by Donna Grant
“We’ve been friends too long for you to need to thank me for helping you,” Jace said with a smile. He slapped Brice on the shoulder and went to lend Caleb assistance unloading the horses.
Clayton raised a brow. “I hear someone tried to knock some sense into you.”
Brice couldn’t help but smile. “Very funny.”
His brother-in-law’s smile died. “How are you really?”
“Annoyed, angry. And uneasy.”
“What of the pain?”
Brice shrugged one shoulder. “Nothing some aspirin and bourbon won’t help.”
“Abby already had Brody get the medicine for you. There’s plenty of food waiting.”
“You mean Jace didn’t eat it all?” Caleb called from the barn as he put away the horses.
Jace let out a loud snort. “Not for lack of trying.”
Clayton grinned and slid his gaze back to Brice. “Abby was delighted to have so many to cook for, and Naomi helped her. I think it gave everyone something to focus on other than the events of today.”
“Yeah,” Brice said and blew out a breath.
“Do I even need to ask how your event went?”
Jace closed the trailer doors and walked to them with Caleb beside him. It was Caleb who let out a soft laugh as he came to stand beside his brother.
Brice rolled his eyes. “It would have gone better had Caleb kept his eyes on the steer.”
“I wanted to see if anyone was surprised by your appearance,” his brother replied.
Jace asked, “Well? What did you see?”
Caleb’s lips twisted ruefully. “Everyone was shocked that his hand was hurt and surprised that he could rope with his other arm.”
“We came in second, so we move on to the next round,” Brice said.
“And the hand?” Jace asked.
Brice lifted it to show the large bandage. “We’ll see. Karl suggested I not use it for at least twenty-four hours. He wanted longer, but he said if I could give it at least twenty-four hours, then that would help.”
“Umm, guys. We’d better get inside,” Caleb said.
They all turned their heads to the house to find Abby glaring at them through the window.
Without a word, the four headed into the house. Brice was surprised to find Naomi in the kitchen. She walked to him and gave him a once over, her brow puckered in a frown.
“You’re still hurting, aren’t you?” she asked. “I can see it in your eyes.”
“A little,” he answered, not thinking clearly when she removed his hat and lightly ran her fingers through his hair, keeping far away from his injury. A shiver went through him at her casual—yet sensual—contact. And he liked it. A lot.
Too damn much, actually.
When she stopped, he wanted to reach for her and bring her hand back to his scalp.
Caleb took the hat from her and hung it up next to the back door. Naomi then smiled up at Brice. “Your sister has requested that you and Caleb take showers.”
Clayton laughed as he walked into the family room. Jace headed to the fridge and got out what remained of the banana pudding while Caleb took the stairs three at a time, leaving Brice alone with her.
“How are you?” he asked softly.
She wrinkled her nose as she shrugged. “A little sore. You?”
“I’ve had worse cuts on my head before, I’ll be fine,” he said.
“You better.” She then turned and grabbed a bottle of aspirin. “Take these before you shower. It’ll make a world of difference.”
It had been hours since he’d gotten anything from Karl, so Brice eagerly opened the bottle and dumped two pills into his hand before he walked to the sink and turned on the water. He popped the pills into his mouth and cupped the water in his hand to swallow them.
He wiped his lips on the towel and looked at Naomi. Something sharp and exciting went through him at seeing her there. He didn’t want to leave her, and it had nothing to do with what happened today and everything to do with the feelings running rampant through him.
“I won’t be long.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she told him.
Their gazes met. There was something in her words that sounded … right. He was more than happy to have her with him. Not only did those he trusted surround her but it also allowed him more time with her.
Brice watched her join the others. The conversation from the family room was loud, but it didn’t bother his head. Just being back at the ranch relieved much of his pain.
He headed to the stairs and made his way up to his room. Beneath the spray of the shower, he winced as the hot water hit his wound. He scrubbed the dirt, sweat, and blood of the day away before he dried off and put on clean clothes.
