Page 23 of Bravo

His scent is everywhere. Pine and leather, a heady combination that has my blood pumping. He smells just as good as he looks, something I’d been somewhat able to avoid because I wasn’t basking in his personal space as I am now.

“Sorry if I caught you off guard by offering,” he says as he climbs in. “I just thought it would be easier for Lani since I’m headed that way anyway.”

“No, it’s fine. Thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime.” He fires up the truck and backs out of the parking spot then heads down the street.

Fifteen minutes.

I have to make it fifteen minutes without saying anything that might lead to more questions.

I can do that.

Right?

“So how is it managing two jobs?” I ask, figuring that if I keep the conversation on him, I might be able to avoid any direct questioning myself.

“It’s tough at times. But having my brothers onboard definitely eases the stress.”

“You all work together, right? Not just on the ranch.”

“Right. We rotate who takes the jobs—unless there’s one that requires a specific skill set.”

“You all have skill sets?”

He grins. “We do.”

“Can I know what they are?”

His smile falls just a bit, but he hides it well by glancing out his window. “Tucker is great with computers, Dylan is stealthy, Elliot is great with locks, and Riley could charm information out of a turtle.”

I laugh at the comparison. “How about you?”

The amusement on his expression falters again. He’s got secrets, too. “I’m good at reading people and situations.”

“That must come in handy.” Even as his declaration that he’s good at reading people sets off a spike of fear, I keep the conversation as light as possible. He hasn’t read me so far; that must mean I haven’t given him much to go off of. Good.

“It does. Sometimes it’s a bit of a curse though.”

“I get that.”

He offers me a quick smile. “How about you? What did you do before coming here?”

Uh-oh.“I was in college.”Stick close enough to the truth, and he won’t be able to tell I’m omitting.

“Yeah? Quite a change coming here.”

“It was. But I needed to get away, so I’ve been traveling for a couple of years. Staying in different places and trying to find peace.” I turn my attention out the window as we turn off the highway and start down the gravel road leading up to the ranch. “I don’t know if I ever will though,” I say softly.

“Find peace?”

I sigh. “Yeah. It’s a hard thing to find.”

“Not if you know where to look.”

“And where is that?”

“I find mine in my Bible.” He says it so simply, so confidently, that I can’t help but stare at him. He glances over and smirks. “I take it that’s not what you thought I would say?”

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