Rancher Under Fire

by Barb Han

  “Your brother has always had your back,” she said. “I always wondered if you guys were so close because you had to band together against your father.” She flashed eyes at him. “No offense to him.”

  “He’s a decent rancher but the man was a terrible father,” Corbin said. Mom more than made up for it,” he quickly added. “And, look, it’s not like we had it hard. We had food on the table and a loving mother. We were close-knit and my brothers always had my back. I have no complaints.”

  She’d never been able to imagine what that was like until that day in fourth grade when Corbin had had hers.

  Liv prided herself on being able to take care of herself and never needing anyone to survive. And yet, everyone needed at least one person in their corner.

  “You were special back then and you are now, Corbin.” She tapped on his chest with her index finger. It went without saying his body was all muscle. Tapping him was like poking a brick. Again, her mind snapped to a place she probably shouldn’t allow. One that had her wondering how amazing his body would feel against hers.

  She performed a mental headshake, trying to loosen the image stamped in her thoughts, trying to take root there. The one where they were lying in bed, tangled in the sheets. It was late morning on a lazy Sunday and they’d just had breakfast in bed, enough fuel for round two, or three. She’d lost count.

  Corbin was studying her, she realized, with a smirk on his face.

  “What are you thinking right now?” he asked.

  “Nothing. No one,” she stammered. “What did you say?”

  “I didn’t. You were telling me what an awful kid I used to be,” he teased and his eyes lit up—eyes that were a lifeline in a raging storm.

  “Life sure seemed a lot easier back then,” she admitted, except that wasn’t completely true.

  He came so close to bringing his mouth down hard on hers that her body hummed with need. She had no doubt the act of kissing Corbin would ruin her for other men for the rest of her life.

  When he took in a deep breath this time, he said, “I don’t know. I can think of a few things about being an adult I wouldn’t want to give up.”

  Her cheeks flamed. Trying to cover wouldn’t do any good. She’d been thinking similar thoughts, which was easy to do when she was caught up in the haze that was Corbin.

  Coming down from that high, she hit a harsh reality. A man was dead. She realized she’d been grabbing onto the first person she felt close to after hearing about Ed’s murder. She couldn’t help but think of a wife whose husband wouldn’t come home. An icy chill raced down her spine.

  Granted, she didn’t like Ed personally. She didn’t have to in order to hate the circumstances or feel awful this had happened.

  “Hey,” Corbin said, his tone full of compassion. “None of this is your fault.”

  “It sure feels like it sometimes,” she admitted. She could go down the ‘what if’ path all day. What if she hadn’t gone out with Kellan? What if she’d pushed him away instead like her instincts told her to? What if she’d stood her ground? What if she could go back and somehow fall out of love with Corbin? What if she’d been able to keep him in the friend zone?

  He was one helluva friend, a good person to have on her side. In doing so, though, she was driving an even bigger wedge in Corbin’s family.

  “You couldn’t have known any of this would happen. Life can be really unexpected at times and a whole lot random.” His words soothed more of her soul than she should probably allow.

  “I just need to get through tomorrow morning, and I’ll be fine. I’ll get back on the right track,” she stated and immediately felt a chill in the air.

  Corbin’s blue eyes hardened and she hated that she’d hurt him.

  It was necessary, though. They were falling into a well neither one would be able to climb out of and she would be placing him in an impossible position.

  Plus, it was just a momentary temptation. The word, just, didn’t come close to doing justice to what had happened between them a few minutes ago, but she had to think of it like that. She had to. She was stepping out of the Corbin vortex and back into the bitter cold reality. No matter how much she cared about him, and vice versa, any type of relationship between the two of them would drive an even bigger wedge in his family. He would be forced to choose between her and them.

  And for what?

  A relationship that might not even go the distance. Sure, they were great friends. Yes, they had incredible chemistry. But they weren’t exactly talking marriage. Or anything even close for that matter. Would they have a few nights of hot sex and then realize they’d crossed another line? And then never be able to go back to civil conversation?

