Page 8 of The Cowboy and the Stray

Before Sloane could press further, Midge slid a steaming plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of me. The scent made my head spin, and I dug in frantically, barely tasting the first few bites. It took me back to being eight years old, standing on a chair to reach the counter, making microwave dinners for myself on the nights my mom didn't come home. Hungry in a way that went beyond my stomach, in a way I didn't have words for back then. Don’t cry. Don’t cry over eggs, you absolute wreck.

I was so focused on eating that I didn't notice the man come in until he was right beside me, pouring coffee into a chipped mug. He was tall and grizzled, with sun-weathered skin and a shock of gray hair. When he turned to face me, I saw that he held his weight unevenly, favoring his right leg.

"Broke it." He caught my glance and tapped his thigh. "Used to be a circus acrobat. Fell off a trapeze trying to catch a two-hundred-pound clown."

I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth, not sure I'd heard him right. "Seriously?" Please let this be a joke. I can’t emotionally handle clowns right now.

Sloane, still hovering near the doorway, snorted.

Midge rolled her eyes heavenward, looking like she was praying for patience. "Don't encourage him," she told me. "Buck's been telling tall tales for longer than I've been alive. Changes it every time, too."

Buck winked at me over the rim of his mug, seemingly unbothered by the callout. "Welcome," he said, tipping his cowboy hat my way before limping out of the kitchen. I watched him go, feeling strangely charmed by the exchange. Okay. Nothing overly threatening. Just weird cowboy energy.

In the heavy silence that followed his exit, Midge turned her attention back to me, her expression softening. "What's your plan now, honey? You got someone you can call, somewhere to go?" I swallowed hard, the eggs turning to sandpaper in my throat. This was the question I'd been dreading, the one I had no good answer for.

Don’t say “no one.” Don’t sound pathetic. "Not really," I whispered, forcing myself to meet Midge's gaze. "I'm kind of starting over, I guess you could say. Looking for work, trying to get back on my feet." Lie till it’s true. That’s the rule.

Sloane made a small, disbelieving sound, but Midge ignored her.

Midge seemed satisfied with that answer, but before she could reply, the kitchen door swung open again.

The man who stepped through was easily the largest I'd ever seen. He filled the doorframe, his shoulders straining against the fabric of his sweat-stained t-shirt. Dark hair fell across his brow, and a few days' worth of scruff shadowed his jaw. When his gaze landed on me, I felt pinned in place, like a rabbit caught in the sights of a wolf. Holy crap. Do not make eye contact. Do not pass out.

"Calder," Midge said almost placatingly. "This is our guest who you found out in the barn last night."

Calder's eyes never left mine as he gave a short nod of greeting.

I fought the urge to shrink back in my chair, suddenly acutely aware of my battered appearance. "I'm Tess," I managed, the name feeling strange on my tongue. At the last second, I decided to use a fake last name. "Tess Talbot." I couldn't risk using my real name. Not until I knew I was safe. Talbot was the last name of an old boyfriend of my mom. Lie till it’s true. Again. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Calder took a step closer, his gaze sharpening. "I'm assuming that's your car we found down on the main road with the deer still in the passenger seat?" he asked, the question gruff but not unkind.

I nodded slowly." It ran out in front of my car, and I swerved to avoid it. I kind of remember walking here and going to the barn, but what happened after that is a little fuzzy." Calder glanced at my forehead, to the livid bruise there. I resisted the urge to reach up and try to cover it with my hair. Congratulations. You sound exactly like someone with a head injury and a criminal past.

"We got the deer out and took care of it. Your car looks like it's been through the wringer though. I'm surprised you walked away in one piece." He looked me over. "You need anything? Ibuprofen? Or a doctor?"

"I wouldn't say no to some pain relievers though, just nothing strong." I shrugged one shoulder, wincing at the pull of sore muscles. "Just lucky, I guess." The words were ironic, considering the circumstances that had led me to that dark stretch of highway in the first place were about as unlucky as I'd ever been. Maybe I’ve already used up all my luck.

Calder studied me for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. Then he turned to Midge, one eyebrow raised. "She staying?" There was no judgment in the question, but I tensed all the same. Please say yes. Just long enough to figure out my next move.

Midge shot Sloane a warning look before answering. "For now," she said firmly. "Girl needs a place to land. Thought she could help out around the ranch, earn her keep."

Calder's attention slid back to me, assessing. I lifted my chin, meeting his stare head-on despite the butterflies rioting in my stomach. Don't flinch.

"And after that?" he asked, the words directed at me this time. "You got somewhere to go? Someone coming to get you?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The truth was, I had no idea what came next. No plan, no safety net, no one to turn to. I was well and truly on my own, stranded in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down car and a past I was desperate to outrun. God, say something. Anything.

Calder was still waiting for an answer, his gaze unwavering, and I had nothing to tell him.

4. CALDER

This woman, Tess, was hiding something; that much was clear. Fear rolled off her in waves. I could smell it without the benefit of my furry nose. She sat at the table like a spooked deer. Tense, ready to bolt. But there was something else too, something that prickled at my senses. Hell, I didn't need to hear her answer. I knew that look. Like the ground had vanished beneath her feet.

Tess looked quickly between me and Sloane. "I know it's a long shot, but might you be hiring? I appreciate you saying I can stay a few days, but if you have some work, I could stay a bit longer. Just something temporary, so I can make enough to replace my car. I'm not afraid of hard work, and I've done a lot of different jobs over the years."

Before I could process the question, Sloane crossed her arms, shaking her head. "You're not actually considering this?" she snapped. Her tone left no doubt about her opposition. Of course not. She saw red flags in everything.

I shot my sister a look. She met my gaze, unflinching. A silent standoff.