Emma leaned against the bricked wall of the kennel room, waiting for Cana to wake from his sedation. She’d felt sick to her stomach at what she’d found on the poor wolf but couldn’t help wanting to rejoice in the progress he’d made today. He had allowed Ben to pet him, had actively sought out Ben’s touch and licked his hand. It was a first, as far as she was aware, for the animal to connect with any man.

“He’s going to be okay?” Ben’s quiet voice drew her from her thoughts.

“Physically.” She looked back at the doorway where he waited. “Why would anyone be so cruel?” The images of the crudely healed puncture wounds that had scarred Cana’s skin rose up in her mind again. “Lindsay, the woman who runs the rescue, said he’d never left the property until my dad requested him back. Why would he bring him here? He couldn’t control him.”

“You don’t really believe your father did this to him?”

She shook her head. “No. Dad would never harm an animal.” She looked back at the wolf-dog. “If he’d known about it, he’d have been more likely to hurt the person doing it. But he did some things over the past year that I didn’t understand. Like canceling all of his educational programs. We’d always planned on building that aspect of the facility together.” She shook her head, trying to figure out the motives of the man she’d thought she understood and was now finding out she might not have known as well as she thought she did. Emma glanced back at Ben. “Thank you for your help with him today. That was a huge step, especially if he was abused the way it appears.”

“Emma, I’m happy to help you. All you need to do is ask.”

His voice was husky and she knew he wasn’t just talking about Cana now, or the sanctuary. There was far more to Ben’s offer than simply protection from someone targeting her, or her ranch. His words held a note of a future beyond this moment, or the next.

And she wanted to take him up on it.

Emma closed the distance between them, her hands landing on his stomach as she rose on her toes to kiss him. This wasn’t the same as their previous kisses, this one was tentative, seeking, asking for so much more than just sex, more than she dared voice.

Ben answered. His large hands cupped her face as his mouth met hers, making a promise neither dared speak. A promise of a deeper relationship, of friendship and understanding and intimacy. Even as it made her stomach twist in knots of fear, Emma felt the wall around her heart splinter, letting the barrier fall away as she opened herself to Ben completely. As if feeling the change in her, Ben pulled back.

“Emma?”

She didn’t want to think about how she was breaking her own rules, crossing the boundaries she’d set. She didn’t want to think about the risk she was taking, or putting him in. Emma only knew she couldn’t lie any longer, trying to convince herself that she didn’t feel something more than a casual attraction for this man. She couldn’t pretend that they were just having fun, that this was nothing more than a fling. This was so much more than that, she wanted so much more than that from him.

Ben tipped her face up, looking into her eyes where she knew she’d bared her soul for him, as he tried to ascertain the desire she hadn’t realized was written on her heart.

“Ben, I’m asking.”

Mouths fused, passions ignited and walls crashed to the ground.

Ben wasn’t sure he was hearing her correctly, but looking into the depths of Emma’s eyes clarified everything. She needed him. Not just his assistance with the animals or with the trouble at the sanctuary, not just for some fun to help her blow off steam, she needed him emotionally.

She was afraid, he could see it in her tear-filled eyes. She had the same look he’d seen in the wolf’s as it took the first wary steps toward him this morning, not yet sure but unable to hold back any longer. He’d earned Emma’s trust the same way he had the wolf’s—by remaining steady.

“I told you. I will be whatever you need me to be for you.”

“You have no idea what you’re even promising.” She shook her head and a tear slid down her cheek.

Ben brushed his thumb over her cheek, stopping it. “Yes, I do.” Her eyes pleaded with him to walk away, to be the one to stop this but he couldn’t understand why. “Emma, what has you so afraid? What possible harm could come from you letting someone in?”

“You have no idea the cost this job has demanded. My parents’ marriage, my past relationships, now my dad.”

“Your dad had a stroke. It had nothing to do with the sanctuary.”

She gave him a sad, bitter laugh. “You don’t think trying to manage this place could cause one?”

Ben wasn’t about to argue with her. Maybe the stress of running the sanctuary had been at the root of his stroke. But there was just as much likelihood it had been something else. Conrad hadn’t exactly been known for his healthy living habits. He’d enjoyed his Scotch and his cigars too much. But he got the feeling the sanctuary wasn’t the root of the sudden change in her.

He brushed her hair back from where it had fallen over her face. “Then why are you here? Why take on this headache?”

Fierce pride flashed in her eyes. “Because I thought it was what Dad wanted, for us to do it together. Now I come back to find out he wanted someone else to run it? That he didn’t think I could do it alone, and there is someone trying to shut me down. It’s just too much.”

