“But—”
“No, Peyton. Kade is dead.”
She rolled over, and sat up. It was dark in her bedroom. Peyton remembered Alex drove her home, and guided her inside. Alex brought her into the bedroom and sat on the side of the bed, while Peyton sobbed. Her body felt spent from being wracked with sobs, and from lack of sleep the night before.
“She’s sleeping now,” she heard Alex say from the other room. “I don’t know. I have no idea what brought it on. She was fine when I saw her earlier. Better than I was actually.” Alex paused. “I’m going to stay with her.” Another pause. “That would be great, I appreciate it so much.” Pause. “No, I think it would be best if I was with her.”
Alex peeked around the corner. “You’re awake.”
“I’m awake. Who were you talking to?”
“Your dad. He’s going to help out at Stave today. I’m sure Addy and Sam would be fine, but if it gets busy, it’ll be better if he’s there.”
“This is crazy.” Peyton started to get up, but Alex pushed her back on the bed.
“You and I are going to stay here, Peyton. You need some rest, and maybe I do too.”
“Alex, I need—”
“Peyton,” she shouted. “Don’t say it again. Kade was not here. You can’t find him because he wasn’t here. Stop this.”
What was wrong with her? She knew Kade was dead. She knew it, but it had been so real. How many times had she imagined that she saw him? But this was different. He talked to her, he told her his mother was going to be okay.
“How would I know about their mom if Kade didn’t tell me?”
“I don’t know, honey. Premonition?”
“But it seemed so real. He seemed so real. I couldn’t have been dreaming, Alex.”
“I don’t know, Peyton. All I know for sure is that Kade is dead, and you didn’t see him this morning. Now please try to get some rest.”
Peyton rolled back over and closed her eyes. A few minutes later Alex got up and walked out of the bedroom. Peyton rolled to her back and looked up at the ceiling. She wasn’t crazy. She knew it was nuts to think she saw Kade, to think that he talked to her. But it had seemed so real, she couldn’t shake it. Maybe Alex was right. She and Brodie had hardly slept at all. Between the stress of something happening to his mom, and him having to leave, and the weirdness of it all, her mind played tricks on her, as it had so many times before.
Alex was talking to someone again, but Peyton couldn’t hear what she was saying. She reached over and looked at her phone. It couldn’t be afternoon already. Had she really slept that long? She sat up, and felt dizzy. She grasped the edge of the bed, and waited for her head to stop spinning. She was just about to stand up when she heard Alex’s footsteps coming down the hallway.
“I’ll check.” She heard Alex say. When she came around the corner, she spoke into the phone again. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I’ll see. Hold on.”
Peyton watched Alex press the mute button on her phone. “It’s Brodie.”
Peyton shook her head, and walked into the bathroom.
“She’s still sleeping, Brodie. I’ll tell her you called when she wakes up.”
Peyton came back out of the bathroom and pushed past Alex.
“How are you feeling?”
“Fine.”
“You slept a long time.”
“I guess I was pretty tired.”
“Peyton?”
“Don’t say it, Alex. I feel stupid, okay? Really stupid.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“The whole town probably knows by now. ‘Peyton Wolf was out wandering the streets this morning saying she saw Kade’s ghost.’”
“No one is saying that. The only person who saw you other than Addy was Louie, and you know he’d never say a word.”
“How do you know I saw Louie?”
“He called Stave and asked Addy if you were okay. She called and told me, so I called him back.”
“Great.”
“Come on, Peyton. It isn’t that big of a deal.”
“How’s Mrs. Butler?”
“She’s fine. Like we talked about earlier, they’re keeping her for a couple days, but otherwise, they aren’t concerned.”
Peyton wouldn’t say it out loud, one because she knew it sounded like she’d lost her mind, and two, Alex would get angry with her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she saw Kade this morning, and that he talked to her. Her chest was tight, it was harder to breathe than it normally was, and a sick feeling had settled in her stomach earlier, and hadn’t left.
The last thing she heard him say was, “She’ll be okay, and so will you.” What did that mean, she’d be okay?
“Brodie wants to come by.”
Peyton knew he would, given the way he left this morning. “Does he know?”
“No. I told you that the only people who know are Addy and Louie.”
“My parents.”
“They aren’t going to tell Brodie, or anyone else, sweetie.”
“Maddox?”
“Give me a break. What did I just say? I said no one else. And jeez, do you really think I’d tell Maddox?”
“No. I had to make sure.”
“Back to Brodie. He wants to see you. Unless you tell him, he’s not going to understand.”
Peyton nodded her head. “I’ll call him.”
“Good.”
“You can leave now, I’m okay. My momentary lapse into madness is over.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m fine, Alex. I’m not coming in tonight, but I’m fine.”
“If you said you were going to, I wouldn’t let you.”
“My car…”
“I’ll have your dad or Addy follow me over. I’ll do that now, before it gets busy with the Saturday night crowd.”
“Thanks, Alex. For all of it. As much of a bitch as I’ve been, I want you to know I appreciate everything you did for me today.”
