by Liz Isaacson
“Two weeks ago, Wes,” she said, laughing too.
“Is that right?” He grinned and shook his head. “I suppose so. The days just sort of fly by, don’t they?” He looked to her for confirmation, and Bree could only agree with him.
“It’s right here,” she said a minute later, and he turned into the parking lot for the Snake River Resort. “See it?”
“Ho-ly cow,” he said, stopping right there in the middle of the aisle and looking up, up, up through his windshield. “I can’t even see the top of that mountain.”
“You’re gonna stand on it, cowboy,” she said. “Now work your magic and find us somewhere close to park.”
He grinned and did just that, though there wasn’t anywhere close to park. He did eventually find a spot, and they took their jackets and one backpack with them toward the ticket counter.
“I used to work near here,” she said while they waited to board one of the huge gondolas. They held dozens of people, and it looked like it would be a full house today.
“Yeah? Tell me about that.”
“I bought a flower shop,” she said. “If you can believe that.”
“Oh, I believe it.” He tucked her close to his side as someone squeezed by them. “You didn’t like it?”
“Uh, it was okay,” she said. “I’d taken some floral arranging classes at a vocational college and liked those. Running a business was a different matter.”
“Yeah, I get that,” he said, his voice turning down a notch.
She looked up at him and found him with a thoughtful, contemplative expression on his face. “Anyway, I sold that and started doing some outdoor tours. I worked at Jenny Lake, and then as part of the staff at the Bar J Wranglers.”
“You’re kidding.” He smiled so wide. “My grandfather loved them.”
“I worked on the ranch too. They have a real working cattle ranch too. Did you know that?”
“No, ma’am, I did not.”
“We passed it on the way here.”
“Really?”
Bree laughed and nodded. “I’ll show you on the way back.” People started loading the gondola, and Bree’s excitement grew. She’d ridden the aerial tram at least a dozen times, but it was exciting every single time.
“We’ll be up there in twelve minutes, folks,” the man near the door said. “Watch your step. Find a spot. You can move around on the tram, but there’s a lot of us.”
“I’m so excited,” Wes said, and Bree sure did like this version of him. The man who radiated giddiness at doing something new. He looked and felt so young to her then, that their age difference didn’t matter.
Not that it had mattered before, but Bree did enjoy this fun-loving, free-spirited side of Wes.
They managed to get a spot along one of the windows, and he simply stared out at the land below. “This is incredible,” he said.
Bree wanted to tell him to wait until they got to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, but she didn’t. He’d see when he got there.
When they stepped off the tram, the wind whipped, just as she’d thought it would. She already had her jacket on, but many others hurried to put theirs on, and one teenage girl complained to her dad that she didn’t know it would be cold. But the rest of the family had jackets on, so Bree was betting she’d been told and had just ignored her parents.
That was what Bree would’ve done.
Thick, loud memories rushed at her, and she remembered the day Bronson had died in a single instant. Her mother had told her not to go to Duck Lake. She’d gone anyway.
Sharp regret lanced through her, and she worked to keep from breaking down right then and there.
“Hey,” Wes said, guiding her out of the flow of traffic. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She swallowed, trying to find her bearings. There was no lake here. No ice. No snow-covered pine trees, and no hole where her brother had disappeared. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
Wes continued to peer at her. “Bree,” he said. “Tell me what just happened.”
“What happened?” she asked.
“You sort of froze up, and then you turned around like you’d get back on the gondola, but the guy wouldn’t let you. I called your name, and you didn’t even hear me.” He wore nothing but concern in his face, and compassion in his eyes, and Bree couldn’t help the tears that pooled in her eyes.
She looked away from him, because she’d never had someone be so kind to her. Fine, maybe Colton, but Wes was different. Wes made her heart thump strangely, and Wes made her think about getting married and having his kids and growing old with him.
“I….” She didn’t know how to tell him.
