The No. 1 Sheriff in Texas

by Patricia Thayer

  Brandon stopped Shadow at the far end of the corral, away from prying eyes. “Surely you want something, Nora. Maybe I can help.”

  Those blue eyes filled and she turned away. “No one can help.”

  His fingers touched her chin, gently turning her face toward him again. “Let me try, Nora. Everyone needs something…somebody.” Unable to resist, he leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers. It was a gentle kiss, but caused her to gasp. Brandon pulled back and saw her surprised look.

  “You feel it, too, don’t you, Nora?” he said. “There’s something happening between us.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  BEFORE Nora could give her answer, Brandon heard someone calling to them and glanced toward the group along the railing. His brother was waving at him as he held a limp Zach.

  “Zach!” Nora cried.

  “Hold on,” Brandon kicked the horse’s sides and they raced across the arena. He slid off the animal to the ground, then helped Nora down.

  She ran to her son. “Zach?”

  “I’m o…okay, Mom.” His words were slurred.

  Nora glanced at Brandon. “I need my bag. It’s in the backseat of your truck.”

  Brandon wasn’t leaving her. “Jay, go get it. We’ll meet you at the house.”

  As his brother took off along with some of the kids, Brandon scooped Zach up in his arms. “Hey, Zach. How about we go inside where it’s cooler?”

  “I don’t want to go home,” the boy insisted weakly.

  Brandon kept a fast gait toward the house. “How about we just think about making you feel better, partner.”

  They met Jay at the porch and held open the door. Brandon carried Zach into the kitchen. His mother sat at the table along with some of his aunts. She stood. “What happened?”

  “Zach overdid it a little,” he called and continued into the family room. He laid the boy on the cool leather sofa and stood back as Nora went to work.

  After opening her oversize bag, she pulled out a meter and quickly tested Zach’s blood sugar levels. Then out came the individual packaged tablets. “His blood sugar is low,” she explained. “He needs a glucose tab.”

  Working to slow his pounding pulse, Brandon gave Zach a reassuring wink. He knelt down beside mother and son. “Hey, Zach, it’s going to be okay.” He brushed the boy’s hair back from his forehead.

  “I…I lost my hat,” Zach said sleepily.

  Something tightened in Brandon’s chest. He didn’t like feeling so helpless. “I bet we can find it.”

  It took about ten minutes, and Zach began to feel better.

  Brandon looked over his shoulder to see his mother standing in the doorway. Holding a glass of orange juice and two bread rolls on a plate, she walked to Brandon and handed it to him.

  “Thanks,” he said, then looked down at the boy on the sofa. The color returned to his cheeks, and his eyes were brighter. “Are you thirsty or hungry, Zach?”

  With a nod, the child sat up, took the glass and drank thirstily. “Thanks,” he said as he handed to glass back to him.

  “You’re welcome, son,” Brandon said.

  “I’m sorry, I got sick.”

  It was Abby who spoke. “We’re just glad you’re okay.”

  Nora took another meter reading. “It’s in the normal rate.”

  Abby smiled. “Zach, the other kids decided they want to watch a movie before supper. They’re saving you a seat in the game room. If your mother will tell me what kind of snacks you’d like, I’ll bring them in.”

  Zach glanced at his mother. “Please, can I go and see the movie?”

  Nora frowned. “Zach, maybe we should call it a day.”

  “But, Mom, I feel okay now. Please.”

  Teenage Ellie appeared in the room, carrying the missing cowboy hat. “I’ll look after him, Mrs. Donnelly. Just tell me what to watch for.”

  Nora’s gaze went to her son. “Okay, but if you start to feel bad, you have to tell me.”

  “I promise.” He sat up slowly and wrapped his arms around her neck. “Thanks, Mom. This is the best day ever.” Then he stood and took Ellie’s hand. The two walked out together.

  “He’ll be okay, Nora.” Brandon came up behind her, wanting to reassure her. “He’s right down the hall and you can check on him anytime.”

  Suddenly the room emptied out as Nora began to clean up the mess. He could see that her emotions were pretty raw. Since her husband’s death, she had to handle her son’s illness on her own. He found he wanted to share a little of her burden.

