Stay with Me (Cowboys of Crested Butte Book 4)

by Heather Slade

  She closed her eyes and cast, imagining he was standing close enough to put his hands on her waist, to gently guide her as her body twisted just slightly and slowly came back around. She could feel his breath on her neck, whispering how well she did.

  Right away, she felt a tug. It was almost too much. Through her tears she brought the fish in.

  “Back to mama,” she said before releasing it back into the stream.

  She dropped down on the rock behind her, put her head in her hands, and cried. What had she been thinking, coming here? Why had she thought it was necessary to immerse herself in her grief? Why hadn’t she just let it happen naturally?

  She felt a hand resting gently on her shoulder. She knew it was Red. She didn’t need to look.

  “I can’t do this.”

  “Come on, then. Let’s go.”

  “It’s okay, you can fish. I’ll just walk back to the truck.”

  “Let’s go, Bree. We’re done for today.”

  Bree let Red guide her, without an argument. He didn’t drive back into town, he went south toward the ranch instead.

  “I’m sorry about the tournament, Red.”

  “Now, now, none of that,” he answered. “We can fish anywhere we want. Doesn’t have to be up in Salmon.”

  Red turned the truck off the road in the direction of the lake, opposite of where Bree expected him to go. She didn’t care where he was headed, though, she was just happy they weren’t in Salmon any longer.

  Knowing she’d be back on the ranch felt safer. There were nights she cried herself to sleep, but she could do that in the dark by herself, with no one to witness her sadness. Out on the stream, today, felt too raw, too public, although she doubted anyone saw her, other than Red. She appreciated his comfort, even though she couldn’t bring herself to tell him so.

  There was only one other person whose comfort she’d appreciated more. In the weeks after Zack’s death, it had been Jace who held her when she cried. Jace, who, at the time, she couldn’t stand.

  She couldn’t understand why she’d let him. Maybe it was because he was so damn pushy he wouldn’t take no for an answer. She could still remember how it felt to have his arms wrapped around her the day she admitted for the first time that she and Zack had fought before he was deployed to Afghanistan, and that he’d left without saying goodbye.

  She’d cried for what seemed like hours, that day, and Jace held her through it all. It hadn’t mattered how hard she pushed him away; he refused to let go.

  What she’d give to have him here now.

  Something had been eating at Jace all day. It had started the night before, when he got into bed. It was something Wyatt said about the woman who was staying on the other side of this cabin. He said she lost her husband in the war. He also said that they could hear her crying at night, when she thought no one could.

  Every word he said made him think of Bree. Where was she? Was she feeling the same way? He wished, now, he’d asked his mother more about her plans. He hoped she wasn’t alone, like this woman was.

  Several times last night and even today, he thought about texting her. He started to type a message to her three or four times, but never hit the send button. No matter what he wrote, it didn’t sound right.

  How could he ask her anything without explaining why he’d never responded to the messages she sent him? None of it belonged in a text, but it would’ve been harder to call. So he didn’t do anything, except spend the whole day thinking about her.

  He walked to the barn, in the middle of the afternoon, and asked Wyatt if he would mind if he rode one of the horses out on the trail. Rather than exploring anything new, Jace took the same trail they’d been on the night before, over to Pettit Lake.

  Last night he’d seen what he thought was a pathway that wound its way all around the lake. He was three-quarters of the way there when he saw a truck pull up and stop near the dirt road that led back to the ranch.

  When it didn’t look as though the people in it were getting out, he stopped paying attention and continued making his way around the lake.

  4

  Bree rolled down the window and looked out over the lake. It was beautiful and she said so. It was hard to tell which was real—the mountains and trees, or their reflection in the lake. Both were so clear.

  “I grew up on this lake,” Red told her as he opened her door and helped her out. He pointed toward the north bank. “See that cabin? I spent every summer there for most of my life.”

  “It’s idyllic,” she said wistfully. “Almost surreal in its perfection. Who owns it now?”

  “I do.”

  “Oh. Is this where you live? Convenient that it’s right across the road from the ranch.”

  He didn’t answer, but it didn’t matter. Bree didn’t feel like talking any more than it seemed he did. The breeze from the lake was colder than it had been on the stream, and when she shivered, Red went back to the truck to get her jacket, just like Jace would’ve.

  Bree closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift back to him. She knew she shouldn’t be thinking about Jace. She should be thinking about Zack. Why did she have to remind herself of that over and over again?

  When she opened her eyes, she saw movement across the lake. Off in the distance and through the trees, Bree could see a man on horseback. From where she stood with Red, she could swear it was Jace. She blinked her eyes and looked again.

  Jace saw the passenger door open and a woman climb out of the truck that had parked near the lake’s shore. She wore a baseball cap, and she was a sprite of a thing, just like Bree. Her t-shirt hugged her small body the same way too. Rather than taking the turn to go back to the ranch, he turned the horse in her direction.

  The woman walked slowly toward him, so Jace stopped and climbed off the horse. He lifted his hat, removed his sunglasses, and wiped the sweat from his brow. By then she was much closer to him.

  “Jace?” he heard her say.

