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  “Maybe I should be in on all this training,” she heard her brother mutter.

  “Maybe you should,” Bren echoed.

  “You should take lessons, too,” her brother said to her.

  “What?”

  Bren must have heard Jax, because he’d paused, and she could feel his gaze on her and it made her want to turn away, to face her brother and place her hands on her hips and demand, What were you thinking?

  “You need to learn how to handle horses,” he said with a smile.

  “Why would I need to learn that?”

  “You totally should, Mom,” Kyle said. “That way you could help out around here.”

  Her brother’s smile grew. “Exactly.”

  She shot her sibling a glare because her brother knew how she felt about horses. They were too big. Too...smelly. Too...scary.

  “No, thank you. I have enough to do, what with school and finding a job and raising a son. Or have you forgotten that I’ve got one more semester before I graduate as a registered nurse? I plan to work for a hospital, not a horse hotel.”

  “It’s a therapeutic ranch,” Jax corrected.

  “And it’s a beauty, but I’m not taking horse lessons.”

  “What if there’s a fire?” They all turned toward Bren. “Or a natural disaster,” he added. “What if you’re needed in the barn for some reason?”

  She let out a breath she hadn’t even known she’d been holding. He had changed. Or something in his eyes had changed. He no longer stared at her like a dog would a porcupine. Instead he stared at her in a way that made her skin flush. As if he had tried to pry open her head and see inside.

  “The odds of me ever getting near a horse are slim to nil.”

  “You don’t like them?” Bren asked.

  “I much prefer dogs.”

  His eyes took on the glint of a gold coin in the sun. “That’s too bad.”

  Why? she wondered. Why was it too bad? What did he care if she liked horses or not?

  “Well, I think I should hire you. At least until my new hippotherapist arrives.”

  “Jax, the man already has a job. He doesn’t need another one, I’m sure.”

  “Actually, I’d love to help out.”

  That made her head whip around so fast she temporarily blinded herself with her hair. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “No. It’s okay, but I have a favor to ask in return.”

  Her brother eyed Bren expectantly. “Name it.”

  “I do some volunteer work down at the VA and I know someone who could really benefit from a program like this. Any chance I could bump his name to the top of your guest list?”

  “You got it,” Jax said. “Frankly, we’re so new we don’t even have one yet, but your friend is first.”

  Bren came forward, hand outstretched. “Deal.”

  And that was when Lauren knew she’d be seeing a heck of a lot more of Bren than she wanted to.

  * * *

  BREN SPENT AN HOUR working with her son, an hour during which Lauren stood off to the side and watched. Her brother didn’t seem to mind helping out. He acted as spotter when Bren started Kyle on trotting. Jax wasn’t afraid to dive in and work, something he admired about the man. He didn’t act like someone with a pile of money, either, and that impressed Bren, too. There were two types of people in the world: those who had money and liked to let everyone know it, and those who had money and kept their humility. Jax Stone was the latter.

  “You getting sore up there, buddy?” Bren asked as the dust the horse kicked up settled around them. It was getting dark, not that it mattered. He was sure the place had lights.

  “I’m fine.”

  That’s what he said, but Bren knew differently. They’d been working him pretty hard. He’d taught the kid the distinction between sitting on an animal and actually moving as one with a horse. He’d taught him signs to look for in not just a horse but a steer, too. A tipped head gave clues as to what direction an animal would take. Ears could indicate anger or fear or interest. Animals communicated in a hundred different ways if someone just took the time to pay attention, and it was that type of knowledge that could help you in competition.

  “He won’t quit unless you tell him to stop,” Lauren said quietly.

  They leaned against the wooden rail that surrounded the arena. He’d turned Kyle loose a few minutes ago on Rowdy. He didn’t know who’d picked out the ranch’s livestock, but they’d selected a winner in Rowdy. The horse was patient and kind and knew how to treat a stone-cold beginner like Kyle. As for Jax, he’d taken off a short while ago to answer his cell phone. It was just the three of them inside the massive space.

  “I have a feeling he gets that from his mom.”

  She glanced up at him and he could tell she was no more comfortable around him now than she’d been a half hour ago. If anything, less so now that her brother was gone.

  “His dad was stubborn, too.”

  And there it was again. The spark in her eyes. The one that flared for a second and then seemed to be snuffed out, almost as if her memories smothered it cold.

  “I’m sorry about your loss.”

  The flash returned again, but there was something more than just a flash. Was it anger? Sadness? Disappointment? Whatever, it was something that made him lean forward a bit as he waited for her response.

  But all she said was “Thank you.”

  That wasn’t what she’d wanted to say. He would bet his life on it.

  He stared at her son, the boy catching his glance and grinning from ear to ear. “Must be tough raising a kid on your own.”

  Her hands clutched the rail in front of her, blanching the knuckles and turning the tips of her fingers bright red. “You have no idea.”

  No. He didn’t. He’d never felt the urge to marry. He told himself it was because he hadn’t found the right woman, but deep down, he knew the truth. He liked being single. He enjoyed his freedom. He liked to go wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted to do it, and so he respected people who, like Lauren, were willing to sacrifice such a huge part of themselves to raise another human being. Actually, respect didn’t begin to cover what he felt.