  He sat down on the ottoman next to the sofa. “Hey, Nora, Zach’s okay now.”

  She put the test kit into the bag. “I should have been watching him.”

  “You can’t be there every second, Nora. We know the signs to look for now.”

  She looked at him. “I have to be. I learned a long time ago to only depend on myself.”

  “You don’t have any other family to help you?”

  Nora shook her head. “It was just my grandmother, my mother and me growing up. They were both gone by the time I turned fourteen.”

  That was rough. Brandon reached out and took her hand. “Couldn’t you lean on me just a little?”

  Her blue eyes widened as she tried weakly to pull her hands away. “I don’t lean easily, Brandon. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to you.”

  “Fair? You think because your son is diabetic that I couldn’t handle it? That I wouldn’t want to see you again? To get to know you and Zach better?”

  “No, it’s just that I can’t give you what you need. I don’t do relationships anymore.” She glanced away and he couldn’t help but wonder who had caused her to feel this way. Her deceased husband?

  “Well, just so you’ll know, Nora, Randell men don’t give up easily.”

  Nine o’clock that evening, they were on their way home. Zach had fallen asleep in the backseat of the truck and Nora thought about their near perfect day. She didn’t know how to take the Randells. Their generosity, the friendship they’d offered so willing, the honest caring they’d showed to Zach. Her son had been treated no differently than any of the other Randell kids. How could she not want that for him?

  Yet she had to resist it—resist the warm, secure feeling of family. Most of all she had to resist Brandon. She touched her lips, remembering the kiss that had thrown her off guard. She also recalled his words. “Randell men don’t give up easily.”

  No matter how much she wanted to spend time with this man, she couldn’t. No matter how much she was starting to care for him, she couldn’t get Brandon Randell involved in her mess of a life.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” Brandon said from across the dark cab.

  “Just relaxing and enjoying the quiet.”

  “My family can be a bit much.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “I think Zach had a good time today.”

  “The best.” She turned toward him, studying his profile. He was a handsome man, but she couldn’t get him involved in her mess. “I can’t thank you enough for inviting us today, but…”

  “Does there always have to be a ‘but,’ Nora?” He turned down her street. “Can’t you just say you enjoyed the day, being together, and maybe even make plans for another time?”

  She was afraid to. It wasn’t safe for this to go any further. “I can’t.”

  When Brandon pulled up in front of the apartment, he gave a quick glance over his shoulder at the sleeping Zach. Unfastening his seat belt he moved across the bench seat toward her, and Nora felt the panic.

  “Be warned, Nora Donnelly, I’m going to do my best to change your mind,” he breathed as he leaned closer.

  Nora wasn’t afraid of Brandon Randell—not of him hurting her physically, anyway—but her heart was definitely in jeopardy.

  Brandon’s hand cupped her jaw, and she gasped in anticipation. She couldn’t deny she wanted him. Oh, she ached for his tenderness, his touch…his kiss. He didn’t disappoint her, either. He captured her mouth and things q
uickly intensified, igniting heat between them. His tongue touched her lips, parting them and delving inside to taste her. She gripped the front of his shirt, feeling his solid chest under her fingertips, his pounding heart.

  With a moan, she moved in closer, pressing her body against his, eager for contact; a connection she hadn’t had in so long. God help her, she threw up a prayer, needing guidance. But deep down, she knew she couldn’t lose her resolve. Not now. It could mean she’d lose what was most important to her. Her son.

  She tore her mouth from his and pushed him away. “Stop!” she gasped. “I can’t do this.”

  His breathing was labored, too. “Okay, it might be too soon.”

  Nora glanced at the backseat, then at him. The security light shone through the windshield and revealed the intensity and need in his gaze.

  She had to turn away. “No, Brandon, it’s more than that. We can’t start anything.”

  “We’ve already started something, Nora. It’s been there between us since the beginning.”

  “Then it’s going to stop now.” She paused. “I’m sorry. I never meant to lead you on.”

