Page 41 of February's Cowboy Dawson

She said it gently, but firmly, and I recognized the boundary she was drawing.I nodded, respecting it even as every instinct I had told me to stay, to make sure she had heat and food and someone watching her back.

“You’re going to need to board up that window until you can get someone out here to fix it.Want me to see if there’s some plywood in the garage?”

“I’ll deal with it in the morning.”She stood like she was eager for me to get going.“I just spent fourteen hours on the road and all I want to do right now is make a cup of tea and go to bed.”

“The hot air’s going to go right out the window.You’ll be paying to heat the outdoors.”

She smiled, a gentle reminder that the Hollisters could probably afford to heat the whole state of Montana, even during an early March snowstorm.

“Thanks for your help.I appreciate it.”Claire walked toward the now-functional front door, clearly expecting me to follow.

“At least lock the door behind me.”I didn’t feel right leaving her there, hurt and tired and cold.But she was an adult… a gorgeous, all-grown-up woman… and I didn’t have a legitimate reason to stay.

She pulled the door open with her uninjured hand."I will."

“Goodnight, Claire.Welcome home.”I left her standing in the doorway, light spilling around her like a halo, and forced myself to walk back to my truck without looking over my shoulder.When I reached the cab, I sat there for a long moment, engine idling, and watched the house until I saw the porch light flick off.

Then I pulled out my phone and updated my patrol route, adding a few extra passes by the old Hollister place over the next few days.

Just in case.