43

Reeve tapped a finger on my chin. “You’re overthinking this, Em. She came back for protection. She’s not looking to pick up where we left off.”

Then I realized what his assurance was missing – what he wanted. “Would it make a difference if she did?”

He opened his mouth to answer, but there was a knock on the door followed by it being swung open.

“The group from Callahans is here,” Brent declared without invitation. “I got them set up near the fire so we can start the branding, but there’s a new guy in charge, and he won’t do shit without you.” It seemed it was only then that Brent saw me. “Ah, sorry. Didn’t realize I might be interrupting.”

Reeve threw a glare at his ranch manager. Then he let out a huff of air. “I’ll go down there then.”

I slid off his lap to let him stand. His brow was furrowed as he donned the jacket that had been on the back of his chair. “A new guy? First I’ve heard about it. What’s his name?”

“Grabrian, I think,” Brent said.

Reeve nodded then turned to me. Threa