The Promise (Butler Ranch Book 1)

by Heather Slade

  “You’re a mess.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I know I’ve been teasing you, Brodie. But I’m not anymore. Go home. I’m serious. Go talk to her. I’ve known you a long time, and I’ve never seen you like this. You’re in love with her.”

  “Do you not remember anything we talked about last night? She was with Kade, Dominique. She actually told me I’d never measure up to him.”

  “My guess is that’s not what she meant.”

  “I was there, you weren’t. I didn’t misunderstand.” Brodie stood and threw some money on the bar. “See ya, Dominique.”

  “Don’t leave in a huff.”

  “I’m not. I just don’t feel like talking about it anymore. I’ll be in touch.” Brodie didn’t slam the door on his way out, but he thought about it. He wasn’t mad at Dominique. She only wanted the best for him. He was mad at Kade. If Kade hadn’t been involved with Peyton, if he hadn’t died, Brodie wouldn’t be feeling as though he was breaking in two again, like he did when his dad called him to tell him Kade was gone. The heartache he felt was different, but it hurt just as bad.

  Peyton felt warm and safe. She dreamt she was in bed with Kade, snuggled up against his bare chest, while he ran his fingers up and down her arm. She loved these dreams, and never wanted to wake up from them.

  “He loves you,” Kade said in the dream.

  “Who loves me?” She looked up into his deep blue eyes.

  “Brodie does.”

  Peyton tried to turn away, pull herself out of this dream, but Kade wouldn’t let her go.

  “He loves you in a way I never could.”

  Peyton shook herself, trying to wake up.

  “Give him a chance, sweetheart. He’ll love you, and take care of you, and the boys. He’ll make you happy.”

  What the hell, as long as this dream refused to end, she’d get some answers.

  “He’s a player, Kade. Just like Lang. The boys will get attached to him and then he’ll leave them, just like Lang, just like you.”

  “I’m sorry I left you, Peyton.”

  God, she loved the sound of his voice. The dream was so real, she could feel the vibration of it throughout her body.

  “Why did you talk to my dad? He said you wanted to marry me.”

  “I did, but now I see how wrong it would’ve been.”

  “Thanks, Kade. Great dream this is.”

  “I was never the right man for you.” Dream-Kade tapped her forehead. “You knew that. And even though I didn’t want to admit it at the time, I knew it too. That’s why I never told you about the agency.”

  “I loved you so much, Kade. I can’t love Brodie the way I loved you.”

  “No, you can’t. You can love him more than you loved me. He’s always been the one for you. He said it the other night. If he’d met you first, you wouldn’t have been available to date me.” Dream-Kade laughed. “He’s got it bad for you, Peyton. But then, so did I.”

  When Peyton reached up to kiss him, Dream-Kade kissed her forehead instead. “Go back to sleep now, Peyton. Sweet dreams.”

  When Peyton woke, the sun was shining. In her dream, it was still dark. Damn Kade. Damn Brodie too. What did she have to do to stop thinking about them? See a hypnotist?

  Peter excused himself, and went to the men’s room, giving Peyton time to take a deep breath. Dinner was nice, but as Alex had said about her date with him, it just wasn’t there. She was bored out of her mind. She cringed when he drove up to Mama’s Meatballs. Of all the restaurants he could’ve chosen, why this one?

  She heard the vibration of her phone that was stuffed inside her purse. She never ignored it, in case it was one of her boys. Peter walked back to the table, just as she ran her finger across the screen, and saw a missed call from Brodie.

  “Something important?” he asked when he sat back down.

  “No.” It was a lie. She only hoped her phone would vibrate again, indicating he left a message. “I’m sorry, Peter. I need to return this call—you know, the boys.” Another lie.

  Peyton excused herself to the ladies room and waited, but her phone didn’t vibrate, he didn’t leave a message. She waited for a text, but that didn’t come either.

  “We should head back,” she said when she returned to the table.

  “Everything okay?”

