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“Come on,” she said, tugging at his hand. “As long as you’re here, you might as well stay for breakfast and meet the gang.”
* * *
How long had it been since he’d sat down to a real family breakfast? Not since he was a kid in foster care, Shane reflected. Even then, he’d usually had to make do with cold cereal or toaster waffles. And he’d never felt like he belonged at the table. But breakfast with Lexie’s ranch family was different. The spirit of caring was as real as the platters of delicious food on the long dining room table.
Warmed by the welcome they’d given him, he filled his plate with bacon, eggs, sausage, and a couple of pancakes. The two hired boys, who’d mentioned that they usually ate in the kitchen, were seated across from him. They’d recognized him at once. Starstruck, they peppered him with questions about bull riding.
“For heaven’s sake, boys, let the man eat,” the woman named Callie scolded them. Lexie’s widowed stepmother was voluptuous and earthy, with twinkling blue eyes and a ready smile. When Shane had complimented her on her cooking, she’d replied with a laugh and a playful wink.
Lexie sat next to him. She hadn’t shared the news about Corey—maybe because it would have cast a pall over the gathering, or perhaps because she was still dealing with her own emotions. But even under these strained circumstances, Shane enjoyed sitting next to her, feeling the subtle, warm tingle when his arm brushed hers.
The Native American foreman sat on the far side of her. He was quietly eating, but Shane sensed that his ears and sharp, black eyes missed nothing that was going on.
Only Lexie’s sister Tess, seated at the foot of the table, seemed guarded. She was a striking woman, lean and dark, with chiseled features and stunning gray eyes that held a well of sadness in their depths. As the head of the family, she seemed as fiercely protective as a hawk—especially toward Lexie.
Shane could imagine why. After the losses she and the family had suffered, the last thing she’d want was to see her vulnerable young sister taking up with a bull rider. Winning Tess’s approval—if it came to that—was going to take time and effort.
The foreman got up, excused himself, and motioned for the boys to follow him. They bolted down the rest of their breakfasts before trailing him outside. Callie began clearing away their plates, but Tess remained seated, her eyes fixed on Shane. Sensing that she wanted to talk, he stayed in his place.
“So, I understand that you used to work for Brock Tolman,” she said.
“Used to. That’s right.” Shane had nothing to hide. “We parted ways last weekend when I wouldn’t take a fall off Whirlwind. He fired me, and I left his ranch—for good. It was time.”
Tess leaned back in her chair slightly, studying him with narrowed eyes. “What does he want from us? The bull? The ranch?”
“He wants whatever he can get,” Shane said.
“And what will he do to get it?”
“Brock’s a determined man.” Shane took a sip of his coffee, feeling as if he were under a microscope. “But I’ve never known him to do anything he could go to jail for, or do physical harm to anyone, human or animal. I think you can feel safe on that account.”
“Safe? Do you have any idea what’s been happening here?”
“I know about the open gate and the dead bull.”
“There’s more. We almost lost a rig, with four bulls and two men, because somebody slashed a tire. Did you know about that?”
Shane shook his head, glancing at Lexie.
“I haven’t had time to tell you,” Lexie said. “But if the rig had rolled . . .” She shook her head. “Ruben and his son-in-law would likely have died, along with four good bulls, and Tess, too, because she was there, trying to save them.”
“I know what you must be thinking, Tess,” Shane said. “But things like property damage and murder for hire aren’t Brock’s way. I’ve seen him operate. He’ll offer you a fair price, and if you turn him down, he’ll use the banks and his lawyers to squeeze you until you’ve got no choice. That’s the Brock Tolman method.”
“In other words, he’s capable of blackmail.”
“Only legal blackmail. But if you’re going up against him, be prepared for some nasty surprises.”
Tess pushed back her chair and stood. “Thank you,” she said. “It helps to know what I could be dealing with. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got office work to do.”
Shane stood also. “I need to be going, too. Thanks for breakfast. Walk me to the truck, Lexie?”
“Sure.” Lexie was already out of her chair. “Oh, wait. Callie made some oatmeal cookies yesterday. I’ll get you a few to take along.” She dashed into the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind her.
Tess was on her way out of the room, but she paused and turned back to Shane with a stern look. “One more thing,” she said. “If you hurt my sister, I’ll be coming for you, and there’ll be hell to pay. Understand?”
Shane had expected something like this from her. “I do,” he said. “And believe me, I wouldn’t hurt Lexie for the world.”
“Here you are.” Lexie came out of the kitchen with a half-dozen cookies sealed in a zip lock bag. They walked out onto the front porch before speaking. “I like your family,” he said. “You’re lucky to have them.”
