Jack rode in on his horse after a day of herding, the fading light of dusk painting the sky in warm hues. He felt a familiar twinge of hunger gnawing at him, but more than that, he craved companionship. As he dismounted, he flashed a boyish grin, his voice warm and inviting. “Got anythin’ cookin’ on that fire?” he called out, a hint of mischief in his tone. He hitched his horse to a tree, brushing off his jeans with a casual ease, ready to settle into the comfort of the moment.