Warning bells sounded in him at her admission. Why would her father choose to have Jake run this place with her? Between the mysterious return of Cana, the articles and now the slaughter of the calves, this was taking a dangerous turn, not that she would ever walk away. Unless that was exactly what she was telling him—that she was choosing to leave.

“And what about what you, Emma?” Ben ran his thumb over her cheekbone. “What do you want? This is your opportunity to live your own life, your way.”

She pulled back, putting distance between them. “I know that.”

He didn’t push but he could see the lie in her, even if she didn’t yet realize it. “What does this have to do with letting someone close to you?”

“My life isn’t exactly conducive to a serious relationship.”

“Why not? We’ve done fine so far.”

“I . . .” Emma looked confused, like she’d never really had to explain her reservations before. “I’ve tried. It just . . . doesn’t work. I’m on call all hours, ready to leave at a moment’s notice and my needs are usually the last to be met. You’ve seen how dangerous my job can be, what sort of caution is needed at all times.”

Ben nodded. “So, a lot like being a fireman.”

“What? No.”

He tugged Emma forward so that she slid back into his arms and he wound them around her. “Would you ask me to give up firefighting?”

She looked up at him, confused. “No. It’s your job.”

“And what I love to do. It’s part of who I am.” Ben brushed his thumb over her jaw. “The way this place is with you. Maybe you’ve dated guys in the past who didn’t get it, but I do, Emma.”

“It’s just that my job, this life, has to take priority over everything.”

“Relax. I understand.” He smiled down at her. “I can’t change the decisions other people made in the past, but don’t let their mistakes keep you from finding your future.”

He could see the apprehension in her eyes. “I can’t help it.” Her hands splayed over his chest but she didn’t move away from his embrace. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt again, not because of me.”

Ben tucked her head under his chin, holding her while he willed her to finally release the death grip she had on her fears. “It’s okay, Emma. I’ll help you. We’ll figure this out together.”

Ben met his brother at the front door of Emma’s house, ignoring Andrew’s cagey grin. “Let me guess. She’s got some sort of fire emergency?”

“Shut up.” He opened the door wider for his brother to come in.

“Does she have a Dalmatian she needs your help with? Another kitten in a tree? Or did she just want to add a hose monkey to the sanctuary animals?”

“Shut up,” Emma repeated as she entered the living room.

Ben grinned slightly at the shocked look on Andrew’s face. “I’d have thought you’d be a little more appreciative for someone giving you a real case for a change. Or would you rather chill down at the doughnut shop like you usually do.”

“Says the guy with the second most famous job using a pole.”

“Will the two of you stop?” Emma moved to stand between them, her back braced against Ben’s chest, and he immediately felt his pulse quicken at her body pressed against his. “We have enough here to deal with, without the two of you bickering like bullies on the playground.”

She glared at Ben over her shoulder. “Why don’t you get your brother some coffee and bring him—”

“A doughnut?” Ben offered.

She shoved against his chest and threw her hands into the air. “Just take him into the kitchen while I go get the pictures.”

Ben watched her head down the hall to the room that had once been her father’s office, now hers.

“Oh, you’ve got it bad.” Andrew shook his head. “Told ya this would happen.”

Ben glared at him. “She needs our help.”

“What you’re really saying is that she’s not putting out now and you’re so hung up on her that you’re hoping helping her will help you.”

“No, what I’m saying is that if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to kick your ass.”

“Yeah? Let’s see you try it. Why do you always pick the projects? Laura said she needed your help and that ended up with her cuffed in the back of my car and spending several nights in jail after cleaning out your apartment, remember?”

“Don’t be a dick.”

“I’m a dick? This may not be what you want to hear but you have a type, Ben. We can all pick her out from a mile away. We just look for the woman who’s in the most trouble. You’re a typical fireman, Ben. You can’t stand not to be the hero.”

“Shut up, Andrew.” Ben felt the rage boiling up from deep within. Emma wasn’t some kind of a project to him and he certainly wasn’t attracted to her because he wanted to save her.

Andrew laughed. “Dude, can you even name one woman you’ve ever dated that didn’t need your help with something? Face it, you go for the damsel in distress.”

“I may be a damsel in distress, officer, but unless I’m mistaken, you’re the one needing my help.” Emma shoved the digital photos she’d taken of Cana’s wounds as well as the blood on his chest. “Take the pictures and get out. Why don’t you figure out a way to solve this one on your own? Don’t come back until you’ve got a warrant.”

“Excuse me?” Andrew took a step back, catching the pictures as they started to feather to the floor. “Emma, I didn’t mean—”

“I don’t really care what you meant. I’ve been more than cooperative with you but you are just acting like a bully with a badge. This is my property and—”

Ben reached for her shoulder. “Emma, you need him. He’s here to help, even if he doesn’t have the most winsome bedside manner.”

