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finally arrived. The fair had everything from a rodeo, cattle auction and carnival, to arts-and-crafts booths and a swap meet. Plus it was a great excuse come spring to see everyone you hadn’t seen over the winter.
    Jack was finishing his coffee when Kate came by to refill his cup. It was the first time he’d been to the Branding Iron since he’d started work at the W Bar G. Since Destry had given everyone the day off to attend the fair, and he’d taken advantage of it, he decided to treat himself to breakfast. At least that was the story he told himself.
    As Kate had done days before, she seemed to make a point of not looking at him. But when she came by to refill his cup, he pushed it closer to make her job easier and her fingers brushed his. She jerked back. Hot coffee sloshed onto the table and she let out an unladylike curse under her breath.
    He reached for the napkins. “Here, let me—”
    “I’ve got it,” she snapped, her gaze coming up to meet his. In the alley, her eyes had appeared dark, like her hair. Now, though, he saw with delight that they were wide set and the color of good whiskey. Her hair was the same color, with strands of gold woven through it, and fell to just below her chin.
    He drew back his fingers and watched as she snatched the handful of napkins from him and cleaned up the mess. The shock of her touch still warmed his blood. She, on the other hand, appeared to be fighting hard to hide her reaction.
    As the café began to clear out, she hurried to ring up patrons at the till and help Bethany clean the tables. He watched her. The woman could flat-out move when the café was busy. He had to admire her work ethic and her efficiency. He guessed she’d waitressed before buying the cafe.
    “Ever been to a branding?” Jack asked as Kate came by a second time to refill his coffee. She shook her head, not looking at him. “There’s going to be a big one out at the W Bar G starting Monday. You should come. Get to know some of your neighbors, you know, socialize a little.”
    She raised her gaze to his again. He saw anger spark like a Fourth of July firecracker.
    “That’s right, you don’t need anyone.” He softened his words with a grin. “Especially the likes of me, huh.”
    Some of the fire died back in her dark eyes. “Especially.”
    “I just thought you’d like to see some of the real Wild West before you leave Beartooth.”
    “Who says I’m leaving?” she challenged.
    “Aren’t you?”
    She looked away for a moment, then said, “I suppose I could bring out some cinnamon rolls. I heard neighbors bring food.”
    His grin widened. “That would be nice and neighborly.”
    She let out an amused chuckle as she left his table. He watched her, too interested in her for his own good.
    As she started to gather up dirty dishes from a large table, he saw her freeze. Curious, he watched as she picked up what appeared to be a folded piece of paper that had been stuck under the edge of a plate.
    She turned her back as she unfolded the note to read it. He saw her shoulders slump. She grabbed the edge of the table as if suddenly needing the support. For just an instant, he almost went to her. But she quickly straightened, tucked the note into her apron pocket and picked up the dirty dishes.
    Jack tried to remember who had been sitting at that particular table. He couldn’t recall. He’d been too busy watching Kate to notice anyone else in the café.
    So what could be in the note that would have had such an adverse effect on her? As she headed in his direction, she showed no sign of having been upset. He idly wondered where she’d learned to hide her feelings so well as she swept past him without a glance.
    * * *
    S HERIFF F RANK C URRY stepped out onto his porch. The morning was bright, the air brisk, the scent of the new spring growth on the breeze.
    A member of the crow family who lived on his ranch called to him from the clothesline wire next to the house. A half dozen of the birds