  It was probably naïve of her to think there might come a time when they could actually be friends again.

  “Sorry for practically attacking you,” she finally said, breaking the awkward silence.

  “Is that your version of what happened?” He was impossible to read behind the wall that had come up.

  It hurt more than anything she’d ever experienced but was for the best.

  “Last I checked, I was a willing participant,” she said.

  He stood there for a long moment, studying her. And then he folded his arms across a broad chest.

  “You’re right. Let’s get through tonight. Shall we?” The ice in his voice stabbed her in the center of the chest.

  “Okay, Corbin.” She picked up her purse and walked into the kitchen, unable to look into those disappointed eyes a second longer.

  11

  Corbin watched Liv walk away from him. An annoying voice in the back of his mind told him to go after her. Tell her how much she meant to him and see if she felt the same way. He’d felt embers burning between them and it was stronger than anything he’d ever experienced. The kisses they’d shared were right up there with the best in his life. To be honest, they topped the list.

  And then she’d just walked away like they’d been on the most amazing roller coaster for a few minutes and now the ride was over. The restraints lifted and they had to get out of the cart. She chose to run left without consulting him, knowing full well he was parked to the right.

  So, yeah, he was nursing a bruised ego.

  He chalked it up to bad timing. Wishing he could rewind the clock and tweak a few of his choices wouldn’t do any good. Yet, there he was doing it anyway.

  Get over it, Firebrand.

  The intensity of what was happening between them was most likely due to a little thing called missed opportunity. That, and the nature of the situation she faced. She was moving away from Lone Star Pass once she nailed the job interview, and she would. Staying here didn’t seem like a good choice for her either. He could only imagine what the town would cook up for her if she dug her heels in. More smoke cans through the window?

  Ed’s murder changed the landscape of the case. Someone was now willing to kill in order to keep a secret.

  Corbin’s cell buzzed. He pulled it out and checked the screen. Lawler was calling. Liv would need to hear this, so he walked toward the kitchen as he answered the call.

  “Mind if I put this on speaker?” he asked Lawler out of courtesy.

  “I was going to suggest it,” Lawler replied. “But I’m also going to ask both of you to sit down.”

  Corbin didn’t meet Liv’s eyes. He couldn’t stand to see the hurt and fear there when he couldn’t do anything about it. They took a pair of chairs on opposite sides of the table.

  “Okay, we’re sitting,” he said.

  “Corbin, your uncle, Keif, came forward to say he was behind the mystery offer for Liv’s home,” Lawler stated.

  Liv gasped. She brought her hand up to cover her mouth. What else was he involved in? Her mind snapped to several possibilities, stopping on one.

  “He denies having any involvement in Ed’s death,” Lawler clarified. “Says it’s the reason he’s making himself known. The investigation will tie him to Ed, and Keif wants to help because h
e says it would take up valuable time and the real perp might get away.”

  Corbin bit out a string of curses low and under his breath.

  “Do you believe him?” he asked.

  Liv had balled her fists and was staring out the window, her gaze unfocused like she was looking inside herself. Was she trying to piece together why and how any of this could have happened?

  His chest squeezed as anger burned at the thought of how his uncle had been the one pulling the strings, pressuring her to move.

  “You know I can’t comment further on an ongoing murder investigation,” Lawler stated. “Suffice it to say he’s being brought in for questioning.”

  “Can we watch?” Corbin didn’t figure Lawler would agree but there was no harm in asking.

  “I’m sorry, but that’s not a good idea.” Lawler’s choice of words was interesting. It meant that technically they could come listen but he wasn’t going to allow it. He must realize Corbin might have a difficult time controlling his temper.

  “Is there any chance Ed was murdered to make Uncle Keif look like the good guy?” Corbin asked.

  “How so?” Lawler’s curiosity sounded piqued.

