Page 24 of Cowboy Elite 2: Mike

Same way she'd arrived. She was beginning to fall in love with this family. The last thing she wanted was to put any of them in danger. That, she couldn’t bear.

When she walked into the kitchen, Mike was already at the stove, coffee brewing, bacon sizzling in the cast iron skillet. He glanced up when she came in, and his smile faltered.

Just for a second. But she caught it.

"Morning," he said, setting down his spatula. His eyes tracked over her face. "You look like you’re ’bout too pooped to pop."

“That bad, huh?” She’d never heard such a saying and it tickled her, despite the fact that she really was worn out. She poured coffee, added cream, kept her hands busy.

“In the best possible way,” he clarified lest she take offense. He was watching her. Not smiling anymore. Just... steady. Waiting.

"I'm fine," she said. "Just didn't sleep great. All the excitement and people yesterday. You know."

He didn't believe her. She could see it in the way his jaw worked, the way his shoulders tensed like he was bracing for something.

But he didn't push.

"Well," he said finally, turning back to the stove. "Any chance you're free this afternoon?"

Liv's eyebrows lifted. "Why? Planning another impromptu walk-in fridge date?"

He chuckled, but it sounded slightly forced. "As tempting as that is, no. It's the Bear Valley Town Rodeo and BBQ Day. Big deal around here. Parade, livestock, dancing, barbecue plates stacked a foot tall, you name it."

"After that banquet-sized dinner party last night you're already gearing up for another event?"

"We're not hosting. Just attending."

Liv's first instinct was to say no. To stay at the ranch. Stay hidden.

But if she said no, Mike would ask why. And she'd either have to lie or tell him the truth. And the truth felt too big, too dangerous to say out loud.

Besides, if someone really knew where she was, hiding in her room wouldn't stop them.

"Okay," she heard herself say. "I'll come."

Mike's grin came back, slow and warm. And genuine this time. "Good. You'll like it. Small-town chaos at its finest."

He tapped the prep board twice. "It's a planned outing for the guests, too. The whole Watkins crew is going. Charlotte's riding in the sheep rodeo. Kenny and Joe are judging the calf scramble. Lyle’s on stand-by in case of animal injuries. And I'm manning the pie auction table. I could use your expertise."

The warmth in her chest tried to spread like honey, but fear kept it contained. "Well, I guess there's no sense in me staying here by myself if all the guests are going to town."

"That's the spirit," he said.

Liv wrapped both hands around her coffee mug and tried to believe that going to a crowded public event was anything other than the worst idea she'd ever had.

By noon, she was standing at the edge of the Bear Valley Fairground under wood beams and brutal sun, surrounded by an ever-present soundtrack of country twang and hollering children.

"Wow," she said, taking it all in.

Mike got out of the truck and came around to join her, adjusting his hat lower on his brow, his boots crunching on the gravel lot. "It's something, isn't it?"

A dozen canopies lined the dirt walking path, each decorated with gingham banners and ropes of little metal stars. Locals in cowboy boots and well-worn jeans shuffled between stalls of homemade hot sauce, wood-carved wind chimes, kettle corn, and "World's Best Jerky" samples. Over to the left, a small petting zoo emitted equal parts laughter and goat bleats. To the right, an arena stretched out, packed dirt churning under the gallop of a barrel-racing horse.

Liv adjusted her sunglasses and took a deep breath. Scanned the crowd. Looking for... what? A man in a suit? Someone watching her too closely?

Everyone looked normal. Families. Couples. Kids sticky with cotton candy.

"You weren't kidding," she said. "This is a whole town in motion."