The other thing the wedding had shown me was that Adler deserved what Maverick and Colt had. His terrible poker face meant he couldn’t disguise his longing. He wanted that sort of happy ending. And he deserved it, but not with a broken-down, cynical cowboy who didn’t trust him to stay. Adler’s happy ending would undoubtedly come in a big city, back at some glittery hotel, long after he’d tired of the cowboy life.

  And that thought made me want to chew gravel.

  “Fuck.” In my frustration, I damn near stripped a screw by overly tightening it.

  “Careful.”

  “I’ve got it.” My voice came out as terse as the rest of me felt. Maybe it was time to have this out, reluctant as I was. I exhaled hard, mentally yanking up my Wranglers and girding my heart. “Should we talk?”

  “I don’t know. Should we?” Not surprisingly, Adler was defiant. As well he should be, given that I was the one stringing him along. We might both be avoiding the hard conversation, but I was the one at fault.

  “I—”

  “Grayson?” Maverick saved me from figuring out what the hell I’d been about to say as he strode in through the other machine shop door, bringing a gust of cold air with him. “Oh good. Adler’s here too.”

  “What’s up?” My senses instantly went on high alert, the way I could always tell when a horse was about to spook or a piece of equipment was about to break. Something was wrong, as evidenced by Maverick’s wild eyes and pink cheeks.

  “We’ve got a situation.”

  “What sort of situation?” I kept my voice wary, hoping to God this wasn’t a problem with the trust or needing to sell the ranch. We’d come this far. I wasn’t sure what I’d do if he were tossing in the towel.

  “Not ranch business.” Maverick sounded like he’d run the whole way to the machine shed. “Colt’s brother was injured in the line of duty.”

  “Fuck.” Adler summed up my own reaction. “How badly?”

  “Pretty bad.” Maverick clenched and unclenched his hands, the sort of restless energy he hadn’t had since before the wedding. “They’ve taken him to Germany, and the current plan is to get him to DC for more long-term treatment. Colt and his mom want to be in DC when he arrives on a medical transport flight.”

  “You want to go too,” Adler guessed before I could. “Colt will need you.”

  “Yup,” I agreed. “You should go.”

  “Well, Colt says he’s fine to go alone.” Maverick gestured dismissively to show what he thought of that notion. “But yes, I want to go along.”

  “Can Faith handle the girls? I can help.” Adler was quick as ever to volunteer.

  “That’s what I was hoping.” Maverick gave a tight nod. “Colt’s aunt can help with the girls as well.”

  “I can hold down the fort with ranch business.” Finally, something concrete I could offer. “No need to worry about us. Slow time of year, but I’ve got it covered regardless.”

  “I know I can count on you.” Maverick exhaled and rubbed his gloved hands on his jeans. “I have a bunch of meetings scheduled for next week, relating to the dude ranch project. I’ll need you to cover for me, Adler.”

  “Me?” Adler widened his eyes. “I mean, I’ll do my best, but I don’t want to sign off on anything without your approval. Grayson’s the ranch expert, not me.”

  “I trust you. Grayson can go to the meetings too, but you’re my right-hand person on this project. You know as much as I do.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Adler didn’t look any too sure.

  My stomach churned, but not from doubt. He probably did know more hands-on, day-to-day ranch details than Maverick. He was also the hospitality expert, more than capable of making decisions in the best interests of future guests. My sick feeling was more to do with the bitter wind of change Maverick’s news had brought. I’d known Adler’s time as a hand was drawing shorter, but this was likely to accelerate things further. However, nothing for me to do other than nod.

  “We both will. You go worry about Colt.”

  “I will.” Maverick chewed the corner of his mouth. “Thank you. I need to go finalize travel plans. And dinner.”

  “Work on the travel first.” Adler squeezed Maverick’s shoulder. “I’ll finish up here and then come fix dinner. You shouldn’t have to cook tonight.”

  “Thanks.” Maverick offered a grateful smile, seeming marginally more at ease than when he’d entered the machine shed. “I doubt Colt will eat, but that’s one less thing on my plate.”

