ve her something she hadn't had in a long time - purpose. The early mornings, the sounds of horses, and the fresh country air were a sharp contrast to h

e looked at her like she was a person instead of something broken. And every time

to feel anything. Not

buried

unkhouse. How her gaze often seemed a million miles away. It worried him. The ranch offere

ing hay into the stables, Beau leaned a

"There's a bonfire tonight. Out by the ridge. Just a few f

A bonfire? Isn't

Cold beer, warm fire, good company. I got a

he was already walking away, tha

ud-streaked jeans, hair tied back, a smudge of dirt across her cheek. Not exactly b

ter coat Beau had left hanging on her door. It swallowed her frame but smelle

past the window, her nerves twisting with each mile that past. But when they pulle

d laughing under the stars. Beau introduced her to everyone with ease, his hand resting briefly on her back as he

yes. But no one asked why she was t

re seeped into her bones. Laughter rang through the night. And

ed and sh

ed from the cold and liquor. For the first time in what felt like years, she wasn't looking over her shoul

k, a beer in hand, watching her

t beside him leaned over and nudge

r, eyes never leaving Claire. The way she danced without a ca

empty bottle into the fire

d dizzy, dropping onto a log near the fire

need this," he said

l lit with the remnants of joy. "

ed. "To

t this time not out of fear. She wasn't sure when it had started, this flutter in her chest every time he looked at her like she mattered. But i

he way she drew in on herself when his shoulder brushed hers. And yet, she didn't move away. He wanted to tell her she was saf

n her looking at herself in the mirror once when she thought no one was around. The pain in her eye

lt... something tonight. It's been a l

es. And in that moment, she realised something else: She w

be, she wasn't as b

ing, the warmth wasn't just from the flames. It was from somet

tching Beau looking at her again. This time, she didn't loo

r chest. For a second, her fear tried to claw its way back up, tried to scream that it was too

her skin, she didn't flinch. She leaned into it. And when his lips

as a kiss of comfort. Of promise. And when they pulled

gainst hers. "You don't have to b

his feelings, his past. They stayed locked down like cattle in a s

ld himself it was just sympathy. That he saw a woman who needed help. But now, a couple of month

hing

ars than she probably let on. And yet, every time she looked at him with those

a lifeline. He wasn't sure she'd say yes. But when she showed up wrapped in the coat he'd lef

here. Like she was meant to b

wo

disbelief. She looked at him like she was scared of what she'd just done, but also like maybe, she wanted it

silence wrap around them. He saw the way her hands trembled slightly as she tucked them into her sleeves. He noticed how she kept sneaking glances at him

of the fire in silence for a while, the fire burning low, stars startin

st enough for her shoulder to rest

ot rushing. Not demanding anything she

is flannel the whole ride. Beau glanced at her when he pulled up to the bunkhouse. She looked h

r tonight, I had fu

to

ipped out of the truck. Beau walked her to the door, his boots crunching on gravel, and w

rtled, but did

ight,

ight,

t the hell he was supposed to do with the way his heart felt like it was being rebuilt from the inside out. He turned

though she already knew the answer. T

ighed.

nd

itted. "It felt right. But

ronger than she knows. But maybe she needs someone to sh

of Claire dancing around the fire flashing t

"Just keep being you. She'll

ed. "I

ps to the porch, his

he only thing keepin' her grounded," she s

wed hard.

xactly why he'd be damn

pes across the small room. Claire blinked against the brightness, slowly waking

e

ainst hers at the bonfire was vivid and alive. She could still feel the press of his

mouth. She hadn't thought about a man like this in a long time. Not with desire. Not w

t, her silence, her submission. But she didn't. Not now. What she felt instead was curi

to kiss B

out of bed. It was ridiculous, childish, even. But it was also the first mor

avel. He didn't even have to turn around to know it was her, he could f

alled without looking, a s

e," Claire quipped, leaning against the barn post. "Maybe

the cold, her dark hair tucked messily into a bun, but ther

sing her a pitchfork. "Let's see if

yes. "Careful, cowboy. I might end

e a damn shame. M

r now. She started working beside him, the silence between them comfortable, playful ev

hair behind her ear. The little furrow in her brow when she co

a habit to kiss all your ranch apprentices at

ovel, the question catchin

ng fast with a grin. "Pretty sure it only happens whe

but she didn't loo

ittle closer.

rth wanting. Her pulse was loud in her ears, her body humming with electricity. Thi

ealised was still alive. And now, standing next to him, should

she murmured, tryi

of hay at her with a grin. "I

ll see ab

around her like a warm blanket.

g. Claire caught herself glancing at his hands - strong and capable, yet gentle when he brushed a stray hair

tween them was going. Didn't know i

e, close enough for her to catch the scent of

ire didn't ask where they were going, just let herself be swept alon

nd the wooden beams and twinkled like cheap stars. Country music thudded from t

e with his wife, Maggie, who wasted no

d before?" Maggie as

htmares," Cl

s as Claire tried and failed to mimic the choreography. She was all wrong feet

Cody chuckled. "Got no r

ushed and glowing, her head thrown back in laug

u're gone on her more th

ed a brow

m his beer. "Don't look so shocked. Hell, I

on his lips. "She's been through hell,

not exactly a spring chicken. What're

kes me wanna be careful. Like if I move

hen don't move too fast. Just do

me stumbling over, breathless from

aid, eyes sparkling. "My

his eyes.

a couple had just finished a screechy rendition

n't singin' in fron

he teased, bump

and slipped into his. Her fi

I hit a high note and your ear

. "Now this

olled through the song list. She landed on Jackson by Johnny Cash

could barely get the lyrics out. But by the end, the whole bar was clapping along. Their voices twi

au leaned in close, his

ouble," he

up at him. "