By the time he made it downstairs with the wrap in his hand to be reapplied, Caleb was already scooping food onto his plate. The number of dishes and variety to choose from reminded Brice of his first meal at the ranch when he met Ben and Justine.
It was weird that the memory would return out of the blue. Then again, the last time anything violent had happened to the Harpers and Easts, it had been when he was involved with stealing cattle and the men had shot at Abby.
Brice put his hands on the island counter and closed his eyes. He would never forget the sight of blood on Abby’s arm or the ambulance loading her up and rushing her to the ER. Seeing her lying so still and unconscious on the hospital bed had been the worst.
It hadn’t helped when he opened the ambulance doors today and saw Naomi on the gurney. If she hadn’t rolled out of the way, if he hadn’t sent Caleb after her, Naomi might not be with them right now.
He’d almost lost his sister because of his stupidity. He wasn’t going to have Naomi, his family, or his friends hurt simply because he hadn’t come to her rescue.
Someone laid a hand on his shoulder. Brice opened his eyes and turned his head to find Caleb.
“This isn’t the past,” Abby said as she walked up on his other side.
“It’s all over your face,” Caleb said when Brice frowned. “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out your head is in the past and that nasty business that just happened to bring us all together.”
Brice swallowed and straightened. “She could have died.”
“You could have, too,” Abby pointed out.
A muscle jumped in Caleb’s jaw. “I’m ready to get to the bottom of all of this. No matter what it takes.”
“No matter what it takes,” Clayton said as he joined them.
Brice smiled at his family. Anxiety faded as anger took root. Someone would pay for what happened today, and he wasn’t going to rest until he found out who was responsible.
Chapter 12
Naomi checked her watch again. Whitney and Cooper—along with Ms. Biermann—should have been there by now. For a short while, Naomi had become engrossed in the East household. It had been relatively easy to do.
Not only were Clayton and Abby pleasant and welcoming but they also made her feel right at home. As if they weren’t living in a mansion.
And their two children were sweet, respectful, and so damn cute. Wynter had taken an immediate liking to her, and Naomi had to admit, the feeling was mutual.
It was Wynter who had dragged her to one of the barns to show Naomi her horse. Clayton had tagged along, showing Naomi around. Everyone within six counties knew of the East Ranch, but no amount of rumors lived up to what Naomi saw firsthand. And to think, Brice had grown up here.
After mooning over the horses—and developing a real desire to ride again—the three of them returned, and Clayton fussed when he found Abby in the kitchen preparing dinner.
That’s when Naomi learned that the pregnancy hadn’t just been a surprise, it had also been fraught with complications. Clayton’s worry was real. As was Abby’s discomfort. So, Naomi had eagerly joined her in food prep. Eventually, Clayton and Jace got Abby to sit down and let Naomi finish.
Even the meal was lovely. Wynter and Brody talked about their
day at school, and everyone went to great lengths not to reveal Naomi’s reason for being at the ranch to the kids.
Despite the great company and food, Naomi had wished Brice were there. Not only because she was worried about another attack befalling him, but also because this was his family.
She inwardly groaned at herself.
Not even in her own thoughts could she admit that she wanted Brice at the ranch to be with him. She barely knew him, but she liked him. A lot.
A whole lot.
It helped that he had come to her rescue and wanted to protect her. Perhaps Naomi had spent too long in the city with men who would, without thought, run a woman over to catch a cab. Maybe that’s why Brice shielding her and worrying about her made her feel … treasured. And very much a woman.
She’d thought she wanted the hustle of the city. The times she’d returned to Texas to visit her mom had not made her second guess her decision to move.
But all that had changed sometime over the last couple of days. It could have been the rodeo. Perhaps it was meeting Brice. Maybe it was being at the East Ranch. Whatever it was, Naomi missed the simple life she’d had growing up.
