by Barb Han
A text came in while his brothers went to work. Corbin checked the screen.
Two o’clock?
Corbin responded to the sheriff’s text with a Yes.
See you in my office.
Ed had sure better come ready to reveal who he was representing or risk spending time behind bars himself. Lawler didn’t seem amused and he wouldn’t put up with any bull. The timing of the intimidation tactics was suspect, considering someone seemed desperate to get hold of this property. Kellan making a play for it was purely meant to hurt Liv. He would most likely bulldoze the place just to destroy any good memories she had of Lone Star Pass.
Corbin sent a ‘thumbs up’ via text and then pocketed his cell phone. He looked up to find his brothers staring at him.
“Who was that?” Brax asked.
“Lawler is bringing Ed Roberts in for questioning. Said we could come listen in,” Corbin stated before filling them in on the Realtor’s tie to the place.
Brax cocked an eyebrow. “Let’s hope this whole ordeal isn’t somehow tied back to our cousin.”
Adam gave a look of agreement.
“Kellan sent some incriminating texts,” Corbin supplied.
“Like threats?” Adam asked.
“Not ‘like’ threats. They were pointed threats,” Corbin stated.
“I’m surprised he would pull something like that, but I guess I should have known.” Adam shook his head as he worked. “He leads with his temper and I knew it would come back to bite him someday.”
“The day of reckoning might be now,” Brax agreed.
“Let’s hope they were idle,” Corbin stated. “Or he might just end up in jail.”
“And he would deserve it if he was responsible for any of this,” Adam agreed.
Corbin filled his brother in on the raccoon.
“Liv should sign out a restraining order against him, if that’s the case,” Adam stated. “I’d like to think Kellan is honorable and sent those texts just to blow off steam out of anger, but if he acted on it…”
Adam’s voice seethed.
“Let’s see where the trail with Ed leads before we get too worked up,” Corbin said. He needed all the facts before he made a judgment. Keeping a level head had kept him from making huge errors in judgment in his life. Anger caused people to react. It made logical thinking nearly impossible. “He was here, you know. We had a dust up.”
“Kellan?” Adam sounded as shocked as Corbin had been.
He nodded. “Showed up full of fire. Threatened me. Told me that he’d take it up with me back at the ranch before he split. Needless to say, I told him to bring it on.”
Corbin might not be hot-tempered, and he liked to have all the facts before making a decision, but he didn’t back down from anyone. And that went double for his any one of his cousins.
“This is about the will,” Adam stated, and it was easy to see his blood pressure was rising. “Our dads didn’t need a reason to fight before all this started. They’ve been at each other’s throats since before I was born. Now, that the Marshall has given them one, there’ll be no peace until this is settled.”
“It is settled as far as I’m concerned,” Corbin said. “The will is a legal document and they are at a standstill. There isn’t much else to be said. Of course, the Marshall should have done the right thing in the first place and split everything down the middle but he didn’t. This is what we’re stuck with and unless Uncle Keif can come to the table with a solid offer as to why we should allow him to drill on our land, he’s out of luck.”
“They would ruin the cattle business if grandfather had given it to them. He knew it and that’s why he split up the inheritance the way he did,” Adam said. “I’m not saying I agree one way or the other, but I do understand his reasoning.”
“You won’t get any argument out of me there,” Brax chimed in as he measured the window. “But I still think we should have gotten half the mineral rights.”
“Well, there’s a way to make that happen,” Adam stated, spreading out the glass cutting supplies consisting of a cutting wheel, pliers, and nippers.
“You’re talking about all of us being married before Dad and Uncle Keifer agree on a solution,” Corbin stated, thinking how perfect a match Adam and Prudence were as the two of them had recently found real love. Then there was his brother Brax. He’d found the love of his life in Raleigh, a hometown girl done good in the country music business. “No, thanks. And, besides, that’s not going to happen. Us single men are the majority by far.”
“Our dad and uncle will agree on anything when hell freezes over,” Brax stated, cutting the glass.
Hanging out with his brothers was nice. On the ranch, they all had their respective jobs, which meant a whole lot of alone time. Normally, Corbin preferred it that way. Now, he was appreciating the company.
“We can take shifts tonight,” Brax said, changing the subject as he managed the perfect cut of glass. “If you want us to come hang out here. It’s not like I can be with Raleigh yet while she’s back on tour.”
“Never hurts to have a second set of eyes,” Adam agreed.
“I appreciate the thought, but I won’t be caught off guard again.” He went over the details of the chloroform and how he’d been surprised. “The person caught me unaware and that’s the only reason he got the best of me. Won’t happen twice.”
He’d never been more certain of anything in his life.
“If Liv was planning to stick around, I’d tell her to get an alarm system and a dog,” Brax stated. “And I have no doubt no one will get past you tonight.”
“It’ll be early to bed and early to rise for Liv.” Rancher hours, Corbin thought. He didn’t mind. In fact, he preferred them. But no sleep for him. He had no plans to let his guard down. “And you’re right about all three.”
Dogs were the best at raising the signal if anyone was on the property. There were several dogs around the ranch, each had run of the mill. The barn had A/C and the dogs could sleep inside if they wanted.
