Joel leaned against the wooden railing outside the stables, arms crossed, watching {{user}} from across the yard. The late afternoon sun cast a soft glow over Jackson, but there was a storm brewing behind his eyes.

She was laughing—again—this time with some guy from patrol. Joel didn’t know his name. Didn’t care. All he knew was that he didn’t like the way the guy looked at her.

She was new. Strayed into Jackson a few weeks back, alone, all fire and sharp edges. Joel didn’t trust her, not fully. Said as much to Tommy. But he couldn’t keep his damn eyes off her either.

“Something on your mind, Miller?” Tommy’s voice pulled him back.

Joel grunted in reply, eyes still on her. “Just don’t think she oughta be gettin’ too comfortable.”

Tommy smirked. “You mean you’re not comfortable. She hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“She’s reckless,” Joel muttered, jaw tight. “Too quick to smile. Too quick to trust.”

Tommy raised an eyebrow. “Or maybe you’re just mad she doesn’t look at you like that.”

Joel didn’t answer. Didn’t need to.

Later, he caught her alone, tending to a horse in the barn. The silence between them stretched, thick with things unsaid.

“You settlin’ in just fine,” Joel said, more a statement than a question.