Page 37 of Disarming The Rancher

“I’m sorry about your loss, Brax. I know he wasn’t easy to get to know, but he did hold the family together in a lot of ways,” she said.

“He was a constant all right.” He took a seat on the sofa. “And, yes, he was difficult to get to know. I don’t really care how everything gets split so long as everyone can come to an agreement, which they need to do already and get this over with. There’s no good that can come out of tying up everyone’s assets in court. Or arguing until the cows come home.”

“I can’t say he ever warmed up to me but he never seemed offended by me either,” she admitted. “Mostly, he kept his distance.”

“Which is funny because Adam swears he heard the Marshall whistling your songs more times than he could count,” he said.

“What about you?” She claimed the seat next to him, toed off her boots and put her feet up on the coffee table.

“Whistle? Yeah, all the time.” He winked.

It was just like him to dodge the real question. And she was beginning to realize how much she’d missed home.

12

Brax hadn’t stayed up all night for the joys of conversation with another person in his life. And yet, the sun was coming up and he and Raleigh hadn’t slept a wink.

“People will be up and around soon,” he said.

She stood up and opened the curtains wide. “Now I see why the Marshall had such a big house. So, he could check out this view from every room.”

Brax joined her, standing shoulder to shoulder, and looking out at the land that was part of his soul.

Her cell buzzed. She fished it out of her back pocket.

“Look at that,” she said, blinking in disbelief. “Wade is on his way. Says he wants to walk me through the financials personally. He should be here by lunch.” She pulled up her inbox. “And there they are,” she said. “Hmph. What kind of magic does your phone have that mine doesn’t?”

“Mine has a lawyer’s name and number. I’m guessing that’s what got Wade’s behind in gear,” he said, thinking it wasn’t a good sign her business manager wasn’t as responsive to her as he should be.

“This is good. I can start getting my arms around what’s happening with the business side.” She stared at her phone like she half expected the message to self-destruct.

“I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you need a new business manager.” Brax didn’t normally get in involved in other people’s business and this situation definitely qualified. Except how could he stand by when he feared she was getting ripped off?

“While I have time off, it might be good to put some feelers out,” she said. She snapped her fingers. “I know. I have a superfan who runs my fan club. I can check with her to see if…”

She shook her head.

“No. That won’t work,” she said.

“Yeah, it’s probably best to find someone independent. Better checks and balances that way. I can ask Manny for a recommendation,” he offered.

“I’d like that a lot actually,” she said.

Brax fired off a text thanking his lawyer for lighting a fire under Wade’s behind, and then asked for referrals. The response was an immediate thumbs up.

He showed her the screen.

“Well, now you’re just showing off.” She leaned into him. Contact sent another jolt of electricity racing through him. He probably should be used to it by now.

“How about going downstairs for a cup of coffee?” He could use the boost.

“Give me five minutes to freshen up,” she said.

“Take your time.” He was in no hurry to share her despite a bone-deep need for caffeine.

True to her word, she was ready in five. They headed downstairs together after a pitstop in his room to brush his teeth and wash his face. Halfway down, it occurred to him they were wearing the same clothes from last night. Would anyone notice?

A couple of guys were sitting at the table, nursing coffees while chatting with Adam and Prudence. The baby was asleep in her mother’s arms. On occasion, Prudence beamed at the little girl.