Brynn thought Garrett had lost his mind. When she’d agreed to his suggestion they make s’mores, she’d figured they would roast the marshmallows in the wood-burning fireplace in his house, not outdoors in a fire pit in below-freezing nighttime temperatures in late-November Montana, when even the bears had probably gone into hibernation. Much to her delight, though, she noticed he’d turned on several outdoor portable propane heaters. His rationale: if she wanted to become a true Montanan, in order to survive the harsh winters, she had to thicken up her blood.
She lay under several alpaca throws between Garrett’s outstretched legs on a cushioned recliner, savoring the warmth from his body and the heaters. “You continue to surprise me,” Brynn said as she rested her head against his shoulder.
“This is only the beginning, babe. I have a lot more surprises planned for us.”
“Us?”
“Yes, because there are so many things I want to experience with you.”
She smiled. “Do want to tell me about them?”
“Not yet. What I don’t want to do is repeat things you had with your exes.”
“I doubt that.” Brynn paused. “Unless you’re into strip clubs.”
“No, I’m not. Is that where they took you?”
A beat passed before Brynn revealed to Garrett that the man she’d been dating told her he’d wanted to surprise her for her birthday. The surprise had turned out to be a his-and-her strip club outing. He’d left her at the male stage while he’d gone to the one with women.
“Did you stay?” Garrett questioned.
“No. I waited outside. Needless to say, that was the beginning of the end of that relationship.”
“He sounds like a real jerk.”
Brynn snorted delicately. “Jerk doesn’t begin to describe him. I must have been a magnet for jerks because a sixth sense told me not get involved with a rodeo performer again, but I’d ignored it and fell for one that wanted to keep our relationship secret. But in the end I was glad he’d insisted on that.” She told him about the scandal involving his three baby mamas, two of whom were strippers. “Can you answer a question for me, Garrett?”
“What’s that?”
“What’s the allure of men sleeping with strippers without protection? Don’t they know if they happen to get one pregnant, they’re facing the possibly of a paternity suit?”
“That’s something I can’t answer for you, babe. I suppose it would be the same for women who are gold diggers. When they sleep with wealthy men or celebrities and have their babies, it’s because they believe they can get big bucks in order to change their current lifestyle.”
Brynn wanted to ask him about Faith. Had she been looking for those “big bucks”? Had she married him because he was an Abernathy, one of the wealthiest families not only in Bronco but also in Montana? She’d opened up to him about the men in her past and now she waited for Garrett to reveal some of the details of his failed marriage. She assumed that would be the next step, now that he’d gotten past his reluctance to date and held her hand, hugged her and attempted to steal a kiss in public.
Brynn wasn’t willing to move forward in their relationship if they weren’t able to let go of their pasts, which she had, or share their secrets. She’d already had one relationship with a secretive man and she did not want a repeat of that with Garrett.
But Garrett just lay quiet, wrapping his arms more tightly around her and kissing the top of her head. She decided he probably just needed more time. Spending this weekend together would make him feel more comfortable with her, she reasoned. She’d give Garrett another opportunity to open up to her about his failed marriage after she returned from Billings.
“Are you ready to go in?” he said in her ear.
“Yes.” The snow that begun earlier that afternoon had stopped after an hour, leaving less than two inches on the ground, and it appeared like diamond dust under the glow of the full moon.
Brynn gathered the throws while Garrett shut off the fire pit and heaters. They walked in the house to find Max stretched out in front of the fireplace. Garrett removed the screen, stoked the dying embers and placed another log on the grate. He said Max would sleep there all night even after the fire went out completely.
“I’m going up to shower,” she said to Garrett as he began turning off lights in the kitchen and dining area.
“I’ll be up as soon as I lock up.”
Brynn walked into the en suite bathroom and brushed her teeth before undressing and stepping into the free-standing shower. She undid the braid and stood under the spray of the oversized showerhead to shampoo her hair. She let out a shriek when the door opened and Garrett joined her. He was naked.
“What are you doing?”