  “Consider yourself finished.” I gestured at Adler. “That’s a good idea, making sure they’re fed. You go on and clean up. Door can wait.”

  “Thanks.” Adler headed for the other door, turning back to address Maverick. “I’m going to go take the world’s fastest shower, then head to the house to help you.”

  “Thank you.” Maverick let out a low groan as Adler left. “Gah. I have a feeling I’m going to be saying thank you a lot over the next few weeks.”

  “Understandable. And keep delegating. Let folks help,” I advised. “I’ve got things on the ranch end.”

  There had been plenty of times toward the end of Melvin Lovelorn’s life when I’d had to handle things more or less on my own, trusting that I was making decisions that would preserve the ranch’s future for Maverick and the others who counted on it. I wasn’t at all worried, but Maverick scrunched his face like he wasn’t so sure.

  “You sure you can work together with Adler?” he asked in a low voice, like Adler might reappear at any moment. “I know he’s not your favorite person.”

  Oh, how wrong Maverick was, but now was not the time to illuminate him. “We’ll be fine.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  I was beyond sure that somehow, against all odds, Adler had become my favorite human, and I was also certain we made a good team, but I kept my voice mild. “We’ve kept the dogs alive together.”

  “True.” Maverick offered a tentative smile. “I’m glad you kept the dogs. Adler would be heartbroken if they left.”

  “Yep.” At this point, so would I. And not to mention how heartbroken I’d be when Adler moved on from the dude ranch project. Adler working less as a hand was the first of many little losses, all of which I needed to silently bear.

  “Maybe you can teach the dogs to herd llamas.”

  I made a startled noise. “Llamas?”

  “Or baby goats. Adler keeps batting around ideas for a wider variety of animals for potential guests. Chickens, if we can figure out how to keep them warm year-round. He’s got Kat considering mini horses too.”

  “Why am I not surprised?” I groaned.

  “He’s Adler.” Maverick gave a knowing smile. That was indeed one way of putting it. Adler was a force of nature, able to drive me up a wall even as I appreciated his unique gifts. “Thinking of how to entertain guests is his calling in life.”

  “Certainly seems intent on keeping himself busy,” I agreed. All Adler’s grand plans would undoubtedly make for happier guests and more income for the ranch. I remained irritable about essentially turning the place into a city-slicker summer camp though. “And more work for the rest of us.”

  “When I’m back, we’ll talk about adding hands for spring and summer,” Maverick promised.

  “Sounds like a plan.” I waved him toward the door Adler had exited through. “Worry about Colt right now, not the ranch. I’ve—we’ve—got this handled.”

  “Thanks,” Maverick said as he left.

  I, of course, had far less certainty than I was letting on. Not about the work or about keeping the ranch going. I had enough confidence in my years of experience there. Nor was I worried about Adler’s ability to pitch in. Rather, my back prickled at the notion of working together, sweat gathering at the base of my spine despite the chilly temperatures. We would indeed handle things for Maverick, but whether the price would be what was left of my sanity and heart remained to be seen.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Adler

  “Do you have everything you need for school?” I asked Willow as I entered the house right as both girls were leaving, clad in thick winter coats and gloves and toting backpacks.

  “Yes.” Willow gave me a well-deserved eye roll because I’d been asking the same question every day since Maverick and Colt left for DC. Willow was quite possibly more put-together than I was. Between the girls, the bunkhouse, covering for Maverick, and my existing chores, I was more than a little scattered.

  “Did you eat?” I asked. I’d been intending to get over in time to make sure they ate more than a granola bar, but I’d been waylaid with questions about who was mucking what from Reindeer, who’d overslept through the morning meeting with Grayson.

  “Mom made French toast.” Hannah gave me a small, pleased smile.

  “Excellent.” I held the door open for them. “Go on then. Don’t want to miss your bus.”

  “Hope they don’t freeze out there.” Coming up next to me, Faith tightened her thick gray robe. “I also made coffee if you didn’t already get yours at the bunkhouse.”

