“Nothing,” I mutter as I stalk toward the driveway.

  “Tate?”

  I stop and look back at him, my smile slight and my anger simmering. My name back on his lips goes hand in hand with my need for this bullshit to go away because things might finally be looking up for me. “It’s fine. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Who is—Christ,” he swears when he finally sees who the visitor is. “How about you introduce me to him.”

  Will glances our way, oblivious to what is about to happen, and I shake my head.

  “No, it’s just . . .” I can take care of it myself. I know he’s seen how this town is to me, but I don’t want him to see more of it. I don’t want him to see me through a different set of eyes. “Let me. It’s my . . . I can handle it.”

  Jack stands there, the muscle feathering in his jaw, but he nods without saying another word and moves back to helping Will.

  My hands are on my hips, and my feet are on the edge of my driveway by the time Rusty steps out of the cruiser.

  “Let me guess,” I say as soon as he shuts his car door. “You finally found out the truth. I’m a fugitive who’s been on the run for years. The stable is actually a meth lab, and I keep the horses as a cover. That’s why I can’t make a profit to keep this place afloat with horse sales . . . but, shhh, I do have a tank load of money over in the broken-down silo from all my drug sales.” The smile I flash is sickeningly sweet and loaded with the same sarcasm that laces my voice.

  He coughs out a laugh with a shake of his head. “Seems someone ate their Wheaties with a side of snark this morning.”

  “Nope, just sick of this bullshit.” I shift on my feet. “What is it, Rusty? You’ve only come out this way for two reasons: to tell me my husband died and to tell me someone hates me or my ranch or both. The first one can’t happen again, so I’m guessing it’s the latter.”

  His smile is slow to spread, but when it does, it brightens his eyes. “I like this new you. Where has she been?”

  “Good question.” I snort, but I know.

  And I hate that it has anything to do with a man, but it does.

  Not that Jack gave me worth by befriending me or that a few bouts of sex gave me that a-ha moment about everything, but there is something to be said about finding someone you trust after feeling like there is no one you can.

  “So?” I let the word stretch out as he eyes the two trucks in the driveway that aren’t mine.

  “Rumors are you’re selling. That you’re getting this all set up to pawn it off to some big rancher who’s going to gut this land and make a circus of the town.”

  “Uh-huh. Big ranchers are knocking down the door to buy me out. The line they’re waiting in is right there.” I point to the empty lot on the side of my house. At least the rumors make sense since Jack used to deal in acquisitions. “What is the deal, Rusty, because I know you aren’t here to chase down gossip.”

  “There is no deal,” Jack says, startling me since I hadn’t heard him walking up behind me. Rusty turns slowly, his thumbs hooked in the loops of his slacks, his shoulders squared. The look of surprise on his face probably mirrors mine. “Is there, Sheriff? You’re out here chasing bullshit rumors and badgering Tate because it’s ten times easier than confronting your old buddies from high school about shit they need to stop.”

  “And you are?” Rusty asks, his tone not the slightest bit amused.

  “A concerned citizen who’s having to connect the dots because it appears that you’re not exactly doing your job,” Jack says as he steps up beside me, arms folded over his chest, posture defensive.

  “Name.” There is no mistaking that Rusty’s pissed.

  “Jack, I’m the new ranch manager.”

  “Well, Jack Sutton—”

  “Ah, see? You did know who I was when you rolled up. Let me guess, they’ve talked about me in the Lone Star rumor mill too?” Jack says and looks my way with a smirk. “At least I’m in good company.”

  “I’m not sure exactly where you come from,” Rusty says, “but where I come from, we don’t threaten officers of the law.”

  Jack’s chuckle is low and condescending and the purse of his lips as he stares at Rusty says you’re a piece of shit loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Not sure what I said could be construed as a threat, Sheriff, but in a small town like this, you have to be jonesing for something to do. So, instead of coming out here to bug Ms. Knox, why don’t you chase down the real problem?”