Andrew glared at him but at least he knew when to keep his mouth shut. Ben turned back to his brother. “Remember those tire tracks I told you about? There were more near the back of the property yesterday and someone was watching Emma while she was with Cana.”

Andrew glanced at Emma for confirmation. “You’re sure?”

“He left a calling card. The choke collar he’d been using on Cana.” She tapped the photo of the disgusting item that had been left behind the pine tree yesterday where she’d seen the shadow. She could only assume that collar was what had caused several of the punctures around his neck. She couldn’t even begin to speculate what else had been used on Cana. “I think someone was coming to try to steal him back.”

“Steal him back?” Ben hadn’t filled Andrew in on this part yet and could see the confusion in his brother’s face.

“According to Lindsay at Wild Dogs Rescue, where Cana was supposed to be, he was brought back at my father’s request about twelve months ago. However, I’ve been here several times over the past year and I’ve never seen him.”

“And you don’t think your father just forget to mention it?”

“I doubt it. He knew I was one of the only people Cana would respond to. He would have wanted my help. He never mentioned Cana after he was transferred to Nevada.”

“What about someone else?”

Emma shrugged her shoulders. “You’ve met everyone who stayed after my father died. Jake was the only one who had an issue with me personally but he would have wanted Cana released, not hidden for a year.”

“Are you sure he didn’t bring him back and turn him loose? Because this would seem to be a perfect way to make this happen.” Andrew tugged a newspaper from his pocket and opened it for them to see the headline:

Son of a bitch!

Emma stared at the headline wondering how this reporter kept finding out their information. She was tired of feeling like she was hiding.

“You think this reporter was on the property yesterday?” Ben asked.

“It’s definitely possible.” Andrew looked at her pointedly. “You still haven’t changed the code for the front gate. Anyone could get in if they tried just a little.”

“But why me? And why would a reporter spray-paint my front gate? Or plant a bobcat kitten in a tree?”

None of this made sense. How would a reporter have gotten his hands on Cana? Lindsey had said her father requested his return and that someone from the sanctuary staff had picked him up, although she couldn’t remember who. Emma had her suspicions that Jake was behind this but there were just as many factors that pointed elsewhere and nothing concrete that directed Andrew to view him as a suspect.

Andrew shrugged and headed for the porch. “I have to get back to the station but I think this is our best lead right now. Whatever the reason, whoever this is, he’s getting more ballsy. It’s escalating and, the fact is, I don’t have the manpower to watch the entire ranch. Or the nearby ranches either.”

Ben slid a hand to her shoulder and, for a change, she soaked up the strength he offered. He was willing to share her burden, regardless of the danger, without asking her to give up a career that was as much a part of Emma as her red hair or her temper.

“So, what should we do?” Andrew spun to look at him. Ben saw his raised brow but appreciated that he didn’t comment on Ben’s collective term.

“I’d like Emma to stay at the ranch with us. We know our place is safe and the twins will help keep an eye on her there.”

“No.” She didn’t even care to hear his reasons. They honestly didn’t even matter to her. There was no way she was leaving her home. Or leaving her animals to fend for themselves with some crazy person on the loose. Someone had abused Cana. She wasn’t going to leave him unprotected, to be taken by that person again.

“Emma,” Ben protested. “I know it’s—”

“No, this is what we talked about. These animals need someone here around the clock. I can’t leave them. They come first.” She followed Andrew down the porch steps toward his car. “Your parents’ place isn’t any safer than it is here. They’ve had two calves killed. I’ll keep Cana with me at the house when I’m not working.”

“I have some vacation time coming. I’ll stay here with you,” Ben insisted.

She should have realized he’d offer. It would have actually been out of character for him not to but she couldn’t let him risk his position at the fire department. What if this lasted longer than a few days, or a week? It had already been a month. She couldn’t let him put his life on hold, and she wouldn’t let him put himself in danger.

“I appreciate that, I really do, but it’s fine. Cana will protect me if anyone comes around and I can call you,” she said, pointedly looking at Andrew. Ben frowned and she hated the uncertainty that flickered in his eyes. Letting him stay would only put her heart more at risk for falling for him.

“He was hiding behind you when I arrived,” Ben pointed out. “I’m not sure how much protection that will give you.”

“We’ll be fine. Really,” she assured them both. “I’ll call the paper. Maybe if I offer to do an interview, or invite a group to come for a tour, they’ll see there is nothing here threatening the town, and its livestock.”

“No!”

“That’s a great idea!”

Ben glared at his brother when they answered in unison. Emma knew Ben wouldn’t like the idea but it would be a great way for people to see that there was nothing at the sanctuary for them to be afraid of. She might not be ready to open it back to the public yet but it would also prove she was just as able to run the place, perhaps even more qualified, as her father. It was also a way to lure this anonymous reporter into their midst and put a face to the ass writing these hyped-up stories.

