Page 6 of Dust and Desire (Sagebrush Cowboys #5)

Alex

I took my time putting Rusty away before heading back to my small apartment on the backside of the arena.

Cooling off in the creek had been nice, but there was a certain stench that came with creek water that I wanted to wash off before dinner.

Just because I was a ranch hand didn’t mean I had to smell like one.

I was a gay man after all and that demanded at least some semblance of decorum, especially around other gays.

The shower in my apartment was small but functional, with decent water pressure just like Colt had promised.

I let the hot water wash over me, scrubbing away the creek water and sweat with the pine-scented soap I’d picked up at the general store in town.

My mind kept wandering back to the figure in the woods.

Something about it didn’t sit right with me, but I couldn’t put my finger on why.

Maybe I was just letting my imagination run a little too wild.

Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and wiped the steam from the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, dark eyes serious in a way they hadn’t been before three years ago. Before him.

“Stop it,” I muttered to myself. “You’re being paranoid. ”

I dressed quickly in my cleanest jeans and a button-up shirt that wasn’t too wrinkled.

I even dabbed on a touch of the cologne I kept for special occasions.

Not that a ranch barbecue was special, but there was a chance Dustin might be there, and despite Caroline’s warning, I couldn’t help wanting to make a better impression than I had at the diner.

At the very least I wanted to be cute. I had a reputation to build in this new town.

The walk to the main house took only five minutes, and by the time I arrived, the small gathering was already in full swing.

The large backyard was drenched in shade from a massive cottonwood in the center.

Underneath were two picnic tables draped in red-checkered cloths, and the smell of smoked meat hung heavy in the air.

Logan was manning a massive grill while a tall, muscular man with blonde hair and a cowboy hat.

That was Beau, one of the local hunks I’d met at karaoke the night before.

Meanwhile his fiancé, Lucas, arranged platters of corn and biscuits on a nearby table.

“Alex!” Dakota called out, waving me over from where he sat with an older couple who I recognized to be Logan’s parents. We’d had a short introduction the night I arrived. “Come on and take a seat!”

I made my way over, accepting a cold beer from a cooler as I passed.

“Mr. and Mrs. Baker,” I said, tipping my hat as I approached. “Good to see you again.”

“Please, you don’t have to call us that,” Logan’s father said with a warm smile, patting the bench beside him. “We’re all on a first name basis here.”

“Sorry, Mr. Baker,” I said, tipping my hat. “Gotta show my respect to the boss.”

“You call Caroline by her first name,” Dakota added, lifting an eyebrow in my direction.

“Yeah, well…” I couldn’t help but grin. “I like giving her a hard time.”

Mr. Baker laughed. “Someone might as well give her a little taste of her own medicine. She’s a good girl but she can be a little tough on the ranch hands.” He smiled up at me. “So, how are you settling in?”

“Real well, thank you,” I replied, taking a seat with them. “The work’s been good, and everyone’s been real welcoming. Can’t ask for much more than that.”

Mrs. Baker leaned forward with genuine interest. “What brought you to Texas, dear? Logan mentioned you’ve worked ranches all over.”

I took a sip of my beer, buying myself a moment to craft the right answer. “Just felt like it was time for a change, ma’am. Heard good things about Sagebrush, and the Baker Ranch has quite a reputation already.”

“That it does,” Mr. Baker said proudly. “Though we came close to losing it all not too long ago.”

“If it wasn’t for Dustin...” Mrs. Baker’s voice trailed off with obvious gratitude.

At the mention of his name, I found myself scanning the gathering, looking for those sharp blue eyes and dark hair. But he was nowhere to be seen.

“He coming tonight?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

Dakota and Logan exchanged a look. “We invited him,” Logan said, flipping burgers on the grill. “But you know how he is. Keeps to himself mostly.”

“That man needs to get out more,” Mrs. Baker said with a shake of her head. “It’s not healthy, all that isolation.”

“Leave him be, Mom,” Caroline’s voice cut through the conversation as she joined us, carrying a pitcher of sweet tea. “Not everyone needs to be social butterflies. Dustin’s done plenty for us as it is. If he doesn’t want to come to dinner, that’s his prerogative.”

But I caught the way her eyes lingered on the path leading toward the back of the property, where I knew Dustin’s tiny house sat tucked away from everything else. There was concern there, the kind that came from caring about someone who wouldn’t let you help them .

“Well,” Lucas said, setting down a platter of perfectly grilled corn, “maybe someone should take him a plate later. Make sure he’s eating.”

“I could do that,” I offered before I could stop myself.

The table went quiet for a moment, all eyes turning to me. Caroline’s expression was particularly sharp, like she was trying to read my intentions.

“I mean, I’m heading back to the arena anyway,” I added quickly. “And I like to talk a walk after dinner to digest. Helps me clear my head.”

“That’s mighty thoughtful of you,” Mrs. Baker said finally, her voice warm with approval.

“Yeah, real thoughtful,” Caroline muttered under her breath, but when I glanced at her, she was focused on pouring tea like she hadn’t said anything at all.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Logan said, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. “Dustin could probably use the company, even if he won’t admit it.”

Dakota nodded in agreement. “He’s been even more withdrawn than usual lately. Won’t even come up for our weekly dinners anymore.”

“Something’s got him spooked,” Beau added, joining the conversation as he carried over a platter of perfectly smoked brisket. “Saw him at the general store last week, and he looked like he’d seen a ghost.”

