The No. 1 Sheriff in Texas

“Why don’t I make sure you’re safely inside?” He stepped closer, blocking some of the light. Nora drew a breath, inhaling his clean male scent. His gaze met hers, causing a strange warm rush down her spine. She quickly moved away, giving him room to work the key into the dead bolt, then allowing him to open the apartment door.

Nora walked into the small entry, set down her purse on the table, then went into the living area to find Millie seated in front of the television. Her son’s babysitter turned around, then got up and rushed to her.

“Oh, Nora,” she cried as she examined her friend’s face. “You didn’t tell me you were hurt this badly.”

“Don’t, Millie. Like I told you when I called, I’m fine. Really.”

The gray-haired woman frowned. “You don’t look fine. Remember, I’m a nurse, too.” She glanced toward the deputy. “You must be Officer Randell. I’m Millie Carter, Nora’s neighbor and babysitter for her son. Thank you for bringing her home.”

“Not a problem.”

Nora stepped in. “I have a slight concussion so I couldn’t drive myself, but I’ll need my car to get to work.”

Brandon shook his head. “I don’t think the hospital will be expecting you to work for a few days. But another deputy is bringing your car.”

“Then you’ll have time for coffee,” Millie said before Nora could protest. “Cream or sugar?”

“Black, thank you,” he said.

Nora wanted to call Millie back, but her strength was gone. She had to close her eyes, suddenly feeling shaky. The next thing she knew, the deputy reached out for her.

“Whoa.” His arm came around her and he led her to the sofa. “You better sit down.”

“I’m fine,” she lied.

“You’re not fine. It’s probably a delayed reaction. Maybe you should go to bed.”

“No!” She shook her head, trying to erase any thought of this man in her room.

He crouched down in front of her. “Nora, are you sure you’re all right?” There was such concern in those dark eyes of his, but she couldn’t let herself lean on anyone, especially a man. Never again. It wasn’t safe for either of them.

“You’ve had a rough night.”

All at once tears flooded her eyes. She tried to blink them away. “I’m okay,” she lied. “I have to be.”

Brandon couldn’t stop the protective feelings he had for this woman. He wasn’t supposed to get personally involved, but Nora Donnelly made it damn difficult.

“Such a tough guy?” he said with a smile. “Let someone take care of you.” He found himself reaching out and brushing a tear from her soft cheek. His voice softened. “You don’t always have to be so strong.”

“Yes, I do,” she said.

Hearing the trembling in her voice, he pulled a blanket from the back of the sofa and wrapped it around her. “Are you cold?”

“A little.”

He rubbed her arms, stirring up some warmth. She felt so delicate. He didn’t want to think about what would have happened to her if he hadn’t gotten there in time tonight. “Do you have any family I can call? Someone who can stay with you.”

She looked at him with those startling blue eyes. His throat went dry and his chest tightened.

She finally shook her head. “Maybe Millie can stay.”

“Mom?”

They both turned toward the hallway to find a small dark-haired boy in a pair of Star Wars pajamas. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

Nora held out her hand as he walked toward her. “Zach, you shouldn’t be out of bed.”

“I heard you talking.” The child’s worried gaze took Brandon in, then searched his mother’s face. “What happened?” His eyes showed fear. “Did he find you and hurt you?”

Brandon caught Nora’s panic and knew his instincts were right. So maybe this attack wasn’t one of random violence. But he didn’t want the boy to worry.

“Hi, Zach, I’m Deputy Randell. Your mother had a little accident in the parking lot at work, so I brought her home. She’s okay now. I’ve made sure of that.”

The boy looked at his mother. “You’re really okay?”

She nodded. “I hit my head, so I have to rest for a few days.” She studied her son. “Hey, I’m the one who’s supposed to take care of you. How are you feeling tonight?”

“Okay.”

She embraced the boy and Brandon could see the love between them.

“Then you should be back in bed, Zach,” she told him. “It’s late.”

The boy pulled back from the embrace and shot Brandon a glance. There was worry etched on his face, far too much for a kid aged six, maybe seven.

“Your mother is okay, son,” the deputy said. “The doctor checked her over.”

That’s when Millie came into the room, carrying a tray of mugs. “And I’ll be here, Zach,” she told him. “I’ll take care of her like I take care of you.”

Zach finally gave his mother a smile. “Okay.” He kissed her then, and let Millie take him back to his bedroom. The older woman paused at the doorway. “Nora, yours is cocoa.”

Brandon handed the mug to Nora, then took his. “He seems like a nice boy. He worries about you.”

“There’s no need.” She stared down at her mug.

He took a sip of the hot brew. “Still it’s got to be hard to raise a child on your own.”

She stiffened. “I’m doing fine like a lot of single mothers. Zach and I don’t need anyone—we have each other.”

“But what if you’d been seriously hurt tonight…or worse?” He had a hunch there was a lot more to this story. “The attacker worked you over good, Nora.” He motioned to her face. “And what he said to you, ‘You thought you could get away with it.’” He watched Nora’s face…her jaw tensed. “Statistics show that personal attacks, like the one to your face, often mean the perpetrator is familiar with his victim.”

“For the last time, Deputy, I didn’t know the man, so stop treating me like I’ve committed the crime.”

CHAPTER TWO

HANK BARRETT squinted into the bright, September sun. Off in the distance he spotted the familiar black truck driving under the Circle B archway. Brandon. Smiling, he stepped off the back porch to go and greet his eldest grandson. He knew that his fifteen grandkids had better things to do than come visit an old man. But this sure made his day.

Eighty years old on his last birthday, Hank had been blessed with good health. Thankful that he could still climb on a horse, he liked to supervise the ranch work rather than do it these days. And he got to spend time with his three sons, Chance, Cade and Travis. The boys might have been adopted, but he loved them as much as if they were his own blood. No more or less than his own biological daughter, Josie. They all lived close by, and all worked together.