Page 40 of Disarming The Rancher

“I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything,” she said to the group.

“Please make yourselves at home,” Brax stated. “There’s food in the fridge and it gets restocked regularly. Don’t be afraid to take what you want.”

“Much appreciated,” Buck said; the veteran of the group knew how to set a calming tone. Buck was irreplaceable. If she had to give him money from her personal account, she wouldn’t hesitate.

Brax seemed anxious to get her out of the room. He didn’t feel threatened by Kenny, did he?

She needed to make it very clear that Brax was her guy. He was her ‘friend’ if that was the right word. Considering the way her stomach fluttered every time he was near, she couldn’t pin him to that zone. But it was a start.

The Marshall’s office was incredible. Not exactly her taste but it was definitely larger than her entire tour bus. There was a fireplace in the corner and a flat-screen TV mounted above the mantle. A desk practically the size of her nana’s kitchen anchored the room.

“That’s a big chair to fill,” she said, in awe. She would feel like a five-year-old sitting in that massive leather thing.

“You can work on one of the couches if you’d like, I just needed to get you alone for a second.” Brax’s comment sent those butterflies aflutter again. The sincere look in his eyes said this wasn’t a sexual comment.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“You need to speak to Tim and Randy separately about Wade,” he informed.

She must’ve made a face because he quickly added, “They exchanged a look when you said Wade’s name.”

“Oh really?” That was news to her but then she’d been too busy deflecting Kenny to notice.

“Twice,” he said. “There’s something on their minds that they aren’t saying.”

“And now the direct deposit issue…” This wasn’t good. It was so not good. “I’ll talk to them.”

“Try one-on-one, if you don’t mind the suggestion,” he said.

“Okay.” She drained her coffee mug and then held it up. “Now is as good a time as any.”

13

Raleigh walked into the kitchen by herself to find everyone where she’d left them. The smell of bacon filled the air now. She walked over to a plate and asked if she could have a piece.

“Applewood smoked bacon,” Buck said proudly. “Grab some scrambled eggs while you’re at it.”

“This is amazing,” she said. “I’ll definitely be back for more.”

Buck practically beamed. He’d never had a kitchen this size to work with before, and the man could cook.

She walked over to Randy. “Hey, can I have a word with you?”

Randy nodded.

“Okay if we take a walk?” she asked. She’d be damned if he didn’t glance at Tim.

Brax was right. Something was going on.

“Sure thing.” Randy tried to come off as casual but the crack in his voice told a different story.

She walked outside and he followed. Once they were far enough away from the house and any potential listening ears, she turned around.

“I need you to level with me about Wade.” She came right out with it. This wasn’t an investigation where approach was everything. “Do you trust him?”

Randy cracked a smile.

“You always do come at a problem head on,” he said.