The Secret (Butler Ranch Book 3)

by Heather Slade

  “I understand, Naughton. I really do.”

  It was the way she felt about her mother. One day she was gone, and she hadn’t left anything behind. Bradley was a twelve-year-old girl who never heard her mother’s loving words again. There were no notes, no letters, no messages—only deafening silence in a home that no longer felt like one.

  Naughton wiped away his tears. “I’m sorry.”

  “What for?”

  “Losin’ it.”

  “Please, don’t apologize for sharing your feelings with me.”

  Naughton nodded. “There’s more.”

  He explained that when everything went down with Los Cab, Lena Hess asked Maddox to meet her at Demetria. She had cleared Naughton’s name and exposed Calder that night, but she also let it slip that she and Kade had secretly been married years ago.

  “When Maddox left that meeting, he saw my truck parked in the woods near the creek, but I hadn’t left it there.”

  “Who had?”

  “We still don’t know.”

  “Someone took your truck?”

  “Yeah, and by the time Mad asked me about it, they had brought it back. So I had no idea what he was talking about when he asked me why I’d been at Demetria.”

  “Oh, boy,” she sighed. “This is crazy.”

  “I know.” Naughton took another deep breath before continuing.

  “I have my theories about who may have driven my truck that night.”

  “You do?”

  “I told you that Hawks saw my father talking with a woman at Demetria. At first Mad and I thought it might be Lena, but now I don’t think it was. I think it was whoever you heard him talking to. What we don’t know is who she is or why she wants to talk to me.”

  “She said there was something you needed to know.”

  He shook his head. “More secrets.”

  “Is there anything else?”

  “About Kade?”

  She nodded.

  “Only really weird shit that no one can explain.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like everyone thinking they’ve seen him. Except me, of course.” Naughton’s eyes filled with tears again. “You must think—”

  “I don’t think anything Naughton except that you miss your brother. The same way I miss my mother.”

  “Thank you for that.”

  She smiled and waited for him to continue.

  “Maddox thought he saw Kade at the house I saw Da go into.”

  “Really?”

  Naughton nodded. “Before that, our ma said Kade paid her a visit, and so did Peyton, even Brodie said Kade helped him stay alive after the plane crash.”

  Bradley’s eyebrows went up.

  Naughton told her about Brodie’s disastrous trip to Argentina, and how, while they all thought they were dreaming when they “saw” Kade, it was Peyton’s story that was the most difficult to explain since, in it, Kade told her things she couldn’t have known.

  “Lang’s story bothered me the most.”

  “Lang?”

  “Sorry. Lang is Peyton’s ex-husband. He was trying to get custody of their two boys, and Maddox and I thought we’d change his mind. When we got there, he told us that Kade had already been to see him.”

  “This is eerie.”

  Naughton was quiet again, looking out at the ocean.

  “I’m not gonna lie to you, Bradley. There have been plenty of times I’ve been pretty pissed off that he hasn’t come to see me.”

  Naughton laughed, but Bradley understood what he meant.

  “I would feel the same way.”

  “You would?”

  “Of course.”

  Naughton turned his body so he was facing her. “Why?”

  “Because you miss him, because you feel left out.”

  He shook his head. “Nail on the head, darlin’. Mad said he felt the same way. Especially when he was so broken up about Alex. We all used to go to Kade for advice.”

  “There’s something I remember the therapist saying after my mom died. She told me that when I wanted to know what my mother thought about something, I should ask her.”

  “Have you?”

  “All the time.”

  “Does she answer?”

  “Never.” Bradley laughed. “But I can usually figure it out on my own. Which is the point. Deep down I know what she’d say. Or at least, I think I do. It’s harder since I was so young when she died.”

  Naughton nodded. “The hard part for me is how much we’re discovering that seems so out of character for our brother. Like the property. Kade never would’ve taken someone’s land in a divorce settlement. It just wasn’t the kind of man he was.”

  “You think there’s more to it.”

  “There’s gotta be.”

  They sat quietly for several minutes before Naughton spoke again.

  “Still think you’re in love with me?”

  “More than ever.”

  “Yeah, me too.

  21

  “Ready to head back?” he asked, wishing they didn’t have to.

  “Whenever you are. Although, I would like to check on my aunt and uncle. Oh. There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Um…my father is coming to visit.”

  “You don’t sound happy about it.”

  “It’s just…it’s awkward. We don’t have a lot in common, especially since I work in an industry he detests.”

  “Your dad doesn’t like wine?”

  “It goes way beyond wine. He doesn’t approve of alcohol in any form.”

  “Were you raised Mormon or something?”

  “No.” She smiled, but then her expression changed. “My mom was killed by a drunk driver.”

  “God, Bradley. I’m so sorry.”

  “He was very opposed to me becoming a winemaker. I have Uncle Charlie and Aunt Jean to thank for backing me up. I mean, I knew they supported and encouraged me, but I doubt I knew the extent.”

  “When will he be here?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “That soon?”

  “Uncle Charlie called and told him about the fire.”

  “He’s worried about you.”

