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Brandon believed he was treading water in quicksand just being alone with Shelby One misstep and he would drown “I’e and cabinets He’s not one to miss a meal”

“I’ve seen that firsthand,” she said meekly

She’d been with Alex That had already co foolishness and gotten in her pants already? Knowing his little brother’s rep, he bet he’d at least tried

Brandon’s e of that terrible day when Ashley had broken things off with him It wasn’t his brothers’ fault that his relationship with her had ended They’d stopped the old antics once they kne serious he was about Ashley What had killed things between theht’ve been enough had he been able to say those three words every woman deserved to hear He couldn’t after she’d told his between them Her confession that she still found other iven him the out that he needed He had never loved her Not really Not like his pop had loved histhat he did? Their breakup had beentraumatic She’d left Elko for a job in Destiny, Colorado, shortly after the relationship ended He hadn’t seen her since

“Make yourself at home”

“You’re quite the host” Shelby walked around the cabin in an apparent daze She was clearly still reeling froery He wanted to assure her that things would be okay, but with Dirty Byrd on the case, he orried how things would turn out

“Would you like so to eat or drink?” he asked

“Mind if I just sit?” She was shaking slightly “I’ry or thirsty”

“Is it too cold in here?”

“It’s fine, Brandon Thank you” She sat on hischair God, Shelby looked so suited here “How long has this cabin been in your family?”

“Dad’s granddad built it Probably almost a hundred years”

“I’aze moved around the space “It’s beautiful, Brandon”

“Mo to the arranddad worked in the mine”

“Your great-grandfather was from Wilde?” She smiled

He shrugged “I suppose he was I never thought about that before”