Page 9 of A Rancher's Vow

Damn it all anyway.

Charity sighed even as she counted her blessings. She might like the way he looked, and she might physically have the hots for him, but she was not in the position to acquire a full-time boyfriend. Not even one like Dustin.

Maybeespeciallynot one like Dustin. The distance between them financially had always been a lot, and now it was a gaping chasm. Not because of that stupid article, but because she knew the actual family.

A single woman without any family support except an equally broke but well-loved sibling was not the equal to a man who belonged to a family dynasty.

Ergo, being friends was the best and only solution. Having a support network of both sexes was wonderful and, for now, exactly what she needed.

She just wished there was some way of telling her body that as she sat on the couch next to him, their thighs touching.

Fern had taken control of one corner of the couch, and Dustin the other, leaving Charity as the stuffing in the middle. Every time her elbow bumped his as one or the other adjusted position, a little buzzing sensation slid up her spine. It was a cheap thrill, admittedly, but did she move further away from him?

She did not.

Which meant she was not only blissfully ignoring her own excellent advice, but she was also asking for potential trouble.

Her phone rang, and she jumped to answer it, waving off Fern’s suggestion to pause the movie. “It’s my sister. This shouldn’t take long.”

She slipped into her bedroom and closed the door. “Hey, Chelsea. How’s it going?”

“Over here? Excellent. More importantly, how was your first day yesterday?”

“Wonderful and scary all at the same time,” Charity admitted. “Most of that was first day jitters, but also a little ofam I in over my head?”

“From what you’ve told me about Silver Stone, as long as you’re trying your best, they’ll help you over any bumps in the road.”

“You’re right. Just nervous.”

“Makes sense, but you’ve got this,” Chelsea assured her.

Which was exactly what she needed to hear. “Thanks.”

“It’s true.”

Charity took a deep breath. “You are awesome, and I love you, but I can’t talk for long because I’ve got friends over.”

“I only have a minute, myself. Suz and I are headed dancing, but I ran out of time last night and I wanted to touch base with my little sis before too many days passed.”

Which was how Chelsea operated, which was part of the reason why Charity loved her so much. They didn’t live in each other’s pockets, but they made sure they kept in touch. “I’m glad you called, and things are great. Give Suz a kiss for me, and you guys have a wonderful time tonight. I’ll be in touch next week with my final schedule so we can plan our summer holiday get-together, as short as it will have to be.”

“Perfect. Love you.”

“Back atcha.”

Solid warmth flooded her heart. Charity might not have her Grandma Lily anymore, but a rock-solid sister and sister-in-law in her corner was enough. Still smiling, she headed back to the main room to rejoin her friends.

The front door was just closing, a soft chuckle escaping Dustin as he turned back into the living room.

He spotted her and grinned, poking a thumb over his shoulder. “Fern got a call. Something about her brother-in-law needs her to deal with a computer gone crazy at the gallery, and it can’t wait until the morning or his paints will melt.”

Charity attempted to keep her suspicions off her face. It was entirely possible the story was true. It was also possible that Fern was, once again, being agood friendand leaving Charity alone with Dustin.

Nothing to do but push through. No reason they couldn’t enjoy the rest of the movie together.

“More nachos for us.” She winked as she went to grab more ice for her drink. She turned to discover Dustin frowning over her shoulder, peering past her into the fridge. “Need something?”

He glanced at the coffee table where the nacho plate and his and Fern’s beers sat.