Rancher Under Fire

by Barb Han

  “Yeah, I’m afraid I have,” she said, and then compressed her lips.

  Or someone, he thought a bit more accurately. Wallowing in self-pity never fixed anything. And he didn’t do regret. But if he did…it would involve Liv.

  He brought his hand down onto her shoulder and then touched his forehead to hers. Being here in the kitchen with her, like this, was the most intimate moment he’d experienced in far too long. He didn’t want to let himself get lost in the familiarity of his best friend, but he couldn’t help how he felt. And right now, all he could think about was her full lips and how they’d feel moving against his.

  Instead of sliding down that slippery slope, he cleared his throat and lifted his head up. He took another sip of coffee, figuring he could use a bathroom to splash cold water on his face and brush his teeth.

  “Thanks for the coffee,” he said, reverting to polite conversation. He could hear the huskiness in his own voice. Going deep with Liv would only make it that much more difficult when she disappeared from his life.

  “You’re welcome,” she said, sounding just as affected. She brought her hand up to smooth across his chin, and then his jawline. “This probably isn’t the time to bring this up but you are a beautiful person.”

  “You’re right,” he managed to say through the emotions swirling in his thoughts. “You shouldn’t say stuff like that.”

  Pulling on all his strength, he walked out the back door to retrieve his backpack. He gave himself a mental headshake. He needed to snap out of the attraction thing with Liv. No matter how much he couldn’t stand Kellan, especially at the moment, Liv was off limits. He got caught up in pity then because he couldn’t get a handyman who’d been working with the family for years to agree to come fix her window. The minute Allen had heard her name, he started backtracking.

  Corbin had known she wouldn’t lie to him and yet he’d somehow underestimated the situation she described. He was frustrated and embarrassed at how she was being treated. It also made him want to dig his heels in. His cell buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked the screen.

  Word traveled fast in a small town. The caller was his father.

  “Hello,” he said, figuring he could count on one hand the number of times his father had called or texted this year. Brodie Firebrand was about as into technology as a field mouse.

  “Mind if I ask where you are?” his father started right in. There was no judgment in his tone. Curiosity was a better word.

  “I’m at Liv Holden’s place.” There was no reason to lie. “Why?”

  “So, it’s true,” his father said, accusation laced his tone.

  “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.” Corbin’s defenses kicked up a few notches.

  “You’re with your cousin’s wife.” The way his father said the last word was fingernails on a chalkboard to Corbin.

  “Ex,” he corrected. “Their divorce is a signature away from being finalized.”

  The line went dead silent.

  “She’s being threatened and had nowhere else to turn,” Corbin finally said by way of defense.

  “Threatened how?” his father asked.

  He gave a quick rundown of events. “You should know Kellan has been sending threatening texts. He’ll be part of the investigation.”

  “Is that so?” The wheels were turning but Corbin had no idea what his father was thinking. The two couldn’t be more different and Brodie Firebrand seemed more involved with finding ways to argue with his brother Keifer than tending to his own sons. Suffice it to say the two had never been close. The call was coming in from left field.

  “It is,” he said.

  “What’s happening to her isn’t right. I don’t condone it one bit,” his father hedged. “But it’s not our place to get involved.”

  “She’s my friend,” he said before realizing his father would never understand.

  “That may be so, however—”

  “You know what, Dad? I have to go. The sheriff is waving me over and I need to see what he wants,” he cut in. “And since I’ve known Liv my entire life, I will be helping her. And other people should too. What’s happening here is embarrassing and a blight on the Firebrand name.”

  His father didn’t launch a defense. He seemed to carefully consider his next words. “As far as the window goes, I’ll send someone over. I’d like for you to come home and let the law deal with the rest.”

  It was a good thing his father didn’t issue an order because Corbin didn’t want to go behind his old man’s wishes.

  “I’m not leaving her alone to deal with some jerk who is trying to intimidate her. What kind of person would I be if I let a bully push her around?” he defended with a little more heat than he’d intended.

