Page 153 of Ironwood Ranch Cowboys

“I didn’t exactly schedule it, Cody.”

“No, you reacted.”

“Yeah, because I saw the man who might’ve been stalking me.”

“And if he wanted you to follow?”

Her mouth closes.

She hadn’t considered that. Or she had and didn’t want to.

I hand the camera back before my grip becomes too tight. “Send those to me.”

“I already planned to.”

“And don’t delete anything before or after these frames. I want the full sequence.”

“I know how evidence works.”

“I know you do.”

Her expression softens for half a second, and it’s almost worse than arguing. Arguing I can manage. Softness creates variables I don’t know what to do with.

“I’m working on it,” I say, lower now. “The photos. The access logs. Jake. All of it.”

“I know.”

“No, Annie.” I step closer. “You know we’re looking. I need you to understand I’m not letting this sit in a folder until it becomes useful. I’m already pulling vendor overlaps with rodeo suppliers, temporary passes, gate assignments, and anyone with reason to be near both Ironwood and these grounds.”

Her eyes search mine. “You think he’s connected to the event vendors?”

“I think rodeo day provides excellent cover for someone who wants to be seen and not identified.”

“That’s comforting.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.”

A faint laugh escapes her. Brittle, but real.

I hate that I’m relieved by it.

Behind us, the announcer’s voice booms through the speakers, followed by music and a fresh roar from the crowd.

The main events are shifting into the afternoon celebration portion, which means half the town will start behaving as if beer, fried food, and proximity to horses are a personality trait.

Annie glances back toward the noise, her hand tight around the camera.

I know that look.

She’s about to let fear ruin what she loves.

I understand the impulse. It’s efficient, in a miserable way. If you prepare for the worst constantly, then being disappointed starts becoming discipline.

But I’ve watched Annie move confidently through these grounds all day.

I don’t want them taking that too.

So I do something that makes very little sense and feels entirely necessary. I take the camera gently from her hands and loop the strap back around her neck.