Cowboy 12 Pack
Page 63
Jordan, Kerri and Shayla told her to just go. Not to say goodbye. They’d take care of it. But, it’s not like it was forever. Her two weeks up north would probably go unnoticed by the guy. It wasn’t like their paths crossed much anymore.
But, if he did know, did he miss her?
She brushed away the tears burning her eyes, and bent to check on the turkey. Again.
“You know, unless it’s re-grown feathers and learned how to fly, old Tom is still in there working on his tan.”
A smile tugged her lips. “Hey, Ben.” She straightened and turned around expecting to see just her older brother, but found all four of her brothers standing inside the kitchen, arms folded across their chests. “Wow, game over already?”
“Nah,” he said on the way to the fridge. “We just came in for a drink.”
She shook her head, recognizing the concern in their eyes. “Bull. You came in to check on me. But I’m fine. Really, go ahead and play your game.”
“The game can wait,” Mason unfolded his arms and drew near. “Scott and the guys can manage without us.”
She hated that they were inside worrying about her when they should be outside playing football with their Guard buddies. “Go have fun. Really. I’m okay. I have Tom to keep me company.” She nodded toward the oven and even managed a smile.
Ethan cocked his head. “Good try, sis.”
Her youngest brother, Keiffer, grabbed her hand while Ben took the other and together they led her to the chair Ethan pulled out from the table. Oh boy. Lots of testosterone permeated in the air. She knew better than to balk at them when they worked as a collective. Best to go with the flow. Sitting down, she glanced up at a wall of concerned Wyne.
“This is an intervention, Brandi,” Mason informed. “Talk to us.”
Keiffer nodded. “Yes, what’s going on?”
She hadn’t seen such stern faces since Mason’s fiancée had left him.
Ben squatted in front of her and touched her knee. “What happened between you and Kade? Did he hurt you?”
“No.” She shook her head at their dark expressions. They were out for blood. “He didn’t hurt me. Not in the way you think. And not intentionally.”
Mason’s chin lifted. “Then in what way?”
“Yeah.” Keiffer curled a hand around his fist. “And where can we find him to have a…chat?”
“Whoa, hold on.” She jumped up, nearly knocking Ben over. “They’ll be no chatting. Kade only left me because he thought I was better off without him. Which of course is wrong. Totally and utterly wrong. I love the idiot. And he loves me. He just needs to realize it, and…and get some help.”
Mason stiffened. “Help? What kind of help?”
“Therapy,” she said quietly. “He lost a soldier under his command last year.”
The posture on all four of her brothers changed. Their stiff, aggressive stances instantly mellowed, and with expelled breathes, they pulled out their chairs and sat down. No one said a word. Unfortunately, being in the Guard, each of her brothers understood what Kade was going through.
“I didn’t want to leave him. I want to be there for him, but…” She sniffed, and when Ethan stood and pulled her in for a hug, she set her head on his shoulder. “He won’t let me in.”
“It’s going to take time, Brandi,” her oldest brother said, patting her back. “Just don’t give up on him.”
She nodded. “I won’t.” Then she drew back and wiped her eyes. “Okay, so…” She cleared her throat. “Now, enough with the faces. You have a game to win. Some friends to crush…yada…yada…”
They smiled and nodded.
“Aunt Brandi?” Tyler came rushing into the kitchen, big brown eyes alight with excitement.
He was so full of life. Happy. Exuberant. It had been great to visit with her young nephew. She’d hardly left his side since arriving a week ago. He was a breath of fresh air. She squatted down to stare eye level. “What is it, Tyler?”
“You have company.” He grinned a toothless grin and pointed toward the doorway.
Company? She’d already met Lea and few of her friends for lunch two days ago. Following his little finger, her gaze slammed into a pair of jeans, and a very male, very familiar crotch. She knew those jeans. Knew that crotch. She’d removed those jeans from that crotch, many times.
Her heart slammed into her chest at the same time she glanced up into the troubled gray eyes of the man she loved, and the momentum of both knocked her on her butt, literally.