  “If that’s how you feel, I won’t ask you again. I’ve made my wishes clear,” his father said.

  “Yes, you sure have. And for the record, you should be on my side on this one.” Corbin couldn’t help but get in the dig.

  Without saying goodbye, his father hung up. At least the man knew where Corbin stood. Conversations with the man had been few and far between. Between his father’s emotional distance and the fact he’d had an affair that recently rocked the family, Corbin had no idea who the man was or what he stood for. Not now. Not before.

  Corbin felt like his father was letting him down, just like he had every time his father had canceled fishing trips when they’d been kids. He couldn’t remember a time growing up when he’d gone fishing with his father or grandfather for that matter. The elder Firebrands seemed too busy plotting revenge and competing against each other to spend time with their sons or grandsons. He wasn’t feeling sorry for himself. It was what it was. He subscribed to a different philosophy when it came to family. If and when Corbin had children of his own, he planned to be a hands-on dad. And since life was full of irony, the only person he could see himself starting a family with was Liv.

  The revelation caught him off guard, but he couldn’t deny it.

  Lawler was circling the perimeter as Corbin approached.

  “Find anything useful out here?” he asked the lawman.

  “Afraid not.” He pointed toward the dry earth. “Ground is too hard for anyone to leave footprints. I’m guessing the perp came from around the house and behind your truck. Catching you off guard took some cunning, so I’ve pretty much counted Ed out as the offender. I’m not saying he isn’t involved in some way. I just haven’t made the connection yet.”

  “I agree about him not being the one to throw the cans inside the house.” Corbin’s pride couldn’t take the hit. “And I agree he’s somehow involved. My guess is that he’s more of a puppet in this scenario.”

  “You have solid investigative skills and good instincts,” Lawler said. “Ever think about hanging up your saddle to join law enforcement?”

  “Not a day in my life,” he said with a smile. Those were skills he didn’t want to need.

  “Kellan wouldn’t be obvious enough to send those awful and mean texts if he planned on doing something like this,” Corbin pointed out. “I can’t put my finger on why, but he looked hurt not guilty.”

  Lawler nodded.

  “I also just tried to get a contractor out to help with the window and as soon as he found out the work was for Liv, he backed out.” Corbin would have to patch up the window himself if his dad didn’t follow through with the offer to send someone. Somehow, Corbin doubted the man would keep to his word.

  “Are you saying folks could be stepping in to get revenge for Kellan?” Lawler stopped looking around and focused on Corbin.

  “It’s possible.” As much as Corbin didn’t like the possibility, it was worth considering.

  “Could also make it difficult to catch the perp,” Lawler said matter of fact. “If folks are acting individually with no coercion, it might be harder to pick up on their trail.”

  “That may be so, but I’d still like to be a fly on the wall when you speak to Ed,” Corbin admit
ted.

  “Come on over to the viewing room. Can’t hurt,” Lawler said.

  Unless, of course, Ed admitted to setting up Liv today. At that point, Corbin couldn’t make any promises as to what he might do to the man. “What time?”

  “I have to swing by the Perry home for a wellness check after I leave here.” He glanced at his phone. “It’s already coming up on noon. I have a lunch meeting with one of my deputies and then I’ll head to the office and call Ed. I’ll let you know when we agree on a specific time for him to come in.”

  “Much appreciated, Sheriff.” Corbin offered a handshake, which Lawler took.

  “She’s been through a lot recently,” Lawler stated. “She’s lucky to have a friend like you to stick up for her.”

  Corbin nodded and offered a smile, despite feeling the exact opposite. Considering he’d pretty much been a jerk to Liv last night and he still couldn’t wrap his head around her and Kellan, he didn’t feel like much of a friend.

  He let his ego get in the way of being a better person. All he could think about in the kitchen earlier was kissing her. He couldn’t stop thinking about how her lips might feel against his, the heat, or the promise of more.

