Beth Cornelison - Rancher's Deadly Reunion

“I love the idea! It makes sense, considering we aren’t using the bunkhouse now. It uses your talents and passion for outdoor recreation in a profitable way. And vacation ranches are very popular. I read an article in the airline magazine—not this trip but one I took for business a couple months ago—that talked about how popular adventure sports are becoming.” She knew she was prattling, filling the silence and hoping everyone would credit the flush in her cheeks and at her neck to excitement for the plan rather than Brady’s unsettling proximity.

Zane and Josh beamed, and after exchanging a brief but meaningful look, Josh said, “I’m glad you think so, because we have a proposal for you.”

Piper blinked her surprise. “For me?”

Zane nodded and scooted to the edge of the sofa as he leaned toward her, hands on his knees. “We want you on our team.”

She chuckled warily. “I am. I just said I was behind you, that I liked the idea.”

“No, not behind us. Beside us. A joint effort,” Zane clarified.

She tipped her head in query. “You want me to invest in the start-up? I...guess I could give you—”

“Not your money,” Josh interrupted, then flipping up a palm, “Well, maybe some money. Down the road. But right now what we are asking is for you to work with us. To be part of this.”

Piper’s heartbeat thundered against her ribs. “I don’t unders—”

“Move back home, Piper. Be our accountant, our bookkeeper, office manager...”

When Josh paused, Zane added, “Be our partner. We want you to do this thing with us. You’re the third part of the McCall Trouble Trio. And we want you to be one third of the whole venture, expenses, profits, duties. We want your talent, your education, your experience with finance. Not just for the adventure ranch but to help save the Double M.”

Her heart swelled hearing her brothers ask her to join them. To be included. To be wanted and needed by them. Her throat tightened with the same damn emotions that had ambushed her earlier in her bedroom.

Josh reached for her hand and squeezed it. “You belong here , Piper. Not in Boston.”

Frowning, she pulled her hand back. “Excuse me! I like my life in Boston. I have a good job and friends and—” She cut herself off with a disgruntled huff.

Stunned by her brothers’ request, she flopped back on the love seat, heedless of how doing so meant Brady’s arm was now draped close to her shoulders, his warm forearm pressed to her nape. Flattered as she was by their proposal—Josh’s Boston comment aside—the notion of leaving Boston and moving back to the ranch was daunting. Giving up her income, giving up the little apartment that she’d decorated to fit her style, giving up her friends...could she do that?

But coming back to the Double M would mean being near her roots, her family.

And being near Brady, she realized, her heart shuddering to a stop. She sucked in a sharp breath as her pulse now lurched to a gallop, and she became acutely aware of the heat of Brady’s arm against her neck, the weight of his penetrating gaze. The sensation of a thousand champagne bubbles bursting tingled in her belly and skittered from her neck to her fingertips. She swallowed hard and, knowing all eyes were on her, waiting for her response, she forced her tongue to work.

“I...don’t know. I’m honored that you asked. Truly, it means a lot to me that you want me to be part of this...”

“Of course we want you, Pipsqueak. You’re a McCall. This ranch is as much your legacy as ours.” Zane flashed her a gentle smile. “In fact, you could say it’s your duty, your family obligation to help save the ranch.”

Josh smirked and tipped his head toward his brother as if to say, Yeah. What he said.

“Boys, don’t guilt-trip her. Being part of the family doesn’t come with strings attached,” their mother fussed. “Piper, dear, I know you love your life in Boston, and moving home to be part of the boys’ venture is a big decision. Don’t let them pressure you.”

She nodded, then shook her head, not really knowing what she wanted to convey. Her hands were shaking, and her thoughts spun like a dust devil. “I have to think about it. I just don’t know...”

“Can you give us an answer before you go home next week?” Josh asked.

“Joshua, your mother just said not to pressure her.” Their dad arched an eyebrow at the twins. “You just hit her with this. Give her breathing room.”

She flashed her dad a smile of thanks and fell silent again, thinking, stewing...and trying to suppress her body’s sensitivity to the man beside her. His every subtle movement or heavy breath, each side-glance or faint whiff of his scent managed to scatter her thoughts and throw all of her senses into a tizzy.

Finally, she said, “I need more detail. How far have you gotten working out fees and expenses, insurance, construction, logistics? There’s a million little things that could trip you up if you don’t have a well-thought-out plan.”

“I have to say,” Roy said quietly, “I agree with Piper.”

Zane and Josh were nodding.

“Of course,” Josh said. He launched into a deeper discussion of how the trips would be planned, how they would convert and upgrade the bunkhouse, and the contractors they’d talked to about rigging up a zip-line on the scenic property in the foothills of the Rockies that the family had inherited from the triplets’ grandfather. The adventure tours was the perfect use for the property that couldn’t be sold thanks to their grandfather’s wily will stipulations and bequests.

Zane took over when questions turned to financing, liability and staffing.

Piper had to admit, her brothers had given the idea a lot of thought, and their passion for the project was a vibrant, breathing presence in the room.

“Wow,” Piper muttered, when Zane finished speaking and cast his glance around the room.

“I’m proud of you, boys,” their father said. “You’ve put a lot of work in this, and I believe the idea has merit.”

Melissa said nothing, but the shine in her eyes and the wide smile she gave her sons spoke plenty.

Zane glanced toward the love seat. “Well, Piper?”

“It’s a lot to consider, dork.” She gave him a wry grin. “Give me a chance to process.”

“Any other questions?” Josh asked, shifting an expectant gaze from face to face.

“Brady,” Zane said after a few beats, breaking the silence, “you haven’t said anything.”

Brady grew still, then sitting forward and splaying his legs slightly, he propped his forearms on his thighs and pressed his fingertips against each other. His change of position meant his leg touched hers from knee to hip, and it took all her composure not to jerk away as if burned. But the heat of his body penetrated to her marrow and flowed deep into the dark spaces where she’d tried for years to lock away her memories of him, of young love and what could have been.

“Not sure it’s my place to weigh in,” Brady replied, and the low rumble of his voice vibrated in her chest, in her soul.

“We wouldn’t have asked you here if we didn’t value your opinion. You know ranching as well as anyone in the room, and you’ve gone rock climbing and rafting with us out at Grandpa’s property. We’re hoping you’ll be on our staff, help us get up and running.”

She held her breath, waiting for Brady’s reply, thinking of what it would mean to live close to him again, see him daily, if she accepted her brothers’ request. The thumping in her chest that echoed like a drumbeat in her ears had to be loud enough for Brady to hear. She balled her hands in her lap and fought to calm her ragged nerves. She’d come so far in her healing, in making a fresh start for herself. Or so she’d thought.