Renee sat beside Shiloh, her hands clutching the armrests of the plane’s seat. She was a lousy flyer, always had been, but somehow this flight caused an army of angry aliens to fight inside her stomach, clawing to escape captivity. Drawing in a deep breath, she blew it slowly out through her mouth, then repeated the action, imagined the plane safely on the ground, and her getting off this giant tin can of death.
“It won’t be long now.” Shiloh’s voice pulled her from her thoughts of doom and despair, and she glanced at him, felt his calm demeanor wash over her, and loosened her grip on the armrest. She wouldn’t be surprised if she left behind claw marks from where her nails dug into it.
“Sorry I’m being such a baby. I hate flying.”
“Must have made it difficult moving from place to place.”
She shook her head, thinking about all the ways she’d maneuvered and finagled to stay clear of the friendly skies. “Not really. Buses, trains, they tend to keep their wheels on the ground. I drove when I could, walked when I had no other choice. I rarely got on a plane, mostly because I couldn’t afford it. But also,” she waved her hand, indicating the confines of the plane’s cabin, “claustrophobia might play a role, too. I’m sure I’ve got some kind of complex about being in tight spaces without a clear way out.”
Shiloh reached between their seats and clasped her hand, and she felt the warmth and strength in him when his hand touched hers. What must he think of her, acting like a scaredy-cat, simply because she hated knowing her feet weren’t firmly on the ground? Millions of people flew every year, and hardly anybody plummeted out of the sky. Seriously, what were the odds the one time she boarded a plane, it would plummet from thirty thousand feet? But while her brain told her everything was okay, her imagination played havoc with her subconscious.
“We’ll be landing in Houston in about twenty minutes. Think you can hold out that long?”
She gave a halfhearted chuckle. “Not like I’ve got much choice, do I? What am I gonna do, open the door and step outside for some fresh air?”
She noted the corners of his lips curling up at her joke. “Everything’s going to be okay. Once we land, we’ll pick up my car from long-term parking and drive to Shiloh Springs. Momma’s got everything set up for you. The guest room’s ready, and between her and Dad, they’ll make sure nobody sets foot on Boudreau property without their say so.”
“Shiloh, I’m scared.” The words spilled out before she could stop them.
“I know you are, sweetheart, but I promise I’ll keep you safe. Once you’re settled, we’re going to sit down, just you and me, and you will tell me what’s got you running scared. Then we’ll fix it.”
She shook her head, both in denial and to keep thoughts of Darius and Eileen from lurching to the forefront. Dealing with them wasn’t on her top ten list, even on her best days. Today, they didn’t rank in the top one hundred. The only bright spot in ages was meeting Shiloh. While she still wasn’t sure how she felt about the dark-haired, maybe brother-by-almost-adoption, he made her feel things. Things she’d never experienced before. The thought alternately excited and terrified her. She couldn’t afford to let her feelings, her whirlwind of swirling emotions, run roughshod over her intellect. Managing to stay one step ahead of Darius and Eileen kept her alive this long. She wasn’t ready to toss in her chips yet.
“Will Lucas be at your parents’ ranch?”
Shiloh chuckled. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s standing at the end of the front drive waiting for you. Momma said she’s kept him corralled at the Big House, but even she might not be able to keep him away once you get there. He’s been waiting a long time to reunite with you, and I expect he’s going to vacillate between excitement and sheer terror that he’ll be a disappointment because he didn’t find you sooner.”
“I…I want to see him, too. Everything’s happening so fast, I’m not sure what to expect. Lucas is a memory, you know? A good memory, but I’m afraid I’ve built him up to be something he’s not. In my head, I know he’s a grown adult with a life I know practically nothing about. But I don’t picture him that way. To me, he’s still a freckle-faced kid, standing there screaming while the foster care people took me away. It’s been twenty years. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to act around him.”
“Simply be who you are. Renee O’Malley.”
Her fingers tightened around his hand, clammy and cold, and she welcomed the warmth his touch provided, because thinking about meeting Lucas made her want to throw up.
“I don’t even remember who Renee O’Malley is anymore. Like Lucas, she’s been gone for a long time. Maybe that’s part of the problem. I’ve been so many people in the last few years, I don’t know who I am anymore.”
Shiloh’s deep brown eyes burned with compassion and understanding. He leaned forward and brushed a soft kiss against her forehead. It was the lightest touch, soft as a butterfly’s wing, a whisper of sensation against her skin, yet she felt it deep in her core, filling her with warmth.
“We’ll figure that out, too. I’m going to make sure all your problems disappear, and you can be anybody you want. I promise.”
