Page 46 of When The Dust Settles

“I was so scared,” she asserted. “So please don’t ever put yourself in danger again.”

“I’ll do my best,” I promised.

“Back to the situation at hand,” Kevin told me, patting my leg. “Gillian’s still going to try and get one over on her people, but just as long as we have a plan, we’re good.”

I nodded and watched Josie crook her elbow and rest her head on her fist as she regarded me. “So… boss.”

God. “Yes?”

“So you have plans to be on the ranch?”

I did. “I dunno.”

She coughed. “Mr. Joss said—”

“Say Stef, I’m sure he told you to.”

“He did, but I wasn’t sure it was appropriate.”

“It is.”

“Okay, so, Stef said that you might be seeing Mac Gentry.”

I groaned and the whole room, at once, in sync, caught their breath.

“We’re gonna see what’s what when he gets back from the drive,” I said diplomatically, not wanting to have my love life aired out for the room. Stef must have gotten back in touch with Rand at some point after he left me and the news was shared with him, and then he in turn told Josie. I would have to remember to smack him the next time I saw him.

“Which should be very soon,” Josie announced. “Mr.—Stef—said that Mr. Holloway was home already. Apparently they rode through the night. And that they’d be here to see you today as soon as they all got cleaned up.”

My stomach did a familiar roll over the possibility of laying eyes on Mac.

“So.” Josie was back to grilling me. “Tomorrow when you get discharged, are you going home with Mac Gentry?”

“’Cause you’ll already have a packed bag,” Callie told me. “I mean, first we had to wash all your clothes because, damn, boss—disgusting.”

“Which is what I said,” Josie chimed in.

“You know what—” I began, glaring at her.

“But you’re all packed and ready to—”

“Thank you,” I said to Callie before turning to Josie.

“Oh, come on, I was kidding.”

“Are you all right?” I asked Josie, ignoring Callie.

“Because I was orphaned the other day, you mean?”

“Yeah.”

Her eyes warmed. “Yes, boss, because of you I’m okay.”

“I was worried,” I murmured.

“I know you were, and that’s why I love you.”

I looked at her.