by Milan Watson
The best thing she could do was focus on the wedding and not the brother of the bride.
Chapter 7
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With Alice gone an awkward silence fell over the table, even the puppy was quiet for a change. Burke took the moment to assess Scarlet’s face. She was nothing like the wide-eyed teenager he recalled.
She had grown into her curves and yet her long and lean build seemed even taller than before. Her eyes were a deep forest green and were carefully watching him with trepidation. Her hair wasn’t really brown or black, but something in between, almost sable. It was the same color he remembered, only instead of being tied up into a high ponytail it fell over her shoulders, making him itch to touch it.
He shook his head wryly. “Two people meet in the woods and don’t recognize each other, sounds like the start of a bad joke.”
Scarlet offered him a stiff smile before leaning forward in her chair. “I’m glad Alice is pleased that you’re back, but if you ruin this wedding for her you’ll have me to deal with. Don’t promise her the world only to crush her heart.”
“Whoa!” Burke said holding up his hands. “I don’t know what I did or didn’t do, but it’s clear you’re not glad I’m back. I’m here for Alice and I’ll hold true to my word.”
“You’d better,” Scarlet said with a narrowed gaze. “I’m planning her bachelorette for the twelfth. We’re having it at the Horseshoe. I’ve already done everything, but the budget was a little low to add food, if you like…”
“I’ll put up a tab for dinner,” Burke said before she could finish. He felt a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t remember Scarlet being this feisty.
“Thank you,” Scarlet said, glancing down at a list.
Who still made lists on paper, Burke thought, watching her finger cruise over the bullet-points. He shifted in his seat realizing watching her hands was a bad idea.
“Don’t thank me, I want to do this. Is there anything else I can help with?” Burke asked, reaching down to rub Pal’s head. He didn’t want the pup but Alice was right, the pup wanted him.
“Yeah, I think we should go see Lacy at the Saloon and see if they can do it up special with lights and flowers, if you’re willing.”
“Arrange a meeting, I’ll be there.” Burke leaned back in the booth, his arm resting on the back. “Anything else?”
Scarlet huffed before grabbing her list and stuffing it in her bag. “It must be nice to ride into town on your white horse, or should I say sports car, and everything is just forgiven. You don’t deserve to have a sister like Alice.”
Burke’s jaw dropped. Her dislike of him had been clear throughout the meeting but the last thing he expected was to be called out on leaving town. Before he could answer, or think of a response that didn’t include hanging out his laundry in public, she stood up and walked away.
He was still reeling from what she said when Tansy stopped by the table with a jug of coffee. “Glad to have you back, Burke.”
Burke sighed. “Cleary the feeling isn’t going around.”
Tansy shook her head before her green eyes softened. “Don’t you bother yourself about Scarlet, she’s just lookin’ out for Alice. Besides, you didn’t deserve a pa like John Birkowitz, remember that.”
Burke’s eyes narrowed as Tansy walked away. No one knew, he had made sure of it. But something in Tansy’s gaze made it clear she had known, or at least suspected it. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. Why was coming back so hard? He was glad he was here for Alice’s big day, and even happier to see Ma, but the questions just wouldn’t stop coming. He knew before he drove out of White Horse Creek he would have a few more to answer yet.
“You shittin’ me?” A voice boomed from the counter on the other side of the diner.
Burke turned to see Andrew Bennett putting a few dollars down on the counter before he moved towards him. A smile curved his mouth even as he slid out of the booth. Andrew Bennet and Colt Thompson had been his best friends throughout high school, and after. They were only more of the people he let down with his disappearing act.
“It’s good to see you, Andrew,” Burke said, leaning into a man-hug before slapping Andrew on the back.
“What the heck are you doin’ here? You didn’t even let us know you were comin’,” Andrew said in disbelief.
“Alice is getting married, asked me to come.” Burke shrugged as if his return to White Horse Creek wasn’t a monumental shift that had just taken place.
“We’ve got to get together. Colt is going to flip, or rather he’ll think it’s a prank until he sees you. We could meet for beers and catch up. How long are you in town?”
“Day after Christmas.” Burke frowned, realizing again that he’ll be at home for Christmas.
“That’s great man. Listen, I’m sorry about your pa. Must’ve been rough not being able to get back for the funeral.”
Burke nodded, not even Andrew had to know that he didn’t know his father died, and if he did he still wouldn’t have come for the funeral. “Thanks.”
“I’ve gotta get back, but you’ve got my number, call me!” Andrew said with wide eyes.
Burke laughed. “I will.”
“Great, see ya, Burke.”
Burke waved his friend away and the puppy sat up looking at him with sleepy eyes. “Can’t take you drinkin’ Pal, we’ll need to find you a babysitter.”
Burke dropped a few bills on the table and tugged the puppy to follow him out of the diner. He glanced up and down Main Road and wondered why Scarlet’s words had been like salt on his raw wounds. He didn’t ride back into town on his white horse to be the hero, he came back because Alice asked him to. Tansy was right, Scarlet didn’t understand him or the circumstances around him leaving, but why did he suddenly feel the need to explain it to her?