“You have to get off the cement pad,” a man called, and Wes took her by the elbow and led her away from the restricted area. They followed the path around and up to the highest point, where the others on the tram had already gone. It was quite steep, and Bree’s breath came in huffs and puffs by the time she stood next to Wes at the top of the world.
“Wow,” Wes said, and that summed it up. Everyone stood still and quiet as they gazed out over the Jackson Hole Valley, along with the unfettered view of the Grand Tetons.
“I can’t even,” Wes said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.” He swept his arm around Bree’s waist and pulled her into his side. “Thank you for bringing me here. Thank you so much.”
Bree wrapped her arms around him too and leaned into the strength of his body. She was going to have to tell him about her brother, her parents, and all the horrible things she’d done in the past twenty-one years.
She felt herself tethering to him, and he to her, and the secrets could consume them both. She didn’t want to hurt Wes. She didn’t.
Bree tipped her head back to look up at him, finding wonder and awe in his expression. That quickly changed to what Bree could only classify as love and adoration, and before she knew it, Wes leaned down and kissed her.
Chapter Fifteen
Wes had known kissing Bree would be the most amazing thing he’d ever done in his life. Better than taking his two billion and turning it into four by the time he was twenty-five. Better than securing the three hundred-million-dollar deal that had finally made his father see him as a real CEO. Better than the views of the valley and mountains he’d just seen.
Better than anything.
He kissed her as sparks flowed between them, as she kissed him back with as much passion in her touch as he felt pounding through his veins. He didn’t care that someone was probably watching. If he’d known—truly known—what kissing Bree would feel like, he’d have done it in the stables weeks ago, the public page notwithstanding.
He’d have kissed her in front of his brother. In front of anyone, anywhere.
Wes finally regained some control of himself and pulled away, the chill from the wind returning. During the kiss, he’d been immune to everything around him.
A chuckle started in his chest, and he let it tickle his vocal cords. “That was a double wow,” he murmured, drawing her into his chest and holding her as close as he could. “I just….” He wanted to say what was in his heart, but he was afraid. Afraid she wouldn’t feel the same way he did. Afraid he’d fallen too fast. Afraid she’d get scared and put distance between them.
She held him too, and they eventually shifted to look out over the valley again. “We can’t stay up here forever,” she finally said. “If we don’t get on the next gondola, we won’t make our reservation at Charlie’s.”
“Always the taskmaster,” he said with a smile. He looked around. “What else is up here?”
“Just that shack with the waffles,” she said. “There’s a few souvenirs in there too.”
He’d just kissed Bree, and that was all the souvenir he needed. He certainly wouldn’t be forgetting that any time soon. He wouldn’t forget it ever.
They wandered back down the path and joined the line of people to get on the next tram. The ride down to the base of the mountain had them all piling on the right side of the
tram as the guide said he saw a black bear over there.
Wes saw it, but Bree didn’t even come over. When he looked at her, she wore a look of fear on her face, and he quickly stepped back over to her. “Scared of tipping?”
“We’re leaning so far,” she said. “Can’t they feel it?”
Wes put his arm around her shoulders and chuckled. “I don’t think we can tip this,” he said.
“You’d be surprised,” she said. “There’s a first time for everything.”
He pressed his lips to her temple, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The whole day held magic and possibilities, and Wes hadn’t felt like that in such a long time.
They walked over to the steakhouse and were promptly ushered to a table for two in a dim corner. “How romantic,” Bree said, glancing around at the candles on the table and the low lighting above it.
“You’ve been here before,” Wes said, taking his napkin and spreading it across his lap. “Did you bring your other boyfriends?”
“A couple,” she said airily. “The ones who could pay for their own meals.” She grinned at him and burst out laughing, and Wes just smiled and shook his head. She did seem to be over Alex, who’d caused her to get a second job and have balances on her credit cards.
He marveled at that, because Wes didn’t think he had a very forgiving heart. If someone wronged him, he held onto it for a long time. Bree sobered quickly, and their eyes met. He had a dozen things he wanted to ask her, but he kept his mouth shut.
