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“I couldn’t forget anything about you, Eva,” he said softly.
She didn’t roll her eyes, but he sensed she wanted to. He knew more about her than she wanted him to. He’d really messed things up not kissing her earlier, but what could he do to rectify such a mistake? Nothing until he spoke with Lily.
“That’s four. Who’s next?”
“Rhett. He’s twenty-six, owns his own construction company and builds custom vacation homes and cabins near Kalispell.”
“Nice.”
“Houston’s the baby. Twenty-four, he’s the brilliant one among us. Undergrad done in two years instead of four. Now he’s in the middle of his residency in family practice in Omaha. Mama originally prayed for him to be a brain surgeon, but now she’s grateful he chose family practice and praying he’ll move home and take over Doc’s practice. Doc is a good-old boy and retirement is definitely on his radar.”
“And your parents own the ranch where I’ll supposedly be safe?”
“You’ll be safe. We take our safety seriously, and my brothers and the ranch hands are almost as tough as I am.” He gave her what he hoped was a confident smile. He never bragged about himself, and it felt awkward.
“I look forward to meeting them.”
That stirred something uncomfortable in his gut. His brothers were handsome, devastatingly so. Or so he’d heard. Easton was a flirt to the tenth degree. Walker had the slow cowboy grin and kind heart women went nuts over. Clint was the tough, reserved Sheriff, and women vied to break through his shell. Rhett was the successful contractor, and everybody knew about women and tool belts. Houston … the doctor thing was too appealing to even think about competing with.
He highly doubted they’d see Houston or Rhett. Still, Miles was in trouble when the rest of them met Eva Chevron. A lot of trouble.
“I’m going to try to rest,” Eva said. “Tonight has felt longer than the preacher’s sermon on patience.”
He smiled. “I’m sure it has.”
She pushed the button that reclined the chair and closed her eyes. Miles found the remote that dimmed the lights in the cabin.
“Thank you,” she murmured, not opening her eyes.
“Sure.” Miles should try to rest too. He’d be on duty round the clock when they got to the ranch.
Instead, he schemed how he could keep her away from his brothers. Her safety had to come first, and his brothers were impressive and well-trained, but so were the ranch hands. He’d meet with his dad as soon as they got there, see which ranch hands were married and could help him out. Then he’d keep Eva in his cabin, keep her all to himself. They couldn’t risk her beautiful and famous face being recognized if someone happened to visit the ranch.
He slumped in his seat, knowing his dad would blow holes in these arguments. Eva was safest in the main house, and nobody came through their gates without the front gate guard letting them in and the guard monitoring the security cameras and sensors knowing they had a guest and relaying everything about the guest. They could easily hide Eva if someone came to visit. This definitely wasn’t their first rodeo of security details. Jacey Oliver’s year of hiding at their ranch was bragging rights they’d never tell anyone about.
If only he could officially break up with Lily and make his own play for Eva. He had the connection with her, had rescued her, knew how brave and kind she was. If he could tell her all the reasons they were perfect together, maybe his brothers wouldn’t stand a chance.
Then again, they might beat him out even if he was playing with a full deck. Being a Coleville brother was both a blessing and a curse.
Chapter
Eight
Eva could feel Miles studying her. She resolutely kept her eyes shut, proud of her acting skills with her hatred of inactivity. She must’ve drifted off, because she woke to the plane landing. It was smooth. Paul, the Air Force too-long title guy who liked to tease Autumn, was a great pilot.
She felt groggy and awful. Like a cow who’d been driven on the range all night long, then branded with a hot, burning iron before breakfast.
“What time is it?” she asked, her voice scratchy, keeping her eyes closed. Thankfully, the cabin lights were still dim.
“Almost one in the morning,” Miles said. “Here.” He pressed a cold plastic bottle into her hands. “How’s your head?”
“Thank you. It’s still attached, unfortunately.”
He chuckled softly.
She blinked her eyes open and peered at his face in the dim light. Why did he have to be so appealing and so taken? She twisted off the lid and took a long drink, blinking quickly. “Do I have time to use the restroom?”
“Of course.” He pointed at a door in the back of the plane as they taxied to a stop.
