Tangled Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls #2)

by Robyn Neeley

“No, I know how to write the right thing.” He pulled his legs to his chest and sighed.

  “I loved being a reporter, but this—he motioned all around him—this feels right, too. For the first time in my life, I feel . . .” He stopped and looked away.

  “Inspired?” she offered.

  “Exactly.” His head dropped back and his gaze rested on hers. “Ready to see what else inspires me?”

  She gulped down the shiver that then blasted through her in response to that question.

  Boy, am I.

  He laid down, resting his head on the pillow. “Join me.”

  What the devil was he up to? Abby cautiously slid down next to him while he pulled the blankets up, covering them completely.

  “Brandon, what are we doing?” she asked in a whisper.

  “Look up.”

  Abby’s eyes darted up into the evening sky. “Wow.” She hadn’t realized how clear it was. Thousands of stars twinkled down on them.

  “Pretty amazing, huh?”

  “It sure is,” she agreed. “Is this what you wanted to show me?”

  “Isn’t it beautiful?”

  She murmured her agreement. “How did you know this morning that it was going to be this gorgeous tonight?”

  “Weather report.”

  “Of course.”

  “I follow a meteor shower website, too. They said tonight there would be quite a show in the Northeast.”

  He follows a meteor shower website? Who was this guy? There were so many facets to this man she’d never known.

  As they laid in silence taking in the night sky, Abby couldn’t remember the last time she spent so much time getting lost in the stars. Could any one of them grant her a wish? She rested her hands on her stomach and closed her eyes. It was worth a shot.

  Brandon tapped her shoulder. “What are you thinking?”

  “That more nights should end like this one.” She tilted her head toward him. “So, how long have you been stargazing?”

  “Ever since I was a boy. We had a pond out back in the town I grew up in in Montana and a small rowboat. I’d lay in that thing for hours thinking about things.”

  “What kind of things?”

  “What I wanted to be when I grew up, what it would be like to get out of Montana.”

  He dropped his head toward her. “Stupid, right.”

  “No, not at all. Did you like growing up in the country?”

  “Not really. My dad left my mom for a co-worker when I was six, and then he died a couple years later.”

  “I’m sorry.” He’d never told her about his father. His admission made her chest tighten.

  “It’s probably why I have trust issues. I didn’t want to turn out like my dad and cheat on my wife.” He let out a sarcastic laugh. “Instead, I married a woman who screwed me over. Go figure.”

  Abby stayed quiet processing the insight she was being given into Brandon. Clearly the people he’d trusted had let him down.

  “My mom ended up going back to college where she met her current husband, who was an adjunct English professor, and they moved to Washington.”

  “Is she there now?”

  “Yep. In Emerald Springs, about ninety minutes from Seattle. She loves it.”

  “Well, that’s great that she’s happy. Do you see her often?”

  “Not really. I think I’m going to fly her in for our Memorial Day opening and try to talk her into staying for a couple months this summer. I think she’d like it out here.”

  Abby smiled sheepishly knowing the secret growing inside her would probably get Grandma Swift to Buttermilk Falls next summer if not sooner. “I’d love to meet your mom.”

  “You two would have a blast together.” He chuckled and tapped her arm. “She’s an amazing cook.”

  “Oh, yes. Her infamous chili recipe. Speaking of which, you never told me the secret ingredient.”

  “There are two really: spicy tomato juice and honey.”

  “I knew there was a spicy sweetness to it.” She rolled over on her side, causing him to do the same. “I’m glad you beat me, even if you did cheat.”

  “I was just making sure you’d get an opportunity to make a wish on a star.”

  Abby looked up at the shimmering sky. “Did you ever bring Caitlin out here?”

  “Nah. We didn’t really do anything like this. I never did this in L.A. with my ex-wife either.” He paused then added. “You know, the thing with Caitlin was a mistake. I’d been rebounding with a few women for the better part of this year after my divorce went through. I’m done with that phase of my life.”