  “Yeah. There’s more, Naughton.” She laughed. “Now I sound like you.”

  He laughed too.

  “He wants to meet you.”

  “And I want to meet him.”

  “That’s nice and all, but, no offense…”

  “None will be taken.”

  “I don’t know how he even knows about you, let alone why Aunt Jean told me one of his reasons for wanting to visit is to meet you.”

  “It doesn’t matter, angel. Whatever your father wants to know, I’m happy to tell him. No secrets.”

  “He never met Trey.”

  That didn’t make Naughton unhappy. He’d like to forget Trey Deveux ever had a role in Bradley’s life. He’d like her to forget it too. It wasn’t just jealousy—although there was a lot of it—it was more that he’d hurt her, and every time Bradley thought about him, there would be a part of her that would blame herself for whatever bad had happened and still might.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

  “You’re not responsible for Deveux’s actions.”

  “How do you know me so well?”

  He shrugged. He just did. He couldn’t explain it any better than she could explain how she could see so deep into his soul. That was honestly how he felt, like Bradley knew his inner turmoil and, somehow, reached in to soothe it.

  “I don’t know which came first, or if it happened simultaneously, but I just do, Bradley. I know you, and I love you.” The words flowed out without him being able to stop them, not that he would’ve if he could have. He’d promised no lies and no secrets. He loved her, and not telling her so would be keeping a secret.

  “Naughton, I—”

  “You don’t have to say it just because I did.”

  She folded her arms and glared
at him.

  “Sorry. Finish what you were going to say.”

  She put the palms of both her hands on his cheeks and kissed him. She stroked his lips with her tongue until he opened to her. As their tongues tangled, Bradley pushed him back on the sand and deepened their kiss. And then she stopped, pulling back to look in his eyes.

  “I love you, Naughton.”

  He put his hand on her nape and drew her back so his lips could reach hers again, giving back the kiss she’d just given him.

  “Should we take this party home?” he asked a few minutes later. It would soon be dark, and once the sun went down, it would be chilly right on the water.

  “Yes, please.”

  When they climbed the steps back up to where his bike was parked, Naughton realized he hadn’t seen her get something to eat earlier at Los Cab.

  “Hungry?”

  She smiled and nodded. “Starving.”

  “Ever been to the Sea Chest?”

  “I haven’t.”

  “You’re in for a real treat, then, sweetheart.”

  Bradley pulled her phone out of her pocket and swiped the screen. “Should I call Maddox, or at least check in with him?”

  “He knows you’re with me, and with the dinner at Los Cab, nothing is happening in the vineyards or at the winery tonight.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I know this doesn’t feel like a normal harvest or crush, and that’s because it isn’t. On the other hand, half the Westside hasn’t started picking yet. Right, Bradley?” he smirked.

  “Yes, Naughton,” she smirked back.

  “Sleepy?” he asked when they got back to Butler Ranch.

  “Yes and no.”

  Naughton kissed her neck. “Same.”

  “What time are we picking tomorrow?”

  “Three too early?”

  “You’re the boss.” Bradley smiled.

  “What time does your father get in?”

  “I have no idea.” Her aunt had said morning but not a specific time. “I should call my aunt.” She pulled her phone out and realized it was later than she thought. “I’ll wait until tomorrow.”

  “Whatever you want to do, angel.”

  “I like that.”

  “That I’m so agreeable?”

  “That you call me angel.”

  Naughton pushed her up against the door that led from the barn to his cottage and trailed kisses from her neck to just below her ear. “You are my angel, Bradley. Maybe I have heard from Kade. Maybe he sent you to me.”

  Naughton silently cursed the alarm when it went off at two. They hadn’t gone right to sleep last night, and even when they had, he’d woken up, unable to resist making love to her again.

  Instead of waking her up now, he reset the alarm for two-thirty and closed his eyes, but sleep didn’t come.

  Even without the impending visit from Bradley’s father, today was going to be a big day. Tonight the Westside Winery Collaborative was scheduled to meet, and he suspected it might take a while.

  As she had at the last meeting, Alex advised the members that she hadn’t included Tablas Creek when she sent out the meeting announcement. From what Naughton gleaned, no one wanted a representative from the Calder family’s winery in the collaborative, let alone at the meeting.

  “Naughton?” Bradley groaned.

  “Yeah, angel?”

  “Don’t we have to get up?”

  “Twenty-five more minutes.”

  When she murmured, “Thank God,” Naughton expected her to close her eyes. Instead, she threw off the sheet and blanket and covered his body with hers.

  “Hope you don’t mind if I keep you from going back to sleep.”

  “You’re the boss, sweetheart. At least for the next twenty-five minutes.”

  Forty-five minutes later, they threw on their harvesting clothes and were headed into the kitchen when Naughton’s phone pinged.

  “What?” he barked at Maddox, who only laughed. “Just checkin’ to see if you’re lettin’ my assistant winemaker come to work today, little brother.” Naughton disconnected the call without answering.

  “Coffee first, then Maddox.”

  “Don’t get me fired.”

