Page 50 of Disarming The Rancher

“So, is that how it is now?” Eric asked, feigning insult.

“I don’t know what to think anymore,” he admitted, hating how this news might change his status among his brothers. He was the bastard child, the mistress’s son.

“All I care about is the fact you’re my brother. I don’t need a birth certificate to tell me that,” Corbin said.

“You do realize we’re the same age now,” Brax said. There was no rhyme or reason for his announcement, except it bugged him that his second-born status was in question.

“Have you spoken to our old man?” Corbin asked.

“No. And I don’t see a reason to,” Brax said. “Him and Mom had thirty-six years to come clean.”

“I would want to know what happened and why,” Corbin said. He’d always been the quiet, serious one in the family, nose in a book during most of high school. Which didn’t mean he was a slouch on the football field. Friday night lights was important in Texas and all the Firebrand boys had played on the team. All had been damn good too. All had been scouted by one college coach or another at some point. Most had declined the offers.

Football and family might be close to a Texan’s heart but so was cattle ranching. Corbin had gone to the University of Texas at Austin for academics, not sports. Which was also the reason he handled most of the numbers.

When Brax thought about it, he probably should have Corbin look at Raleigh’s books.

“I know I speak for the others who aren’t home yet when I say this news changes nothing,” Adam piped up.

“It changes everything,” Brax said before adding, “to me.”

Adam turned to face Brax, issuing a challenge with his eyes. “Do you think Prudence is less of a mother to Angel because of biology?”

“Did I say that?” Brax’s response came quickly but there was a moment of hesitation after when he realized the similarities.

“Didn’t you?” Adam asked, the hurt in his eyes stabbed Brax in the chest.

“Hell, I didn’t mean that and we both know it,” Brax stated, leaving no room for doubt.

“This situation is complicated, but I don’t see a difference in how any one of us feels about you,” Adam said, some of the tension had eased.

“Tell that to Kellan and the other side of the family. Once news gets out, they’ll have a field day,” Brax said.

“And we’ll put them in their places,” Eric responded. His hands fisted at his sides. That was one of the certainties about being a Firebrand. His brothers always had his back.

He couldn’t help but wonder who had Raleigh’s.

This wasn’t the time to be worried about her. Not after that bomb had been dropped on him about his own family. The annoying voice returned pointing out that she felt like family…his family.

The notion was insanity in its purest form.

“I appreciate each and every one of you,” Brax stated. “I mean it. In my heart where it counts, you guys are my flesh and blood.”

“Same,” the word was spoken in unison.

“It’s not our place to tell the others, so we’ll leave that to you,” Adam said. “The only reason we know is the state we saw Mom in. We couldn’t let her walk away without telling us what was wrong.” Adam put his hands in the air, palms up, in the surrender position. “I’m not defending her, by the way. I’m sure her and Dad had reasons that are between you and them,” he stated. “We stand behind and with you no matter how much we love our mom.”

Brax held back the biting comment they should all check to see if their birth certificates had been tampered with. Their show of solidarity touched him in a place down deep. “I appreciate you guys.”

“We love you, man,” came another chorus.

“Love you.” Brax walked over to the trio and embraced them in a bear hug. But his mind kept wandering to the way he’d treated Raleigh. Had he been unfair?

Raleigh figured it was time to rally the troops. She knew when she’d worn out her welcome and the time had come to move on. She closed down the computer in the Marshall’s office and then headed upstairs to pack. There wasn’t a whole lot in her suitcase so it wouldn’t take long.

She fished her cell phone out of her back pocket and debated making the call for a band meeting. She could easily put a message in the group text.

A question nagged her. Would leaving put them in danger? Could they slip out of town and under the radar again? Staying in one place could end up making them more vulnerable.