Page 6 of In Plain Sight

“Collier,” he commented.

I laughed. “Oh hon, this isn’t anything. We can wash up and I’ll give you the full tour if you’d like.”

Something dark crossed his face again, but he nodded.

“Incoming. Two riders,” Austin yelled on our approach. “Ruby found Cochise,” he announced when we got a little closer.

Half a dozen people surrounded us when we reached the barn. Before I dismounted, I barked for someone to grab me a rope.

Austin eyed Bran suspiciously. “Who the hell are you?” he finally asked. “And how the hell did you convince her to let you ride Cinnamon?”

Conlin laughed. “She must like you. No one around here’s allowed to touch her horse, let alone ride him.”

Bran shot me a look and I shrugged. “I warned you to be careful with him. That’s my baby you’re riding.”

Ignoring their inquiries, when I was certain Cochise was secured, I dismounted and passed the rope to Austin. “Cool him down, then call Davidson and get his ass in here to check him over. Something out there spooked him.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Austin said.

Bran jumped down from Cinnamon with a hard thud next to me, then handed me his reigns. I cooed over the horse for a few minutes before Mr. Draper stepped in.

“I’ll take Cinnamon and rub him down for you, Ruby girl,” he said.

“You know there’s no one else I trust more with him. Thank you.” Knowing the excitement of our return was waning and several had moved on and gotten back to the work, I realized how rude I was being. “Mr. Draper, this is Bran. Bran, Mr. Draper oversees the horse stable here. If you need anything, he’ll help you.”

Bran shook his hand. “Thank you. I am Ruby’s mate,” he announced proudly as I broke out into a coughing fit, choking on my own spit.

I could already hear the surprised whispers beginning. I grabbed his hand, unprepared for the jolt I received from his touch, and dragged him away. Mr. Draper didn’t say a word, just grinned at me and nodded.

“You can’t just blurt that out around here. Oh my Lord, the entire Pack will know about this by dinnertime.”

We walked around the horse stable as I led him to the dairy barn and my apartment above it.

“Ruby Red, did you really ride out and just find yourself a mate?” Austin teased.

“Shut the hell up, Austin, and mind your own business,” I huffed back, never slowing my stride until we were safely in my apartment.

Bran looked around. He seemed equally frustrated and amused. “You live in a barn?”

I beamed. “Yes I do!”

“It’s nice,” he finally concluded.

“Thanks. I moved in here when I was seventeen and haven’t looked back. I love it and since I oversee the dairy below, it’s kind of perfect.”

“Those people down there. They respect you,” he observed.

I laughed. “Damn right they better if they want to keep their jobs.”

“You’re in charge?” he asked, looking more than a little shocked.

“Yes,” I said slowly, wondering what he was getting at.

“But, how can that be? You’re a woman,” he said.

That was the first moment regret began to set in, and I realized I truly knew nothing at all about this man I’d just given my life to.

My hands were on my hips and my defenses up. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

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