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Cecily lingered before heading for the house to give Derek a piece of her mind. She’d all but invited Bryce to come out with her. Did he think Grady wasn’t capable of grooming Ginger on his own for a couple of minutes? Didn’t Bryce want to have a little time alone with her? What was she supposed to do? Come right out and ask him?
Why not? Or, she could have couched it in a simple invented request. I want to show you something. Of course, knowing Bryce, he’d have asked her what, and she didn’t have an answer.
After removing her dirty boots and swapping them for clean ones, she found Derek in the study. She stormed in and leaned her palms on his desk. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me you caught the guy?”
His brows shot up. “I was stuck at the Sheriff’s Department until late. Besides, I thought Bryce would have told you.”
“Well, he didn’t. It’s your ranch—our ranch—so updates should come from you.”
Derek lifted his palms in surrender. “We had to act fast, and it was late—”
“Stop making excuses. You forgot about me. I don’t work here anymore, so I’m out of the loop.”
Derek dragged his hand through his hair. “Sis—”
She softened her stance. “Just giving you a hard time, although hearing it from Andy first was almost embarrassing. Then again, I didn’t tell him my own family didn’t care enough to keep me informed. Nobody got hurt, I hope.”
“Nope. Like riding a bike. We’re a team.”
“Of course you are.” She leaned in closer. “Not many ranchers have both Army Ranger experience and have worked for a private security company that does covert work on the side. If anyone was going to catch this guy, it’d be you.”
Derek’s brows winged upward. “What are you talking about? Covert work?”
She rolled her eyes. “Come on, big brother. I’m not that naïve. I’ve known what Blackthorne, Inc. does for a long time. Since you didn’t seem to want anyone—especially Mom and Dad—to know, I went along with your cover story. But seriously? You? A marketing specialist? Get real, Derek.” She made an X over her heart. “I never said anything. To anyone.”
Derek’s eyes darted to the bookcase on the far wall. Cecily grinned. “I know about your bolt hole, too. I was around from time to time when you had them convert the storage room to your secret hideaway. It was pretty darn obvious something had happened when you quit and came home to the ranch. Not Mom’s stroke. If you didn’t want me to know about it, I wasn’t going to push the issue.”
Derek’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t seem to find the words to respond.
“Oh, close your mouth, big brother. I work for the Sheriff’s Department. I know all about compartmentalizing work and personal lives. I know how to keep secrets.”
“Sorry, Sis. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust you. It was more ... more like—”
“What I didn’t know would make sure I was never involved, should you actually need the secret stuff you keep down below. For the record, no, I’ve never gone down there. I told you, I know how to respect someone’s privacy.”
“There’s not much down there. Emergency provisions, surveillance cameras, and a secure computer. Haven’t bothered updating it since I installed it all those years ago, so it’s hardly state-of-the-art.”
“Weapons?” she asked.
“Some. It’s a safe room.” He scrubbed his hand across his jaw. “The last job I did for Blackthorne before I quit had me on the paranoid side for a while.” He snorted. “Delusional. Thought I mattered enough so any bad guys I’d been involved with would hunt me down. As if I were an impedance to their scumbag ways.”
“Does Sabrina know?” she asked, almost accusing him of caring for someone he’d known for months more than someone he’d grown up with. Blood kin.
He nodded. “When Adam showed up last July, there was a minor ... situation ... and she was involved, so yes, she knows.”
“So she’s seen it? Been down into the nether reaches of the ranch?”
He ducked his head. “Yep.”
Cecily flashed him a look of faux indignation. “Well, then, big brother, I expect a tour in the not so distant future.” She glanced toward the study door. No signs of Bryce, damn the man. “I’ve got to be going now.”
“Thanks. And ... I’m sorry.”
Cecily leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I understand.”
She did. Ever since Wendy, the youngest of the Cooper clan, had died, Derek’s protection gene had kicked into overdrive. Wasn’t his fault, nothing he could have done—he wasn’t even in the country, but she knew he carried the guilt like a truckload of feed sacks on his shoulders.
“See you Wednesday afternoon. Need anything from the Springs?” she asked.
“Nah. I’m good.” Derek stood and walked her to the back door, where her SUV waited. “Take it easy.”
Still no sign of Bryce. She twisted the key in the ignition and shoved the car in gear. Why was she wasting her time? Gravel spewed and dust flew as she took off for the highway.
Screw you, Bryce Barrett.
On Wednesday morning, Andy called while Cecily was driving to Colorado Springs. “Thought we might have lunch.”
“Maybe when I’m at work. My schedule’s tight for my days off. In fact, I’m on my way to the Springs now. I’m picking up Grady’s things from the Falcon substation and hitting the mall. My days off tend to be filled with all the things I can’t do on workdays, or in Pinon Crest.”