  “Ed was about to reveal my uncle, which would be far more damning than in Uncle Keif came forward on his own,” Corbin reasoned. His thoughts snapped to Kellan. He might have been involved and tried to save his father’s name by getting rid of the one person who could implicate him. Kellan was a class-A jerk. He was clearly hurting over the divorce, and who wouldn’t be considering he was losing the best thing that had ever happened to him in Liv. But a murderer?

  Corbin didn’t want to believe the possibility existed and he didn’t want to be having this conversation about any member of his family.

  “Agreed, and my office will be looking into all other possibilities as well,” Lawler said, and his tone was all business now. “I’m sorry to have to be the one to bring this news to you, Corbin. I know how complicated this situation is for everyone involved.”

  “I appreciate the call, Sheriff,” Corbin reassured. “And the heads-up.”

  The two exchanged goodbyes before ending the conversation.

  “I knew they could be cruel, but this?” Liv’s soft-spoken words threatened to pull him into the current again where all he could think about was how to take away her pain.

  A little emotional distance would go a long way toward him living up to his promise of getting her through tomorrow morning, and then walking away.

  “There are no words, Liv,” he began, searching for a way to offer some kind of reassurance. Words seemed hollow and lacking. He reached over to cover her hand with his, and she drew her hand back like a snake bit it.

  The move reminded him not to cross the line again. He was tempting fate and digging a deeper hole. His bruised ego took another hit, but it was for the best this way, he reasoned.

  His heart had a mind of its own, refusing to listen to logic. Walking away, knowing it would likely be the last time he got to speak to Liv one-on-one threatened to shatter his heart. So, he had to find a way to stay tough.

  There was no one else who had the power to make him feel that way. There was some good news in the realization because this feeling was for the birds. He never wanted to be in a position for someone to be able to gut him by pulling back her hand again.

  “Why would he do this?” she finally asked, still staring out the window.

  “The obvious answer is to push you out of town a little faster,” he decided. “Kellan’s father may have been doing all this without his knowledge. I certainly have questions of my own that I’d like answers to from my uncle.”

  “Kind of makes me want to dig my heels in and stay. Give the Paisleys a call and see if I can find a job right here in Lone Star Pass. Your mom made a good point about services like mine being needed here,” Liv stated. It was good to see a little spark return to her eyes. Digging her heels in against his family could be a mistake. And yet, he wanted her to do it anyway.

  “I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to stick it to my uncle,” he said.

  “And Kellan,” she quickly added. “He’s trying to get back at me by erasing me altogether.”

  “Kellan was here this morning around the same time as Ed,” Corbin pointed out. “Lawler won’t know what kind of gun was used until he gets a report on ballistics. I’m not ready to tie Kellan to this crime yet.”

  “Which reminds me. Would he be stupid enough to use his own weapon?” she asked.

  “To be clear, my cousin is a moron. I’ll never know how he let you slip through his fingers, but I’m not convinced he’s capable of murder. I saw the hurt in his eyes but this is too far out there.” Corbin could see Kellan doing a whole lot of things, but this? There was no way in his mind that his uncle or cousin could be capable of such a heinous act.

  She issued a sharp sigh.

  “Then who?” she asked. “Because I don’t want to believe it either.”

  “That’s the question of the day,” Corbin said. “Fingers do point at them.”

  “I wish the sheriff would have agreed to let us watch the interview,” she said, flexing her fingers like she was trying to release tension.

  “There’s no way he’s letting me in the same building as my uncle right now.” Corbin hadn’t exactly been secretive about needing to protect Liv. And the sheriff was right. Corbin would lose his cool at this point and that would do more harm than good.

  “I can’t imagine he wants me in there either,” she said. She was right.

  “Your presence might complicate the investigation,” he agreed.

  She gasped. “Do you think there’s the slightest chance your uncle is responsible for what happened this morning?”

  “Now that’s a possibility whether directly or indirectly,” he said. “Problem is I’m not sure which one applies, and I don’t know him well enough to lean one way or the other.”

