by Liv Brywood
She couldn’t run a multi-million-dollar business from a one-stop sign cow town. When she’d left to pursue her dream, she’d sworn she’d never step foot in Lost Hills again. Never. If it weren’t for the idiot shooter who’d gone on a rampage at the mall, she wouldn’t even be in this mess.
What the hell was her sister doing at the mall in the middle of the day anyway? She was a teacher. She should have been in school.
As the flight dragged on, Violet fidgeted in the seat. Worried about her sister, stressed about work, and amped up on coffee, she couldn’t wait to get off the plane. But as each minute clicked by, her focus shifted away from work and toward her sister. And one horrifying question kept looping through her mind: What if she didn’t get there in time?
Chapter 2
Aaron sunk two hooks into a bale of hay and hauled it out of the barn. He lugged it across the field toward the horse pasture. Several horses whinnied and trotted toward the gate. Star, named for the bright patch of white fur between her eyes, tossed her black mane and pranced along the fence line.
“How’s my pampered princess?” he cooed.
She snorted and held her head high. Of all of the horses on the ranch, she was the most obnoxious. She shouldered her way through the gathered horses and shoved her muzzle through the fence posts. After chomping a mouthful of hay, she jerked her head back through and trotted away from the others.
Aaron chuckled. He’d missed his girl when he’d been at his cousin’s wedding at Curvy Bear Ranch. Coming back to an intact ranch was a relief. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his brothers, he just knew how much trouble they could get into if left to their own devices.
As he lifted the hay bale over the fence, the horses took mouthfuls of the sweet green grass. He’d worked out a heck of a feed deal with the Bronsons in exchange for stud fees. His family’s ranch was in the black for the first time in years thanks to his negotiation skills.
Although Bucking Bear Ranch was doing well, he never forgot the hard times he’d been through with his family when he was growing up. He’d worked his ass off for years to make sure his brothers and sister never wanted for anything. They were his number-one priority and he’d be dammed if he’d fail them the way their father had. He’d nearly lost the ranch before finally drinking himself to death. The doctors had called it liver failure, but Aaron knew better.
“Hey!” Kody yelled and flailed his arms as he ran toward him. His youngest brother had a flair for dramatics. “You’re not going to believe what happened.”
“What?” Aaron wiped the back of his forearm across his brow. “Did Zack catch a gator?”
“No. There was a shooting in Houston at the mall,” Kody said.
“Damn. You always see it happening on the news, but you never think it’s going to happen near you.”
“A bunch of people were shot. Three people died. A few people are in critical condition at the hospital.”
“Damn,” Aaron said.
“Nicole Olsen was one of the people.”
“Is she…”
“Alive? Yes.”
“Are you sure?” A fissure of dread sliced across Aaron’s stomach.
“They had her high school picture on the screen. It was definitely her,” Kody said.
“We should go check on the Olsens. Her parents must be terrified.”
“I already called, but no one answered,” Kody said. “We should put together some food for when they come home.”
“Where’s Nicole? Did they say which hospital she’s at?” Aaron asked.
“Texas Medical Center.”
“They might not be back tonight. I’ll run over there and check on their animals. See if you can find Zack and ask him to fire up the grill. We’ll leave whatever we cook in their fridge,” Aaron said.
Their families had lived side by side for several generations. Years ago they’d exchanged keys in case there was ever an emergency. This sure as hell qualified.
He stripped off his work gloves and matched Kody’s stride as they returned to their sprawling ranch house. The screen door swung open and Beth stepped onto the wraparound porch.
“Did you see the news?” she asked. “I called the Olsens but no one was home.”
“I called too,” Kody said.
“I talked to Zack and he’s going to grill some chicken and vegetables to take over to their house. Kim’s working on a salad and a cake,” Beth said.
“A cake?” Aaron arched a brow. Of course his sister was one step ahead of everyone, as usual. Her mother hen qualities kicked into gear anytime someone got injured on the ranch.
