“How can you say that?Everybody in Risk Peak loves you.”
She shrugged.“They love Christian and Beth.I’m just part of that package.If I was here by myself, no one would care as much.I wouldn’t be a big deal.”
“That’s not true.”
And she was a big deal to him.But he wasn’t sure if saying so would make things better or worse.
Like some of the horses he helped Noah raise, Bree needed time and gentling.He would try to give as much as he could of both.
She didn’t say anything as time ticked by, just continued to stare out the window.
“Where are we going?”she finally asked.
“My house.”
“In Risk Peak?Is that a good idea?”
He took a turn that led them in the opposite direction of the way they’d ultimately be going.Probably an unnecessary step, but one he was willing to take to ensure Bree’s safety.
“I have a small apartment in Risk Peak, since it’s more convenient for the hours I sometimes have to keep with the job.But that’s not my actual house.I own a horse ranch with my brother, Noah, about twenty miles outside town.”
“Horses?”She sounded like she couldn’t quite understand it.
“Yes.Noah’s house is on one end of our acreage, and he does most of the daily ranch work.But that ranch is home for me.Has been for nearly ten years.”
“I didn’t know that.”
He shrugged.“I didn’t tell you.I was just going to surprise you by taking you there one day.Guess that’s today.Surprise.”
“Do you think anyone will try to look for us there?Maybe Cheryl and Dan?”
He grimaced.“After what I just said at the Sunrise, I don’t think anyone will be searching my property for you.”
Her eyes closed.“Yeah.”She paused for a few moments.“Are you sure, Tanner?Are you sure you want us there?It’s one thing not to run us out of town and help us.But to bring us into your home?Are you sure that’s what you want?”
All her words came out in a rush, as if she was afraid she was pointing out something he hadn’t considered.
No other woman had ever lived with him there.Definitely no babies.He wouldn’t have made this offer to just anyone.The ranch was important to him.Sacred, even.Not something he shared lightly.
He was surprised at how much he wanted Bree there.
He glanced at her for a second before turning his eyes back to the road.“I want you there.It’s the safest place for you.I’ll be there to make sure everything is secure, and when I’m not, I know Noah will have an eye on you and the kids.Family are the only ones I can completely trust in a situation like this.”
A situation like what?Where a woman he barely knew, but who blew his focus straight to hell every time she was around, was coming to live with him?One where he wasn’t certain of the exact danger, but suspected it was way more complicated than the mob?One where protocol said he should be taking her into protective custody right now, not taking her to his own damn house?
But thankfully she didn’t ask what he meant bysituation.She was stuck on another word.
“Family,” she muttered, as if the concept was foreign to her.
“They’re the only ones you can ultimately trust, right?”
She began rubbing at a spot on her shoulder.“I guess.”
“You’ll like Noah.He’s quiet, keeps to himself.Since he got out of the Special Forces, he hasn’t really wanted to be around people much.”
She leaned the side of her face against the headrest and stared at eyes shadowed with exhaustion.“Sounds like a male version of me, minus the military background.”
He smiled gently at her.“There’s some similarities.Noah would definitely rather be around horses than people.Do you like horses?”
