Austin had risen early. By a farm boy’s standards, that was saying something. Partly because it wasn’t all that comfortable bunking in the trailer, even with the benefit of the top-end gear Hayden hadn’t had during her sleepover. Also because he was afraid she might slip away during the night.

Sure enough, at the ass-crack of dawn the door of his truck cracked open, spilling light onto the pavement. He waited until Hayden had clambered out, wincing as her torn-up feet hit the asphalt. He remembered the angry black-raspberry-jam color of them as he’d tended to them the night before and how hard he’d had to clench his jaw to keep from cursing her ex.

That would only have frightened her. She’d needed him to be stronger than that just then. So he’d ignored his own rage, even if it meant he’d kicked the crap out of the bale of hay in the trailer and vented to his cousins afterward.

“Good morning.” His voice rumbled and sputtered like a broken-down engine because he’d forsaken coffee while he waited for her to rouse. Yeah, that was it. Or maybe it had more to do with how tragically beautiful she looked attempting to take on the world with next to nothing. Her determination to survive inspired him. Hell, he’d struggled even with advantages and support she clearly didn’t have.

Hayden gasped and splayed her hand over her chest as if to keep her heart inside it.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Do you always sit in the shadows like a mountain lion waiting for a rabbit to hop past?”

“Nah, but I am a decent hunter.” He grinned, thinking of his pseudo-grandfather. “There’s this guy, Jake, who works on our ranch. Been there the longest of anyone, really. He spent a lot of time out in the wilderness on his days off. When he was young, he fell in love with a Native American woman and became obsessed with a lot of her traditions and culture. Especially decades later, after he found out he’d had a son with her. Anyway, he taught me the benefits of waiting quietly and showed me what I might catch with some patience.”

Yeah, like a gorgeous girl who needed help she wasn’t likely to accept easily.

“I could listen to stories about Compass Ranch all day.” She pointed to the wrap on the tractor. “You guys should have your own show or something.”

“My mom has a collection of letters she wrote to my father daily when he was working in oil fields in Alaska for like ten years or something. My sister keeps telling her to turn them into a book, but she doesn’t think anyone would really be interested in reading them.” Austin thought maybe he’d join forces with Hope next time she brought the subject up.

“I would.” Hayden leaned against the truck as she eyed the woods behind Austin. Tiny creases wrinkled her brow. Could she be dreading leaving?

“Why don’t you hang around just a little longer? I’ll grab us some breakfast and tell you all about Jake or anything else you’d like to hear.” He tried not to sound like he gave a shit either way. Austin had listened to his parents’ tales, too. He’d definitely inherited more than his supposed good looks from his dads and his uncles. “At least then you’ll have something warm in your stomach before you set off.”

Hayden nibbled her lip as she considered his offer. Somehow he figured it was curiosity more than survival instincts that had her hesitating. “You’ll tell me about your parents, like you promised?”

He nodded. “Sure.”

She sighed. He couldn’t quite tell if it was in relief or exasperation, but he’d take either one as a win. So long as she stayed with him. Finally, she nodded. “A little while longer.”

“Eggs, hash browns, and bacon okay?”

She groaned and pressed her stomach. “Yeah. Do me a favor and hold the orange juice, please? It’s one of my favorites and will tempt me too much. I’d rather not have another episode like last night. Especially once I’m on my own.”

Damn. That had looked like it hurt, too. Considering how she’d hardly flinched at his contact with the rest of her injuries, she probably needed to see a doctor about that. Austin’s sister, Hope, was a nurse. Maybe she could help if he could somehow get in touch with her. Or better yet, if he could wrangle Hayden into coming to Compass Ranch.

That was going to take a whole lot of convincing and a shit ton of little-while-longers.

Austin started devising a plan to make it happen.