps into a semi-circle. Pop cans and beer bottles were thrown in the far shadowy corner, and a mess of cigarette butts littered the ground, stretching toward the still-dry grass of the field.

“I was worried it was media hounds hiding out, but this looks more like kids,” Luke guessed.

“Good thing they didn’t start a fire.” The pile of cigarette butts was more than annoying. “I don’t know. I can put out a few feelers. Check if there’s any new teenagers in town searching for places to hang out, but I somehow doubt they’d go to the trouble of coming all the way out here.”

“Check it out, anyway,” Luke returned. “I’ll mention the issue to Tucker. He can put the shelter on the rotation for us to check more often.”

“I’m out here at least once a week,” Dustin shared. “I can up that for a while, just to discourage repeat visitors.”

“Good idea.”

They cleaned up the mess then tucked the garbage bag to the side to be picked up the next time one of the hands was out on an ATV.

Dustin checked his watch. Nearly nine a.m. Hopefully Charity was still asleep, but she’d soon be awake to discover that she wasn’t truly alone. Not last night, not today.

He mounted up and rejoined Luke as they headed to the next job.

17

Admiring the breakfast set out in front of her took a moment. Charity peeked in the fridge to discover muffins, a pre-cut fruit salad, bacon wrapped cheesy-egg things, and a note that read,Hit ON. The coffee is set to go.

A touch of decadence in the middle of chaos. Charity offered up thanks to Tamara, Dustin, and the gods of breakfast, popped the egg thingies in the microwave, then called Fern.

“Video chat me,” she ordered, leaning her phone on the vase in front of her that held silver and blue dried flowers—some of Ginny’s creative work, she assumed.

Fern popped up a moment later and eyed her closely. “You look better.”

“I feel better. I had a good sleep, and now instead of being panicked and upset, I’m pissed off and upset.”

“Good progress. Sex will do that to you, I hear.”

Charity raised a brow. “You should try it.”

“Someday,” Fern offered perkily. “In the meantime, here’s the update. Your apartment is being straightened up as we speak.”

“What?” Charity leaned forward. “Who?”