Attracted to Fire Read Online Free

What do you take me for? Some redneck who doesn’t have the sense to understand?”
    â€œWe’re the Secret Service team assigned to this property for the next couple of months. Would you like to see our IDs, Mr. Leonard? Mr. Burnette has given us permission to use his ranch for a protectee, and we’d welcome your cooperation.”
    â€œI’ve seen your fancy papers, and they don’t mean squat to me.” His drawl added emphasis to every word. “Neither do your shiny badges. Handguns and assault rifles. What next?”
    â€œWould you like for me to call Mr. Burnette? Set your mind at ease?”
    â€œYou bet I would. Me and my son take good care of the Dancin’ Dust, and I don’t ’ppreciate any of this. I take my orders from him. No one else.”
    â€œHave you tried to contact him?”
    â€œHis office says he’s busy. Will get back to me. Frustratin’.”
    â€œSir, I understand. I’ve been told you and your son do a fine job of taking care of Mr. Burnette’s property.”
    â€œYou can take that to Washington and tuck it under Lincoln’s Memorial.” He lowered his fist but maintained his stance.
    Ash demonstrated admirable control. Ethan Leonard had almost punched him. Not that Meghan blamed the older man. He was accustomed to a quiet, orderly world. Hard to believe Scottard Burnette hadn’t informed him about their arrival.
    A younger man raced from the barn, same height and slender build. Must be Chip Leonard. “Dad, take it easy. These men are special agents for the Secret Service. Their IDs are legit.”
    â€œNot until I hear from Mr. Burnette, they ain’t.” He waved at the woman who’d be cooking for the agents. “Hey, Pepper. You in on this too?”
    Pepper had been on her way to the house, but she turned and took a step his way. “Ethan, did you let the battery run down on your cell phone again? I tried calling you on my way here last night.”
    â€œI did, but it’s charging now. I called Mr. Burnette on Chip’s phone a few minutes ago.”
    That explained the miscommunication. Scottard Burnette conducted every part of his professional life with precision, and the Leonards didn’t have a landline phone.
    Meghan watched Ash pull his cell phone from his pocket. Hmm. What went on behind his sunglasses? Did he think through every scenario and have the answers to everything? A lot of folks thought so, but Meghan would wait to form her own opinion.
    Ash whirled around at the five agents. “You men check out the inside.” His tone reminded her of a drill sergeant. She hid a grin. So the pressure of being the only woman on the team continued. At least she was officially one of the guys.
    â€œLet’s get started.” Bob shifted his laptop to his left hand. “A2Z will have this handled in thirty seconds.”
    Meghan followed Bob to the back door of the home and into a large and airy country kitchen.
    â€œI’m home again. Would you look at this.” Pepper planted her hands on bony hips and cast an admiring glance around the kitchen. Its size and equipment were a gourmet chef’s dream. “I’ll be whipping up my specialties in no time at all.”
    Wade pointed to an arched hallway in the far corner. “This way. Ash said we’d find an operation room back here.”
    Meghan and the other agents filed past Pepper and down the arched hallway. Alcoves on both sides displayed paintings by a renowned Texas artist. Wade opened a door to a study containing a twelve-foot table for their operation. Bookcases lined two walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto the swimming pool. Wade and Victor slid into chairs across from computers. It all looked great, but for sure the assignment would be boring—and probably abusive if it stayed true to form. Four weeks on and two weeks off for four agents would help them keep their sanity and a