by Jenna Jacob
“What’s she doing now? Do either of you know?” Jade asked, wiping her happy tears.
“Last I heard, she was still in Austin, working for a big oil company,” Colton replied before draining his mug and pushing back from the table. Standing, he bent and planted a soulful kiss on Jade’s lips, then gave her a wink. “I need to get back to work. Breakfast was wonderful, sweetheart. And those eggs? Best I’ve ever tasted.”
Jade rolled her eyes as he laughed his way out the door.
“After I get the dishes done, I need to run to town and get some groceries. Wanna come with?” Jade asked.
“Only if you let me clean up from breakfast.”
“You’re on. Thanks. I’m going to grab a quick shower, then we can be on our way.”
“Sounds good.”
With her life plan in place, Brea’s soul felt lighter than it had in…forever. Belting out her favorite Blake Shelton song, she started loading the dishwasher.
Chapter Three
Brea
* * *
Sitting in Jade’s rusted pickup, Brea couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. Memories of them cruising around Austin, singing at the top of their lungs in the same old truck, filled her mind. Brea brushed a hand over the faded cloth seats, longing for those carefree days when life was easy and fun.
“Boy, if this old truck could talk…”
“We’d be in jail,” Jade snorted. She quickly slapped a hand over her mouth and darted Brea a look of sympathy. “Oh, shit. I didn’t mean…that was the wrong—”
“Stop. It’s the truth,” Brea cut her off with a laugh. “I can’t believe you still have this beast…and that she actually runs.”
“This old girl’s been the only constant in my life.” Jade patted the cracked vinyl on the sun-bleached dashboard. “At least so far. Hopefully, Colton and I will last as long, if not longer. I hope this old truck will still be with me and not in a junkyard if I ever have to start over again.”
“The only thing you’ll have to start doing is making babies. Colton’s in for the long haul. Are you?”
“If infinity is the long haul, then I’m totally in, too.” Jade hummed a sigh of happiness as she parked in front of the post office. “I’ll be right back. I need to pick up a package, then we’ll run across the street and get the groceries.”
Brea leaned forward and spied the supermarket. “Binge and Bag?”
“Oh, that’s nothing. Wait till you get a look at the names on the other shops. They’re bizarre, or as Colton likes to say…eccentric. The one I like the best is Bart’s Bait and Bible. I have yet to drop in and browse for bait or a Bible.” Jade giggled.
“Alrighty then.” Brea grinned. “I’ll go over to the Binge and Bag and start shopping, but I promise not to binge too much.”
“Sounds great. I’ll meet you there in a few.”
Jade darted into the post office while Brea stood at the corner, checking out Donnie’s Drugs and Ditch Witch, and Pressed Between the Pages: Dry Cleaners and Bookstore, beside it.
“So, there’s the Ditch Witch place. Boy, Jade wasn’t kidding, this is a weird town,” she murmured under her breath.
Brea peered over her shoulder and saw a mannequin wearing a prom dress, holding a bottle of wine in her hand. She stepped out onto the street, then turned to read the names of the businesses behind her when the driver of a big black pickup truck tapped the horn. Jumping back onto the sidewalk, she watched as the truck pulled to a stop in front of her.
Great, some old farmer’s probably going to chew me a new asshole for stepping out in front of him.
But when the tinted window slid down and Brea saw Sawyer sitting behind the wheel, looking as sinfully gorgeous as he had last night, her heart tripped. His emerald eyes slid over her like a gentle caress. And when a smile stretched across his lips, a bolt of lightning ignited a familiar throb between her legs.
“Good morning, gorgeous. What brings you to town so bright and early?”
Brea swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a smile. “I’m helping Jade with some errands. What about you?”
“I’m heading to work a little early.” Sawyer leaned over the cab and opened the passenger door. “Hop on in for a minute. Let’s talk.”
Talk? She’d love to have an in-depth discussion involving lips, tongue, teeth, and his hard, naked body. But Sawyer wasn’t on her man diet. And if she wanted to have a cheat day this soon, she might as well haul ass back to Denton and bail Weed’s ass out of jail. Just the idea of reliving those ugly chapters of her life sent a rush of panic to flood her system.
