Page 20 of Rancher to the Rescue

“All I know is that no one is talking, which can’t be a good sign,” he said.

“Wouldn’t our lawyer wait until everyone was in town before giving out details?” Adam had been so consumed with Angel and Prudence that he hadn’t given much thought to anything else, including his family’s situation. It was only a matter of time before the ticking bomb when off. Him, Brax, and the others would be left to pick up the pieces.

“It’s possible,” Brax said. “I’m not sure if everyone can or will come home.”

Between the military and family feuds, he could name a couple of cousins and a few brothers who’d promised not to darken the door of this building anytime soon. Surely they didn’t mean in case of death.

“It changes everything. You know that, right?” Adam asked.

“I’m afraid to guess at what the Marshall might have done. He didn’t exactly encourage peace around here.” Brax issued a sharp sigh.

“No, he did not.”

7

Prudence rubbed her eyes and grabbed her glasses. The sun was up, peaking through the drawn curtains. She felt around on the bed, searching for Adam as she put them on. The bed was cold where he used to be. She shot up and checked the crib. Angel was gone.

Rubbing blurry eyes, she realized that she had her memories from yesterday. Though the days before were still a blank. She had no idea if she would ever get those back. Either way, this was progress. Excitement bubbled up as she glanced around.

Adam had to be here somewhere. She slipped out of the covers. At the foot of the bed, her clothes were clean, stacked, and folded. She grabbed them before freshening up in the bathroom and changing, realizing she had underestimated the power of clean clothes her entire life.

There was a brush in the top drawer, so she used it to try to tame her curls. Good luck there.

With a much more positive outlook, she headed downstairs. The house was quiet, too quiet, and the unsettled feeling returned. She tiptoed into the kitchen where she saw Angel making cooing noises at Adam as he held her with one arm while standing at the window.

She cleared her throat, not wanting to catch him off guard.

He immediately turned around.

“Morning,” he said, and she could have sworn she caught him studying her. Did he wonder about her memory too?

“The sun’s up already,” she said with a thumbs up. “Thanks for letting me sleep.”

“Figured you needed the rest,” he said. “Plus, me and Angel have been getting to know each other.”

“I’m guessing there’s no word from the sheriff yet,” she said.

He shook his head. She figured as much. He would have led with the update.

“May I?” She walked right over to him, resisting the urge to press up to her tiptoes and plant a kiss on those perfect lips of his. She really did get a good night’s sleep if she was aching to kiss Adam before coffee. But then he was that bone-melting hot.

“Be my guest.” He handed over the baby, who raised an immediate objection to the transfer.

An emotion she couldn’t quite pinpoint darkened his eyes when he looked at Angel.

“This should help.” He cut across to the table and then returned with the binky.

The little girl took it, and immediately settled down. Prudence took note of how good he was becoming with her. Not for the first time did she wonder if he was somehow the child’s father. The hair color was right. The eyes were wrong. But who could really tell with a baby this young?

“How about coffee?” he asked, breaking into the train of thought before it could gain too much steam.

“Sounds like heaven to me,” she admitted.

“You remember,” he whispered as he walked past and there was more than a hint of relief in his voice.

Prudence looked onto the expansive backyard. The grass was mostly green with plenty of bald patches, thanks to a lack of rain for almost two years running. If they didn’t get rain soon, it would mean trouble for crops and cattle. Even so, the landscape was like something out of a postcard. The twin barns off in the distance might be reminders of a divided family, but they were magnificent against the backdrop of dozens of mesquite trees.

“I’ll just put this on the table for whenever you’re ready,” Adam said.