With a contented sigh, Renee leaned against Shiloh, and placed her head on his shoulder, feeling something she hadn’t dared feel in longer than she cared to admit.
Safe.
Once they’d disembarked, Shiloh steered Renee toward the front exit. He’d left his car in long-term parking when he’d flow to Portland to search for her, figuring if he had to stay too long, his business partner could pick it up. Though he’d probably grouse and give him grief for a few days for making him drive from San Antonio to Houston, he was turning out to be a surprisingly good choice for the PI company. Placing his hand on the small of Renee’s back, he held her backpack and his duffel in the other hand when he spotted a familiar face. Nope, make that a couple of all-too-familiar faces.
His brothers stood by the exit, crowded around like conspirators in a bad spy novel. They leaned close, whispering, eyes scanning the debarking passengers. Way to be subtle, guys. When he locked eyes with Chance, who gave a sheepish grin, Shiloh barely bit back a laugh. Could he really blame them for wanting to get a glimpse of the woman they considered their sister? After all, they’d grown up with the same stories Lucas told about Renee. They’d all been part of the ongoing search for the missing O’Malley girl. Heck, if he’d been back here in Texas instead of in Portland, he’d probably be standing with his brothers, waiting to welcome Renee to Texas, too.
“I hate to break it to you, but we’ve got company.”
He felt the slight stiffening of her spine at his words, her gaze whipping around the crowded airport. Leaning closer, he nodded toward his errant brothers, adding, “The three doofuses standing over there are my brothers. The blue-eyed blonde is Chance. The one with ditchwater brown hair? That’s Dane. Wonder why he’s here? He runs the ranch, and you usually can’t pry him away from the spread without a national disaster occurring. The third clown is Antonio. I had no idea they’d be here. Sorry.”
Renee’s eyes widened as she watched the three men walking toward her. So different in outward appearance, Shiloh knew anybody who didn’t know better would never think they were related. Still, he’d told Momma he didn’t need anybody meeting them at the airport. Made him wonder how these three snuck away without her knowing. Only thing missing from this merry group was his nosy sister. If Nica showed up…
“Hey, little brother!”
Little brother? Seriously, Chance is only four months older than me.
“What are you guys doing here? I hold Momma we didn’t need a ride.”
“My fault. I couldn’t wait to see our sister.” Antonio gave Shiloh the side eye, and reached out his hand to Renee. “I’m Antonio Boudreau. I can’t tell you how thrilled we are to finally meet you.”
Renee slowly held out her hand, and Antonio enveloped it between his. Her eyes were wide, and she had that I’m-about-to-head-for-the-hills look, which was the last thing Shiloh needed or wanted her thinking about. Just like his brothers to ignore everything except what they thought best.
“I bet this is all a bit overwhelming,” Antonio smiled, and he felt Renee relax against the hand Shiloh still held against her lower back. “Momma doesn’t know we’re here.”
“She does now,” Chance added, holding up his cell. “Looks like we’re in for a world of trouble when we get home.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cause problems.”
“Sugar, don’t you worry your pretty head about it. We,” Chance gestured toward himself and the other two lunkheads standing beside him, “couldn’t wait for you to get to Shiloh Springs. The whole family is beside itself, knowing you’re finally coming home. Momma’s not really mad. She’s probably more frustrated that we snuck out without letting her tag along.”
“Enough of this standing around, we should probably hit the road.” Dane reached forward and took the bags from Shiloh, and he turned them loose, glad he had his hands free in case he needed to wrap them around Chance’s neck. Dude better stop shooting those flirtatious glances toward Renee, or he’d…
What? I don’t have any claim on her. What I feel toward the beautiful redhead is new and unexplored, and I’m not sure what it means. Maybe she doesn’t feel the same. Even if she’s clinging to me like I’m the only life preserver in the ocean, I’m just the only person she knows here.
“Lucas is gonna have a conniption when he finds out we snuck away from the Big House. Dad’s got the grill going, so you’ll have plenty to eat when you get home. Momma’s been keeping Lucas running around, helping with odd jobs to keep him occupied, though he’s about worn a hole in the floorboards in the hall. Jill’s there, too.”
Shiloh closed his eyes and counted to five before speaking. “Tell me everybody’s not at the Big House. I told Momma to keep things low key. Renee’s already been through a lot and hitting her with all the Boudreaus at once is more than any person should have to endure.”
From the crestfallen expression on his brothers’ faces, Shiloh knew he’d guessed right. Probably every Boudreau within a hundred-mile radius would be sitting front and center when they pulled onto the long driveway to the Big House. He could picture the front porch of the Big House packed with wall-to-wall bodies, all scrambling to get the first look at their special visitor.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Let’s get the car and start heading toward Shiloh Springs. Once we’re on the road, I’ll call Momma and tell her to clear ’em all out.”