  “No, not really.” That wasn’t a lie, it just wasn’t what he meant, and she knew it. The waitress brought the check and when Peyton offered to pay her share, Peter refused.

  “I enjoyed having dinner with you, Peyton. I’d like to say I hope we can do it again, but I sense that won’t be happening.”

  “I’m sorry, Peter.”

  “Don’t be. I mean it, I enjoyed this very much.”

  “You’re a good guy, Peter.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” He laughed. “Alex said the same thing.”

  Peyton winced.

  “No worries, I’m sure I’m not the only guy turned down by both the hottest women in San Luis Obispo County.”

  “Thanks, Peter.”

  “I’ll take you home.”

  She left her car at Stave. Even that hadn’t felt right. She wanted to follow him down, so he didn’t have to drive back to Cambria after dinner, but he insisted.

  “Good night, Peter, and thanks again. I’m going to head inside for a minute and make sure everything is cleaned up. We’re closed tomorrow.”

  “Would you like me to come in with you?”

  “No, but thanks. You should get on the road, you have a long drive ahead of you.”

  “Thanks again for joining me tonight, Peyton. I’ll see you in a couple weeks.”

  Peyton unlocked the front door and slipped inside. Peter was gone before she locked it behind her. Kade never would’ve let her come in alone, after dark or even during the day. It wasn’t as though Peter hadn’t offered. She had been relieved when he accepted her refusal. It was just another reminder that Kade had been a gentleman, unlike so many other men she knew.

  Everything had been put away before they left for dinner, but Peyton wanted a minute alone before she went home. It was only a little after seven, so both her boys would still be awake. She didn’t anticipate they’d ask her any questions though. They hadn’t been very talkative since Brodie left. Correction—since she made Brodie leave. It was as though they sensed it was her fault he was gone, not his.

  She poured a finger of Port, downed it, and rinsed the glass before setting the alarm and going out the back door. The motion light Kade installed came on when she walked outside, illuminating the man leaning against the orange Porsche parked next to her BMW.

  “Peyton.”

  “Brodie. What are you doing here?”

  “I called.”

  “You didn’t leave a message.”

  Peyton stood where she was, unsure whether she should walk over to him, or her car. Had he gone by the house? Did he know she’d been out with Peter? No one other than Alex knew about their dinner plans, and she doubted Alex would’ve told him.

  “Brodie, what do you want?”

  When he moved out of the shadows, Peyton saw his clothes were disheveled, and he hadn’t shaved. It didn’t look intentional, he looked as though he hadn’t slept. Brodie stood in front of her, but didn’t speak. He reached out and she took his hand.

  “Do you want to go inside?”

  “Would you mind?”

  Peyton unlocked the door she’d just come out of, and went inside to turn off the alarm. Brodie waited until she held the door open for him.

  “Peyton, I…”

  She waited, but he didn’t finish his sentence.

  “Can I get you something to drink? I was going to have a glass of Port.” She already had, but that didn’t matter, she could use another one.

  “Sure. Thanks.”

  She poured two glasses, walked over to the sitting area by the fireplace, and set them down on the table. Instead of sitting, she walked over and hit the switch igniting the gas fireplace. Brodie waite
d, and when she sat on the couch, he joined her.

  He picked up the wine glass, and swirled it gently. He took a sip, and then ran his finger around the rim, staring into the fire.

  Peyton longed to touch him, but with his mood, held back. More than touch, she sensed he needed comfort, but would he accept it from her? Among the last words she’d said to him were that he’d never be Kade. She hadn’t meant it the way she knew he’d take it, but she had no intention then of explaining. The words hurt him, and she knew they would. Her goal had been to push him away, and she’d succeeded.

  She leaned back and rested her head against the leather sofa, wishing the fire were wood, so instead of the hiss of the gas, it would crackle. Any noise would be welcome. She moved to stand, intending to turn on some music, but Brodie held her arm.

  “Don’t go,” he murmured.