“They’re going to need something sweet when they get home,” Beth said. “I can’t even imagine what they’re going through.”
“I’ll head over to check on the animals around sunset,” Aaron said. “Will all the food be done by then?”
“Yes,” Beth said. “Kody, can you go give Zack and Kim a hand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After Kody left, Beth turned back to Aaron. “Do you think Violet’s going to come home?”
Every muscle in his body tensed. Years ago Violet had left to pursue fame and fortune at a tech company in San Francisco. She hadn’t cared that she’d left him broken and alone. She was too obsessed with her damn career to give him a second thought, so there was no point in dwelling on the past. Even if she could pry herself away from her job, he doubted he’d run into her if he stayed put on his ranch. And if she did show up, he’d do his best to avoid her.
“I’ve got to get back to the barn,” Aaron said.
He turned on his heel and headed toward the second barn, which was farther back on the property. As he passed behind the house, Zack waved a pair of tongs at him from the grilling area. Aaron waved back but kept walking. He didn’t want to talk to anyone.
Why had Beth brought up Violet? Although he hadn’t seen her in almost a decade, he still called her each Christmas. Self-inflicted pain at best, but at least he got to talk to her. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing touch, so he’d took what little she was willing to give.
If she did return to Lost Hills to see her sister, he doubted she’d make time to see him. She’d probably be here and gone faster than a tornado. The last time he’d spoken to her, she’d stressed the amount of work it took to take her company public. Apparently it involved a lot of paperwork and regulations, leaving little time for family or friends. And no time for a relationship.
His bear chuffed with sadness. It had taken years for his bear to get over losing her. It wasn’t fair to the poor creature that he stayed in touch with her. He should have cut off contact years ago, but Violet had always been his kryptonite. He couldn’t say no to her, even after she’d walked out of his life. He’d never been able to do anything but encourage her, even when it broke his heart.
As he threw himself into his work, he tried to ignore the ache in his heart. Although he’d closed the gaping wound she’d left in his soul, he’d never been able to move on. He’d tried dating, but it was pointless. There was only one woman in the world he wanted to be with, but she was too busy chasing her own dreams.
Hours later, the faded sun lost its bright orange glow as it dipped low on the horizon. A truck rumbled up the road. When it turned onto the Olsens’ property, he returned to his house to gather the food. He stacked everything into a large picnic basket and carried it across the field toward the Olsens’ home.
As he raised his hand to knock, a wail of agony erupted from the kitchen window. He rushed toward the side of the house.
“Mr. Olsen? Mrs. Olsen? Are you okay in there?” he yelled.
“Come around to the front, son. Patty’s not feeling too well,” Mr. Olsen said.
Aaron reached the front door just as Mr. Olsen opened it.
“Come on in,” Mr. Olsen said. “I was fixing some tea for my wife. We’ve had a hard day.”
“I heard about Nicole.” Aaron followed the other man into the kitchen.
Mrs. Ols
en sat at the kitchen table, slumped against the back of a wooden chair. A yellow-and-white checkered seat cushion was bunched up behind her back. She met his gaze with red-rimmed eyes.
“Oh, Aaron, you didn’t have to cook for us,” she said.
“Zack and Kim whipped it up. We saw the news about the shooting. I wasn’t sure if you were going to be home or not, but I was fixin’ to check on the animals if I didn’t see you by sundown.”
“Your family has always been so kind to us,” she said.
“It’s our pleasure, ma’am. How’s Nicole?”
“Oh,” she choked before a fresh wave of tears stained her face.
The teapot shrieked on the stove. Mr. Olsen poured steaming water into a mug. The scent of chamomile filled the air.
“Here, honey. This should help calm your nerves.” He handed her the tea.
“Thank you. I don’t know what to do,” she wailed.
“Drink your tea, dear,” her husband said. “Aaron, can I get you a cup?”
