Page 91 of A Rancher's Vow
Jesus. Dustin couldn’t in a million years have dreamed up this scenario. First things first, though. His uncle was one step shy of a panic attack, and while he’d shouted, his tone and expression said he wasn’t being an asshole.
If he had to guess, Dustin would say Frank was scared.
“She’s fine. She’s safe here at Silver Stone. We’re doing what we can to figure out the rest, but she’s okay.” Dustin laid a hand on his uncle’s shoulder, easing him down. “We’re taking care of her.”
The frown on Frank’s face was fierce, but he nodded as Dustin’s words slowly sank in. “She wasn’t hurt?”
“She wasn’t there,” Dustin affirmed. “She’s okay.”
Frank straightened, took a deep breath, then let it out in a sudden puff. “Good. Good.”
Luke was checking his phone and now held up a hand. “Kelli agrees that Charity should be here in the barn. We’ll find her.” He raised his voice and shouted, “Hey, Charity, you around?”
“Up here. One minute.”
Footsteps rang out on the stairs from the hayloft, the distinctive sound of creaking boards mixing with childish conversation. The next second, Charity came into view with Tyler in her arms and Sasha following behind.
Patchwork Annie followed Charity close enough it was amazing she wasn’t tripping over the dog.
Charity stopped when she reached them, blinking hard. “Oh. Hello, Mr. Stone.”
“Thank God, you’re safe.” Frank moved in an instant, and the next second he had Charity and Tyler wrapped up in a hug.
Dustin could see Charity’s face, and while shock was first and foremost, she wore a bit of a smile as well. She met his gaze and lifted her brows as if in shrug.
Tyler took it all in stride and patted Uncle Frank on the back. “Super Frank. Come see the kitties?”
A moment later Frank had pulled back and held out his arms for his great-nephew. The kid nestled in as if he were held by the older man on a regular basis. “Were you showing Charity the kittens?”
“Yup.” Tyler nodded seriously then held up a pudgy hand, fingers spread wide. “Five kitties. Come see,” he ordered, tugging Frank’s collar toward the stairs.
“He’s obviously very shy and retiring,” Sasha offered dryly. “Hi, Great-Uncle Frank. Let me take the kiddo for a minute so you can talk. We’ll wait on the stairs,” she told her brother, who had latched onto Frank like an octopus and begun to wail in protest. “Better yet, let’s go make sure the kittens are still hiding in the same spot. So when he comes upstairs, you can show him.”
Tyler considered this seriously before all but throwing himself at his older sister. She caught him without even blinking, spinning him in a circle as she made airplane sounds and rushed him up the stairs.
Meanwhile, Charity had made her way to Dustin’s side. She slipped an arm around his waist and leaned into him, speaking softly. “Hey. I thought you were cowboying all day.”
“I am. Still cowboying, that is.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “You good?”
“Had a great morning with Kelli, my friends are being my angels, and I have a good dog by my side. I’m very good.” They both glanced at Annie, who was all but vibrating, her tail wagging hard as she stood between their booted feet.
“So it worked. Damn.” Dustin leaned over and rubbed her head. “Good girl.”
Annie plopped her butt down, opened her mouth, and gave a happy yip.
When he stood, leaning in to give Tee a kiss seemed the most natural thing. He slipped their fingers together as he explained. “I ordered her to guard the boots.”
“I figured as much. She thought really hard for a minute when I slipped them on, but as long as she can see them, she’s happy.”
He’d pretty much forgotten about Uncle Frank, as shocking as that was. Charity however turned to face the man. “I’m sorry you were worried. Dustin and the rest of the family are taking good care of me. It’s just an inconvenience, really.”
“Home invasion is not just an inconvenience.” Frank folded his arms over his chest and glared.
She raised a brow.
He downgraded the glare to a frown.
Damn, watching the two of them was like being at a performance. “Are you staying for supper, Uncle Frank?” Dustin asked. “Would you like to join us?”
