Page 17 of Disarming The Rancher

“You listen to my music?” Raleigh didn’t bother to hide her shock.

“Adam dragged me to a concert or two in Austin over the years.” He took a sip of coffee, blocking his face. She couldn’t read his expression and a piece of her really needed to see if he liked her music or not. It shouldn’t mean so much to her, except this was home. Random people could hate her but the people she cared most about mattered. Their opinions mattered.

When he put the mug down, his expression was unreadable.

“It was good,” he said, like he was sitting in front of a firing squad.

Of course, there were three sets of eyes staring at him expectantly.

“Pay no attention, sweetie,” Mom said. “He loves your music.”

He grinned and she wanted to reach over and give him a friendly tap on the arm like they’d done as kids when he’d been a pest.

She didn’t figure reaching across his mother to slap his forearm would be appreciated, so she contained the urge. Her cell buzzed in her pocket, so she fished it out and checked the screen. “Excuse me.”

Conversation was a low hum as she stood up and walked to the opposite side of the granite island anchoring the room.

“Hey, Hardy. What’s up?” she immediately asked.

“The house is clear. I’m working with local authorities on getting a deputy parked out front while we’re in town. Should I come pick you up now?” Hardy’s questions shouldn’t cause a lead fireball to land in the pit of her stomach.

“No. Not yet,” she said quickly. Five more minutes. “I’m still visiting. Okay if I text you with a plan?”

“Okay,” he said but he sounded anything but.

Her security detail deserved an explanation.

“I need to have a conversation with Wade and I’d rather be away from the guys when I make the call. Nothing too big,” she added. “Just personal stuff he’s supposed to be handling for me that seems to be slipping through the cracks lately. Nothing to do with the band.”

“We’re here whenever you’re ready to come back,” Hardy said. “Or I can come stay with you wherever you are.”

“No, thanks. That’s not necessary here.” The truth was that she wanted to step away from her life for a little while longer. Hardy was a reminder that she needed protection because someone was targeting her. The same icy chill from earlier raced down her spine thinking about it. “I gotta go. I’ll text. I promise.”

He barely got the word, Okay, out before she ended the call. The room suddenly felt stuffy and she needed air, recognizing the panic attack as it reared its ugly head. They were easier to conquer when she recognized them right away.

Back in the early days when she first started playing to crowds, she developed a bad case of stage fright. It had gotten bad enough for Sharon to bring a therapist on tour who’d taught Raleigh a few tricks.

This blip was nothing compared to the doozies she’d gone through. All this one took was a couple of slow breaths and a reminder she was fine. Everything was fine. She grounded herself by planting her palms on the cool granite either side of the farmhouse sink. She stared out the window onto the amazing land. The twin barns in the distance reminded her that everyone had two sides to them.

Before she could calm her racing heart, Brax stepped up behind her.

“Everything okay?” His voice traveled over her like fine silk. She could feel his strong male presence behind her without turning around. He was a foot behind her and she could hear his steady breathing.

“Give me a minute,” she managed to say without her voice shaking. She didn’t want him to know the effect he was having on her. “Hey, Brat.”

Her attempt to bring levity to the moment failed miserably the minute her arms goosebumped. Electricity jolted through her when he touched her shoulder.

“Let me know if you need me,” he said low and under his breath.

Boy, did that sentence cover so much more than he probably bargained for.

“Will do,” was all she could manage to say through the haze that was Brax. A haze that had her wanting to turn around and press her lips to his. A haze that had her wishing she could reach out to him, lean into him. A haze that had her needing to feel his mouth moving against hers.

He stepped away and the room got cold. No one had had that kind of effect on her since…ever when she really thought about it.

No. No. No.

She couldn’t afford to get attached to anyone or anything when she would just head out on the road again the minute this whole situation blew over. Between touring and making new music there was no time for anything or anyone else.