body for a quick, deeply satisfying kiss that curled my toes and numbed my brain cells. “Gotta run. Be good for me tonight.” This was said against my mouth before he released me and left. He left me feeling dazed and a whole lot turned on, so I followed him with my eyes as he headed for the door, sighing when his great ass disappeared from sight. Then Ty coughed next to me and I froze. I had forgotten he was standing there. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye—to make sure there wasn’t any lingering anger toward Logan and me—and caught him smiling like a loon.
“What?”
He reached out and ruffled the top of my head. “Just good to see you happy.”
It was such a relief to have my old friend back, I stuck out my tongue to cover my embarrassment, but I was secretly smiling as well. Being able to joke with Ty again, instead of worrying when he would blow up at some guy who had hit on me, was a relief. Knowing Ty had given up his own happiness these past two years to look out for me, still boggled my mind. I’d known deep down he wasn’t still in love with me. Could feel it in our interactions. So I wasn’t overly surprised when Logan explained everything to me on the ride up to Yellowstone, but I was still shocked he cared enough to put his own life on hold.
“We need to find you a woman,” I joked, half-serious.
Ty’s attention shot behind me and I swear his face heated with some unknown emotion. When he cleared his throat and mumbled, “See you at seven,” before turning on his heel and exiting the bar, I knew something was up.
I puzzled over his reaction and looked over my shoulder. Was there someone here who already held his heart? There were numerous women in the bar, along with Jamie, Kenzie, and the rest of her group, so I let it go. Ty was a big boy. If he liked someone, he could figure it out all by himself.
With Jared now behind the bar pouring drafts, I sent my brothers packing with Max and my truck keys so they could get home. I could get a ride with Logan after the bar closed or sleep here with him once he was done.
Since Jamie was gabbing with Kenzie and the girls, I headed over to have a word before they left. I’d been so busy the past two days, I hadn’t had time to help with any of the preparations for the carnival.
“What can I help with?” I asked when I joined their huddle. “I feel bad you’ve done all the work so far.”
“What did Logan say?” Jordan inquired nervously, ignoring my question. “Any word on Duke?”
It was clear I wasn’t the only one holding out hope Duke would be found safe and sound. “Nothing yet,” I answered, reaching out a hand to squeeze hers. “He stopped by to let me know he was headed to Old Rip’s place. Logan said he fell last night and died.”
A collective gasp sounded in the group.
“Rip Jackson?” Kenzie questioned. “He used to be Justice’s foreman and right-hand man.”
I’d forgotten that. Rip had seemed old for years, so it was hard to think about him as anything else, but now she mentioned it, it all fell into place.
“Doesn’t he still live on part of the ranch?” Jamie asked.
Kenzie nodded. “Justice had an old hunting cabin not too far from the main house. He let Rip live there when he worked for Justice, and he stayed after he retired.”
“Wait, you’re telling me Logan is headed to the Bear Claw?”
“Oh, boy,” Kenzie mumbled with wide eyes. We both remembered what had happened the night before at the football game.
Without another word, I headed to my office so I could hear. I needed to warn Logan what he was walking into.
_______________
Logan followed emergency services off the divided highway and through the main ranch gate to Bear Claw ranch. He could see Chance’s sprawling house off to his left and noted with the coming darkness it was lit from within. He’d only had a few minutes’ notice about where he was headed, thanks to Skylar’s phone call, though he hadn’t needed it. He knew she was concerned they’d have another run-in, but Logan welcomed it. There was plenty he still needed to say to her brother, but now wasn’t the time or the place. He’d shelve