Read Online THE RENEGADE RANCHER by Angi Morgan - Free Book Online

pair of those.” She pointed to his scuffed-up, broken-in boots.
    “Great. Let’s go to the barn for some privacy.” He shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from guiding her with a touch. He couldn’t risk it, not until he got himself under control. “We’re going to sit and talk like we should have last night at the Pan-Hop.”
    She walked next to him, silent, watching the ground.
    “Do you have panic attacks often?”
    Her head snapped around, her face full of question. “Never.”
    “You’ve had two in twelve hours.” He propped the door open for ventilation. He was already hotter than blazes.
    “How do you know they’re panic attacks?”
    “First off, I’ve seen a few professionally. And you have plenty of logical reasons to be upset.”
    “Is there any way to make them go away?” She sat on a bale of hay, legs and arms crossed.
    He shook his head. “But you’ll be okay. Promise.” Stupid promise that he had no way of knowing how to keep.
    “Why are you doing this, Brian?”
    “You know why. I need to find out who framed my brother and me for murder.”
    “I get that part. I meant, why bring me here and involve your family? Why were none of them surprised I was here? And why do I get the feeling they aren’t too happy about me showing up?”
    He picked up and straightened tack someone had left on the rail. Delaying, but knowing he had to admit everything. She needed to know what was driving him and he needed to tell her.
    “Finding information about your family has been a Sloane project for a couple of months now. I tried to tell you yesterday how we pieced everything together. And I guess they aren’t too happy about more trouble on their doorstep.”
    “Because of Lauren’s kidnapping and the court case deciding the future of her trust fund?” Lindsey scooted back and leaned on the post behind her, smiling. “I have a smartphone, too.”
    “Yeah, things are kind of up in the air about that. Any calls to the police or trouble around here, well, it might cause a judge to look unfavorably on my brother. He’s trying to adopt Lauren.”
    “They want you on your best behavior and yet you contacted me anyway.” Her lips tilted upward. “So you have been following me.”
    “Yes.”
    Lindsey’s reaction wasn’t what he expected. She tilted her head back, looked into the rafters and let out a long breath. The action eased his guilty conscience, but did nothing to ease his attraction. With her body arched backward, her breasts thrust upward. She did a little kick thingy with her feet slightly off the ground, and then she laughed.
    Hoover Dam! He searched the barn entrance for work. Tack, salt, saddle, something heavy to lift and force his body into submission. Fifty-pound feed bags were ready to put in the storeroom. He hefted one on his shoulder and dragged another with his free hand.
    There was something between him and Lindsey Cook. Somehow, he knew it would be very good if he just gave it some time. That possible relationship—if he understood the use of that word—would go nowhere fast if he gave in to desire and crushed her body to his. What he wanted versus what he needed were fighting a battle, and he really didn’t know which would win.
    “Can I help?” Their hands collided on the edge of a feed bag.
    “No.” He hefted the bag to his shoulder and forced another under his arm. Work. Good, honest sweat would keep him on track. Head down, one foot in front of the other. Nothing to watch except his boots. “You should head back to the house.”
    “Not so fast, mister. I want some answers.”
    “I have work to do before I take you back to your rental.” He stacked the feed and turned for the last bags.
    “You agreed to tell me everything.” She placed a searing hand on his chest.
    “That’s not a good idea right now.” He looked at her hand, but it didn’t move. Such a small thing that had him stuck in his tracks.
    “We aren’t leaving until you start spilling what