Page 55 of Beat of Love
Her and Branna’s relationship was still on a rocky footing, and she wasn’t sure if she’d ever fully trust the woman. The way Branna had revealed her former relationship with Sullivan to the Andrastian media had dumped a world of hurt on her. But kudos to the woman for trying to make amends, hence her accepting the invitation to join the Lawson family for dinner.
See?Her acceptance had nothing to do with the birthday boy. Nothing.
Liar, liar,she mocked herself. Andjumped at the crack of lightning, its bright flash casting an eerie glow across the room. It was followed almost immediately by a long rumble of thunder. She frowned, turning to face the direction of the stables.
“Concerned about your horses?” Jonathan asked once the sound died down.
Brandy swung back to look at the man and gave a half-hearted laugh. “I have two competent stable hands bunking there tonight, but …”
“You worry. Perfectly understandable, darlin’.”
“Yeah.” He would understand. For years he carried the responsibility of Lawson’s Landing on his shoulders. Ranching was not for the faint-hearted.
“What can we get you to drink, Brandy-Lyn? Wine? Beer? Soda?”
“Nothing alcoholic, thanks, Jon. Collecting my kids at ten. Maybe a Mountain Dew, if you have?”
“Sure do.”
Brandy settled onto the sofa Branna indicated and gave an appreciative sniff, her stomach rumbling in anticipation. “Whatever you’re cooking, it smells divine.”
Branna inclined her head. “Thank you, dear, but that’s my mother’s doing. It’s Irish shepherd’s pie, made from ground lamb, not beef. It’s Rafferty’s favorite meal.”
Her stomach rumbled again.
The older woman chuckled. “Hungry?”
“Starved,” she admitted. “This day’s been a mad rush from the get-go.”
“Well, you can sit back and relax for the next while,” Branna added.
Giving the spacious, open living room a quick once-over, she did just that. She had never been in this room before, previous visits always taking place in the kitchen. The simple, rustic touches — wooden shelves, a couple of elegant lamps, and family photos — without any knickknacks or excessive items took her by surprise.
Old hardwood floors stretched across the room, providing a smooth surface for a wheelchair to glide effortlessly. A stone fireplace dominated the far wall, the cheerful flames burning in the grate warming the room. Two inviting armchairs complimented the plush, low-profile sofa she presently sat on, and the sturdy coffee table with rounded edges completed the conversation area.
Her eyes settled back on the children’s corner. A pang of regret filled Brandy. Her own kids never had that — a dedicated corner in a grandparent’s house. Richard’s parents were too uppity to tolerate grandchildren cluttering their home.
“I guess this storm put a damper on the Halloween fun,” Jon commented, positioning his chair in the gap between her and Branna.
“A bit. There was talk about cancelling it, but it was decided this morning to move it indoors, setting up themed events in different classrooms.”
“Sounds fun.”
Maebh walked in from the kitchen. “Darling girl,” she gushed, arms wide. “You’re here.”
Brandy grinned and stood, placing the soda on the coffee table. The octogenarian was her favorite person on the ranch. “Maebh,” she murmured, returning the hug.
“Where is the birthday boy?” Maebh asked, looking around.
“Right here,” came the gruff reply from behind Brandy.
His voice set her pulse fluttering, and she sank back down onto the sofa, willing herself not to gawk at him like a lovesick teenager.
But gawk she did when he walked into view.
A black, long-sleeved Henley covered his torso, hugging his sculpted pectorals and abdominal muscles like a second skin, even highlighting the definition of his washboard abs. Said T-shirt was tucked into dark blue jeans, and brown slip-on canvas loafers.
She had seen him clad similarly on multiple occasions (if you swap out the loafers for boots, that is) and always admired (okay then, ogled) his muscular form, but it was different now.
