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county.”
    Duke looks young and grateful as he stares up at the sheriff. Then he nods, whispers his thanks, and sighs again as the sheriff walks out. I reach over and take Duke’s hand, happy for him that someone whose opinion obviously matters still accepts him.
    “I didn’t have anything to do with this, Al.”
    “Oh, I know.”
    His eyebrows hike up.
    I shrug. “You’re just not the type to take that route. I mean, you wouldn’t have had to scheme to get me alone.”
    A little smile quirks up his lips as he grunts. “I knew you were in Houston. Wanted to head over there and get a look.” He laces our fingers together. “Didn’t figure you’d notice me, but I’d’a taken a shot.”
    I smile because this big guy all bashful is so sweet. “I’d have noticed you, cowboy.”
    The look he gives me then just about melts me on the spot. I want to cuddle into him, kiss him, lose myself in simple physical affection that I don’t have to question. I want that, to just give in to sensation and forget my troubles while I learn Duke’s every taste and texture. But there’s the sound of boots coming back through the house, so I let that thought and Duke’s hand go. I stand up when he does.
    “All right,” Smoot says, now with Vaughn beside him. “We get anything new, we’ll let you know. Either of you think of anythin’ else, you let us know. There’s a possibility one of them Houston boys might come ’round to have a chat, Mr. Seville, but we’ll try and let you know ahead of time.” He nods at Duke. “Send your boys over to that spot, and we’ll get on outta your hair now.”
    “Yessir.” Duke takes out his cell phone and starts tapping.
    Smoot looks to me. “You gonna be stickin’ around? Or headin’ back to Houston?”
    I stare at him, my mouth hanging open. I’d talked to Elsie, but hadn’t said a word to Duke yet. I offer Duke an apologetic smile. “Would it be all right if I stayed here for a while? Just the day. Elsie’s on her way here. She was in New York, but she’s flying out.”
    Duke looks pleased. “Of course you can. She’s welcome, too.”
    “Okay. Thank you.” A blush blazes its way across my skin.
    Smoot huffs a laugh, adjusts his belt, and heads for the door. Vaughn joins him, then Mia, Duke and I troop out onto the porch to watch the lawmen drive off.
    “Well, I guess I’ll get on with the day,” Mia says and walks back inside.
    What am I supposed to do now?
    Duke hooks a thumb at the barn off to the left where we stowed his horse earlier. “I still need to go check that fence. How ’bout you—”
    “Can I go with you?”
    “With me?”
    “To check the fence.”
    “Don’t you want—?”
    “I need to do something, Duke. Sitting around thinking will make me go crazy.” I lean in close. “And no one will be happy if I’m made to do housework.”
    He chuckles and puts an arm around my waist. I like that he doesn’t hesitate to do it. “Sure. Let’s get you some boots and a hat. You ever ride before?”
    “Oh, sure. Just this morning, in fact.”
    “So advanced experience then.”
    “Never been thrown when I was riding. Not once. Even when it’s rough, I keep my seat.”
    He stares at me in that way a man will when I’ve just diverted most of his blood to points south of the border. I grin when he slowly shakes his head and smiles like I’m incorrigible. I’m distracted from my troubles seeing him looking at me like this. I go with that and follow him back inside.

addles  are not comfortable. Earlier, I’d thought maybe that was simply because I’d had nothing but part of a cotton shirt between my ass and the leather. Nope. Even with a pair of too-large jeans covering me from waist to ankle, I feel rubbed raw in places that shouldn’t know this much friction. But, seeing as I’ve spent years in excruciating poses or constricting outfits without uttering a word of complaint, I endure this saddle.
    Especially since I’m wearing a cowboy hat while