Page 34 of More Than This Land

“Then he made a beeline for the main house.” Caleb’s mouth twitched. “Specifically, for Mom’s flower garden.”

Claire’s hand flew to her mouth. “No.”

Graham’s laughter spilled out. “Two thousand pounds of bull versus prize-winning petunias. The petunias lost.”

Noah clapped his brother on the shoulder and shook him. “So did Caleb’s dignity. He had to chase that bull around the garden for twenty minutes in his pajamas because it happened before daylight.”

“I was not in pajamas.” Caleb’s face flushed. “I was in sweats.”

“Bright yellow sweats.” Graham clarified. “With a hole in the back.”

The table erupted in laughter. Even Luke’s mouth curved into a genuine smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that transformed his whole face.

“The best part,” Noah wiped his eyes, “was when the bull stopped to eat what was left of Mom’s roses and Caleb tried to sneak up behind him. His sweats were so bright the bull spotted him and took off again.”

“Through the barn.” Graham snorted.

“Into the chicken coop.” Wade shook his head.

Caleb didn’t bother hiding his grin. Even embarrassed at the story, he let it roll off without making a fuss. “And into the pond. Where I had to wade in after him. In my bright yellow sweats. In front of three ranch hands who’d come to help and couldn’t stop laughing.”

“I got pictures.” Noah pulled out his phone. “Want to see?”

“Absolutely not.” Caleb reached for Noah’s phone but was laughing too hard to take it away. His entire body shook as he guffawed.

Luke joined in. He leaned back in his chair, relaxed in a way she’d never seen him. His laugh was rich and real, transforming him from the controlled ranch manager into someone younger, lighter, more alive.

This was the man underneath the armor. The person he might be if he stopped carrying the weight of perfect management. If he let himself just be instead of always doing.

“Did you ever catch him?” Granny Mama asked between giggles.

“Eventually.” Caleb’s smile lingered. “After bribing him with grain and calling for backup.”

“The backup being me and Graham.” Noah clarified. “Also in our pajamas. Well, Graham was. I’d at least gotten dressed.”

“My pajamas are respectable.” Graham protested.

“You were wearing a T-shirt that said, ‘I’m not arguing, I’m just explaining why I’m right.’” Luke’s dry observation set off another round of laughter.

The Calloway brothers ribbed each other with the ease of people who knew exactly how far to push without causing real hurt. Ruth beamed at her boys with undisguised pride and love.

And Luke. He smiled more freely as dinner progressed. He jumped in to defend Caleb from Noah’s ribbing and stood without being asked when Ruth needed more tea from the kitchen, returning with the pitcher and quietly refilling everyone’s glasses.

And he watched her. Little stolen glances she felt all the way to her toes. Always between conversations, like he was checking to make sure she was okay, that she wasn’t overwhelmed by his loud, loving family.

She couldn’t help falling a little bit in love with him right then and there.

Chapter Nine

The rejected calf had gained weight. Luke crouched in the straw, running his hand along the animal’s ribs, checking the newly developed muscle where gauntness had lived a week ago. The calf’s coat gleamed russet in the barn’s diffused light, and its eyes remained bright and alert as it nuzzled against Luke’s palm.

“He’s looking good.” Claire’s voice came from behind him.

His pulse jumped the way it always did when she appeared, even when he knew to expect it. He’d tried so hard to ignore her at Sunday dinner, but every second in her presence worked a little further under his shields.

And here he was, taking her out on a ride when he should be in his office working. He stood, brushing straw from his jeans. “He’s eating well. Won’t need to be here much longer.”

Claire stepped into the pen, wearing a pair of worn boots. The sight tugged his heartstrings. She’d listened to him. The calf swung his head toward her, tail flicking. She scratched between his ears and the calf leaned into the touch with shameless pleasure.