“Kade,” she said, struggling to right herself.
He was in front of her in a shot, hands clasped on her arms as he helped her to her feet. “You okay?”
She smiled and threw herself into his chest as tears blurred her vision. “I’m fantastic now. You came for me.” Squeezing him tight, she buried her face in his neck and inhaled. This wasn’t a dream. He was really there, smelling all clean and woodsy and male. Kade was really there.
“Brandi, wait.” He drew back and held her at arm’s length, all eyes on them. “Hold on. I came here to grovel. And by God, I’m going to grovel. You deserve some groveling.”
“Hell yeah.” Keiffer nodded.
“I like this guy.” Ethan smiled, and Mason murmured in agreement.
“Good to see you again, Kade.” Ben nodded, sweeping Tyler into his arms as he headed for the door. “Come on, kiddo. Nothing to see here.”
“But I want to talk to Aunt Brandi’s company.”
“You can talk to him later,” Ethan said, falling into step, mussing his son’s hair. “They need some privacy.”
“But…”
“You heard your dad, Tyler, time to go.” Her father stood by the door, ushering everyone out, then glanced at them when the room cleared. “Let the groveling commence, son.” With a nod, he pivoted on his heel and strode from the room.
Her attention returned to the man still holding her arms. Her heart ached and rejoiced at the same time. Face not as hollow, dark circles not as prevalent, he still appeared tired and haggard. She reached up to touch his cheek. “I don’t want groveling. I just want you.”
He shook his head and backed her up until her legs hit the chair she’d vacated earlier, and gently pushed her down. “Sit. You’re getting both. So please, just listen. Can you do that?” Bending at the knee, he stared at her until she nodded. “Good,” he said, then let go and stood.
It took all the strength she could muster not to jump to her feet and hug him again. To pull him close, and melt into those warm, magnificent, beckoning muscles and never ever let go.
She just couldn’t believe he was there, standing nervous in her kitchen, all gorgeous in a black coat, gray Henley, jeans and cowboy boots. Jordan and Kerri were right. They said he’d come for her. And he did. He actually came to Pennsylvania. For her.
He shrugged out of his coat and set it over one of the other chairs, then blew out a breath and turned to her. “I’m sorry, Brandi. Sorry I was such a damn jerk.”
Reassuring words sprang to her lips, but he shook his and she closed her mouth. Once again, she recognized the merit to doing what she was told. The sooner he got this off his chest, the sooner she could burrow into that chest.
He began to pace. “I know you tried to help, but I was too stupid to recognize it. You also tried to open my eyes to the fact I was in trouble and in need of professional help. Again, I was too stupid.” His steps halted and he glanced at her. “Thanks for having Kevin and Cole intervene, by the way. I started going to Cole’s therapist.”
Tears slid down her face. She couldn’t stop them. Happiness, relief—it was all too much and the emotions built until they overflowed. “I’m glad.”
He nodded and his gaze softened. “I realize now some of my guilt was unfounded, and the rest I’ll find a way to live with. But Christ, I’ve been such an ass. In my infinite wisdom, I thought you were better off without me. Better off finding someone who could love you like you deserved to be loved. But now I realize, now I see that
I was wrong.” He dropped to his knees in front of her, grasped her hands and squeezed. “I am that person, Brandi. I can love you how you deserve to be loved. Hell, I already do. More than life.”
That was it. She was done staying still. Done staying quiet. No more.
She slid to the floor and hugged him tight. “I love you so much, Kade.”
Strong arms wrapped around her and he buried his face in her neck, crushing her close. “I’m so lucky, Brandi. Don’t think I don’t know how damn lucky I am to have you. How lucky I am that you love my sorry ass.” He inhaled and shook against her. “I promise I’ll never leave you again. And I sure as hell am going to love you like you deserve to be loved.”
She increased her hold and nodded against his chest, her whole being warmed by the strength of his words, the two arms holding her tight, the steady heart beating under her ear. This time, they really were going to be okay. He wanted help. He got help. Now he was there for her. He wanted her.