“Emma, if this reporter is the one after you, the last thing you need to do is to invite him in.”

Andrew jammed his hands into his pockets. “Or maybe it’s the best way to lull someone into thinking they have you fooled, that they are completely safe.”

Ben ate up the distance between him and his brother with quick strides. The pair stood only inches apart but Ben looked down at Andrew, taller by several inches. “He is safe. You have no clue who this person is and yet you want Emma to roll out the red carpet. Have you forgotten that this person already mutilated two calves? Who knows what his next move is?”

Andrew shot his brother a warning look and Ben could read the dare. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d come to blows. “I haven’t forgotten anything. But it’s not like we’d leave her here alone.” He shoved his brother to one side. “If you have a program, or a tour, or whatever, you need help right?”

“It depends on the size of the group but, usually, yes.”

“You set it up and the two of us can come act as your assistants.”

“What do you know about wild animals?” Ben scoffed.

“I know as much as you do. Plus I know how to shoot one if need be.” He quickly glanced at Emma. “Not that I’d have to. I’m just saying that we can be here to protect you.”

Emma looked at Ben. It was clear he didn’t want her to do this. Worry colored his eyes and she could easily see the tension bunching his muscles. The side of his jaw twitched as his mouth pinched into a thin line. She bit the corner of her lip and looked back toward the enclosure where the animals were starting to make noise, reminding her that mealtime was nearing.

“What day are you off, Ben?” She shouldn’t put him in this position to feel responsible for her, shouldn’t give her heart any more opportunities to fall for this man.

He threw his hands into the air and turned in a circle, talking to no one in particular. “This is absurd. Do you really think no one will recognize us?” Ben shoved his hand into Andrew’s shoulder. “This is a small town, you jackass. Everyone here has grown up with us, they know our family. You’re going to put her in even more danger.”

“So, we’ll just say we both volunteer here a few days a week. We do it for the animals.” Andrew gave him a smirk. “It wouldn’t exactly be untrue, unless you volunteered for other reasons.”

Before Emma realized what was happening, Ben had drawn back his fist and knocked his brother to the ground.

Andrew pushed himself up on one elbow and held his jaw, moving it from side to side. “Are you fucking kidding me?” He drew himself up onto one knee, preparing to stand. “I’m on duty, you son of a bitch. I could arrest you.”

“Go ahead.” Ben sucked in a shaky breath as he tried to calm himself. Emma had never seen him so angry. “I won’t let you do this, Emma. Ignore whatever this prick says. He just wants his own headlines since he can’t seem to get them any other way.”

Andrew laughed bitterly. “Oh, Ben, there you go again. Getting yourself all worked up for a woman who isn’t emotionally available.” He pressed the back of his hand against the corner of his mouth, dabbing at the blood Ben had drawn. “Have you told Emma about your tendency to look for women in trouble? How you so desperately want to be a hero?” Andrew shot her a pained glance. “It’s sad really.”

“Shut up, Andrew.”

“Or how I had to arrest your last fiancée for selling half of your apartment and stealing your car?”

“Last fiancée?” Emma’s eyes widened as her gaze swung toward Ben. “How many . . .”

“Oh, there have been a few over the years.” Andrew laughed sadistically as he rose, only to be knocked back to the ground when Ben tackled him.

Emma wasn’t sure what was happening, or why the pair were even fighting, but she couldn’t just let them go at it like two kids in a playground fight. However, she wasn’t about to get in between two brothers any more than she was about to get into the middle of a dogfight. She looked around from something—anything—that might distract them. She ran down the stairs and jerked the hose from the flowerbed, twisting the spigot and turning the water onto the men wrestling in front of her house. They jumped apart as she’d hoped they would, sputtering, trying to block the water from their faces with their hands raised.

“Knock it off, both of you!” The two men glared at one another, looking like they were sizing each other up for round two. “You,” she said, pointing at Andrew. “Go. I’ll call you after I talk to the newspaper.”

Andrew nodded as he bent over and collected the pictures that had scattered over the porch stairs when he fell. As he headed toward his patrol car, he muttered something colorful about where Ben could put a hose. Ben started to go after him again but Emma reached for his arm, pressing her hand into the middle of his back to direct him toward the house.

“Inside, now.”

He shot another glare at his brother as he climbed up to her porch. “Don’t use her to prove to this town you can get your shit together, Andrew.”

“Maybe you should take your own advice, big brother.”

Andrew slammed the car door shut and headed down the driveway without a backward glance. But Emma knew the damage was already done. Andrew had accomplished exactly what he’d intended. She now had her doubts about Ben. In addition to those she already had about herself.