“Yeah, if I suddenly went bonkers and started seeing the ghost of my father, you’d do the same for me.”
Peyton laughed out loud. “Yeah, I would.”
She waited until Alex drove off before she picked up her cell to call Brodie. He answered before she even heard it ring.
“Hi, I’ve been worried about you.”
“I’m fine, just really tired. How’s your mom?”
“She’ll be fine, it was only—”
“Alex told me.” Peyton didn’t want to hear the same words Kade spoke to her earlier from Brodie.
“Alex said you slept most of the morning. Are you feeling okay?”
“Not really.”
“What’s going on with you, Peyton? You’re not smiling.”
That made her smile. Hearing her smile was one of his superpowers. And maybe Kade’s superpower was coming back from the dead.
“Can I come over?”
“No, Brodie. That isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I need some space. Last night was…”
“Mind-blowing. Other-worldly. That’s what you said earlier.”
“It was a mistake, Brodie. I was in love with your brother, and that isn’t something I can just shut off. I’m sorry, but we can’t do that again.”
“Don’t go there, Peyton. Don’t let his memory come between us. Kade is gone, and I’m here, and this thing we have is something special. I feel it everywhere―my head, my heart, and the rest of my body.”
“It’s wrong, and I can’t do it. Bye, Brodie.”
Peyton disconnected the call and went back in the bedroom. She made the bed, and then decided she should wash the sheets instead. It was another warm day, so even though it was five in the afternoon, it was still warm enough to open some windows and air her room out.
Once the sheets were in the washer, she decided to clean the bathroom, and the kitchen. As long as she was stuck here, she might as well make good use of the time.
She heard
the garage door open, and went out to thank her dad and Alex for bringing her car.
“How’s my girl?” her dad asked, wrapping her in a big hug.
“Nuts, but okay.”
“I can’t tell you I’ve ever had anything like that happen to me, but I understand, sweetheart. You’ll mourn Kade’s loss for the rest of your life, in some way. The pain is less now than it was a year ago, and five years from now, it’ll lessen more. There may even come a day, and I hope it’s soon, that you’ll find love again. You deserve it, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Peyton pulled away from him. He meant the best with his words, but they cut into her nonetheless. She couldn’t think about finding love again. It was too soon, she wasn’t ready, and maybe she never would be.
“How’s business?” she asked Alex.
“Swamped. Sorry, but we need to get back.”
“I can come in—”
Both Alex and her father said, “no,” at the same time.
“Okay, okay.” She held up her hands. “I’ll be in tomorrow, though.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything else. See you then.” Alex waved and climbed into the passenger seat of her dad’s truck.
“See you, Dad. Give those boys a big hug from me when you get home later, and tell them I’ll see them tomorrow.”
“Love you, Peyton.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
Peyton went back inside to finish cleaning. Maybe she’d clean the boys’ bedrooms too while she was at it.
An hour later, she heard a knock at the door. There was only one person it could be, and she didn’t want him here.
11
She heard the knock again, only louder. She couldn’t hide, most of the windows in her house were open, and anyone standing at the front door could hear music playing.
“Peyton, open the door,” Brodie called out.
She wiped her hands on her jeans, and slowly walked into the foyer. She didn’t want to see him, and she didn’t appreciate his lack of respect for not honoring what she told him. She swung the door open, intending to tell him exactly what was on her mind, but the haunted look in his eyes stopped her cold.
“Brodie, what’s wrong? Did something happen with your mom?”
“We need to talk.” He pushed past her and stood in her living room with his arms folded in front of him.
“I already told you—”
“There’s something I need to tell you, Peyton. It’s important, and I’m asking you to listen to me.”
She didn’t appreciate the tone of his voice any more than his lack of respect for her wishes. It was only his appearance that kept her still. He looked like hell, and still hadn’t told her what was wrong.
“Something happened.”
Peyton gasped. “With your mom?”
“No. Yes. With my mom, but not in the way you’re thinking.”
“What happened, Brodie?”
“She told us she talked to Kade.”
Peyton grasped the closest chair. She was lightheaded, and knew the color drained from her face. “What did she say?”
“He told her it wasn’t her time, and that we needed her. Especially me. He told her that I needed her to help me with what I’m going through.”
Peyton sat in the chair she’d been holding onto.
“She said he told her something else, Peyton.”
She didn’t want to know. Whatever it was, was too much. She closed her eyes, hoping he wouldn’t go on.
“He told her that the family needed to accept that you needed me.”
“No, Brodie.”
“How would she know, Peyton?”
“Maybe your brothers told her.”
“They were as shocked as I was.”
“Then it was a premonition.”
“She was rattled, Peyton. And that wasn’t all.”
Peyton wanted to put her hands over her ears. She wanted to unhear what he already told her, and she didn’t want to hear anything else.
“She said he talked to you, too.”
“Brodie…”
“So he didn’t? You didn’t dream about him talking to you?”
Taking in a deep breath, she needed time to decide whether to lie to Brodie, or tell him the truth.
“You did. I can see it in your face.”
“Another superpower, Brodie?”
“Don’t give me that, Peyton. Tell me.”
