Top Gun Guardian

“Wait and see.”

He wheeled the truck around the bend and turned down a paved road. One more turn and the asphalt gave way to something less civilized. The tires of the truck crunched and spewed gravel in a cloud of dust and then trundled between the reaching branches of a line of willow trees. The thin sticks, bereft of leaves, created a spiky tunnel toward the sprawling ranch house that lay ahead.

Raven pressed her nose to the window. “This must be beautiful in the spring when the trees have all their leaves.”

“It is.” He nudged Malika’s rounded shoulder. “Looks like she needs a nap before you go on your shopping spree.”

Sighing, Raven blew a puff of air against the glass. This hideaway was going to be a minefield of emotions for both of them. Buzz had wanted to have their wedding right here on the ranch…in the spring.

Buzz had invited her to White Cloud several times to meet his parents and his sister, but she’d always found some excuse. Now she’d never meet his parents.

The truck rolled to a stop around the circular drive, and Buzz tipped his chin toward a garage at the end of the property. “My truck should be in there, and then I can return this one to its rightful owner.”

“I still can’t believe he just let you take his truck.”

“That’s White Cloud.”

Raven left the door of the truck open as she leaned against the hood. “The house looks pretty good for being abandoned.”

“It’s not exactly abandoned.” Buzz ducked into the truck and scooped up a sleeping Malika. “My manager, Shep Ochoa, has been with our family for years. He takes care of the ranch, and one of his daughters makes sure the inside is habitable. So we should have clean sheets, warm water and a working furnace and electricity.”

Raven stretched. “Sounds like heaven about now. Keys?”

“Under the mat, of course.”

“I’ll unlock the door while you keep a tight hold on our precious cargo.”

Buzz adjusted Malika’s drowsy form so that her head rested on his shoulder.

Gulping, Raven crouched down and swept her hand beneath the mat. The man was a natural. The fact that some woman hadn’t snapped him up yet surprised the heck out of her. Surprised her and pleased her.

She jingled the keychain. “Probably right where you left them. Heckuva place, White Cloud.”

Opening the door, she stepped aside to allow Buzz through with Malika. As he crossed the expansive great room to a door just beyond the staircase, Raven dropped the keys on a table and took a turn around the room.

Raven didn’t know quite what she expected from ranch décor, but she knew it wasn’t this rustic room filled with charm and comfort. Sliding glass doors led to a wooden deck that commanded a view of the ranch, rolling hills fringing the landscape. A huge stone fireplace took up half a wall while Native American wall hangings graced another.