LITMIR.BIZ

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offered his hand with a smile, and Julie reluctantly took it. His palm felt warm and callused, but it had more of an impact than a simple handshake should. Her urge to flee grew. She couldn’t risk wanting a man, or becoming involved with one. But nothing about him suggested he was feeling anything more than friendly. Oddly enough, given her state of mind, that almost disappointed her.

      “Nice to meet you, Julie. Don’t listen to Dallas. I’m not a recluse at all.”

      “No, you just bury yourself in work.”

      “Only because you guys are so busy romancing the ladies. Or were.” Braden released Julie’s hand but continued to smile at her. “Why don’t you join us at the Triple-T for our after party, and maybe we can get past the Lily-inspired awkwardness.”

      “What’s awk...awkness?” Lily’s question dissolved everyone into laughter, breaking any tension that remained.

      “Seriously,” Braden said. “You don’t want to miss the after-show fun. Mallory? How about you and Caleb come, too?”

      “I’ve got to get this little hellion home to bed,” Mallory answered. “Sorry to miss out.” She turned to Julie. “You really should go. A lot of people will be there, and it’s always a great time. Vanessa can take you, or I can drop you to get your own car.”

      “I’ll think about it,” Julie said, while firmly convinced that she was going to bolt. Then she met Braden’s friendly gaze again. Or maybe not.

      She had apparently recovered a memory tonight. Maybe getting out more into larger groups would jar something loose.

      With her heart in her throat, she agreed to go. But only for a short visit, she promised herself.

      * * *

      Braden knew his brothers were going to rib him about inviting Julie to the Triple-T, but he was so used to being ribbed about his dating life—or lack thereof—that he really didn’t care. He’d dated before, he’d date again when the time was right. Just now it didn’t feel right.

      But something about Julie Smith had managed to reach out to him. For some weird reason, she made him feel like she needed a protector. Yeah, she was beautiful all right, but with an aura of innocence that cried out for shelter. And something else, something uneasy. Julie Smith was not a truly happy young woman, and that affected him.

      She touched him, striking some kind of responsive chord, and it wasn’t just those huge blue eyes, her soft face, her great figure. Those things were just a package, and at thirty-four, Braden wasn’t often deceived by the packaging. He’d managed to learn a few lessons over the years.

      But he’d always been a sucker for someone or something that needed protecting, whether a friend or a new foal. He could be all wrong about her, but he supposed he’d figure that out quickly.

      At first he left her pretty much alone among the family and friends at the Triple-T. A party was underway, and he was one of the hosts. But he kept seeking her out with his eyes, and every time he noticed how uncomfortable she looked. The folks in his home were all friendly, but apparently, as a newcomer, she felt awkward. In fact, she looked as if she wished she could melt into the walls. He was sure people weren’t trying to ignore her or make her feel out of place. Instead, she seemed to be creating her own bubble, emerging only when she had to so she could return a greeting or shake a hand. Welcomed but not feeling it.

      His curiosity about her began to grow. She was definitely not just another one of the women who had showed up here hoping to find a husband as they rebuilt the town after the flood. Not to say all those women were bad or anything. But this one seemed to be looking for escape more than company.

      Curiosity might be his worst failing, he thought with some amusement as he realized he was steadily circling through the room toward her. He just loved a mystery.

      He amused himself even more because he’d seen this woman around town a few times but had never felt the least urge to meet her, until tonight. Ah yes, mystery. Well, he’d try to find out what it was, kill his curiosity and move on. Things were too hectic on the ranch with all his brothers distracted by their families and girlfriends for him to spare the time for much more anyway.

      He saw his parents get to her first. It was mostly a family party, and apparently they didn’t want her to feel like a loose end. As he drew nearer, he heard them greeting her as if she were some kind of celebrity guest, glad she had taken the time to join them, hoping she would visit often. They even threw in a little matchmaking of their own, extolling Braden’s virtues.

      And Julie, whether they knew it or not, was beginning to look almost frightened. What the hell?

      His parents moved on finally, and he prepared to step in. Whatever was going on, he didn’t want her scared.

      She started to walk around the room, looking at family pictures on the dark wood wall. His opening, if he could catch up to her. He didn’t miss the fact that she was drawing ever closer to Vanessa, who was her escape route.

      He quickened his step and caught her finally as she stopped to look up at the portrait of his grandfather.

      “My grandfather,” he said to her.

      She started, then looked at him with those huge blue eyes. “You have a big family.”

      “Yeah. When I was a kid, I sometimes wished I was an only child. Now everyone’s moved out with their new families and when I stay here, I sometimes feel like I’m rattling around in this place.”

      She gave a tentative laugh.

      “What about you?” he asked. “Large family?”

      “Only child.”

      The brevity of her response invited no more questions, but he was determined. “Parents?”

      “Gone.”

      God, he thought, that was sad. She was truly alone. Friends couldn’t make up for the absence of family, something he’d learned as his brothers moved out to be with their brides and girlfriends. “I’m sorry.”

      Just then Dallas appeared at his side, having left his wife Nina to talk to their mother, and bumped his shoulder. “Coon dog smelling possum?” he asked.

      “Damn it, Dallas.” Some women wouldn’t appreciate that kind of rough humor. “Go back to your wife and lay off.”

      Dallas simply grinned.

      Braden glared at him then turned to apologize to Julie. Too late. In just those few moments, she’d managed to reach Vanessa. The two women were talking, and Vanessa nodded. They were leaving.

      “Strike out?” Dallas asked.

      “I’ll never know, you big idiot. You scared her off.”

      “Looked to me like you were doing a pretty good job of that yourself.”

      Braden paused. Had he been?

      His instinct told him to go to the door to say good-night, but Dallas’s words held him back. That woman didn’t need any more scaring. Instead, he watched as his parents bade the women good-night and made them promise to come back again soon.

      “Damn it,” he said again.

      “You can always invite her to help at Presents for Patriots. Innocent enough.”

      “I don’t need your advice.”

      “Wanna bet?” Dallas asked.

      Braden realized the room had nearly emptied. It looked even emptier with most of the furniture moved back against the walls to make room. The gals had apparently gone to the kitchen to help with cleanup. That left the merciless crew of Sutter, Dallas, and Collin to stand around with him, converging like vultures who spied a meal. They’d tussled and teased with each other since their earliest days, and Braden didn’t need a map to know what he was in for now. He’d actually talked to a single woman.

      “Brother

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