Page 14 of Ironwood Ranch Cowboys

He grins. “No, we haven’t met. Jesse Murphy. Willow Ranch.”

“Annie.”

“Yeah, I know. Dakota described you last night after Abilene heard from Sherry that Ironwood hired someone new.”

I stare at him as I try to process all those names.

He takes a sip of coffee.

I stare harder.

He laughs. “See? Small town.”

“I’m starting to think you people are all in some kind of weird surveillance cult.”

“Probably.” He nods toward the empty seat across from me. “Mind if I take a seat?”

“Go ahead. Apparently my privacy died on Main Street.”

He slides in, easy as anything. “You’re settling in alright?”

“I’ve survived a trip to the feed store and secured caffeine, so that’s something, right?”

Jesse glances at my camera, then at the feed store bag by my feet, and his smile turns more amused. “First week in town and you’ve already hit the feed store and the Buckhorn. You’re integrating fast.”

“I’d call it errand-based survival.”

Carrie Jo passes by and tops off his coffee without asking. “You corrupting the newcomer already, Jesse?”

“Just doing community outreach.”

Betty Lou snorts from behind the counter. “Tell her the truth and save time.”

Jesse looks back at me, blue eyes dancing. “Okay. Truth?”

I take a bite of toast. “Hit me.”

He lowers his voice a fraction, mock serious. “Run while you can.”

I laugh before I can help it. “Oh, that’s my official welcome?”

“Well, the Harlan brothers, I love them and everything, but their ranch is intense, right?”

“I’ve seen worse.”

He narrows his eyes. “Have you met their aunt, Vivian?”

I frown. “I have not.”

Jesse winces theatrically. “Then your optimism is adorable.”

I laugh again, but his tone lodges under my ribs.

Not because I think he’s trying to be mean, I’m sure he isn’t. There’s an edge under the joke, the kind people use when they’re telling the truth and hoping humor will soften the landing.

“So what’s the actual issue?” I ask. “Other than the obvious one where everyone in town seems deeply invested in my employment status.”

Jesse blows across his coffee. “Ironwood’s… Ironwood. Big money. Big history. Big reputation. People talk.”