Garrett flashed a sensual smile. “Saving water,” he crooned as his hands cradled her breasts.
His head came down and he took her mouth in a burning kiss that stole the breath from her lungs. One hand slipped lower over her belly as his fingers worked their magic between her thighs until she doubted whether her legs would support her.
Brynn felt as if she was on fire as she writhed against his wet body to get even closer. Throwing back her head, she screamed when an orgasm shook her, but Garrett didn’t stop. He ignited her desire again and, within minutes, she was lost to the sensations his fingers evoked. It was only when she felt his erection against her belly that sanity returned.
“We have to stop, Garrett. We don’t have any protection.” She couldn’t permit him to make love to her without a condom.
She must have gotten through to him because he raised his head and met her eyes. Recessed lights in the ceiling of the shower stall reflected off his gaze and seeing him look at her like that was a turn-on.
Then, without warning, he turned off the water and swept her up in his arms to carry her out of the shower and into the bedroom. He deposited her on the bed and, after slipping on a condom, he made love to her as if it was to be their last time.
Brynn screamed when a series of orgasms shook her from head to toe at the same time Garrett buried his face in the pillow under her head and groaned deep in his throat as they climaxed together. She lost track of the time as Garrett collapsed on top of her, their bodies spent, then he kissed her deeply before he got up to dispose of the condom. When he returned, she extended her arms to welcome him into the bed and symbolically into her life. Not only had she fallen in love Garrett Abernathy, but she also loved him with all of her heart.
The next two days felt as if they lived in an alternate universe. Garrett got up early as usual to do chores, while Brynn stay behind in the cabin, preparing brunch for his return, and he wasn’t surprised when she’d admitted she like grilling outdoor in the winter. Using the grill saved them having to clean up the kitchen and provided more time for themselves. And for their lovemaking.
Garrett drove Brynn back to her apartment Sunday night, hoping his eyes communicated what he couldn’t bring himself to say. He loved her. “Enjoy your stay in Billings,” he said instead before kissing her.
Resting her hands on his chest over the corduroy jacket, she smiled up at him. “I’m only going to be away for a couple of days, so why are you making it sound as if it’s going to be two weeks or even two months?”
“I’m going to miss you, Brynn.”
“And I’m going to miss you, too.”
Turning on his heel, he walked out of her apartment to where he’d parked his pickup.
During the drive to the Flying A, he replayed in his head everything he’d had with Brynn since being introduced to her the afternoon he’d gone to the Bronco Convention Center to meet with Chuck Carter about selling bison for the upcoming Mistletoe Rodeo. How much he enjoyed everything about Brynn Hawkins in and out of bed.
She was young, vibrant and beautiful. He’d also experienced twin emotions of pride and jealousy when men couldn’t pull their gazes away from her at The Association fundraiser. And when he’d taken her home after the event, it should’ve been to make love to her, but he hadn’t been given the opportunity when she’d practically closed the door in his face. Everything about the night was magical until they’d danced together during the heartbreaking love ballad “If I Didn’t Love You.”
A cold shudder ran up his back as the suspicion took hold. Did Brynn feel she would be better off without him if she didn’t love him? But then he asked himself, did she love him? Garrett reminded himself that Brynn wasn’t reticent about speaking her mind. If she truly did love him, wouldn’t she have told him by now?
His thoughts and fears tumbled around inside his head so ferociously that a blinding pain stabbed his eyes. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel, ignoring the pain shooting up his arm. In fact, he welcomed it to keep from thinking about the woman who bewitched him and tied him in knots, and he knew he had to exorcise her not only from his head but also his heart.
Brynn returned to Bronco after spending two days in Billings. It had been the first time she’d been featured in a music video and realized it wasn’t as glamourous behind the scenes as it looked on film.
She’d sent a text to her mother, sisters, and Garrett that she was back, and the taping was successful.
Remi and Corinne called to say they were coming over later that day because they wanted to hear all of the deets about the video shoot.
An hour later Garrett respond to her text.
Can you meet me at the barn? We need to talk.
I’m on my way.