  Was this real or was he dreaming? It wouldn’t be unusual; he dreamed about her all the time. He’d know soon enough, because in a matter of seconds, she’d be close enough to touch.

  “Bree?”

  “Jace, what are you doing here?”

  He had no idea what to say. He couldn’t remember why he was there. Why had he come to Idaho in the first place?

  Bree was a couple of feet away from him when he came out of his stupor. “A bull.”

  “What?”

  “Uh, I’m here about a bull.”

  He dropped the horse’s reins and reached out to her. He was so afraid she would hesitate, or back away, but she didn’t. She walked the rest of the distance between them, and let herself fall into his arms. He could feel every inch of her as she pressed herself into him.

  “I missed you,” he thought he heard her say.

  “I missed you, too,” he answered.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.” She pulled away and looked up at him. “Tell me again why you are.”

  “I’m supposed to see a man named Red about a bull. He’s been off fishing with a woman…”

  Bree waited for him to finish his sentence, and when he didn’t, she pointed in the direction of the truck. “Red’s right over there,” she told him. When she turned back, Jace’s look of confusion turned into a smile.

  His ash blond hair was longer, closer to the way his brother, Tucker, kept it. He looked as fit as the last time she saw him, maybe more so. She knew he’d been competing as a saddle bronc rider and working the ranch in Montana. His skin looked weathered, with a few more wrinkles surrounding his deep green eyes.

  “Bree,” he whispered. “You’ve been on my mind, girl, and now, here you are, in Idaho. It’s almost too crazy to be a coincidence.”

  “Let’s go ask Red about this bull.”

  Jace put his hand on her shoulder as they walked toward the truck. Just moments ago, she was thinking she’d give anything to have him here, and now, he was. She slowed her pace, and when she did, Jace put h
is arm around her and pulled her close to him.

  “You must be Red,” she heard him say. She struggled with explaining who Jace was, but she had nothing.

  “I am. Red Dugan. Nice to meet you.”

  Jace moved forward to shake Red’s hand, but his other arm remained around Bree’s shoulders.

  “Jace Rice. Nice to meet you, sir.”

  “What brings you to Idaho, young man? I take it you know Bree.”

  “I do know her. And as far as what brings me to Idaho, I’m guessing it has more to do with Bree than I was initially led to believe.”

  Red laughed. “I think I’m gonna like this story.” He motioned for them to take a seat at a wooden picnic table on the lake’s shore.

  “I was sent here to see you about a bull. You know anything about that?”

  “A bull?” Red laughed again. “Don’t know nothin’ about any bulls, young man. Who’d you say sent you?”

  “That’s the thing. My mama said my daddy wanted me to check out a bucking bull at your ranch. When I asked my daddy about it, he clammed up in a way that should have told me somethin’ was fishy.”

  Bree noticed Jace rubbing his left knee; it wasn’t the first time he’d done it since they sat down.

  “There isn’t a bull for sale at the ranch, is there?”

  “Not that I know of.” Red shook his head and chuckled. “I’m guessing you’re right. This lady is why you’re really here.”

  Bree blushed when she realized they were both looking at her. “I don’t know anything about this.” She looked back and forth between the two of them.

  “I doubt you do,” said Jace, leaning closer into her. “But your sister knows you’re here.”

  “Of course she does. My whole family knows I’m here.”

  “My mama. Your sister.”

  “Really? Do you think this was planned?”

  Jace nodded his head. “As much as this sorta thing can be.”

  “But…why?”

  Bree saw a look pass between Red and Jace. Maybe this was something they should wait and discuss when they were alone.

  “Jace, is there something wrong with your knee?” The last time he rubbed it, she saw him grimace.

  “It’s no big deal. I pulled a ligament in an accident up at the ranch. Which is why it was easy for my mama to get me to make the drive down here. Haven’t been much help to anyone up there.”

  Red turned and faced the other direction, out toward the lake, and laughed harder. “This is quite a set up. Your mama played you pretty good, son.” He turned back around to face them. “But by the looks of things, you aren’t too disappointed about missing out on a bucking bull.”

  Red winked at Bree and looked over at the horse. “Tell you what,” he tossed his keys over to Jace. “You drive my truck across the road, and I’ll ride ol’ Spike back myself.”

  “It’s okay, I can—”

  Red raised his hand. “I insist. And if my ranch manager hasn’t already extended the offer, I’d like to invite you to join us for dinner tonight.”

  “Thank you, sir. As a matter of fact, I spent last night at your place. Had one of the best meals I’ve ever had right here at this lake.”

  “Well, I hope you’re able to stay another night with us. Again, I’d like to think that offer has already been made to you.”

  It hadn’t been, because the woman in the two-fer cabin was due back tonight. They’d apologized that the other cabins were booked and there weren’t any open rooms in the main lodge. They’d given him the name of a place in town where he could stay, but he hadn’t gotten around to calling to see if they had any vacancies.

  “I’d love to stay for dinner, appreciate the invite,” he answered. He’d deal with where he was going to stay later. He guessed that things might be different now that he knew Bree was the woman on the other side of the adjoining door.

  Dinner was served in the main lodge, and the food was as good as it had been the night before, but Jace wasn’t paying any attention to what he was eating.

