Brynn felt her breath catch in her throat when she opened the door to see Garrett resplendent in formal attire. A slate-blue jacket with notched lapels and a matching vest. Flat-front, modern, slim-fit trousers. A crisp white shirt with pocket square and a blue bolo tie secured with an inlaid mother-of-pearl and lapis aiguillette. It was the perfect look for the Western-style tuxedo. His usually tousled waves had been tamed by a professional cut and his lean jaw glowed from a fresh shave. His footwear was a pair of black ostrich-skin low-heeled boots.
“You look fabulous.”
Garrett stepped into the entryway and closed the door. “I can’t believe you’ve surpassed perfection,” he said, ignoring her compliment.
She felt warm all over with the compliment and the way Garrett was staring at her breasts in the revealing décolletage. Several days ago, Brynn had had an appointment at Denise Sanchez’s full-service salon for a facial, manicure, pedicure and full body massage, because it’d been much too long since she’d pampered herself. Mrs. Sanchez had trimmed an inch off her hair and, using a blow dryer and large rounded brush, transformed the curls into luxuriously flowing waves that ended at her waist.
However, Brynn decided not to wear it down for the fundraiser, and it had taken her more than an hour to flat-iron her hair and style it in a twist at the nape of her neck with crystal hairpins. Her only allowance for jewelry, other than the pins in her hair, was a pair of diamond studs.
“Well, aren’t you a silver-tongued devil,” she teased.
Brynn knew it was only the second time Garrett had seen her wearing makeup, but tonight’s was much more dramatic than what she’d applied for the dinner at DJ’s Deluxe. Smoky eyeshadow, two coats of mascara on her lashes, and a barely there shade of raspberry under the ridge of her brow line matched the blush on her cheekbones and lips. It had taken her a couple of attempts to apply the makeup so it wouldn’t appear garish.
Garrett moved closer and handed her something he’d held behind his back. “I’d like you to wear these tonight.”
Brynn could not stop her hands from shaking as she took the flat case she knew contained a piece of jewelry. In that instant she recalled the scene from Pretty Woman when Richard Gere gave Julia Roberts the diamond-and-ruby necklace to wear to a formal event.
“What is it, Garrett?”
“Open it and see.”
Brynn opened the case and gasped when she saw a pair of breathtaking diamond earrings on a bed of black velvet. “I can’t, Garrett,” she whispered, unable to stop staring at the brilliant stones.
Garrett took the case from her, set it on the entryway table and removed the earrings. “Yes, you can, because Hannah expects to see photos of you wearing them.”
“These are your mother’s?” There was a hint of panic in her query.
“Yes.”
He told her how his mother had planned to wear the earrings to the fundraiser and because Hutch was under doctor’s orders to rest, she’d wanted Brynn to wear them.
She removed the studs she wore and replaced them with Hannah’s earrings, while silently praying they were insured.
Garrett pressed a kiss to the column of her neck, his cologne wafting to her nose. Not only did he look wonderful, but he smelled delicious. “You’re going to be the most beautiful woman at The Association tonight,” he whispered in her ear.
Brynn felt like a fairy-tale princess who’d found her real-life prince in Garrett Abernathy. He was mature, confident, gracious, generous, and so blatantly masculine that she had to stop herself from asking him to make love to her.
She met his eyes. “And I feel beautiful whenever I’m with you.”
Garrett wanted to tell Brynn that tonight was all about her, and that it had taken more than a decade for him to meet someone like her to allow himself to open up and embrace life. He’d felt as if he could finally exhale the first day he’d returned to the Flying A, but now, since meeting Brynn Hawkins, he knew he’d turned a corner in his life and he was ready to do and share things with her he’d always dreamed of.
He hadn’t lied to Brynn about being the most beautiful woman in the room. The dress she’d selected to wear was perfect for her, and Garrett had to force himself not to stare at the soft swell of her breasts rising and falling above the neckline each time she took a breath. She exuded a sexy confidence with her sleek, sophisticated hairdo, dramatic eye makeup, designer garment that showed off her body’s curves and long, shapely legs. Not to mention the heels that put her close to his own six-three height.
Garrett groaned inwardly when he saw her bare back as she turned to pick up the shawl off the table and wrap it around her upper body. How, he mused, was he going to make it through the night without making love to her? It wasn’t as if the notion hadn’t crossed his mind before, but tonight was going to test the limits of his self-control. He knew he hadn’t been completely truthful with Brynn or with himself when he’d told her he wanted to go slow. But how much slower could he go when he was aware that her stay in Bronco was erratic? Garrett knew without a doubt that he’d reached a point in their relationship where it had to be resolved.