“No, don’t do that.” Color washed into Renee’s cheeks as she spoke. “It’s kind of sweet, everybody turning out to meet me.” She looked at his three brothers, studying them for a moment. “Thank you for coming. Shiloh’s told me a little about each of you, but I hope you’ll bear with me while I learn which name goes with which brother. The last couple of days have been…overwhelming, but in a good way.”
Chance stepped forward and took Renee’s hand and laid it in the crook of his arm, and patted her hand, shooting a wicked grin at Shiloh. “I’m glad you’re here. You take all the time you need to get acclimated. Now, let’s get you home. Momma is gonna love you, I promise.”
He started walking toward the airport’s electronic doors, Renee in step with him, and Shiloh fought the urge to race after them, rip Chance’s arm off and beat him over the head with it. What in the heck was his brother up to?
“She seems nice. Can’t get over how much she looks like Lucas.” Dane fell into step beside Shiloh, matching him stride for stride. “I talked with Dad before we left. He’s in agreement; we find out who’s after her and take care of it. He can line up reinforcements if we need them.”
Reinforcements. Shiloh smiled at the term. That was Douglas Boudreau speak for calling in his former Army buddies for a little extra muscle. Of course, a couple of them worked better with their brains than their brawn. If there was tracking involved, human or otherwise, they’d get a kick out of it.
“I haven’t gotten the whole story from her yet, but she’s definitely running scared. She was getting ready to hightail it out of Portland because she thought I was a mercenary sent after her.”
“That bad, huh?” Dane’s jaw tightened. “We’ll make sure the ranch is secure. After Jamie got kidnapped, I had the whole place wired. Cameras, alarms, the whole shebang. Nobody’s coming onto our land without us knowing.”
Shiloh studied the determined set of his brother’s shoulders, and his expression was one he rarely saw on Dane’s face. He knew little Jamie’s kidnapping shook the whole family. Jamie’s father escaped from prison and grabbed that precious little angel right from under their noses, and wanted a million bucks for her return. A cold shiver raced down his spine. His father had offered himself in exchange for Jamie. Although he knew the family had money, between his father’s construction company, Momma’s real estate business, and the money from the ranch and cattle, they weren’t hurting for cash. But if Evan had managed to get Douglas out of the country…
“When’d you do that? Dad didn’t mention it.”
A guilty flush crossed Dane’s face. “I didn’t tell him.”
Shiloh glanced up and spotted Renee walking between Antonio and Chance. They were both animatedly talking to her at the same time. She kept looking from one to the other, and he grinned. If she stuck around, she’d have to get used to listening to more than one conversation at a time. Happened every day around the Boudreaus.
“What do you mean you didn’t tell him?”
“Dad’s been busy running Boudreau Construction. He and Liam have been up to their eyeballs with problems on the job sites. Besides, I run the day-to-day operations at the ranch. Part of that is security. I made a decision, one that benefits the family, and keeps everybody safe. I had Ridge help because I wasn’t going to cut corners. There’s closed circuit cameras located along the pastures, alarms, infrared. You name it, we’ve got it. There’s even a command center set up at my place to monitor things twenty-four/seven.” Dane shot him a glare. “With our brothers getting engaged, planning weddings, and bringing kids into the equation, I’m not about to let anything happen. Never again.”
Dane’s voice was laced with a hard edge, something Shiloh couldn’t ever remember hearing in the normally easygoing man. He blew out a long breath. Dane was right. They couldn’t take chances with the women they’d welcomed into their clan. While Jamie was the only youngster, he knew it wouldn’t be long before more kids were added to their family. The thought of them being in danger was unacceptable.
“I know a bit about security systems. Let me look at it once Renee’s welcome party’s over. Maybe I can spot any weaknesses.”
Dane chuckled, slapping Shiloh’s back. “You are just like your brother. He designed the entire system, top to bottom. Went over everything with a fine-tooth comb, and yet every time he comes to the Big House, he’s looking for ways to upgrade things. Pretty sure you won’t find any issues.”
Shiloh nodded. “Ridge is good at what he does.”
“But you’re still gonna take a look, aren’t you?”
He simply raised his brow, and Dane chuckled. With a grin, he trailed behind Chance and Antonio, his eyes glued to Renee. When she laughed at something Chance said, he felt a weight lift off his chest. She was going to fit right in with the Boudreaus.
Only one obstacle stood in the way of her finally finding some peace. Figuring out who hunted her, and eliminating the problem—once and for all.