She disconnected, wondering why she hadn’t given Andy the we’re just friends speech. Keeping her options open? Thinking Andy might grow on her? After all, there had been no calls from Bryce. Evidently, he didn’t want to make amends, or even the first move toward making amends. Not even using a report of Grady’s progress—or lack thereof—as an opening. She figured she’d ask him for the report forms he was supposed to be filling out daily, and that would be the extent of any interactions with him.
Screw you, Bryce Barrett.
After her trip to the Falcon police substation and her shopping excursion, Cecily went straight to the ranch. She parked, grabbed the envelope, and after changing her boots, headed for the barn. Ginger wasn’t in the paddock, although the rest of the string was. Were they already out walking? She’d told Grady she would try to be here this afternoon, but hadn’t confirmed it. Her bad.
She set the envelope in the tack room and strode out toward the walking trail. Up ahead, Ginger plodded along with Grady by her side. No Bryce. Which, she thought, meant Grady had graduated to flying solo. A good thing. Showed progress in his skills, because no way on earth would Bryce—or any of the other cowboys—have let an unqualified Grady go out alone, not even for a short distance, not even with the easy-going Ginger.
She sensed someone behind the barn and halted. A shadowy figure leaned against the barn wall. Her heart skittered when she realized it was Bryce.
Okay, he still made her heart skitter. Or was it because she’d been startled to see someone where she didn’t expect him?
No, she decided. There was definitely a difference in the way her heart thumped and her palms went damp when Bryce was nearby. Which was ridiculous, since she’d known Bryce for years. And if she was mad at him—which she certainly was—she wouldn’t be feeling tingles in her female parts.
Crap.
Pasting a nonchalant smile on her face, she strolled over and joined him. From where they stood, they had an unobstructed view of the walking trail where Grady and Ginger ambled along, about fifty yards away.
She watched for a moment, not speaking. Rather, she took in the way Grady’s stride was relaxed, and how, from time to time, he’d pat Ginger’s neck. Although Cecily couldn’t make out the words, Grady was definitely talking to the mare.
Which was what she’d hoped would happen. She’d expected results too soon, that’s all.
“Kid’s doing better,” Bryce said.
Thank goodness he’d been the one to bring up Grady.
“I can see that.” She sucked in a breath, held it, then blew it out. “I’m sorry I expected immediate results. I should have trusted you to know how to handle him.”
He shifted to face her. Tipped his Stetson back on his head. His lips twitched upward, just a fraction. “Should have remembered how impatient you get.”
His scent, all male, all cowboy, assaulted her. Her heart galloped in her chest. “Are we good?”
“Suppose.” He glanced toward the trail, then his lips curved into a full-blown smile. He stepped closer, blocking her view, and effectively shielding her from Grady’s view as well. Resting his hands on the barn wall above her shoulders, he leaned in. His silver-blue eyes flashed a shade darker. “Want to check?”
Bryce nuzzled Cecily’s neck, nibbled her earlobe. Inhaled her scent. Familiar, and always enticing. More than enticing. Damn, he’d spent the last two days fighting a constant state of arousal. Having her this close had him straining against his fly. She pulled away enough to gaze at him. Lips parted. Heat and desire filled her brown eyes.
A quick glance away—a very quick glance—told him Grady was still doing fine. Bryce grabbed Cecily’s hand and tugged her around the side of the barn, positioning her against the rough wooden boards. For half a second, he thought of moving inside the barn, but why waste time?
He pressed his lips against hers, coaxing her mouth open. She welcomed him, their tongues sliding, teasing, dancing. Why was he such a jerk when it came to Cecily? Or why were they both such jerks when it came to each other?
He stepped closer. Her breasts crushed against his chest. Her hands wrapped around his waist. She tugged him closer. Closer, until not even an offending sheet of paper would fit between them. His groin ached when she lowered her hands to his ass and made little squirmy circles with her hips.
He stifled a groan. “Stop it.” Which was a stupid thing to say, because the last thing he wanted her to do was stop. Okay, not stupid, because the last thing he wanted was for Grady to find them. That was his above-the-neck brain talking, and he was having a lot of trouble getting his below-the-belt brain to listen.
“Don’t like this?” she asked through their kisses, increasing the pressure of her squirmy circles. “Honestly?”
He jerked away. “Of course I like it but—”
She ran her fingers through tendrils of his hair that had escaped his ponytail. “Someday, I want you to let your hair down for me.”
A loud whinny, rapid hoofbeats, and a shout of “Stop” effectively ended the conversation. Bryce straightened his hat and hurried around the corner of the barn. Ginger was moving at a slow lope, ears back, lead rope dragging toward the barn. Grady was on the ground, but scrambled to his feet and gave chase.
Damn it all. What had spooked her? “Don’t run,” Bryce called to Grady. “She’ll think you’re chasing her.”