Brynn thought about the shoot during the drive to the Flying A. Derrick Blackstone had recorded “Don’t You Remember” with just an acoustic guitar and piano. His rendition was predicted to create as big a sensation for him as Whitney Houston when she’d covered Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
The four-minute video was divided into one-minute segments with her appearing differently in each one to coincide with the images of her in Derrick’s memory. A stylist had washed and dried her curly hair with a diffuser attachment that gave her leonine look. She’d worn a white unbuttoned blouse with a hint of cleavage, body-hugging jeans and boots. When she’d stared directly into the camera lens, wearing dark dramatic eye makeup, the director had called it a wrap after one take.
The makeup artist had removed the makeup and she’d appeared almost virginal in a sundress and white tennis shoes, with her hair in two braids as she spun around while smiling at the videographer over her shoulder.
For the third segment, her hair had been brushed off her face into a ponytail and she’d reclined on the hood of pickup in revealing Daisy Duke cutoffs, a tank top and boots. It had taken four takes before she’d achieved the image the director had wanted. When she’d complained of fatigue, they’d halted the shoot so she should go back to her hotel and rest before returning later that night. They’d wanted to finish the shoot in one day.
When she’d returned to the studio, she’d discovered Derrick Blackstone on the set. Seeing him up close and in person made her aware why women were literally falling at his feet. He was the quintessential tall, dark, handsome, and had exuded a sexiness that was mesmerizing. He was to appear in the last segment in which he would be waiting for her to come to him. He’d kiss her, then, using special effects, she would disappear before his eyes.
She’d wanted to tell the director there was nowhere in the original script where she would be required to kiss the performer, but as her grandmother would say, she had to put on her big girl panties and roll with it.
Brynn had gone through another hair and makeup change when her curls were blown into full waves that framed her face, fell over her shoulders and down her back. She’d smiled when seeing the blood-red flowing satin gown with a sweetheart neckline. Dramatic black eyeshadow and vermilion lipstick made her feel sexy and naughty at the same time.
A fog machine created a dreamlike atmosphere as she’d walked barefoot toward where Derrick sat dressed entirely in black. She’d detected a shimmer of lust in his dark orbs, but she’d refused to fall under his sensual spell. She’d fallen for two men in the spotlight and, even if she wasn’t in love with Garrett, she wasn’t willing to go there again.
He’d risen to his feet with her approach and when they were mere inches apart he’d dipped his head to kiss her, and the director had called cut and that was a wrap. Brynn saw by Derrick’s expression that he wasn’t happy; she knew he’d wanted to actually kiss her.
The director complimented her, saying she was a natural and that he would love to work with her again on other videos. She’d told him the producer had her mother’s number and he should talk to Josie.
The director then revealed that they were going to edit the tape overnight and have the sound engineer link it with the prerecorded lyrics because the record company wanted to release the video in two days.
When she’d told the director to contact her mother for upcoming gigs, Brynn hadn’t been completely honest with the man. She was attempting to withdraw from the spotlight, accepting fewer events as one of the Hawkins Sisters. More than half her life had been recorded for posterity and now, at thirty, she was ready to turn the corner. She craved stability and privacy.
Brynn slowed down and maneuvered onto the road leading to the Flying A. It had only been two days since she’d seen Garrett, but for her it seemed longer, and she’d continued to ask herself how it had happened so quickly. How she’d come to need him when she’d never she needed man.
Want?
Yes.
Need?
Never.
And if anyone had asked her to describe herself, she would’ve said, “Independent, outspoken and supremely confident.” Somehow, though, she couldn’t imagine her life without Garrett now. And if he wanted to talk, so did she—about Faith.
She saw his pickup at the side of the barn, so she pulled up alongside it and shut off the engine. Her heart flip-flopped when she walked into the barn and saw him grooming a large stallion. He glanced up and she smiled. Brynn knew something was wrong when he didn’t return her smile.
“What’s up, Garrett?”
He gave the horse a carrot before setting the brush on a bench. “We need to talk.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You said that in your text.”
