Page 33 of Disarming The Rancher

Hardy took in the layout. He studied Brax, looking like he was sizing him up.

“How about this? I’ll lock the backdoor,” Brax said. He seemed to understand Hardy’s hesitation.

Hardy nodded. “I’ll double-check windows and doors on the ground floor before heading to my quarters.”

“I can show you to your room whenever you’re ready,” Brax said.

Hardy nodded his appreciation. He didn’t get close to anyone on tour. And yet, she sensed that he liked Brax. Or the Firebrands at the very least.

Brax locked the back door, as promised. Hardy saluted before making his way through the rooms, checking locks and securing windows. In the middle of June no one left windows open in Texas. It was too hot outside and most places had central air conditioning.

“I know Hardy appreciates the gesture,” she said, motioning toward the door. “And so do I.”

“He’s just trying to do his job. I see no reason to get in the way of that,” Brax said as he moved to the fridge. “Now, let’s see what kind of leftovers are in here.”

“I could eat your mother’s meatballs three meals a day.” She put her hands up like she was swearing on a Bible. “It’s true.”

“It’d be real hard to top that. But, let’s see what else I have up my sleeve.” He pulled out a container. “If memory serves, sour cream chicken enchiladas were your favorite.”

“They barely edge out chicken fried steak, though,” she said.

Road food was nothing in comparison to Mom Firebrand’s cooking. No contest there. Raleigh knew all the best truck stops along the highway but there was something special about home cooking that no roadside diner could top.

Or maybe being home made everything better, including the food.

“Who had access to the stage on the day of your last concert?” Brax’s question came after a long moment of silence while he prepared plates. He walked over and set them down on the table as she placed the water glasses down.

“Everyone in the band, of course. The crew and any onsite workers. Each venue provides a skeleton crew for a price.” She sat down. “Oh, and my business manager, Wade.”

“Have I met him?” he asked.

“No. As a matter of fact, he’s supposed to be here. I called to check on him and he hasn’t called me back.” She fished her phone out of her back pocket and then checked the screen. “Still no word from him.”

She opened her e-mail.

“Nothing there either.” She glanced up in time to see the confusion on his face. “He’s supposed to send me my financials.”

“Do you have your account logins and passwords?” he asked.

“I probably have a few, not all though,” she admitted. “I could be better about learning the business end.”

“It’s important to know all aspects of your business,” he said.

“I had an amazing business manager until she left the tour to have a family.” Raleigh had never wanted those things. The first time she really considered them came when Sharon broke the engagement news to Raleigh. As happy as she was for her best friend, a piece of her—the not-so-good-of-a-friend part—knew how much she would miss her partner-in-crime. “I never once had to question books or what was happening on the business end.”

Would the bomb threat have happened on Sharon’s watch? For reasons Raleigh couldn’t explain, she doubted it.

“Sharon was thorough in everything she did. She was the first person at a venue and the last person to leave,” she continued.

Brax didn’t immediately speak. He seemed to take it all in and consider her words. If she had someone like him on tour and managing her business, she could focus on what she loved doing…

“Let me know if you’re ever in the mood for a change of pace. I’d be beyond grateful to have a partner like you,” she said on impulse.

11

“Afraid being a cattle rancher is in my blood.” Brax appreciated the offer and he could immediately sense that she was only half joking based on the serious look in her eyes.

“I figured as much,” she said with a wink. “It was worth a shot.”