Brynn handed Jeanne Burris a large gift bag. “Here’s a little something for you that I’ve been working on.”
The Burris matriarch removed the tissue paper and placed her hand over her mouth. “I can’t believe you made this, Brynn.” She held up the queen-sized, log-cabin-star-designed quilt in shades of blue, cranberry and tan.
“Give Brynn a needle and thread and she can make anything you want,” Audrey said as she sat next to Jack on the love seat.
Benjamin Burris walked into the family room to join his family, who had gathered for a Thanksgiving morning breakfast. The high school principal and basketball coach approached his kindergarten teacher wife and ran his fingers over the quilt. “That’s some beautiful handiwork, Brynn. This should be exhibited in a museum.”
“Most quilts in museum are antiques. I’ve seen some that were pieced as far back as before the Civil War. There were a lot of quilts that had coded messages for slaves traveling the Underground Railroad on their way to Canada.”
“Have you thought about giving lectures about textiles?” Jeanne asked Brynn.
“So says my mother the consummate schoolteacher,” Geoff teased, grinning at Jeanne.
“Watch your mouth, son, because there happens to be two teachers in the house.”
Geoff held up both hands. “Sorry about that, Dad.”
“Brynn doesn’t want to teach, but she does want to open her own shop,” Corinne piped up. Her sullen attitude had vanished the instant she’d walked into the house to discover Mike had come home for the holiday weekend.
Brynn felt everyone’s eyes on her. She’d talked about opening her own business for a while and now that her family was seriously considering settling in Bronco permanently she’d told them it could be a wonderful place to set up shop.
“You better stop vacillating, Brynn, because we’ve decided we’re here to stay,” Audrey announced.
She looked at each of her sisters. “So, it’s a done deal?”
“As done as a burnt steak,” Remi quipped.
“I suppose that means I have to make a decision and real soon,” Brynn said. The lease on the apartment she was subletting month-to-month expired in April, and she expected to receive a renewal notice no later than the end of February when she had to inform the building management whether she intended to renew the lease or vacate the apartment. And that meant she had at least two months to say yay or nay.
“What’s there to think about, Brynn?” Corinne asked. “You know the Hawkins Sisters always travel together. We can’t live here and you somewhere in Seattle.”
Brynn frowned. “Who said anything about Seattle?”
“I’m just saying,” Corinne countered.
Her sisters were talking about their futures while hers was still unsettled. As unsettled as her relationship with Garrett. He hadn’t sent her a text since she’d told him they wouldn’t see each other after the fundraiser, and she refused to be the first one to blink. Well, the impasse would end later that afternoon when they went to the Flying A to have Thanksgiving dinner with the Abernathys.
“I don’t know about you good people,” Jack said as he helped Audrey off the love seat, “but I’m ready to get my eat on.”
Everyone got up and walked into the dining room where Jeanne had set out warming dishes on the credenza. And Brynn had to admit she was glad for the distraction. She was no longer on the spot.
Hannah slapped at Garrett’s hand when he attempted to pilfer a candied nut from a dish with walnuts, pecans and cashews. “Stop eating them or there won’t be any left for our guests.”
“You’ve made enough food to feed the entire NFL,” he grumbled under his breath.
“Don’t forget we’re having the Hawkinses, your aunt and uncle, and their five kids. The last thing I want is to run out of food.”
Garrett want to tell her he could never forget the Hawkinses were coming. Especially Brynn. It had been five days since they’d last communicated with each other and he’d found himself keeping busy just so he wouldn’t have to think about her. He did double duty getting up early to check on the fence lines, the cattle and the bison before returning to his cabin to shower and head into the office at Abernathy Meats.
“I doubt that’s going to happen, Mom. You have two roast turkeys, prime rib, a whole ham, and I don’t know how many side dishes.” His mother had spent three days preparing for Thanksgiving.
“I need you to play host this year because your father will be spending more time sitting than standing.”
Garrett dropped a kiss on his mother’s gray hair. “Okay.”
It wasn’t long till the doorbell began to ring. His uncle, aunt and cousins were the first to arrive, and his brothers and their significant others were close behind. All had committed to bringing dessert and a long table in the formal dining room was covered with cakes, pies, tarts, a tort and a raspberry trifle that appeared too pretty to eat.
The bell rang again and Garrett went to the door to open it. Several Hawkins women crowded the porch, but he only saw Brynn. She smiled and he returned it and opened the door wider. “Happy Thanksgiving. Please come in.”
She gave him two large shopping bags. “These are for your mother.”
Audrey cradled a carton to her chest. “There’s some liquid libation in here.” Crosby arrived in time to take the box from her.
