Page 20 of Disarming The Rancher

Brax waved the comment off.

“I’m being serious. And this might put people’s lives in danger,” Brax stated.

All playfulness left Adam’s face. “What are we talking about here?”

“Raleigh is home because a bomb threat that turned out to be real shut down her tour for the time being. She thought she could slip into town unnoticed, but found out the hard way that wasn’t going to happen,” Brax explained.

“I’m guessing she’s staying at the place she inherited from her grandmother,” Adam said.

“That’s right.” Brax folded his arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “I found her at the barn last night.”

“Up in the loft?” Adam’s face brightened.

Brax nodded.

“I can’t count the number of times I heard her up there picking away at the guitar and writing in that notebook of hers.” Adam smiled at the memory.

“I’m guessing she needed a quiet place. Somewhere to clear her mind after what happened,” Brax presumed.

“And now she’s concerned her presence might put us in the line of fire.” Adam waved off the threat like it was no big deal.

Firebrands didn’t scare easily.

“Caught a guy on an ATV trying to get to her earlier today,” Brax admitted. “Might have been a fan. He didn’t have a weapon and spooked with mine.”

“The threat to her is real. I have no doubt about that,” Adam said. “She’s been getting national attention with this last album and there’s a lot of anticipation around the next release.”

Brax shook his head. “How do you know so much about her career?”

“Mom will tell anyone who will listen.” Adam shrugged. “Plus, the woman practically grew up here at the ranch, even though she was quiet as a church mouse most of the time. Until she got on that minibike of hers. Plus, I like her music.” Adam threw the baby blanket over his shoulder. “What’s wrong with that? Our local girl has done well for herself. I’m proud as punch.”

“She has talent,” Brax agreed.

“And how many local folks put themselves out there like she did? She left town at eighteen…a baby.” Adam made a tsk-tsk noise. “I overheard her grandmother and Mom chewing on that for a long time.”

“Not to change the subject but speaking of our mother, she said she wants to speak to me in private. Says something heavy has been weighing on her mind. Any idea what she might be talking about?” Brax didn’t think his brother would have an answer but it was worth a shot.

Adam put his hands up in the surrender position. Moving his right arm caused him to wince in pain.

“How much longer do you have to wear that sling?” he asked.

“Another day is too long if you ask me. Knife cuts hurt the most. Ever notice that?” Adam asked.

Brax laughed.

“We probably shouldn’t have played with them when we were kids,” he said.

Adam shook his head.

“The first mistake our parents made was telling us not to.” Adam regained his casual smile.

“It’s a good thing you have a daughter,” Brax stated. “We already have enough testosterone in this place.”

“Speaking of which, have you heard from Kellan?” Adam asked.

“Not much since I overheard him talking about the divorce papers needing signed. At least, that’s the last I heard. He never told me about it personally,” Brax admitted.

“He thinks he’s too good to talk to anyone on this side of the family now that his side inherited mineral rights after the Marshall’s death,” Adam said.