Look, Pierce said. I dont want you at the ranch any more than you want to be there. But I wont let you go home until the doc says you can.
Her chest tightened at his harsh words. Once they could barely stand to be apart. Now they could barely stand to be together. Too much had happened. Irreversible actions and words with permanent consequences. Okay, Ill stay until the doctor can convince you that Im all right. Which I am.
Roxanne didnt relish the idea of being at the Thunder Horse Ranch with Pierce there. Shed been over a couple times to meet Tucks fiancée and get measured for her bridesmaid dress, but shed left as soon as possible to avoid any chance of running into Pierce.
Why did he have to be the one to find her out in the canyon? Why couldnt it have been Tuck, or one of Pierces other brothers? Why did her already horrible day have to sink to the new low of having to depend on the man whod encouraged her brother to join the FBI and then let him die in that explosion?
What had happened had been inexcusable and irreversible. She knew that for sure. Not because of the FBIthe official word they had given her was that Masons death had been ruled unavoidable.
No. Roxanne knew Pierce was responsible for her brothers death because that was what he had told her himself.
Chapter Two
Pierce insisted on carrying Roxanne into the cavernous great room of the Thunder Horse Ranch house, despite her objections. The feel of her body against his brought back so many memories he could barely breathe.
I can walk, really. She kicked her legs and pushed against his chest. Let me down. Twin flags of color rose in her cheeks as he entered the room where two of his brothers and his mother stood gaping at them.
Stopping just inside the entry, Pierce braced himself for the onslaught of questions his family was sure to ask.
His mother was the first to remember her manners. Roxy, good to see you, sweetie, she said as though it was an everyday occurrence for her son to stroll in carrying his ex-fiancée. Oh, dear, is that blood? She lifted a hand to her own cheek, her eyes widening. For goodness sake, Pierce, let her have the lounge chair, she commanded. Ill get some coffee. Maddox, you call Doc Taylor. Pierce, give Dante the details of what happened in case you need his help with anything else.
Pierce smiled despite the gravity of the situation. Though thin and petite, his mother had a will of iron, with a bossy streak to match. She didnt hesitate to tell her boys what to do, no matter that they were all grown men who now towered over her small frame.
Yeah, what happened? Dante planted himself in front of Pierce, his gaze taking in the torn shirt and bloodstains. Are you hurt, too? His arms crossed over his chest, his eyebrows knitting in a fierce frown, clearly ready to take on anyone who might be a danger to their family.
Im fine, Roxannes the only one hurt, Pierce said. Found her out on the northernmost corner of the ranch. Pierces jaw tightened. Someone was using her for target practice.
The chair? Roxanne tipped her head toward the chair Pierces mother had indicated. At least put me down. Its not like I cant walk.
Yeah, why are you carrying her? Dante asked. Are her legs injured, too?
Shes not all that steady on her feet. Her horse threw her and she hit her head. I think she might have a concussion. Pierce relented and eased Roxanne into the chair.
What were you doing out by the canyons? Dante asked, turning his focus to Roxanne.
I was checking on the wild horses. Roxanne sat in the chair, her chin tipped upward, one hand feeling the back of her head. She winced. I was following Sweet Jessie. I found her by the watering hole near North Canyon. When I went down to check on her, I heard a loud bang. Something stung my arm and almost knocked me out of the saddle. Whatever nicked me, hit Jessiemost likely in the shoulder, but I couldnt say for sure. She might have tripped or been hit because I think I saw her drop to the ground before my mount took off. The shooter came after me. Thats when Pierce found us.
Dante swore. Did you see who it was?
Roxanne sighed. No. I didnt. He was on a dirt bike in full-coverage gear, including a helmet.
Tuck entered the room, carrying his baby girl, Lily. Whats going on?
His beautiful blonde fiancée, Julia Anderson, followed him. When she noticed Roxanne on the chair, she hurried around to stand in front of her. Good Lord, Roxanne, are you all right?
Pierce frowned. Apparently the two women had already met while Pierce had been wrapping up his previous assignment in Bismarck. What else had he missed?
Roxanne smiled. Dont worry, Julia, Ill be fine for the wedding. She pushed against the seat cushions, preparing to stand.
Julia laid a hand on her uninjured shoulder. Im not worried about the wedding. I want to know what happened to you. Holy smokes, youre bleeding. Julia reached out to touch Roxannes other arm where Pierce had wrapped his shirt around her injury.
Its nothing. Just a flesh wound. Roxanne shot a glance toward Pierce. Pierce patched me up and its not bleeding so badly anymore.
The baby, clearly picking up on the distress in Julias voice, leaned away from Tuck, reaching for her mother.
Julia turned automatically to play with Lilys hands, rather than take the baby, keeping most of her attention on Roxanne. The baby giggled and buried her face in Tucks shirt.
A sharp pang tugged at Roxannes gut. She knew things hadnt been easy for Tuck and Julia. A quickie Vegas-style marriagefollowed by an even quicker divorcehad separated the couple only hours after theyd met. Tuck hadnt even known their brief union had resulted in a daughter until a few weeks earlier. But now that their differences had been worked out, the little family looked so natural and beautiful together, full of so much love and happiness.
It doesnt make any sense, Pierces oldest brother, Maddox, said as he paced the floor. Who would want to shoot at you?
It doesnt make sense to you? Roxanne snorted softly. I was the one being shot at and it makes no more sense to me. Maybe he wasnt shooting at me at all. He could have been aiming for the horse for a little target practice. Her lips tightened. There are idiots out there that get a kick out of killing defenseless animals.
Pierces jaw clenched. Theyre idiots, all right, but theyre not stupid enough to shoot at the horses in front of a potentially hostile witness. And its not like he didnt realize you were there. If you were in between the shooter and Sweet Jessie, he had to be shooting at you.
Maddox inhaled and let his breath out slowly. Im glad it was only a flesh wound. His shoulders pushed back and he looked around the room at his younger brothers. Wed better get out there and see if we can find out who did this. He turned to Dante and Tuck. You two take the truck. Ill take the four-wheeler.
Im going by horse. Pierce straightened, anger building with each breath he took. Someone had shot at Roxanne, tried to run over her and almost killed her. The bastard needed to be found. If hed been faster, smartermaybe he could have taken the guy into custody back in the canyon. It was his fault Roxanne was still in danger. Pierce should have gone after him while hed had the chance.