“What other?” Cort asked pleasantly.

“The ranch,” Bart amended quickly. “Are you going to put somebody in charge over there?”

“Yes. Fender. Can you keep an eye over this way?” Cort added. “Just to make sure he does things the way she’ll want them done?”

“I certainly can!”

“Good man. I really appreciate it.”

“Can I speak to her?”

“Sure. Mina?” he called.

She came out of the bedroom, where she’d just finished packing. She grinned up at Cort as he handed her the phone.

“Hi, Bart, guess what?” she teased.

“You’re married,” he chuckled. “Could have knocked me over with a feather. I’m happy for you. He’s a good man. He’ll take care of you.”

She looked up at Cort, her eyes brimming with love. “I’ll take care of him, too,” she said softly.

Cort flushed a little at the idea of a woman wanting to take care of him. He’d never had anybody offer. He had to swallow down the pincushion in his throat.

“You haven’t told him, have you?” Bart asked.

“Well, no, not yet.”

He heard the hesitation in her voice. “Don’t wait too long,” he advised. “Your book is rising on all the lists, and it has your photo on the back cover. You have readers all over, even in Texas. Don’t let him find it out the hard way. Okay?”

“Okay,” she said. “Watch out for Fender, will you?” she added. “And if he gets in a real tight spot, call Cousin Rogan. He’ll know what to do.”

“I will. Congratulations, my friend,” he said. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. Cort, too. Tell him.”

“I will. Thanks, Bart. We’ll be in touch.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Cort put away the phone. He was smiling when he looked down at Mina. “Okay, Mrs. Grier. Got your gear bagged up?”

She grinned. “Yes, I do. And my computer.”

He frowned. “We have computers at the ranch, you know.”

“I really need my own.” She started to tell him, but she got cold feet. “I…game,” she said. It was almost the truth. She had Star Wars: The Old Republic on her computer, complete with its distinctive icon. She’d played it a little over the years. It was a good enough excuse, for now.

“Oh, I see.” He shook his head, laughing. “Wonders will never cease. My wife, the rancher and knitter and gamer.”

“I can shoot a gun, too,” she blurted out.

“In the game, you mean?” he asked.

She almost bit her tongue off as she forced a smile. “Of course!”

He chuckled. “I may have to learn, too, in my spare time. I don’t have much of that lately, with roundup starting on Latigo. We’ve also got some labor disputes in one of our mining concerns,” he added with a worried glance. “I may have to be away from home a bit. I’ll try to make sure it’s not excessive.”

“That’s okay,” she said. “I can always…knit,” she said, almost choking on the word.