Page 27 of Disarming The Rancher

“That’s right,” Adam said. “You might want to make an appearance so she can stop watching the backdoor.”

“On my way.” Brax ended the call.

Bullet had had enough exercise. She’d be ready to munch on hay and hydrate. Brax took it easy on the ride back to give her a chance to cool down. It had been a while since he’d ridden bareback and he was reminded how much he preferred it. There was something pure about riding without a saddle or tack.

He led her back into the barn and then hopped down.

“We still got it, old girl.” He patted his Paint horse on the neck.

She whinnied in response. There were times, like this one, where Brax would swear she could understand everything he said.

After taking care of his first love, he walked to the main house. Raleigh’s concern was nothing more than her conscious feeling like she’d put his family in harm’s way. She’d been concerned about bringing the bomber to the ranch.

So, he probably should’ve let her in on the fact he was stepping out. For the time being, he needed to get used to keeping everyone up to date on his activities and vice versa. The thought made him want to loosen his collar.

Brax loved the land and, almost more than that, his freedom.

This was a temporary situation, he reminded himself. What he didn’t like was the temporary nature of spending time with Raleigh. Hers was a life of constant travel, concert dates booked a year in advance, and squeezing in time to record.

It sounded like a prison to him. But then, he was used to wide-open skies and the ability to come and go as he saw fit.

Despite knowing there could never be anything more between them, his traitorous heart still beat double-time the minute he stepped inside the kitchen and her gaze found his. What did the heart know? Wasn’t that what half of the country songs were about anyway? Missed love. Missing love. Being hurt by love.

Brax was picking up on a common theme.

Raleigh stood up and walked over to him, all eyes followed her.

“Hey, everything okay?” she asked, leaning her hip against the counter. She stood so close he could breathe in her flowery scent, which wasn’t such a good thing for a man who was trying to keep his distance.

From behind her, he caught someone he didn’t recognize watching their interaction like it was a prize fight and one of the boxers was on the brink. Brax took note of the guy, especially the hard lines of his face as he studied Brax like he was sizing him up.

“I went to the barn to exercise Bullet.” He expected the admission to make his collar feel a little too tight. Surprisingly, it didn’t. But then, he’d put the situation in perspective before walking in the house.

“Oh.” She didn’t meet his gaze. “I was worried when I didn’t see you. It’s probably just the situation taking a toll, making me feel the need to know where everyone is at all times. I overreacted.”

“Who could blame you; I would have done the same if you’d up and disappeared without a word,” he said.

“Really?” She glanced up at him and those emerald eyes sparked.

“Of course,” he reassured.

“Next time you head out to the barn, will you take me?” The tile floor suddenly got very interesting.

“I can do that,” he said.

“I’d appreciate it. I write so much better in the loft and,” she glanced around the room, “away from all the ‘excitement.’”

He followed her trail. It seemed everyone had some interest in where she stood. Another job hazard, he figured. The not-so-glamorous side of fame.

“How about heading over now?” He wished he could rein the question in. Impulse had him wanting to help her escape even if only for a little while.

“I’d like that a lot actually. You don’t mind? I thought you just came from there,” she said.

“I’d take being in a barn any day to this.” He held up his arms.

“This will probably sound crazy coming from me, but I know what you mean.” She rewarded him with the kind of smile that melted too many of his defenses in one fell swoop.

He reached out for her hand, and then linked their fingers.