The No. 1 Sheriff in Texas

Nora put on a smile. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Randell.”

The older woman took her hand. “Please, call me Abby.”

“And I’m Nora.”

“Oh, what a lovely old-fashioned name.” She looked thoughtful. “I don’t know any Donnellys. Are you new in the area?”

She nodded. “A few months.”

“Nora is a nurse at West Hills,” Brandon answered.

Abby Randell glanced between the two of them and smiled. “You probably don’t know many people around here.”

“I know a lot of people at the hospital.”

“Maybe you and your husband would like to come out to the ranch?”

Brandon sent her a stern look. “Mother.”

“I’m a widow. It’s just me and my son, Zach.”

“I’m sorry. That has to be difficult, especially for your son. How old is he?”

“Zach is seven.”

Abby smiled. “I have an idea. It’s tradition that the family has a barbecue on Sundays while the weather is warm. There are dozens of cousins, and kids whose parents work on the ranch. This weekend we’re hosting it at our place.” She gave her son a pointed look. “Actually, it’s Brandon’s ranch.”

“It belongs to the family,” he corrected.

Abby smiled. “I bet Zach would love to spend a day on a working ranch.”

Nora was caught, knowing her son would love to have some kids to play with. “I’m sure he would.”

“Then that settles it. Brandon will bring you out this coming Sunday.” Abby Randell then turned and walked out before Nora could change her mind.

Brandon sank onto the edge of the desk. “Welcome to the world of the Randells.”

CHAPTER THREE

“FOLLOW through, Zach.”

With a nod, the seven-year-old threw the baseball and Brandon managed to field the errant toss. “That’s pretty good,” he told the boy, and was rewarded with a shy smile.

Brandon knew he should be at the office, following up leads on Carlson’s family. Yet, thirty minutes ago when he brought Nora back to her apartment, he hadn’t wanted to leave. Not after he saw young Zach Donnelly in the yard, tossing a baseball up in the air trying to catch it. The kid looked lost.

“A little practice and you’ll get better in no time.”

“I don’t have anyone to play with,” Zach said, giving his mother a look. “Except Mom.”

Nora straightened at her spot on the step. “Hey, I didn’t think I was so bad.”

“I know.” The boy looked embarrassed as he murmured, “But you’re a girl.”

Brandon had noticed that. A pretty one, too. He bit back a smile. “What about at school?”

The boy glanced away. “I’m new and the kids around here don’t want me to play with them.”

Brandon felt a tightness in his chest. Zach was small for his age, and on the thin side. Worse, he was the new kid in town.

“Sometimes it just takes a little time to get to know everyone.” Brandon tossed the ball back, and the boy managed to get the new oversize glove under it. “Good job.”

Zach’s smile quickly faded. “Nobody picks me because all the other kids are better than me.”

Brandon doubted that, but the new kid often got picked on. He glanced to Nora, watching the interaction closely. “Maybe I could help you.”

The boy perked up. “Really?”

Nora had to end this. She stood and walked toward her son. “Zach, we should probably go inside. You have homework.”

“Aw, Mom.”

She remained persistent. “You also need to get something to eat.”

The boy started to argue, but Brandon stepped in. “Zach, it’s best to mind your mother. She only wants you to be healthy and strong. We can do this another day.”

“Okay,” Zach answered, but didn’t leave. “When? When are you coming back?”

Wait. Wasn’t she the parent here? “Zach, Detective Randell is busy with work. You can’t expect him just to drop everything.” She made eye contact with Brandon, daring him to challenge her. “Now, you go inside.”

Her son finally nodded, then glanced at Brandon. “Thanks for playing catch with me.”

“You’re welcome,” Brandon said and the boy took off up the steps.

Nora was trying hard to hold her temper. She didn’t like how Brandon Randell had worked his way into her private life. She had to put a stop to it. Now.

She faced him. Well, darn if he wasn’t giving her one of those cocky, how-can-you-resist-me grins. It wasn’t going to work on her.

“Look, Detective—”

“It’s Brandon, Nora,” he interrupted her. “I think we can move on to first names, don’t you?”

No! She wanted to scream. “That’s the problem, Det—Brandon. I don’t think it’s a good idea since we have no reason to even see each other again.”

He frowned. “I haven’t solved your case.”

“You don’t need me for that. And I’ve told you everything I remember of that night.”

Brandon took a step closer. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to shake some sense into her, or pull her into his arms and keep her safe. He’d never felt this protective about any woman before.