Bryce gave a low, comforting whistle and stepped onto the middle of the trail. He held his arms out low. “Easy, girl. It’s all right. No need to run. Come on home.” He repeated his words, keeping his tone calm and gentle.
Grady had slowed to a walk, but his eyes were wide, his expression both confused and frightened. More spooked than Ginger.
Cecily appeared at Bryce’s side. “What’s going on?”
“Damned if I know.” He eased his way along the trail, still uttering soothing words. Ginger had slackened her pace, but didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping when she got to him. The whites of her eyes showed, her nostrils flared.
Cecily stepped away from Bryce, so the two of them blocked the trail. “Hey, baby,” Cecily said. “It’s okay.”
Whether it was Cecily’s voice added to Bryce’s, or Ginger had run out of steam, the mare shuffled toward them. Bryce waited for her to approach close enough to pick up the lead.
“Easy girl.” He caressed her damp neck and handed the lead to Cecily. “Take her in. I’ll talk to Grady.”
Cecily nodded, then cooed at the horse as she took a moment to give her some reassuring pats. “Let’s go home. I’ll rub you down and give you some treats.”
He watched them walk around the barn while he waited for Grady to get closer. Once he was within reach, Bryce rested a hand on the visibly shaken kid.
“I didn’t do anything. We were walking and she bolted away. She reared up and I lost my balance and dropped the lead.”
“Happens sometimes,” Bryce said. “Even to an easygoing animal like Ginger. Did you see anything, hear anything? Sudden movements will spook ’em. Could be a piece of paper flying in the wind, or a bird, or a loud sound, although Ginger’s hearing isn’t all that good.”
Grady seemed to be replaying everything in his mind. “I don’t think so. At least I didn’t see anything.”
“We’ll go to the barn and you can help check her out.”
“Do I have to?” Grady asked in a hesitant tone.
“Yep. It’s important you let her know you’re still her friend.”
Grady snorted. “I was thinking it might be the other way. She’ll think I had something to do with whatever set her off and she won’t like me anymore.”
Bryce thumped Grady’s shoulder. “Not Ginger. Forgive and forget—and I doubt she’d think whatever happened was your fault, anyway.”
Grady didn’t seem convinced, but he followed Bryce into the barn. Cecily had hitched Ginger to the tie ring and was wiping her down. “I can’t see anything wrong,” she said. “I’ll bet a bee spooked her. She got stung a few times not far from those shrubs. Years ago, but if one buzzed her, I can see her freaking.”
“That’s probably it. Or she got a whiff of mountain lion.” Bryce nudged Grady. “Go on.”
Cecily apparently understood, because she handed the towel to Grady. “Rub her dry. I’ll get some treats.”
Ginger wasn’t particularly wet—she hadn’t run very fast or very far—but it did both Grady and the mare some good to have calming attention. Ginger had always liked being rubbed down.
“Get her legs, too,” Bryce said. “She’s going to roll as soon as she gets in her stall, so the dryer you get her now, the less grooming you’ll have to do later. Make sure you talk to her, keep a hand on her, so you don’t surprise her.”
Grady approached cautiously, but did as he was told. Bryce hung around, in case there was some sort of injury they hadn’t discovered, which would spook the mare as well as Grady when she reacted.
After taking a deep breath, Grady started rubbing the towel over Ginger’s neck, working his way backward.
Cecily returned with a pouch of snacks, and offered an apple slice to Ginger, who seemed her usual, calm self. Cecily scratched the mare’s poll. “I have to get going, baby. You be a good girl for Grady, okay?” She set the pouch on the door of an adjacent stall and gave Bryce a questioning look before heading out of the barn.
Grady glanced over his shoulder at Bryce. “I’ve got this. You don’t need to hang around.”
Had Bryce detected a hint of a wink from Grady? How much had the boy seen?
Still, if Ginger had been stung and Cecily’s initial inspection hadn’t found the sting, if Grady rubbed it, the mare wouldn’t be a happy camper. Neither would Grady. Bryce checked the lead rope on the ring. Short enough so she wouldn’t be moving much. He glanced at Cecily’s retreating figure. If she went to the house to change her boots, he’d have a couple of minutes to supervise Grady and still be able to catch Cecily before she drove off.
Sounded like a plan to him. He fished a carrot chunk out of the pouch and gave it to Ginger. “Let me see.” Starting at Ginger’s head, he ran his hands over her. No skittishness, no tenderness. “I’d say either a flying piece of paper or a plastic bag, or Cecily’s buzzing bee theory make the most sense. You okay?” he said to Grady.
Grady nodded.
“Put her in her stall when you’re done.”
“Got it. Go,” Grady said.
Bryce kept his stride casual as he exited the barn. Grady was talking softly. Had he said something about dinner? Was he talking to Ginger? Or giving advice? Bryce picked up the pace on an intercept course to Cecily’s SUV.