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Yeah. Because we’re just friends.

She checked her own group again. It wasn’t terrible, especially after years away from regular shooting, but it wasn’t where she wanted it.

“So. What are you practicing for?” Mac asked as he reloaded. He paused. “You aren’t expecting trouble from Dale, are you?”

Jodie laughed. “Oh, no. He’d have to go through a rabid Stephanie first. And I understand that Dr. Boyfriend is pretty pissed, too, and Steph says he’s a good shot.” She didn’t mention the third name on that list. He was standing right beside her with his knuckles still healing, and he hadn’t brought it up once. She wasn’t about to, either.

She smiled softly. “I’m practicing because I’m going to Sand Wash this year.”

His hands paused for only a second. “The wild horses?”

“Yeah.” Jodie reloaded her rifle. “Arden can’t go this time. Doctor’s orders.”

Mac’s expression immediately turned concerned. “Everything okay with her and the babies?”

“So far. She’s just had morning sickness from hell, and her doctor told her to take it easy.”

The corner of Mac’s mouth turned up. “And chasing wild horses around northwest Colorado doesn’t qualify?”

Jodie smiled. “Apparently not.”

“Doctors are so unreasonable.”

“They are. Hopefully, mine will clear me to go, as long as this is healed up.” She looked down at her ankle.

“That’s fantastic, Jodie.”

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard. He meant it, plainly and completely, and he looked pleased for her the way most people only managed about their own news.

“Thanks.” She tried not to let that matter quite as much as it did. “I’ve never actually been out there. Which is ridiculous considering how many hours I’ve spent tracking those horses.”

“You’ll finally get to meet them.”

“Exactly.”

Mac looked downrange for a moment. “That’s a lot of rough, open country. How long will you be out there?”

Her heart picked up the pace. Is he asking because he cares?

Well, of course he cares. He cares about everyone. Take it down a notch, stupid heart.

“I don’t know yet. Could be a few days, maybe longer once the gather starts. Depends on the horses and what the BLM does and how much coverage the group needs.”

Mac nodded but his gaze went distant for a moment and he frowned. Was he thinking she wasn’t up for it, that she couldn’t handle a week roughing it?

Am I that out of shape?

Oh for heaven’s sake, Jodie. Mac didn’t say that. That’s Douchey Dale in your head again.

Then Mac pointed his chin toward her rifle. “So you’re practicing for the fertility-control work?”

“Hopefully. If I can get trained in time. The dart rifle’s a little different, obviously, but I felt like I needed to get my fundamentals back before I even start practicing with one.”

Mac nodded. “What are you darting them with?”

“PZP. It’s a fertility-control vaccine. Arden’s certified to administer it, and our group has an agreement that lets trained people work with the mares under the right conditions.” Jodie rested a hand on the bench, anger suddenly rising inside her. “Assuming the BLM doesn’t change the rules on us before then.”

His eyebrows drew together. “They can do that?”