  The thought someone hated Liv enough to sneak around and try to push her out of town didn’t sit well. The fact someone involved had been murdered was almost incomprehensible. Reality was starting to sink in, and Liv was filled with sadness for the loss of life and for Ed’s family.

  For the time being, she had to find a way to set her emotions aside and focus on the case.

  “If all this,” she waved her hands in the air, “harassment was meant to force my hand a little sooner, why did Ed have to die?”

  “Conspiracy comes to mind. I immediately snapped to someone trying to set up Uncle Keif,” he said. “Someone who either knows about his plan or figured it out.”

  “Not your father…right?” She didn’t want to believe brothers could be so cruel.

  “Good point and, no, but this is going to be a hornet’s nest of accusations if the case isn’t resolved quickly.” Corbin held up his phone. “I gave up on trying to keep up with text messages from both sides of the family. My phone has been blowing up ever since the sheriff’s call informing us of Ed’s murder.”

  An icy shiver raced down her spine at hearing those words again, spoken out loud. Her mind didn’t want to accept the news as truth. Every time she heard it repeated, it became a little more real to her and her heart broke a little more for Ed’s family.

  “Me being at the center of a Firebrand family feud isn’t going to help my standing in this community.” She wasn’t feeling sorry for herself, only pointing out the obvious and how much more difficult it might be to stay if she chose to ride out the storm, pick up the pieces, and move on with her life here in Lone Star Pass.

  “Which means if this morning’s crime was a random person acting out, it could get worse,” he stated. “There could be others.”

  “Your uncle hasn’t exactly contacted me to apologize. Not that I’d be willing to speak to him after what he did. And, besides, even if he’s not directly responsible for Ed’s death, the man’s blood is on Keifer Firebrand’s hands for involving him,” she stated.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Corbi
n said. He clenched his back teeth, a sign he was struggling to maintain an even temperament.

  His cell buzzed and so did hers. Panic roared through her that there could be more bad news. He checked his screen and shook his head. “It’s not the sheriff. It’s my father.”

  Shock of all shocks, Liv tried to reel in her questions.

  Corbin answered. She noted how formal he was with his father. He repeated “Yes, sir,” more than a few times before ending the call.

  “What was that about?” she immediately asked, thinking she could use a cup of coffee about now. She glanced at the clock and saw the day had basically evaporated. If she was going to get up early, she needed to start thinking about winding down for bed.

  “He called to insist he had no idea what was going on and has no involvement whatsoever,” Corbin said. “He also sent his sympathy to you.”

  She studied him. His grip on the phone was so tight his knuckles were white. His tension levels were practically through the roof despite a calm exterior.

  “Do you believe him?” she asked, wanting to know his opinion. Despite the divide between them, she did care about what he thought more than she wanted to admit for the time being. Corbin was intelligent and saw things others missed.

  “This is the second time the man has called me in two days. I can count on one hand the number of times he’s used one of these to contact me in the past decade.” He held up his phone. “I’m inclined to believe he cares about what’s happening and not because he’s looking to save his own hide.”

  “I really hope for his sake he isn’t. And he’s a jerk for not calling you sooner.” She’d seen firsthand how much Corbin had been hurt by his dad’s actions when they were younger. The guy she knew wouldn’t feel sorry for himself over it. And yet, the snub still broke her heart.

  Brodie Firebrand wasn’t the warm-and-fuzzy type. She got it. He’d never acknowledged her, despite all the hours she spent hanging around his ranch. He would pass right by without so much as a word. She was a stranger to him, so it didn’t hurt her feelings. But his kids? He may not have been built for hugs and warmth, but that in no way excused him for missing every birthday dinner and sporting event of his sons. Corbin had played varsity baseball as a freshman. He had a solid arm, which also proved effective on the football field. Friday night lights had been a big part of their young lives. His dad wouldn’t know what position Corbin played. Or probably any of his sons for that matter.