Brayden : A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 1 (The Beckett Brothers)

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  Melissa laughed. “You’re a lucky woman, Tess. I can tell you love him very much and it’s obvious he loves you.”

  “We had a very rocky situation at first, but we got through it.” Tess tilted her head. “Maybe I’ll tell you about it one day.”

  “Touché.” Melissa smiled.

  The time passed quickly as they ate and talked then they hugged, and parted ways. Melissa walked to her car and climbed inside decidedly glad she’d taken the time out of her busy day to have lunch with her new friend. She put the white paper bag containing Brayden’s burger, which despite having just eaten smelled heavenly, on the passenger seat and drove back to the ranch.

  After parking her car by the house, she walked to the barn. When she arrived at Brayden’s office, she noticed the door closed so she knocked. She entered when he called out for her to come in. He was on the phone so she didn’t want to interrupt. Setting the bag on the desk, she turned to leave.

  “Melissa, how much do I owe you?” he asked as he hung up the phone.

  “Never mind, it’s on me this time.” She leaned back against the door and folded her arms. She watched him take the burger out of the bag.

  “Damn, it smells fantastic.” Opening the foil wrapper, he picked it up, and took a big bite. He groaned. “I haven’t had one of these in years. Damn, I missed Connie’s burgers.”

  Melissa laughed. “Best burgers I’ve ever had. I don’t know what Connie does to them but whatever it is, she’d better not stop.”

  “She’s an amazing cook. From what I remember, everything on the menu was great. I’ll need to make a trip into Clifton to see her.”

  “She seems really nice. The place was packed as usual.”

  “Too bad she’s married.” Brayden took another bite.

  “Tess told me a lot of men say that. I think any man in Clifton and the surrounding areas would steal her if they could.”

  “We all used to tease her when we were kids.” He took another bite.

  “Oh, I almost forgot…speaking of kids. Where do you get off telling Julie you weren’t involved with me and never would be?”

  Brayden swallowed and stared at her. “What?”

  “Julie made it quite clear to me that you told her you and I weren’t involved, and never would be.”

  “We aren’t involved and we won’t be again. But I never told her that. What I said was that I didn’t get involved with employees so she needed to get it out of her head or find another job. How the hell did you two end up talking about it?”

  “She played the school bully before I left for lunch.”

  “What?” His brow furrowed as he looked at her.

  Melissa waved her hand and started to leave. “Never mind. Enjoy your lunch.”

  “Is there going to be problems between you and Julie?” Brayden asked her, setting down his burger and wiping his hands on a napkin.

  “I’m not the one who has a problem. She does.”

  “Do you want me to fire her?”

  “You’d do that?” she asked surprised that her opinion mattered that much.

  “Your job here is more important than hers. I’m sure I can replace her.”

  “But not me? How sweet.” Melissa laughed when he snorted. “No. She’ll get over it or she won’t. We don’t see much of each other over the course of a day.”

  Brayden nodded. “All right. Thanks again for the burger. Oh, I forgot to ask you—did you by chance leave the back gate by the corral open?”

  “No. I haven’t been out there. It was open—when? ”

  “Yeah, Nico told me he found it open this morning, and I meant to ask you earlier but forgot all about it until now. I’ve asked everyone and everyone else says they didn’t leave it open. It doesn’t make sense to me. Someone had to leave it open.”

  “Well, honest, Brayden, it wasn’t me. I know better. Maybe whoever did leave it open just doesn’t want to feel your wrath.”

  She smiled as she left his office and closed the door behind her. It amazed her that she could stand there and hold a conversation with him when all she wanted to do was climb across the desk and straddle him—while they were both naked.

  ****

  Brayden finished his lunch and tossed the bag into the trash as he walked from his office. He had some work to do. He wanted to move a few horses to the pasture before all of the grass was gone. He walked to the other barn and saddled a horse. He hadn’t realized until now how anxious he was to get back into the saddle. The day out with Gray hadn’t been long enough.