  Rusty’s smirk holds no amusement. “And what might that be?”

  “For starters, you should head over and see Jed at the Lone Star Feed. He’s been stealing from Tate here for over a year now, taking her money and selling her a cheaper and shittier quality product than what she paid for. I think his business practices warrant a check by the law.” Jack takes a step toward Rusty and lowers his voice. “But we both know you won’t do that since he’s your second cousin and all.”

  “I heard about that yesterday, and I also heard you’ve come to an agreement about how to settle it,” Rusty says, donning his official voice for the first time since he showed up.

  “It’s settled, all right, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t break the law.” Jack shakes his head as if Rusty is a joke. “And while we’re at it, you need to chase down Gary Bolton and see exactly how he ties into these complaints that keep being called in to your office.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because Gary Bolton runs a side business with Harvey Hickman,” Jack says, referring to the son of the owner of Hickman Ranch, the very ranch we might be stealing business from. “I would bet that Gary and Harvey are talking about how we might possibly be stealing away their most lucrative client. Gary has drinks with Jed every Monday, and they talk because Jed hates Tate because he’s a fucking idiot. Then Jed turns around and sees the Destin twins on Wednesdays when they play their weekly poker game.”

  “I’m not following you,” Rusty says with a little more snark than necessary.

  But I’m not either.

  “The Destin twins paid Tate and me a visit down at Axe’s the other night.” My eyes whip over to Jack’s. That explains why everyone in the bar was staring at me when I came out of the bathroom. “They warned me to leave things alone, demanded I let Tate fail, and told me to get the fuck out of here . . . so you want to know how this little circle jerk of pricks fits together? They all want something Tate has or poses a threat to.”

  “You’re reaching there.”

  “Am I, though?” He holds his hand up, and Rusty startles at the rebuke. “The Hickmans fear the business we might win fairly. The Destin twins want this land and think that because their great-granddaddy what’s his name’s family founded this town, they have a right to whatever land they choose. Their threats prove they’re more than willing to do what it takes so long as they get this place in the end. And Jed? Well, you fucking know about Jed. It’s a small town, sir. The goddamn gossip train is a million miles long, but it seems I laid out who it is you need to talk to in order to stop this nonsense bullshit. We aren’t going to be run off. Tate isn’t going to sell. And if horses don’t work out, we’re going to turn this place into a retreat for photographers. Make sure they know that because that will really piss them off. End of story. Understood? Now, I suggest you crawl back in that cruiser of yours and go deliver the news as if it’s an official mandate or I’ll be more than glad to do it myself.”

  Jack stops short of poking Rusty in the chest to prove his point, but even though he doesn’t, I’m left dumbfounded as I stare at the two men and process all that Jack just delivered.

  Rusty holds Jack’s glare for a beat. “If you want to say something to them, you should say it yourself. I don’t peddle rumors.”

  Jack’s laugh rings out. “Seems to me that’s the only thing you do peddle.”

  They glare at each other, testosterone ricocheting between them until it feels as if they are one step shy of a fistfight before Rusty steps back and turns to me.

  “You okay here, Tate? Is there anything you need from me?” His eyes are kind and his concern seems genuine.

  The irony isn’t lost on me. The one time he doesn’t need to be concerned, he is.

  “For the first time, Rusty, I actually am.”

  We’re silent as Rusty walks to his cruiser and climbs in, but the minute he turns out of the driveway, I face Jack and stare at him slack-jawed.

  “What?” He laughs the word out. The hardass who confronted Rusty moments ago has been replaced with a self-satisfied man.

  “Where in the hell did you get all of that from?”

  “The bar has other attributes besides being a way to keep my distance from you.”

  33

  TATE

  “What’s that?” I ask as Jack strides into the backyard with a dog that’s wagging its tail back and forth with every step.

  “It’s a dog.” His smile is more than warm as he absently runs his hand over the dog’s head.

  “I know it’s a dog,” I say as the ball of fur takes note of me and hobbles slowly toward me. “But what is she doing here?”