He got her.
“I love you, Brandi,” Kade said, bringing them both to their feet. Cupping her face, he stared into her eyes, his gaze sure and strong. “Come back to Harland County with me. I know it’s asking a lot, you leaving your family again. And whoever it was you came up here to see.” His eyes closed briefly. “God, I hope it wasn’t Ed. But whoever it was, I swear to you, I’ll love you more.”
Her mouth dropped open, and Brandi was sure her expression had to be better than priceless. “Of course I’ll go back. I only came up for a two-week visit.” She lifted her shoulders. “And I can assure you, Ed had nothing to do with it.”
“Shayla said you returned to the Poconos for someone other than your brothers…”
Now he was the one blinking.
“Yes, to visit my nephew.” She caressed his face, pulse kicking up as her palm came in contact with the rough stubble on his chin. Her body remembered the sensation all too well. Missed it. Missed him. “But I wasn’t staying here. My place is with you. I’d never leave you, never desert you, Kade. Ever.”
Emotions darkened his eyes and he clenched his jaw as he nodded.
“I love you,” she told him again, holding his gaze, his face, making sure there would never be any doubt. “We’re going to get through whatever you need to get through, together.”
His exhale washed over her. “God, I love you,” he said, lowering his face, brushing her tears away with his lips, moving across her cheek until his mouth finally covered hers in a kiss that never tasted so good. So right. So perfect. Full of hope and love and heat, so much heat her knees buckled and her whole body trembled for the man who wore many uniforms, many hats, and all of them part of the cowboy she loved with all of her Yankee heart.
Epilogue
‡
ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER Christmas party, but this year, this party was very special. Leeann McCall smiled and basked in the warmth engulfing her heart. This year had seen the weddings of both of her sons. Cole and Connor had married the loves of their lives. She stood in the corner of her gathering room festively decorated in reds and greens while she watched the crowd. Her boys danced with their wives. Kade and Brandi were out there, too, but barely moved, just held onto each other. So sweet.
Doctor Turner was there and some of the other Guardsmen. So nice to have them home safe and sound. And Shayla was in the corner with her cute little girl, and her younger sister who’d just arrived in Harland County earlier this week. A quiet beauty with brown hair and blue eyes.
“What are you thinking, sweetheart?” Alex asked, stepping behind her and pulling her back against his chest. “About our boys?”
She nodded, wrapping her arms around his. “It was a good year.”
“Indeed it was. A very good year.”
“Two marriages and one engagement,” she said.
Her husband bent to glance at her from the side, dark eyes alight with joy. “Engagement? Kade asked Brandi?”
“Yep.” She nodded with a smile. “Last night, I believe.” She motioned to the couple holding each other on the dance floor.
“Then it’s time to bring out the champagne,” her husband said.
“Already ahead of you there, my friend.” Nate and his wife appeared with four glasses of bubbly. After handing them out, her friend’s husband lifted his drink in a toast. “To Kade and Brandi.”
“Yes, may they be as happy together as our children,” Hannah added, to which they clinked and drank. “But don’t expect a quick wedding. Kerri said Brandi wants Kade to concentrate on his therapy.”
“Smart woman.” Leeann nodded, tears blurring her vision. It did her heart good to know his aunt and uncle would have been so pleased with Brandi. “I bet Hal and Sarah are smiling down.”
Her friend wiped her face as she nodded.
“And Kade’s father, Raylan, too,” Nate said, and her husband agreed.
“Now, there’s only one left.” Alex tipped his glass toward the blue-eyed cowboy wearing a black Stetson with mistletoe fringe and a blonde under each arm. “And something tells me he’s going to be the toughest one of all.”
“Oh boy,” Cole said, arm around his smiling wife as they approached. “I know that look.”
Jordan arched a brow. “You aren’t seriously going to try to take on Kevin?”
“Who’s taking on my cousin?” Kade asked, stopping by with his arm around a beaming Brandi.
“Never mind him. Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.”