  He studied her, then finally said, “Who hurt you, Nora? What man made you so untrusting?”

  She glanced away, hating the way he’d been able to read her. “It was a long time ago.” She shook her head. “And not important anymore.”

  His finger touched her chin, and turned her back toward him. “It’s important to me, Nora, because you’re becoming important to me.”

  Tears filled behind her eyes, but she couldn’t let him weaken her decision. She shook her heard. “No, don’t say that. You’re the detective working on my case. That’s all.”

  A soft sound came from the backseat and Nora felt relieved as her son sat up, rubbing his eyes. “We home?”

  “Yes, honey,” she told him. “And I better get you to bed. It’s getting late.”

  “Okay, partner,” Brandon said. “I guess we have our orders.” He gave Nora one last look and climbed out. He opened the back door and unfastened Zach’s seat belt, then lifted him into his arms. Nora’s heart squeezed, seeing the big man holding her son. Brandon waited for her and together they walked up the steps.

  “It was fun today, Brandon,” Zach said. “Thanks for taking me to the ranch.”

  “You’re welcome, kid. You’ll have to come back for the rodeo.”

  Nora didn’t want Brandon making plans for them.

  “Can we, Mom? Can we go to the rodeo?”

  Nora unlocked the door, stepped inside and flipped on the light. “We’ll have to see, honey.”

  The boy frowned. “You always say that. It probably means no.”

  “Zach,” she said warningly. “I said we’ll see. I only want to make sure you’re okay.”

  Before the boy could argue, Brandon jumped in. “Sounds fair to me,” he said. “Now, it’s time for bed. Where is your room?”

  Nora wanted Brandon to leave, but also didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. She pointed down the hall, then went to get her son a pair of pajamas. On her return she heard laughter, and found Brandon had stripped the jeans and shirt off the giggling boy. He took the sleepwear from her and within seconds had Zach dressed for bed.

  Just as easily, he hugged the boy, then stood back and let her kiss her son.

  “Night, Brandon. Night, Mom,” the boy called before rolling to his side.

  They called in unison. “Good night, Zach.”

  Brandon closed the door, but didn’t walk away. Instead he reached out and drew Nora into his arms. And God help her, she went willingly. There wasn’t any hesitation as he leaned down and captured her mouth. A heated kiss that had her breathing heavily, and set her heart racing. Finally he broke it off.

  His eyes were dark and brooding. “Make sure you lock up. Goodbye, Nora.” He turned and walked through the door. It took every bit of strength she had not to call him back. She told herself it was for the best.

  The following week, Brandon got up from his desk at the sheriff’s station and walked around. He was restless. He told himself it was because he wasn’t used to being cooped up inside. For the past four years, he’d been out cruising in a patrol car. Now as a detective he didn’t have that luxury. Seemed a lot of their work was done on the computer, or by phone.

  He glanced out the window. He also had too much time to think. And lately there had been far too many distractions. In another week he had the big powwow with the family to come up with a solution for the ranch situation.

  To be honest, it had been Nora Donnelly who had kept him awake. He missed her. More than even he wanted to admit. The day at the barbecue had been the best for him. He thought she’d felt the same, but he’d been wrong. And he couldn’t do a thing to change her mind.

  His phone rang and he went to his desk and picked up the receiver. “Randell.”

  “Brandon?”

  He smiled, hearing his mother’s voice. “Hi, Mom? How are you?”

  “I’m fine, but your father had an accident.”

  His throat grew dry as his heart rate picked up. “What is it?”

  “He got tangled in some barbed wire.”

  “How bad?”

  She sighed. “Well, he didn’t argue when we brought him to the hospital. We’re at West Hills.”

  “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  Brandon grabbed his hat, and rushed out, stopping at the dispatcher’s desk to tell him of situation. When he got into the car he found his hands shaking. He drew a calming breath, telling himself that his dad would be okay. He was strong and healthy. He started the car, feeling the emotions well up. He hadn’t felt that way since he’d been seven years old, and Cade Randell had called him son for the first time.

  Nora looked at the name Randell on the chart. Her heart raced, thinking about Brandon. It didn’t slow seeing the first name, Cade.

