Page 37 of A Rancher's Vow
“Sucks for us.” Keith shrugged. “Truth is it’s kind of nice to have sex off the table. We’re all getting along much better now without that element constantly on our minds.” He grinned at Dustin. “Plus, the ladies make the best wingmen ever when we hit the bar. Who knew?”
“Bonus.”
Keith waved back at Adam. “He’s ready for us.”
Dustin tapped Midnight in the flanks with his heels. “I’m ready for him.” He glanced at Keith. “You?”
“Bet I out rope you two to one.” Keith’s chuckle at Dustin’s flashed middle finger was evil. “If I win, you buy when we go to the pub this week.”
“We’ll work something out.” Dustin wasn’t sure a trip anywhere he might be spotted was a good idea. Having zero media in his face was a thing he was enjoying immensely.
Then the two of them were back with the group, waiting for Adam’s instructions.
The arena was full of people, including the vet and Dustin’s uncle. One by one, he and Keith roped the calves and brought them to the ground. While down, they were branded, inoculated, and the males castrated. The entire procedure took only a few moments, but required intense concentration over and over again.
Thankfully, Uncle Frank chose to work the brand on the other side of the yard from where Dustin brought the calves to Adam. The other hands held down the animals, guiding them afterward into a separate holding pen.
Patchwork Annie darted in and out of the two-month-old calves, turning them toward Dustin so that he had a simple shot at dropping the rope over their heads.
One of the older hands opened the gate at the far side of the arena, distracted momentarily by something. A calf made a break for it. Dustin had Midnight turned instantly, rope swinging as they raced after the animal.
Smooth circles overhead—once, twice. On the third, Dustin snapped his arm forward and the rope fell over the beast’s head. Dustin was already dismounting as Midnight pulled to a stop.
A quick hold of the calf’s flank while lifting the head rope, and the beast was on its side in the dirt. Dustin tied off its legs—front first then the back two—with a half hitch.
He could have sworn the calf sighed sadly as it lay quietly, its chance of escape gone.
Applause sounded from Dustin’s right.
He figured the guys were kidding around, but it was Charity, proudly putting her hands together for him. The warm spot in his belly felt damn good.
Coralee rode up and dismounted beside him. “I’ve got the calf. You need to grab a kiss from your sweetie. She looks thrilled at wonderful you. Show off.”
“I’m working.” Dustin glanced at Charity though.
Coralee bumped him with her shoulder. “Go on. If you took off for a roll in the hay, people would talk. Now if you don’t kiss her, they’re going to wonder why.” She waved at Charity. “Heck, if she looked atmelike that, all stars in her eyes, I’d already be over there planting one on her.”
Since the last thing he wanted was for people to talk, and the main thing he’d been craving was another kiss…
Dustin undid the rope from his saddle horn, tossed it at Coralee, then mounted up. Midnight obediently trotted over to the railing where Charity sat, shining eyes trained on them both.
“Having fun?” Dustin asked.
“It’s fascinating. And you were amazing.”
Dustin tipped his hat. “Thank you.”
He peeked back at everyone. The hands, Adam, and his uncle were all hard at work. Coralee was staring over her shoulder as she guided the calf back to the lineup.
Dustin crooked a finger at Charity. “I’ve been told my sweetheart deserves a kiss after being supportive of my cowboy skills.”
Charity took a quick inhale, gaze darting toward the arena. He checked again as well, and now there were a few more eyes on them.
Ignoring the audience, Dustin focused on her. “You okay with it?”
Her cheeks flushed. She lifted her chin. “Of course. Just don’t pull me off my fence. It took some doing to get up here in the first place.”
He laughed. Which meant they were both smiling as he closed the distance between them and connected their mouths.