That life hadn’t been easy. She’d been up at dawn mucking stalls and letting the horses out to the pasture. Then there was the training, not to mention taking care of the horses for those who rented out stalls at the Pierce barn.
She’d had very little time to sit in front of the TV or chat on the phone with anyone. But her memories were vivid and filled with love and laughter.
The country life was calling to her once more, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to ignore it. Returning to Texas would certainly lower her rent. She could bring a new addition to her business as far as the pictures went.
Her thoughts came to a halt when Brice rounded the corner as he entered the family room, his gaze skating to her. His deep brown locks were damp, his denim shirt untucked and the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
“Damn,” Clayton said as he looked at Brice’s injured hand.
Naomi grimaced when she saw how swollen it was. The bruising was now a mix of green this side of sickly, putrid yellow, and purple quickly turning black.
“I got it,” Caleb said as he took the elastic bandage from Brice and began wrapping his brother’s hand.
Abby flattened her lips as she made her way around the sofa and sat. “I’ve seen both of you get all kinds of scrapes in your lives, but this one takes the cake.”
Caleb smiled as he looked up at Brice. “And I wasn’t even responsible for it this time.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” Brice teased.
It was good to see Brice smiling again. Naomi felt a rush of warmth when his light blue eyes landed on her. His lips curved into a sexy grin, and for just a moment, she forgot that they weren’t alone.
Naomi hastily looked away and tried not to read too much into the look. But she could feel his eyes linger on her. Unable to help herself, she looked at him again. The smile was gone, replaced by an intense look that made her shift on the couch.
Once more, she tugged her gaze away. And within seconds, he pulled her back. Naomi became all too aware of how quiet everyone got.
“Someone’s coming,” Brody shouted and jumped off the sofa.
Jace rose and headed to the back door. “It’s Cooper.”
As soon as Caleb finished with the bandage, Brice walked around him and straight to Naomi. Her heart kicked up a notch when he lowered himself next to her. Everyone talked amongst themselves, waiting for Cooper, Whitney, and Ms. Biermann to arrive.
“I’m sorry about your hand,” Naomi said, doing everything in her power not to touch him.
One side of his mouth lifted in a grin. “You didn’t do it.”
“I’m still sorry. I take it your event went well?”
He gave a single nod, his gaze briefly going toward the kitchen. “We’re in the next round. It’s going take a lot more before I’m unable to compete.”
“Don’t say that too loud,” Naomi warned. An image of him with blood running down his face as he entered the ambulance flashed in her head. “I’m afraid whoever this guy is, he will make sure he prevents you.”
“That’s where they messed up,” Abby said. “They have totally screwed with the wrong family. We Harpers are a tough lot.”
Clayton leaned in from the kitchen. “Easts, sweetheart. You’re an East now.”
Abby tilted her head back to smile at him before looking at Naomi. “East, Harper. We’re one and the same. The fact is, we will stand against anyone.”
“The East money and position in society helps,” Jace said with a wink as he walked into the room.
Abby picked up a pillow and threw it at him.
Jace dodged it and held up his hands. “Whoa. I’m just stating a fact. I love your cooking too much to ever do anything to jeopardize being able to eat here.”
Abby laughed and threw another pillow him.
Naomi was smiling again, and she realized everyone was doing what they could to relieve the tension that had begun to build with Whitney’s arrival. Her friend had the answers, and they were all clamoring for them.
It wasn’t long before Naomi heard Whitney and Ms. Biermann exclaiming over the inside of the house. Clayton then walked into the family room and held out his arms. The kids rushed to him. He tossed Wynter over his shoulder as Brody climbed up his other side. Clayton brought the kids to Abby, who gave them each a kiss and whispered something to them.
“Tell everyone goodnight,” Clayton urged the kids.
There was a chorus of sendoffs for the children before Clayton headed upstairs. Caleb and Cooper showed Whitney and Ms. Biermann around before offering them food.
“We’re going to get the chaperone away so Whitney can talk freely,” Brice leaned in close to whisper.
