Sierra nodded quickly, pushing the coin back toward Harrison, not wanting to cause any trouble.
She had enough troubles of her own back at home.
But Harrison shook his head, taking a step back and refusing to accept the coin from her. “That’s called a dragon talon, and ‘round these parts, it has a special meaning. You saved Beck. No doubt about it. He’ll pay you back.”
Beck made as if to protest, but Harrison silenced him with a fierce look.
“He’ll pay you back, Sierra,” Harrison said. “He owes you a favor.”
“I’ll do her a favor by staying the hell away from her,” Beck muttered from his bed, sending a scowl at her.
Sierra tried not to let the rejection sting her. It wasn’t like she had asked him for anything, even after saving his life.
She wasn’t sure what to do next, but then Harrison’s wife stepped forward.
Marian gave her husband a look that said, I’ll handle this, and put her arm through Sierra’s to walk her out of the room.
Sierra could still hear Beck and Harrison arguing in the distance.
As Marian opened the door, she smiled. “You sure you have to get back right away? I could lend you some dry clothes, and—”
“I need to get back,” Sierra said. “My dog is probably scared out of his wits, wondering where I ran off to. Thanks so much, though.”
“No, thank you for saving Beck,” Marian said. “I know he seems gruff, but we love him around here.”
“It’s just what any good neighbor should do,” Sierra said, shrugging.
Marian looked over Sierra’s soaked figure. “You deserve a little more credit than that.” She put her arm through Sierra’s as they walked out onto the porch. “Look, you should come over again soon. There aren’t many women out here, and I’d love a new friend. I haven’t met many neighbors because… Well, you met Harrison. He likes to keep to himself.”
“Why’d he tell me to take this coin, then?” Sierra asked. “Beck didn’t want to help me out.”
Marian cocked her head, smiling warmly. “Because Harrison instantly liked you, as I do. And as he said, there are rules here at Dragonclaw Ranch.”
“I really think I should give this back,” Sierra said, pulling the worn coin out of her pocket. “I don’t think Beck wants me to ask for a favor, and I honestly don’t think I would want to ask him for one either. And look, I don’t need anything in exchange for doing what any good person would have done—”
But Marian just looked at the coin fondly and then took Sierra’s hands and closed them over it, forcing her to keep it. “Trust me. You should take it.” Marian gave Sierra a mysterious smile. “You never know what might come of it. These coins are very special.”
Sierra nodded, but she would probably place the coin in a drawer and forget about it. She’d seen the panic in Beck’s eyes at her having it.
The last thing she wanted was to cause more trouble for anyone.
But as she walked to her horse and swung up into the saddle, she couldn’t help but think about those pretty gray eyes.
What a pity that such a beautiful man had to be so unpleasant.
“Now what in tarnation was that?”
Beck kept his head down and ignored Harrison’s question as he prepared a sandwich to help him regain the strength he’d lost from almost bleeding to death.
He’d been a bit disappointed when he’d woken up and realized it wasn’t over.
This nightmare of a life where he might someday hurt someone he loved.
Fighting was all he was good for. Going down in order to save the ranch he called home would have been an honor.
That pretty lady… she shouldn’t have ridden so fast to get Harrison to bring him home.
“How’d you save me anyway?” Beck asked.
“When the lady was talking to Marian, I gave you a bit of my blood. Quick healing. Yours was poisoned.”
Beck grunted, placing the top piece of bread on his sandwich. “Got it.”
The lady sure had been something, though. Dark-blond hair, bleached sandy by the sun. Based on her tan, she worked outside a good deal. She had freckles too, cute ones.
And she was short enough to make Beck feel even huger than he was. But her soft, lush curves made her the perfect holdable size—
“Your sandwich has three pieces of bread,” Harrison said, shaking his head wryly. “You get your head hit out there too while you were fighting that basilisk?”
Beck shook his head. “Was a big 'un, though.” He looked down at his sandwich to see Harrison was right. It was all messed up and he hadn’t even noticed.
“You never fuck up your meals, Beck,” Harrison said, getting a glint in his eye. “Thinking about that lady, huh? Feeling guilty for acting like such an ass?”
Panic washed through Beck again. He never wanted anyone to have his coin. It only led to heartbreak. And tragedy.
He wasn’t like Harrison. Or even Clancy. He was a monster.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Beck said, shaking his head as he started to fix his sandwich. “We both know I’m not the man she wants doing her a favor.”
Harrison folded his arms, looking like he was trying to resist an eye roll. “I know no such thing. So get your ass over there and apologize. That lady saved your life, and your growly ass was an embarrassment to the ranch.” Harrison shook his head. “Never thought you’d dishonor a dragon talon.”
“I didn’t mean to give it to her,” Beck growled. “I just wanted you to know what happened.”
“Because you thought you were about to die,” Harrison said.
“Yep.”
They shared a look, but Harrison’s eyes were hard, and by the stubborn set of his chin, Beck knew his boss wasn’t going to let this one go easily.
“You want me to go talk to her,” Beck said. “About what?” He took a bite of his sandwich. “I’ve half