  She walked into the cubicle to find Cade Randell seated on the bed, holding onto his arm wrapped in the bloody towel. Abby was close at his side. There were also two other men in the tight space: Cade’s brothers, Chance and Travis.

  Abby glanced in her direction. “Oh, Nora. Good. We’re so glad you’re here.” She smiled and crossed the room.

  “Hello, Abby. Cade.” She nodded at the brothers.

  “Hi, Nora,” the Randell men chorused back.

  She went to the bed and unwrapped Cade’s injured arm to see several lacerations, tearing deep into the skin. “How did this happen?”

  “My brother tangled with some barbed wire,” Chance said, tossing her that infectious Randell grin. “You’d think after all these years he’d know how to string wire.”

  Cade frowned. “You can leave anytime, bro,” he told him. “In fact, you both can go…I’m in the capable hands of these women.”

  That got rude comments from the brothers as Nora continued to examine more wounds on Cade’s arm and back. Then she took his vitals.

  “Abby, how did you put up with this man all these years?” Travis said.

  Brandon’s mother gave her husband a secret smile. “It’s been a cross to bear, but I’ve managed.”

  Nora could see the couple managed very well. It was obvious in their eyes how much these two loved each other. She almost felt like she was intruding on their private moment.

  Nora heard a commotion, then suddenly the curtain was jerked back and Brandon stood on the other side. His eyes showed concern as he looked at his father. “Dad?”

  “Hey, son.” Cade grinned. “What are you doing here?”

  “Mom called.” He never took his gaze off the blood on Cade’s arm.

  His dad groaned and leaned back against the pillow. “I’m never going to live this down.”

  Travis grinned. “Probably not, but think about the cool scars you’re going to have.”

  “Out,” Abby ordered, motioning toward her brothers-in-law. “We need to give Nora room to work. And you guys are irritating the patient.”

  Travis started f
or the exit, but not before he joked, “Hey, Cade would ride roughshod over us if we’d been lying in the bed.”

  Brandon’s nerves calmed seeing his father wasn’t in too bad shape. He walked to the other side of the bed and hugged his mother, giving him the perfect view of Nora at work. She looked professional, with her hair pulled up in a ponytail. How could anyone look sexy in baggy scrubs? Nora did. Then she turned that blue-eyed gaze on him.

  “Hi, Brandon.”

  He worked his throat. “Nora.” He quickly turned away. “Do you need anything, Dad?”

  Cade groaned. “Yeah, to be twenty years younger and half a step faster, so I could have gotten out of the way.”

  He couldn’t figure out what his dad was doing stringing barbed wire in the first place? Hadn’t they hired ranch hands to do that?

  Before Brandon could ask, a doctor walked in and asked everyone but Abby to leave. Brandon was almost relieved to step outside and went to the waiting area along with his uncles.

  “Hey, don’t look so worried,” Chance said as he hugged him. “Your dad is made of strong stuff. He’ll be just fine, especially with your pretty nurse taking care of him.”

  “She’s not my pretty nurse,” Brandon denied.

  Travis joined them. “Oh, boy, haven’t we all said that before.” He wrapped his arm around his nephew’s shoulders. “So what’s with all those sparks flying around in there?”

  Brandon ignored him.

  Chance sobered. “Give it some time, son.”

  “I don’t think time is going to change Nora’s mind.”

  “No, but you can,” Chance said. “Besides, since when have Randell men ever done anything the easy way?”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  HOURS later, after his dad had been released from the hospital and was back home, Brandon returned to West Hills. His work shift had ended and he’d been on his way to his condo when he thought about Nora. She’d be leaving work in the dark, alone, and that was all it took for him to head to the hospital.

  It had only been a couple of days since she’d gone back to work. He told himself that he wanted to make sure she was being escorted to her car, but he didn’t want her to know about the visit. If she caught him, he could tell her that he wanted to check out the parking lot security. Worst case, she wouldn’t believe him and have him arrested for stalking her. It was worth the risk, especially since they hadn’t found Carlson, yet.