  She wasn’t sure why he was admitting that, but she was glad to hear it. His willingness to open up and share a little about himself gave her hope. They were moving in the right direction. “Let’s make a wish on where we hope to be in eight months.” She knew what hers would be—that Brandon would be right by her side as they watched their beautiful baby sleeping in its crib.

  “Eight months? Why eight months?”

  “Or five . . . six, maybe?”

  “I like eight. That puts us at the end of June. You will have had your baby. The inn will have been open for a month, and your catering business will have taken off. Although Emma might have to take on your summer clients if you’re taking time off.”

  Abby hadn’t even thought about that. She knew her cousin would pitch in and Aunt Sheila would most likely come out of retirement to help if they needed it. “It’s going to be fantastic. Taste the Magic will be on everyone’s lips and hopefully hips.”

  “What?”

  “The name for the catering company.” She’d completely forgotten to fill Brandon in. “Do you like it?”

  “I think it’s perfect.” He chuckled. “And I’ll give you my mom’s chili recipe to add to the menu for next fall. That is, if you want it.”

  “Of course I do.” There was so much she wanted when it came to Brandon. She’d never known about his small town upbringing in Montana, that he was close to his mother, or what his dad had done before he passed away. As she learned more and more about him, it only deepened her feelings.

  She continued to stare at the night’s twinkling sky. Trust was incredibly important to him. Would he ever trust her again once she revealed the secret she was literally carrying?

  * * *

  Brandon’s eyes opened, feeling Abby’s arm draped around him. They must have fallen asleep. He quietly wiggled out of her embrace and fished the engine key out of his jacket pocket. He hadn’t meant to conk out and should probably get her out of the cold.

  Turning the boat on, he glanced behind him one last time at the inn and smiled. His lakeside inn, Abby had called it. What a perfect name. The Lakeside Inn. He could just picture the sign on the three-story building, welcoming his guests.

  Soon, he’d be spending many late nights inside working his tail off to make it a success. Smiling down on Abby, he couldn’t help but hope his new business partner would be right by his side, sharing in those long evenings.

  He sighed and steered the boat in the direction of his cottage. Late nights with just the two of them probably wouldn’t be happening. She, after all, would have to go home to a newborn.

  Under the circumstances, it was wrong to enjoy her company as much as he did. Still, tonight had been perfect. Talking underneath the stars and sharing some of the not so great parts about his past—well, he didn’t do that with anyone. There was something about Abby that made him let down his guard and trust her.

  He had even kept his ex-wife at bay, but every moment he spent with Abby gave him a little hope that one day he’d be able to let another woman back into his heart. He just wished it could be her.

  Reaching his dock, he anchored the boat and scooped up his sleeping beauty. Her arms linked around his neck as she rested her head on his chest. He had already decided that he’d give her his bed, and he’d take the couch.

  Minutes later, he laid her down in his room, unzipped her boots, and tucked in his comforter. H
e really should drive her home. It was totally selfish, and maybe he was confusing happiness for loneliness. Whatever it was, he couldn’t wait to get up in the morning and make her breakfast.

  Feeling the sudden urge to write, he walked over to his laptop and grabbed his power cord. His story was coming along and if just talking to Abby inspired him to get words down, he was pretty sure her sleeping in his bed was going to produce a record number of plot twists tonight.

  “Brandon . . .” she murmured.

  Turning, he sat on the edge of his bed and swept her hair back to massage her neck with the tip of his finger, not really sure why he was doing that. It wasn’t his usual move with a woman lying in his bed, but everything he was feeling for Abby was unusual . . . unexpected . . . and freakin’ awesome.

  “This was the best date I’ve ever been on,” she whispered through her sleepy hooded eyes, her hands folded on her chest.

  “Me, too.” He covered her hands with his. “And we have four more to go. You’re going to love what I have in store for us.”

  She smiled and snuggled into the comforter. “I’ve missed this bed.”