Corbin should suggest getting a dog to Liv when she moved into the city. Again, the thought of her leaving gutted him. He was allowing himself to get too attached. Not cool, Firebrand. Keeping her in the friend zone was proving more difficult than he expected.
Having Mrs. Firebrand and the others here was the first time this place had felt like home in too long, Liv thought as she changed clothes and washed her face. The day was only starting in some respects and yet it felt like she’d been awake for two days already.
She checked the bags under her eyes, covering them up with a little highlighter. Lip gloss rounded out her look after she pinched her cheeks, trying to bring some life back in her face. Hot mess was a kind description when she caught sight of herself in the mirror.
Liv ran a brush through her hair before pulling it off her face in a low ponytail. Her outfit of blue jeans and a halter top was a huge improvement over her t-shirt and pajama bottoms, and she was beginning to feel human again.
Then there was the fact she had people in her corner now. Relief wasn’t nearly big enough a word to cover how she felt and it was then that she realized how lonely she’d been. She could hear the guys working downstairs and don’t even get her started on the smells wafting upstairs from the kitchen. Mrs. Firebrand was the most amazing cook.
Her thoughts drifted to recent events and she realized how vulnerable she’d been. If someone wanted her dead, they’d proven last night they could get to her. Not anymore, she thought. There was no way Corbin would allow that to happen on his watch twice.
Were these pranks? Threats? Was someone trying to make her uncomfortable? Scared?
“Food’s ready,” Mrs. Firebrand’s singsong voice traveled through the house. That woman was everything home and hearth.
Liv gave herself a final mirror check before heading down. Her stomach had been reminding her it was lunchtime for a solid twenty minutes. Good food didn’t need to be rushed, though. And Mrs. Firebrand’s cooking w
as the best.
“I hope you like manicotti and garlic bread,” Mrs. Firebrand said as she stood in front of the oven.
“Is that a joke? Homemade anything sounds amazing and this kitchen smells like heaven despite what happened this morning,” Liv said. She took in a deep breath.
The older woman beamed with pride. Corbin’s mother was in stark contrast to Liv’s former mother-in-law on Kellan’s side of the family. Jackie Firebrand had fake nails and wore extensions. She carried one of those purse dogs around like it was a baby. And she fussed over it endlessly. The image of her as a rancher’s wife didn’t jibe. Jackie was from Houston and came from oil money. She knew the ropes and had considered Keifer Firebrand ‘a catch.’
Lucia Firebrand, on the other hand, was warm and kind and motherly. The only thing she and her sister-in-law had in common was the last name Firebrand.
“I’m happy to hear because I packed your freezer and fridge with plenty more,” she said.
“I can’t thank you enough, Mrs. Firebrand.” The older woman was putting herself in a sticky situation with her in-laws in coming here and possibly her own husband as well.
“Please, call me Lucia,” she said, those deep brown eyes so warm and welcoming. Despite a few wrinkles, she was a beautiful woman, inside and out. And wasn’t that where true beauty began anyway? On the inside?
Corbin was a beautiful man. Although, he would never think of himself in this light. Despite family meaning everything to him, he was helping her. He was the kind of person who could be counted on no matter the circumstances. He was a decent human being and shared the same sense of humor as her. But it was his mind she’d been most drawn to. He was intelligent beyond most. He didn’t have a truly wicked bone in his body and his even temper proved one of his best assets. Forget the man was so hot he could melt butter on any part of his body…okay, time to reign her thoughts in. Thinking about hot butter anywhere on Corbin’s body crossed a line she didn’t need to be anywhere near.
“Tell me about this job interview you have,” Lucia began as she plated food.
Liv cleared her throat trying to ease some of the sudden dryness. Better yet, she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a couple of sips.
“It’ll be using my degree,” Liv started.
“Sounds promising,” Lucia said.
“I’ll get to work with kids one-on-one who have learning difficulties in a clinical setting,” she continued. “My specialty is working with dyslexic children and helping them develop strategies to cope so they can remain in class with their peers.”
“That’s important work.” Lucia nodded her approval and smiled. When she spoke, her hands moved as quickly as her tongue, and Liv found herself smiling at the older woman’s enthusiasm.
Liv had missed being around Corbin’s mother. Once she got serious with Kellan, Liv had stuck to the ‘other’ side of the cattle ranch. Marshall Firebrand had built two equally impressive barns and two beautiful homes on the property for his sons. It was as though a line had been drawn down the middle of the property and each house stayed on their side.
Looking back on it now, it was strange but growing up with it she never thought twice. Funny how getting used to something made it seem normal. Their family situation was anything but.
For a split second, Liv felt the urge to apologize to Lucia for crossing the line to the other side. She shelved the idea when the older woman called the guys in to wash up for lunch. The three came through the back door faster than a mouse could say the word, cheese.
“This smell is a huge improvement over this morning,” Corbin said, stepping aside to allow his brothers to grab a plate first.
There were four seats at her table in the eat-in kitchen. She grabbed a folding chair from her hall closet and joined the others.
“No reason to go out of your way,” Lucia said, waving her hands in the air. “I already ate before I came.”