Garrett met her eyes. “I think we should think long and hard about what it would mean for the two of us to be together long-term.”
“Why?” The query was flat, lacking emotion.
“Because not everyone will approve of our relationship because of our age difference.”
“Now, we’re back to that.”
He took a step toward her then stopped. “What do you want with a man that’s so much older than you?”
Brynn fisted her hands. “I don’t have an issue with your age, and I don’t give a damn what other people think about us.”
“But I do.” He paused. “And there’s something else.”
“What, Garrett?”
“Long distance relationships usually don’t work. I’ll be here while you’ll spend more than half the year on the rodeo circuit coming and going by your leave.”
Brynn counted slowly to five as she struggled not to lose her temper. “Are you making excuses because you’re looking for a way out of our relationship?”
“Why would I want out?”
“I don’t know, Garrett. Does it have something to do with Faith?” He recoiled as if she’d struck him when she’d mentioned the name, and Brynn decided to press her attack. “You were married to her, and apparently for a long time, yet you never talk about her.”
“That’s because that was in the past.”
“Is it, Garrett? Really? Because if you’re not willing to talk about her, then I don’t believe she really is in the past. The only thing I’m going to say is thanks for the memories.”
She turned on her heel and walked out of the barn before he could see the tears welling up in her eyes. Brynn couldn’t believe she was crying over a man when she never had before. When her prior relationships had ended, it had been good riddance to bad rubbish. But this time, with Garrett, it was different. Because she truly loved him.
She got into her vehicle and drove away from the Flying A. For the last time.
“You really know how to mess up a good thing.”
Garrett turned to find Dean standing in the barn, arms crossed over his chest. He hadn’t heard his brother when he’d entered. “What are you talking about?”
“Brynn, big brother. I heard what just happened. She’s the best thing to come into your life, yet it’s like you’re afraid to be happy because you believe it will end like it did with you and Faith.”
“Brynn isn’t Faith.”
“I’m glad you noticed, Garrett. So, what are you going to about it?”
“Nothing, Dean. And please mind your own business.”
Dean threw up both hands. “Suit yourself, brother. But you know I love you and want to see you happy.”
Garrett closed his eyes. He wanted to tell Dean he was happy, in fact gloriously happy with Brynn, but that’s what frightened him. “Brynn does make me happy.”
“Then what’s the problem, Garrett?”
“The problem is it’s not going to work–at least not long term.” And he didn’t want to tell Dean that he wasn’t willing to repeat with Brynn what he’d had with Faith. “Brynn and I would be like two ships passing in the night and I need stability in my life. And right now Brynn Hawkins isn’t that stability.”
“What you need to do is think hard and long about what it would mean losing her–for good. But I know you told me to mind my own business, so I’m out,” Dean said as he walked out of the barn.
Garrett picked up the brush and went back to grooming the stallion. He’d asked Brynn to meet him in the barn because he’d thought of it as neutral territory, far enough away from the cabin where he’d gone to bed and woken up with her beside him. He’d spent four glorious days with her, and Dean was right—he was afraid it would end much like his marriage. What had begun with hope and promise had slowly gone downhill, although he and Faith were living together they were living separate lives until he and Faith had barely tolerated each other’s presence. That was something he didn’t want for himself and Brynn. That she would eventually tire of spending so much time away from her older husband and ask for a divorce.
He loved Brynn, more than he could’ve imagined loving any woman, but knew ending their relationship now was for the best. It would save both of them heartache in the long run.
Remi and Corinne stared at each other then at Brynn. “Why does it seem as if you’ve lost your best friend when you just had a video shoot with one of the sexiest men on the planet?” Corinne asked.
Brynn had given her sisters the deets they’d asked for of the shoot, attempting to make it sound more exciting than she’d felt at that moment. She’d never lied to her sisters, and she didn’t want to start now. “That’s because I have lost him.”
Corinne blinked. “Say what?”
“Garrett and I broke up.”
“Why, Brynn?” Remi asked.
