Page 85 of A Rancher's Vow
Couldn’t be helped. She was where she had to be.
Inside the barn, Luke was saddling up Thunderbolt. He lifted his chin as Dustin walked past to his own horse.
“Sorry I’m late,” Dustin offered even though it was only by a few minutes.
“Don’t worry about it. I just got here myself. How’s Charity? Did she get any sleep?”
“She’s okay. I got her to relax pretty quickly last night, and she’s still asleep now.” Dustin turned back with a saddle blanket in his hands to see Luke eyeing him closely. “What?”
His brother grinned. “Kelli spotted you going into the cottage last night. Also, I saw you come out the door this morning.”
For fuck’s sake. Which meant Luke was going to tease the hell out of him, not knowing the whole story. “Yeah?”
Luke shrugged and went back to tightening the clinch on his saddle. “So the last eligible Stone has fallen. Next thing we know you’ll be sending outsave the datecards and booking the church.”
“When it’s right, it’s right.” Dustin reached for his own saddle and discovered his brother in his way, eyes wide, jaw hanging open. “What?”
“I was kidding around. You and Charity, for real?” Luke held up a hand. “Not that I don’t like her, but damn, Dustin, you’re just a kid. You’re really ready to settle down?”
Dustin laughed. “You make it sound as if finding someone to be with means getting boring and one step from the grave. I haven’t noticed you and Kelli being— Wait, let me start again.Kelli’snot a stick-in-the-mud. Can’t say that about you since you guys got hitched, old man.”
“Fuck off,” Luke offered.
“Don’t be an ass,” Dustin countered.
“Don’t…” Luke made a face. “Don’t be so fucking right. Yeah, you just surprised me, that’s all. I thought this shit between you two was a pretend thing.”
“It was. It’s not anymore—at least not to me.” Dustin shoved his brother out the way and returned to saddling Molasses. “I still need to work on Tee, so please don’t screw things up by implying we’re a done deal or some bullshit that scares her off.”
“Of course not.” Luke grinned evilly.
Dustin threw a brush at him. “Jerk.”
Luke only grinned harder. “Oh, this promises to be fun.”
By that point, the wrestling match that followed was a forgone conclusion. They were smart enough to wait until they cleared the stalls before Luke wrapped an arm around Dustin’s neck and tried to overpower him. Dustin countered by flipping Luke over his hip and dropping to his knees.
They were into the grunting and laughing stage when someone cleared their throat behind them.
Luke released his grip, Dustin did the same, and then they were sprawled on the ground and looking up at Ashton Stewart, disapproval painted on his face. “Thought I trained the stupid out of you boys years ago.”
“Momentary relapse,” Luke offered. He popped to his feet and held a hand down to Dustin. His brother hauled him upright, and the two of them turned to face their semi-retired foreman.
Dustin knew his expression had to be sheepish, but at the same time, the situation felt right. Another layer in the growing up and growing together of brothers in a tight-knit family.
Ashton raised a brow, but he nodded. “See that the moment passes quickly.” He shifted his gaze to focus on Dustin alone. “Caleb told Tucker you’ll need extra time off over the next while. So you can be available to help Charity,” he added. “Until the vandal is caught, she’ll need someone with her when she has places to go. And you’re top on the list of people to accompany her.”
Which was a step beyond what Dustin had hoped for when he’d asked Caleb for help. “Appreciate it.”
“It makes sense. Tucker’s already working the schedule.” Ashton’s serious expression softened. “You’ll enjoy this—I’m your last-minute replacement.”
Again, more than he’d expected. “I won’t take advantage of it.”
Ashton lifted a finger and stuck it in Dustin’s face. “You’ll do whatever it takes to keep that girl safe and happy. If I have to pull a few shifts to make that happen, so be it. Sonora agrees.”
Dustin held out his hand. Ashton took it solemnly and shook it.
The moment felt huge, especially when after shaking his hand, Ashton patted him on the shoulder then shoved him not too gently toward his horse. “Now get your asses in gear, you two.”