“No.” It wasn’t any of his business. And whether she dreamt about Kade or not, he hadn’t said a word about Brodie.
He walked forward and knelt in front of her, reaching up to touch her cheek.
“Don’t, Brodie.”
“Peyton—”
She pushed past him and stood behind the kitchen island. “I told you when we spoke earlier that I don’t want to see you again. I’m sorry if I made you believe there was something more between us. There isn’t. The sex was great, I’ll concede that, but that’s all it was. Sex. I’m confident it wasn’t your first one-night stand, nor will it be the last.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“It is, Brodie. You’re not listening to me. I don’t want you, not in my bed, not in my house, not in my life. Please leave.”
He held the back of his neck, the same way Kade always had. She’d seen him do it so many times before. It meant something was troubling him, and was typically followed by action. With Brodie it was no different. He strode over to her, as though he was on attack. She went around to the other side of the kitchen island. “I said no, Brodie, and I meant it. Do not touch me.”
Those four words did it. Brodie backed off. His eyes darted back and forth, and his hand went back to rubbing his neck. “Peyton, please—”
“No! How many times do I have to say it? No, Brodie. No. Now go.” Peyton walked to the front door and held it open. Brodie slowly walked over to where she stood.
“This isn’t over, Peyton. I’ll give you some space, time even, but it isn’t over.”
“You’re wrong. No matter how much time passes or space you give me, I’m not going to change my mind. Bye, Brodie.”
Once he was out the door, she closed it behind him, locked it, and rested her back against it. She needed to get the hell out of this house, but everywhere she thought to go, would be someplace she went with him. If she drove north, she’d pass Piedras Blancas. If she went south, she wouldn’t be able to think of anything other than her day with him. Same thing if she went east, but her boys were east. That’s what she needed, time with her boys.
There was a bag in her closet, packed and ready for when she decided to stay out at her parents’ guest house. She did it often enough. She grabbed it and went out the door to the garage, and got in her car.
When she passed the turnoff to where she and Brodie went the night before, she accelerated. When she reached the turnoff for Adelaida Trail, she contemplated going a different way around, so she didn’t have to pass the gates of Butler Ranch, but that was silly. She could drive by, it wouldn’t matter, it wouldn’t affect her.
Brodie gave his horse a hard nudge, and she knew what it meant. His sweet little chestnut Morgan loved to run as much as he did. He’d named her Baroness when he bought her, and only Brodie would call her little. She was just over sixteen hands, with a compact build and strong as hell hindquarters.
He took her over the hills, and out to the pasture near the front gates of the ranch. He looked up, and saw the little black BMW fly by, and the long blonde hair of the woman driving it. The car had to be going seventy, at least. A car like that could handle the curves of the road at those speeds without any problem, but he still didn’t like her driving that fast. He had half a mind to take Baroness back to the barn, hop in his car, and follow her. He knew she was headed to the sanctuary of her parents’ ranch.
Instead he slowed his horse, and took a leisurely ride back. Last night had been the best sex of his life, and that was saying something. It was more, though. When he told Peyton she was his, he me
ant it.
Something spooked her. It didn’t matter what it was, he wouldn’t allow her to keep her distance very long. The connection between them was real. It was powerful, and undeniable.
“Wish you’d come to me, older brother,” Brodie said to the sky. “I’ve never needed your advice more than I do right now. As much as you may think she needs me, I need her more.”
“Mom!” Finn raced over and jumped into her arms, wrapping his legs around her waist, and linking his feet behind her back. “You’re here! Grandpa’s at Stave working ’cause you’re sick. Are you feeling better?”
“I am feeling better, now that I’m here.” She tousled his hair. “I missed you, kiddo.”
“Missed you too, Mom.” He let go, and his feet hit the ground beneath him. “You stayin’ for dinner? It’s almost ready.”
“Sure am.” Peyton could smell the aroma of her mom’s Santa Maria-style tri-tip.
“Hi, darling girl. Are you feeling better?”
Peyton walked into her mother’s arms, and rested her head on her mom’s shoulder. Peyton got her height from both her parents, along with their long, thin, Germanic facial features. Her high cheekbones, and long wavy hair she got from her mom alone.
She’d let it go gray a few years ago, but kept it long. It fell in cascading waves down past the middle of her back. And in her early sixties, her mom still rocked a pair of jeans like a supermodel. She stayed fit, doing yoga at least five days a week. She ran, rode, and spent as much time out in the vineyards as her dad did, so she was tan even though she lathered her skin with sunscreen, and always wore a hat.
Her name was August, for the month of her birth, and Peyton couldn’t imagine a more fitting name for her mom. Jamison was named for her dad, and while Lang chose Finn’s name, Peyton loved it too.
“I’m okay. Weird dreams.”
Her mom wrapped Peyton’s arm inside the crook of hers, and walked her in the opposite direction of the house. “Tell me what’s going on, Peyton. I know it’s more than a weird dream.”
“I’ve been spending time with Brodie Butler.”
“I see.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” Her mom smiled.
The Promise (Butler Ranch Book 1) Page 11