  So, yeah, he was not rocking the friend zone but that needed to change.

  Liv stood in her kitchen, staring at the broken window. Part of her wanted to declare war. The other, more sensible, part wanted to move on and never look back at Lone Star Pass. It was time, right? To put down roots somewhere else. The thought of leaving the house she’d shared with her mother nearly gutted Liv.

  Then there was the part about leaving Corbin that felt like she was ripping out an appendage. She needed to be done here. She sighed. Sticking around that man would only lead to trouble. The kiss they’d almost shared, but didn’t had put her on notice. Wanting more from Corbin was the worst of bad ideas. They couldn’t even remain friends under the circumstances. Talk about an impossible situation.

  She loved Texas and she loved this town. At least, she had before it had turned on her and made her feel unwelcome. But did she love the man?

  Liv gave herself a mental headshake. It was far too early in the day for deep questions. She drained the contents of her coffee cup, thinking a meal would be nice. The breakfast bar had held her this long, but it was waning and she needed sustenance.

  She opened the fridge door. There wasn’t much in there to work with. Certainly not enough to cook a decent meal. Could they call in an order and pick it up in town? Her heart clenched at the thought of running into anyone, especially while she was with Corbin. Okay, so that was a bad idea.

  The sound of vehicles coming up the drive got her feet moving to the living room and her heart pounding. What now?

  Two trucks she recognized as belonging to Corbin’s family ranch drove toward her, and then parked side-by-side.

  Corbin’s mother exited the passenger side of one of the trucks that his oldest brother Adam had been driving. Brax parked alongside his brother as Corbin made a beeline toward them. The man should be on his honeymoon except his new bride had to resume her tour. She figured he needed backup, so she barreled out the front door as Sheriff Lawler waved and pulled away.

  Lucia Firebrand was short and round, and one of the kindest people Liv had ever met on the occasions she’d been to the ranch. Her Italian heritage explained how so many of her sons inherited dark eyes and hair.

  The older woman was scurrying toward the house, her arms full with a box and something stacked inside. The smile on her face allowed Liv to exhale.

  “We came as soon as we heard,” Mrs. Firebrand said, practically beaming.

  “I’m confused.” Liv stopped in her tracks. From all appearances the cavalry had arrived. But why would they help her?

  She could’ve sworn her mouth hit the ground as she watched Adam and Brax embrace their brother before unloading supplies from the back of a truck.

  “How about we take this into the kitchen?” Mrs. Firebrand winked as she scurried past.

  Liv had to shake it off for a hot second. She turned tail and hurried to the front door so she could open it. Mrs. Firebrand thanked her as she walked right on past like helping out was an everyday occurrence. Honestly, it probably was for her.

  The guys outside were even more shocking. It was common knowledge that Firebrands stuck together. Mess with one and they came running. Of course, with the Marshall gone and conflict arising from his will, the family could be more divided than ever.

  “Please, make yourself at home,” Liv said to Mrs. Firebrand. “I have one question to ask Corbin and I’ll be right back.”

  “Take your time.” The sound of the fridge door opening and closing along with Mrs. Firebrand’s humming warmed Liv’s heart. This place had been empty and quiet far too long. It was like someone was finally breathing life back into the home—a home she loved.

  Liv made a beeline for Corbin, who was standing with his brothers talking like this morning hadn’t just been the worst on record. It might not actually have been worse but was definitely top ten on her list.

  The sun was shining, heating the crown of her head as she approached. She must’ve looked confused as all get out because all three men smiled.

  At six-feet-one-inches, Brax was the shortest in the family. He had a solid build, just like the others, and eyes so blue they popped. His dirty brown hair was the lightest of the others and now the family knew why. He was the product of an affair their father had had years ago. Mrs. Firebrand had been able to look past it and take him in, raising him as her own and loving him just the same. Then, there was Adam. His hair was so dark it was almost black. He had piercing pale blue eyes with just enough scruff on his chin for women to consider him sexy. He was six-feet-three-inches of solid muscle. Built much like the others. Chiseled jawlines and improbable bodies were pretty much a hallmark of the Firebrand men.

