Page 14 of Disarming The Rancher

“Will do,” Hardy agreed, and they ended the call.

Glancing up at Brax was a mistake. The look in his eyes sent a different sensation skittering across her skin. No one had ever looked at her with eyes so determined to protect her, and she’d had a security detail since she’d made it in the business. There was another emotion in there that she couldn’t quite pinpoint. Possessiveness? More of those butterflies released in her stomach and she didn’t bother to fight the feeling this time.

The thought of Brax Firebrand being attracted to her was where she drew the line. She was reading too much into a look. He was one of the good ones and wouldn’t take lightly to someone threatening her or anybody else for that matter. He’d shown up in the nick of time and had gotten her out of a tight spot. Of course she would feel a certain pull toward him for saving her.

It was as simple as that.

Besides, when did she become attracted to a Firebrand?

The feeling of being home must be more powerful than she realized. And she’d missed Lone Star Pass. Leaving all those years ago was like cutting off a piece of her heart. The thought of returning became harder and harder with her tour schedule. She was just beginning to realize the toll being away for so long was having on her.

“If I heard you correctly it’s not safe for you to go back there,” he said. A jaw muscle ticked, and it seemed like he was holding back something he really wanted to say.

“That’s right. People got past Hardy,” she admitted. “Everyone is accounted for and Hardy is clearing the house before I go home. Lucky me, he didn’t realize I’d skipped out before it all went down. I’m in the clear.”

Brax shook his head.

She shot him a confused look.

“What do you think about staying here at the ranch a while?” he asked.

“I don’t want to leave the guys high and dry.” What would that be saying to them? Her life was the only one worth saving?

Brax clenched his back teeth and the jaw muscle ticked again. He studied her for a long moment but must’ve decided not to speak his mind.

“Should we go inside now?” she asked. The honest truth was that she feared she would be putting his family in danger. It would only be a matter of time before her new location would be figured out, and an overzealous fan or reporter would find the holes in security at the ranch. As far as she knew poachers never came close to the houses or barns.

He took the couple of steps before opening the door. “After you.”

“Should we call your mom and tell her I’m coming? I don’t want to catch her off guard,” she said.

“Are you kidding? And ruin the best surprise she’s had all year?” He seemed to reconsider the comment when he mumbled, “Well, a close second.”

She told herself not to ask about that later but figured it might have something to do with having a granddaughter.

“Funny, I don’t think I’ve ever been in the main house before,” she said as she walked past Brax and into an expansive kitchen. “Wow.”

“Seems a shame the Marshall lived here alone for so many years.” He glanced around. “All this space going to waste.”

“Can’t say that I ever knew him very well,” she admitted. “He was never rude to me if I ever ran into him in the barn or on the property. He never seemed to mind my presence. But I can’t remember a time he ever really acknowledged me either.”

“He was a complicated man. Or so I’m realizing more and more,” Brax said.

“You said Adam lives here now.” She didn’t want to impose.

“Him and his family moved in,” he said. “Hold on. I’ll check and see where Mother is. Make yourself comfortable.”

“Mind if I grab a glass of water?” she asked.

“Glasses are in the cabinet by the sink. Or bottled water is in the fridge.” He motioned toward the farmhouse sink.

“I miss good old tap water,” she said, thinking how amazing it would have been to have big family dinners in here and what a missed opportunity it had been for the Marshall. The man had been an enigma all right. He clearly loved his family in his own way and built multiple residences and two barns so they’d be at home here. But never had them in the main house. Not even Sunday supper, which was a big deal in these parts. “Always tasted better here on the ranch.”

Raleigh was beginning to remember how great life had been at home. She’d blocked so much out and put blinders on for her career. Had she been in survival mode all this time? Was she really living?

“Hold tight.” Brax couldn’t wait to see the look on his mother’s face when she saw who was standing in the kitchen. He heard voices down the hallway and found her with Prudence and Angel. All three sat on the floor in the once stiff formal living room that had been transported to a bright and colorful playroom.

There was a princess-themed teepee in one corner and the flooring was made of soft pieces that fit together like a puzzle. This place had been transformed in a matter of days thanks to internet shopping and next day shipping according to his mother. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d see her with a smile this big on her face.