Evidence of Trust (Colorado Trust 1)

“Which is…?”

“The most exciting thing in there.”

“Come on, you’re not going to tell me what it is?”

“Nope.”

Her gaze narrowed, then she shrugged. “Fine. Have you ever been married?”

“Nope.”

“Any kids?”

He shook his head as he set his empty bowl aside.

“How long have you been a ranger?”

“Eight years.”

“Got any parking tickets?”

He sat back with a short laugh. “Nope.”

“Ever been arrested?”

After a second of hesitation, he decided to stick with the truth. “Once.”

“For?”

“Bar fight.”

“Was this recently?”

“No.” A smile tugged his lips. “I was eighteen, so I got slapped with underage drinking, too.”

“I bet it started over a girl.”

“That’s a bet you’d win.”

“So, what happened? You and a buddy fight over her?”

“Her boyfriend showed up.”

“Ah. Busted.”

Was that a note of disappointment in her voice? His pride didn’t like her thinking he would knowingly take part in a relationship that involved cheating. “I didn’t know she had a boyfriend.”

Her gaze met his, her face lit by the flames between them. Understanding flashed in her eyes. “That when you started thinking all women are dishonest?”

His smile slipped, then disappeared all together. A picture of his mother flashed in his mind, but he clamped his mouth shut and stood. He had no intention of sharing sad stories with her around the campfire. Clearly, he’d already said way too damn much.

He indicated her bowl. “You done?”

She handed him the empty dish without a word, her expression cautious. He pushed away a flicker of guilt and carried the dishes and pot to the stream for a good scrubbing. Just because she asked a question didn’t mean he had to answer.

When he returned, she’d finished spreading her sleeping bag over the cushioned mat that had been rolled up on the back of her saddle.

“No tent this time?”