“But now you’re feeling more settled?” Des asked Emma.

Emma took a glance over her shoulder, smiling. “Yes. Definitely more settled. But it wasn’t easy getting here. I had some . . . issues with my past that had to be dealt with, and Luke has been very patient with me.”

“He’s very hot.”

Emma laughed. “Yes, he is.”

“And a cop, too. That must be nice for you.”

“It is. Though I like to think of myself as extremely independent—and trust me, I fought very hard to gain that independence—it’s still nice knowing the hot cop with the gun sleeps next to me at night.”

Des smiled. “I’ll just bet it is. And he has the handcuffs, too. Imagine the role-playing.”

Emma laughed, hard. “Oh, I like you, Des. My friends would like you, too. Please tell me you’re going to be around the ranch for the Fourth of July shebang.”

“Martha invited me.”

“Great.” Emma studied her. “You mean Logan didn’t invite you?”

“Logan keeps his distance from me.”

She half-turned on the sofa and took a glance out back. “So what does that mean? Do you like him?”

“I do like him. But I think he’s afraid of me.”

“Really.” Emma’s brows arched. “Real-l-l-y. That’s so interesting. Logan is so quiet and mysterious, especially about women. I never know what to think about him.”

“Me, either. I know he likes me, though.”

“Is that right? How do you know?”

“Come on, Emma. You’re a woman. You can tell by the way a man looks at you that he’s interested. And the way Logan looks at me? He’s definitely interested.”

“Oh, so he looks at you that way.”

Des nodded. “Yes. So what he says and how he feels are two different things. I just have to get his mind aligned with his body.”

Emma’s lips curved. “If anyone can bring Logan to his knees, Des, I’m sure it’s you.”

LOGAN WAS ONLY half-listening to Luke talk about work while he grilled the kabobs. His gaze kept tracking Emma and Des, and he wondered what they were talking about. All he could make out was their two heads huddled together in the kitchen, but he’d occasionally hear laughing. And then Emma would poke her head around and look at him.

He knew damn well Des was talking about him. What the hell did she have to talk to Emma about that had to do with him? Now movies, that he could understand. Luke had told him that he and Emma had movie-night dates once a week because Emma liked going to the movie theater in town. So he knew Emma and Des had a lot to talk about there.

But he knew when women were whispering secrets, and that they had nothing to do with talking about the latest movie.

“These are done,” Luke finally said, taking the kabobs off the grill.

They went inside, where Emma and Des were still in the kitchen, huddled together like they’d been best friends for years.

“I’m leaving the dogs outside,” Luke said.

“That’s fine. I’ll put their food out there,” Emma said, grabbing their bowls.

“I’ll help you.” Des grabbed one of the bowls while Emma scooped up the food.

“Those two made friends fast,” Luke said, standing next to Logan while they washed their hands in the kitchen sink.

“Yeah, they did.”

“Table’s already set, so grab something to drink and have a seat,” Emma said after they came back inside.

Emma and Luke took their regular seats on one side of the table. Des took a spot across from Emma. It would have been awkward for Logan to pull up one of the end chairs, so he grabbed the spot next to Des.

The food was great, and he told Emma so.

“Thanks. It was easy enough to make. I mentioned that to Des, who apparently wants to take up cooking.”

Logan slanted his gaze her way. “Yeah? In your big fancy on-set trailer?”

“Hey, there’s a stove in there. I could actually cook if I wanted to. Or had time. Or access to a grocery store.”

“It probably beats that crap they feed you.”

“You’re right there. And now that I know Emma’s secret-marinade recipe, I have something to fix.”

“No way. Emma showed you her recipe?” Luke looked at Emma. “Even I don’t know that recipe for your infamous marinade.”

Emma leaned her shoulder against Luke’s. “Well, I’m sorry to tell you this, honey, but Des is kinda special.”

“Ouch,” Luke said.

Des laughed. And ate a fantastic dinner. And drank wine, and very much enjoyed the company of Emma and Luke. Even Logan seemed relaxed, and she got to listen in to some ranch talk as Logan filled Luke in on the goings-on. Though she didn’t understand some of it, because they talked stock and sales and inventory, it was still fascinating to hear a rancher talk about his passion.

Luke listened and nodded, and if Logan asked a question, Luke would defer to him and tell him the ranch was his to operate and Luke was fine with any decision he made.

“So tell me about your movie shoot, Des,” Luke asked as the topic changed from ranch talk to movie discussion.

“It’s going fine, I suppose. Logan got to watch a couple of scenes being filmed.”

Luke arched a brow. “Is that right? And?”

Logan shrugged. “They were good. Surprisingly better than I thought they’d be.”

“Gee, thanks,” Des said with a laugh.

“Though your aim is off.”

“Excuse me?”

“When you used your longer gun. You need better training.”

“I’ve had weapons training.”

He scooped rice up with his fork and took a bite.

“Are you saying it doesn’t look authentic when I shoot?”

“You’re unwieldy with that weapon. You’re not firing it with authority.”

Des grabbed her glass of wine and studied him. “And you think you can make me look better.”

“I can make your aim better, that’s for sure.”

“You do realize we’re not firing live rounds out there.”

He gave her a look. “Uh, yeah. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aiming and shooting like you mean it.”

“Fine. Next time I’m at the ranch you can show me. And next time you’re on the set, I’m putting you to work as an extra.”