Brody (Texas Boudreau Brotherhood Book 3) Read online

  BRODY

  TEXAS BOUDREAU BROTHERHOOD

  By

  KATHY IVAN

  COPYRIGHT

  Brody – Original Copyright © April 2020 by Kathy Ivan

  Cover by Elizabeth Mackay of EMGRAPHICS

  Release date: March 2020

  Kindle Edition

  All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are fictionally used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead is coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, downloaded, transmitted, decompiled, reverse engineered, stored in or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form, whether electronic or mechanical without the author’s written permission. Scanning, uploading or distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without permission is prohibited.

  Please purchase only authorized electronic versions, and do not participate in, or encourage pirated electronic versions.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Description

  Books by Kathy Ivan

  Author’s Note

  Editorial Reviews

  Dedications and Acknowledgements

  Newsletter Sign Up

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five – Epilogue

  Excerpt from Ridge

  Newsletter Sign Up

  Books by Kathy Ivan

  About the Author

  BRODY – Texas Boudreau Brotherhood

  While local Fire Chief Brody Boudreau has his hands full with a series of suspected arsons plaguing his small town of Shiloh Springs, he finds it impossible to stop thinking about its newest resident. When Beth Stewart’s ex-husband escapes from behind bars and threatens her and her young daughter, can Brody protect the woman he’s come to love, or will he lose his chance at happiness before it even begins?

  BOOKS BY KATHY IVAN

  www.kathyivan.com/books.html

  TEXAS BOUDREAU BROTHERHOOD

  Rafe

  Antonio

  Brody

  NEW ORLEANS CONNECTION SERIES

  Desperate Choices

  Connor’s Gamble

  Relentless Pursuit

  Ultimate Betrayal

  Keeping Secrets

  Sex, Lies and Apple Pies

  Deadly Justice

  Wicked Obsession

  Hidden Agenda

  Spies Like Us

  Fatal Intentions

  New Orleans Connection Series Box Set: Books 1-3

  New Orleans Connection Series Box Set: Books 4-7

  CAJUN CONNECTION SERIES

  Saving Sarah

  Saving Savannah

  Saving Stephanie

  Guarding Gabi

  LOVIN’ LAS VEGAS SERIES

  It Happened In Vegas

  Crazy Vegas Love

  Marriage, Vegas Style

  A Virgin In Vegas

  Vegas, Baby!

  Yours For The Holidays

  Match Made In Vegas

  One Night In Vegas

  Last Chance In Vegas

  Lovin’ Las Vegas (box set books 1-3)

  OTHER BOOKS BY KATHY IVAN

  Second Chances (Destiny’s Desire Book #1)

  Losing Cassie (Destiny’s Desire Book #2)

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome to Shiloh Springs, Texas! Don’t you just love a small Texas town, where the people are neighborly, the gossip plentiful, and the heroes are …well, heroic, not to mention easy on the eyes! I love everything about Texas, which I why I’ve made the great state my home for over thirty years. There’s no other place like it. From the delicious Tex-Mex food and downhome barbecue, the majestic scenery, and friendly atmosphere, the people and places of the Lone Star state are as unique and colorful as you’ll find anywhere.

  The Texas Boudreau Brotherhood series centers around a group of foster brothers, men who would have ended up in the system if not for Douglas and Patricia Boudreau. Instead of being hardened by life and circumstances beyond their control, they found a family who loved and accepted them, and gave them a place to call home. Sometimes brotherhood is more than sharing the same DNA.

  If you’ve read my other romantic suspense books (the New Orleans Connection series and Cajun Connection series), you’ll be familiar with the Boudreau name. Turns out there are a whole lot of Boudreaus out there, just itching to have their stories told. (Douglas is the brother of Gator Boudreau, patriarch of the New Orleans branch of the Boudreau family.)

  So, sit back and relax. The pace of small-living might be less hectic than the big city, but small towns hold secrets, excitement, and heroes to ride to the rescue. And who doesn’t love a Texas cowboy?

  Kathy Ivan

  EDITORIAL REVIEWS

  “Kathy Ivan’s books are addictive, you can’t read just one.”

  —Susan Stoker, NYT Bestselling Author

  “Kathy Ivan’s books give you everything you’re looking for and so much more.”

  —Geri Foster, USA Today and NYT Bestselling Author of the Falcon Securities Series

  “In Shiloh Springs, Kathy Ivan has crafted warm, engaging characters that will steal your heart and a mystery that will keep you reading to the very last page.”

  —Barb Han, USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author

  “This is the first I have read from Kathy Ivan and it won’t be the last.”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  “I highly recommend Desperate Choices. Readers can’t go wrong here!”

