Page 74 of Danger

Once Rylee leaves Weston, everything goes back to normal. Winnie and I included. Just two people in the same town who know how to pass each other without stopping.

My phone buzzes. It’s one of the ranch hands.

I’ve got men posted at the entrance and at both ends of the street. Not just because Rylee might pull something on Trouble’s night—but because Fisher doesn’t know she’s in town yet.

I know I can’t keep doing this.

I have to figure it out—how to tell my son his mother's back before he hears it from someone else. Before she decides to introduce herself on her own terms.

Ace

All clear

No Rylee in sight

Danger

Keep watch until we’re through dinner

Once PJ and Fisher head out, shadow them back to the ranch

Ace

Copy that boss

I take a seat at the excessively decorated dining table and slip the phone back into my pocket, forcing my shoulders loose.

Fisher’s laughing at something Charming says. Sauce is already smeared on his face. Six years old and happier than I ever knew how to be.

Someone clinks a glass. The noise ripples down the table.

“Danger,” Sawyer calls. “You’re up.”

I push back my chair and stand. Conversations go quiet. Every face turns my way.

I catch Winnie again. She's wearing that smile like she has no idea what it does to me. If I were a better man, she'd already be mine. For real mine, not fake mine.

I clear my throat and lift my glass. “To Trouble and Sawyer.” My voice comes out steady, even. “Two people stubborn enough to choose each other every day. That’s not luck. That’s work.”

A few chuckles. A few nods.

“If you want something that lasts,” I continue, “you don’t run when it gets hard. You don’t keep score. You show up. Even when you’re tired. Even when you’re scared. And you fight like hell for it.”

My grip tightens on the glass as I shove away thoughts I should keep buried. It takes all my effort not to step away from the table and go to her. To Winnie.

If I was the kind of man built for this—if I wasn’t made from a dark history and bad decisions, I’d take her hand right now. I’d pull her onto the dance floor. I’d make her laugh. I’d let the whole damn town see what it looks like when a man knows what he wants and isn’t afraid of it.

But I’m not that man.

I wish I was.

I lift my glass higher.

“To choosing each other,” I finish. “Every day.”

Applause breaks out. Chairs scrape. Glasses clink. Winnie smiles at me from across the yard.

And it damn near breaks me in half.