Page 40 of Cautious Love

His sock feet make me smile, pink with tiaras on them.

I look up and he shrugs, the corner of his mouth tipped up. “My niece got them for me for my birthday, and she loves when I wear them.”

I grin. “You’re a good uncle.”

He shrugs. “Alright, I’m taking off. Probably won’t be back until late.”

“What do you do there?” I ask him.

He chuckles. “Your father was a ranch hand your whole life. I’m sure you know exactly what I do.”

I shrug. “You own the place. He didn’t.”

Ledger nods. “Fair enough, but it’s not much different. We have to do vaccinations and move some today.”

“Be careful,” I say.

He huffs. “Worried about me, criminal?” My stomach dips and my skin tingles. “We both know I’d be a terrible nurse.”

Ledger laughs and rubs his hand over his hair.

Damn, I love that sound.

“Ain’t that the truth. See ya,” he says and heads for the door to put on his boots.

I slip into the bathroom and when I look in the mirror, I’m smiling and my cheeks are rosy and … I just made Ledger laugh.

Chapter 11

Ledger

ThebrightWyomingsunshines in the cloudless blue sky. It’s beautiful, and on the one day I have off, they need help on the ranch. Maybe I do work too much. Then again, it might not be a bad thing because it gets my mind offher.I’ve been on edge since I said I do. I’m afraid the station knows, and if they know, then my family will.

It’s been a week since I’ve seen them, so I guess I’ll find out. Instead of stopping at the house, I head straight for the barns. I’m running late and there’s no question they’re going to razz me for it.

Hayes Ranch is only about twenty minutes from town, and I’ve always loved the drive. It’s wide open, and you can see for miles until you get closer to the mountains. The land is relatively flat with hills here and there.

Parking my truck on the side of the barn, and grab my chaps out of the back seat.

“There’s our Sheriff! Have you come to arrest me?” Cooper says, wiggling his eyebrows.

I glare, and he chuckles, slapping me on the back.

“Haven’t seen you in a minute Ledge, what have you been up to?” he asks.

I shrug, avoiding his eyes. “Working.”

He sighs. “Yeah, what’s new.”

“Um, you have a wife now,” I tell him.

Cooper smiles widely and nods. “You’re right, man, I do.”

“How is that going?” I ask him, doing everything I can to make sure very few questions are asked about me andmy wife. I’m not ready to tell them Shiloh Sullivan is living with me and married me in the middle of the night because I’ll drown in their questions, and frankly, I don’t want to answer them right now. They’ll find out soon enough.

“It’s great, we’re working on another kid.”

I nod and pat him on the back. “That’s great, Coop. I don’t want details.”