Brynn picked up her evening purse and house keys. “I’m ready.”
He nodded. He was also ready. Ready to embrace the night and the woman he would claim as his for the next few hours.
Brynn exhaled an inaudible sigh of satisfaction when she noticed the bling on the fingers, wrists, necks and ears of the women clinging to the arms of their escorts. They ain’t got nothing on me. Thank you, Garrett, for insisting I wear your mother’s earrings.
She knew The Association was a private club for wealthy ranchers, and it was apparent their wives or girlfriends, dressed to the nines in haute couture and adorned with precious jewels, had come to be seen. Tonight, there would be no denim, flannel, jeans or scuffed boots.
Garrett gave the women at the registration table his name and received two raffle tickets. He handed one to Brynn. “What is this for?” she whispered as he escorted her into an enormous ballroom with massive chandeliers, where waitstaff were offering flutes of champagne and passing trays of hors d’oeuvres for the cocktail hour.
“There’s a raffle drawing for a single winning ticket and the winner gets to select a charity of their choice. Ten percent of each ticket sold is set aside for a donation.”
“Does the charity have to be a local one?” Brynn asked.
“No. There are other fundraisers during the year that are geared to local charities.”
Garrett took a flute, handed it to Brynn, then took one for himself. “Here’s to a special woman on a very special night.”
Brynn touched her glass to his and took a sip of the bubbly. It was an excellent vintage. “Thank you, cowboy, for bringing me one step closer to whether I should or should not put down roots in Bronco.”
His eyebrows lifted questioningly. “You are debating whether you want to live here permanently?”
“Well, what do we have here?” came a strong male voice, preempting what Brynn wanted to say.
She turned to find a tall, white-haired man squinting at her before his gaze shifted to Garrett. The woman clinging to his arm, wearing a diamond wedding set on her left hand, was obviously his much younger wife. Brynn noticed his face was flushed with high color and she wondered if he’d had several glasses of champagne.
Garrett nodded at the couple. “It looks like a nice turnout, Mr. Taylor.”
“That it does. I think we can temporarily put aside any hard feelings between us so none of that ‘Mr. Taylor’ business tonight, Garrett. You can call me Cornelius.”
Extending his hand, Garrett shook the older man’s. “Then, Cornelius it is. Brynn, I’d like you to meet Cornelius Taylor, of Taylor Beef, and his lovely wife, Jessica.”
Brynn shook Cornelius’s hand and then Jessica’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” She was more than familiar with the name and Taylor Beef. The Taylors were the wealthiest family in Bronco Heights.
Cornelius squinted at her again. “Aren’t you that champion rodeo rider that everyone in Bronco is talking about?”
“You must be talking about my sister.”
Jessica patted her husband’s shoulder. “Darling, this is Brynn Hawkins. Remember we saw her and her sisters perform at the summer rodeo?”
Cornelius smiled at her. “You’re right, dear.” He shifted his attention to Garrett. “I don’t remember you attending this soiree last year.”
“That’s because I didn’t attend last year.”
“As Hutch’s heir apparent, you should be coming to all of these shindigs. It looks good for us in Bronco Heights to give back.”
Brynn noticed a muscle twitch in Garrett’s jaw as he clenched his teeth. It was obvious he wasn’t pleased where the conversation with Cornelius was going. She wrapped her free arm around his waist. “Garrett, I see Brittany and her husband. Do you mind if I go and say hello to them?”
Garrett nodded, smiling. “We’ll go together. Cornelius, Jessica, it’s nice seeing you.” He waited until they were out of earshot of the couple before he whispered, “Thank you for the rescue.”
“You’re welcome.” She paused. “Cornelius seems to be a little pompous.”
Garrett grunted. “He’s a lot more than that, but I’ll keep that to myself.”
Brittany Brandt Dubois smiled when she saw Brynn and Garrett approach. Brynn had met the event planner at the Burrises’s when Brittany had come to eat dinner with her sister’s future in-laws. Brynn had also gone with her sister Audrey. Brittany and Daniel were an extremely stunning couple.
Brittany held out a hand to Brynn. “Naomi Campbell has nothing on you, Brynn. You look absolutely beautiful.”
Brynn blushed as she pressed her cheek to Brittany’s. “So do you, Brittany.” The one-shouldered black gown hugged her slender body in all the right places.
Brittany smiled up at her husband. “Daniel, this is Brynn Hawkins. Her sister Audrey is engaged to Jack Burris.”
Drop-dead gorgeous Daniel Dubois nodded to Brynn. “I suppose that makes us family.”
