Free BRANDED BY A CALLAHAN by Tina Leonard

bed.
    “It’s the job of a bodyguard to secure a location.” River shrugged. “Ana felt she’d gotten too close to her job.”
    “You mean she thought she’d gotten too close to me.”
    “And the boys.” River set the snacks on the coffee table and reached out to smooth a hand over each small head. “Between wanting a child so badly, and letting an attacker get past her, it was time for her to move to another position. She gave notice as soon as you two returned from your unplanned trip.”
    His brain felt Firefreaked. Ana wanted a child, she thought she was at fault because a kidnapper had gotten inside his room, she and the magic wedding gown had clearly not taken to each other—
    “Ana doesn’t think she can have a child,” River said. “There’s a possibility she can’t, anyway.”
    Dante braced himself. “Anything you can share?”
    “I probably shouldn’t, but maybe you should know. She had what was diagnosed as endometriosis in her early twenties. The doctors thought they could solve the problem since it appeared to be confined to one ovary. She’s very worried about her chances to have a child with only one ovary. The doctor didn’t seem all that optimistic.”
    He rose. “Thanks for telling me.” It didn’t really faze him. He’d never had a problem hitting targets. “Any idea where she went?”
    “Home.”
    Dante kissed each of his nephews goodbye, giving them each a last, fond hug. “Where’s home?”
    “South Dakota.”
    Great. “Don’t tell me. She didn’t hail from a hot spot of commerce and nightlife.”
    She laughed. “I’m afraid it’s a bit more remote than that. Ever heard of Buffalo Gap?”
    “Nope.” Didn’t matter.
    He could find it.
    Tighe walked in without knocking, and the boys ambled over to his brother with surprisingly steady steps. Then one sat down on his diaper hard, and Tighe scooped up his brother, knowing that would set the one on his bottom to scrambling to his feet in order to be held, as well.
    “Don’t make them competitive, Tighe,” Dante said.
    “Competition makes the world go round. We cut our teeth on it.” He laughed when his tiny nephew gained his feet and grabbed him up in his other arm. “You boys like me better than Uncle Dante, don’t you?”
    Dante noticed River’s face had taken on a becoming pinkness as she watched Tighe strut his father potential stuff. Disgusting. “Haven’t had a chance to ask you what got you off the circuit, bro.”
    Tighe glanced at River. “Heard you’d gotten yourself into a small scrape. Figured you needed me. Robin can’t operate without Batman, you know. I’m Batman, obviously.” He grinned at River with his natural swagger and ease of braggadocio.
    Dante snorted. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” There was another reason—or other reasons—his brother had returned, but clearly those were a topic for a more private audience.
    “You weren’t there for our aunt’s announcement. I told her I’d swing by and let you know what’s on her mind. Just so you know, she’s not too happy you did something with her wedding dress.” Tighe looked at him with utter sorrow. “Really, man, it’s beneath you. If you’re afraid to get married, just say so and don’t hide the aunt’s lucky charm.”
    Dante shook his head. “Can you give her announcement to me in shorthand instead of the long, windy version?”
    Tighe grinned, sent a wink River’s way. Dante thought his twin was laying it on just a touch thick, but who was he to quibble? At least Tighe seemed to have a captive audience, while Dante’s audience—Ana—had flown the proverbial coop. “Sure thing. Now that you’re playing dirty pool with the fated frock, Aunt Fiona decided she’d go ahead and let you know that unless the gown is returned by Christmas, she’s pulling the plug on your portion of the ranch raffle.”
    “I didn’t do anything to the stupid dress.”
    River drifted out of the room with the boys and Tighe