  Brandon brushed a strand of hair out of her face as she drifted off to sleep, his finger lingering on her soft cheek.

  What had she meant by that?

  Chapter 14

  Abby’s eyelids flew open, and she bolted upright. “Oh, God.” Her gaze rested on her coat draped over Brandon’s desk chair. “What am I doing here?”

  She pulled the comforter to the side, sliding out of the blankets. Still fully dressed, her boots lying against the desk leg.

  How did she end up in Brandon’s bed, and did she sleep in there alone? A warm maple scent interrupted her struggle to remember when exactly she’d fallen asleep last night. Was Brandon now making her breakfast?

  She smiled thinking back to their date—how bright the sky lit up and how wonderful it was to share that moment with him. His opening up to her about his family and the reason he sought refuge in stargazing had touched her heart.

  If all their dates were anything like last night, she couldn’t wait to get started on the next one.

  Getting up, she walked over to the full-length mirror and patted her belly. “Four more dates to make your daddy fall in love with me,” she whispered. “That’s all we’ve got, little turkey.”

  But first, she needed to know exactly how last night ended, so she headed for the kitchen. Her breath hitched as she watched Brandon in front of the stove, flipping a pancake and wearing gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt. He’d never made breakfast for her the entire time they were sleeping together. She didn’t even know he could cook. First the chili, now pancakes?

  She cleared her throat causing him to turn toward her.

  “Morning, Red.” He set his spatula down and reached for a glass of orange juice, bringing it over to her. “How did you sleep?”

  “Good.” She pulled out a kitchen chair and took a seat. “I can’t believe I fell asleep on the boat.”

  He nodded and began to butter the pancakes. “We both did. I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t drive you home. I was pretty beat.”

  “And I live so far away,” she teased.

  Picking up a syrup bottle, he turned it upside down and gave it a squeeze. “But if I took you home, you wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience my famous pancakes.”

  Her eyebrow shot up at the high dollop of whipped cream with two chocolate chip eyes that he set down in front of her. “What is this all about?”

  “You don’t like my spooky pancakes?”

  She laughed now realizing what he’d done. “It’s too bad I’ve already bought everything I need for the after-school program baking lesson this afternoon. This would have been a cute idea.”

  “Well, there’s always next year. Now eat up.”

  He didn’t have to ask her twice. Baby Swift was hungry.

  “So, what else is on your agenda for today?” He slid into the chair next to her and attacked a stack of his own.

  “I thought I’d hit the grocery store this morning to get a few things for the Halloween party menu and bring them by the inn, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Sounds good to me. My inn is your inn.”

  She grinned at that statement.

  “Oh, make it the Lakeside Inn is your inn.”

  Abby held her fork up to her mouth. “What?”

  “You said last night it would be the perfect lakeside inn. I agree. That’s its name. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s perfect.” That she had a hand in naming it made her heart swell.

  “So, what’s on tap for you later today? Besides baking with the kids.”

  Abby loved that Brandon was curious about her day. “Emma and I are making some pies this morning for the pumpkin pie-eating contest that the library holds the day after the chili contest.” She paused, pointing her fork at him. “Don’t even get any ideas?”

  “What?”

  “I am not stuffing my face with pumpkin pie for our next date. No more contests.”

  He chuckled, and that cheery sound made her all warm and happy inside. “Noted. I’ll let Shane know. No more food contests.” He dug into his stack. “So, I’m assuming the baking lesson is taking place at the Sugar Spoon.”

  “Yes, and we’re making witch and spider cupcakes.”

  “Sounds like fun. Will you make me a special cupcake?”

  Abby blinked at that question and her throat clenched. If only she’d never made the one that caused him to lose any recollection that they’d been together. “I’ll see what I can do.” She looked down at her plate.

  “How many kids will be there?”

  “Twenty, and I’ve invited all the moms, too.” She pushed a piece of pancake around, soaking up some syrup. “I wanted to assure them that I’ll be using a cookbook and not a spell book.”