A sigh escaped him as he remembered her fierce green gaze. Would it soften if he touched her? The thought was so unexpected that Burke shook his head. “Come on, Pal, let’s go get you some food. Maybe kibble will help get my mind off her.”
He didn’t just buy kibble.
Once he was in the grocery store, the pup tied to the trolley, Burke got kibble, treats, training pads and a new leash for Pal. Since it seemed he just got himself a dog, he may as well act like a dog owner.
He had noticed the pantry was a little empty at home and decided it wouldn’t hurt to fill it up some, especially since he ate more than his mom and sister combined. With the trolley overloaded Burke finally paid for his purchases and headed back to his car.
A curse escaped him realizing the trunk of his sports car wasn’t really conducive to storing more than a few bags. He had to shift the front seat and set the rest on the tiny back seat to manage getting everything in.
After putting Pal on the new blanket to protect the leather of the seat, he pulled out into the Main Road. He cruised towards home when he spotted Scarlet’s Beads. Alice had mentioned her friend owned a bead and jewelry shop in town. On a whim he pulled into a parking space. He didn’t know why her barb bothered him, but it did.
It bothered him while he was choosing kibble, while he grabbed bags of pasta, and it still bothered him now as he sat in front of the shop looking in.
Chapter 8
• ---------------------------- •
Scarlet was scribbling a design on paper for Alice’s wedding jewelry, although she knew she couldn’t really start making it before her friend had chosen a dress. Jewelry was meant to compliment the dress, not overwhelm it.
She tapped the pencil against the paper, wondering if she shouldn’t start making some of the designs she had in mind. Once she had the right one for Alice she could add the rest to her store merchandise. If she was honest, she would admit she was just itching to play with her new beads.
When the bells jingled on the door her gaze lifted with a smile in place. “Welcome to Scarlet’s Beads.”
A short while ago she would have been happy to see
the handsome man with the puppy walk into her store, but now that she knew it was Burke, and that he was throwing around money like it was fashion, she clenched her jaw.
“You’ve got quite a place here,” Burke said moving through the store, his eyes inspecting her work.
The puppy sniffed at a table leg and Scarlet groaned. “If he marks anything in this store, you’re buying it.”
Burke shrugged. “He just marked a few cans of beans; I think he’s alright for now.”
Scarlet cringed until she saw the teasing grin on his face; he was kidding. “What are you doin’ here, Burke? You don’t seem like the bracelet and pink bead type.”
He turned around, his blue eyes digging into hers making a chill run down her spine, or was that a shiver of attraction? She blinked, trying to crush the shiver when he walked towards her.
“Look, Scarlet, you don’t have to like me, but I’m here for Alice and I intend to make her wedding exactly how she imagined it.”
Scarlet’s cheeks flushed realizing he was referring to her parting sarcasm at the diner earlier.
“You might have your own opinions about me riding back into town, but frankly my dear it’s none of your business.” His voice held an edge of steel that made her own temper begin to snap and sizzle.
“You left, Burke,” Scarlet said standing up. If he wanted to argue, she had a few choice words for him. “You left and it nearly shattered Alice. No one knew why, and you didn’t even say goodbye. She put up a brave face for your ma since she took it just as hard, but I was the one to mop up her tears. I was the one who picked up the pieces after you broke your family.”
Scarlet was about to apologize, she’d gone too far, when Burke moved forward. He stopped an inch from her face. Why did her body respond to him regardless of the anger pulsing through her veins? It was as if her mind and her body were on two different pages. The one was in the middle of a steamy romance and the other was facing Armageddon.
“You’re right about that, Scarlet. You’re probably right about everything you just said. But you don’t know me. You don’t know my reasons for leaving and you sure as heck don’t know that my family was broken long before I left. I’ll thank you for being a friend to Alice, but other than that I don’t owe you any explanations.” His voice was cold, his gaze even colder.
He bent down to rub Pal’s head and it gave her a moment to control her temper, or her hormones, she wasn’t entirely sure which. “I care for Alice, Burke, and I won’t let you ruin this for her. Whatever your reasons were, just say goodbye this time and for Pete’s sake don’t disappear before her wedding.”
Burke glanced up at her and a cocky grin spread across his face. “You grew up to be quite a spirited little thing.”
“I… ah….” Scarlet’s mouth shut with a snap. How was she supposed to respond to that, especially when his gaze had softened with interest? Were his eyes trailing over her body? Why did it feel as if it were his hands were stroking her instead?
“Yeah… you… ah…” Burke taunted. “You just stick to planning the wedding and I’ll stick to paying for it. I’m sure we can handle each other’s company for a couple of weeks. Until then, try and keep that temper at bay.”
“Or what?” Scarlet asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she cocked a brow. As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew she was taunting him, or was she flirting?
Burke straightened up and this time when he smiled at her it was that confident panty-melting grin he used to wear in high school. “Or I won’t be responsible for my actions.” He winked at her before turning to the pup. “Come on, Pal, let’s get out of here.”
Scarlet watched him leave the store, speechless. Did Burke just flirt with her? Did he warn her off? Or did she just make a complete fool of herself?