“Tell me something,” he said instead. “In that gorgeous voice of yours.”
Bree rolled her eyes, but a glow came from within her now, and Wes sure did like basking in it. “I don’t have anything to tell.”
“You’ll think of something.” He glanced up as the waiter arrived at the table.
“Drinks?”
“Diet Coke,” he said.
“Same,” Bree said. “And we want the elk poutine to start. As soon as possible.”
“No problem.” The waiter left, and Wes focused on the menu.
“What else do you eat here?”
“Oh, I’ve only ever gotten the poutine,” she said.
He looked up at her. “Really? Just an appetizer?”
“Maybe my dates weren’t as rich as I thought.” She giggled then, and Wes could only grin at her.
“Well, your date tonight is,” he said lightly, looking for something like surf and turf—one of his favorite meals. “So order whatever you want.”
“I’m going to do just that,” Bree said, a teasing quality in her voice. “You might regret it.”
Wes looked at her, deciding to let one serious thing come out of his mouth today. “I don’t regret anything between us, Bree.”
She sobered too, her eyes rounding, and a bit of fear entering her expression. In the next moment, she ducked her head and studied the menu. “Oh, look,” she said a moment later. “They have baby back ribs. I’m going to get those.”
A week later, Wes stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the bow tie around his neck. He’d done this once before for Colton, and his brother hadn’t made it to the I-do. But today, he was going to.
Number one, Wes had already seen Annie, and she was already dressed in her wedding gown. He supposed she could make a break for it at any moment, the way Priscilla had, but he’d seen her look at his brother. She loved him. He loved her.
Wes sighed without meaning to, the last seven days with Bree marching through his mind. He’d kissed her every single one of those days, and he’d fallen more and more in love with her each time they spoke or saw one another.
Gray had arrived late last night, and his parents and grandmother had gone straight to bed. Bree had already left Wes’s house, and he hadn’t had a chance to introduce them to her yet. He’d told his mother he had someone special for her to meet, and surprisingly, she’d never brought it up again.
He suspected Gray or Colton had told her all about Bree already, and that made a frown tug at his lips.
“We’re ready,” Cy said, and Wes turned from the mirror. He and his brothers had been given a bedroom in Annie’s house to get changed and ready, and the wedding would take place in her backyard. Most of her belongings had already been moved into Colton’s house, but the two of them were leaving tomorrow morning for an Alaskan adventure. That was what Colton had called it, at least.
As Wes had never been to Alaska, he was a bit jealous, and he wondered if he could steal Bree away from her life here, and they could go to the remaining ten states he hadn’t seen yet.
He knew she wouldn’t go, just like she wouldn’t allow him to pay off her credit card debt. He still thought about that, though the pastor had pointed him toward the health clinic in town, which was always looking for volunteers. He wondered if the continued thoughts of Bree meant the Lord was trying to tell him to bring up paying her debts again.
There were so many things he wanted to ask, but didn’t dare to vocalize. Frustration built inside him as he followed Ames and Cy out into the hall. He couldn’t wait to see Colton’s face when he saw the twins. He’d probably glare and then roll his eyes.
Cy had offered to get his wardrobe approved, and Colton had said, “It’s my wedding. I trust you’ll use your best judgement.”
If leather pants were Cy’s best judgement, Wes didn’t want to know what his bad judgement looked like. In reality, Wes knew Cy was a good man. He did amazing things for veterans, and he donated a ton of money to charities around the world. He just didn’t want anyone to know that.
He loved playing the bad boy, but someone probably should’ve warned him that his black leather pants sort of squeaked when he walked. Nothing “bad” about that.
Ames waited in the kitchen, and he wore a leather jacket and a top hat. Wes grinned at him and reached up as if he’d knock the hat off his brother’s head.
“Don’t,” Ames growled, jerking backward.
