Page 5 of Dust and Desire (Sagebrush Cowboys #5)

Alex

T he Texas sun was definitely hotter than the one in Oklahoma.

I wasn’t sure how that was possible, but the sweatband on my cowboy hat was doing nothing to stop it from running into my eyes.

I’d been riding for nearly two hours around the edge of Baker Ranch, checking fences for damage.

Apparently, Sagebrush had a freak snowstorm earlier that spring and a flood following the sudden melt.

Everyone had been so focused on repairing the arena that they hadn’t had time to check the fences.

So, as the new ranch hand, that was left up to me. The new guy always got the shit jobs.

But I didn’t mind. Honestly, I liked having some time to myself.

Working and living on ranches usually meant being around people all the time.

There was always conversation, bickering, and very little privacy.

But Baker Ranch was different in that way.

Here the ranch hands went home at the end of the day, except for me, and I had my own private apartment.

I couldn’t have asked for a better position.

They’d even given me my own horse to ride, a chestnut gelding who was definitely old, but as gentle as could be.

I wouldn’t be winning any races on him, but he was steady and dependable. That was just fine with me.

I patted his neck as we moved along the fence line. “You’re a good one, aren’t you, boy?” I murmured, and he snorted in response. I’d named him Rusty, which wasn’t particularly original given his coloring, but it suited him.

The fence seemed intact for this stretch, but the midday heat was becoming unbearable. Sweat trickled down my spine, and my shirt clung uncomfortably to my back. Up ahead, I could see the glint of water through the trees. It was one of the small creeks that ran through the property.

“What do you say we take a break?” I asked Rusty, guiding him toward the water.

The creek was peaceful, shaded by a stand of cottonwoods that provided blessed relief from the sun.

I dismounted, letting Rusty drink his fill while I tied him loosely to a low-hanging branch.

The water looked cool and inviting, rippling over smooth stones.

Without a second thought, I began stripping off my clothes.

Growing up on ranches, modesty had never been my strong suit. When you share bunkhouses with other hands and shower in communal spaces, you either get comfortable with your body, or you suffer. I’d chosen the former long ago.

I stepped into the creek, sighing with pleasure as the cool water lapped around my ankles.

It was deeper than it looked, a little over my head at the center, and I waded in until the water reached my chest. The relief was immediate, washing away hours of sweat and dust. I ducked my head under, running my fingers through my hair before surfacing with a gasp.

For a moment, I just floated there, staring up at the patches of blue sky visible through the leaves overhead. It was quiet except for the gentle gurgle of the creek and the occasional snort from Rusty.

My mind drifted back to the night before at Dolly’s. Karaoke had been more fun than I’d expected, especially going toe-to-toe with Colt. The man could sing, I’d give him that, but I held my own. What I hadn’t counted on was Dustin Corvus.

I’d heard about him, of course. The mysterious New York lawyer who’d swooped in and saved the Baker Ranch, then decided to stay. Logan had mentioned him a few times during my orientation, and Colt had pointed out his tiny house from a distance. But nothing had prepared me for meeting him in person.

He was gorgeous in that buttoned-up, city-boy way, all clean lines and careful movements.

But there was something else there too, a sadness that lingered around his beautiful blue eyes even when he smiled.

And when I’d started flirting with him, I’d seen panic flash across his face before he bolted.

I sighed, letting my body sink deeper into the water.

Maybe I’d come on too strong. It wouldn’t be the first time.

But there was something about Dustin that made me not want to waste time.

Then again, it had been several months since I’d been with anyone, so maybe I was just being horny.

It wouldn’t be the first time for that either.

I wasn’t sure what it was that drew me to him so strongly.

Maybe it was the way he held himself apart from everyone else, like he was afraid to get too close.

Or maybe it was just that in a town full of coupled-up gay cowboys, we were the only two single ones.

Either way, I’d clearly spooked him, and now I’d have to figure out how to make things right, even if it was just to be friendly.

The last thing I wanted to do was drive off the investor of my new employer. That wouldn’t look good on me.

Floating on my back, I closed my eyes against the dappled sunlight.

The water cradled me, cool against my naked skin, washing away not just the day’s sweat but some of the heaviness I carried with me from Oklahoma.

That was the beauty of water, it could cleanse more than just the body if you let it.

I’d been running for so long that sometimes I forgot what I was running from. Or maybe I just didn’t want to remember. The fight. The blood. The look in his eyes when I told him I was leaving and wasn’t coming back. Some things were better left behind, buried deep where they couldn’t reach me.

A twig snapped somewhere nearby, and I jerked upright in the water, suddenly alert. Rusty hadn’t moved, still contentedly grazing at the edge of the creek, which meant it probably wasn’t a predator. But something, or someone, was definitely there.

“Hello?” I called out, treading water as I scanned the tree line. “Someone there?”

Silence answered me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. The hair on the back of my neck stood up despite the heat. I swam toward the bank where I’d left my clothes, keeping my eyes on the surrounding trees. I stood up and walked out, cold water streaming down my body.

There was movement in the shadows between the trees, just a flicker, but unmistakable. Someone was watching me.

“Who’s there?” I demanded, my voice sharper now. I wasn’t particularly modest, but I didn’t appreciate being spied on either.

The figure darted away, a blur of motion that disappeared into the denser woods before I could make out any details. Man or woman, I couldn’t tell, just that they’d been there, watching, and now they were gone.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I gathered up my clothes at the shore. Water dripped down my naked body as I emerged, warming quickly in the sun. If whoever it was wanted a show, they’d certainly got one. Instead of rushing, I stood in the sun for a moment, letting the heat dry me off.