Brynn nodded. She set her flute on the tray of a passing waiter and looped her arm over Garrett’s. “I’d like to introduce you to Garrett Abernathy.”
Daniel smiled. “What’s this I hear about the Abernathys raising bison?”
“It’s true,” Garrett said. “I know you breed horses. Do you think we can get together and talk?”
“What about now? That is, if our ladies don’t mind us talking business.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Please do.”
Brynn and Brittany had spoken at the same time.
Brittany waited until her husband walked away with Garrett’s arm over the shoulder of Daniel’s tuxedo jacket to whisper to Brynn, “I can’t believe you’ve hooked an Abernathy.”
She stared at the other woman like a deer in the headlights. “What?”
“You and Garrett Abernathy, Brynn. I know for certain that your earrings came from Beaumont and Rossi’s Fine Jewels because I saw them when my sister Stephanie went there looking for rings once Geoff began hinting about marriage. And if Garrett gave you those earrings, then an engagement ring can’t be far behind.”
Brynn wanted to tell Brittany that Hannah Abernathy had loaned them to her for the night, but decided against it. Even if she denied they were a gift from Garrett, it still wouldn’t stop people from believing whatever they wanted to believe.
She touched her left ear. “They are rather nice.”
Brittany gave her a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look. “‘Nice,’ Brynn? What you have in your ears cost more than some people earn in a year. The only thing I’m going to say is the price tag was in the thirty-thousand-dollar range.”
Brynn didn’t visibly react to the price of the earrings and again prayed that Hutch had had them insured because she didn’t want to be responsible for losing them, especially before Hannah had had a chance to wear them.
“It looks as if the Abernathys aren’t the only ones spending the big bucks on jewelry.” She didn’t want to remind Brittany that her eternity wedding band wasn’t something she’d picked up at a mall kiosk.
Brittany leaned close. “I normally wear a plain band, but tonight is special. Personally, I think it’s tacky to empty a jewelry box in order to flaunt one’s wealth.”
“It’s probably only for occasions like this,” Brynn said in defense of the women preening like peacocks.
“You’re right, Brynn, because, on an ordinary day, it’s hard to tell the Bronco Heights’ residents from those in Bronco Valley.”
“How do you like living on a ranch in Bronco Heights?” Brynn asked Brittany, deftly steering the conversation away from jewelry.
“I love it. One of these days, you should visit so we can go riding together. Daniel is currently turning a part of the property into a dude ranch as a top-of-the-line resort that will serve an exclusive clientele.”
Garrett had promised her that they would go riding on the Flying A, but that wouldn’t happen until next month when she returned from the upcoming rodeo. “I’ll let you know once I get some time away from performing. And I meant to congratulate Daniel now that he’s a member of The Association.”
There came an announcement that everyone should proceed into the grand ballroom for dinner, and Brynn waited for Garret to escort her. The ballroom lived up to its name with its marble floors, walls covered in dark green fabric, all set ablaze with light from a grand quartet of enormous chandeliers. And, judging by the green leather chairs at each cloth-covered round table with seating for six, Brynn sensed the room’s masculine vibe. Most of the men wore tuxedos or business suits, adhering to the social etiquette of not wearing their Stetsons. A live band was playing easy-listening tunes.
After she and Garrett were escorted to their assigned table, he seated her then himself. He introduced her to the elderly couples at their table, who then asked him about his parents and sent their well wishes for a speedy recovery when Garrett said Hutch was unable to attend this year.
Brynn sat next to a chatty older woman, dripping in diamonds and emeralds, who repeatedly asked her when she and Garrett were getting married. Her response was always the same. They were friends.
White-jacketed waiters stood behind food stations, waiting for a signal to begin serving approximately two hundred invited guests. But first, the master of ceremonies launched the event with a welcoming speech, followed by a benediction. The event planner then had her staff direct tables to the buffet to eliminate crowding.
Brynn, who’d only drank half the flute of champagne, hadn’t eaten anything at the cocktail hour because she’d wanted to save her appetite for the dinner. Red meat was in abundance at the carving stations, but she opted for baked chicken and steamed veggies and, when she returned to the table, asked the person with the rolling bar to fill her wineglass with rosé.
Videographers circulated the ballroom, taping the event, which would later be uploaded to The Association’s website. There were several photographers snapping still photos of every table, and Brynn was certain her image would be on display with her wearing Hannah’s earrings.
This fundraiser was different from a few of the others she’d attended over the years on behalf of the rodeo. There were no long speeches while the attendees complained of hunger before they were served. Music played, conversation hummed, and everyone enjoyed their dinner, until it was finally time for the raffle draw.
