“I would love that. I will mention it to him when I talk with him next.”
“Breigh, when God gives you someone to love, don't take one minute for granted. I have spoken that to you many of times, but I will always remind you.”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s hard after….”
“Enough of that.”
And she was right.
Me: I hope I didn't wake you. I’m up late working, but I couldn't go to bed without telling you I love you.
I love you.
Dang that feels good.
Wyatt: I love you, my Breigh.
I’ll text you tomorrow when I get up.
Sweet dreams.
I love you.
Me: xoxox
WYATT
Me: Good morning, beautiful.
You free tonight?
Breigh: I am.
Me: I’ll pick you up at 6:00. Dress for outside.
Breigh: ? I’ll be ready.
Me: Hey?
Breigh: Yes…
Me: I love you.
Breigh: I love you.
At 5:55, I was pulling up to Breigh’s house in my camo shirt, old well-worn jeans, and my broken in boots. I had everything loaded and ready to go for tonight. I was taking her hunting with me, and hoped she enjoyed it since it was an important part of my life. My uncle had actually taught me when I was young. He wanted me to appreciate nature, but also eat what I kill. To appreciate that sacrifice.
I met her at her door and smiled. “Dang, I’ve never seen someone look so good in camo!” She smiled and winked. “Let me guess, we’re going hunting?”
“Is that okay?”
“As long as you kiss me in the dark I’m good.” She closed her door and led the way to my truck.
Flirt.
And I loved every second of it.
“I can definitely do that.” I winked. “Have you ever been hunting?”
“No.”
“Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“I am up for anything with you.”
“Have you ever shot a gun?”
“Yes, but not because I wanted to. I had to kill a snake. It was disgusting!”
Her face made me laugh along with her.
“Well, this will be fun. I’m going to take you to my deer lease and we can sit out there for a while. Once it gets dark, we’ll have to stop hunting but I figured if you are up for it, we could sit for a while and talk. I brought some snacks. Then maybe take you for dessert afterward. Texas Cobblestone has a great peach cobbler. It will taste great, nice and warm after us sitting out in the cold.”
“Sounds like a well-thought-out plan.”
Twenty minutes later, we were sitting in my deer stand watching for deer. It was a cloudless night and colder than I had anticipated. Her cheeks were pink from the coldness already, and I had hoped she would be able to stay warm.
My friend, Cole, said he had missed on two different bucks this last weekend, and I was hoping to get a chance to shoot. Man, bragging about shooting one of them would be fantastic at work. Plus the deer meat.
She sat beside me and watched out the window just as I did, observing our surroundings. Breigh was quiet and in awe of where we were.
I appreciated her for being her.
I didn't have to explain to her we had to be quiet. She just knew. Sitting in silence was natural for us, as if we didn't need a conversation to fill the air around us.
I saw two does and a fawn and pointed them out to Breigh. She smiled and cooed quietly watching them, not wanting to disturb them. I watched the tenderness in her eyes as she observed their natural state.
“Don’t worry, I don't shoot does, especially with babies. We want them to grow up and shoot them…” I stopped talking and let her figure out the rest. I probably should have stopped at the letting the babies grow up.
“I know what you meant. It is hard to think about them being big though when they are so cute, little Bambis.”
I propped up my gun and turned to talk to her. I was pretty sure we had already missed the window for the buck to appear, so talking a little louder wouldn't hurt anything.
“I had a real issue when I was young, thinking that too. Damn Disney. But Uncle Kurt took me hunting as young kid. He taught me a lot and the way to think of things. It changed a lot. God put them here for us to shoot, but also I make sure and thank them for their sacrifice. And I eat their meat. If I can’t eat it, or it doesn't hurt me, I don't shoot it.”
“I can respect that.” She paused and smiled. “There isn't anything I don't like about you yet, you know that?”
“Ditto.” I winked at her.
“So, I probably should have told you before but your brother called me.” Breigh said it nonchalant. “He actually called me a while ago, but I fought internally about telling you.” Her eyes looked worried trying to predict my response.
“WHAT?” I screamed it louder than I had expected. I in no way wanted Cash to have any contact with her. Not after April. Not after how he thought about and treated me. He had my father running through his veins and I wanted no part of it. Or the woman I loved to have it around her.
“Cash called me at the office.”
“What did he want? And why are you just now telling me?”
“I at first thought it was because of Emma. You know she still is hung up on him, but it was regarding me. Apparently, I’m not good enough for you. Or basically he called me a gold digger.” She paused and was trying to read my expression. “I didn’t tell you only because I thought I might be making more of it than it was. He is such a pain in the ass.”
“Is that what he said?”
“The gold digger part, yes. He doesn't like me one iota.”
“Who cares what he thinks.” And I meant it. I paused for a minute. “Did he flirt with you?”
“NO, not at all.”
“Would you tell me if he did?”
