“Yeah,” I say. “It did.”
Luke folds his arms. “That about the land, or something else?”
I hold his gaze for a beat, then let it shift just slightly toward the direction of town.
Toward her.
That’s all it takes.
Wade exhales under his breath. “Knew it.”
Lane finally pushes off the wall fully, stepping closer. “She worth it?”
The question is simple and direct.
And not a single one of them doubts the answer before I give it.
“Yeah,” I say.
There’s no hesitation, no second thought, just the truth.
Luke huffs a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “That’s a problem.”
“It is,” I agree.
Because it changes how I move, how I think, and the risks I take or refuse.
Wade studies me again, sharper this time. “You’re not just protecting the land anymore.”
“No,” I say.
“And that means you don’t get to make the same calls you would’ve made a week ago.”
I know that.
That’s the part that’s been sitting in the back of my head since last night.
Every decision carries more weight now.
Every move has consequences that don’t just land on me.
“I’m aware,” I say.
“Are you?” Luke presses, not pushing, just making sure. “Because you go after Colt the wrong way, this escalates fast.”
“It’s already escalating,” I answer. “I’m not the one pushing it.”
“No,” Wade says. “But you might be the one that makes it worse.”
Silence settles again, heavier this time.
It isn’t disagreement, it’s the truth.
I nod once.
“I won’t let it get out of control,” I say.
Lane tilts his head slightly. “That’s not what we’re worried about.”
