survived and become a seasoned agent because of it.
Today was about doing her job.
Still, as the big farmhouse came into view with its sweeping trees and the sunset casting golden hues over theland, her heart fluttered crazily.
Brody and some fellow ranchers donated time and money to the project, funding camps, riding lessons and counseling.
There was no doubt in her mind that losing Will had inspired Brody to start the BBL. After all, he’d suffered some hard knocks growing up, but he’d had a tender side, as well, especially for those less fortunate than him.
God knowshe’d saved her from the wrath of her uncle a few times.
Shrugging off those memories, as well, she spotted the remnants of the wedding celebration to the right side of the farmhouse. Once long ago when she’d been an innocent girl, she’d fantasized about her own wedding.
But not anymore.
Will’s disappearance and the horrific things she’d seen on the job had killed those fantasies.
She struggled to catch her breath. And now she had to destroy Brody’s hope that Will would come home safe and happy.
At least he was alive, though. That had to mean something.
She parked, her gaze straying to the front porch of the house and her chest squeezed as she spotted Brody sitting in that porch swing. Seven years had only made him more handsome.
The young boy had becomea man, all filled out and muscular. His dark hair was a little longer, nearly brushing his collar, his jawbones just as prominent, his skin a deep bronze from working outside.
He stood as she got out of the car and she swore he’d grown an inch or two in height. She knew every muscle and inch of that skin beneath his chambray shirt, every place that made him moan and sigh with pleasure.
The memory made her yearn to touch him again.
He wore a long duster and a dress shirt indicating he’d been at Mason’s wedding when she’d called. But his somber expression told her he held the weight of the world on those broad shoulders.
Then his gaze pinned her with a look of contempt, and she almost wished she’d let another agent handle this job.
But it was her fault Will hadgone missing, and she had vowed to herself that one day she’d find him and bring him back to Brody.
Now she knew Will was alive, she had to keep that promise.
No matter how much it cost her.
Chapter Two
Brody had imagined what it would be like to see Julie again, but not like this. Not with her holding the answers that he’d needed for so long.
Still, he couldn’t help but look her over. She was more beautiful than he’d remembered. She was slightly slimmer than before, but her figure was still luscious, her hair the color of wheat, her lips pouty, and her eyes thesame golden shade of green.
Those eyes had once mesmerized him, seduced him, made him want to give her everything her heart desired. Made him want to save her from that vicious uncle of hers, and promise her the moon.
But instead of the flirty, vibrant glow they had always emanated, instead of the soft innocence he’d known, they radiated with a cold harshness that nearly took his breath.
Because of what she’d seen on the job—or because of him?
The cruel words he’d tossed at her the last time he’d seen her echoed in his head. God, he’d been a bastard. Eaten up with his own guilt and fear.
And he’d taken it all out on her.
“Brody,” she said, her voice slightly warbling. “Maybe we should go inside to talk.”
The wedding party had left and Brody wasn’t surehe wanted to go inside. He needed the fresh air to stem the nausea rolling through him. “Out here is fine.”
Her fingers tensed around her shoulder bag, then he noticed it was more of a briefcase than a purse. “I have some things to show you, some photographs,” she said indicating the bag. “We really need a place to spread them out.”
His gut tightened. Pictures that would tell a storyabout what had happened to his little brother...
God help him. Did he
Today was about doing her job.
Still, as the big farmhouse came into view with its sweeping trees and the sunset casting golden hues over theland, her heart fluttered crazily.
Brody and some fellow ranchers donated time and money to the project, funding camps, riding lessons and counseling.
There was no doubt in her mind that losing Will had inspired Brody to start the BBL. After all, he’d suffered some hard knocks growing up, but he’d had a tender side, as well, especially for those less fortunate than him.
God knowshe’d saved her from the wrath of her uncle a few times.
Shrugging off those memories, as well, she spotted the remnants of the wedding celebration to the right side of the farmhouse. Once long ago when she’d been an innocent girl, she’d fantasized about her own wedding.
But not anymore.
Will’s disappearance and the horrific things she’d seen on the job had killed those fantasies.
She struggled to catch her breath. And now she had to destroy Brody’s hope that Will would come home safe and happy.
At least he was alive, though. That had to mean something.
She parked, her gaze straying to the front porch of the house and her chest squeezed as she spotted Brody sitting in that porch swing. Seven years had only made him more handsome.
The young boy had becomea man, all filled out and muscular. His dark hair was a little longer, nearly brushing his collar, his jawbones just as prominent, his skin a deep bronze from working outside.
He stood as she got out of the car and she swore he’d grown an inch or two in height. She knew every muscle and inch of that skin beneath his chambray shirt, every place that made him moan and sigh with pleasure.
The memory made her yearn to touch him again.
He wore a long duster and a dress shirt indicating he’d been at Mason’s wedding when she’d called. But his somber expression told her he held the weight of the world on those broad shoulders.
Then his gaze pinned her with a look of contempt, and she almost wished she’d let another agent handle this job.
But it was her fault Will hadgone missing, and she had vowed to herself that one day she’d find him and bring him back to Brody.
Now she knew Will was alive, she had to keep that promise.
No matter how much it cost her.
Chapter Two
Brody had imagined what it would be like to see Julie again, but not like this. Not with her holding the answers that he’d needed for so long.
Still, he couldn’t help but look her over. She was more beautiful than he’d remembered. She was slightly slimmer than before, but her figure was still luscious, her hair the color of wheat, her lips pouty, and her eyes thesame golden shade of green.
Those eyes had once mesmerized him, seduced him, made him want to give her everything her heart desired. Made him want to save her from that vicious uncle of hers, and promise her the moon.
But instead of the flirty, vibrant glow they had always emanated, instead of the soft innocence he’d known, they radiated with a cold harshness that nearly took his breath.
Because of what she’d seen on the job—or because of him?
The cruel words he’d tossed at her the last time he’d seen her echoed in his head. God, he’d been a bastard. Eaten up with his own guilt and fear.
And he’d taken it all out on her.
“Brody,” she said, her voice slightly warbling. “Maybe we should go inside to talk.”
The wedding party had left and Brody wasn’t surehe wanted to go inside. He needed the fresh air to stem the nausea rolling through him. “Out here is fine.”
Her fingers tensed around her shoulder bag, then he noticed it was more of a briefcase than a purse. “I have some things to show you, some photographs,” she said indicating the bag. “We really need a place to spread them out.”
His gut tightened. Pictures that would tell a storyabout what had happened to his little brother...
God help him. Did he
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