  “You did the right thing moving here.” He had no idea why he said the words, but he knew he’d hit a nerve when she turned toward him. “It’s a great place to raise kids.”

  She flicked her chin up. “Thank you for your approval.”

  And now she’d taken his words wrong. “I just meant a lot of people move here to raise kids. We have good schools and good people and a community spirit that’s hard to beat.”

  “So says the sheriff that’s up for reelection.”

  Did he sound like a politician? Man, this had gone from bad to worse. “I love my hometown.”

  He saw her take a deep breath, and it was as if she forced herself to relax, as if she reached for something deep inside her that would help her find her center. “I’m sorry.” She clenched the wooden rail. “I’m just edgy when Kyle’s around big animals.”

  Then she’d have a hell of a time when he started riding bulls, but he couldn’t say that. He watched as she lowered her hands back to her sides.

  “It’s been a long day,” she added.

  “It’s okay.” He forced a smile. “You can make it up to me in the voter’s booth.”

  She stared up at him with her big hazel eyes and the strangest thing happened. He felt himself tip toward her, as if she were a magnet and he were a piece of metal that couldn’t fight the force that drew him to her.

  Damn, he thought, making himself lean back. She must have felt it, too...whatever “it” was, because she turned away and called out, “Kyle, I think it’s time to stop.”

  “But, Mo-om.”

  Jax returned then, instructi
ng, “Do as your mother says.”

  Kyle nodded, reluctantly turning in their direction.

  Jax asked, “How’d he do?”

  “He did great,” Bren answered, having to work to re-center himself, too. What the hell had just happened?

  “I really want to keep going,” Kyle said a moment later.

  “It’s time to call it quits. You still have homework to do,” she added.

  “And we need to eat dinner,” the boy’s uncle said.

  “That, too.” She looked at Bren and the chilliness was back in her eyes. “Thanks for coming out.”

  “When can we do it again?” Kyle asked, guiding the horse toward the rail with an ease that was impressive given he’d only ever ridden this one time.

  “That’s up to your mom,” Bren said. Clearly the battle lines had been drawn again. That was okay. That was good, in fact, he told himself.

  “Actually,” Jax said with a glance at his sister, “it’d be great if you came out tomorrow. I’m told the horses need shoes and there’s a farrier coming over tomorrow, but I don’t have a clue about how that works.”

  “Sure,” he said. “I’ll come over after my shift is done.”

  “Does that mean I can ride again tomorrow?”

  “Sounds like it,” Lauren said, seeming to be anything but pleased.

  “And as a thank-you, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight? I don’t cook a whole lot, but I make a pretty good pizza,” Jax said.

  “Uncle Jax has a brick oven.”

  Bren raised an eyebrow.

  Kyle nodded so fast it was a wonder he didn’t get dizzy. “It’s super cool.”

  He glanced at Lauren to see how she took the request and almost laughed at the glint of dismay he spotted in her eyes. But like a page being scrubbed by a pencil eraser, her face cleared and she even managed a smile. “My brother’s being modest. He’s definitely the cook in the family.”

  “Comes with being in the service,” Jax said.

  And there it went again. The light in her eyes. Snuffed. He’d been staring right at her when it happened, and so he knew that he wasn’t mistaken and that it had something to do with him.

  “Come on over,” Jax said. “Lauren, you should come over, too, tonight.”

  “Oh, no.” She shook her head emphatically. “Boys’ night, remember? I’m studying. You two go on.”

  “You need to eat, too, Mom.”

  “You can bring me a piece after.”

  “No,” said Jax. “You’re coming over and that’s that. Decision made.”

  “Jax—”

  “Otherwise we’ll bring the pizza party to you.”

  Bren watched her shoulder sag like a disappointed child. “I really need to study.”

  “Like Kyle said, you need to eat, too.”

  “I really do have to study.”

  “Just a half hour.”

  She tipped her head back and sighed, “Fine.”

  “Yeaaaaaah!” Kyle said. “Family night. Plus, I can show Bren my collection of bull-rider action figures.”

  But Lauren turned and walked away, tossing over her shoulder, “I’ll see you at the house.”

  Her brother caught his eye, shrugged, mouthing, Women.

  No. It was this one woman. She didn’t like him, and damned if he didn’t want to find out why.

  Chapter Six

  Dinner.

  How in the heck would she get through that? The man made her as edgy as a cat in a room full of dogs. Bren Connelly was a damn fine-looking specimen, yes. She had no problem admitting that. After they’d left his house the other day, she’d found herself thinking about his topaz-colored eyes, how they were neither brown nor gold but some pale color between. Those eyes had held humor and warmth and understanding, and it was the latter that disturbed her the most.

  He was good with kids, though. She would have to admit that, too. The patience in his voice soothed even her and she wondered what the story was with Sheriff Bren Connelly. Older, but handsome. She’d broken down and asked her brother if he was married. He wasn’t. But she would bet the women of Via Del Caballo tried to pin him down. Was there a future Mrs. Connelly waiting in the wings?

  Did it matter?