  His smile is sheepish, and his eyes are full of hope as he watches the multi-colored mutt who is currently licking my hands to death. “She’s a rainbow dog.”

  “What’s a rainbow dog?” I ask as I notice the peculiar scar in a ring around her snout.

  “Someone used a metal can as a muzzle on her,” he says as I lean over and nuzzle my forehead against hers, unable to comprehend the level of cruelty to which some people are capable of. When her ears fall back and her tail tucks between her legs as I lift my hand to pet her, my heart breaks. “And a rainbow dog is an older dog that probably won’t get adopted because everyone wants puppies . . .”

  “So she’ll be euthanized?” I know that is one of those harsh realities that no one likes to look too closely at, but with this sweet girl sitting in front of me, I can’t help but acknowledge how reprehensible the idea is.

  “Not sure. Possibly.” He clicks his tongue, similar to the way he does with the horses, and the dog sits and looks up eagerly at him, as if she’s been doing this her whole life. “Good girl, Gracie,” he coos. “If not, she’ll live in the shelter. Maybe do some stints in foster homes, but she’s been there for a long time, and this town is so small that anyone who would’ve wanted her has already had a chance to see her.”

  “And you brought her here, why?” I ask, but I know why, and my heart is already lost to her. With her misshapen head, the numerous scars I can feel dotting beneath her short fur, and her timid brown eyes that love me already solely because I have a soothing voice and gentle hands, I knew I was hers the minute she wagged her tail for me.

  Jack looks at me with the same chocolate-colored eyes as Gracie and smiles. “Because she kind of lives here now.” He ducks his head like a little boy and wins my heart as if he hasn’t already claimed a piece of it.

  A piece of my heart?

  There’s no way that can be possible. There’s no way this man I hated at first sight can be the same person I look forward to seeing first thing every morning.

  Can it?

  I mean . . . it’s just the circumstances. I’ve been lonely and he. . . he . . . makes me feel good. It’s his belief that I can do this when everyone else seems to want me to fail that is making me feel this way.

  “You’re mad?” Jack asks. To him it might seem that way, but I know my face has gone bloodless as if I’ve seen a ghost for an entirely different reason.

  It isn’t possible.

  Falling for Jack isn’t part of this deal.

  No way.

  “No. Not mad.” I shake the spooked look off my face and force the smile on my lips to be real, which isn’t that hard when I have the most pathetically sweet dog’s face on my lap and Jack Sutton staring at me like a little boy about to be scolded.

  I turn to Gracie because she’s much easier to look at than he is.

  “I know she’s another mouth to feed when you have plenty already, but I set up food delivery for her . . . on me. That way, she isn’t a burden on you. I just hoped—”

  “I do believe you are rambling, Jack,” I tease with a laugh. “Do I make you nervous?”

  He stops and looks at Gracie, who’s patiently staring at me. “Only when I think you’re going to make me take her back.”

  “I’m not going to make you take her back,” I say.

  “Good. Great, isn’t it girl?” Jack says with another ruffle of the fur on her head. “I thought you could use some company.” He winks. “Someone to talk to. Besides, I’m not too fond of you being here all alone at night.”

  And for the second time in as many moments, I have to cover the emotions he pulls out of me. I have to keep in mind that Jack’s time here is finite. He has a life to get back to and a ranch of his own that he needs to go run.

  I swallow the sadness the thought brings and know I can’t hide the tears welling in my eyes as I look at him. Hopefully, he’ll mistake them for happy ones over Gracie.

  “Thank you.” My voice breaks when I say the two words.

  And I mean them.

  I think I just might need Gracie more than she needs me in the coming months.

  34

  TATE

  Ruby’s coat glistens in the sun. The bangs of her mane fall over her eye as those deep brown eyes stare at me like she knows what I’m thinking.

  Click.

  “You’re such a pretty girl,” I praise as I hand her a slice of apple. She takes it and moves to trot along the worn path that circles the ring, hooves kicking up dust to contrast against the bright green of the trees beyond.

