Page 92 of A Rancher's Vow

His uncle appeared as shocked to hear the words as Dustin was to have uttered them.

Then he shook his head. “No, thank you, though.” He eyed Charity and the grip she had on Dustin’s beltloop. “I wanted to invite you to come to Crooked Creek if you want. Both of you. If that would help.”

Charity stepped forward. “That is a generous offer, and I’m grateful you made it. But for now, I’ll stay here at Silver Stone. Once things settle down, I’d love to come visit again. If that would work.”

It was one miracle after another as the older man nodded then tilted his chin toward Dustin. “Come when you can. Adam enjoys having you around.” He swallowed hard as if trying to fit the words together. “I appreciate you being there, too.”

He held out his hand to Dustin, who took it in spite of the shock to his system. A compliment from his uncle? An offer of a place of refuge? “Always willing to help family.”

“Yeah, I’m finally figuring that out,” Frank muttered.

Dustin ignored that part because this was more important. “Thanks for offering Tee a safe spot to land. That’s really good of you.”

“Well, it looks as if you’re being taken care of.” Frank eyed them both again then tipped his head at Luke. “Give my regards to Caleb. I’ll be in touch.”

Charity moved in his path before he could leave. “Thank you.”

He chuckled, a low rusty sound, as if he wasn’t used to using it. “Young lady, thank you. And you.” He stabbed a finger at Dustin, suddenly sounding like his bossy old self. “Get your ass in gear before someone else snaps her up.”

“Uncle Frank?”

His uncle caught Charity’s wrist and lifted it up to show her bare hand. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll put your ring on here sooner than later. Excuse me, I have some kittens to track down.”

Then he was gone, headed to the loft. His boots clattered on the wooden floorboards of the stairs, leaving a stunned group of three behind.

Luke stared up the stairwell for a moment. “Well, wasn’t that the most peculiar thing I’ve ever seen.” He turned on Dustin and Charity. “Either of you know what’s gotten into him? I vote for possession by little green aliens.”

“I have no idea. The last time I spoke to him, I gave him hell for being a fool.” Charity wrinkled her nose in an adoring manner. “Let’s not share that too widely with the rest of your family.”

Now that was an interesting tidbit. “Well, the last time I talked to him, which was after you did, he was not as possessed as today, but he was polite for the first time…ever.” Dustin met Luke’s gaze then tilted his head toward her. “It appears we’ve discovered patient zero in infecting Uncle Frank with a heart.”

Luke grabbed Charity’s hand and shook it vigorously. “Miracle worker.”

She laughed, pulling her hand free. “Whatever. Maybe he needed a plain speaking-to. Anyway, that was a very kind offer from him.”

“It was. And when we can, we’ll go visit Crooked Creek and our friends,” Dustin promised.

Uncle Frank’s odd behavior aside, work beckoned followed by the promise of a fun evening with Charity and his friends. Dustin kissed her cheek quickly before hurrying off after Luke.

18

Monday morning, Charity marched herself across the yard from the cottage to the Silver Stone office, determined to get back into productive mode. Patchwork Annie paced at her side, once again having been told by Dustin to guard. This time he’d used her runners, but Charity thought maybe Annie was getting the idea it was the feet inside the shoes she was supposed to keep an eye on.

The previous day had been all kinds of unexpectedly wonderful. Between her friends caring for her, the ride with Kelli, kitten time with Tyler and Sasha, and the evening spent with Dustin, Fern, and Shim, Charity had pretty much been surrounded by a supportive community.

Dustin’s arms around her all night long had been the cherry on top of a good day.

But now she needed to focus. Time to do her job and maybe find a little emotional distance between what was real and what wasn’t.

That people cared for her—real.

That she was truly a part of Silver Stone—fake.

And that was okay. Really.

Maybe.

No, it sucked.