Leeann pulled them both in for a hug, then Hannah joined in, and soon everyone had a glass of champagne in their hands and were toasting the happy couple.
“Hey, where’s my glass?” Kevin appeared without his entourage. “I’d like to toast my cousin and his better half, too.”
Brandi lifted on tiptoe and kissed the cowboy’s cheek. “Thank you, that’s sweet.”
“Well, I’m just a sweet kind of guy, darlin’.”
“Yeah, sweet on himself,” Shalya said, her cute baby girl in her arms, dressed in green velvet like her pretty mom. “We didn’t mean to interrupt. Just wanted to congratulate you two.” The redhead hugged the couple then stepped back.
Kevin grunted. “You’re just jealous because you’re not.”
“Not what? Sweet?” The redhead smirked. “Oh, I can be plenty sweet, cowboy. I just choose not to be toward you.”
One eyebrow raised, the younger Dalton leaned closer to the woman and sent her his trademark winning grin. “You were plenty sweet to me when we shared that strawberry at the pub.”
She’d heard about that. Apparently, Kerri’s stuffed strawberries were a big hit.
“I wasn’t being sweet, you idiot,” Shayla said. “I was eating the strawberry.”
Leeann exchanged a glance with Hannah and held back a grin. Oh, they just found their contender. And if the sparks shooting between the cowboy and redhead were anything to go by, this coming year was going to be very interesting.
As if unable to resist, the little girl reached for the fringe on Kevin’s hat. He backed up, smile still on his face as he captured the little girl’s hand.
“No no, sweetheart. Mistletoe is not good for you.”
“Neither are Casanova cowboys,” the redhead muttered.
Once again, Leeann had to fight to hold back a grin.
“Oh no, don’t call him that.” Cole grimaced. “That’ll go to his head.”
“Too late.” Kevin winked, brushing his lips across the little girl’s hand.
Shayla stepped back, removing her daughter from the cowboy’s grasp as she turned to face Leeann. “I’m going to go sit with my sister. Thank you for inviting us.” Her gaze bounced to Brandi and Kade. “Congratulations, again.”
And, hugging her daughter close, Harland County’s newest resident made her way to her quiet sibling still sitting in the window seat. There was a bit of a haunted expression on the pretty girl’s face. Leeann couldn’t help but wonder what put it there, and why it sometimes crossed Shayla’s face, too.
“Actually, I have a question for you, Jordan,” Kade said, arm still draped around Brandi as he glanced at the other couple.
“Me?” Her daughter-in-law blinked, slipping her arm around Cole. “What?”
Kade smiled. “Ever think of becoming sheriff?”
The immediate area stilled in silence as the question hung in the air.
Kevin laughed. “Did you feel that?”
Her son glanced at his wife then frowned at his friend. “What?”
Oh, boy. Devilment danced behind those killer blue eyes.
“The crime rate just dropped across the lower half of this state.” The cowboy smirked.
Leeann smiled and could feel her husband’s chuckle against her back. There weren’t many that would mess with her son’s brave wife.
“Well, while you all ponder the Jordan for President, I mean Jordan for Sheriff thing, I’m going to go exercise my mistletoe rights.”
And with a tip of his hat, Casanova Dalton sauntered off, turning many pretty heads on his way to the food table. Within seconds, the two blondes appeared out of nowhere to take up residence at his side again. That boy led too wild a life. It was high time he settled down.
Her gaze traveled across the room to the pretty redhead smiling into her sweet baby girl’s face. The cowboy liked pairs. She had a sneaky suspicion she knew just the two to bring him to his knees.
The End
Fallen Soldier Table
The table is small, set for one – symbolizing the frailty of one soldier alone against his enemies.
The table cloth is white – symbolizing the purity of the soldier’s intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
The single red rose symbolizes remembrance. It is displayed in a vase, reminding us of the families and loved ones of our comrades in arms who keep their memories alive, lest we forget.
The red ribbon tied prominently on the vase is a reminder of the blood they shed protecting the liberty so loved by our country.