Page 12 of Ironwood Ranch Cowboys

I tuck legal pads into my basket. “Comforting.”

Tommy leans on the counter again, settling in. “So what do you think so far? Place like that. Polished, isn’t it? Everything lined up just right, like it’s got somewhere important to be.”

“It’s definitely… put together.”

“Yeah, that’s one way to say it,” he mutters. “Too quiet, if you ask me. Places that locked up usually got something they’re not saying out loud.”

Terry winces. “Tommy…”

“I’m just saying,” he insists, then looks back at me. “Not bad. Just… a lot.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You do that.”

I find a calculator, a pack of pens, and, because I know myself too well, not one but two iced coffees from the cooler by the register. One for now, one for later, because self-care can be caffeinated and no one can stop me.

Tommy’s gaze drops to the drinks and then comes back up. “Cold coffee in this weather?”

“I make bold choices.”

“That’s one word for it,” he says. “Other word’s questionable.”

I offer him a one-shouldered shrug. “Both can be true.”

Terry laughs and turns away.

Tommy rings everything up, still watching me like he’s filing me away for later discussion. “You settling in alright?

“It’s a ranch,” I say lightly. “With spreadsheets.”

Terry smiles.

“Sure,” I continue. “It’s fine.”

“Mmhmm,” he says, not buying it. “You’ll figure it out. Or it’ll figure you out. Usually how it goes.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

“No,” Terry agrees easily. “But it’s honest.”

Tommy hands over the receipt. “Well, Miss Wright, welcome to Colter Creek. Around here, people will know your business before you do, so my advice is get ahead of it if you can.”

“That’s terrible advice.”

“It is,” Terry agrees brightly. “But it’s very local.”

I sling the bag over my shoulder. “I’ll treasure that.”

As I head for the door, Tommy calls after me. “Tell Silas he still owes me for that fence wire.”

I turn. “Why would I do that?”

Tommy’s mustache twitches. “Because it’ll annoy him.”

I grin despite myself. “Now that feels local.”

Because I’m not quite ready to return just yet, I find myself drifting toward The Buckhorn Diner.