by Rhea Regale
“Carter, I still love you so much, but I’m scared you’ll take off like you did that night.” Summer sighed, playing with the fringe on her scarf. “I’m not that strong to suffer two broken hearts by the same man.”
“I’ll make it permanent.” Carter slid off the box and took up her other hand. “Marry me. Take my name. Be my wife. Let me give you the world. Let me give you me.”
Her eyes began to sparkle, and her plump bottom lip drew between her teeth. Carter dropped her hands and cupped her face, bringing her close to him.
“Please, Summer. I’ll do anything to make you happy. I’m not that twenty-eight-year-old stupid kid. I’ve learned so much the past five years. I’ve learned so much about me. I know I’m not my father. I know I will treat you like a princess. My heart has always belonged to you.”
“What about Braden?”
“Honey, Braden and I share a very special love. And yes, he has my heart, too. But I’m not complete without you.” He brushed a soft kiss to her lips. “You are the one that pulls us together. I am yours first.”
“Your shirt’s wet.”
Carter laughed under his breath at her attempt to disperse the tension. He leaned back to see her fingers playing over the trail of water darkening his T-shirt. He caught her hand and brought her fingers to his lips.
“You know, five years ago I would’ve been screamin’ my joy at your proposal,” Summer said. A sickening weight dropped on his shoulders. “Inside, my heart’s dancin’ up a storm, but I really need to think about things. I need to know you’re not proposin’ out of desperation to prove you’re sorry for everythin’. That’s not what I want.” She pressed her hand to the side of his face, holding his gaze steady. “I want you. I want everythin’ you come with, all of your troubles, your worries, your joys, your sorrows. I want the real Carter Ryder, the one who will tell me everythin’ and know that I would never, ever abandon you.”
“You’re not giving me a rejection, are you?”
“No,” Summer said, her thumb tracing over his top lip. “No, I’m not. I’m givin’ you clarity. I spent the night with you and Braden. I’m okay with what you two have. I am dreamin’ of this perfect future for us, and I’m scared of that dream ‘cause of what happened before.” This time, she leaned down and kissed him, lighting a flame to his highly flammable nerves. “I need to be certain before I commit.”
“Okay.” He curled her ponytail around his hand. “I can live with that.”
“Well, well. Hot as fire this mornin’ baby.”
Carter roped in his unleashing hunger and drew away from Summer’s mouth before he landed them both in a pile of hay. Braden came up to Summer’s side and graced her with a deep kiss that left Carter sizzling.
“I brought you boys some coffee before I head into the shop,” Summer said. “Got a busy one today, and I’ve gotta go through Ms. Harris’s photos to let her know which one I want for the advertisements.” Summer smiled and handed the extra coffee to Braden, who took it with a small thanks. “Tryin’ to help her business. Katie said she’s been hurtin’ bad since that commercial place opened next town over. Everyone’s been migratin’ to the big names. Shame.”
“Those big places hurt us at times, but we usually bounce back. We have top line product in Ryder,” Braden said, his gaze shifting from Summer to Carter. He nodded his agreement and rubbed Summer’s thigh. Christ, he could touch her for hours and never tire of her.
“Nothin’ beats true country,” Summer agreed, dropping to her feet. Carter took a reluctant step back, giving her space to move.
“Carter, you’re lookin’ like hell,” Braden said. He drew a line below his own eye. “Anythin’ to do with those nightmares that kept you awake?”
Summer arched a brow at Carter. He nodded once. “Another PTSD statistic after time in the sandbox.”
Braden came closer, a look of worry crossing his face and pinching his brow. Summer wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned her cheek against his chest.
“What happened?” Braden asked. Carter swallowed the urge to brush the entire ordeal off, keep his pain hidden, but Summer’s words rebounded. He drew her tighter to him, seeking support in her affection.
