Page 44 of Disarming The Rancher

“Right. Good point. How do I do that without going in to the bank?” she asked.

“Call them back and put a freeze on the account after payroll is deducted,” he said. “They could take a couple of days to sort through the books. An accountant would need time, but Manny should have a good suggestion there.”

She got back on the phone and made the call.

“That was easy enough, after jumping through half a dozen hoops to verify my identity again,” she said. “I should have thought to do it when I was on the phone a minute ago.”

“It’s done now. That’s the important thing,” he said.

She filled him in on her conversation with Randy.

“They were right to be suspicious of him,” Brax said.

“I need to tell the guys payroll should hit their accounts tomorrow.” She pushed off the desk and walked around it before stopping at the door. “You coming? I’m pretty sure I owe you a cup of coffee for this one.”

He held a finger up and then fired off a text to get Manny working on hiring an accountant.

“If you’re buying, I’ll take an extra-large cup,” he teased.

Her smile was lighter now and he was proud of the fact he’d helped ease some of her burden. Her band might be like family, but she was definitely the one everyone looked to for leadership.

“That’s a deal,” she quipped.

He joined her in the hallway and walked beside her. She reached for his hand this time and the jolt of electricity no longer caught him off guard.

His mother stood in the kitchen at the table, talking animatedly. The Italian in her came out full force as she talked with her hands. She seemed to be entertaining the troops as Adam and Prudence joined them.

“She’s right in her element,” Adam said as he stopped next to Brax.

“No signs of stress today,” Brax agreed. Losing the Marshall had thrown everyone off balance, including their mother. He was starting to realize there was more to her stress and the pull toward the file became stronger.

She spun around as Raleigh handed Brax a cup of coffee. He thanked her and took the offering. The first sip was always the best.

“I didn’t see you in the playroom,” Mom walked over and wrapped her sons in a hug.

“I’ve been helping Raleigh on the computer in the Marshall’s office,” Brax said. The minute he spoke he felt his mother’s body stiffen.

“I’m so proud of that girl, I could burst.” She relaxed and put on a breezy smile.

Raleigh walked over to the table, no doubt sharing the news payroll had been made. She pulled up a barstool, sat down, and explained the financial situation.

Mom took Angel as soon as Prudence was finished burping the baby.

“I’ll take her back to the playroom while the grownups talk.” Mom was in hog heaven with a granddaughter. Her face lit up every time her gaze landed on that little girl. Angel was going to be one spoiled kiddo.

Brax talked with his brother while Raleigh conducted her meeting. Prudence headed upstairs to take a nap.

“Still no sleep?” Brax asked his brother.

“Kids feed all the time when they’re on a bottle,” Adam said. Brax had never seen his brother happier, or more tired, which said a lot considering calving season.

Mom came bouncing through the room, baby on one arm, diaper bag on the other. “I’m taking her outside before it gets too hot. I have my cell if you need me.”

Adam practically beamed. Brax knew his older brother better than anyone, and he never would have pegged Adam for fatherhood material. Boy, was he being proven wrong. Babies must hold a special power—power he had no intention of finding out for himself.

“I’m going to check on my new bride.” Adam wiggled his eyebrows.

“Too much information, bro.” Brax refilled his coffee cup before heading back to the office. He reclaimed the Marshall’s chair and grabbed onto the drawer handle.