“Corinne and Remi will be here in a few minutes,” Brynn said. “They’re still unloading the car.”
Crosby set down the box. “I’ll go and help them.”
Garrett met Brynn’s eyes. “I should’ve told you not to bring anything, because my mother has everything covered.”
“I don’t know how you do it here in the Mountain states, but we in the South were raised never to come to someone’s house empty-handed. That shows poor home training.”
“Point taken, Miss Hawkins.”
She reached into her crossbody bag and took out the case with the earrings. “Please tell your mother thank you for me.”
“You can tell her yourself. She’s in the kitchen.”
Brynn curbed the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Both her mother and grandmother had punished her for the habit when she was child. Eventually, she’d grown out of it. She was grateful when she saw Susanna and smiled at her friend. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Susanna hugged her. “Same to you. Come with me and I’ll show you where you can put your jacket before you meet everyone.”
She followed Susanna down a long hallway until she stopped at a walk-in closet that was as large as some New York City studio apartments. She shrugged out of her puffy jacket and gave it to Susanna to hang up.
“Now that I’ve got you alone, I want to know what’s going on with you and Garrett.”
Brynn was completely blindsided by the question. “Nothing. Why?”
“He isn’t himself.” She peeked out into the hall to make sure no one was in earshot. “You can be honest with me, Brynn. I saw the pictures of you and Garrett at The Association fundraiser, and I was blown away by how perfect you are for each other. Everyone said you two looked as if you belonged on some high-fashion runway. And there were a few photos when Garrett was staring at you like you were a dessert he wanted to eat.”
Heat flared in Brynn’s face. “That’s a little graphic.”
“Come on, Brynn. We’re both grown women.”
“Well, I’ll admit that I’m not a virgin but—” She stopped herself, not wanting to get into a conversation about sex. Especially not when she had other things on her mind. “What’s wrong with Garrett?”
“He’s stopped speaking and, when he does, he’s monosyllabic. Everyone has been tiptoeing around him and a few times Hannah told him to go home and get himself together because she won’t tolerate any of her children grunting at her. I know she’s upset because she lost him once when he left the Flying A, and she doesn’t want that to happen again.”
Brynn felt her stomach drop. “He’s talking about leaving the ranch?”
“He hasn’t said it outright, but he seems very unhappy.”
“What do you want me to do, Susanna?”
“Fix whatever problem you’re having with him.”
She shook her head. “That’s impossible because the differences in our ages will never change.”
“That can’t be the only problem, Brynn, because, after all, he is dating you.” Susanna paused. “Are you in love with him?”
Brynn knew it was futile to lie any longer. She had fallen in love with Garrett. Hopelessly and totally. “Yes.”
And she didn’t want to tell Susanna that she was a coward. She’d finally admitted to herself on the night of the fundraiser that she had fallen in love with Garrett and that she had to get away from him before blurting it out and embarrassing herself if he didn’t feel the same way.
“Something tells me he’s in love with you, too. Are you willing to take some sisterly advice from someone who is also in love with an Abernathy man?”
Brynn wanted to tell Susanna that she had enough sisters. But what was one more? “Yes.”
“Let Garrett know how you feel about him. If you can’t tell him, then show him. And you know what I’m talking about.”
“I never figured you for a naughty girl, Susanna,” she teased.
“I was a good girl for a long time,” Susanna drawled, frowning. “I’d wasted so much time going out with guys I wasn’t remotely interested in, meanwhile I kept wishing they would vaporize and then come back as Dean Abernathy.”
“It’s different for me. After I broke up with my last boyfriend almost two years ago, I didn’t go out with anyone until Garrett.”
“That’s a long time, Brynn.”
“It’s taken me that long to get over my last ex’s duplicity.”
“Oh, here you are.”
Brynn turned around to see Hannah standing in the doorway. “I want to thank you for the beautiful wreaths. Susanna, can you help Dean hang them on the front doors?”
Brynn waited for Susanna to leave before she reached into her tote and gave Hannah the case with the earrings. “Thank you for letting me wear these. They did attract a lot of attention.”
Hannah smiled and put the case into a pocket of her apron. “Just as I knew they would. You and Garrett looked magnificent in the pictures posted on The Association’s website. Have you seen them?”
“No. I’ll look at them when I go home tonight.”
Brynn had forced herself not to look at the photos because she didn’t want to be reminded of how that special night had ended. She’d thought of herself as Cinderella dancing with her prince when it had suddenly hit her that she would never have a happily-ever-after with Garrett. He’d believed her too young, and he refused to talk about his ex-wife. He’d asked her about her exes and, although she hadn’t wanted to talk about it at that moment, she knew she would if and when she felt the time was right.
“Garrett can show you at his place.”
