“Oh no, we’ll have kids,” Bart assured him. “Women will keep men in cages for breeding purposes.”

“Not on my ranch,” Cort chuckled.

“Nor mine.” He sighed. “City fellers aren’t like us, though. They eat tofu and quiche and talk about stock options and the latest physical fitness craze.” He sipped coffee. “You and I are throwbacks to another whole generation.” He leaned forward. “We’re victims of toxic masculinity!” He waved both hands in the air and made a face.

Cort burst out laughing.

Bart just smiled.

MINA WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. She’d never had a boyfriend. Well, except for the high school boy her mother had seduced. But now she seemed to have two. Jake McGuire wanted to take her to exotic places. Cort wanted her in his arms, but not for keeps.

Every time she remembered the feel of his hard mouth on her lips, she went weak at the knees. It was a memory that burned in her mind like a beautiful candle, lighting her up, making the world joyful.

She knew that Cort didn’t have staying power. He wasn’t going to settle down in Catelow, Wyoming, and work for Bart and marry her. He was a cowboy. Roaming was in his very nature. He didn’t have any money. He’d never have it. He’d be poor all his life. But he’d be doing what he wanted to. He’d have a sort of freedom that most men never knew, living on the land. She couldn’t afford to let herself be drawn to him too closely. Her body wanted him. That way lay disaster. She knew nothing about birth control past what she’d learned in health classes in high school. And she was far too intense for an affair. Cort could sleep with her and walk away. His sort of woman was Ida Merridan, who was as much a rounder as he was. But Mina would never get over being intimate with him. It would destroy her life.

So it was better for both of them if she stepped back and treated Cort like a distant relation. She could have fun with Jake McGuire as long as he kept it low-key. She knew he had feelings for her. It made her sad, because if they dated for a hundred years, she’d never be able to feel that way about him. She was sorry. He was a good man.

But as long as he knew she was only looking for friendship, they could have fun going places together. She enjoyed his company very much. Just as long as he didn’t try to get serious, she’d be okay.

JAKE PICKED HER up early Saturday and they flew to Galveston. He apologized, but he had a business meeting early the next morning and he had to be back in time for it. She offered to postpone the trip, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He just smiled. It flattered her that he put her above business.

He was courteous and the soul of respect.