“Come on, Ramsey, think about how awesome it would be if you joined us on the tour full time.” Cash’s expression was hopeful, eager as he peered across the kitchen table at Ramsey.
“It would be fantastic to have you,” Ava agreed. “We can always use your expertise, especially after what happened a couple weeks ago.” She looked at Cash, silent information passing between them.
Ramsey frowned. “What happened?” A few months ago, he’d temporarily taken the position as head of security for Cash’s tour. At which point, he helped track down a murderer who was terrorizing Cash’s tour members. It had been a harrowing situation. Ava had been shot and was nearly killed. Ramsey assumed that all was good with Cash and Ava’s tour now, even though he knew deep down that problems would always arise. That was the nature of the beast. Cash was a country music superstar and would always need protection. He eyed Cash and Ava, waiting for them to spill the details.
Ava moistened her lips. “A man broke into Hartley’s house.”
Ramsey flinched. “What? Is she okay?”
“For now,” Ava continued. “Hartley forgot to set the security alarm for her house. She awoke in the middle of the night to find a man in her room. When Hartley retrieved the gun from her nightstand, the intruder got spooked and ran away.”
Ramsey’s mind raced into high gear. “Did Hartley recognize the intruder?”
“No,” Ava answered. “We suspect that it was a crazed fan.”
Ramsey’s mind ticked through the list of routine questions. “Has Hartley been getting hate mail? Any strange emails?”
Cash shook his head. “No, we hope it was an isolated event. But we can’t be sure. I would feel better about the situation if you took over the security. Not just temporarily this time, but on a permanent basis.” He leaned forward. “Money is no object, bro,” he said quietly, even though they were the only three in the kitchen. “Name your price.”
Ramsey sat back in his seat and drummed his fingers on the table. It chilled his blood to think of Hartley being in danger. A man had entered her bedroom while she was sleeping. Had she not had a gun, the situation could have been bad. Part of Ramsey was tempted to accept the job on the spot, not only to protect Hartley but also to be around her on a regular basis. However, he enjoyed his current job as a member of Sutton Smith’s private security team. Sutton Smith was a billionaire philanthropist. Sutton’s only son, Doug, was a Navy SEAL. He was killed in the line of duty. To honor his memory, Sutton set up his security team, which was composed of many former Navy SEALs, like Ramsey. It was nice having the association with other former SEALs. Also, Ramsey enjoyed the unpredictability of his work, how he was constantly moving from client to client, never staying in one place or with any set person for a long period of time. Plus, Ramsey enjoyed having access to Sutton’s unlimited resources.
On the other hand, Ramsey would enjoy being around his brother on a regular basis. His job was often lonely, and he missed being around family. And he couldn’t exactly take Hartley out of the equation. While Ramsey longed to be near her, it probably wasn’t a good idea because of the bro code. Then again, would it really be so horrible if he dated Hartley? After all, Cash had moved on. He had Ava now, but there was a time when he’d been devastated by Hartley’s rejection.
He pushed out a long breath. “I dunno,” he hedged. Could he work for Cash long term? The two of them got along well, much better than Ramsey and Jaxson, who often butted heads. Still, it might be tricky.
Cash held up a hand. “You don’t have to give me an answer right this minute. Just think about it, would ya?”
Ramsey nodded.
Cash quirked a sly grin as he glanced at Ava. “I’m sure the women on the tour will love having Mr. GQ around.”
“Yeah, right,” Ramsey guffawed.
“According to Mama, all of her sons should dress as well as Ramsey.” Cash threw Ramsey a teasing look. “Mama thinks you’re so pretty,” he cooed.
“He is pretty with those mysterious gray eyes and that perfect hair,” Ava chimed in.
Cash’s jaw dropped. “Hey!”
“But not nearly as pretty as you,” Ava said sweetly as she slung her arm around Cash’s shoulders and pulled him close. “As interesting as Ramsey’s eyes are, I prefer green myself—vivid sparkling emeralds.” She peered deeply into his eyes.
“Uh, huh. I see how you are,” Cash pouted.
“You know I love you,” Ava giggled as she caught his cheeks in her hands and pulled his face to her so she could kiss him on the mouth.
A smile played over Ramsey’s lips as he switched into his taunting big brother mode. Cash had been giving him crap. Time to dish it right back. “Y’all seem to be getting along well.”
“We are.” Cash slid his arm around Ava’s shoulders. The two were glowing with so much love that it was almost too sickly sweet for Ramsey.
“As cozy as two pigs in a blanket,” Ramsey quipped. It was fun to watch Ava’s face go cherry red.
Cash grunted out a laugh. “Pigs in a blanket. Seriously?” He raised an eyebrow in mild annoyance.
“Who’s having pigs in a blanket?” their daddy, Knox, boomed as he stepped into the kitchen. He flashed a large grin. “That sounds tasty. I’m starving.” He went to the fridge, opened the door, and peered in. “Let’s see, where are those chicken fingers Gina made last night?”
Ramsey, Cash, and Ava went bug-eyed as they looked at one another. Gina had worked for the family for as long as Ramsey could remember. Her cooking was legendary. “Um, Daddy,” Cash began, “we ate the rest of them.”
Knox’s jaw fell as he wheeled around. “What? Ah, man.” He swiped his leg with the palm of his hand. “I’ve been looking forward to eating those all day.”
“They were delicious,” Ramsey said with a cheeky grin as he met eyes with Cash.
Knox pulled a face. “The more things change, the more they stay the same. All y’all do is come home to eat my groceries.”
“It’s because your groceries taste so much better than ours,” Cash quipped.
“I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” Ramsey chimed in. “Those chicken fingers were amazing. The best food I’ve had since the last time I had Gina’s cooking.”