“Sure.” He took a seat next to Mrs. Olsen and took her hand in his. He gave it a gentle squeeze. “She’s at the hospital, right?”
“Yes.”
“The doctors will take good care of her,” Aaron said.
“The gunshot’s pretty bad,” Mr. Olsen said. “She made it through surgery, but she’s in a coma. They don’t know when she’ll wake up.”
“If she’ll wake up,” Patty said.
“She’ll wake up,” Mr. Olsen said. “I’ve been praying ever since the sheriff called.”
“The doctor said that even if she does wake up, she could have serious brain damage,” she said.
“We’ll cross that road when we get there,” Mr. Olsen said. “Why don’t we see what’s in the picnic basket.”
“How can you even think about eating?” she asked. “I can hardly keep down my tea.”
“I haven’t eaten since breakfast. My stomach’s darn near about to gnaw through my belly,” Mr. Olsen said.
Aaron took that as his cue to open the basket. He pulled out barbecue chicken, baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. Patty sipped her tea without comment until Aaron took the cake out.
“Oh God, Lord in Heaven. A Bundt cake?” She perked up.
“Yep,” Aaron said. “Kim made it. I’m guessing it’s strawberry since it’s pink.”
“Well, maybe I could try a bite,” she said. “See if my stomach can handle it.”
“Of course.” When Mr. Olsen started to stand, Aaron patted his shoulder. “Let me grab the plates.”
He moved through the kitchen with ease. They’d kept the dishes in the same cupboards for at least thirty years. They’d been serving him food on the same rooster-decorated plates ever since he could remember. Heck, maybe even longer. Thirty-one years if they’d fed him as a baby.
After serving three slices of cake, he returned to the table. As they ate in silence, a heavy sense of foreboding hung in the air. Normally they were two of the chattiest people he knew. Things had to be bad if they weren’t talking.
They finished eating. While Mr. Olsen helped his wife get ready for bed, Aaron washed the dishes. He’d just dried the last fork when Mr. Olsen returned.
“Want some whiskey?” he asked.
“Not for me,” Aaron said. “I’m got a few things I need to finish tonight.”
“Mind if I have some?”
“It’s your house,” Aaron said with a smile. “A man should be able to do whatever he wants in his home.”
“Damn right.”
The doorbell rang.
“I can get it,” Aaron offered.
“Thanks, son.”
Aaron crossed the room and opened the door. Violet stood on the doorstep with a briefcase in one hand and a coat in the other. His heart kicked against his ribs while his stomach plunged through the floor.
“Violet,” he whispered.
He hadn’t seen her in person in a decade. Her online photos didn’t do her justice. Light-brown hair the color of summer wheat curled around her shoulders. Her bright hazel eyes shimmered in the glow of the porch light, more brown than green at the moment. If they still changed with her mood, then she was tired, frustrated, or more likely both.
A charcoal-gray suit hugged her in all the right places. How could she look so damn sexy in a business suit? And those curves? Damn, she’d grown into a stunning woman.
“Are you going to just stand there with your jaw on the floor or are you going to let me in?”
“Uh, yeah. Come in.” He tripped as he stepped back.
When she brushed past him, the delicate scent of oranges wafted from her skin. The close proximity was enough to send his bear into a tailspin of lust. The beast bounced around and clawed at his chest in an attempt to escape. Aaron wanted to throttle him, but he hid his distress. She didn’t know about his bear. He and his family had managed to keep that secret from everyone in town for decades, and now wasn’t the time to spring it on her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I heard the news and came to check on your parents.”
“How are they doing?”
Mr. Olsen walked into the living room. “Your mom’s beside herself.”
“Hi, Dad.” Violet set her briefcase on the coffee table and gave him a hug.
“Have you been to the hospital yet?” Mr. Olsen asked.
“Not yet. I just got here.” The defensive edge in her voice caught Aaron by surprise. An underlying tension stretched between father and daughter until she added, “I wasn’t sure if you’d be here or there, so I came here first.”