  —Melissa, Joyfully Reviewed

  “I loved how the author wove a very intricate storyline with plenty of intriguing details that led to the final reveal…”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  Desperate Choices—Winner 2012 International Digital Award—Suspense

  Desperate Choices—Best of Romance 2011 –Joyfully Reviewed

  DEDICATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  A special shout out to all the readers who keep me going. Knowing you enjoy my books and want more, I have to admit there’s no greater feeling in the world. To my sister, Mary. She is always there, helping me, encouraging me, and generally doing whatever it takes to get the writing done. Trust me, if she wasn’t there prodding me, the books might never be finished. And, as always, I dedicate every book to my mother, Betty Sullivan. She loved reading and shared that love for books with me at a young age. She instilled in me the joy of reading from an early age and a love of romance. Her belief in happily ever after keeps me writing.

  More about Kathy and her books can be found at

  WEBSITE:

  www.kathyivan.com

  Follow Kathy on Facebook at

  www.facebook.com/kathyivanauthor

  Follow Kathy on Twitter at

  twitter.com/@kathyivan

  Follow Kathy at BookBub

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  BRODY

  By

  KATHY IVAN

  CHAPTER ONE

  Watching the last smoldering board collapse onto the darkened, scorched earth, Brody Boudreau felt a growing weariness deep in his bones. This fire had burned hotter than an inferno. Hotter than a normal fire. His suspicion? It had been intentionally set. He’d wait until things cooled down enough to start a formal investigation, but his gut told him an accelerant aided in the destruction of the deserted old barn.

  The only bright spot in an otherwise hellish night was the building had been abandoned years ago. Once a decent-sized working barn, now it was little more than a large empty structure. The aged and dry wood would have sparked like a rocket under normal circumstances. But this? Surveying the path of destruction leading away from the barn more than likely would prove to be gasoline, maybe kerosene.

  Were there spontaneous fires in Shiloh Springs? Of course, especially when it had been hot and dry throughout a good chunk of the past couple of years. There’d been little rain this summer, and while they weren’t in official drought conditions, the whole county was pretty darn close. Add in Texas’ one hundred plus degree days and you had the makings of a perfect storm.

  He might have chalked this up to local teens, sneaking around, smoking and getting high, if this was the first building to go up in flames. Nope, it was the fourth in as many months, a distinct pattern as far as he was concerned. They’d been lucky so far, nobody got hurt, but it was only a matter of time before somebody got careless.

  Time to nip it in the bud before things got worse.

  “What do ya think, Brody?” Dwayne, one of the volunteer firefighters who’d shown up to help, stood beside him, sweat pouring down his face. Streaks of black soot covered his skin and hair, and he swiped a sweaty forearm across his brow. “Personally, I think we’ve got a firebug on our hands.”

  “Hate to say it, but you might be right.” Brody pointed to the charred path leading toward the collapsed structure. “My guess? Looks like somebody used an accelerant. We’ll know more once we can get inside and check things out.”

  “You gonna tell the sheriff?”

  Brody nodded, shoulders slumped. “Don’t see I’ve got much choice. Too much of a coincidence having this many spontaneous fires break out. All at unoccupied properties or abandoned sites like this one.”

  “I think we’re about ready to head back to the station. Need a lift?”

  “Thanks, I’ve got my truck. I’m going to head over to the sheriff’s office, then try to grab a couple hours’ shut eye. Tell the guys I’ll talk to them later. Appreciate their hard work. They did a great job.”

  “Sure thing, Chief.”

  Dwayne walked away, helmet under his arm, to the fire truck where the others were checking the equipment and reloading it for the return trip. Brody was proud of his guys, men and women who worked tirelessly when called upon. Tonight had been no exception. They’d worked and trained, making sure they maintained a ready status for nights like this, and they’d done an exceptional job, and he’d make sure they knew how much they were valued and appreciated.

  With a weary sigh, he climbed behind the wheel of his pickup and headed into Shiloh Springs proper, pulling up in front of the sheriff’s station. It was early, but he spotted his brother’s car parked a few yards up the street. Though barely light outside, he wasn’t surprised his big brother was already in the office. In his opinion, Rafe was the finest sheriff Shiloh Springs ever had, and he worked harder than anybody to make sure the folks in his county felt safe. Too bad the news Brody brought might chuck a spanner in the works.

  He jumped at the loud knock on his window. His brother Chance stood outside. Rolling the window down, he scrubbed a hand over his face, noting the smoky, charred scent. Probably should have showered before heading here.

  “Anything wrong?”

  “Another fire, this time at the abandoned Summers’ place. It’s out now, but the barn is a total loss.”

  “That’s what, the fourth one?”

  Brody nodded and climbed out of the car. “Yeah. Decided to stop off and talk with Rafe, update him on what’s happening, before I head home and try and grab a couple hours’ shut eye. Probably could have slept at the station, but I need some time to clear my head.”

  “I’m heading in to see Rafe too. Mind if I sit in?”

  “Sure, I’d welcome your input, Mr. District Attorney. You’re gonna hear all about it anyway, might as well update you both on what we’ve found.”

