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He gestured toward Daffodil. I’d embroidered her mask with an intricate pattern of vines and leaves dotted with tiny flowers I’d created out of a brightly colored silk shirt I’d accidentally ruined when I’d been called in last minute to help pull a calf. I felt like the motif suited her.
I held my breath when Boone’s eyes fell on his own horse. I’d gone all out for Victory, using my Prada ruffled panel shirt to fashion wings for his ear covers. The goal was to make him look like the statue of Winged Victory, and I thought I’d done a pretty good job.
It was obvious who’d been behind the fly mask embellishments, and when Boone turned to me, an eyebrow raised, I lifted my chin a little in challenge.
It was true that I hadn’t exactly asked permission to bedazzle his horses, but I felt like this was a situation where it was more appropriate to ask forgiveness than permission.
“The horses were feeling left out,” I explained. “With all the attention on the calves, there hasn’t been much time for them. I figured they could use a pick-me-up.”
Boone’s expression softened. “You,” he said, moving toward me. He pulled me against him, placing a kiss against my forehead. “You are the absolute most adorable, big-hearted, wonderful human being on the planet. You amaze me.” The pride in his voice was unmistakable.
I blushed to the roots of my hair, fully aware that the sheriff and the other hands were watching this very public display of attention. I didn’t know why it still surprised me how easily and unapologetically Boone showed me affection.
“You like them?” I asked, the challenge melting out of my posture instantly. I’d actually been a bit nervous about what Boone would think when he saw what I’d been working on. I’d worried that he would think it was frivolous and a waste of time.
“I love them.”
“Good,” I said with a grin. “Because I have like half a dozen sheriff stars for Moonbeam’s—she’s gonna blaze like the midday sun.”
“Of course she is,” Boone said with another kiss to my temple.
Chisolm ambled over. “I took a picture for Brittany. She’s going to flip when she sees it.”
“Tell her if she ever needs something to spruce up her pig, I’ve got ideas.” I said it as a joke, but the sheriff nodded as if actually considering it.
“Anyway, I gotta head out.” He held a hand to Boone. “Good seeing you, though I’m sorry about the unfortunate circumstances. Nice to meet you, Richard.” He nodded a goodbye to us and lumbered toward his truck.
I was able to hold out just long enough for the sheriff to start up the drive before turning to Boone. “Unfortunate circumstances? What was that all about?”
Tension clouded his expression for a moment before he forced a smile. “Nothing you need to worry about.” He held up the papers he’d been holding. “Just Walt Hosser causing trouble again.”
James was a lawyer and had been a workaholic when we were together, always bringing files home. Because of that, I’d seen enough legal complaints to recognize one when I saw it. “What the hell? He’s suing you?”
“It’s bullshit,” Boone said, trying to sound bored and dismissive. But I could tell by the tightness of his shoulders that he was bothered.
I snatched the papers from him and skimmed them. The more I saw, the more my anger boiled. “Are you fucking kidding me? He’s accusing you of poisoning his pond and intentionally killing his cows! That’s ridiculous! Is he allowed to do that? Make shit up like that? It’s one thing to throw those words around in the heat of the moment, but does he actually think he has evidence to pin this on you?”
I seriously thought about hopping in one of the ranch trucks, hightailing it over to the Hosser Ranch, and kicking Walt Hosser’s ass. I wasn’t the biggest guy or the most skilled at fighting, but what I lacked in experience, I more than made up for with righteous anger on Boone’s behalf.
Boone noticed how upset I was getting because he reached out a hand and cupped my cheek. His thumb trailed along my jaw, easing the muscle I’d been clenching. “It’s going to be okay. Walt’s all hat, no cattle, as they used to say back in Texas. He likes to hear himself talk, but it’ll all blow over soon enough. Until it does, though, maybe don’t mention anything about it to the others? I don’t want Tyler finding out. It would only upset him.”
I blew out a breath and nodded. “Yeah, okay. What are you going to do?”
The corner of his mouth twitched up. “Well, first, I’m going to kiss you. Then I’m maybe gonna grope you a little. Then I’m going to head over to the calving barn to check on how things went overnight and see if we have any new additions to the herd. Then, at some point later on, I’m gonna find you and make you finish what you started before we were so rudely interrupted by Chisolm. Good plan?”