Brynn opened her evening purse and took out her ticket as Garrett reached into his jacket’s breast pocket for his. The master of ceremonies made a big show of spinning the raffle drum before reaching in and pulling out a ticket. He read the number in a loud voice and then repeated it.
Brynn covered her mouth with her hand. “I have the winning ticket,” she said to Garrett.
“Anyone with the winning ticket please come up to the podium.”
“Get up, babe,” Garrett said into her ear. He rose and pulled back her chair as she stood.
Holding up the ticket, Brynn said, “I have it.”
“Then come on up here, lovely lady.”
She prayed she wouldn’t fall on the marble floor as she made her way to the podium, and she didn’t miss the admiring glances as the slit in the front of her dress displayed her legs from ankles to mid-thigh. The master of ceremonies came down to assist her up the three steps.
She gave him the ticket and he nodded. “We do have a winner. Now, please introduce yourself and let us know which charity you’ve selected.”
He handed her the hand-held mic. “My name is Brynn Hawkins and I’ve selected St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as my designated charity.” Thunderous applause and whistling followed her announcement. As she stepped off the podium, she saw Garrett striding toward her. Smiling, she waited for him to approach and looped her arm through his as he escorted her to their table.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you, Brynn, for being who you are.”
She retook her seat, closed her eyes and waited for her heart to stop its runaway beating. She never could’ve predicted when she’d accepted Garrett’s invitation to attend the fundraiser that it would turn out so wonderfully, and she didn’t have to have the intelligence quotient of a nuclear physicist to know that his coming to escort her back to their table was a display of masculine propriety. He wanted everyone to know that she belonged to him—if only for that night.
After dessert, when the doors adjoining the ballroom were open for dancing, Garrett touched his napkin to the corners of his mouth and pushed back his chair. “Are you ready for some line dancing?” he asked Brynn when she stared at him.
She smiled. “You dance?”
“Yes.” As Brynn placed her hand on his outstretched palm, he eased her to her feet. “Are you okay dancing in those shoes?”
“Watch me, cowboy.”
“That’s all I’ve been doing all night, babe, because I can’t take my eyes off you, and neither can a lot of these dudes.”
She lowered her eyes and never had Garrett seen her so seductive as she was at that moment; he knew if they had been in her apartment he wouldn’t hesitate to make love to her. Everything about her was a turn-on, from her head to her toes. And when she’d gotten up to walk to the podium, he hadn’t been able to pull his gaze from the seductive sway of her slim hips and bared back in a dress that was designed to make a man weak in his knees. It had done that and so much more. It had set his libido into overdrive.
The live band alternated ballads with a DJ who spun upbeat tunes that had everyone up on their feet. Garrett pulled Brynn close when the Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood duet “If I Didn’t Love You” came through the powerful speakers. The words of song cut like a knife through Garrett and he buried his face in her hair. He felt her heart beat a runaway rhythm against his chest, and he realized she, too, was affected by the lyrics. It wasn’t that he didn’t love her, because he did love her, with all of his heart. He didn’t know how it had happened so quickly, but he was beyond questioning why he needed her.
The song ended and Brynn pulled out of his embrace.
“Please take me home, Garrett.”
There was something in her voice that wouldn’t let him question her, so he took her back to the table, where she gathered her shawl. He wanted and needed an answer to her abrupt shift in mood, but knew it was not the time to pressure her. He would wait until they returned to her apartment.
The temperature had dropped sharply and while they waited for the valet to bring his vehicle around, he took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.
The drive to BH247 was conducted in complete silence, which continued until he escorted her to her apartment. She gave him a sad smile and handed him his jacket. “I’m going to be very busy this coming week, so I’ll see you again on Thanksgiving.”
She closed the door, not giving him the chance to respond.
“What the...” The curse died on his lips as he tried to understand what had happened to turn what had begun as a special night into a nightmare. Had the song triggered something in Brynn when she’d recalled what had happened between her and an ex? Had she loved the man so much, she’d been emotionally scarred and too afraid to start over with someone else?
Garrett drove back to the Flying A more confused than he’d been in years. He hadn’t known Brynn to run hot and cold, but then Garrett had to ask himself if he was that “someone else” when he’d insisted—and not just once—that she was too young for him. Was that the reason she couldn’t love him? He knew he hadn’t lost her completely since they would see each other again on Thanksgiving. Good thing, because he didn’t intend to let her to walk away without knowing if they could try to make a go of their relationship. Or had it already ended?