  Chance held the door open, and they headed back toward Rafe’s office. The rest of the office seemed empty, though it wouldn’t be for long. Soon there’d be deputies dealing with the daily grind of small-town crimes. Sally Anne covered dispatch, along with most of the clerical work, because dispatch for the Shiloh Springs sheriff’s department wasn’t a high demand occupation. Most times, folks’ problems got solved without anybody ever leaving the office.

  Rafe sat behind his desk, a stack of folders hovering near the edge, a tricky balancing act. One good gust of wind and the leaning tower would topple over, spilling papers everywhere. He glanced up as Brody and Chance walked in, and tossed his pen onto the desk. “Morning. Why didn’t you bring coffee?”

  “Good morning to you too, grouch. I’d planned on inviting you to breakfast at Daisy’s, but since you’re in a foul mood…”

  “Sorry, Chance. I hate paperwork, and these new state requirements are making things worse. Nowadays, if somebody sneezes inside a cell, we have to write up a report and send it to half a dozen agencies. It’s beginning to look like I can’t get anything done except deal with bureaucracy. I didn’t sign up for this. But, that’s my headache. What brings you guys by this early?”

  “Let Brody go first. He’s been up all night.”

  Rafe’s eyes narrowed, taking in everything with that perceptive cop stare he’d perfected, and Brody rolled his eyes. Great, now big brother was going to go into protective mode, like he’d always done even when they were kids. Rafe’s protective streak was a mile wide, and he had the compassionate heart to match. There wasn’t anything wrong with him a shower and some uninterrupted sleep wouldn’t fix. At least nothing physical.

  “We had another fire last night.” Brody ease onto the chair across from Rafe’s desk, and Chance slid onto the other. “I hate to say this, but I think we’ve got a problem.”

  “You suspect arson?”

  Brody nodded, and ran a hand through his hair. He felt filthy, coated in layers of grime and soot. He was used to it, a part of the job he loved, yet even the thought of somebody deliberately starting fires in his county, close to the people he cared about, made him feel dirty. And pissed off.

  “Wasn’t hard to spot. I found what I believe is clear evidence of an accelerant. I’ve collected a ton of evidence at the scene, and once things cool off, and it’s not pitch dark outside, I’ll take a closer look. But with three other fires this close together, there’s a definitive pattern.”

  “That’s what now, four?”

  “In the last few months, yeah. Another part of the pattern I’m seeing is the fires have all been in abandoned or vacant properties. This one was at the old Summers’ barn. It’s been empty for years, it’s outside of town, the wood is old and dried out, making it a firebug’s dream spot.”

  “Plus, it’s off the beaten path. Unless you know it’s there, it’s not visible from the road. Add in the use of an accelerant, you’re right, sounds suspicious.” Rafe scratched at his chin while he watched Brody closely. Brody was used to his big brother’s scrutiny. He really should have stopped and showered first, because knowing Rafe
, he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to rib him about trailing smoke into the sanctity of his office.

  “Unofficially, I wanted to give you a head’s up. I’ll send you an official report once I’ve had a chance to do a more thorough investigation. Collect more samples for ILRs and send then for testing.”

  “I probably know this, but I’m drawing a blank. What’s ILRs?” Chance shook his head after asking the question. “Guess Rafe’s not the only one needing some coffee.”

  “ILRs is an ignitable liquid residue. Not necessarily an accelerant, but burns hot. Most likely I’ll find gasoline or kerosene. Maybe propane, but I doubt it. I’ll also check for pour patterns, if an accelerant was used. Thought I spotted some after the fire was out.”

  “I’ll have my deputies keep their eyes peeled for anybody acting weird. I haven’t heard of any strangers passing through. I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything.”

  Brody stood up and stretched. “Appreciate it. I’m heading to the Big House. I’ll crash there for a few hours and then head back to the scene. Call me if anything comes up.”

  “Will do. Get some rest, you’ve earned it.”

  Chance also stood and headed for the door. “I’m going to head out too, since you’ve got your hands full, bro. Might as well head in to the office and get some work done. I’ll update you later on a couple of cases.”

  “Before you go, have you heard anything more about the Berkley case? Antonio’s swamped between moving back from Dallas, and getting situated at his new digs with the Austin FBI office. I didn’t want to bring it up with Serena; she’s been through enough already.”

  Brody paused halfway to the door, because he wanted to hear the answer too, since that particular case had hit a little too close to home. Although it did have a bright side. His brother, Antonio, found the love of his life during the whole fiasco. A few weeks prior, Big Jim Berkley, homegrown terrorist and the mastermind behind several bombings across the southern United States, had been granted an appeal of his conviction. The one person who could keep him behind bars was the man’s niece, who’d been living in Shiloh Springs under an assumed identity. Fortunately, things turned out the way they should, and Antonio and Serena got their happily ever after. Brody suspected there’d be wedding bells in the near future for his brother. The thought made him smile.