  Bree’s cheeks were pink. Was it from the time she’d been spending outdoors or the wine she drank with dinner? Whatever it was, it looked good on her. Damn good. Somehow, her eyes were even bluer than he remembered. She kept her dark hair cut short, but it had grown some since he last saw her. It was just long enough that it curled around the edges of her face. He longed to wind his fingers through those curls and pull her close enough to brush his lips over hers.

  He heard what sounded like live music coming from outside the dining room and saw other guests making their way in that direction.

  “You wanna go see what’s goin’ on?” he asked her.

  “I’m okay sitting here a while longer, unless you want to.”

  “I’m good,” he answered. He leaned forward so he was only a couple of inches from her, rested his arm on the table, and looked into her eyes.

  “How’ve you been, Bree?”

  “I’ve been good,” she paused. “No, that isn’t true. I haven’t been good at all. I’ve been terrible, in fact.” She shook her head and laughed.

  Jace laughed too, although he sensed the conversation was about to turn more serious. When she rested her hand on the table, he ran his fingers over her knuckles. “Tell me,” he whispered.

  “I decided I couldn’t hide from it any longer. I had to face it.”

  “Zack?”

  She nodded. “He and I spent a week at this ranch. It was part of our honeymoon. I thought, if I came back here and let myself remember, maybe I could also let myself grieve.” Soft tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

  “I have to do this, Jace. I can’t keep denying he’s gone.”

  He could tell her he understood, but he didn’t. He missed his brother so much there were times he felt as though he’d die from the ache of it. But Tucker was still alive. If he wanted to see him, he could. He might not be welcome, but he could see him. Bree couldn’t see Zack.

  “I’m sorry I never answered your texts.”

  “Yeah, about that,” she laughed through her tears. “What the hell, Jace?”

  “I just didn’t—”

  “You don’t have to explain. I understand, and I’m not just saying that.”

  “You were awful mad at me the last time I saw you.”

  “I handled that badly, didn’t I?”

  He leaned closer, so close he could almost kiss her. “You handled it honestly. Somethin’ I’m tryin’ to do more often.”

  “Jace…I’m sorry about you and Tucker.”

  “Nothin’ for you to be sorry about, darlin’. Did that all on my own. Can’t say as I blame Tuck for not wantin’ to see me. I wouldn’t want to see him if the situation were reversed.”

  Jace looked up just as Red turned to leave the room. “Red? Can I help you?”

  “Didn’t want to interrupt.”

  Jace recognized the look on Red’s face as he gazed at Bree. He looked at her that way too. Red wanted to comfort her, help her through the pain, ease it if he could.

  “You aren’t interrupting,” Bree told him. “What’s up?”

  “Thought you might give an old fella a dance.”

  Bree stood, put her arm through Red’s, and let him lead her into the other room. She turned back to make sure Jace was following. She didn’t want to leave him sitting in the dining room all alone.

  He stood and stretched his leg. Just when she was about to turn around and go back to him, he looked up and waved her off.

  “Go dance,” he said. “I’ll be right along, soon as I loosen my leg up.”

  Red was a good dancer, just like her dad was. It felt good to have his strong arms lead her around the room.

  “Seems like a nice young man.” He pulled back to look in her eyes.

  “Yes, he is. He’s very nice,” she laughed. “Although I didn’t always think so.”

  “No?”

  “I can’t remember why not. Except that he was kind
of pushy with my sister. She’s, uh, married to his brother now. His twin brother.”

  “Why do I think there’s more to the story?”

  “There is, but it isn’t very interesting.” She rested her head against Red’s shoulder. “The truth is, he comforted me. He helped me a lot right after Zack’s death. He didn’t have to, but he did. Even when I pushed him away.”

  “Must care about you.”

  “It’s a family thing. I love my sister; he loves his brother. We were thrown together, whether we wanted to be or not.”

  “Uh huh.”

  Was it that obvious? She supposed it was. Jace Rice made her heart beat faster, and she loved that he was here. She still didn’t understand why he was, but they’d get to the bottom of it eventually. In the meantime, she’d take whatever time with him she could get.

  “Pretty moon tonight. Maybe you and your young man would like to sit out on the porch, take in the sky. Nothin’ like a clear night in Idaho for stargazing.”

  When the song ended, Bree walked over to where Jace stood, waiting for her. “Red recommends the porch for stargazing.”

  “I know just the spot he’s talkin’ about.” Jace took her hand in his.

  No one else was out there, so they sat on the porch swing. Jace put his arm around her and pulled her close.

  “Bree?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I know I said it before, but it bears repeating. I’ve missed you.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  Should she tell him that she’d missed him as much as she missed Zack? He would think she was crazy if she did. Or he’d think the same thing she was. Missing Zack and missing Jace got jumbled up together. She couldn’t tell the difference between the two sometimes. And that wasn’t healthy. It also wasn’t real. What she’d had with Zack had been real. She hardly knew Jace.

  “I’m here because I need to let myself mourn the death of my husband.”

  “I know, and I won’t do anything to interfere with that. In fact, you say the word, and I’ll be in the truck back to Montana come sunrise.”