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“I spent some time in Alabama when I was a kid,” Vera said. “My mom was a nurse, and she got a job at a hospital there. We were in Birmingham, so it was a whole lot different from what I was used to.”

“I see you met Vera,” Brett said. “She’s the genius behind all the good food around here.”

Vera grinned and tucked her chin. The older woman was a total sweetheart. She had a heart as big as the west, but she couldn’t take a compliment without turning bright red from the neck up.

“Oh, I just love cooking for folks. It’s a blessing I get to do it every day,” Vera said.

“Jess!” Hadley said.

Brett turned and waved a hand at his sister. She gave one look at Thea beside him and said something to Hadley before turning around and walking back out.

“I guess that means Jess still doesn’t care for me,” Thea whispered.

“Don’t worry about her,” Brett said.

“It’s because she’s afraid I’m going to lead the trouble back to your door.”

Brett held Thea’s gaze and resisted the urge to pull her close. He’d promised to give her space. “Let them come.”

“But these people might get caught in the crossfire. I don’t want to risk that. They don’t deserve what’s coming for me.”

Brett turned so he was facing her. Why couldn’t she understand? “Whatever comes for you has to go through me first, and I dare anyone to try.”

Thea stared up at him, but there was still a swarm of indecision hidden in that look.

“I won’t let anything happen to you. We’ll be so careful, they won’t have a chance to get to you.”

With a sigh, she looked down. “Only until I can leave.”

She was still talking about leaving. Clearly, she didn’t care about him half as much as he cared about her. What had changed?

“Thea, I know you hate being here. I know why you want to leave.” He sighed, ready to verbally admit his defeat. If she didn’t feel the same way, they didn’t have a chance at making things work.

“I don’t hate beinghere. This place is amazing, and the people are too. I know why you love it, and I’m glad you found a home here. I just can’t live the rest of my life in Blackwater, constantly looking over my shoulder wondering when they’ll be back to finish what they started.”

“I get that. What I don’t understand is why your family hates you enough to do this to you.”

The back door of the dining hall opened, and Jameson and Ava walked in. Thea carefully turned to look behind her, snapping the tension of their conversation.

So much for answers. He brushed a hand through his hair, fighting the urge to pull it all out.

Ava’s pregnancy was showing now, and she always cradled her stomach when she walked. Kids were everywhere he looked these days. Ben and Abby, Ava and Jameson’s upcoming arrival, and Colt and Remi were expecting too. Brett didn’t mind. He’d always connected with kids. Jess always said it was because he was still a kid. Whatever the reason, he was looking forward to a new generation at the ranch.

Thea laid a hand on Brett’s arm, effectively shutting off all other thoughts in his head.

“I need to talk to them about staying here and meals and stuff,” she said.

Brett had already mentioned it to Jameson and Ava, but Thea would want to talk to them herself. Ava had been excited about the prospect of having more help in the offices, at least until Thea’s leg healed more. Jameson had been interested in Thea’s equine experience.

Would she even stay that long? What would happen when she was ready to leave? Would she skip town without a good-bye like last time?

No. They would talk about it first. Conversations came easy between them now. They were older and wiser, weren’t they?

Ava spotted Thea and made her way over. Thea took a few steps on her crutches to meet her.

“Hey. I heard you’d made it,” Ava said. “I wanted to come by and introduce myself earlier, but I figured you’d be getting settled in.”

“Thank you so much for letting me stay. I promise I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can travel.”