Page 22 of A Rancher's Vow
“We can contact the police,” Tamara suggested.
“That’s not helpful.” The comment came from Charity of all people. “Sorry for interrupting, but sadly, I have experience with this. Complaining to the police doesn’t change anything. They can’t arrest anyone for gossip. There’s no such thing as a cease and desist against a nameless entity like social media. You can get a restraining order placed on material sharing with a place, like a tv studio or a person. But once a story goes viral, there are no laws that apply. Not yet.”
Caleb’s expression went dark. “Damn.”
A knot tightened in Dustin’s gut. “So we just have to sit here, locked inside, to keep people from taking pictures without our permission?”
Across the room, Sasha bolted upright on the couch beside Ginny. “Wait, I can’t stay inside. I need to train. I have a competition in a month. I have—”
“We have a ranch to run. None of us can stay hidden inside,” Caleb reminded her. “And none of us will.”
Walker’s expression had gone grim. “I don’t want my children exposed to the media. I had my days in the spotlight, and while there were positive moments, hell no.”
Looking around the room, Dustin examined the faces of the people who meant the world to him. The people he’d long ago vowed to be there for, somehow, despite being so much younger.
And now he was the cause of this trouble. Sasha’s worry, Walker and Ivy’s, Caleb and Tamara’s need to protect their innocent children, and rightly so.
Walker had stepped away from the spotlight.
Fuck—Kelli had never stepped into it, and she could have.
Dustin met Ginny’s gaze across the room. His sister, pregnant with her first baby. No way in hell did he want anyone poking and prodding into hers and Tucker’s lives. Not now, not ever.
He spoke directly to his sister. “No one will need to hide. We’ll have to post something official to deal with the interview requests regarding Silver Stone herself, but the part about me? Let’s make it clear that I’m not here. Then there’ll be no reason for anyone to stick around Silver Stone to bother the rest of you.” He forced a smile as he turned to his oldest niece. “You’re right—you do need practice. Remember, I was with you the last time you worked the stop and ride task. Secret Path followed you like a puppy instead of standing in place like she should.”
Sasha looked torn between crying and laughing. “You’re terrible.”
“Admit it, I’m your favourite dusty uncle.”
Tamara broke in. “It’s not a bad idea. Going away for a bit.”
“Have you seen the shifts I’ve given him?” Tucker demanded. “No one else wants these shit jobs.” He gave a loud squawk and rubbed his side. “What? I was trying to lighten the mood in here.”
Ginny pulled a face as she shook out her fingers. “You have rocks for ribs.” She turned her attention on Dustin. “Tamara is right. It’s not a bad idea. Want me to talk to Dare? You could head up to Rocky Mountain House and work with the Colemans for a while.”
“God, no.” Dustin shook his head. “First off, isn’t she headed this way in a week or so to be with you when your kid drops? But also, if the stupid does follow me, no way in hell am I bringing that kind of trouble to their door.”
“Damn. Too many family stories to latch onto up there as well.” This time it was Tamara who grimaced before offering a rueful smile. “There’s more than a few skeletons in the Coleman family closet that I’d like to remain undisturbed.”
“Where can he go?” Walker asked.
Caleb stood. “To Pincher Creek.”
Dustin’s first instinct was to deny the idea outright. Pincher Creek meant Uncle Frank, and he hated his uncle. Not an exaggeration either, just cold hard facts. Usually the idea of being anywhere near the man would get his back up and he’d find all manner of reasons to get out of it.
Now? “Perfect. I’ll go.”
Caleb blinked. “I expected an argument.”
This was still going to absolutely suck, because Uncle Frank sucked, but there was a bonus prize to the shithole proposition. “Not that I’d try to make it happen, but if the paparazzihappenedto follow me, I couldn’t think of a nicer person to have to deal with the crap.”
Luke choked on a laugh. Caleb rubbed his chin with a hand, conveniently covering his smile. Walker stared skyward and fought to keep a straight face.
Only Ginny let her grin shine out. “Damn, you adore the man, don’t you?”
“Always and forever,” Dustin lied smoothly, crossed fingers held high in the air.
Caleb had gotten himself under control enough to shake his head. “He’s not that bad.”
