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dinner as well. She had tried to refuse, but Dallas had put Angel on the phone, and Honey had succumbed to the other woman’s plea for company.
    Honey felt that same inexplicable tension she always felt around Jesse. Her gelding sidestepped and their knees brushed. That simple touch produced goose bumps on her arms. She was grateful for the long-sleeved Western shirt that hid her reaction. She stared off toward the copse of pecans in the distance, avoiding Jesse’s startled glance.
    And spotted a glint of sunlight off metal.
    â€œThere’s someone in the trees behind you,” Honey said in a quiet voice. “I think he has a gun.”
    Jesse said a few pithy words under his breath. “Don’t let him know you see him. Help me get these steers moving toward the barn.”
    â€œDo you think it might be one of the rustlers?” Honey asked as she loosened the rope from her saddle.
    â€œDon’t know and don’t care,” Jesse said. “That’s a matter for the police. Best thing for us to do is get ourselves and these cattle out of here.”
    There was no discussion as they used whistles and an occasional slap with a lasso to herd the steers back toward the barn. When they were a safe distance away, Honey kneed her gelding over to join Jesse.
    â€œI’ve lost a lot of stock to rustlers since Cale died,” Honey said. “I suppose they don’t believe I’m any threat to them. But I didn’t think they’d dare let themselves be seen in broad daylight. I’ll call the police when we get back to the house and—”
    Jesse interrupted. “There’s no need for that. I’ll tell Dallas about it when I call to accept his dinner invitation.”
    Honey frowned. “I guess that’ll be okay. Uh…I suppose I should have mentioned I’ve also been invited to dinner. Would you mind if I got a ride with you?”
    Jesse kept the dismay he felt from his face. He had hoped to use the time he was away from the ranch to do some other business without Honey being any the wiser. Having her along meant he would have to curtail his plans. But he couldn’t think of a good reason to refuse her a ride that wouldn’t raise suspicion. “Sure,” he said at last. “Why not? What time do you want to leave?”
    â€œAround six, I suppose. That’ll give me time after we finish with the vaccinating to get cleaned up and make some supper for Jack and Jonathan.”
    â€œThat sounds fine. Meanwhile, until those rustlers are caught you’d better stay close to home.”
    Honey glanced at Jesse to see if he was serious. He was. “I have a ranch to run,” she said.
    â€œI’m here now. If there’s work that needs to be done away from the house, I can do it.”
    â€œYou’re being ridiculous. I don’t think—”
    â€œNo, you aren’t thinking!” Jesse interrupted in a harsh voice. “What’s going to happen if you chance onto those rustlers at the wrong time? They’ve killed before and—”
    â€œKilled! Who? When?”
    Jesse swore again. He hadn’t meant to alarm her, just keep her safe. “A rancher near Laredo was found shot to death last month.”
    â€œOh, my God,” Honey whispered. “Surely it wasn’t the same rustlers who took my cattle!”
    â€œWhat if it is? Better safe than sorry. You stay around the ranch house.” It came out sounding like the order it was.
    Honey bristled. “I’m in charge here. And I’ll do as I please!”
    â€œJust try leaving,” he said. “And we’ll see.”
    â€œWhy, of all the high-handed, macho cowboy talk I ever heard—”
    Jesse grabbed the reins and pulled her geldingto a halt. “These guys aren’t fooling around, Honey. They’ve killed once. They’ve got nothing to lose if they kill again. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to