Brynn wanted to tell Hannah that Garrett had never invited her to his house. “It can wait until I get home later tonight.”
Her answer satisfied Hannah when she said, “Come with me and I’ll introduce you to the other folks in the family.”
Brynn left her tote on the floor in the closet and followed Hannah to the family room, where she introduced her as “Garrett’s girlfriend” to Hutch’s brother Asa and his wife Bonnie. When she turned to look at Garrett, he shrugged his shoulders and smiled. She exchanged pleasantries with Asa and Bonnie’s five children who, like Hutch and Hannah’s sons, were in their twenties and thirties. Asa had three sons—Billy, Theo and Jace—and two daughters—Robin and Stacy. The resemblance between the ten offspring of the two brothers was remarkable. There was no mistaking them for anything other than Abernathys.
“I see you met another branch on the Abernathy family tree,” Garrett said in her ear.
“How many Abernathys are there?”
He smiled down at her. “A lot. We’re quite prolific.”
Brynn returned his smile. “That, I can see. They believe I’m your girlfriend.”
“Oh, but you are.” He rested at hand at the small of her back. “Are you willing to give them a demonstration?” Garrett lowered his head to kiss her at the same time she pushed him away.
“Stop it, Garrett,” she whispered. “You don’t have to prove anything.”
His eyebrow quirked. “So, you are my girlfriend?”
“Yes.”
Brynn noticed Hutch and Hannah smiling at each other. It was apparent they’d witnessed Garrett’s attempt to kiss her. And if she was responsible for getting Garrett out of his funk, then it was a day to be grateful for many things.
Garrett, sitting next to Hannah, found himself listening more to the conversation floating around the table than concentrating on the food on his plate. Hannah had placed two leaves in the large rectangular table to seat twenty-two adults and Maeve and Lola. Plates overflowed with food and glasses with wine as the merriment continued, much to the delight of Lola and Maeve who had come down with a case of the giggles.
He had purposely sat across the table from Brynn to watch her interact with his cousins, who seemed as taken with her as he was. He’d missed her. Not seeing her text messages had left him in a funk where he’d found himself at odds with everyone who questioned him about Brynn after they’d seen the photos of them together at the fundraiser. And rather than lie about what had become a very fragile relationship, he’d stopped responding at all, with the hope people would stop asking.
Garrett had managed to apologize to his mother because he knew she was concerned that he was spending so much time alone again. He got up early to do his chores, then retreated to the office for a few hours to take over from his father, who’d returned to the office part-time, before heading to his cabin. Now that most of the snow had melted, he spent time exercising Tecumseh and trying to saddle train Chief Joseph. However, the colt resisted each time he attempted to put a saddle on him, so Garrett had decided to leave that task to Dean, who had become the Flying A’s horse whisperer.
He noticed his mother resting her head on Hutch’s shoulder as she struggled to keep her eyes open. The strain of cooking for days had taken its toll. “Mom, why don’t you go and put your feet up? We can take care of everything here.”
She opened her eyes and smiled. “It’s okay, Garrett. Callie, Susanna and Evy have volunteered to clean up and put things away.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Very sure. Now, it’s time you make up with that girl or so help me I’ll disown you.”
“I’m going to talk to her.”
“When, Garrett?”
“Later. After we finish dinner.”
“That may be too late. I overheard Audrey say they’re going to the Brandts’ for dessert after they leave here.”
Garrett forced himself not to panic. He knew if he didn’t talk to Brynn tonight, he wasn’t certain when he would get the opportunity again. He rose, walked around the table and leaned over her, ignoring those staring at him. If they thought he was acting crazy, then he was. Because he was crazy in love with Brynn Hawkins.
“I’d like to talk to you,” he said in her ear.
She stared over her shoulder. “Now?”
He nodded. “Yes, please.”
Brynn felt like a specimen on a slide as everyone sitting around the table watched Garrett pull back her chair. She wanted to ask him why he couldn’t wait for everyone to finish eating before making her the center of attention.
“Excuse me,” she said to the table.
“Where is Uncle Rhett going?” Lola shouted.
Evy rolled her eyes and shook her head. “It’s okay, baby girl. Your uncle needs to take care of some business.”
“With his girlfriend?” Lola asked.
The entire table erupted into laughter as Brynn followed Garrett out of the dining room. “Where are you taking me?” she asked.
“I want you to get your coat because we’re going outside.”
“Outside to do what, Garrett?”
“Talk, Brynn. I’ve had enough of my family ingratiating themselves in what’s going on between us.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “Maybe they’re concerned because you haven’t been the nicest to be around.”
“Oh. You’ve heard about that?”