“I can’t!” Brea barked, slamming the door. Sawyer blinked in surprise. “I-I’m supposed to meet Jade at the store. I have to go.”
His intense gaze sent goose bumps peppering her flesh while a rush of heat climbed her body. The combination of heat and ice made her nipples hard. A familiar but now unwelcome spark zipped through her veins.
“Then join me for a drink tonight at the Hangover, say around eight o’clock?”
No way. Brea and booze didn’t play nice. Alcohol turned her into a hooker hosting a yard sale. Her flaming attraction to men was hard enough to contain, but when she added an accelerant like tequila, lust ignited like a ravenous bonfire. The only thing that could put out her fire was a hard, thick, willing appendage.
“I-I don’t drink,” she stammered.
“Then let me buy you a soda.”
The irresistible twinkle in his dazzling green eyes was short-circuiting her brain.
“Hey, Sawyer,” Jade greeted with a smile as she moved in alongside Brea. “Are you hitting on my bestie?”
“I’m trying but so far I’ve struck out,” he said with a mock frown before wiggling his brows and flashing a bad-boy grin. “You’ll put in a good word for me, won’t you, Jade?”
“Oh, god,” Brea mumbled under her breath.
“Normally I’d say yes since you’re family and all, but my girl isn’t interested in men. Sorry.” Jade looped her arm with Brea’s.
Not interested, my ass.
Sawyer’s eyes flashed wide as shock lined his face. “You mean… You’re both bi? Damn! Colton is one lucky son of a bitch.”
Brea blanched. “Bi? No. We’re not… Oh, hell no.”
As Jade tossed back her head, howling with laughter, a vibrant red blush crawled up Sawyer’s face. Brea was too stunned to do anything more than stare at the man, slack-jawed.
“Colton’s horny enough to enjoy the hell out of that. But the three of us are just friends…platonic friends,” Jade explained through giggles.
Sawyer held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m not one to judge or pry…it’s just…” He narrowed his eyes at Brea. “Why won’t you let me take you to the Hangover?”
Because you’d have me bent over the sink in the men’s room after one drink, and I’d like it.
“No!” Jade barked. “Never, ever give Brea alcohol!”
“Okay. I won’t.” Visibly startled by her outburst, Sawyer dragged a cautious stare back on Brea. “Then let me take you to dinner.”
“I can’t. It’s not you, honest. It’s just…I-I don’t date anymore. I’m on a man ban.”
Brea didn’t want to be rude, but Haven was such a small town she’d likely run into Sawyer every time she turned around. If she didn’t shut him down and nip his tempting flirtations in the bud now, he’d wear her down and she’d end up fucking his brains out.
Sawyer’s brows slashed in confusion. “A man ban? What the fuck is… Oh, I get it. Damn. That’s a shame. No, that’s a cryin’ shame. A pretty little thing like you shouldn’t do without the pleasures a good man can give.”
His low, silky voice set off a fifty-pound can of TNT-infused sexual curiosity that made her girl parts weep with regret.
Then, like a colossal masochist, Brea opened her mouth. “And you think you’re that good man?”
“I’ve never had a complaint yet.” He flashed her a bad-boy grin. Promise flickered i
n his green eyes.
“I don’t doubt that for a second, but my man ban remains in place.”
From the outside, her words held steely determination, but on the inside Brea’s conviction was cracking like an oatmeal mask in the Mojave.
“That may be. But there’s one thing you don’t know about me, darlin’.” He all but purred as he flashed her a sensual smile. “I love a challenge. See you soon, Brea.”
With a wink, Sawyer pulled away, leaving Brea flashing hot and trembling like a leaf. It wasn’t until several seconds later that his parting words registered in her brain.
Sawyer planned to decimate her defenses.
What defenses? The ones he just destroyed with that sinful, lazy smile? chided the voice in her head.