My stomach tightened at those words, memories of my own recent paranoia flooding back. The figure in the woods, the feeling of being watched. Was it possible Dustin was dealing with something similar?

“Well, let’s not stand around gossiping about the man,” Mrs. Baker said firmly, though her tone was kind. “Alex, that’s very sweet of you to offer. I’m sure he’d appreciate a home-cooked meal, especially one as good as these boys make. ”

Lucas beamed at the compliment. “I made extra cornbread, so there’s plenty to go around.”

The conversation moved on to other topics as we filled our plates, but I found myself only half-listening.

My mind kept wandering to Dustin, alone in his tiny house while the rest of us gathered here like family even when I was so new.

What kept him so separate from everyone who clearly cared about him?

The food was incredible. Lucas and Beau had outdone themselves with the barbecue.

The brisket practically melted in my mouth, and the sides were restaurant-quality.

It wasn’t until Caroline told me about all Beau’s trophies that I understood why.

I couldn’t believe I was being fed brisket by a state champion.

I found myself relaxing as the evening wore on, drawn into the easy camaraderie of the group.

This was what I’d been missing in my nomadic years, the sense of belonging somewhere, of being part of something bigger than myself.

It had been a long time since I’d been around a proper family .

Deep in my heart, I wished I belonged to this one, that I wasn’t just some stranger in Sagebrush.

But I knew I wouldn’t stay either. I never spent more than a year in one place if I could help it.

That way my past couldn’t catch up to me.

“So Alex,” Dakota said as we were finishing up, “Caroline tells me you found some fence damage on the north side today.”

“Nothing too serious,” I replied. “Few posts that need replacing, some wire that’s come loose. Should be able to get it fixed up tomorrow if the weather holds.”

“I can help with that,” Logan offered. “Been meaning to get out and check those sections myself.”

“Appreciate it, but I can handle it. Don’t want to take you away from more important work.”

Caroline snorted. “Trust me, fixing fence is about as important as it gets around here. Cattle get out, and we’re all in a world of trouble.”

“I do the books mostly,” Logan sighed. “But I like to get out and do something physical now and then. I don’t want to end up looking like a pot-bellied pig from sitting in an office chair all day.” He glanced down at the empty plate in front of him. “That and I like to eat.”

Dakota reached over, putting a hand on Logan’s stomach. “Don’t worry, darlin’,” he smiled. “I’ll love you no matter how man love handles you have.”

Logan pushed him away, grinning. “Let’s keep it at just the two, huh?”

“I’m done with both of you,” Caroline groaned, tossing a napkin at her brother. “Some of us are trying to eat.”

“You’re just jealous,” Dakota teased, sliding his arm around Logan’s shoulders.

“Of what?” she shot back. “Having to listen to you two make googly eyes at each other all day?”

“Of having someone to make googly eyes at,” Beau chimed in with a wink, which earned him a death glare from Caroline.

I couldn’t help but laugh, enjoying the easy banter. It reminded me of my own family before... well, before everything went sideways.

As the meal wound down, Mrs. Baker began packing a generous plate for Dustin, carefully wrapping it in foil. “Make sure he gets all this cornbread,” she instructed, handing me the container. “That boy’s far too skinny.”

“Yes ma’am,” I nodded, taking the plate. It was heavier than I expected, loaded with enough food for three people.

“And tell him we miss him,” she added, her eyes softening. “Let him know he’s always welcome, anytime.”

“I will,” I promised, feeling the weight of her concern.

As I made my way back toward my apartment to grab my jacket before heading to Dustin’s, Caroline fell into step beside me.

“Remember what I said,” she warned quietly, her voice just for my ears. “That man’s been through enough.”

“I’m just taking him dinner,” I replied, trying to sound innocent.

She fixed me with a hard stare. “You know exactly what you’re doing, Reyes. I’ve seen that look before. ”

“What look?” I asked, genuinely confused.

“Like you’ve spotted something you want to chase.

” She sighed, her expression softening slightly.

“Just... be gentle with him, okay? He’s not tough like the folks out here pretend to be.

We’re ranchers, we know what it means to build a thick skin.

Dustin’s… well, he’s not like that. He wears everything on his sleeve. ” She paused again. “Just be nice.”

Before I could respond that of course I’d be nice, she turned and headed back to the gathering, leaving me with her warning echoing in my ears.

Once I had my denim jacket, I followed the path to Dustin’s tiny house as it wound through a small grove of trees.

The evening light filtered through the leaves, pinpricks of stars poking through in the sky above now and then.

As I approached, I could see the compact structure nestled against the backdrop of rolling hills.

It was modern and sleek, with large windows and a small deck out front.

Solar panels glinted on the roof, catching the first beams of moonlight.

I paused at the edge of the clearing, suddenly nervous. What if he didn’t want company? What if he slammed the door in my face? Or worse, what if he thought I was still trying to come onto him after that disaster at the diner?

“Get it together, Reyes,” I muttered to myself. “You’re just being neighborly.”

Taking a deep breath, I approached the front door and knocked firmly.

For a long moment, there was only silence, and I wondered if he was even home.

Maybe he’d seen me out the window and decided not to answer.

But then I heard movement and the telltale sound of footsteps.

I took a deep breath, putting on a warm smile as the doorknob began to turn.