  Nico came out from one of the stalls and approached as he tossed a blanket onto the back of the horse before lifting the saddle on next.

  “Hey boss. Heading out?”

  “I’m going to move some horses up into the north pasture. I’ll probably have you and Logan bring them back tomorrow. Also, I want you to let me know if you find that gate open again…in fact, let me know about anything unusual, suspicious, you know.” Brayden tightened the cinch, and glanced at his employee.

  “Yes sir.” Nico handed him a walkie-talkie. “Call if you need me.”

  “Will do. Let everyone know where I am,” Brayden said as he mounted the horse.

  Nico saluted and walked back into the stall. Brayden trotted the horse from the barn to the gate and without dismounting, opened the gate, rode through, and then closed it again. The group of horses he was moving was in the lower pasture and just about all of the grass was gone. They needed to find a fresh area to graze. He nudged the horse into a gallop and grinned as the wind whipped into his face, but he didn’t care because it was exhilarating just to let the horse run.

  The sun shone down from a cloudless sky on a beautiful late September day. The temperature was higher than normal, but Brayden knew that usually meant colder weather was moving in soon. It could easily snow in late September in Montana. Having grown up in Hartland, he knew what the weather could bring but then again, he didn’t really care how much snow came, as long it came. He was looking forward to it. Being in that cell had him missing a lot of things other than his wife. Snow, rain, wind, and sunshine were just a few things most people took for granted. He knew he never would again.

  As he came over a rise, he spotted the horses. The three of them raised their heads and looked at him, then proceeded to go back to eating. Brayden smiled and rode toward them. All he had to do was get the stallion to go and the mares would follow. Too bad women weren’t like that. They certainly had a mind of their own and most of them wouldn’t follow a man just because he expected them to. They’d probably go the opposite way just to be difficult.

  Melissa popped into his head. Yeah, she’d definitely go the other way, especially if he told her to follow him. The woman was trouble with a capital T, and he’d love to be with her again but he knew that would just cause problems. Problems he didn’t need. Damn, the sex had been so good though. Damn it! Now his dick was growing.

  “You’re an idiot, Beckett,” he muttered for what seemed the umpteenth time and shifted in the saddle.

  Reining his horse to a stop, he unhooked the rope from the saddle and made a lasso then tossed it over the stallion’s head. He chuckled when the horse looked at him and then continued to eat.

  “Sorry, buddy, but we’re moving up to higher ground. You’ll thank me once we get there.” He nudged his horse and tugged on the rope. The stallion followed and the mares trailed behind him.

  Brayden glanced up to the Glaciers. They were breathtaking. He reined the horse to a stop and narrowed his eyes. It was then he saw they had snow moving over them, which meant snow was coming soon to the sanctuary. Wondering if he should just take the horses back, it only took a moment for him to decide to do just that. He wasn’t sure if it was a fast moving snow or not but it could quickly move down from the mountains and he didn’t want to leave the horses out here. Sighing, he led the horses back toward the barns—better safe than sorry.

  He rode into the yard, dismounted, and tied the reins to the rail then
led the stallion to the corral. Opening the gate, he led the stallion in with the mares following behind. Brayden closed the gate and turned to get his horse only to see Melissa striding toward him.

  “You’re back already. Is something wrong?” she asked him.

  Brayden jerked his chin toward the mountains. “The mountains have snow moving over them and I wasn’t sure how long it would be before the snow moved in here. I’d rather not leave the horses up there if it’s going to snow.”

  Melissa turned and shaded her eyes to look to mountain range then turned back to him. “Good idea. Snow moves in fast when you can see it on the mountains.”

  “It can for sure,” he said.

  “Yes. Tessa told me about it. She’s lived here for quite a while. We were talking about how beautiful they are but she said if you see fog, it’s more likely snow and to get ready.”