Smile. Lips. Eyes. Yeah, one kiss and Sawyer would melt her like lip gloss in August. Brea’s plan was in serious jeopardy. She had to build a sturdy wall around her before encountering that smooth-talking cowboy again. Locking herself in Colton’s guest room was an inviting alternative but hiding from Sawyer, or any man until she grew strong and secure, wasn’t a viable option. She’d have to work fast and stay strong.
Good luck, her subconscious scoffed. One puff and that big, bad wolf will blow all your walls down, and you damn well know it.
Though she didn’t want to admit it, Brea knew it was the truth.
As if sensing her tumult, Jade squeezed her arm, then dragged her across the street.
“You stood your ground. I’m proud of you.”
Brea wanted to be proud as well, but she was too busy kicking her own ass. She’d just turned down a first date for the first time in her life. She thought of calling her parents, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and the Pope—after all, it was a miracle. Instead, she leveled Jade with a sidelong stare before they strolled into the Binge and Bag.
The overhead vents blasted cold air over her body, freeze-drying the flames of estrogen still licking up her spine. Unfortunately, doing a handstand to take care of the wet heat between her legs would prove she’d lost her mind. Sucking in a ragged breath, Brea pushed thoughts of Sawyer down deep and focused on steering the cart up and down the narrow aisles.
Pausing at the milk cooler, Jade placed her hand over Brea’s. “You haven’t said a word since he drove off. If you’re that attracted to Sawyer, go out with him. One date won’t hurt.”
Brea adamantly shook her head. “No. You don’t understand. It only takes one date. If he gets me alone, I’ll fuck his brains out before we make it out of Colton’s driveway.”
Jade laughed softly. “Don’t do that. You’ll scare the cattle.”
“Highly likely, but I know me. I won’t stop there. I’ll keep going until I’ve maneuvered myself into his life, until we’re both miserable and can’t stand each other.”
“I’m not suggesting you move in with him.”
“Good. Because I’m not ready for that again. I’m not ready to give my body and heart to Sawyer like I did all the others. Not until I learn how to be alone with myself first.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to push you into doing something you’re not ready for. It’s just that…you need to stop plucking partners out of the gutter, or you’re going to keep getting cut on broken glass. Start plucking your men from the sky…like stars.” Jade sent her a sad smile. “You of all people deserve big, bright, beautiful stars.”
“Is Sawyer a star?”
“He ain’t no broken beer bottle, sugar.”
“No, he’s not.”
Since laying eyes on the man, she’d done nothing but think about him, fantasize about him…obsess about him. And that was the problem. That pattern was always the problem.
Thankfully, Jade changed the subject while they continued gathering the items on her grocery list. As they cruised down the last aisle of bottled water and soft drinks, a tall, broad-shouldered cowboy with dark hair and green eyes smiled and hurried toward them.
“Miss Jade,” the man greeted, tipping his hat before locking his gaze on Brea.
Beside her, Jade let out a soft, perturbed sigh and shook her head.
“Howdy, ma’am. My name is Dallas Carson.” The cowboy stuck out his hand. But as Brea went to shake it, Jade quickly gripped her wrist and tugged it away. “You wouldn’t happen to be—”
“No. No. No. She’s not available or interested, Dallas,” Jade barked.
“Damn.” A frown settled over his face.
Jade shoved the cart past the man, dragging Brea with her.
When they reached the end of the aisle, Brea leaned in close and whispered, “What was that all about? Why’d you go and shut him down like that? He was kinda cute.”
“Yes, he’s handsome, rich, and charming. And I just saved your life.”
“And that’s a bad thing how?”
“Because I know you. Becoming a baby farm isn’t on your bucket list.”
Baby farm? A shudder of revulsion rippled all the way to Brea’s toes.
“Okay. Thanks.” Brea swallowed tightly as they headed toward the checkout counter.
The woman standing in front of them turned and smiled before focusing her attention on the cashier—a heavyset woman wearing a tag stamped Lucy—then let out a heavy sigh.
“I’m at my wit’s end,” she moaned. “Since they operated on her leg this morning, Kristen’s going to be in the hospital for at least a week. Like an idiot, I didn’t put a backup plan in place. My flight leaves at eight in the morning, and there is no one left to call. I can’t cancel this trip! The girls will have to forfeit the race if I’m not there.”
