I wish I had my notebook for this. Such a fundamental and interesting detail about the ranch. “Oh, which branches of the military did you serve with?”
Topper glances at Duke for a beat before answering. “Delta Force, both of us.”
“Oh, really?” Leo asks.
“Yes, sir,” Topper says, nodding. “Delta medics to be exact.”
“Was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Green Berets before an IED damn near took my leg off in ’04,” Rusty adds. “After that, they figured I’d be more useful behind a desk. I disagreed.”
Duke chuckles. “He told his CO he’d rather wrestle a bear than push papers.”
“I’d like to see that,” Allie says.
“Thank you, all, for your service,” I add.
Rusty, Topper, and Duke all nod in unison.
“Well, we’d love to learn more about what you all have done,” Allie says. “I mean, later, I mean, if you don’t mind sharing.”
“We aren’t at liberty to discuss most of it, unfortunately,” Topper replies.
Allie briefly covers her mouth with her hand. “Oh, this is next level.”
Laughter and chatter rise as the staff glides between tables, refilling glasses and setting down plates of venison carpaccio with quiet precision. Next is the salad course and then herb-roasted half chicken and a bison filet.
“I’m intrigued that you have a full-service kitchen here,” Leo says. “Not that I thought that you’d be feeding your residents slop, but these offerings are divine.”
“Appreciate that,” Dukesays.
“Who designed this menu?” I ask, savoring the jus from the chicken, which is cooked perfectly.
Rusty arches a salt-and-pepper eyebrow. “Wild Bill over there.” He points to Duke, who pretends he didn’t hear us though the corner of his mouth tugs up. “He works with our head chef to create Colorado-themed offerings.”
“Really?” I say, setting down my fork. “This menu is pretty sophisticated for a Rhinestone Cowboy.”
Giggles erupt around me as eyes shift toward Duke. “Thank you,” he says after a sip of water. “I knew I needed to pull out all the stops. I know you New Yorkers can be pretty finicky about your meals, and I didn’t want to overwhelm y’all by serving Rocky Mountain Oysters the first night.”
I narrow my eyes. “I assure you I can handle anything you dish out, Mr. Faraday.”
“Wait,” Allie says, putting her hand up. “There are oysters in Colorado?”
“They aren’tactualoysters,” Topper offers.
“Oh?”
“They’re bull testicles …” I say, still holding Mr. Faraday’s arctic glare. “Battered and then … deep fried.”
Allie gulps. “Yikes, and you’ve had those before, Roxanne?”
I finally tear my eyes away from Duke’s. “Yes, I have.”
“Interesting, Mrs. Denning,” Duke says.
“Ms.,” I correct.
Duke leans back in his chair, throwing an infuriatingly sexy smile my way. “Do tell, Ms. Denning, when exactlywasthe last time you had hot balls in your mouth?”
Topper spits up a little water, and Allie stifles a giggle while Leo brings his napkin to his mouth to smother a laugh. I straighten in my seat. My chest tightens, but I don’t want anyone to see me squirm. I open my mouth to reply, but Rusty clears his throat to change the subject.