Naomi nodded, her gaze on Whitney. Her hat and crown were gone, as were her chaps. Whitney was in jeans, boots, and a red tee tucked into jeans to show off her belt buckle. A leather jacket completed the look. “I wondered about that.”
She caught Brice staring at Whitney, which caused Naomi to grin. “Whitney has always been like that. Vivacious and outgoing. With an innate fashion sense I could never grasp.”
His dark head turned to her, blue eyes meeting hers. “I like what you’re wearing.”
Naomi chuckled as she looked down at her jeans, booties, black Def Leppard t-shirt, and olive green jacket. “You can’t really go wrong with jeans and a tee.”
“You’d be surprised.”
They shared a smile.
Brice leaned back on the sofa. “What were you like in school?”
“I can answer that,” Whitney said as she walked into the room.
The conversation paused as Whitney was introduced to Abby. Afterward, Whitney gave Naomi a once over.
“I’m good,” Naomi assured her.
Whitney sat beside Abby and gave Naomi her sternest look. “You better be. Otherwise, I’m going to kick your ass after I take you to a doctor.”
“You never change,” Naomi said with a shake of her head, smiling despite herself.
Whitney swung her blue eyes to Brice. “Naomi was the smart one, the quiet one. She pestered the head of the school newspaper by submitting dozens of photos every day until he finally relented and allowed her to join. There were officially no more spots, but they made one for her. As a freshman.”
Naomi crossed one leg over the other, embarrassed to her core. “You make it sound like I was some prodigy or something.”
“You were,” Whitney said with a laugh as Caleb, Cooper, Clayton, and Ms. Biermann walked into the room. “At least one of your photos was printed in every edition, and not even the seniors could claim that.”
Naomi popped her knuckles in nervousness as everyone’s gaze turned to her.
“That quiet Naomi disappeared once she was on her horse, however,” Whitney said with a smile.
Naomi held her friend’s gaze as dozens of m
emories returned.
“Is that so?” Caleb asked. “Did she become rowdy?”
Whitney shook her head of blond waves. “Determined. Focused.”
“Just as you were,” Naomi said. “That’s how we met. At a rodeo when we were just, what, seven?”
“Eight,” Whitney corrected her. “I’m still not sure why you became friends with me and Suellen.”
Jace frowned and looked between Naomi and Whitney. “Who is Suellen?”
“The best horsewoman between us,” Naomi said.
Whitney looked down at her hands in her lap. “The most beautiful person.”
“What happened?” Clayton asked as he returned to the room.
Naomi swallowed and waited for Whitney to answer, but when it became apparent that her friend wouldn’t, Naomi licked her lips to stop the tightness in her throat. “She died our senior year. We were going to celebrate her winning her first crown in the rodeo pageant when we were involved in a head-on collision. She was killed on impact.”
“That’s horrible,” Abby said and reached over to pat Whitney’s hands. “I can’t imagine going through anything like that. I’m so sorry.”
Naomi forced a smile. “The drunk guy who hit us is in prison. It’s justice, but it won’t bring Suellen back.” Naomi knew if she didn’t turn the conversation, she’d start crying. “Suellen was always pulling pranks on us.”
“Oh, God, yes,” Whitney said with a chuckle as she looked up. “And defiant against anyone who dared to wrong either of us.”
Naomi laughed, nodding. “How many of your boyfriends did she threaten to shame for hurting you?”
“Three,” Whitney said.
Everyone laughed, which was exactly what was needed.
Abby gazed at her brothers, Cooper, and Jace. “Sounds like the four of you.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t punch any girls,” Jace said.
Cooper shoved him while giving him a flat look. “You aren’t the best horseman.”
“Sure I am.”
“Not even close,” Cooper said.
Jace threw up his arms. “Then who is?”
Brice then replied, “Caleb.”
Naomi looked between the two brothers to see some silent exchange pass between them.