“Loud and clear, Garrett. And I don’t want your family to blame me for your bad moods.”
“They’re not blaming you for anything. They’re blaming me for our breakup.”
Brynn stopped and gave him a long, penetrating stare. “Our breakup? You’re breaking up with me?” Her heart picked up its pace and, despite the chilly evening, her palms began to sweat. Was he trying to tell her he didn’t want to see her anymore?
“You broke up with me.”
She shook her head, feeling confused and scared at the same time. “No I didn’t.”
“Then what the hell was going on this week when you said you couldn’t see me?”
“I told you I was busy, Garrett. I needed to make the door wreaths as a house gift for your mother—”
“Why didn’t you say that?” he interrupted.
“I told you that, Garrett. I shouldn’t have to dot every i and cross every t when I say something to you. I went through that with another man, and I swore I would never do that again.” What she couldn’t tell him was that she had fallen in love with him, believing if she were able to put some distance between them her feelings would change. Unfortunately, they hadn’t. Seeing, talking, and sharing the same space had proven her wrong.
“Please get your coat and your bag because it appears as if we need to talk about a lot of things.”
Brynn retrieved her coat and tote, and followed Garrett as they left the house through a rear door. It was a beautiful, late-fall night, with a near-full moon and a cloudless sky sprinkled with millions of stars. She sucked in a lungful of crisp air, held it for several seconds before exhaling.
“Now I know why Montana is called Big Sky Country. It’s beautiful.”
“And yet you want to leave it.”
He began walking, and she sped up to fall in step with him. “Who told you I’m leaving?”
“You did in so many words, Brynn. When I asked you about opening a shop in Bronco, you said that wasn’t a possibility.”
“That was before my family finally agreed they want to settle here permanently.”
He stopped and held her shoulders. “What are you saying? You’re staying in Bronco? It’s a done deal?”
Was she staying? Brynn needed a moment to sort out her thoughts and emotions. It didn’t take her long. She looked at Garrett and shook her head as her lips turned up in a slight grin. “It’s as done as a burnt steak. And that’s a quote from Remi.” There wasn’t any question left. She could never leave her sisters.
Garrett picked her up and swung her around and around until she pleaded with him to stop. He did stop, still holding her off her feet, and brushed his mouth over hers, increasing the pressure until her lips parted. The kiss was gentle, healing, and in no time she felt desire course through her veins. Everything about the man holding her to his heart fed a need and filled a void she wasn’t aware had existed.
Looping her arms around his neck, she breathed a kiss under his ear. Susanna’s advice echoed in her head. Let Garrett know how you feel about him. If you can’t tell him, then show him. She screwed up her courage and asked him, “Now that I know what I’m doing, I have to you ask you, Garrett. What are we doing?”
He eased back and set her on her feet. “What are you talking about?”
“Are we ever going to be together?”
He hesitated and she could see his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard. “I don’t want to make a mistake, Brynn.” He said it without looking at her.
“What are you talking about?”
“Making love with you.” This time his rich brown eyes gazed directly into hers.
She blinked. “You believe our making love will be a mistake?”
“I don’t know.”
“What I do know, Garrett, is the only mistake is for us to miss this opportunity. Once I’m back on the road, I’m not certain when I’ll be back. But it’s not going to be forever because I’m thinking of buying property here. Nothing elaborate or fancy. Just a little house with enough land for me to build a workshop.”
“What about horses?”
“That will come later and only if the property is large enough.”
Brynn was staying in Bronco. She was buying property and setting down roots. Garrett felt as if a weight had been lifted off him. He didn’t want to lose her because he not only wanted her, he needed her. Cradling her face, he pressed a kiss to her lips. “You have no idea how much you mean to me.”
“I’m beginning to suspect that I mean a lot to you.”
“Your suspicions are correct,” he whispered. “I’m a little bit crazy about you, Brynn Hawkins.” Garrett had said “crazy” when he’d wanted to tell her he loved her.
“You need to show me how crazy you are, Garrett Abernathy.”
The sassy, outspoken woman with the beautiful face and body to match had just challenged him, and he was never one to back down from a challenge. “I would, but I’m sure your sisters are waiting for you.”
Reaching into her tote, Brynn took out her cell phone and sent a group text telling them she was staying on at the Flying A and they should go to the Brandts’ without her. She showed Garrett the text. “Now, are you going to make a liar out of me? I want to go home with you.”
Garrett combed his fingers through her soft curls. “You can’t imagine how long I’ve waited for you to say that. The first time I brought you to the ranch, I thought it strange that you didn’t ask to see my home.”
“Maybe I was waiting for an invitation.”
“Well, then, Brynn Hawkins, will you come home with me now?” he whispered against her moist lips.