Chapter 36

Cole was off like a shot. She blinked, then started after him, but he turned quickly, spoke sharply. “Stay here. You too, Roger.”

Wherever he was going, there was no room for her, or anyone extra. Not right now.

She watched as the forms of the two men disappeared into the woods. The situation worried her, but she’d been told. And now, she was alone. She was thankful for Roger’s company, who looked at her expectantly, with bright, dark eyes. He really was so into whatever was going on, he obviously wanted to run and go, but heeded her words, though he was quivering.

Well. Notwithstanding the worry about Rafe, she’d promised herself she’d spend a quiet evening prepping the next book. She’d develop the characters, work on the men.

Men. What a topic.

But she pulled herself back from thinking about the day, and especially about Cole. No thanks. Too hard to figure out. She’d just work on the ones she could dream up, then put them on the page.

“Come here, Boy.” She nodded to Roger. “Let’s settle in."

She put her bags away in a tiny closet, then tucked her clothes into the drawers of the old, but solid wooden dresser. Hauled out her laptop, found the comfiest chair, and especially one with room for Roger close by. He’d been following her, tail wagging, totally welcoming her.

But she didn’t relax until her phone beeped, and there was a text from Cole.

He’s okay. A bit mangled, but he’ll be okay. In the stables for a bit now. Sorry I ran out on you.

She winced as she read the words. Mangled? What the hell was that? And how the hell was that okay?

Well, he’d told her to move freely on the ranch. No time like the present to take him at his word. “Let’s go, sweetie.”

Roger bounded up from the comfy spot he’d already picked beside her on the rug, his chin on her socked foot. He joined her, quivering, as she opened the door, then ran joyfully out into the forest, stopped, and turned back. Watching her eagerly, beckoning her. As serious as their current mission was, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Coming, Boy.”

The path from the cabin to the main house area was already like an old friend. Tabby strode quickly along the hard-packed dirt, muttering to herself. “Crossroads up here. Stables on the right, fork to the cabin on the left.”

At the fork, Roger looked up at her, as if asking permission. The scents and smells of more food—maybe someone had come home late and was enjoying a much-needed meal—wafted through the outside air. She smiled at the pup. “Go, pup. See you later.”

And damned if the dog didn’t hear her words, and immediately change direction, bounding off toward the house. But not before he gave her one last look. A promise.

She smiled, warmth flooding her. “Sure thing, sweetie. There’s always tomorrow. See you in the morning.”

But as she approached what Cole had called Stable One, worry reared its head again.

She’d been looking forward to ‘meeting’ the horses, as Aggie had put it. Molly and Krys had told her more about them while they cleared the table together, and their excitement had been infectious. Krys still seemed a bit cool where she was concerned, but her love for her horses was obvious.

Dagger was feisty, full of heat. Tawny was an amazing spirit, gentle, but when she got on the track…

It was wild to her that the horses were already personalities to her. It seemed there were so many members of this family.

But now, she needed to know how Cole was. No, she didn’t have any romantic designs on him. Really.

The image of him stacking the wood slammed into her brain. And, on tour, that night with Sheba cradled in his arms, bare chest…

That other night at the motel, with the sheet clutched around his groin, in the dark. And that dream…

But he’d taken care of her while they’d been on tour, barely hinted at the troubles he was covering up at home, very real ones it turned out. He’d made it all about her, and she hadn’t even realized it.

Now, she did. And she needed to know how he was, and…if she could help.

The thought that she could help a man like Cole Dawson almost made her laugh. She was no Raine Gradney. She wasn’t gorgeous, she didn’t know how to navigate a ranch, live in the country, and survive. She couldn’t deal with livestock, couldn’t do the most basic chores without explicit instructions, couldn’t lend him money. She was pretty damn useless, as a city girl. And not to offend the gods and goddesses of self-esteem, but damn it all. Possibly as a woman too.

She couldn’t deny the thought had crossed her mind more than once.

But she had a heart. And if he needed a friend, who’d do her damn best for him…she was there.