“It’s not pretty over there. A good chunk of the boys and girls come back with some degree of posttraumatic stress. Nightmares are common.” He forced the bloody images from his mind, shoving them deeper into his memory so they didn’t trigger an attack. “Seeing people die, people hurt, being the one to pull the trigger. It breaks you down little by little. With me, I think the attack on the outpost drove it home. I tried to save a friend. I took the brunt of the hit, but he was still killed.” He took a short breath and let it out just as quickly. “Left behind a wife and a set of twin babies.”
“Dear God,” Summer gasped.
Braden shook his head, combing his fingers over his hair. “That’s the Purple Heart?”
“Yeah,” Carter said, “this will be an ongoing struggle with me.”
“We’ll get through it together,” Braden said, holding his eyes and burning his sincerity straight into Carter’s heart. He cupped the back of Carter’s neck. Braden leaned his forehead against Carter’s. “Ain’t nothin’ gonna break this trio apart again, hear me?”
Carter felt Summer’s head shift. He glanced down at her and caught the adoration shimmering in her eyes. A small grin touched his mouth as he wrapped his free arm around Braden’s shoulders. Braden completed their small circle, slipping his arm around Summer.
“What do you say, angel?” Carter asked Summer quietly.
“I don’t think better words have ever been spoken.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The moment she stepped into her shop, Summer knew something was off. Tension rode the air in deft waves. Katie’s solemn expression left her stomach tied into a knot.
Summer placed a bag with two breakfast sandwiches on the counter. “Brought us some grub.” She hooked her purse and scarf on the coat rack and started unbuttoning her coat. Katie slid something over the countertop.
“Not sure you’ll wanna eat after this. Got to the shop this mornin’ to find a few decorations on your windows,” Katie said.
Summer swallowed down the nausea that slammed her. She moved back to the counter and stared down at the black-and-white full size photos. There were three sheets. Each photo captured Braden and Carter. One picture they were kissing. The second, Braden was holding Carter’s cock in his hand. The third, Carter had Braden pressed against the wall, both naked, Carter fucking Braden from behind.
Summer’s mouth became dry. Her mind whirled. She piled the photos together and looked up at Katie. “Do you know if anyone saw these?”
She shook her head. “I don’t doubt someone did, but who and how many? Haven’t gotta clue.” She slid off the stool and leaned on the counter, confusion and worry etched over her pretty face. Summer folded up the photos and shoved them in her coat pocket. Who the hell put the damn photos up? And why? “Summer, did you know that—”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. She blew out a long breath, trying to calm her belly. “I found out a couple days ago.”
“And you’re still goin’ with Braden?”
“Katie, there are things that I think you’re too young to understand.”
“I ain’t much younger than you.” She scrunched her forehead. Her lips twisted as she thought. “What, seven years? That ain’t a gap, and I ain’t no prude. Trust me, I’ve heard the gossip about the Ryders. I know their history in the beds of women. I ain’t no virgin. I’ve seen people fuck down on the ranch. Summer, I ain’t no kid.”
Summer’s eyes widened. “Katie!”
“C’mon, Summer. Really.” She jabbed a finger toward Summer’s pocket. “What’s goin’ on there? Carter came in here yesterday lookin’ all hot for you, and Braden can’t keep his hands off you.”
“I’m not discussin’ this. Your momma’ll make you quit and leave me without my best employee.”
“Momma’s a drunkard tryin’ to keep her store floatin’. And to make one thing clear, I’m your only employee. So you better start talkin’ or I’m gonna—”
“You’re not gettin’ any information from the ranch. Stop threatenin’ it, or I’ll make sure those boys and girls are told to keep their mouths shut.”
Katie’s shoulders straightened. Summer tore off her coat and hung it on the hook.
“You’ll go to Carter, wouldn’t you?”
“Damn right. And Braden, and Landon, and Rylan, and every goddamn Ryder in this town and tell them all to go to those wild bonfires and threaten hell on anyone who starts yappin’ their mouths about things they don’t have any business gettin’ involved in.”
Summer spun back to Katie, breathing heavily. One look at the taken aback girl and she quickly calmed herself. Pinching her forehead, she settled her skittish nerves and her fraught stomach.