  “I did, but I could use a refill. Long day already.” Closing the door, I followed her back over to the coffee maker. “How are you doing?”

  “Better than expected.” She rinsed the breakfast plates before loading them into the dishwasher. “I know Maverick is worried about me, but honestly, it’s kind of nice to be needed.”

  “I know the feeling.” Amen to that. I might be busier than ever, and I would never wish bad news on Colt or his family, but I’d also gained a deep sense of satisfaction from being able to help. “Have you heard from Maverick?”

  “Yeah. Colt’s brother has a TBI and a long road ahead of him, but he’s in DC now with a good team of doctors.” Faith moved from the dishes to put the syrup and butter in the fridge. She’d placed a careful list of daily chores and a rough schedule for herself on the front of the fridge. “The brother will likely end up with a medical discharge, but his overall prognosis is good.”

  “I’m glad.” While the fridge was open, I snagged the milk for my coffee refill. I might be more used to cowboy living now, but I was never going to take my coffee black.

  “I told Maverick to take as long as he and Colt need,” Faith added before shutting the fridge.

  “Good.” I patted her on the shoulder as she passed by where I stood near the coffee maker. “We’re all doing a great job managing things here. You very much included.”

  “Thanks.” A pink blush spread across Faith’s pale cheeks. “I…uh… Would you want to go into Durango with me Friday afternoon?”

  “Absolutely. Sooner if you need.” I’d need to speak to Grayson about the schedule, but Faith was a priority as well.

  “It’s not for a meeting.” Faith waved her slim wrist. “Well, not only that. I’m going to need one if I go through with this, but there’s a cosmetology school in Durango, like you predicted. Thought I might at least meet with the enrollment director.”

  “I’m so excited for you.” I caught her up in a hug. “Yes, we can go check it out, catch a meeting, and be back before movie night with the girls.”

  “Good.” Faith’s eyes went wide with surprise at the hug, but she had the same pleased smile as Hannah had earlier. “Busy week for you.”

  “Yep. I have the tiny house people coming today for a meeting with Grayson about adding a few mobile visitor cabins.”

  “Good luck with that.” Her cryptic tone gave me pause, and I released her from the hug.

  “You think it’s a bad idea?”

  “The cabins?” She shrugged before refilling her own coffee mug. “No, that will be fine. You and Maverick have a good eye for what guests will want. More that Grayson has been a thundercloud all week.”

  “True.” No sense in denying it. He’d been more grumpy than usual, the return of his stern taskmaster side. Not outright hostile to me and as capable as ever, but he had been as prickly as a summer cactus. “I can handle him though. A little bad mood never scared me.”

  “Better you than me.” Faith gave a light laugh, and I joined in to cover how much I enjoyed Grayson’s company, cranky or not. His skepticism over the dude ranch project notwithstanding, I spent the rest of my morning looking forward to seeing him for the meeting.

  In fact, when he didn’t turn up at the horse barn or for lunch, I went and hunted him down, finding him at the hay barn, tools out as he tinkered with the bale loader.

  “The tiny house people will be here soon.” I handed him the sack lunch I’d tossed together for him, which included two sandwiches and chips.

  “Thanks.” He wiped off his hands before accepting the lunch and moving to sit on a nearby hay bale. “I didn’t forget about the meeting. Loader’s acting up again, though, so getting through the morning chores took longer. Snow’s on the way, too, so the animals are all twitchy.”

  “They can predict snow?” This was news to me.

  “Even better than my bum leg.” Grayson gave a rusty chuckle as he stretched said leg out in front of him before making fast work of the first sandwich. He offered up a reluctant sigh as he pushed back up to standing. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”

  “You sound super enthusiastic.” I followed him back to the main ranch house, where we were meeting the tiny house people before showing them around the property and letting them take any necessary measurements.

  “Eh. Motley and the others will be glad not to have all the guests in the regular bunkhouse. And I’m sure the income will help the ranch overall. It’s not the worst idea.” His tepid voice was maddening in its faint praise.