  He left his hand where it was on her arm. His touch was warm, but soft. She covered his hand with hers, and shifted her body, so she faced him. He didn’t turn his gaze from the fire, but his eyes drifted closed. Peyton shifted closer, and rested her head against his shoulder.

  She lost track of how long they sat that way, in silence. Instead of drifting, her thoughts stayed on Brodie, listening to him slowly breathe in and out. When he moved, and gripped her face with his hand, bringing his mouth to hers, she didn’t fight him. She didn’t move away, she opened her mouth to his, and drank him in.

  “Peyton,” he groaned when she shifted and rested her body on the couch, giving him room to lie on top of her. His hand slid under her sweater and covered her breast, squeezed her, and slid his fingers inside her bra, molding her to his hand. Peyton pulled his shirt from the waist of his pants, and ran her hands over his back.

  “I need you, Peyton.” Brodie’s hand moved between her legs, rubbing her body through the suede skirt she wore. Peyton dragged the fabric up, so she could feel his hand against her skin. With her hand so close, she lowered his zipper. Brodie freed himself, and moved her panties to the side. Peyton gasped as he entered her. He stilled, and then slowly moved in and out. “So good,” he whispered. Peyton grasped his behind with both hands, and urged him deeper.

  “Baby,” he breathed into her mouth, before his tongue did battle with hers.

  She moved against him, wanting him deeper still. Brodie grabbed her leg, and brought it around him. When he slammed against her, she felt her body flood, not knowing whether she came first, or he had. She wrapped her arms around him, and held him as tightly to her as she could, not wanting to ever let him go. She kissed the side of his face, and reached up to run her fingers through his hair.

  Brodie captured her mouth with his, and kissed her hard enough that it hurt. She didn’t care, she wanted to feel him everywhere. She didn’t want soft or slow, she wanted Brodie to lose himself in her. He started to move inside her again, more forceful this time, until she felt him drench her for the second time.

  “Again.” He looked into her eyes, and she nodded. “Again, Brodie.”

  Peyton lost track of how many times they came together, Brodie’s body never separating from hers. Finally he shifted, and rolled so she was on top of him. He held the sides of her face with his hands, and looked into her eyes. When she looked in his, she saw regret. “Peyton, I—”

  “Please, Brodie. Whatever you say, don’t let it be that you’re sorry.”

  “But—”

  Peyton climbed off of him, adjusted her clothes, and ran to the ladies’ room before he saw her tears. After something so beautiful, something so perfect, he was filled with regret? She held the edge of the sink, as sobs wracked her body. She heard the back door open and close, and the sound of Brodie’s car speed away.

  She cleaned herself up as best she could. There’d be no hiding how hard she’d been crying, no matter how long she waited to go home. At least now she knew her boys would be in bed asleep. She’d do her best to avoid conversation with Sam, so she could retreat into her shower, and wash the memory of Brodie from her body.

  Brodie drove straight to the airport in Los Angeles, parked in long-term parking and brought his suitcase, and his brother’s box, to the ticket counter.

  “Where to?” The agent smiled at him.

  He looked at the board. “Has the flight to Buenos Aires boarded?”

  The ticket agent picked up the phone and asked the gate agent how soon they’d be closing the door.

  “You’re in luck,” she said when she set the phone down. “The flight has been delayed. You should make it through customs in enough time, provided your paperwork is in order.”

  Once on the plane, Brodie settled into his first class seat, and allowed his body to feel the pain of knowing he’d never again make love to the woman who owned his heart, and would, for the rest of his life.

  She didn’t need a test, Peyton knew she was pregnant, she’d known for days. Soon Alex would know too, because if this pregnancy was anything like her other two, there’d be no hiding her morning sickness.

  She hadn’t told Alex what happened with Brodie the night before he disappeared from her life. Soon she’d have to tell the story, as little of it as she could get away with.

  Where Brodie was concerned, Peyton was numb. She didn’t look for him, or expect to hear from him—she knew he was gone from her life. A part of her wondered if she’d ever see him again. She felt this way after Kade died too. She’d dream it was a mistake, he hadn’t really been killed, but inside she felt the separation, the finality.