“Damn it, Katie. I’m sorry.” She blinked a couple times, watching the younger woman’s flushed face drop. Katie traced one of the tiles in the countertop, averting her gaze from Summer. “My anger was misplaced. I’m terribly sorry for snappin’, it’s just those pictures.” She groaned. “Why the hell would someone do that?”
“Maybe someone doesn’t want you messin’ around with them boys.”
Summer began to agree until she remembered the brick incident at Carter’s house.
“I don’t think that’s the case. Those pictures are older pictures. Carter’s hair is shorter now. If someone didn’t want me messin’ with either of them, these pictures would’ve come out when I first started goin’ with Braden.” She tapped a finger against the counter. Katie cautiously looked up at her, her big brown eyes filled with uncertainty. She seemed as stumped as Summer. “No. This is directed at Carter. The other night, someone broke out two of the windows at his house.”
“Do you think it has somethin’ to do with what those pictures were showing?” Katie rubbed her cheek. “I’ve gotta say it, Summer. Sorry. Those two boys have somethin’ worth a woman’s heart under all those clothes.”
Summer rolled her eyes up to the ceiling and groaned. “My God. You’re gawkin’ over them while we’re tryin’ to figure out why those pictures were hung?” Summer wagged a finger at her. “Bad Katie. Bad.”
Katie giggled, her singsong laugh slicing through the tension. “Sorry, ma’am. Momma always said I lack a filter on my trap when I need one the most. Anyhow, I’m wantin’ to help you solve this mystery. Honestly, I don’t care what those pictures show, and I don’t care what’s goin’ on between you three. I promise you I won’t dig for information at the ranch. But I do want to get the jerk who’s tryin’ to put you in a bad light by doin’ somethin’ so low. Ain’t no one gonna try and shame you. Not while I’m workin’ here.”
“Aw, sweetheart.” Summer rounded the counter and took Katie in her arm. “Thank you.”
“No thanks, Summer. I kinda think of you as my big sister. Never had siblin’s. Always wanted one.” Katie leaned back, a frown on her mouth. “Momma said she never really wanted kids. I was unexpected, and she didn’t have the heart to give me up.”
“Well, I’m blessed to have had your momma make you work.” Summer pinched Katie’s chin and laughed. “Speakin’ of, we’ve got a ton to do. We’ll have to eat while we work.”
“Oh! I almost forgot,” Katie gasped. She scrambled toward the back of the store and disappeared into the storage room. A minute later, Summer heard a box being dragged across the floor. Katie reappeared, her large box half out of the storage doorway, and pointed. “Christmas decorations. Found some things in Momma’s attic that we don’t use anymore. It ain’t much, but it’s somethin’ to give this place a holiday feel, if you’re okay with it, of course.”
“I haven’t even thought about decoratin’. I think that’ll be splendid.”
* * * *
Summer kept the photos out of her mind until she pulled up to Carter’s house. She took notice of all the vehicles parked haphazardly around the front yard. The pickups were loaded with wood beams and tool boxes. She followed the echo of hammering around back. The crumbling fence had been demolished, as had the old greenhouse. The land in the general area had been cleared. Some of the roofing had been torn from the storage barn, the windows knocked out, and the doors taken off the hinges.
“Damn they move fast,” Summer murmured, her gaze landing on the seven men power drilling a skeletal frame together on the ground. They worked efficiently, despite the lack of daylight.
She headed back to the front of the house where music seeped out from within. Smoke curled up from the chimney, the rustic scent of fire filled the evening air. The windows had been replaced, the porch finished, and a fresh pile of wood rested alongside the door. Her heart swelled, realizing just how much Carter’s return meant to his family, and how much she missed being part of it.
The front door was ajar. Loud chatter seeped into the night. She slipped inside. The sweet and rich aromas of homemade cooking greeted her over the underlying paint fumes. All of the walls had been stripped of pictures and photos and treated with layers of sandy white. The wood trim had been stained a darker brown. The runner had been torn up from the stairs. The light fixtures in the foyer and the living room had been replaced with more modern lighting.
