Page 20 of Brave Horizons (Barrington Billionaires #19)

TOPEKA

The aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air as they all gathered around the wooden table in Miranda’s cozy kitchen.

The spread before them was nothing short of impressive: roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans sautéed with garlic, and a freshly baked loaf of bread.

Topeka’s stomach rumbled in anticipation as she sat down, grateful for the semblance of normalcy that the meal provided.

Miranda had outdone herself. Every dish was perfectly cooked, seasoned just right, and the presentation was beautiful. Topeka couldn’t help but admire Miranda’s skill in the kitchen. It was clear she took pride in her cooking.

As they began to eat, Alex looked up from his plate, a hint of surprise in his eyes. “Miranda, this is incredible. You never used to be able to cook this well.”

Miranda raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Well, Alex, many years have passed. At least one of us has grown up and learned a few new skills. Are you still eating cans of beans out in the woods?”

Topeka couldn’t help but smile at their banter. Despite the tension between them, there was a familiarity and comfort in their interactions. She took a bite of the roasted chicken and delighted in the rich, savory flavor. It was a far cry from the hurried meals and rations she’d been surviving on.

Just as the conversation was starting to flow, the front door opened, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped inside.

His hair was graying at the temples, and his eyes were a striking blue.

He wore a work shirt and jeans, the faint smell of farm animals clinging to him.

He looked around the room, stunned by the unexpected company.

“Charlie,” Miranda said, rising from her seat. She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him, planting a kiss on his cheek. “You’re home.”

Charlie’s expression softened as he hugged her back. “This is our house, right?” he asked, his voice warm and affectionate. “I didn’t expect a full house tonight.”

“I tried to call,” Miranda said meekly. “But I figured you’d have your phone off since you were at the Stiller’s farm. They tend to talk your ear off.”

“And they did.” Charlie smiled. “I’m going to go wash up then I’ll join you for dinner.

I don’t see any familiar faces so introductions will be in order.

” He tipped his head and stepped out of the room.

Topeka expected Miranda to follow and try to explain what exactly was happening here.

Instead she served him up a plate and waited for him to come back a few minutes later.

“Charlie, this is Alex, Topeka, Russ, and Hillary.” She filled his glass with ice water then sat as he sat at the table.

“Alex is an ex-boyfriend of mine. Back in my military days. Topeka, if you haven’t picked up on it, is the missing woman from Texas everyone is searching for.

Russ is an investigator. Hillary is a lawyer.

I’m not sure exactly how they fit into the story but they’re all here because people want them dead.

Alex has lost communication with the folks who normally sort these things out and he didn’t know where else to go.

They were about six hours west of here and so he drove our way.

I told him they could stay as long as you knew exactly what was going on and didn’t have any objections.

” Miranda spoke so confidently and without any type of fear of Charlie’s reaction.

It was amazing actually. Topeka had grown up in a house plagued with flawed and volatile communication.

Delivering tough news was like disarming a bomb and it didn’t always go your way. This all seemed so straight forward.

Topeka watched Charlie digesting the information before he spoke. “Is there a chance these folk followed you or have a lead on where you might be?”

“No,” Alex replied, leaning forward a bit. “We don’t have any cellphones we’re using. I’m certain we weren’t followed. There is no reason to believe anyone knows where we are. Not even our people. ”

Charlie nodded, still clearly thinking it all over. “And Topeka, I was under the impression wherever you were, it was not by your choice. You’re here under your own free will?”

“Yes. Everything my father is saying on the news is to protect his interests. I’m running from him. A case is being built and we’re hoping he and others will be indicted soon. Until then, I’m the one thing he wants to get a hold of.”

“Well, me too,” Russ corrected. “I started the investigation into what he and others were doing. I convinced Topeka to help me gather evidence on her father. It all went downhill from there.”

“And you, Hillary?”

“Wrong place at the wrong time,” she said with a shrug. “I was set to depose them and get their statements on record. They turned over evidence and we needed to corroborate it. It went sideways after that.”

“Hmm,” Charlie said, taking a sip of his water.

“There is only one thing in the world I trust more than my gut instincts.” He looked over at Miranda.

“My wife’s judgement. I don’t think she’d put our farm and our lives in danger.

Now obviously there is some risk with having all of you here.

We don’t really want to be caught up in anything.

But we also aren’t people to turn anyone away when they need help.

I expect she told you how we feel about guns in the house? ”

“Yes,” Alex said, happy to be able to answer something the right way. “They’re already secured in my truck in a lock box. We’ll respect whatever rules you two have. ”

“And I’ll stay out of sight,” Topeka cut in. “I know my face being plastered all over the news is an added challenge. I won’t be seen by anyone.”

“An after-dinner walk would be fine,” Miranda said, giving Alex a nod of permission.