“I don’t mind,” Liv stated. “Come join us.”
Lucia threw a kitchen towel over her shoulder and took a seat. “Did you know the Paisleys have been trying to start a good quality program for children with learning challenges right here in Lone Star Pass?”
“No, I didn’t.” Liv smiled, thinking there was no way she was sticking around after everything that had happened. Plus, no one would hire her. All Kellan or his family had to do was flex a little bit and even the Paisleys would cower.
“If they had a person who was trained to work with the children, they’d probably be able to realize their dream.” Lucia winked. “I’m about to help them with a fundraiser next month and I could give them a call if you’d like.”
Corbin seemed to catch on to the implication.
“Liv already has a job lined up,” he said.
“She hasn’t even interviewed yet,” his mother said like she was quietly shushing a kid for speaking out of turn.
Corbin shot his mother a confused look.
Lucia smiled in return and fired off another wink. Corbin excused himself from the table and walked out the back door.
Liv had half a mind to follow him and tell him that she had no plans to stick around and ruin his life any more than she already had, but Adam beat her to the punch. She didn’t want to intrude on their private conversation, so she stayed put, wishing she had the nerve to go tell him.
9
“I love Mom with all my heart, but her knack for interfering in our lives needs to stop,” Corbin said to his brother. “No disrespect intended.”
Adam put his hands in the air, palms up, in the surrender position.
“You are correct,” he said. “She won’t, though.”
“Trying to convince Liv to stay here when the town has turned on her isn’t going to help her situation,” Corbin continued. His hands fisted at his sides thinking about it and he started pacing the length of the house.
“People will get over it in time,” Adam protested.
“Whoa, there. Whose side are you on?” Corbin asked.
“I’m not picking between my mother and my brother if that’s what you’re asking.” Adam made a show of acting innocent. He was trying to lighten the mood and Corbin appreciated the gesture even if it did fall flat.
“I know Mom is trying to be helpful,” Corbin relented.
“It’s why she rounded us up and asked if we would accompany her over here in the first place,” Adam stated.
“This was her idea?” Corbin didn’t hide his shock. “Dad called.”
“We know about that too,” Adam said.
“He was a jerk.” Corbin probably didn’t have to tell his brother that part.
“I figured,” Adam said.
“Wait. How did you know he called?” Corbin asked, figuring he might know the answer.
“Mom overheard the conversation,” Adam admitted. “The way I see it, if Dad and Uncle Keif hadn’t been just as they are, then none of us would be as close—we wouldn’t have had to band together to look out for each other. Heaven knows we’ve all taken second place to their lifelong feud.”
“We aren’t any better with Kellan and some of our cousins,” Corbin pointed out.
Adam compressed his lips into a frown.
“I take responsibility there. Kellan knows how to push my buttons. Always has and probably always will,” Adam admitted.
“He’s a jerk,” Corbin agreed.
“When it comes to him, I’m probably not much better.” Adam’s admission surprised Corbin.
“I’d say you’re a whole lot better on every level in comparison to Kellan. He’s having someone pushed out of town for kicks,” Corbin said.
“He’s in the wrong. There’s no two ways about it,” Adam said. “And he shouldn’t get away with throwing his weight around if that’s what is happening.”
“The town shouldn’t cater to any one of us. We’re a bunch of cattle ranchers, not movie stars or celebrities.” Corbin walked back his statement when he said, “Except for Raleigh. She’s a full-
blown country sensation now with her new single, The Loft.”
Adam nodded and he practically beamed with pride. The ‘loft’ Raleigh wrote the song about happened to be on their side of the family’s property. Apparently, her and Brax’s romance sparked there but she’d spent countless hours in the barn’s loft as a kid developing her songwriting skills. Now, Raleigh was a local girl who’d done good, and her and Brax were planning their honeymoon as soon as she got a break from touring.
“Speaking of Raleigh, when does Brax leave for the tour?” Corbin asked, figuring a change in subject might stop him from wearing a path in Liv’s backyard.
“Wednesday, I think. Don’t quote me on that,” Adam said. He put his hand on Corbin’s shoulder. “I know how much you can overthink a situation. Liv is a grown woman who is capable of taking care of herself. She wouldn’t jump on a suggestion of Mom’s lightly or for the wrong reasons.”
Corbin shot his brother a look.
“She might have made a mistake in marrying Kellan,” he defended. “But I’m guessing there’s more to it than meets the eye.” Adam threw his hands in the air. “Just my opinion, though.”
“It was a doozie of a misstep,” Corbin agreed.
“Don’t we all screw up at times? I sure as hell know that I’m not perfect. Some come from actions and then others come from not taking a risk in the first place.” Adam’s words sank like a lead weight in Corbin’s stomach. His brother’s point was taken and received. He was saying at least Liv tried.
Could Corbin say the same thing?
He’d been close to marrying Dani. He’d asked. She’d accepted. And then he’d done an about face the minute he realized he was going down the wrong path. Gut instinct had kicked in and he just knew if he followed through with the wedding plans that he’d be miserable for the rest of his life. Her deception made walking away easy, but they’d been together for years and he’d gotten comfortable. Had he ever really loved her, though?