She moved forward, heading down the narrow hallway that led to the dining room, following the noise.
“Why, Summer, it’s ‘bout time you showed your pretty face around here.”
Summer spun around and smiled, falling into Miss Bess’s open arms. The woman smelled like the homey scents of country cooking and old memories.
“Carter ain’t back from meetin’ with Ted, but he should be here soon. Got the games on the TV while those starved men chow down on fried chicken and biscuits,” Miss Bess said. She held fast to Summer’s hand and led her through the house to the open glass door off the dining room. The den was crowded with cowboys and their women. Mandy’s fiery red hair stood out among the crowd. Miss Bess gave her ass a playful swat. “Go ‘head. Make yourself at home. I’ll bring a plate in for you.”
Summer sidled along the door, trying to find a seat.
Mandy waved her over. Summer carefully climbed over legs, squeezed by knees, and finally made it to the end of the sofa where Mandy made room for her. Lexi flashed her a smile and a small wiggle of her fingers from her seat on the floor at Mandy’s feet.
Mandy leaned close to Summer and whispered, “They’ve shown the saddle bronc already. Colt pulled away second in that round. The boys aren’t happy with the judges’ score on it.”
“He’s ridin’ bareback too, isn’t he?” Summer asked, watching the barrel racer take off down the chute and explode into the stadium at lightning speed.
“Yeah. He’s pulled an awesome season despite the accusations hangin’ over his head.” Mandy pointed to the large television screen as the rider finished up her run and the next rider bolted from the chute. “That’s the man’s little sister. They did a brief interview with her before the games. Apparently, she blasted her way onto the circuit and hustled enough money to make finals. She’s gonna pull away a winner this year. I feel it.”
Summer watched the woman in awe. She knew how to handle her horse, guiding the fast creature with ease and grace tightly around each barrel. Once around the third barrel, she pushed her horse to the max, bringing them in just under thirteen seconds.
“That woman’s got a fast horse,” one of the guys said. Summer nodded silently. Fast horse and some mean ridin’ skills.
“Here, dearie,” Miss Bess interrupted, leaning over Mandy and handing Summer a plate filled with her top-notch Southern cooking. “Anythin’ else?”
“This will do just fine. Thanks Miss Bess,” Summer said, picking up one of the fried chicken legs. She took a quick look around and couldn’t help but smile. She had kept her distance from anything that reminded her of Carter, except for Braden.
Returning here, sitting am
ong family and friends, she wondered how the hell she ever stayed away. She took a bite into the juicy meat, nostalgia filling her soul. Having everything she ever loved, everything that ever made her happy back, she silently swore she wouldn’t let it go.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Braden read the text from Summer and smiled. He heard her voice in his head like a sultry summer breeze as he stood beside his truck in the frigid night. That warmth dissipated the moment Carter burst through the door of the attorney office, his face set in hard, slashing lines and his fists balled tightly at his sides. White streams of air huffed from his nose like an angry bull on a mission.
“Carter, what’s goin’ on?” Braden asked.
Beneath the brilliant parking lot lights, Carter’s blue gaze was as cold as the Kansas night. A scowl crossed his mouth. “Someone’s been trying to claim my parents’ assets. Claiming to be family. The only reason they weren’t transferred was because Colt told Ted I was still alive and I was the only child. Whoever this person is is trying to go through the court system to have those assets evenly dispersed.”
Braden clenched his teeth. First, the bricks. Now this.
“Did Ted tell you who it was?”
“He doesn’t know. Client confidentiality bullshit line being pulled by the other attorney. Ted’s trying to pry around the courthouse. The man’s got some really influential ties and it’ll come out. Then, we’ll be putting all of this to rest and getting on with our lives.”
“Get in the truck. We’ll talk on the way to the apartment.” Carter hesitated, casting a glance at the driver’s side as Braden climbed into the seat. Braden shook his head. “Absolutely not. You ain’t drivin’ my truck when you’re heated up like a fuckin’ cannon.”
Carter rubbed his chin and settled for the passenger seat without an argument.
