The Eagle and the Fox (A Snowy Range Mystery, #1) by Nya Rawlyns

John around. Besides, John’s likely to strap the kid just for the hell of it if I make it sound like Will’s involved. Even if he isn’t.”
    Becca pursed her lips. “You need to talk with him alone. Why not call the school counselor and have her arrange a conference?”
    “Not a good idea. I need to keep this on the down low. You know how they are around here. Folks jumping to conclusions at the drop of a hat. Besides, it’d get back to his buddies, and then to his dad.” He tapped his fingernails on the table. “I need to make it real private so Will has a chance to open up.”
    “If he wants to.”
    Josh grunted, “Yeah, that’s the problem. He needs convinced it’s in his best interests. Not sure I’m gonna be able to offer him the right incentives.”
    “You said he seemed to be protecting Petilune?”
    “Yeah, but what’s that got to—” He stopped short, then walked around the table and gave his sister a quick hug. “You’re a genius, lady. That’s exactly how to play this. When I was that age, I’d have given my right arm to get to be the knight in shining armor who protects the princess.”
    Becca chuckled. “Except, for you, it would have been Cade Thompson.”
    Josh blushed. “You’re never gonna let me forget that, are you?”
    “Or forgive.” She frowned, then stuck out her tongue. “It’s not often a gal’s older brother hits on his baby sister’s secret boyfriend. You ruined my life, you know that, don’t you?”
    Josh tapped her nose and smirked. “Randy did that, remember?” She swatted at him and sneered, but he danced away and reminded her, “Cade still asked you to the prom, so no harm done.”
    “Fuck, bro! He asked you, too!”
    “But I didn’t go.”
    Becca stood and moved in to give Josh a hug. She murmured into his chest, “You wanted to. Real bad.” Pulling away to look up into his face, she asked, “Why didn’t you? I wouldn’t have minded, not really.”
    “Couldn’t, kiddo. It would have meant finally coming out. To mom and dad, to everyone at school. I wasn’t ready for that.”
    Taking Josh’s hand, she led him onto the back porch where they could watch the two girls being dragged around the round pen by a very determined pony.
    Josh said, “I know it’s an imposition, but...”
    Becca held up a hand, objecting, “It’s not. Pet’s a good kid, sweet as they come. Just the thought of something bad happening to her gets my back up, make no mistake. I want you to do what you need to make sure she’s safe.”
    Quietly Josh explained, “The school says she’s developmentally challenged and needs a lot of help doing sums and stuff.”
    “Jesus, Josiah. ‘Doing sums?’ What century are you living in?” She poked him in the ribs.
    “Ow. All right. Math. Is that better? Anyways, she’ll need help. More than either me or Marcus can provide.”
    He noticed Becca wasn’t suggesting that Petilune’s family might be better suited to see to the girl’s needs. His sister was too smart and too damned compassionate to force the girl back into a toxic situation. So far there’d been no evidence of physical abuse, but that didn’t mean the kid wasn’t still at risk. Abuse came in all flavors, and now that the girl was on his radar Josh had every intention of making sure nothing bad happened, from inside or outside her family.
    Becca asked, “How is Marcus, by the way?”
    Josh squirmed and muttered, “Fine.” Marcus was very fine, hot fine, jump his fucking bones fine. And completely off limits.
    “You been spending a lot of time with him.” Becca stared into the distance, her face casually blank.
    “Well, you know, with this thing with Petilune...” He let the excuse trail off.
    “He seems like a nice man.” She paused and examined her fingernails. “A little lonely, maybe.”
    “He’s got the store.”
    “And you have the ranch.” She was staring at him pointedly. Before he could figure out what the hell she was talking about, she