“Of course I would. Like I said, I didn’t tell you about it only because of the way he acted. I just thought it would blow over, and he would see how we feel about each other. Or rather how I feel about you.” She looked at me like I had just accused her of a crime. My irritation was peaking with my brother. I wanted to see him now and beat the crap out of him.
“Look, I know you had gone through things with him in your past, but I would never…whatever happened before. Apparently, Emma told him about when my ex tried to talk to me outside of Kellye Joe’s. I told him to get lost and that is it. He was trying to accuse me of doing something I didn’t do. I love you, Wyatt.”
“I know you do. I’m sorry. I’m just… You saw your ex? When?”
“The last time we were at Kellye Joe’s. I was going to tell you but I didn’t think it was important. I had taken care of it. Then Cash called and basically tried to bust me on something I didn’t even do…”
“Breigh, you have never given me a reason to not trust you, so if you would have told me, that would have been it. I don’t know what Cash would be calling you about… and it really pisses me off. Then you not telling me, it just…” I paused and put some distance between her and me so I could face her and talk to her seriously. “This is the thing, Breigh, if someone is interested in Cash, they are not for me. Everything that you have done and been with me has been perfect. You have come out of nowhere and become a vital person in my life. In fact, losing you…I just don't know that I could breathe without you.”
I paused, feeling the words I was speaking. “But if you have any interest in Cash, I want to call it quits…no matter how I feel for you, I can’t go through that again. I just can’t.”
“Wyatt, YOU are what I want. You can trust me. Please look at me. Come sit closer to me,” she said to me. She didn't have to tell me twice.
Breigh took my chin and pulled me closer to her, kissing me. When she pulled away for a second, she kissed my neck softly then my chin and then back to my lips. I moaned feeling her lips placed on my body.
I let her have control
for a bit before taking the lead and kissing her. I nibbled at her ear, then her skin right behind her ear, back to her lips.
I wasn't sure we were going to make it to the pie restaurant any time soon.
“I love you Wyatt. Only you.” Breigh said and I had no reason to doubt that.
I couldn't stop what was happening between us, I needed it, and I could tell she did too.
24
WYATT
I had dropped my date off ten minutes ago, and my blood was boiling thinking about what Breigh told me about Cash. I wanted to strangle him. Before he even greeted me over the line, I was tearing into him. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. “Cash, why are you calling Breigh?”
“Well hello, Brother, nice to hear from you.”
“Don’t give me that shit. Why are you calling her?”
“I wanted to tell her my opinion about her dating my only brother.”
“One, that is not your business. Two, you have no right butting into my relationship.”
“I have every right to care for my brother. When I heard what she did, I couldn’t just stand by and not do anything. She is playing you, more than likely for the Galloway money.”
I paused.
“You don't have anything to say to that, do you? Ask yourself this. Why is she just now telling you? I called her weeks ago?” Cash questioned trying to place more doubt.
“She isn't after my money. That’s ridiculous. I don't any have any money. You know Dad made sure I was stripped from my money the day I left after I graduated from high school.”
“She still knows our family is powerful.”
“In Hilltop? Dream on, Cash.”
“I’m just looking out for you, Bro.”
“You have never looked out for me. And I am willing to bet you would jump at the chance of Breigh in a heartbeat. She is too good for you and didn't even give you second glance. Must have really pissed you off.”
“Nah, her friend was far more appealing.”
“Easy.”
“Touché.”
“From what I heard, she was pretty chummy with a guy in the parking lot, her ex. Kissed him and everything. Doesn't sound like a woman who is over her ex and ready to move on. Unless, that is—if it benefits her.”
It was nonsense, but then the part of my heart that needed to be reassured was aching. What if he was right?
“Do not contact her again; she is off-limits, Cash. I’m not kidding. If I hear you contacted her again in any way, shape, or form, you are going to see a piece of me you do not want to see.”
“Give me a break, Wyatt, I’ve beat your ass before and I can do it again. But don't worry, I won’t contact the ho again. I was just looking out for you.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” And I hung up. My blood had started to boil and I was furious. I fought the urge to let him get to me, but deep down not only was I mad at my brother, but also that Breigh hadn’t told me the entire story. That hit me in the gut.
I had sworn after April I wasn't going to let another woman in, and I had started to weaken. Now I had to make myself clear from the get-go. Not only had I fallen in love with her, but also she had started to give me hope again, peace even.
Sadly, I should have known it was too good to be true.
BREIGH
I pulled up to my house from the grocery store, seeing Grammy and Wyatt sitting on my front porch. I had dropped Grammy off earlier and ran to get a few things.
I got butterflies thinking about hugging him and feeling his touch again. He had really given me a bright light to look forward to, a sparkle I hadn't had in my eye. I had hoped that he wasn't still analyzing what had occurred with Cash calling me.
As I got closer, the look on his face was disappointment. Normally he had a smile on his face, or a grin that showed his teeth charmingly.