  There was no question, though, that she’d have this baby. It was her baby, just like Jamison and Finn were. Their father wasn’t part of their lives, and this baby’s father wouldn’t be either. For someone who Alex accused of caring too much about what people thought of her, in this case, she didn’t give it any thought at all. She was pregnant and she refused to hide it, or herself, from anyone. If someone dared to ask about the baby’s father, she already knew what she’d say. She tell them it was none of their damn business.

  Peyton washed her face, brushed her teeth, and surveyed her reflection. With both boys, she remembered looking haggard. Maybe she wouldn’t have noticed if Lang hadn’t pointed it out to her. This time, with no one to shame her, Peyton felt beautiful. Soon her body would change and grow, and she’d feel the miracle of the new life growing inside her. It was a feeling she never expected to have again.

  She didn’t know yet what she’d tell the boys, but her mom would help her through it. No matter what, she knew she had her parents support, their love for her was unconditional. Maybe without it, she wouldn’t be able to be as brave as she was.

  When she walked into Stave, Alex was already there. She looked exhausted, and as though something heavy weighed on her.

  “What’s up?” Peyton asked, feeling anxiety flood her body.

  “It’s Brodie, Peyton. I don’t know how to tell you this.”

  Peyton’s hand flew to her mouth, and she ran to the restroom, getting there right before she lost the contents of her stomach. When she came back out, Alex was waiting, and pulled her into a hug.

  “Tell me.”

  “Maddox called this morning. Brodie was traveling to a remote vineyard in Argentina. The small plane he was in lost contact. Maddox and Naughton are making arrangements to leave now.”

  Peyton rested her hands on her stomach, and took several deep breaths. The tears she expected didn’t come.

  “Peyton, are you okay?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you want to sit?”

  “I think I better.” She held onto Alex’s arm, but when Alex tried to get her to sit on the sofa near the fireplace, Peyton let go, and moved to the other side of the room.

  “You better sit too, Alex. I have something I need to tell you.”

  16

  Brodie felt the plane surge, and knew the moment the wing clipped the mountain peak. Seconds later, the right wing severed, and was thrown back with such force that it left a gaping hole in the rear of the fuselage. The f
uselage hit the ground and slid. That was the last thing he remembered.

  Of the forty-five people aboard the plane, Brodie was one of twelve remaining survivors. Fifteen were killed instantly, and eighteen others died from their injuries within days of the crash. The co-pilot, one of the survivors, believed the crash site was only miles from the Chilean mountain town of Parrado, but Brodie sensed they were much further west. Although with frigid spring temperatures, he had little hope any of them would survive, unless they were rescued within the next two or three days.

  Three of the twelve decided to set out in search of Parrado. Brodie volunteered to join them, but after a short distance he realized the injuries he’d sustained to his leg were worse than he initially thought. He turned back alone, not sure if he’d make it back to the crash site. He found his way to an area beneath several trees, pulling low branches down to the ground to provide warmth.

  He knew better than to sleep, but his exhaustion was too great. Covered in branches, Brodie let himself drift off, doubting he’d still be alive by morning.

  Alex made the decision to close Stave indefinitely. The sign she put on the door said they were closed for remodeling, but only the tourists who visited Cambria were unaware of the real reason.

  There were days Peyton felt certain she was going to lose the baby. She’d gone to the emergency room twice because the cramping had gotten so bad she couldn’t stand the pain. They kept her overnight both times, releasing her when the ultrasound showed the baby was fine. After her last trip, the doctor recommended temporary bed rest.

  Peyton went to stay with her parents, who took responsibility for getting the boys back and forth to school every day.

  Communication from Maddox and Naughton was limited. The search for the plane wreckage was extensive, and that was all they knew at this point. Only Sorcha believed her boy was still alive. Laird had given up hope, but kept his belief from his wife.