Page 39 of Rancher to the Rescue

“Anything I should know about what’s going on with…” Brax motioned toward the adjacent room.

“Nothing to say there.” Adam wasn’t ready to define his relationship with Prudence or defend it to anyone either. For now, he wasn’t ready to talk about the current situation with Angel. Brax would be the first to know when Adam was.

He heated three plates as Brax set the table. By the time Prudence joined them, dinner was ready to go.

She walked into the room, and then froze when her gaze landed on the table nicely set for three. “Wow. I’m impressed.”

“The least I can do is feed you,” Adam said.

Brax shot a look but thankfully kept his lips locked.

“This smells amazing,” she said, fists resting on her hips.

“I’m glad to hear it. I can’t take credit for cooking. All I did was throw a couple of plates in the microwave,” he said, holding out a hand like he was presenting a new car. “Shall we dig in?”

Prudence didn’t waste time, walking over and taking the seat being offered. She made quick work of the meatloaf and potatoes, but mostly pushed around the green beans with her fork.

Seeing Adam and Brax’s interactions reminded Prudence of her sister. Shayla had been three years older and a whole lot sassier. She was all flash and personality in the best possible way, forever twelve years old in Prudence’s mind.

The murderer who’d taken her family away had done her a small favor in blindfolding her while he performed the deed. This way, she didn’t have images replaying in her mind over and over again, and she’d learned to shut off her imagination when it came to what might have happened. The neighbor had shielded Prudence from the horror of seeing what had happened. Knowing had been bad enough.

She listened as Adam and Brax talked about their family drama. If not for her aunt and uncle, she would feel very alone in the world. She was thankful she had them, at least.

The idea of being part of a big family had never appealed to her before. Except being in this kitchen, she could almost smell the fresh cookies around the holidays. She imagined pies and more food than anyone could eat. Somehow with all the guys on this ranch, she doubted there would ever be a leftover no matter how much food was placed out on the island or the kitchen table.

She secretly liked the fact they’d eaten in the kitchen over the formal dining room she’d walked past earlier. It was nice in there, don’t get her wrong, but there was something cozy in this room. It was warm and informal, like she imagined a family meal should be.

Growing up, she’d eaten most meals from a TV tray while watching nighttime soap operas with her relatives. They’d been kind people. And yet, she missed her parents and sister. Her mother’s singing.

The memory came back full force earlier in the bedroom with Angel.

“I better get going,” Brax finally said after dessert and coffee. He turned to Prudence. “It’s nice seeing you again.”

“I feel the same,” she admitted, and it was true. She might not want to get attached to Adam or his family, but they were intelligent and warm. It would be impossible to completely turn off her affection for them. Of course, she’d only met two of his brothers. Fallon had always been nice to her, even when others walked right past. There must be something about the Firebrand bloodline that made them kind to strangers.

Despite Adam not being as close with the others, she’d never heard a bad word about anyone in the family. Then again, she would be last to hear gossip. Keeping to herself had some advantages. Plus, she interacted with her clients on an almost weekly basis.

Why did her old life seem empty to her now?

A week ago she’d been more than happy with her small existence. She had the occasional date when she went into Austin, but no one who blew her hair back. She started to say, “Like Adam,” but stopped herself.

She enjoyed the anonymity of living in town and blending in. Everyone left her alone and she did her own thing. Suddenly, her life sounded lonely, which was strange because it was exactly what she’d built.

Being with Adam had her realizing there was so much more out there. Interesting conversation. Someone who made her feel incredibly beautiful without ever saying the words. Someone who made her feel safe even though he also made her feel things she’d never experienced. Like chemistry beyond her wildest imagination. And the pull of the hottest kisses that would turn into the most mind-blowing sex she would ever have.

She stopped herself right there. The last things she needed to be thinking about were sizzling kisses and blazing inferno sex.

“How’s the little girl?” Brax asked, motioning toward the adjacent room.

Interesting that Adam hadn’t told his brother and best friend that she might be related to him.

“Doing all right. Might have bad news on the mother,” Adam said.

“That’s a shame.” Brax shook his head. The news clearly affected him.

“We’re waiting on word from the sheriff to figure out the next moves,” Adam informed. “But she’ll be here for the time being.”

“Good of you both to step in like this,” Brax said. “I’ll cover for you on the ranch. Take all the time you need.”