She moved to her seat and sat down shaking her head. She wasn’t sure what just happened, but she knew that her body had never been drawn to a man like it had been drawn to Burke. There was something about his eyes, and that charming grin, that made her heart race and her knees wobble.
A frown creased her brow as she thought of his words. What did he mean when he said his family was broken long before he left? Alice never let on that anything was wrong at home, but now that she thought about it Alice never really talked about her home life that much. In fact she never had.
What didn’t she know, and what were Burke’s real reasons for leaving? The man who had just made her blood heat was nothing like the player she remembered from school. He seemed to really care about Alice and when he said he’d stay, she believed him.
Scarlet let out a sigh as she reached for her pencil again; Burke Birkowitz was nothing like she expected him to be and yet he was everything she expected. He was still sexy and confident, but there was an edge to him now that wasn’t there before. An edge that she should steer clear of – and instead she wanted to inspect it closer to find out what caused it.
It didn’t make sense, but in a strange sort of way it made perfectly sense.
Chapter 9
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Burke had been in town for three days and it still baffled him how much it had changed. It was as if someone had blown new life into White Horse Creek.
The Main Street buzzed with tourists regardless of the heavy snowfall the blizzard had brought. Their small town might not boast with slopes for the winter sport enthusiasts, but from what his ma and Alice had told him White Horse Creek had a few other attractions few other towns in the area offered.
Firstly, Jasmine and Lewis Tate had come back when Old Man Tate got ill. He remembered both girls from high school and was surprised to hear they had stayed after their father passed away. Lewis fell in love with the ranch manager her father hired on the Double T – and was now writing Hollywood scripts from her father’s old office. Jasmine and the local vet, Jack, hooked up, and the prima-donna – as he remembered her – started a dude ranch on the Double T, along with a mustang sanctuary in her pa’s honor.
Then there was the saloon, where he was heading right now. It had taken a waitress with a dream and the backing from a model to give their main street the facelift it so badly needed. Instead of the town eyesore the old White Horse Saloon and Inn now stood proud, enticing tourists to take a step back into the Wild West.
For the life of him he couldn’t understand why his sister wanted to get married in the saloon, but it was her wedding, her choice. He glanced down the road towards the Slug and Grill and shook his head at the rusty cars parked outside at eleven o’clock in the morning. Some things hadn’t changed at all, he thought with a grin as he stopped in front of the diner; the Slug and Grill still drew a rough and desperate crowd.
Scarlet texted him about the meeting with the Saloon owner the day before. Burke wasn’t sure why she hadn’t called, because for some reason he would have enjoyed hearing her voice again.
A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he thought of the stern brunette. She had been ready to skin him alive a couple of days ago, and instead of frightening him like he expected she hoped, she had turned him on.
Burke shook his head when he spotted her crossing the street. Scarlet had never been the girly-type like Alice. She preferred jeans to sexy dresses, and button down blouses to soft fabric that would cling in all the right places.
Today she was wearing a pair of jeans that made his mouth water. It was worn at the knees and pockets, a pair of western boots reaching mid-calf. Her hands were tucked into the pockets of her brown leather jacket, and a large scarf-type thing was hanging from her neck in a fashioned mess. Her hair was tied up; revealing the curves of her face and making her eyes appear even larger.
She stopped in front of him with a cocked brow. “You’re on time.”
The surprise in her voice made Burke frown. “What made you think I wouldn’t be?”
She sighed and for a moment dropped the shield of dislike. Her eyes trailed over his face and Burke couldn’t help but grin. She felt
it too; she was just being stubborn about it.
“Shall we head inside?” Burke asked gallantly.
Scarlet nodded and led the way up the stairs through the refurbished saloon doors. As soon as Burke stepped into the saloon his eyes widened. He had no idea how it had been accomplished, but it looked amazing.
The wood was refinished where it hadn’t been replaced. The staircase gleamed as it curved up to the first floor. On his right was a dining area, the tables decorated with succulents in tin cups. To the left was the saloon region. Against the far wall was an old piece of wood with writing etched into it. Circa 1874
Old stained kegs served as cocktail tables and the bar counter – that had been replaced – was simply a masterpiece. He turned to Scarlet. “I suddenly get why Alice wants to be married here.”
“I’m glad you get it,” a voice said behind him. “I’m Lacy Parker, part owner and manager of the saloon.”
Burke frowned and narrowed his eyes. “Lacy, as in little Lacy the cheerleader?” He chuckled, shaking his head with disbelief before he noticed the offensive look in her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean it in a bad way, I just can’t believe everyone is all grown up.” His gaze flicked towards Scarlet for a moment.
“Welcome back, Burke. Andrew is over the moon. I spent last night listening to him retell every single tale of trouble you ever got up to,” Lacy said, flicking a strand of blonde hair from her eye.
“Andrew? Wait … you and Andrew?” Burke shook his head. “He’s a lucky man.”
Lacy blushed lightly before she glanced away. “I’m not sure what you wanted to see since Scarlet and I ironed out most of the details already.”
Burke nodded and started walking towards the bar. “When you ironed out those details there was a tight budget, which changed. I’d like to put up a tab for the evening, and an unlimited tab for soda and water. I’ll understand if you’d like a deposit up front for that.”
