Page 19 of Brave Horizons (Barrington Billionaires #19)

ALEX

He made his way downstairs, the creak of each step echoing in the stillness of the farmhouse.

He didn’t like the idea of being unarmed, but he knew he had to follow Miranda’s rules.

He couldn’t afford to jeopardize their temporary sanctuary.

Reaching the front door, he stepped outside and walked to his truck, opening the lockbox to secure his weapons.

The familiar weight of his gun left his hip, replaced by a sense of vulnerability.

He turned back toward the house, his eyes catching sight of Miranda in the kitchen.

She was slicing vegetables, her movements precise and practiced.

There were plenty there and he could tell her intention was to feed them all.

She was good like that. Always thoughtful, even when she was angry.

He walked in, the screen door slamming behind him.

“Miranda,” he began, his voice softer than usual, “I’m really sorry for showing up like this, out of the blue. ”

She didn’t look up, continuing to chop the vegetables. “You showed up just as unexpectedly as you walked out on me,” she replied, her tone even, but Alex could hear the edge in her words. “I guess that’s the only predictable thing about you.”

“I’m sorry for that too,” he said, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I didn’t handle things the way I should have. You and I were in a really complex situation and I think emotions were running high. I cared a lot about you. I care...”

Miranda paused for a moment, then resumed her task. “My husband is out working. He’s a vet for the local farms. He’ll be back late tonight, and when he comes, I’m going to tell him what’s going on. He may not want you all to stay.”

Alex’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re married?”

“Yes, Alex,” she said, finally looking up at him. “Life goes on even after you leave people. Believe it or not we mend our broken hearts and still find a way to live.”

He swallowed hard, the reality of her words hitting him like a punch to the gut. “What will you tell him exactly?”

“The truth,” Miranda said simply. “I’m going to tell him about Topeka, and who you are. Who you were to me at one point.”

Alex’s heart pounded. “Can we trust him?”

Miranda’s eyes flashed with anger. “This is the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with, Alex. He’s kind, loyal, and he would never leave the way you did.

So yes, he’s as trustworthy as they come.

And if he wants you all gone, that’s what’s going to happen.

He and I are a team. I don’t expect you know much about that. ”

“There was a point in time I thought you and I made a great team. Just because I screwed it up in the end?—"

Miranda sighed, setting the knife down and turning to face Alex fully. “One more thing, Alex. Don’t break Topeka’s heart.”

He looked taken aback. “We just met, Miranda. It’s not like what we had.”

Miranda’s eyes softened, but her tone remained firm.

“I see how you two look at each other. It doesn’t matter when you met.

You’ve always been more in love when the world is on fire and everything is crashing down around you.

It’s when things get quiet that you start getting antsy.

Don’t let her become another casualty of your need for chaos.

Eventually plain old regular life comes back into play and you’re left with the quiet and the still.

Those are two things you never did well. ”

Alex’s gaze dropped to the floor, her words hitting too close to home. “I don’t intend to hurt her. I want to keep her safe.”

Miranda stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “Then be honest with her. Don’t lead her on if you’re just going to disappear when things settle down.”

Alex nodded, the weight of her advice settling heavily on his shoulders. “Thank you for letting us stay.”

She gave him a small, sad smile. “Just don’t make me regret it, Alex. And I’m not kidding. When Charlie comes home, if he wants you all gone, that’s it. I’m not taking up for you on this. I stand with him.”

Alex nodded even though he wanted to argue his point. If Charlie didn’t want them to stick around he’d make his case instead. “Did you really think I kidnapped her? I might have screwed things up with us, but you never thought I’d turn out to be on the other side of all this stuff.”

“No, unfortunately I always knew you were a good guy.” She went back to her work preparing dinner.

“The best thing you ever did was leave me. I didn’t think so at the time obviously, but I’d never have the life I do if you’d have stuck around out of obligation or guilt.

I’ve broken enough wild horses by now to be able to tell which ones are a lost cause.

But that doesn’t make you a bad guy, just the wrong guy for me. ”

Alex ran his hand over the stubble on his cheek and nodded.

“You look like hell. Go take a decent shower and shave before dinner. If you’re going to try to convince Charlie to let you stay here, you might not want to look like you’re on a three-day bender.”

“I feel like I have been. It’s been wild.” He paused and looked around the simply decorated kitchen and noticed all the little details that represented her personality. “Do you miss it?”

“Not even a little bit. The military was a big part of my life. It changed me for the better in a lot of ways. But at some point, it wasn’t right for me anymore.

We did some great work while we were in, but for me, this is the pace I want.

I happen to like the fact that no one is shooting at me.

No one wants me dead. You can’t seem to let go of that. You like being in the crosshairs?”

“No. Not at all. But I hate the idea of other people being in them if I can do something about it.”