  “Exactly right, but I am anxious to see some deep snow.” He stared at her and she stared right back. He cleared his throat and untied his horse then led him into the barn.

  “Brayden?”

  He halted but didn’t turn around. “Yes?”

  “I’d love to be with you again.”

  He spun around. “No.”

  “You know you want me again, and it was good—real good. Why not enjoy each other?”

  “Melissa—”

  “I’m being forward I know, but I don’t care.”

  She stepped closer to him and he backed up a step. She moved closer, stood on her toes, and put her lips to his ear. “You know where I am if you change your mind.”

  She flicked her tongue against his ear then walked around him and disappeared into the barn.

  Brayden swore as he watched her disappear. Son of a bitch!

  He’d never met a woman like her. She made no bones about wanting him. She went after what she wanted and he was on her radar. She was right. He wanted her too. What could it hurt? Her. I could hurt her. He wasn’t interested in a relationship. Been there, done that was beginning to be his mantra. He’d been hurt beyond belief when he lost Maisy.

  So what…you’re going to be alone for the rest of your life?

  “Yes,” he muttered as he led the horse into a stall.

  ****

  Melissa mentally groaned. She couldn’t believe she’d told him she wanted to be with him again. She’d never been so forward in her life, but then she’d never wanted any man more either. Sex had never been that good with anyone else, and she wanted it again. What could it hurt? She wasn’t asking him to marry her, for God’s sake. She had a feeling he’d never be interested in marrying again because he’d been so in love with Maisy. She knew no one else could ever compare to her. Melissa was not going to try to compete with a dead woman…even if that dead woman had been her best friend.

  What was the harm in wanting him? She entered the room Lucky was in to see him standing up in his cage, his tail wagging when he saw her. She was pleased that since Lucky had come to the rescue he’d put on weight and muscle mass. He was looking happy and healthy. Melissa really needed to talk to Brayden about keeping him and she supposed now was as good a time as any.

  After touching Lucky on his nose through the crate, she left the room to look for Brayden and found him in his office.

  “Do you have a minute?” she asked knocking on the open door.

  He looked up from his paperwork and frowned. “Not if it has anything to do with what you said earlier.”

  Melissa entered his office and took a seat across from his desk. “It doesn’t. I wanted to know if you would mind if I keep Lucky.”

  “I don’t mind at all.”

  “Thank you. I’ll give him a good home.”

  “I don’t doubt that.”

  “Thanks. I’ll take him home tonight. Right now, I have to check on the burros.” She walked out of his office and headed toward the stall where Dinky was. She opened the gate, entered the stall, and smiled when the little donkey trotted over to her.

  “Hi, baby. How are you doing?” She laughed when he put his head against her chest and pushed her over so that she landed on her butt in the hay. She sat on the floor and rubbed his ears.

  “That’s some friend you have there,” Logan said from the gate.

  Melissa looked up and grinned. “I love this little guy. I could just hug him.”

  “Lucky burro.”

  “He gives unconditional love.” She laughed.

  “I would too, if a woman who looked like you rubbed my ears.” Logan grinned at her.

  “Oh, please. I bet you have women chasing after you all the time.”

  Logan shrugged. “Sometimes, I like to do the chasing.”

  Melissa got herself up from the floor, walked to the gate, and leaned against the wall. She stared at Logan. He really was a good-looking young man.

  “Do you think a woman is too forward if she lets you know she wants you?”

  “There are ways to let a man know you’re interested and there are ways to let a man know you’re interested.”

  Melissa shook her head. “What?”

  Logan laughed. “I like a woman to let me know she’s interested if I show her I am, but I don’t care for a woman to come on to me too strongly, if I haven’t given her any encouragement. Make sense?”

  “Yes, but what if you’ve been with her then decided it was a bad idea, and she still lets you know she wants you?”

  “Are you asking me because you’re curious or because you need advice?”

  Melissa pursed her lips. “Both.”

  “If it was a bad idea, did I tell her I thought it was?” Logan tilted his head.