“We stayed until your mom couldn’t take it anymore,” Mr. Olsen said.
“I was hoping to see her tonight,” Violet said. “I don’t know how long I can stay in town.”
“Your sister’s lying in a coma in the hospital,” her dad snapped. “What could possibly be more important?”
“I know you’re upset, but—”
“But what?” her dad asked. “Nothing is more important than your family. You treat strangers better than your own sister.”
“I’m not going to have this argument with you right now,” she said. “I just spent four hours on an airplane. I’m tired. I’m hungry. And I have enough problems without having to fight with you, too. If you don’t want to go with me to the hospital, I’ll go by myself.”
“I’ll take you.” The words were out of Aaron’s mouth before he could stop them.
The delicate curve of her eyebrow arched slightly before settling back into place. Indecision flashed across her features.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
He wasn’t sure about a damn thing. Houston was an hour away and they’d be alone for the first time in a decade. This was the stupidest idea ever, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d do anything for Violet, even if she didn’t want anything more than friendship. As long as she was in town, he’d be at her beck and call. He wouldn’t tell her as much, but she’d figure it out. And when she inevitably returned to San Francisco, she’d take yet another chunk of his heart with her.
Chapter 3
Violet wriggled in the passenger seat of Aaron’s truck as she tried to remove her suit jacket. Cool air flowed through the cab, but it did nothing to disperse the heat building in her core. She hadn’t seen Aaron in ten years. He’d changed from boy to man and then some.
Muscles bulged from his formerly gangly arms and legs. A black and blue plaid shirt stretched across his chest and shoulders, accentuating his virile masculinity. She’d caught a quick glimpse of his butt when they’d walked out to the truck. Well-worn jeans clung to a tight ass and wrapped around taut thighs. She couldn’t help but picture him naked. Had everything gotten bigger while she was gone?
Her cheeks flushed. Grateful for the darkness, she set her jacket in her lap and folded her hands over it. Silence, thick and heavy with anticipation, hung in the air. She wanted to talk to him, to ask how he’d been doing, to ask about his family. But every
time she tried to speak, her leaden tongue refused to move. When he finally spoke, she jumped.
“How have things been?” he asked. “I haven’t heard from you since Christmas.”
“Busy. My company’s getting ready for its initial public offering. IPO. We’re going to issue stock to shareholders and hopefully people will want to invest in us,” she babbled.
“I know what an IPO is,” he said.
“Right. Of course.” She bit the edge of her lip. “How have you been?”
“The same. Life on the ranch doesn’t change much from day to day. I did go to Montana to visit my cousins at Curvy Bear Ranch,” he said.
“Sounds fun.”
“It was great. Everyone was so happy. All of my cousins found wives within the last year…” His voice trailed off.
She didn’t want to talk about relationships, so she changed the subject. “How’s Beth doing? The last time I called, she sounded sad.”
“Really?” Aaron glanced at her.
“I think so. But maybe I misread her tone.”
With business clients, she had no trouble reading their motivations. But when it came to her personal relationships, she didn’t have a clue. Even now, she couldn’t get a read on Aaron. He seemed happy to have the chance to drive her to Houston, but tension lingered in the enclosed space.
Houston’s bright lights stood out against the night sky. Towering skyscrapers stood like sentinels over the center of the city. As they snaked through the dark streets, her lungs tightened. When they got to the hospital, what would they find? Would her sister still be in a coma? Would she still be alive?
A small cry escaped her lips.
“Hey…” Aaron leaned over and took her hand. “No matter what happens, I’ll be right by your side. Okay?”
In stark contrast to the fear in her heart, desire pooled low in her belly. Heat spread from his hand into hers and traveled across her flesh as if he’d caressed her entire body. The last time he’d touched her, it had been to hug her goodbye. If she’d known she wouldn’t see him again for ten years, she would have held on longer. She would have held on tighter. And maybe she would have reconsidered leaving Lost Hills.
