The Rancher’s Royal Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 4) Read Free Page A

ignore the way her pulse pounded. Her thoughts ran on a loop. Dad was worried about her safety. So worried the stress contributed to his heart attack? So worried he sent her to stay with a complete stranger who happened to be a retired SEAL?
    Even her uncle was concerned enough to accompany her on the plane to Wyoming. Both her dad and her uncle were pretty high up in their government jobs. It was only when she was a teenager that she discovered her dad worked for the Secret Service.
    Her father had impressed upon her that she shouldn’t tell anyone. If anyone asked, he worked for the government doing something incredibly boring. Since she didn’t have a clue what he actually did, apart from wondering if he did exciting stuff like in the movies, it was easy to accede to his wishes. Over the years she’d come to the conclusion that his job probably was extremely boring which was another reason why he didn’t talk about it. But now …
    She looked out the kitchen window, but all she saw was cows and sky. No Logan. The rural scenery made her fingers itch to sketch and paint it, but she had more important things to think about. Like discovering the real reason she was here.
    An image of her father’s safe accessed through the walk-in pantry in his house, flashed through her mind again. One day she’d surprised him by arriving early for lunch. She’d noted the combination as he hurriedly closed it, and she silently memorized the numbers. Her father had always drummed into her the importance of being vigilant, and now that advice had come in handy.
    She only hoped he hadn’t changed the combination. It had been two years, but she’d made herself remember the combination, in case she ever needed to access the safe in an emergency. But she never imagined she’d be in this kind of situation. Now it looked like her diligence might pay off.
    Ellie picked up her purse and checked how much cash was in her wallet. Enough to last her until she arrived home. She’d sneak out of here, borrow Logan’s SUV, and drive back to the airport.
    She had to find out what was going on, and checking her father’s safe seemed to be the best way to do so.
    At the back door, she paused. Should she write him a note? Although, he’d probably be glad when he found out she’d left. Somehow, she didn’t think babysitting her was one of his favorite things to do.
    She hastily scrawled a short note and left it on the kitchen table. Grabbing the car keys off the hook on the wall, she opened the back door, wincing at the squeaking hinges. Would he hear?
    Her ears strained for footsteps, a movement in the yard, but only silence greeted her. She tiptoed into the yard, spying the garage a short distance away. Ellie peered around, but she couldn’t see Logan anywhere. Cows munched in a field nearby, but apart from a bird trilling a pretty tune, the ranch seemed deserted.
    Power walking to the garage, painted white like the house, she prayed it wasn’t locked. Her fingers gripped the key ring, careful not to let the keys jangle. She didn’t know what the second key was for, but right now she didn’t care. All she wanted to do was jump into the SUV, make her way home, and find out what was going on.
    Ellie tested the garage door before carefully easing it open. It barely made a sound as it slid up on well-oiled hinges. She pulled at the car door, but it was locked. Damn. Now she would have to click the key to unlock it. Wincing at the tiny beep, she wrenched open the door and clambered into the driver’s seat.
    “Not so fast.” An iron grip descended on her arm.
    She jerked her head around . Logan’s hand was wrapped around her arm.
    “But--”
    “We agreed you weren’t to leave the ranch without me.” His eyes narrowed.
    “I need to go home.”
    “No.” His expression was implacable.
    She could feel the corded strength in his grip. He wasn’t hurting her, but his hand on her arm was a subtle reminder that he was taller and stronger than