Page 24 of Disarming The Rancher

“On my way.”

The woman seemed to know exactly what to say to torture Brax in the best possible way. This seemed like a good time to remind himself they weren’t dating, and nor would they be. They were nothing more than ships passing. He was providing a safe haven in a storm and she would be back on the road in no time.

He opened the door for her and she rewarded him with another one of those incredible smiles that was a sucker punch, square in the chest. She took his breath away.

Brax followed Raleigh inside to the small family gathering that had developed as soon as word got out she was home. She walked over to Corbin.

“Mind if I borrow that?” She pointed toward his guitar.

He handed over the acoustical piece with a ready smile. “Be my guest.”

Brax leaned against the counter, preferring to stick to the back of the room near the door. He fired off a few texts to clear the way for her band with front gate security. His next text was to Steven Paine, head of security. Brax requested reinforcements after explaining there was a high profile individual staying at the main house with a few of her friends.

Paine’s response was immediate.

On it.

As Brax looked up, he saw Raleigh sitting on the solid wood table with her boots on the seat of a chair. She started strumming the guitar and then broke into one of his favorite songs. Her voice trailed over him and through him, leaving nothing untouched. She might be worried about a fan breaching the gates of Firebrand Ranch, but the only real danger for Brax was the woman who sat in front of him, strumming the guitar.

The song ended and the room erupted. Her cheeks turned six shades of red before she went into another one of her biggest hits.

Adam strolled over, cradling Angel in his good arm. He had that Cheshire cat grin.

“Before you get too excited, nothing really happened,” Brax said to his brother.

“Not what I saw.” Adam stopped next to Brax and leaned against the same counter. They both faced Raleigh.

It didn’t help matters that she glanced up, caught Brax’s gaze, and smiled one of those knowing smiles that made it seem like the two of them were in on a secret.

“Shelter in a storm,” Brax said under his breath, but loud enough for his brother to hear.

“That was some shelter,” Adam teased.

“You should have seen the storm,” was all Brax said before smiling back at Raleigh.

She cocked a brow, her movements so subtle he doubted anyone else realized what was going on between the two of them. Well, everyone except for Adam who picked that moment to elbow Brax in the ribs.

Corbin walked over about the same time. Now, his eyebrow raised.

“What’s going on over here?” he asked.

“You see,” Adam started, “there was this big storm.” He stopped and elbowed Brax again. “He’ll tell you all about it.”

“Not me,” Brax pushed off the counter, pocketed a shiny red apple from the basket on the counter, and slipped out back. He needed to check on Bullet anyway.

Besides, he needed to clear his head so he could think. Getting Raleigh alone to talk, especially once her band arrived, might prove more difficult than he wanted it to be. He also just remembered he hadn’t called Sheriff Lawler yet.

He made the call as he headed to the barn. Lawler didn’t pick up so Brax left a message stating what had happened and describing the ATV driver to the best of his ability. The truth be told, Brax didn’t get a good look at the guy’s face. He was on the thin side, though, and he wore a hoodie despite the ninety-degree temps. Other than that, he had on jeans. Maybe the sheriff could get some DNA from the trees and get a positive ID.

It was possible this guy could be the bomber, coming at Raleigh with a more direct approach this time. Every muscle in Brax’s body tensed at the thought of someone trying to harm her. Again, what could a random person have to gain from killing her?

A sick kind of fame, he guessed. Whoever got to her would make headlines. The click-bait practically wrote itself.

Bullet needed exercise. He didn’t bother to bridle her. She would follow him anywhere, especially when he had an apple in his pocket. He fished it out and shined it on his shirt after opening the gate to her stall. She whinnied and rocked her head up and down. She stamped her right hoof and then took a couple of steps toward him.

He held the apple in the air on his flat palm.

“This what you want?” he asked, taking a couple of steps backward.