  It didn’t, she thought, letting herself inside her apartment. The place still smelled new—like freshly cut trees and lemon polish. And it was huge compared to her apartment back in San Jose. “We’re supposed to head straight over to Uncle Jax’s,” Kyle said without so much as a hello, the door slamming closed behind him and Lauren’s heart bouncing out of her chest in the process. She hadn’t even heard the truck drive by. “He said to meet out by the pool.”

  “You can go now,” she said, covering her heart with her hand. “I’ll be up in just a minute.”

  That stopped the boy in his tracks. He seemed so much like Jax in that moment that it made her breath freeze all over again. She’d forgotten what he’d looked like at that age until that very moment, when her own son stared at her with her brother’s eyes and with the same expression of gentle admonishment on his face as he’d had when she’d stolen his set of Legos.

  “You’re not going to bail on us, are you?”

  He even sounded like Jax. Ten years going on thirty-eight.

  “No. I just need a minute to pull my homework off the internet.”

  Hazel eyes narrowed as he squinted, almost as if he tried to examine her more closely to determine the truth in her words. It wasn’t a lie. Not exactly.

  “I’ll tell them you’ll be up in fifteen minutes.” He turned and ran off toward his room, Lauren smiling at how adult he’d sounded. But then he completely spoiled the effect by emerging with an armful of tiny toy men. His bull-rider collection.

  “See you up there.”

  Sigh. She supposed he would.

  But first she really did have to print off her homework. Well, her assignment sheet. It’d take about two seconds.

  She had to cross through the family room, passing the kitchen off to her right and a breakfast nook that overlooked the backyard to her left, and head down a hall to her own ginormous room. Kyle had his own room, too.

  “My own bed!” he’d cried when he’d first seen the place.

  Nothing like your kid pointing out the shortcomings of your living situation to make you feel like a bad mom. They’d been sharing a room since Paul’s death. She’d thought it’d been okay, but then Kyle had seen the apartment at her brother’s ranch and he’d gone crazy and she’d known she’d have no choice but to take Jax up on his offer and move in with him. So she’d done it—for Kyle’s sake, because she hated charity. Living off her brother’s goodwill felt like the worst sort of hand out, as if she couldn’t take care of herself and so she had to mooch off big brother.

  She’d made it to her bedroom, she realized, but she stood in the middle of it, gazing off into nowhere. So she quickly opened her laptop, tapped keys and listened to the printer spitting out pages. Then she slowly sank onto her bed as she waited, a crazy thought occurring to her.

  She was attracted to Bren.

  As she’d stood next to him on the rail of that arena, watching him call out commands to her son, she’d been unable to deny it. Why she always went for the tall, dark and military type she had no idea. Maybe it was because she’d always admired her brother. It’d taken a bad marriage to make her realize some men could look like heroes on the outside and be anything but on the inside.

  She got up and headed to her closet—a walk-in, no less; “Fancy,” Kyle had said—and pulled a blouse off the rack to her left. It wasn’t blingy or anything like that. Just a sheer top with a built-in chemise beneath. It hung loose around her upper arms, gathered by elastic at the crooks of her elbows. She resisted the urge to change out of her jeans, too. She didn�
��t want him to think she cared about her appearance or anything. She just didn’t want to look like a complete slob in her brother’s glorious house.

  That’s what she told herself.

  But as she headed out the front door and then around to the back of the house, she experienced something she hadn’t felt since high school. The same flutter she’d felt when Paul Danners had walked into her homeroom. The same trill of excitement. The same sense of awareness. The same gut feeling that their futures were linked. If only it’d all turned out like a Cinderella story.

  “And this one is Trent Anderson,” Kyle was saying, holding up a tiny figurine and waving it in Bren’s face. Her son sat on a thickly padded chair with a redwood frame that matched the covering on a patio that was bigger than her old apartment in the Bay Area. It didn’t matter how often she visited her brother; the beauty of his home took her breath away. He had a pool, the kind found at a multimillion-dollar resort. Tonight the water sparkled, catching the last rays of the evening sun. But it wasn’t the stunning surroundings that made her freeze. It was the sight of Kyle handing his precious toys to Bren.

  “Trent Anderson?” Bren said, a laugh escaping from him that was both masculine and sexy at the same time. “Tell me it isn’t so.”

  “It is.” Kyle nodded emphatically. “Six-time NFR qualifier in bull riding. Did you know he was in a terrible accident that nearly destroyed his career? That they thought he’d never walk again, but then he went to a ranch like this one and they helped him recover?”

  “I did know that.” Bren stared down at the toy with a look of amused satisfaction. “I consider Trent one of my best friends.”

  “What?” Kyle practically bounced in his seat. “Are you kidding me?”

  She forced herself to move forward. “Kyle, calm down. You about busted my ears with that shriek.”

  Her son turned and faced her. “Mom. Did you hear that? He knows Trent Anderson.”

  “Well, of course he does,” she said, walking over to her brother, the pungent smell of fresh-cut basil and parsley filling the air. Her brother glanced up from his chopping and she detected amusement in his eyes. It was good to see. Usually he was so serious, but that was twice today she’d seen him relax a bit, both times around Bren.