Page 118 of Dusty Spur Ranch Cowboys

“Like you’re trying very hard to behave.”

“I am.”

“You’re failing.”

“I disagree.”

I laugh despite myself and drop my hand back into my lap. “It sounds a whole lot messier when I say it out loud.”

She studies me over the rim of her jar before asking, “Does it feel messy?”

I think about answering, then let out a breath instead. “That’s exactly what I can’t figure out.” I sigh. “I keep telling myself they’re three men I happened to meet in another town, and then Sadie runs over to show me another drawing because she can’t wait for me to see it. Willy says the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all week, and I laugh so hard I almost spill my drink. Emmett looks at his daughter like she’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to him, and Red makes one last walk around the ranch before bed because checking every fence and gate comes as naturally as breathing.”

I peel at the label wrapped around my mason jar. “They’re good men.”

“They are.”

I let out a breath. “That’s exactly why they’re dangerous.”

She smiles at me. “Before things progressed with the boys next door,” she laughs as she says this, “I spent years telling myself freedom meant I didn’t need anybody.” She brushes her hand across her stomach. “I wasn’t searching for forever either, but it showed up anyway.”

I don’t have an answer waiting for her because every thought in my head circles the same question.

“I always leave.”

“I know.” She watches me over the rim of her jar before adding, “Today you’re talking like that bothers you.”

I stare across the flowers until the silence starts feeling dangerous, then clear my throat. “I think I need a picture with the bees. To help me remember my time here.”

A few minutes later I’m standing beside one of the hives in an oversized white bee suit while Abilene lifts my phone. “Smile.”

“I look like a marshmallow that’s questioning every decision it’s ever made.”

“You look adorable.”

“I was aiming for fearless.”

“You missed by a mile.”

She takes another picture while I’m still laughing, then waves me closer with a honey frame, catches another when I pretend to inspect a bee like I have any clue what I’m looking at, and nearly drops the phone when one crawls onto my glove and I yelp loud enough to startle myself.

“Oh, that one’s definitely staying,” she says between laughs.

“I need to review the evidence.”

She hands me the phone, and I scroll through the pictures before shaking my head. “Okay… I hate how much I love these.”

“I knew you would.”

I pull out my phone while Abilene carries jars of honey toward the roadside stand and open my messages.

I attach three pictures before typing to my sister.

Arizona: Guess who survived her first day as a beekeeper?

The typing bubble pops up almost right away.

Daisy: You’re either turning into a Disney princess or you’ve finally lost your mind.