“I just wanted to save Greta and Astrid a heap of laundry by not dirtying up my clothes.”

“I don’t care if you wanted to save them a month of washings. You oughta know better than to strip down.”

“You would’ve done the same thing—”

“I’m a man!”

“What difference does that make?”

Flynn spun and returned to his mount, grabbed a blanket from the saddle, and tossed it at Ivy. “Hurry and wrap up in this.”

As Ivy unfolded the blanket, Flynn reached out and smacked Jericho in the shoulder. “And why you are just standing there? Why didn’t you get her a blanket?”

“Reckon Jericho was a little busy,” Ivy piped up from behind him, “pulling me and the calf out of the bog.”

And he’d been busy ogling her. But he couldn’t admit that to Flynn.

Within no time, she was covered, on her horse, and riding toward the ranch house with Judd.

As Jericho freed the calf from the rope slings, Flynn came to stand beside him. “Listen, I’m sorry about before. You found and saved Ivy. I reckon I owe you a thank-you and not a scolding.”

“No, you were right.” Jericho started coiling the rope. “I should have given her a blanket.”

Flynn watched him silently for several heartbeats. “Got any intentions toward her?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Jericho paused. Good? Did that mean Flynn thought he was unworthy? Not that he was thinking of pursuing anything. But Flynn’s immediate dismissal didn’t sit well.

“She’s too young, and you know it.” Flynn tipped up the brim of his hat, revealing his serious eyes.

Jericho was tempted to agree. But after seeing Ivy over the past week, he was trying to accept that she was growing up. Clearly, that was hard for her brothers to do. No wonder she hadn’t told them about her plans to buy Steele’s land. They’d say she wasn’t ready to be out on her own and running her own place, especially as a woman.

He had the strange urge to defend her to Flynn. “She invited the barber to come courting a few days ago.”

“She doesn’t have a hankerin’ for Hance Payne.” Something in Flynn’s statement was almost accusatory. Why?

“So you’re fine with her courting men, so long as she doesn’t like them?”

“I’m not fine with her courting anyone yet.” Flynn stared at him pointedly.

Did Flynn think he wanted to court Ivy? “I already told you I don’t have any intentions toward her. I never have, and I never will.”

He could feel Flynn studying him while he finished coiling the rope, as if testing the sincerity of his declaration.

Jericho hung his rope back on his saddle. “You don’t have to worry about me, Flynn. I guarantee it.”

Flynn released a sigh. “It’s not you I’m worried about.”