“Hey, Wyatt.” I moved closer to hug him and he returned it, but not with the welcoming arms I had expected, his usual. He was hesitant and uncomfortable. Tense and standoffish.
I handed the small paper bag to Grammy and she walked inside.
“Something wrong?” I gave us a little distance and looked in his eyes for the answer.
“You told me you talked to Cash?”
“Yes, I told you I did. He said I wasn't good enough for you. I told you everything he said.”
“You didn't tell me the entire conversation though.”
‘Yes, I did.”
“You didn't tell me why he thought you weren’t good enough, not entirely.”
“I told you. He said because of your family’s money.”
His eyes stayed on mine and hadn’t moved. I saw hurt in them and I searched them trying to figure out what I had done wrong. This couldn’t be happening.
“Do you remember me asking you if there was anyone else?”
“Yes, Wyatt, and there isn’t.”
“What about in Kellye Joe’s parking lot? The night after I came up and met you.”
“Oh God.” I rolled me eyes. This was ridiculous.
“That night?”
“You kissed another guy? And you never even told me. I thought we…I thought you were entirely someone else.”
“What does that mean? I have never lied to you.” The tears were starting to build up in my eyes and the lump in my throat.
“You just omitted information.” He turned as if to saying nothing else. He was done talking.
“You aren't even going to listen to my side? You are just going to walk away? After what we have now?”
“We don't have anything worth keeping if you are lying to me.”
He continued walking to his truck.
“Please don't do this, Wyatt… We did not kiss! It was my ex and I pushed him away from me. It was nothing. I love you.”
He didn't stop. He acted as if I was of nothing to him. He acted like a teen throwing a fit, but I knew in my heart this was so much more.
I watched as he got in and drove off, not looking back at me, not caring what my expression would be, not caring at all.
Maybe he was right. If he couldn't believe me or care to hear my side, things weren't any better with him than they were with Alan.
He discarded me just like every other man in my life.
But this time it gutted me.
I stood at the screen door crying, trying to gain composure before entering to talk to Grammy and tell her what a fool I was.
Closing up the office for Mr. Anderson’s was harder than expected. I had spent so much time for the last six years here that I didn't know what to do with myself. Come to find out, Frank had COPD and had developed emphysema. He had started to wear oxygen 24/7 and still struggled. It was bittersweet knowing I would be moving on to something else, but I also wished sometimes things could stay the same. Moving outside of my comfort zone was never a sure thing, a risk I didn't exactly like to take.
Earlier today, Emma had called me to let me know about the exciting night she planned. She had stood by me, listening to me break down about Wyatt, but I had to pick myself up at this point.
Two weeks had passed and he hadn't returned a call, or attempted to make amends. I couldn't and wouldn't try again. This was on him.
Apparently Cash had decided he wanted to take Emma out now and would be in town later today. I bit my tongue, keeping my thoughts to myself, because her voice said everything I needed to know. I needed to be supportive of her. It was her mistake to make.
I wanted to surprise her with dropping off my dress that she loved. It was one of those dresses I had always had good luck with. She had worn it twice and had the same good luck.
When I pulled up to her condo, she was finishing her shower and still wrapped in a towel when she opened her door. I held up the dress, accompanied with a smile and she screeched.
“I can't believe you brought it! I was back and forth with what I was going to wear, but I didn't want to ask since I know how you feel about him…plus Wyatt. Anyway, Cash is taking me to some five-star
restaurant.” She was as nervous as she was excited.
“Come in and keep me company while I get ready. He is supposed to be here in half an hour.”
I followed her and sat on her bed, listening to her yap on about Cash and the things she wanted to say to him to make it clear to him that she wasn't the type of girl who could be dismissed like he had done previously. When she walked back out of her attached en suite she was drop-dead gorgeous.
“Wow, Emma. You look absolutely beautiful.”
She smoothed the dress from her hips down to the thighs and stood in front of her dresser, putting on some jewelry.
“What shoes are you going to wear?”
“I was thinking my black Louboutin Belles or Valentino heels. What do you think?”
“I think you would look fantastic in either. Are y’all going dancing too? If so I would wear those.” I pointed to the heels that weren't quite as high as the others.
Emma loved her high heels. I could live without them except for work, and then the few times I wanted to wear them out. She would wear them with shorts if she could and she had.
I stood up from the bed and gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, being careful not to mess up her makeup.
“Have a great time tonight, my friend. I’m off. I have to run by Grammy’s and drop off her buttermilk.” I made the disgusted face I always had since I was a kid with the thought of anyone drinking sour milk. Why would they?
“I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed, okay?”
“I won’t need to. It’ll be a great night.”
I turned around and walked toward her door, proud that I stood by my friend.
“Hey, Breigh…”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you. I know…well, I know, but thank you.”
Be My Reason Page 15
