Under the Rancher's Protection by Addison Fox

Author:Addison Fox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-08-11T12:30:03+00:00

Chapter 11

The lights of the Reynolds kitchen burned bright as Veronica, Ace and Belle trooped in around three in the morning. Hoyt and Tate were already at the table, matched mugs of coffee in hand, and Arden bustled in fastening her robe within moments of their arrival.

Belle went to Tate immediately. He had her in his arms, whispering words against her ear in a quiet world that belonged to the two of them.

Although Ace hadn’t understood his brother’s unwillingness to accept Belle’s job for so many years, after the events of the evening he had a better grasp on how scary and torturous it was to be the one watching another in danger. Belle lived with the reality of that every day and, as her spouse, Tate would, as well.

It was humbling to realize that his judgment of his brother was not only misplaced but that Tate bore a much bigger burden than they’d given him credit for. It was hard enough to love someone. But to love someone who walked out of the house each and every day, not guaranteed a return because of their profession, was an unexpected thought.

“You want a cup?” Veronica asked, pointing toward the coffeepot.

“Your aunt Lucy made enough to keep me awake for a week. So yeah.” He shrugged. “What’s one more cup?”

The mention of her aunt’s coffee had its desired effect and Veronica gave him a small smile before busying herself with mugs and coffee. She got head nods from Belle and Arden and set about pulling down four cups from the cabinet.

He watched her, the simple ritual of fixing coffee an easy and quiet way to keep busy. To do something—anything—but stand still and think.

“What happened tonight?” Arden began, taking a seat at the table.

“We went to the Torres Friday fiesta.”

“Were there tamales?” Tate’s question interrupted the flow, and while Ace knew the question was misplaced, he couldn’t fault his brother for the desire to make light.

“In the car.” Ace tilted his head toward the door. “In a cooler.”

“You’re all invited to the next one, too. My mother insists.” Veronica distributed the mugs all around before turning to Hoyt. “And she’s wildly determined to rub Reese’s baby bump, so my apologies in advance.”

“No apology needed.” Hoyt took a sip of his coffee.

Ace started in again, determined to get through the events of the evening. They weren’t sitting there to talk about tamales or babies or parties.

Someone had shot at them.

Hoyt asked several questions, his military training taking over as Ace talked about the shooter. “Where was he positioned?”

“Behind the fence.”

“You sure?” Hoyt probed. “Was it possible he was above? Positioned in the trees?”

Belle chimed in. “No. Preliminary ballistics indicate the shooter was beyond the fence.”

Ace sat back in his chair, frustrated by the constant interruption.

What was wrong with all of them? Could he get through his damn story? Could he tell it and get some damn freaking attention for once?

When had he become the one they all talked over? And worse, when had he lost control of every person in his life? He was the big brother.

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