  And yet, Corbin had always stood out as the best looking out of all of them on both sides of the family, in her opinion. He was the quiet thinker of the group and there was something incredibly sexy about it. He took his time when he followed through on anything, and it made her wonder how slow he would take other things…bedroom things. Her stomach flip-flopped just thinking about it.

  Since that line of thinking was as productive as shutting off her neighbor’s water when her own house flooded, she gave herself a mental shake and did her level best to move on.

  8

  “Good to see you again, Liv,” Adam said first and Brax agreed.

  Corbin’s chest nearly burst with pride for his family showing up for him like this, especially after his conversation with his father. Liv seemed especially shocked and he understood the reason. Kellan’s side of the family had been anything but cordial, whereas Corbin’s seemed ready to welcome her with open arms.

  “I-uh-um,” she stammered, “agree. So good to see you both.”

  She ducked, and he realized she was trying to hide the fact she was tearing up. His chest squeezed and it dawned on him how lonely she must have felt in the past couple of years. Losing her mother and then their friendship looked to have taken a toll.

  “Mom brought enough food to feed an army and my brothers are here to fix the window,” Corbin said with a smile.

  “I’m grateful,” she said quickly. “Just…”

  She seemed to be searching for the right word.

  “Shocked?” he said on her behalf. Adam and Brax chuckled.

  “If I’m honest? Yes. Very.” At least she’d found her voice now and she raised her chin. Tears welled in her eyes but she held them at bay.

  “We’re not like the other side of the family,” Adam stated. “We don’t turn our backs on people we care about.”

  “Thank you.” The gratitude in her voice and her eyes melted a little more of the ice encasing Corbin’s heart.

  It felt good to do the right thing. Helping Liv most definitely fell into that category.

  “If you’re ready, we’ll get to work,” Brax s
aid with a smile.

  The fact his brothers had come ready to pitch in meant more than Corbin could express. “I’ll show you to the kitchen.”

  Corbin grabbed a toolbox and walked around the back of the house.

  “Seriously, what made you decide to come help out?” Liv asked Adam. “I know you and Kellan don’t get along, but I also realize you wouldn’t do this out of spite.”

  “It’s messed up what happened here this morning,” Adam admitted. “But what gets me is that no one in town is willing to help you. Firebrands aren’t any better than anyone else and don’t deserve special treatment.”

  The anger in his brother’s voice at the injustice was one of many reasons Corbin respected the hell out of his family.

  “Thanks,” Liv said, tucking her chin to her chest. For a split-second, Corbin thought she might be trying to cover for tears again. He wouldn’t blame her for crying after all she’d been through. Plus, she had to be tired. “I have an interview tomorrow morning in Dallas. Soon enough I’ll be out of everyone’s hair.”

  “Shame,” Adam said. “I know you and Corbin go way back. I’m sure he’ll miss you.”

  No response came. She looked like she didn’t know how to respond.

  “He’ll be better off when I’m gone,” she said so low Corbin almost didn’t hear it before excusing herself and disappearing into the house.

  “I do realize you were just being polite, but thank you,” Corbin said to Adam.

  He shook his head. “She’s important to you, Corbin. You would never risk driving another wedge in between members of the family if she wasn’t.”

  “No wedge necessary,” Corbin defended. “I’m just helping someone who needs it on her way to another life.”

  Dallas was far and his life was in Lone Star Pass. He worked six days a week, seven during calving season. Their strained friendship would die on the vine with the distance she was about to put between them under the best of circumstances. For the time she remained, he resolved to set his ego aside and be there for her. She had always been a small-town girl, so the move to a big city must be scary. She couldn’t have picked a more different life, opposite extremes. The only common thread was both places were still in Texas.