Her Rancher Bodyguard by Brenda Minton Read Free Book Online

on the chair next to the dog, propping his feet up on the footstool. Man, it felt good to stretch. He reached, rubbing the calf muscle of his right leg. The pain eased.
    He let out a deep breath and relaxed again.
    The collie that had been sleeping half crawled into his lap, resting her head on his leg. He brushed a hand down her neck. “Good girl.”
    She pushed at his hand with her nose.
    â€œYou’re right, time to go inside.”
    He eased to his feet and headed inside. The door wasn’t locked. It never was. He flipped on a light and headed for the kitchen. Halfway across the small living area, he stopped and took a step back.
    â€œWhat in the world are you doing in my house?” he yelled at the man sprawled on his couch.
    â€œSleeping,” Daron McKay grumbled. “And I could sleep a lot better without all the yelling. Did you get her settled?”
    Daron tossed off the afghan and brushed a hand over his face as he sat up. Boone limped across the room and settled into the recliner.
    â€œYeah, my mom has her. And is already worried about feeding her. And keeping her safe from me. Or maybe me safe from her.”
    Daron perked up at that. “Your mom is a smart woman. We should hire her.”
    Boone tossed a pillow, hitting Daron in the head. “Go away.”
    â€œYou’re the one who told me the place is always unlocked.”
    â€œI didn’t mean for you to move in here. You have a place of your own just down the road. A big place. Paid for by your dear old dad.”
    â€œIt’s too big and empty.” Daron shrugged and plopped back down on the couch. “I’ll pay for the food I eat and the inconvenience.”
    â€œI like to be alone.”
    â€œI know. It’s easier to pace all night if there’s no one watching.”
    They both did a lot of pacing. For different reasons. He gave his business partner a long look and wondered just how bad Daron’s nights were. Since they usually stayed out of each other’s heads, Boone could only guess. And since they dealt with their shared grief, their shared memories of Afghanistan, by being men and not dealing with it, he wasn’t about to get all emotional now.
    â€œMy pacing is none of your business, McKay. We’re business partners, not the Texas version of the Odd Couple .”
    Daron had stretched back out on the sofa and pulled the afghan up to his neck. “You can argue all you want, but you know you like my company. And if we’re the Odd Couple , I’m the clean freak and you’re the messy one. How is our client?”
    â€œYou’re the slob. And she’s scared. Even if she pretends she isn’t. And probably lonely. I don’t know.” Boone stretched his legs, relieving the knots in his muscles. “There’s something she isn’t telling us.”
    â€œCharm it out of her.”
    â€œYou’re the charming one in this partnership. I’m all business. Luce is, well, Luce.”
    â€œShe’s only happy with a gun in her hand,” Daron quipped.
    It wasn’t really the truth, but they liked to tease her.
    â€œYeah. So you charm Miss Stanford. I’ll keep her safe.”
    â€œNah,” Daron said. “I think I’ll let you try charming for once. I’m out on this one. She’s a handful and I’m not patient.”
    â€œI was going to make a sandwich.” Boone pushed himself out of his chair. “Want one?”
    â€œI ate all of your lunch meat. Sorry.”
    â€œI’m changing my locks.” Boone headed for the kitchen, where he rummaged through the cabinets, not finding much to choose from. He grabbed a can of pasta and decided to eat it cold, out of the can.
    Daron joined him in the kitchen, his face haggard, his dark blond hair going in all directions and his shirt untucked. For the supposed neat one, he was a mess. Boone accepted that it was going to be a long night. He could feel it in