His eyes burned into hers, dark with an emotion she couldn’t name. His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a wild, reckless moment, he looked like he might kiss her right there in the middle of the room with his brothers watching.
Her lips parted, a silent invitation. She swayed towards him, her body acting of its own volition.
The sound of a wagon outside shattered the moment like a stone through glass.
Enoch blinked, his hands falling away from her as he stepped back. The shutters slammed down over his expression once more.
“Someone’s coming.” James strode to the door.
Mandie’s heart sank as the spell between her and Enoch dissolved completely.
He turned away from her, his jaw set in that familiar, rigid line, and moved toward the window.
James cracked the front door enough to see out. “Looks like...there’s a man and woman. And another man on horseback.”
The fine hairs on Mandie’s neck prickled, and she hurried to the window beside Enoch. As she peered out at the approaching wagon, her blood turned to ice.
“My parents.” The words fell from her lips in a breathless whisper.
And behind them, mounted on a sleek bay gelding, rode Clayton Beaumont.
CHAPTER 25
Mandie’s middle roiled as Enoch’s head snapped toward her, his blue eyes sharp with concern. “Who’s that with them?”
Her throat closed, making it difficult to speak. “Clayton Beaumont.” She forced the name out like a bitter medicine.
Enoch’s expression darkened, and his stance shifted—protective, alert. “The one who?—”
“Yes.” She cut him off. She couldn’t hear the words spoken aloud. Her hands trembled as she smoothed her skirts. She had to compose herself before she could face what awaited outside.
The wagon halted in the yard, and her mother descended with her usual regal bearing, her traveling dress immaculate despite the long journey. Her father followed, his weathered face scanning the ranch buildings with obvious disapproval.
Clayton swung down from his horse, still taking in his surroundings. Even from this distance, she could see the satisfied smile playing on his lips. Like a cat who’d cornered a particularly elusive mouse.
“We’ll handle this.” Enoch’s voice carried a note of steel she’d never heard before.
“I need to greet them.” She moved toward the door on unsteady legs, though every instinct screamed at her to flee. “They’re my parents.”
Enoch caught her arm. “You don’t have to face him alone.”
The simple words steadied her more than any elaborate reassurance could have. She drew a shaking breath and nodded.
They stepped onto the porch together, the other three brothers right behind.
Mandie forced herself to descend the steps, though every instinct screamed at her to flee back into the safety of the house.
“Mandie, darling!” Her mother swept forward, arms outstretched. “Oh, my dear girl, we’ve been so worried.”
Despite everything, her mother’s embrace felt good. She’d missed the familiar scent of lavender water and those comforting arms. “Mama. Papa.” She turned to include her father, who gathered her into his own fierce hug.
“When you disappeared like that, without a word...” Her father’s voice was gruff with emotion. “We feared the worst.”
Over her father’s shoulder, she caught sight of Clayton approaching, that predatory smile still fixed on his face. Her stomach lurched, and she pulled back from her father.
“What is he doing here?” Her words came out sharp.
Her mother’s brow furrowed. “Clayton was worried about you too, dear. When you vanished so suddenly, we all feared for your safety. Without his help, we never would have been able to track you this far.”