“Fucking perfect,” I muttered, scanning the trees even though I knew the person was gone. “Nothing like having a stalker my first week on the job.” I paused for a moment. “Or Bigfoot.”

Could it have been Dustin? The thought flashed through my mind, bringing with it a confusing mix of irritation and arousal. But no, after the way he’d bolted from the diner last night, I doubted he’d be seeking me out, especially not like this.

But then a new thought struck me, one that filled my chest with anxiety. Could he have found me already? It didn’t seem possible with how much distance I’d traveled in just a few days. And I didn’t tell anyone where I was going. I didn’t even forward my address .

No, it couldn’t be him.

Rusty shifted nervously, sensing my unease. Still damp, I got dressed quickly and untied him, swinging up into the saddle. The wet denim chafed uncomfortably against my thighs, but I hardly noticed as I urged the horse back toward the main ranch buildings.

As we rode, I kept scanning the treeline, half-expecting to see my voyeur again. But there was nothing, just the rustling of leaves in the light breeze and the occasional bird call. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled over me like a shadow.

It wasn’t until we crested the hill overlooking the ranch that I allowed myself to relax slightly.

The sight of the buildings, solid and real in the afternoon sun, grounded me.

I was being paranoid. It was probably just one of the other hands taking a shortcut through the woods, or maybe even Caroline checking up on me without wanting to interrupt my break.

But as Rusty carried me down toward the stables, a memory surfaced, unwelcome and sharp as a knife.

Him standing in the shadows outside my apartment in Oklahoma City, watching me through the window.

The bouquet of half-dead roses on my doorstep the next morning.

The whispered promise that had made my blood run cold.

I shook it off again. That couldn’t be it. It just couldn’t.

I dismounted at the stables, my wet clothes uncomfortable against my skin. Rusty seemed eager to get back to his stall, and I couldn’t blame him. The heat was oppressive, even in the shade of the barn.

“How’d the fence check go?” Caroline’s voice startled me as I was removing Rusty’s saddle. She leaned against the stall door, her dark braid draped over one shoulder, streaks of dust on her face and arms.

“Fine,” I said, trying to sound casual despite my lingering unease. “Found a few spots that need patchin’ on the north side, but nothin’ major.”

She nodded, her sharp eyes taking in my damp clothes and hair. “Decided to cool off, I see. ”

“Creek looked too invitin’ to pass up,” I admitted, hanging the saddle on its rack. “Though I might’ve had some company.”

Caroline’s eyebrow arched. “Company?”

“Someone was watching me. Ran off when I spotted them.” I kept my tone light, like it was just a mild curiosity rather than something that had set my nerves on edge. “Y’all don’t have a bigfoot around here, do ya?”

“Not that I know of. Probably just one of the hands taking a shortcut,” she said, echoing my earlier thought. Then her lips quirked into a half-smile. “Or maybe Dustin. His tiny house isn’t far from that creek.”

My stomach did a little flip at the mention of his name. “Dustin? The lawyer guy?”

“The very same.” Caroline’s smile widened. “He likes to wander the property sometimes. Says it helps him think.”

I tried to picture the buttoned-up lawyer I’d met last night skulking through the woods, spying on me while I swam naked. It didn’t quite fit.

“Didn’t seem like the peeping tom type,” I said, brushing Rusty down with more focus than necessary.

Caroline snorted. “He’s not. That man’s so proper he probably averts his eyes when he sees his own reflection in the shower.” She paused, studying me. “You went to bed in quite a hurry last night.”

I shrugged, not meeting her gaze. “Long day. Needed some sleep.”

“Uh-huh.” Her tone made it clear she wasn’t buying it. “Nothing to do with you making Dustin run off like his ass was on fire?”

Someone must’ve told her. I sighed, finally looking up at her. “I might’ve come on a little strong.”

“A little?” Caroline barked out a laugh. “From what I hear, you were practically in his lap, Reyes. Poor man probably felt like he was gonna have a heart attack.”

Heat crept up my neck that had nothing to do with the Texas sun. “I was just being friendly. ”

“That what they call it in Oklahoma?” She shook her head, but there was no real judgment in her expression. “Look, Dustin’s... different. He’s not like the rest of us.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, honestly curious about this stunning blue-eyed stranger.

Caroline shifted nervously, not something she did often.

“It’s not my place to say. His business is his own.

” She paused, looking me over. “I won’t tell you how to live your life,” she added, crossing her arms over her chest. “But don’t you dare run that man off.

He’s considered a saint around here. Do I make myself clear? ”

“Yes ma’am,” I said automatically. Caroline might not have said it bluntly, but she meant to warn me. If it came down to a choice between Dustin and I, she would pick Dustin. And I couldn’t blame her. “I’ll be more… mindful next time.”

“Good man,” she nodded. “Well, we’re getting dinner put together up at the house if you want to join us. Barbeque tonight.”

“Who’s cooking?” I asked before I could stop myself.

Caroline turned around, placing her hands forcefully on her hips. “Beau and Lucas are, if you must know.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, okay. I can be there.”

She glared at me for a long moment. “I’m not sure I like your tone.”

I just grinned. “Well, at least you’re a good barrel racer.”

“I hate boys!” Caroline barked, turning away from me, her braid whipping behind her.

“You know you like me! I’m too cute to hate!” I called back.

I swore I almost heard her snicker.