Page 9 of His Texas Claim

“Oh, there’s a population two counties over,” Bryn said. “A few got out downstream and have been getting it on with the frogs closer to the city. I found this weird genetic signature and ended up tracking it closer and closer to Briar Hill…then here. Now I’m fairly certain there’s a unique species that has its origin in the aquifer.”

“And you don’t mind us treading on their territory?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“As long as you don’t threaten them with a shotgun.”

Peggy gave me a look. “Stetson Holt.”

“To be fair, I was trespassing,” Bryn said, laughing. “And he made up for it by inviting me to dinner.”

“His mama taught him good manners,” Peggy said. “He should’ve known better.”

“Regardless,” Bryn said. “This is why I really can’t stay after tonight—why I should be out there right now. Because I only have a limited time to establish that this species even exists and file the proper paperwork before it’s too late.”

“Damn it…” Gage muttered, shaking his head. “I’ll call the attorney. With your stitches⁠—”

“You can’t stop me,” she said. “I’m definitely going back out there. Planning on hiking the whole creek, all the way up to the aquifer. I’m going to find my frogs.”

“In that case, I’m going with you,” I cut in.

She actually had the audacity to roll her eyes at me. “I really don’t need a knight in shining armor, Stetson⁠—”

“Not offering to be one.” I crossed my arms. “But if you’d been caught in that mud and I hadn’t stumbled by, you could’ve drowned in a foot of water today.”

“Well, that would’ve been really embarrassing.”

“Exactly.”

We stared at each other.

She was messing with me.

I let out a loud grumble, Haven laughing under her breath beside me.

"You're both ridiculous," Haven said.

"I resent that," Bryn said. "I've survived worse than one man staring at me."

"Never said you hadn't."

"You implied it."

Peggy set the last plate in the sink and turned around, drying her hands on a towel. "You two can argue in the truck tomorrow. Right now everyone needs sleep."

"I have a tent," Bryn said again.

"You have a guest room," Peggy said. "Third door on the left. Sheets are clean."

Bryn looked at me like I might back her up. I didn't.

"Dawn," I said. "I'll knock."

"You don't have to knock. I'll be awake."

"I'll knock anyway."

She picked up the frog container, checked the latch, and headed for the hallway. Buck lifted his head off the floor and watched her go, then looked at me like he expected an explanation.

"Don't," I told him.