Ruby set her mug down. Hard. “That’s not how this town works,” she said, her voice like steel.
The man who’d said it shifted his weight, shrugging like he hadn’t tried to cut my legs out from under me. “Just saying.”
“Then say it somewhere else,” Ruby replied.
I kept my voice level, my face calm. “My qualifications are public record,” I said. “And the hiring process was conducted through the county.”
The same man gave a half-smile. “The county likes to do favors.”
My stomach twisted, but I didn’t let it show. “If you have concerns,” I said, “you’re welcome to bring them to town hall during office hours. Otherwise, I have work to do.”
I could feel Slade watching me. Not with his usual challenge, but with something sharper. Protective irritation, maybe. Or maybe he hated the idea of anyone else taking a swing at me before he’d decided what I was worth.
The woman near the window spoke up again, breaking the tension. “So you’re saying the rodeo could happen, but not right away.”
“I’m saying it could happen,” I said, grateful for the change of subject, “if the land is suitable and the town is willing to invest in doing it right.”
That answer gave them something to chew on besides my reputation. The room slowly came back into focus. People shifted in their chairs and went back to their coffee and pastries like nothing had happened. But it had.
Ruby leaned toward me, and her voice dropped. “You handled that well.”
I let out a long exhale. “I didn’t come here to fight.”
“People here don’t always pick the right fights,” Ruby murmured. “And they don’t always fight fair.”
I nodded, my throat tight.
Then her gaze shifted past me, focusing on Slade. He hadn’t moved much since he’d walked in. He’d bought coffee, but he looked like he was holding something back. His shoulders were tight, his jaw clenched hard enough I could see the muscle jump.
I picked up my mug and forced myself to take another sip. The coffee was suddenly too hot and not hot enough at the same time.
Ruby refilled a sugar jar, then said lightly, “So. Denver.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“You miss it?”
I surprised myself by answering honestly. “Not really.”
Ruby smiled like she’d known that already. “Then why’d you leave?”
It wasn’t the same question as why I came here. It was deeper. I hesitated long enough to be honest without bleeding out in public.
“I was tired of being the person who did the work and watched someone else take the credit,” I said.
Ruby’s expression softened. “Yeah.”
“I’m good at my job,” I added, something inside me wanting to defend itself even now. “I’m not… I’m not guessing.”
“I believe you, hon,” Ruby said, her tone sincere. “And I don’t say that lightly.”
The warmth in my chest had nothing to do with coffee. Slade approached then, stopping on the other side of the counter.
Ruby raised an eyebrow at him. “You gonna stand there brooding all day?”
Slade ignored her and locked his gaze on me. “Are you okay?”
The question came out rougher than I expected. I set down my mug and crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling a little defensive. “I’m fine.”
