Page 12 of Dust and Desire
“Sorry, Mr. Baker,” I said, tipping my hat. “Gotta show my respect to the boss.”
“You call Caroline by her first name,” Dakota added, lifting an eyebrow in my direction.
“Yeah, well…” I couldn’t help but grin. “I like giving her a hard time.”
Mr. Baker laughed. “Someone might as well give her a little tasteof her own medicine. She’s a good girl but she can be a little tough on the ranch hands.” He smiled up at me. “So, how are you settling in?”
“Real well, thank you,” I replied, taking a seat with them. “The work’s been good, and everyone’s been real welcoming. Can’t ask for much more than that.”
Mrs. Baker leaned forward with genuine interest. “What brought you to Texas, dear? Logan mentioned you’ve worked ranches all over.”
I took a sip of my beer, buying myself a moment to craft the right answer. “Just felt like it was time for a change, ma’am. Heard good things about Sagebrush, and the Baker Ranch has quite a reputation already.”
“That it does,” Mr. Baker said proudly. “Though we came close to losing it all not too long ago.”
“If it wasn’t for Dustin...” Mrs. Baker’s voice trailed off with obvious gratitude.
At the mention of his name, I found myself scanning the gathering, looking for those sharp blue eyes and dark hair. But he was nowhere to be seen.
“He coming tonight?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
Dakota and Logan exchanged a look. “We invited him,” Logan said, flipping burgers on the grill. “But you know how he is. Keeps to himself mostly.”
“That man needs to get out more,” Mrs. Baker said with a shake of her head. “It’s not healthy, all that isolation.”
“Leave him be, Mom,” Caroline’s voice cut through the conversation as she joined us, carrying a pitcher of sweet tea. “Not everyone needs to be social butterflies. Dustin’s done plenty for us as it is. If he doesn’t want to come to dinner, that’s his prerogative.”
But I caught the way her eyes lingered on the path leading toward the back of the property, where I knew Dustin’s tiny house sat tucked away from everything else. There was concern there, the kind that came from caring about someone who wouldn’t let you help them.
“Well,” Lucas said, setting down a platter of perfectly grilled corn, “maybe someone should take him a plate later. Make sure he’s eating.”
“I could do that,” I offered before I could stop myself.
The table went quiet for a moment, all eyes turning to me. Caroline’s expression was particularly sharp, like she was trying to read my intentions.
“I mean, I’m heading back to the arena anyway,” I added quickly. “And I like to talk a walk after dinner to digest. Helps me clear my head.”
“That’s mighty thoughtful of you,” Mrs. Baker said finally, her voice warm with approval.
“Yeah, real thoughtful,” Caroline muttered under her breath, but when I glanced at her, she was focused on pouring tea like she hadn’t said anything at all.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Logan said, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. “Dustin could probably use the company, even if he won’t admit it.”
Dakota nodded in agreement. “He’s been even more withdrawn than usual lately. Won’t even come up for our weekly dinners anymore.”
“Something’s got him spooked,” Beau added, joining the conversation as he carried over a platter of perfectly smoked brisket. “Saw him at the general store last week, and he looked like he’d seen a ghost.”
My stomach tightened at those words, memories of my own recent paranoia flooding back. The figure in the woods, the feeling of being watched. Was it possible Dustin was dealing with something similar?
“Well, let’s not stand around gossiping about the man,” Mrs. Baker said firmly, though her tone was kind. “Alex, that’s very sweet of you to offer. I’m sure he’d appreciate a home-cooked meal, especially one as good as these boys make.”
Lucas beamed at the compliment. “I made extra cornbread, so there’s plenty to go around.”
The conversation moved on to other topics as we filled our plates, but I found myself only half-listening. My mind kept wandering to Dustin, alone in his tiny house while the rest of us gathered here like family even when I was so new. What kept him so separate from everyone who clearly cared about him?
The food was incredible. Lucas and Beau had outdone themselves with the barbecue. The brisket practically melted in my mouth, and the sides were restaurant-quality. It wasn’t until Caroline told me about all Beau’s trophies that I understood why. I couldn’t believe I was being fed brisket by a state champion.
I found myself relaxing as the evening wore on, drawn into the easy camaraderie of the group. This was what I’d been missing in my nomadic years, the sense of belonging somewhere, of being part of something bigger than myself. It had been a long time since I’d been around a properfamily. Deep in my heart, I wished I belonged to this one, that I wasn’t just some stranger in Sagebrush. But I knew I wouldn’t stay either. I never spent more than a year in one place if I could help it. That way my past couldn’t catch up to me.
