She had a problem. A really big fucking problem, and I suspected that problem began with a Gavin and ended with Jefferson.

The lines on the fence weren’t snapped from the storm. They’d been snapped by wire cutters. I was still pretty green in ranching and fence fixing but even my idiot eyes could see it. To make matters worse, two of the calves were acting sick, and I had no idea what to do. The sun was bright and warm and most of the cows were up and moving around, those that were laying down got up when I drove close to them, but the two calves I was worried about, stayed down, barely glancing at me.

By the time I fixed the fence, not surprised at all it happened on the side of her land facing Jefferson’s by any means, checked on the rest of the land that bordered theirs and was on my way back to the house, forcing the truck over muddy trails, I wasn’t just pissed.

I was fuming with the need to shove my fist into Gavin’s face. It was doubtful that would help anything except make me feel a hell of a lot better in the moment.

I was dripping in sweat and caked in mud when I returned to the barn, pulling up the same time a silver pick-up and a white sedan were heading down the driveway.

I jumped out of the truck and headed in the direction of the girls climbing out of their vehicles. Brooke was first, sliding out of the Camry.

“Hi, Cooper! You’re looking like a big old fat mess today.” She grinned and headed in my direction instead of the house. “What’s going on? Rough night? Hard to sleep?”

She winked saucily telling me she knew exactly how my night went.

“It was a great night,” I said, scowling at her even though I wanted to smile. Brooke was nutty in the best way. “Rebecca has some calves that might need her attention. I don’t know what in the hell is wrong with them, but they weren’t acting right.”

“Oh.” She lost her grin but turned and gestured for the other woman to join us. “Kelly. This is Cooper. Cooper, this is a friend of mine and Rebecca’s, Kelly.”

I waved my hand. “Nice to meet you. I’d shake your hand but I’m a disaster.”

“I’m taking it anyway.” She reached for me and wrapped both her hands around mine. “Cooper Hawke. Holy crap. I’m a huge fan.”

Brooke popped her hip into Kelly’s, shoving her off me. “Down, girl.”

Shit. I hadn’t even thought.

“Don’t worry, Coop,” Brooke said. “Jordan told Ryan. Ryan told Kelly. Kelly called me to talk about Friday and it all snowballed but we won’t say anything. Promise.”

“You’re taller in real life than I thought you’d be.”

Teasing I could take. Fangirling I could handle. I gave her my best smile and replied, “You’re prettier in the Midwest than I thought you’d be.”

“Now Cooper, I just learned how to calm down around you. Don’t get me started again.”

I grinned at Brooke. “This is you calm?”

“Calm as I get. Now, where’s our girl who’s finally cleaning out her closets. Something I’ve been telling her for months to get a move on.”

Right. The reminder of why they were there evaporated my smile. “Inside. Said she had paperwork to do. I’ll get the boxes though.”

“I’ll help you,” Kelly said and turned to Brooke. “You go in and let her know we’re here.”

“I’ll get her, but it’s not like she probably didn’t hear you scream when we got here,” Brooke mumbled. “And keep your hands off him.”

“I’ll do my very best. I promise.” Kelly’s blue eyes sparkled as she held up both her hands, middle fingers crossed over her index ones.

“Let’s just get the boxes,” I said, moving toward the truck she’d climbed out of. “I have to tell her about the calves anyway, so I’ll carry these up to the porch.”

“That’s nice of you.” Kelly went to the back of her truck and lowered the tailgate.

My eyes widened. There were dozens of boxes in the bed, all flattened, all brand new. It was at least three times the amount Rebecca needed to clean out the mess she made in her room last night. “You buy out the store?”

“Yep,” Kelly said, unashamed. “Brooke and I are hoping if she’s ready to pack up some things, she’ll keep moving.”

Alrighty then. I knew when to keep my mouth shut.

“You know,” she said, her voice growing quiet and tinged with concern. “I love her. I love her like a sister, so I’m really glad she’s finally ready to do this.”

I was reaching for the handful of boxes I could grab and stopped, peering at her over my shoulder.

Her face had lost her initial excitement and she was staring at the house.

“Hate what’s happened to her. Losing her parents, then her husband, especially in such similar ways. It’s not fair and it’s not right for it to happen to someone as amazing as Rebecca. This is good for her. She needs it.”

I grunted in approval. She was going somewhere with this and I didn’t like the direction she was moving. I pulled out a huge stack of boxes and leaned them against the tailgate.

“I liked hearing about you too, from Brooke.”

“Yeah?” I reached in and slid out another stack.

“Yeah. And I’m not lying when I say I’m a huge fan of yours. I really am.” She settled her hip against the tailgate, blocking me from getting the stack of boxes out of the bed.

I looked at her and waited, expecting the bomb.

“Don’t hurt her,” she whispered, and I felt that hint of pain and fear even from Rebecca’s friend straight to my gut. “She’s had enough hurt and from what I know, you’re just temporary. Don’t do something where we all have to fight to pull her back from hell again, Cooper.”

I’d considered that, obviously. But seeing the fear of that reality happening so fiercely in her friend’s face, the reality of it slid through my veins and landed in my gut.

Shit. What in the hell was I doing?

“I hear you. Honest.”

She pushed off the tailgate and grabbed a half-dozen boxes. “Good. I’m glad. And by the way, your ass looks really nice in those jeans, but don’t tell Ryan I said that or he’ll cut me off of his for a week and that’d be a bummer.”

A surprised laugh ripped from my throat and I stumbled, reaching down to pick up at least two dozen boxes. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“As long as Rebecca is, too,” she sang, walking ahead of me.

But her point was made, even through the joking tone in her voice.

“Don’t worry about the calves,” she said as we reached the bottom steps. “I’ll let Rebecca know about them and she’ll either come out when we’re done here or call the vet she uses, but my guess is they’re still rattled from the storm. Animals are strange like that.”

I set the boxes against the side of the house right outside the front door. My boots were muddy and I didn’t want to track anything inside if I didn’t have to.

“You sure?”

“Haven’t ever lived on a ranch but I practically grew up with the Marx family. I’m sure.”

“Thanks. I’ll head back out then and take care of the horses.”

“Good.” She grinned at me again. And I had the sneaking suspicion she didn’t want me inside so she could take care of her girl.

I’d let her. Rebecca had good friends to be there for her. They’d help her, they’d keep it light and goofy, and if the heavy creeped in, they’d know what to do about that, too.

I tipped the bill of my KU hat to Kelly. “Thanks again. And don’t worry, I’ve heard you loud and clear.”

“Most people usually do.” Her laughter rang through the air. “I’m not known for my quiet nature.”

I finished hauling off the boxes, Kelly meeting me at the front door to pull them in and once that was done, I climbed back into the Kubota I’d used and parked it back in the barn.

Then I went to the horses, saddled up Blue and took him for a little ride to get some exercise.

The whole time, replaying Kelly’s warning in my head. I needed to have a serious discussion not only with Rebecca but Max too.