“Because he’s stuck in the past, Remi. And I don’t intend to compete with a woman or women from his past when I don’t expect him to compete with the men from mine.”
Reaching over, Corinne covered Brynn’s hand with hers. “So, what are you going to do?”
“Move on.”
“You just can’t give up on him, Brynn. It’s obvious his divorce has scarred him,” Remi said.
“I can’t be the only one fighting for our relationship. Garrett has to at least meet me halfway,” she said, struggling not to cry in front of her sisters.
“And if he doesn’t?” Corinne asked.
“I told you. I’m going to move on and that’s that.”
Corinne stood, Remi rising with her. “We’re going to leave now. I’ll call you in a couple of days to see if you’re feeling better.”
Brynn blinked back tears before they fell. “I’m good.” And she was. She was good as long as she didn’t dwell on what she’d had with Garrett. She’d fallen in love with him and, with time, the love would fade and she would be left with only the memories of what they’d shared together.
It was later that night when she lay in bed that she cried. She cried for what was and what she’d hoped to have with Garrett Abernathy – her happily ever after.
“Are you certain she said she was going to move on?” Dean asked Corinne.
“Yes,” Remi confirmed.
Dean was shocked when Brynn’s sisters had contacted him at Abernathy Meats and asked to meet with him and his brothers to stage an intervention between Brynn and Garrett. He’d set up a time for them to come when he knew Garrett would be at his cabin.
Weston leaned back in his chair in the conference room and rested a booted foot over the opposite knee. “Move on or move away from Bronco?”
Audrey glared at blue-eyed Weston Abernathy. “Does that really matter? My sisters claim she said it twice, and knowing Brynn, once she sets her mind to something, she rarely backs down. She has a month-to-month lease on her apartment at BH247 and if she doesn’t renew it, then she will definitely leave Bronco.”
“But what’s going to happen to the Hawkins Sisters?” Crosby questioned.
“We’re not going to break up because we live in different states or cities,” Audrey said. “Let’s keep the focus on Brynn and Garrett. What we have to do is get them together under some false pretenses before we go back on the circuit in a couple of weeks.”
Tyler ran his fingers through his hair. “We better come up with something and quick.”
Dean nodded. He recalled the conversation he’d had Garrett in the barn the day he broke up with Brynn. He was certain his brother was in love with her, but somehow could not forget what he’d had with his ex-wife. “I know it’s not going to be easy, but between the seven of us, we should be able to think of something that should knock some sense into my muleheaded brother.”
“Why don’t you tell Garrett that Brynn is hooking up with another man?” Crosby suggested.
Tyler frowned at Crosby. “That won’t work. Everybody knows she was hanging out at Garrett’s cabin at night.”
“I think Crosby is onto something,” Remi said. “She just finished doing a video with Derrick Blackstone and we could say that Derrick wants her to go with him to the upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that happens to be a three-week-long event where dozens of country stars are slated to play.”
“Will the Hawkins Sisters be performing?” Tyler asked.
Audrey shook her head. “We’re planning to skip it. That’s why it’s the perfect ruse to shake up Garrett. Brittany Dubois told me that Garrett glared at any man who stared at Brynn during The Association fundraiser. Even Daniel had mentioned it to his wife because he’d wanted to dance with Brynn but changed his mind when he saw Garrett’s face.”
“She did look hot in those photographs,” Crosby said under his breath, garnering glares from everyone sitting around the table.
Dean sat straight. “So, you think her going out with Derrick Blackstone will do the trick?”
“We won’t know if it will work if we don’t put it out there,” Remi said. “I follow Derrick Blackstone on social media and the music video is scheduled to drop in two days. And judging by what Brynn told us, it’s very sexy.”
Dean chuckled. “And probably sexy enough to make Garrett very, very jealous. Now, who’s going to be responsible for telling my brother about Brynn hooking up with Derrick Blackstone?”
“I will,” Crosby volunteered. “I’ll tell him Remi called and told me.”
“I suppose that settles it,” Weston said as he exchanged fist bumps with everyone in the conference room.