“Lordy, Barbara, I’d help you out if I could,” the cashier commiserated as she shoved her wire-framed glasses on top of her bottle-black hair. “We’re so short-handed here that Ray’s got me putting in sixty, sometimes seventy hours a week. I can go by your house before and after work, but Ozzie’ll be alone for ten, maybe twelve hours a day.”
“No. That little monster will destroy the entire house. He hates being left alone. Oh, god, why did Troy have to close the animal clinic and take his family to Disney now? I’ve called every vet and kennel from here to Dallas.” Barbara tossed her hands in the air. “I am so screwed.”
The angst in the woman’s voice pained Brea. She’d been between a rock and a hard place more times than she could count.
“I know that woman doesn’t know me from Adam, but I could help her out,” Brea whispered to Jade.
“I don’t know her name, but I think she’s one of the Minstrel Cycles.”
“The what?” Brea gasped.
“I’ll tell you later,” Jade murmured. “I’m sure Colton knows her.”
Before Brea could stop her, Jade tapped Barbara on the shoulder, flashing a sincere smile. “Hi. I’m sorry…we weren’t trying to eavesdrop, but you sound like you’re in a fix, and we might be able to help. This is my friend Brea, and I’m—”
“Jade…Jade Hollis,” Lucy blurted with a grin. “You know…Colton Maddox’s new wife.”
“Oh, my god. That’s right. I saw you with him at Toot’s a few weeks ago. That was quite a speech you gave that night.” Barbra chuckled.
“Yeah, well…”
Brea made a mental note to ask Jade about the speech that suddenly had her friend at a loss for words.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet. I’m Barbara Rhymes.”
When the woman extended her hand, Jade shook it. “It’s nice to meet you. This is my friend Brea Gates. She and I and Colton have been friends since high school. Brea is staying with us for a little while.”
“Hello, Brea.” Barbara studied her appraisingly.
“Nice to meet you,” Brea replied politely.
“Where you from?” Lucy barked, eyeing her suspiciously.
“I was living in Denton.”
“Was? You running from the law or something?” Lucy’s suspicion deepened.
“No. No, nothing like that. I just got out of a long-term relationship.”
<
br /> “Men,” Lucy tsked. “They’re all swine.”
“Are you planning on staying in Haven for long?” Barbara asked.
“For a little while.” Brea didn’t want to confess that at age twenty-six she didn’t have a life plan. Or that she’d wasted her dreams of having children, a home, and the love of a good man on losers whose lofty ambitions revolved around keggers and video games.
“Can you stay a month?”
“A month?” Brea had expected the woman needed help for a day or two…a week, tops.
“That’s going to be a problem, isn’t it?” Barbara frowned.
“No. I can stay as long as you need me.”
“Oh, thank god. Do you like dogs?”
“I love dogs.” Brea grinned.
They didn’t need more than food and love…kind of like her.
“Good. All I need is for someone to watch my house and take care of my dog, Ozzie. He’s a love. Oh, and you’ll need to water my gardens. I love to grow things, and everything in my backyard has been raised from seeds. I’d be devastated if they died.”
“Is your ex dangerous? Is that why you left him?” Lucy blurted before Brea could answer. Clearly, the cashier was far warier than Barbara.
“No. He’s a lazy ex-mechanic who romances a transmission way better than he can a woman,” Brea drawled. “He got fired a while back and stopped looking for work. I got fed up supporting his lazy ass and left.”
She kept Weed’s extracurricular drug activities to herself. Why cast a spotlight on her shredded moral fiber? Visibly still suspicious, Lucy sent Barbara a subtle shake of her head.
“I…I don’t know.” Barbara indecisively bit her bottom lip.
“I’m not a murderer or anything. I don’t do drugs or drink,” Brea began, hoping to ease the women’s fears. “I’d never harm an animal and I won’t host any wild parties or destroy your house. I won’t pilfer the silver flatware or jewelry. I’m trustworthy and honest. You can ask Jade and Colton. They’ve known me forever and will vouch that I’m telling the truth.”
