Page 17 of Danger

On it

Already got a team rotating shifts

I stare at the last message and wonder if I need to push it further. Instead, I thumb the phone locked and shove it in my pocket. World’s falling apart, and the only person with sense around here is wearing goggles. The porch creaks as I stepoutside. If there’s a rain coming, I hope it brings enough noise to drown the thoughts clawing around in my skull.

Fisher’s already inside the barn when I get there, probably swinging around the feed bucket. The horses love him—they watch nearby with ears up and eyes alert. I hang back, leaning against the railing.

The barn doors push open as one of our ranch hands moves out, and I don’t hear Fisher like I expect. Instead, there’s a laugh. Not his. It’s too high, too bright.

Winnie’s in the barn with Fisher. And to be honest, I’m surprised she showed up. She’s managed to put on some old flannel—dark green, sleeves rolled to the elbow—and she’s tied it at the waist to make it fit her better. Her hair’s up in a high ponytail, strands leaking everywhere. And she’s got on boots, but they look like they’ve never seen a day of real labor. But here she is, both hands buried in feed, trying to follow Fisher’s instructions.

He’s correcting her. Patient as hell—something he doesn’t get from me. “She’ll choke if you don’t spread it out,” he tells her, and she does as he says.

“You sure are good at this, buddy,” Winnie says, grinning at him like he just solved world hunger. She’s got a smear of grain dust on her cheek and has no idea it’s there.

I stay put, arms crossed. She hasn’t noticed me, and I don’t plan to announce myself. Easier to observe without interfering. My gut says don’t trust her. Don’t trust any woman—especially not ones who start tryin’ to make themselves useful before you figure out what they really want.

Fisher giggles at something she says, and it hits me right in the gut—harder than I want to admit. Especially with Rylee back in town. His mama had six years to hear that laugh, six years to know the best damn kid there is. But she walked away instead.No warning. No fight. Just a note on the counter and a diaper bag she didn’t pack. Said I’d do a better job without her.

I did. At least I did the best I could.

So, why the hell is she back now?

Winnie looks up and catches me in the doorway. For a moment, she freezes. Then she wipes her hands on her jeans and plants a hand on her hip.

“Didn’t think you’d show,” I say.

“You always this friendly before coffee, or just something I bring out in you?”

“Friendly’s a strong word. And I already had my coffee.”

She glances at Fisher, who shrugs. “How did something so cute come from something so stubborn?” she asks.

“The cute just picked me,” Fisher says.

“Well, if the perks of the job come with a cutie like you around, this won’t be too bad,” Winnie teases Fisher.

Fisher tries to play it cool. “Some say it’s their favorite part of the job.”

I catch myself staring at the way Winnie and Fisher are workin’ together, both laughing over something small and stupid, like they’ve been doing this forever—like she already somehow belongs in this picture.

“D, you keep staring at her like that, she’s gonna start charging you.” Charming slides in behind me and reaches for a carrot to hand to one of the horses.

“Ain’t staring,” I say, but even to my own ears, it’s not convincing. “Just makin’ sure she don’t break anything.”

Charming cocks an eyebrow, carrot already half gone. “Mhm. Bet you want her to break somethin’, alright. How you think Trouble’s gonna feel about that?”

“Fuck off. It’s not like that. Got enough problems on this ranch. Don’t need more.”

“Right,” Charming says, glancing over at Fisher. “And what are you gonna do about Rylee?”

“Don’t know yet.” I snatch down a saddle. “Hoping she takes the hint and leaves town.”

“She came all this way, D. She ain’t leaving empty-handed.”

“Then we keep our eyes open. Fisher comes first, and we gotta protect him.” I look back at the kid. He’s trying to hold a horse still while Winnie fumbles with the bridle. He’s happy. He’s safe. That’s all that matters.

“Well, you could stand to relax a little… looks like he sure likes havin’ her around.” Charming jerks his chin toward Winnie, who’s doing her best to braid a chunk of horse mane while Fisher coaches her.