  Click.

  I close my eyes and picture my next shot. How it will look once I edit it on the computer. I would take a panoramic so I could capture the reflection of the sunset and then pull out all the vibrant colors with the computer program.

  Now, if only I can capture what I need.

  “They’re negotiating.” Will’s voice is edged with a palpable excitement as I turn to him.

  “Negotiating?” I ask, my pulse kicking up a notch.

  “With Steely.”

  A smile fights its way onto my lips as I try not to get too excited over what exactly negotiating means.

  “Does the negotiating sound like it’s a good thing?”

  Will’s grin adds fuel to the hope beginning to bubble up inside me. “Jack’s a hard man to please,” he says, and I bark out a laugh.

  Pleasing Jack—pleasuring him—doesn’t seem very hard from where I stand. His groans from last night as I took him into my mouth and sucked him off while his hands fisted in my hair and my name on repeat on his lips are proof enough of that.

  “Tate?” It’s Jack’s voice this time. It’s his excitement that carries across the ranch.

  It’s my fingers crossed for luck as my hands hang by my side.

  “At the house . . .” But my words fade as he closes the distance in a few strides, his face void of all emotion.

  And just when my heart falls—when I think we’ve lost Steely and the contract that will keep Knox Ranch afloat—Jack lets out a riotous whoop before picking me up and spinning me in circles.

  Gracie lets out a bark from where she’s lying in the shade on the verandah as I shriek. “Really? We got it?”

  “We got it, baby!” he says and then plants a kiss squarely on my lips.

  And then we both jump back, more than aware that Will is standing there staring at us. We are both shocked but excitement is brimming beneath the surface.

  Will emits the loudest laugh, which I swear echoes across the ranch. “Don’t stop on my account. It isn’t as if I don’t already know you two are a thing.”

  I stare at him, shocked that he knows when we’ve done everything to act as if we aren’t sleeping together. “Will,” I say like a mom scolding her child.

  He snorts and rolls his eyes before heading toward the stables. “Your secret is safe with me,” he tosses over his shoulder.

  “Good to know,” Jack says as he steps up to me again. This time, he frames my face with both hands. “Now, where were we?” he asks and gives me a proper kiss, loaded with every ounce of violent-edged desire that I feel in return.

  When my senses are thoroughly put through every pleasurable wringer imaginable, he steps back and looks at me. His grin is wide, his eyes are alive, and every part of him vibrates with pride.

  “We got the contract, Tate.” He shakes his head as if he can’t believe it. “It’s on a probationary status, but we got it.”

  “I don’t even know what to say.” Emotions I can’t describe hum through my blood. My head spins and heart races. “I—”

  “Don’t say anything yet,” he says and runs a thumb up and down my cheek, “because you’re going to hate me for the next forty-eight hours.”

  “What? Why?”

  “They’ll be here on Wednesday. Four men. Twelve stallions ready to stud.”

  “But I thought they wanted to wait till the next crop of foals were born before they made their decision.”

  He winks. “I talk a good game, baby.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Are you saying you doubt me?” Another kiss pressed to my lips in the most casual of ways. It feels as if standing here and kissing in broad daylight is something we always do instead of our nighttime rendezvous behind closed doors.

  “I don’t doubt you. I just don’t understand why an outfit like Steely would choose us over Hickman. I mean . . . I know that was the plan but now that it’s a reality . . . I just—”

  “Take a deep breath.” He puts his hands on my shoulders and exhales loudly as if to show me. “This is what you hired me for, remember? To run the ranch and bring on a steady clientele. Yes, I oversold us a bit, but that’s why we’re going to work our asses off for the next two days so that we deliver.”

  “Jack . . .”

  My excitement has slowly morphed into panic as my mind grasps everything that’s about to happen.

  Getting the contract is overwhelming, but Steely coming here brings a whole new set of problems, like four men living in the bunkhouse for the next month, a dozen more horses to board and feed.