Page 25 of Disarming The Rancher

Bullet nickered.

“Come and get it.” He stepped back again and she followed. He walked her to the corral, easily accessible by the back door of the barn. Outside, the sun caused him to squint as he held out the apple for her nibble on.

Bite by bite, she polished off her favorite treat.

“Now, go on,” he patted her back side and she took off in a trot. She circled the corral a few times, head high.

Brax walked over to the fence, climbed up, and perched. He sat there, watching his horse stretch her legs.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the glint of metal. Instinctively, he reached for his pistol before realizing he wasn’t wearing his holster. No one would leave a gun lying around in the barn. Gun safety was important on the ranch.

He bit out a curse as he hopped down, figuring he didn’t need to give this jerk a clean shot. He whistled for Bullet to return. There were times she was too spunky to listen. The apple bribe had put her in a good mood. She trotted over.

Brax grabbed onto the base of her mane and jumped on, bareback. “Let’s go.”

Raleigh searched the room for Brax. Concern tightened her chest when she couldn’t find him.

Normally, she would keep on playing. This was home. She didn’t have to play through. So, she finished the song and handed Corbin his guitar.

“Has anyone seen Brax?” She climbed off the table.

“I saw him leave twenty minutes ago,” Mom Firebrand said. “Does anyone know if he came back?”

Heads shook in unison.

“Meatballs are ready. How about everyone sit down for lunch?” Mom Firebrand motioned toward the table with a bowl filled to the brim.

“If these taste half as good as they smell…” Raleigh’s gaze flew to Adam as he checked his phone.

He glanced up at her and gave a small headshake before firing off a text.

The doorbell rang. She smiled at Mom Firebrand.

“My guys never miss a good meal,” she said, following Corbin down the hallway.

Raleigh strode up beside him. “I didn’t see Fallon. Is he here?”

“He signed up for the military and then went into Spec Ops.” Corbin shook his head. “Said he didn’t want to stick around here with all the fighting.”

She shot him a questioning look after nodding.

“Special Forces operations,” he clarified.

“As in a Navy SEAL?” Fallon had always been one of the popular guys, much like the other Firebrands. Corbin was different, when she really thought about it. He always seemed more serious about school. At least, from a distance.

“Yes. On the rare times he graces us with his presence, he doesn’t talk about it though,” Corbin said.

“That’s pretty cool actually.” She wondered what he must go through that kept the subject off limits. To be fair, he might just want a break. To really be home when he visited and leave work behind. She couldn’t fault him for that.

“I had no idea things were that bad with your family,” she admitted. To be fair, she was a visitor and spent most of her time with their mother.

“Yeah, it’s a shame. Our father and uncle disagree more often than not, and the Marshall seemed content to stoke the flame.” He paused at the front door before opening and inviting her band in. “A lot is about to change and I doubt in a good way.”

Corbin welcomed the guys inside.

“What is that smell?” Randy would be the first to notice.

“Homemade meatballs,” she said. “Follow me to the food.”