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“Okay. Thanks so much, Gabby.”
Lizzie put her cell away in her apron pocket and took a moment to gather herself before heading back into the fray. Roman was okay. CPS hadn’t immediately taken him away, and by the sound of it, wouldn’t be following up on the report. On an impulse, she took her phone out again, her fingers flying over the keys.
CPS visited Roman at Gabby’s. Apparently all went okay.
She waited as the little bubbles in the corner of the texting box appeared and Adam replied.
That’s great. Good to hear it.
And then a moment later another text appeared.
Thanks for letting me know.
You’re welcome and thanks for everything.
She paused and then added xx. If he was here now, standing in front of her with his usual stern expression, she’d kiss him right on his hard, beautifully shaped mouth. He’d probably kill her, but it would be worth it.
* * *
“Adam?”
Adam jerked his attention away from his phone, his gaze lingering on the kisses Lizzie had texted him. She probably did that on all her messages....
“Yo! Bro!” This time Ben shouted at him. “Are you coming?”
Adam put his cell away and forced himself to pay attention to his brother. They were out on the ranch in a distant field rounding up some cattle, and he needed to be on task.
Ben rode over, his hat down low over his eyes against the glare of the sun, and reined in his horse.
“What’s up with you?”
“Nothing.” Adam met his brother’s direct stare with one of his own.
“You’re like totally distracted.” He gestured at Adam’s pocket. “You’re constantly checking your cell.”
“Sorry.” Adam gathered his reins. “What do you want me to do?”
“Don’t you know? Aren’t you supposed to be the boss or something?” Ben rolled his eyes. “We’re supposed to be clearing this part of the ranch of cattle so we can do the count later in the month.”
“I know that. I meant what specific thing right now?” Adam responded. “It’s not like we’re dealing with a stampede or anything. We’re just pushing them toward the ranch.”
“Which is hard for me to do by myself while you’re on your phone,” Ben repeated patiently.
“I’m good now.” Adam settled himself in the saddle. “Sorry.”
Ben still wasn’t moving or looking like he’d finished yacking.
“Does this have something to do with Lizzie Taylor?” Ben asked.
“Does what?”
“Your obsessive interest in your cell phone.”
Adam went still. “That’s a hell of a question.”
“I saw you in town with her yesterday,” Ben said casually. “I was at the feed store and then I went to get gas at Ted’s. You were walking along the street with Lizzie and some kid was hanging off your arm. I literally pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.”
“That’s Lizzie’s boy. His name is Roman.”
“You looked”—Ben paused and rubbed his hand over his bearded jaw—“like you were having a good time.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Adam asked, aware that he probably sounded defensive. “He’s a nice kid.”
“Because that’s not like you.”
“To have a good time?”
“Yeah.” Ben nodded. “That.”
“Thanks for nothing.” Adam gave his brother a killer stare. “I’m sorry I dared step out of line and enjoy myself.”
“It was great to see you like that,” Ben protested. “You haven’t looked that happy since Louisa died.”
A pang of guilt squeezed around Adam’s heart. He stared past his brother out over the Sierra Nevadas and reminded himself how insignificant his tiny life and troubles were.
“I helped get Roman to the doctor the other day,” he said abruptly. “I was just checking up on him.”
“So Daisy said.” Ben hesitated. “It’s okay, you know.”
“What is?”
“For you to spend time with Lizzie.”
Adam briefly considered strangling his brother and riding off into the sunset, and reluctantly concluded that Ben would just get up and follow him. Ben was quieter than Kaiden and his other siblings, but remarkably tenacious once he got an idea in his head.
