Page 102 of Ironwood Ranch Cowboys

She finally looks at me then, defensive already. “He’s my brother.”

“I know.”

“He doesn’t have anyone else.”

I tilt my head. “You don’t have to sell me on loving him, Annie. I’m not arguing with that part. You’ve met my brothers, right? I know it isn’t always easy.”

Some of the fight leaves her shoulders.

“It’s just hard,” she eventually stumbles out. “I don’t know how long I should keep helping him for. But I also can’t stand the idea of something bad happening to him.”

There’s so much packed into that I don’t even know where to start, so I pick the most important part. “You’re not weak for loving somebody who needs you.”

She lets out a shaky breath. “Feels stupid.”

“Not the same thing.”

Her eyes slide shut.

I can see how hard she’s working to keep it together. Not just tonight. In general. All the time. Annie moves through the world as if she’s learned not to expect softness unless she manufactures it herself. Asking for help is just another way to end up beholden.

I hate that.

Hate it in that deep, personal way that means I’m already too far gone.

Because here’s the truth I’m not saying out loud yet: I definitely like her. More than I should. More than is practical. More than I’ve ever liked anybody with this kind of speed and certainty, which seems unfair considering I’ve been trying to behave all civilized about it.

And I think maybe the reason I’m not panicking about that is because some part of me has already decided it doesn’t matter what this turns into.

Right now, tonight, she needs somebody who doesn’t flinch at her life.

I can do that. Easy.

I lean forward, forearms on my knees. “How fast do you need the money?”

“Fast.”

“Like tonight fast?”

“Like tomorrow morning would already be pushing it.”

I breathe out through my nose. “Okay.”

Her head lifts.

“I can help,” I say.

Her entire body goes rigid. “No.”

I should’ve expected that.

Still, I hate the way the panic hits her face. I wish there was more I could do for her.

“Annie—”

“No.” She shakes her head hard. “Absolutely not. I’ve sent him the money already.”

“Then let me send it to you. It’s just money.”