  “Hey, now. There’s a good idea. If he fires you, then I can hire you, and he’ll have no say in where you are and when.”

  “Nope, sorry. I draw the line at working for my boyfriend.”

  “Your boyfriend, huh?”

  Naughton ran his fingertip down her cheek when they turned pink. “I like bein’ your boyfriend.”

  He watched as she opened the cupboard where he kept his French press and filled the tea kettle with water. He busied himself getting out cups, and milk from the refrigerator, so he didn’t embarrass her again by staring. As she passed him to put the kettle on the stove, she kissed his cheek. If his life could be just like this forever, he’d be in heaven. He looked up at the ceiling, wondering again if maybe Kade had truly sent Bradley to him.

  Bradley wiped the sweat from her brow with the bandana she kept in her back pocket. It was only nine in the morning, and it was already over ninety degrees. Temperatures were predicted to hit one hundred and fourteen by mid-day. Worse, according to the forecast, the extreme heat would last through the weekend.

  With weather like this, sugars would soar in the fruit still on the vine, and without the temperature dropping enough at night, flavor development would lag. This was exactly what Trey said had been happening up north. Naughton may be known in the industry as the vine whisperer, but even he couldn’t do anything about this kind of heat.

  Now the question was, what would he do? Would he gamble, hoping cooler temperatures would return and force the grapes back into balance? Or would he pick, fearing the sugar levels would get so high that it would jeopardize fermentation?

  She’d picked almost another row when her phone pinged with a call from her aunt.

  “Hi, there. I was going to call you around ten.”

  “I figured with this heat, you’d take a break soon.”

  “I’m waiting for Naughton to call it.”

  “Your uncle has been fretting all morning.”

  “What’s he leaning toward?”

  “Letting it hang. You know your uncle.”

  Bradley smiled. Naughton would probably do the same.

  “He’s off to pick up your father.”

  “Oh, no. You should’ve called me. I could’ve gone.”

  “You’re picking, we aren’t. It’s okay. Charlie didn’t mind.”

  “He can’t stand my dad.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far, and honestly, Bradley, I think it’s the other way round.”

  “You said Dad wants to meet Naughton, but how does he know about him?

  “I’m not sure, to be honest. Your uncle must’ve said something, although he wouldn’t admit to it when I asked.”

  Maybe she wouldn’t bring it up, then. If her father didn’t ask, there was no reason to introduce Naughton to him.

  “When does his flight land?”

  “It landed a few minutes ago. My guess is they’ll be back in less than an hour.”

  “I should probably be there…”

  Aunt Jean laughed. “Yes, Bradley, you should.”

  She couldn’t decide who to call first, Maddox or Naughton, so she texted them both. A few minutes later, her phone pinged with Naughton’s call.

  “Hey, angel. I was just getting ready to call you.”

  “I’m sorry to do this, but my father never visits.”

  “It’s okay. I’m getting ready to call it anyway. It’s so damn hot. You want to meet me at my place, or do you want me to come get you?”

  “I can walk home. It’s not that far, Naughton.”

  She didn’t hear anything on his side of the call and wondered if maybe it had dropped. “Naughton? Are you still there?”

  “I’m here.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong. I just misunderstood.�
��

  Oh, God. Did he want to come with her? She was trying to spare him, but instead had she hurt his feelings?

  “Where are you?” she asked.

  “Twenty-four. I guess I’ll see you—”

  “I’ll warm the shower up. Or maybe it would be better if I didn’t. A cold shower would feel pretty good right now.”

  “Bradley…”

  “I’m sorry, Naughton. It didn’t occur to me that you’d actually want to meet my dad.”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then you better get a move on. Edgar Saint John does not like to be kept waiting.”

  “Edgar, huh? Something tells me I shouldn’t call him Ed.”

  “Uh, no. That would not be a good idea, unless you’re after his bad side.”

  Bradley adjusted the water until it was more room temperature than warm. Its briskness both cooled her overheated body and jarred her awake. She and Naughton hadn’t slept much the night before, and this morning, when he had offered to let her sleep, she couldn’t keep her hands off him.

  When she was close to him, his body drew hers like a magnet. She heard him moving around the bathroom and found herself giddily waiting for him to join her. What she’d told him earlier was true; her father did not like to be kept waiting. On the other hand, maybe it was time she learned to put the other man in her life first.

  “I’m waiting,” she called out in a sing-song voice.

  “What are you waiting for?”

  “My boyfriend to wash my back. Or my front. Well, both actually.”

  He opened the shower door, still fully dressed. “I wasn’t sure…”

  He tried to back away when he realized what she was doing, but she was quicker than he was. Bradley pulled him into the shower with her and closed the door behind him. She pushed him up against the stone wall and ground her mouth into his.

  “Good thing I dropped my phone on the bed,” he said when she took a breath and looked in his eyes.

  She smiled. “Didn’t think about that.”

  Naughton spun her around and pushed her up against the wall the way she’d had him. “Tell me what you want,” he said, as she felt him unfastening his jeans.

  “You. Inside me. Don’t make me wait any longer.”