Page 56 of Ironwood Ranch Cowboys

I stare. Because no one’s reacting.

“They’re just… out?” I lower my voice instinctively, even though apparently I don’t need to.

“Very,” Duke says.

“And no one cares?”

“Oh, people care,” he replies easily. “People in Colter Creek care about everything. But there’s caring and there’s mattering. Not always the same thing.”

I look back at Dakota.

She laughs at something the crouching man says and reaches down to brush her fingers through the kid’s hair, then glances between all three men with this unselfconscious warmth that hits me square in the chest.

Not because I’m judging.

Because I’m not.

Because I’ve spent the last few weeks bracing for scrutiny, for gossip, for the perception, and here’s a whole situation that should, by every rule I thought existed, be a problem.

And it just… isn’t.

I’m still trying to process that when Dakota looks up and catches me staring.

There’s a split second where I consider pretending I’ve suddenly developed a deep interest in the wall behind her.

Too late.

She smiles, and starts walking toward us.

Up close, she’s even prettier in that dangerous way some women are. She has a warmth that instantly captivates me. She’s the kind of woman you’d trust with your kid, your secrets, or a body.

“Annie, right?” she says, like she’s already decided I’m not a threat. “I’m Dakota.”

“Hi.” I suddenly become aware of my hands. “Yeah. Annie.”

Dakota’s smile deepens, and it feels like she can tell I’m approximately one social interaction away from bolting. “I’ve heard about you and your gorgeous hair.”

“That feels ominous.”

“It’s mostly from Sherry,” she says. “So only medium ominous.”

I laugh before I mean to.

Duke, traitor that he is, looks pleased with both of us.

One of the men, tall, muted, carrying a bowl of something that smells incredible, steps up beside her.

“Sawyer,” he says, offering me a small, easy smile. “Good to meet you.”

“Annie.”

“Hey, I’m Reid.” Another guy sidles up beside them, with a playful smirk playing on his lips. “You’re the Ironwood accountant, right? Good luck. Cody’s a menace.”

Duke snorts.

“I’m standing right here,” Cody’s voice says from somewhere behind me.

I spin so fast I nearly elbow Duke in the ribs.