“Amen,” Cash boomed.
“Hey,” Ava protested. “What about the spaghetti I cooked you last night? Did you not like it?” She arched an eyebrow.
Color rushed to Cash’s face.
“Busted,” Ramsey teased. He looked at Daddy who was also amused. It was fun watching Cash squirm. “You’re a bug on a hook, bro.”
“Your spaghetti was almost as delectable as you,” Cash murmured as he leaned in and kissed Ava on the lips.
She chuckled lightly. “I’ll let you off this time, Mister.”
“I guess I’ll have to make do with pinto beans and cornbread,” Knox pouted as he removed the items from the fridge.
The brothers looked at one another and grinned. For an instant, Ramsey felt like a kid again, back at the ranch, sitting around the table, in the same spot where he’d sat during his childhood. “Is Mama coming to the anniversary celebration tonight?”
“Sure is,” Knox said. He retrieved a bowl from the cupboard and spooned beans into it before placing it into the microwave. “The whole family’s coming.”
“That’s awesome,” Ramsey said. “Speaking of the family, where is everybody?”
Cash frowned. “What are we? Chopped liver?”
“I mean everyone except for y’all,” Ramsey retorted.
A taunting smile spread over Cash’s lips. “I knew what you meant.”
Ava elbowed him. “Be nice to your brother.”
“Thank you,” Ramsey said in response.
“You’re welcome.” She smiled sweetly.
Knox joined them at the table with his beans, cornbread, a thick chunk of onion, and glass of milk. Ramsey smiled to himself. Daddy might’ve complained about the chicken fingers getting eaten, but he loved his cornbread and milk. Methodically, Knox opened his napkin and smoothed it over his lap before reaching for his spoon and digging into the beans. In between bites, he began giving Ramsey the run-through of everyone’s whereabouts. “Noah and Piper are at Zoe’s art gallery. Noah’s helping Zoe get ready for the grand opening.”
“When is it again?” Ramsey was proud of Zoe for pursuing her sculpting.
“The week after next.” Knox tipped his head thoughtfully. “The fifteenth, I believe. I can’t remember what day that is.”
Ramsey fished his phone out of his pocket and checked his calendar. “A Tuesday.”
“I’m so glad they’re having it on a Tuesday,” Ava said, “so we can go.”
Cash looked at Knox. “When are Zoe and Briggs tying the knot?”
“The second week of December.”
“Luna and Hudson’s wedding is the week before,” Ava added with a laugh. “I guess love is in the air.” She and Cash shared a long, intimate look. Ramsey figured it wouldn’t be long before Cash and Ava announced their engagement.
Cash sat back in his seat and propped his hands behind his head. “So, big brother,” he mused with a twinkle in his jade eyes, “how are things going in your world? Anybody special?”
A strangled cough rose in Ramsey’s throat. He forced a laugh. “Nah, I don’t have time for that. Too busy working,” he said casually.
“You never know, you might meet someone tonight at the anniversary celebration,” Ava said with a sly smile.
Heat crawled up Ramsey’s neck as he pulled at the collar of his shirt. “Yeah, I’m not so sure,” he said evasively. Did Ava know about his feelings for Hartley? He could swear from the look in her eyes that she somehow did know. He felt ashamed for even entertaining thoughts about Hartley. He had to find a way to get that woman out of his system. There was no way he could go to work for Cash full time. That would be about as absurd as someone carrying around a brownie 24/7 and thinking they weren’t going to eat it.
“Maybe you should scale back your work, so you can make time to meet someone,” Knox offered.
“Yeah, Ramsey,” Cash taunted. “You should find you a woman.” He pulled Ava closer and gave her a peck on the lips before turning back to Ramsey. There was a glimmer in his eyes. “If you need any help, I could give you a few pointers.”
Ramsey grunted. “I’m doing fine on my own, thank you very much.” Sheesh. He hated feeling like a lousy charity case. “Why’s everyone so worried about me?” he asked irritably. “You should be more concerned about Jaxson. He’s older than me.”
Knox chuckled dryly. “I reckon Jax will find the right one in due time.”
“Yeah, after he dates the entire countryside,” Ramsey retorted.
Cash chortled. “Amen to that.”
“Speaking of Jax, where is he?” Ramsey asked.
“He and Briggs are on the backside of the ranch, putting up a new fence.” He rattled on. “Birdie’s at her dress shop. Milo and Madison are at school.” Knox paused. “Who have I missed?”
“Mason,” Ramsey supplied.
“Oh, yeah. Mason’s driving in from college and should be here a little after three p.m.” Knox flashed a large grin. “It’ll be nice to have everyone together.” He gave Cash and Ava a doting grin. “We’re looking forward to your performance tonight. Who else is singing?”
Ava looked thoughtful. “Let’s see … Judd Elder, Felicia Summerton, Delaney Mitchell.”
“Delaney Mitchell. That’s awesome.” Ramsey grinned. “It’ll be good to see Corbin.” Delaney was one of the greats, akin to Dolly Parton and Faith Hill. Her husband Corbin was a retired Navy SEAL who had once worked for Sutton Smith. Corbin now headed up Delaney’s security team. The last Ramsey heard, Delaney and Corbin had two children.
“Hartley Raines is also performing,” Ava added.
Ramsey tried to keep a poker face, but he got the feeling that Ava could see right through him. Sure enough, a second later, she threw him a surreptitious wink. How in the heck had Ava found out that Ramsey had a thing for Hartley? Did Cash know? He seemed clueless, but that didn’t necessarily mean he was. Good gravy, this was humiliating. Ramsey would just have to make a point of ignoring Hartley tonight. That way, he could put Ava’s suspicions to rest.
He could do it … maybe.