  “Yes, but the sex was really good.”

  “Shit. Am I stupid in this scenario?”

  Melissa burst out laughing. “No. Well, maybe.”

  Logan chuckled. “Okay, let’s say it was good sex but I regretted it for some reason. I would feel awkward if she came on to me after I told her it shouldn’t have happened. I’d hate to hurt her, but sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.”

  “So the woman should back off? I get it. I suppose it makes sense. I wouldn’t want a man to keep coming on to me if I told him it was a mistake.” She needed to work with Brayden and not let him know she still wanted him. It would be hard because it had been so hot between them, but she’d do it.

  “You women have no problem letting us know when you don’t want anything to do with us. Then there are the few who won’t take no for an answer. Like I said, I like to do the chasing. Most men do.”

  “There’s an old saying, a man chases a woman until she catches him.” Melissa smiled.

  Logan laughed. “Perfect. I’m on my way out. See you tomorrow.”

  “Sure. Have a good evening.” She smiled when he saluted and strolled away.

  She now realized she’d been going about it all wrong. She needed to make Brayden think she wasn’t interested in him any longer. So no more telling him, she wanted to be with him or coming on to him. No more flirting. She’d do her job and pay no special attention to him. Right. She groaned. Easier said than done.

  ****

  Brayden walked out of his office, locked the door, and then started to walk down the aisle of the barn only he couldn’t stop himself from looking back toward Melissa’s apartment. Was she in there or with one of the burros? He grinned. She did love those little guys. Especially Dinky. He was surprised she hadn’t asked if she could have him too.

  As he passed the room Lucky was in, he heard her voice and stuck his head in the door.

  “Taking him home?”

  She spun around with a wide-eyed expression and a loud gasp. “You scared me.”

  “Sorry.” Brayden couldn’t stop the grin. “How can I scare a woman who goes to investigate when she thinks she sees someone in the barn at one in the morning?”

  “I didn’t think I saw someone. I did. You.”

  “But you didn’t know it was me.” He shook his head. “You were lucky it was though.”


  “You’re right. I have no idea what I would have done if it had been someone else.” Melissa smiled at him.

  “Are you all right out here alone?”

  “Have you seen the locks Glen put on my door?”

  “I have, but I also know you left the door unlocked when you were taking a bath one night.” He smiled when her cheeks turned pink.

  “You know, a real gentleman wouldn’t bring that up, especially one who said that night was a mistake.”

  “I’ve been in prison, sweetheart. I’m no gentleman.” He stared at her for a long moment but she looked away. “Goodnight, Melissa.”

  “Goodnight, Brayden.”

  He strolled away wondering why on earth he’d brought up that night. Now he would think about it all fucking night. Idiot!

  Chapter Nine

  Brayden led one of the horses out to the corral and smiled when he saw snow flurries dancing through the cold air. It probably wouldn’t amount to much but he loved seeing it and he couldn’t wait for winter to arrive so he could see some deep snow. People complained about all types of things and snow was one of them but if ever they were locked up, and not allowed outside, they’d be just like him and love seeing everything.

  “It’s snowing,” Melissa said as she came outside.

  “Yeah. It’s great, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. I happen to love snow. People think I’m crazy.”

  “I don’t think liking snow is why they think you’re crazy.”

  “Hey!”

  Brayden chuckled. “Couldn’t resist.” He glanced toward the driveway when he saw a car pulling in then looked to at Melissa. “Are you expecting someone?”

  “No, and Julie never mentioned anyone coming out. But then, she barely speaks to me.”

  Brayden gritted his teeth. “She needs to get over whatever it is she has against you.”

  “It doesn’t bother me.” Melissa looked at him, but he let it go.

  After putting the horse in the corral, he then waited for the car to pull to a stop. He watched as the driver’s door opened and a man stepped out. Brayden grinned and strode toward him.

  “James,” Brayden said as he stuck his hand out.