“All the lessons are over. The staff have gone for the day. Charlie and I go out and take care of the barns before bed and do one last check. If you’re going to be stuck in the house during the day you might as well get some air tonight. ”

“I can help with the barn chores,” Topeka said, sounding accidently too cheery. “I grew up riding. I can do whatever needs to be done.”

“You ride?” Alex asked, stunned by this revelation.

“Of course. And I can clean a stall. I’m really quite good at it.” Topeka wanted to feel useful. Like she was somehow earning her keep.

“And Russ and I will clean up dinner,” Hillary insisted. “We really appreciate the meal. Cleaning up is the least we can do.”

Charlie winked at Miranda. “I see, you were just trying to recruit some help with all our chores. This is a pretty elaborate way to do it but I applaud your creativity.”

“It wasn’t the plan,” Miranda replied with a laugh, “but I never say no to some help. Charlie and I will handle the barn, it’s sort of date night for us.

Our ritual. But if you want to take some food to the goat pens that would be great.

And I never say no to the dishes being done.

But everyone eat up first. I have a pie for dessert. ”

“I hate to ask for anything else,” Topeka asked sheepishly. “But Hillary and I don’t have any clothes. Just what we’re wearing and a couple things Alex’s mom sent along. Is there any way for us to get something else to wear?”

“Of course,” Miranda laughed. “I’ll go through my closet tonight and get you guys some stuff. I have way more than I need. It’ll do me good to pass some on.”

Charlie clapped his hands together in glee. “And I get some of the closet space back. This just keeps getting better.”

They finished dinner and dessert, savoring each bite of Miranda’s delicious pie and sharing cordial conversation. Charlie’s job as a vet for farm animals made for many funny anecdotes.

As the meal wound down, Hillary and Russ cleared the table, stacking dishes and gathering silverware nearly in unison.

“The goat pens are right past the barn,” Miranda said, pointing out the window. “You’ll find their food in the storage shed nearby. Make sure they have fresh water too.”

Alex and Topeka nodded, thanking Miranda once more before stepping into the cool evening air. The sky was painted with the vibrant hues of the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the farm. They walked side by side, gravel crunching beneath their feet as they made their way to the goat pens.

As they approached, the soft bleating of goats greeted them. Topeka’s face lit up with delight when she saw the baby goats frolicking in the pen. “They’re adorable!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with happiness. “I’m going to hold them all. Can I hold them all at once you think?”

“No, you can’t. There are ten of them.” He moved in closer as he tried to deter her from scooping them all up. “They are cute,” he agreed, reaching out to pet one of the baby goats. “Miranda’s got a nice setup here.”

Topeka nodded, still beaming. “Miranda is amazing. I can see why you were with her. She’s strong, capable, and kind.”

“She is,” Alex said, his voice tinged with admiration. “We’re incredibly lucky this worked out. I didn’t know what to expect when we showed up here, but I’m grateful she’s willing to help us. We didn’t exactly end on good terms.”

Topeka glanced at Alex, sensing the deeper emotions behind his words. “I got that sense but you must have been very close at some point.”

Alex sighed; his gaze fixed on the goats. “We were. I wish I’d handled things better, but I trust her.”

They worked together to feed the goats, filling their troughs with food and ensuring they had fresh water. Topeka couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace in the simple task. It reminded her of her childhood, of the days spent riding and caring for horses.

As they finished up, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the farm. The air grew cooler, and the first stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky. Topeka leaned against the fence, taking a deep breath of the fresh evening air .

“This is nice,” she said softly. “For a moment, it almost feels normal.”

Alex stood beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers. “It is nice. I wish there wasn’t so much other stuff to contend with. I also wish we weren’t sharing a room with Russ and Hillary.”

She slid her arm in his and rested her head on his shoulder. “Tell me why you and Miranda broke up?”

“She thinks it’s because I can’t stick around once things are slow and calm. That I only have feelings for someone when we’re under fire and the pressure is on.”

Topeka felt a chill run up her spine and she blamed it on the cool night air rather than the slap of reality she was afraid might be coming. “I can see that.”

“It’s not true. I was a kid when Miranda and I were together.

We were barely in our twenties. I didn’t run because I missed the excitement of our lives in the military together and all the chaos we’d been living through.

I left because she was ready for more and I wasn’t.

There felt like so much I still had left to do.

Miranda was always more mature than I was.

Always more ready. I knew if I stuck around, she’d meet me where I was instead of getting what she really wanted out of life.

And I was right, because she seems like she has it all right now. ”

“It probably still hurt her like hell.” Topeka thought of all her own heartbreaks over the years. Even if they were for the best they never felt that way at the time.

“I’m not afraid of calm and quiet. Settling down doesn’t scare me. Yes I have elements of my life that still have me living on a knife’s edge at times. But that’s not who I am completely. That’s not all I want.”

As they made their way back to the house, the sounds of the farm settling for the night surrounded them. It was a comforting symphony, a reminder that life continued, even in the midst of disarray. And for now, they had a safe haven.