“Oh, come on, Abe,” Wes said, looking at the top hat. “Why are you wearing that?”
“Colton made a point on the family text that hats were required,” Ames said.
“Yeah,” Gray said dryly, never amused by the antics of the twins. “Cowboy hats, you moron.”
“Colton didn’t specify,” Ames said, grinning.
“And we offered to run our outfits by him,” Cy said.
“Just the fact that you used the word outfits is disturbing,” Wes said, but he was smiling too. Colton knew who the twins were, and he wouldn’t be surprised at their “outfit” choices at all.
The scent of roses entered the room, and all four Hammond brothers turned to find the women coming into the kitchen. He stilled completely at the sight of Bree, all done up with her dark hair in curls pinned to her head. She wore the same pale blue dress as everyone else, but she wore it better than anyone.
His mouth turned dry, and Wes decidedly fell a bit more toward loving her.
“You’re stunning,” he said right out loud, and Cy snickered.
“You’re not alone,” Ames said, nudging Wes. That seemed to break his trance, and heat rushed into his face.
He ducked his head too, so glad he’d chosen the appropriate headgear for the wedding—a cowboy hat with a wide brim to hide his embarrassment.
“Well, don’t y’all clean up nice,” Sophia said, a real cowgirl twang in her voice. Wes just blinked at her, but Bree and Elise burst out laughing. Amidst their giggles, Sophia added, “Which one of you is Ames?”
“That would be Abe Lincoln over there,” Wes said, grinning at his brother.
Sophia looked him up and down, down and up, clear displeasure in her expression. “Hmm. You sure you want to wear that hat?”
Ames swiped it right off his head, but his hair wasn’t much better. “No, ma’am.”
Gray leaned in close to Wes. “No, ma’am.”
They chuckled together, and there was enough commotion that Ames didn’t notice. In fact, he couldn’t seem to look away from Sophia at all.
“That would make you Cy,” Patsy said, stepping over to the man in the leather pants. She said nothing of his attire, and instead introduced herself in her normal, brusque way. Cy grinned at her like he was impressed, though Wes knew he disliked authority on principle alone.
“I’m with you, Gray,” Elise said, her voice barely loud enough to reach Wes’s ears. They switched places, as Wes was leading the wedding party down the aisle to the altar, but he sure did notice the way Gray’s whole face had turned a shade of red he’d never seen before.
Gray leaned closer to Elise and said something in such a low voice that Wes couldn’t hear it. When he turned and looked at them, they already had their arms linked, and Elise was looking up at Gray like she’d just seen an angel from heaven.
“Holy cow,” Wes whispered.
“What?” Bree leaned toward him, but her eyes were trained out the door and into the backyard. “Do you see Colton?”
Wes pulled himself together, though he’d never thought Gray would open his heart to another woman. Hadn’t he been telling their mother to back off for years? Yes, yes, he had.
And tiny, barely five-feet-tall Elise had charmed him already. As far as Wes knew, they’d only met the one time, when everyone from the lodge, as well as all the Whittakers and Whittakers-by-association, had helped him move into his new house a couple of weeks ago.
“Oh, there he is,” Bree said, and Wes focused on the wedding. His brother stepped up to the altar with Mom and Dad, giving them both a quick kiss on the cheek before they sat in the front row.
Then he immediately looked to the back door, which Wes and Bree filled. He wore nothing but panic in his face, and Wes wanted to reassure him that everything would be fine. Annie was still here.
In fact, she entered the kitchen a moment later, saying, “My father hurt his foot. We need a few minutes. Is everyone okay to wait?”
Colton wasn’t, but Wes didn’t say anything. He just nodded with everyone else, and the bride hurried out of the kitchen, muttering something under her breath.
“He’s going to pass out,” Bree said, tightening her grip on Wes’s arm. He looked down at her, unsurprised by the worry she had for Colton. They were good friends, and he’d learned that the three of them had been dubbed the Three Musketeers by the Whittakers and others at the lodge.
