“You’re home,” she said, smiling. Damp heat curled fine ruby strands of hair at her temples, and a soft red sweater curved over her breasts. She was female temptation personified. “You rode off by yourself,” she said. “I was starting to worry.”

Warmth spread through him. “It’s nice to have someone worrying about me, darlin’. But I’m fine. Better after a little hard work.”

Elle grabbed a potholder and pulled a tray out of the oven. This was her last night working with Maria in the kitchen, and both of their aprons were dusted with flour. Some of the hands were already seated at the table, back from wherever they had gone on their day off.

Alejandro stood near the window, his arm in a sling, but the bandage was gone from his shoulder or at least was smaller, hidden beneath his denim shirt. Kade didn’t miss the intense dark gaze that tracked Maria’s every move across the floor, or the soft look on the girl’s face whenever she noticed.

Damn.

Maria was destined for heartbreak, and aside from firing one of his top hands, there was nothing he could do.

Kade walked over to Alejandro. “How are you feeling?” Those dark eyes swung toward him. “Much better. I moved back into the bunkhouse. I think I’ll be able to return to work in a day or two.”

“Maybe. If you put in shorter hours and leave the heavy lifting to the rest of the men.”

Alejandro just nodded. Maria was laughing at something Ellie said, and Alejandro was clearly distracted by the softly feminine sound.

“You got something on your mind?” Kade asked.

Alejandro shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

Kade’s glance went to Maria. “I don’t think it’s nothing. I think it’s a woman, and we both know which one. The question is what are you going to do about it?”

Alejandro’s jaw firmed with resolution, but there was something bleak in his eyes. “I’m not the man for her. She’s too innocent, too sweet. She deserves someone better than me.”

“I’m not going to argue with you,” Kade said. “Maria is everything good in a female. On the other hand, you shouldn’t sell yourself short. You’re a good man, Alejandro. I guess it just depends on how much the woman means to you, and if she were yours, how you would treat her.” Kade set a hand on the man’s uninjured shoulder. “Give it some thought.”

Kade headed for his seat at the head of the table, and Alejandro sat down next to Seth on one of the benches. The meal was served, pot roast, always a Sunday favorite. They ate and talked. Kade mentioned he had worked on the fence in the north pasture.

“I got that last stretch done just before it started getting dark.”

“You didn’t have to do that, boss,” Wyatt said.