  Luckily, I was saved from more conversation by the arrival of the two representatives from the tiny house company I’d found for Maverick. The wife-and-wife duo were eager to hear our plans, and soon, I had my rough sketches and notes spread out across the dining table.

  In fact, I forgot I was supposed to be nervous, warming to the subject and rediscovering my confidence both. Maverick trusted me, and that meant something. So what if Grayson didn’t like the plans? That didn’t mean they were bad or doomed to fail.

  “The plan is to do a row of the tiny cabins here, near the bunkhouse, so they can join in for meals and activities.” I pointed to the sketch I’d made of the area surrounding the bunkhouse before gesturing at another sketch of the pastures near the horse barn. “The new chicken coop will go here, along with a covered picnic structure for outdoor meals and gatherings.”

  “Gonna be the most expensive eggs in Colorado,” Grayson muttered under his breath. I shot him a pointed look, and amazingly, my censure worked. He remained quiet for the rest of the presentation as the couple reviewed the various options for tiny house cabins and outlined the requirements for power, septic hookups, and other necessities.

  “We’ll get you a quote for four cabins, but I need your signature for the bid request right here.” The taller of the two women held out a tablet for me to sign with a purple stylus.

  “Wow.” After showing them the door, I let myself sag against the doorframe. “I didn’t even agree to buy anything, and my hand still shook.”

  “You did a fine job,” Grayson said from behind me.

  “Ha. You hate the plans. Too much like adult summer camp.” Unsure as to his sincerity, I wasn’t going to easily accept his praise.

  “I don’t gotta love it to know it’ll be a decent moneymaker.” He quirked his mouth. “Also, I got ears. You sounded professional. You’ve thought about your ideas, even the damn chickens.”

  “And llamas.” Bolstered by the compliments, I gave him a cheeky grin.

  “Lordy,” he groaned. “Don’t push it.”

  “What if I want to push it?” I stepped closer to him, crowding him closer to the wicker sofa in the front room.

  “Adler…”

  “What? There’s no one around, and it’s been a long week already.” I waggled my eyebrows at him. “Maybe we both need a little fun.”

  “You keep looking at me like that, and the fun is going to involve my hand and your⁠—”

  Whatever lovely threat Grayson had been about to make was cut off by the trill of his phone.

  “Gotta go,” he reported tersely. “Kat’s got a situation at the barn.”

  “Okay.” Nothing to do but let him go, same as always. “Good luck.”

  The moment lost, I went on with my afternoon chores, keeping busy until dinner time at the bunkhouse. Faith planned to bake a frozen lasagna for the girls, with salad to go alongside, so I felt comfortable joining the bunkhouse crew instead.

  However, there was one notable exception as Casey dished up a chicken and rice casserole.

  “No Grayson?” I asked carefully.

  “Nope.” Casey handed me a bowl with a roll on the side. “First-time mama horse acting broodish, likely because of the snow, but there could be a foal by morning. He said to go on and eat without him and Kat.”

  “Maybe I’ll take him some leftovers after we eat.” I made the offer lightly, voice spontaneous and easy, not too eager.

  “Better you than me.” Motley gave a snort. “It’s cold enough to freeze your balls off out there.”

  “You’re right. Not sure how many inches of snow we’ll get, but the temperature is dropping by the minute,” Casey agreed. “I’ll pack up some food for him and Kat. You can take them some hot coffee too.”

  “Will do.” I’d do the same for any friend or coworker, but no one else made my pulse gallop like Grayson. No one else inspired the dueling desires to take care of him and throttle some sense into him. And no one else had my heart.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Grayson

  A watched horse seldom cooperated, yet as evening turned into night, I remained near Fern’s stall, eyes unable to look away even as my brain kept returning to the earlier meeting with Adler. I’d been strangely proud of Adler’s managing of the tiny house folks, the confidence with which he’d spoken and the organization of his plans. My pride was at odds with my doubts over his ability to stay. He unquestionably had the talent to see the project through, but my wary heart refused to believe he was cut out for long-term ranch life.