  He laughed. “Well, I’m sure it will be a great time.”

  “So, what’s on your agenda?”

  “I’ve got the painters coming out later today. I thought I’d spend most of it at the inn. I’m going to do a double shift at the tavern later this week, so this is probably the only full day I’ll have to get some things done.”

  “Sounds like a productive day.”

  “Yeah. Bridget and Tom offered to help pick out some decorations. We’ll either do that today or tomorrow.”

  “Let me guess—lots of cobwebs, fake blood, and skeletons.”

  “Well, it is a Halloween party.” He cocked a playful eyebrow. “Do you know what you’re going to be yet?”

  She didn’t. She hadn’t thought about dressing up, but given the fact she was co-hosting this shindig, she probably should. “I’ll think of something.”

  “Maybe we could go as a famous pair like Bonnie and Clyde . . .”

  “Or Batman and Robin,” she added.”

  “Or Tarzan and Jane.” He pounded his chest and gave a little roar.

  “You’d like any opportunity to show off your abs, wouldn’t you?”

  He lifted up his shirt and flexed his pecs. “Damn straight.”

  She gulped down her juice, trying hard not to imagine all the times she’d run her fingers down his chest. “What about the tours you plan on doing that night?” she asked, changing the subject. “Are you going to take people up to the third floor?”

  “I don’t think so.” He finished his pancakes and pushed his plate to the side.

  “You know, you’re going to have to go up there sometime.”

  “I told you I needed you by my side for that . . . for protection.”

  She snapped her fingers. “I have an idea. Why don’t we do it during one of our dates?”

  He raised an eyebrow at that suggestion. “For real?”

  “Sure, why not. We’d have Shane with us who could capture it all on camera. It actually could be a fun pre-Halloween blog post. Very timely.”

  “I like it. Another good suggestion, Abby Stevens.”

 
; “What can I say? If you’re really scared, we could invite my Aunt Sheila to join us. She has a way with ghosts.”

  “Okay, but we do it during the day and not for our next date. I’d like to do something that doesn’t involve being scared out of my mind.”

  Good thing she wasn’t ready to tell him about the baby. She finished her orange juice. “So, when is our next date?”

  “Why, Abby, are you anxious to spend time with all this?” He motioned his hand up and down his abs.

  Her eyes rolled, but internally she answered a resounding yes before doing a mental cartwheel. “I just need to know how to plan my night,” she said, trying to sound all matter-of-fact about it. “It’s tomorrow night, right?”

  “Let’s see.” He reached for his phone, scrolling through messages. “Actually, looks like it’s tonight.”

  “Really?” Abby’s heart began to pound at that news.

  “Yeah, it says they’d like for us to go on the date you planned had you won the chili cook-off. They must have watched yesterday’s footage.” He leaned back in his chair and propped his hands around his head. “Looks like I’m all yours for the evening. What will we be doing?”

  Abby stood and headed to the sink, turning on the faucet. “That’s a secret.” She scraped off her plate, downplaying just how excited she was that she’d get to choose the date this time. “I’ll meet you at the inn at five o’clock, if that works for you.”

  “Works for me. Where should I tell Shane to meet us?”

  “Oh, I’ll take care of that. He gave me his cell phone number last night.”

  “Oh, he did, did he? I need to keep an eye on him,” Brandon joked. Coming up beside her, he set his own plate in the sink. “So, Abby . . . I was kind of thinking this morning about us taking things up a notch.”

  “Taking things up a notch,” she repeated, her words a little shaky.

  “Yeah. Well, you want to make little Spike’s dad jealous, don’t you?”

  She laughed at that nickname and shook her head. “Do not ever call my baby, Spike.”

  Her gaze met his, and her lips turned up. “So, what did you have in mind? Holding hands?”

  “It would definitely be a start.” He threaded one of her hands through his. That single act caused her heart to gallop.