My Christmas, My Crooked Bend: Men of Crooked Bend Book 6

by Taylor Rylan

  “Yeah, we get along and my dads have been great. It’s Logan that’s driving me crazy. I love that man, I swear I do. But since I sold the bakery and I stay home now, he’s driving me crazy.”

  “You ever going to let everyone know exactly why you sold the bakery? I thought it’s what you wanted?”

  “You of all people should know that things can happen and change someone’s outlook. Yes, I wanted to own a bakery, or at least I thought I did. But it was so different and so much more than I knew. I think what I really wanted was to work in a bakery again.” Rhett looked out the back window, lost in thought. I let him be, not wanting to disturb him in case he had more to say. He did.

  “I loved every second of working in one in Seattle, and it was great owning Son of a Biscuit, but when I met Logan and we finally ended up together, I wanted him more.” Rhett walked over to the cabinet and pulled down two plates and two glasses for our lunch. He was just as at home here as I was out at his place at Wild Creek. But what he said really had me anxious.

  “Wait, are you telling me that you sold the bakery because Logan wanted you to?” I asked, concerned.

  “No, Logan would never do that to me. You should know that. But he can’t just leave the ranch. It’s not solely about him. He’s one-fifth owner, and they’re responsible for dozens of jobs. Things changed and there’s some really big changes coming, and I had absolutely no problems with the giving up of the bakery. It’s what I wanted; Logan just supported me in my decision.”

  When the microwave dinged, I walked over and carefully removed the dish of pasta before I divided it between the two plates while Rhett poured water for the two of us and grabbed the silverware. I took the plates to the table, and we both sat down, ready to eat.

  “We’re going to have to talk some more about those changes you mentioned,” I said, even more concerned. Rhett hadn’t been quite himself lately, and I wanted to know why.

  “There’s really nothing to talk about. Everyone will know next week at Christmas though.”

  I knew Rhett well enough to know a dismissal when I heard one. He was through talking about that subject for now. I had a pretty good idea what was going on—it wasn’t difficult if you knew Rhett as well as I did—but if he wasn’t ready to say anything, then there was a reason for it, and I respected that choice.

  We ate our lunch and chatted about what was going on out at Wild Creek and what was happening in my next book. Rhett had been a strong supporter of my dreams and had become one of my closest friends in a hurry. He was also one of my biggest fans, which I found both odd and weird at times, but it was something that I couldn’t express enough appreciation for.

  When we were finished with lunch, we quickly washed our dishes and put them away before going to the den. There seemed to be something on Rhett’s mind, and I waited patiently for him to let me know what it was.

  “Do you believe that things happen for a reason?” Rhett asked.

  “Sometimes I wonder, but in the end, I think that all things happen in order to shape us into the person that we’re supposed to be. Why do you ask?”

  “I was just thinking about Mike and everything that happened.”

  I know my eyes almost bugged out of my head, and when I glanced at my friend, he chuckled at the look on my face.

  “I know I won’t ever fully get over what he did to me, but I’ve come to terms with it. I realize that I wasn’t his only victim, and that helps some.”

  I shook my head in disbelief. “No, you weren’t. And most likely, I wasn’t the only other one. But the level of cruelty he inflicted upon you was so much more than he’d ever done to me.”

  “Are you sure? He raped us both. But what’s worse was that he was supposed to be the man that was meant to love and protect you. He was supposed to serve and protect everyone. Isn’t that the oath police officers take?” Rhett argued.

  “It is, but what he did to you was a million times worse. You died, Rhett. At least twice that I know of. No, there’s no comparison. What he did to you was so much worse. Why? Why are you bringing this up now?”

  Rhett shrugged before he looked over at me and gave me a smile. Something so simple, but at that moment, it tore my heart in two. “Because I need to. Because I’m ready to move on. I want a life, a full one, and I want it with Logan. But there are certain things that I’ve had to come to terms with before I can have that.”

  “What?” I asked, knowing this had everything to do with what Rhett had been keeping from everyone.

  “He can’t hurt me anymore unless I let him. And by denying what Logan and I both want, I’ve allowed Mike to continue hurting not only me, but him as well. Did you know that Logan flew out to California several times while I was recovering?”

  I nodded, remembering seeing the grouchy man there. But he seemed to be able to get through to Rhett when nobody else could.

  “He fought us so hard, and when I finally said fuck it and moved here, he caved. The last two years have been the absolute best of my life.”

  “I feel the same. Your brother is my entire world and I’d die a little if I ever lost him.”

  “I’m the same. Logan means so much to me and we’ve done a lot of thinking, planning, and discussing things over in the past year. We’re finally in a place that I know will make us both happy and you know what? I can’t wait to see what next month brings.”

  “You’re referring to your secret, aren’t you?”

  Rhett nodded but continued to watch the snow on the back deck blow and swirl around in the wind. “I’m terrified, Liam, but I know that because I have Logan, everything will turn out okay.”

  “Why? What scares you so much?”

  “The flashbacks. They’re almost completely gone now, but I still have one here and there. What if I have one at the worst possible time?”

  I thought about it and asked what I thought was an obvious question. “What if you don’t? We have very little control over fate, don’t you think?”

  Rhett looked at me and smiled. That look right there, that was the young man I first met. “Love you, bro. I should get home to my hubby. He had some things to do in the barn, and I told him I was going visiting.”

  “You know you’re always welcome here.”

  “I know. I’m glad you married my brother because, even before you did, I already thought of you as a brother. Now you are. But more than that, you make Jasper so happy, Liam. Thank you for that.”

  I nodded at Rhett, unable to reply just then. Damn, something serious was happening with him. I got up and followed him to the back door where he pulled on his coat and bundled up. “Rhett?” He turned and looked at me, giving me a glimpse of that carefree and alive look I’d seen earlier.

  “Yeah?”

  “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah, Liam. I am. Actually, I’d say I’m better than I have been for a couple of years. I’ll text when I get home. Tell Jasper I’m sorry, but he’ll understand—and hopefully forgive me—once he knows what’s going on at Christmas.”

  “Will do,” I replied as I wrapped my arms around Rhett’s body for a hug. He was smiling again when we separated, and that gave me hope.

  “Give Jasper a hug for me,” Rhett said as he walked down the back steps and out into the blowing snow. I leaned out the door long enough to watch him climb into his Jeep and start it. Once I knew he was on his way, I closed the door, shutting the cold outside where it belonged.

  I spent a few moments thinking about my unplanned visit with Rhett. I hoped that no matter what was going on with him, if it was serious, Logan would make sure Rhett had any help he needed as well as let the rest of us know. Deciding that the best course of action would be to discuss it with my husband, I climbed the stairs and went back to my office.

  There was one text message from Jasper when I picked up my phone, but otherwise, nothing.

  Cupcake: How’s the writing going?

  Me: Really good. Rhett came for lunch. I’ll tell you all about it
when you get home.

  Cupcake: Sounds good. Don’t forget, we’re going out to Simon and Sean’s tonight for dinner.

  Me: Nope. Haven’t forgotten. I’m looking forward to seeing your dads again. I’m going to write for a bit, and then I’ll see you later. Love you.

  Cupcake: I love you, too.

  I was lucky that I was able to get lost in the world of my characters, because I needed that. I knew where I needed to go with them, and I was well into my fourth chapter for the day when once again, very familiar hands and lips found my body.

  “Mmm, hi, you,” I said as I leaned my head to the side, giving Jasper easier access to my neck.

  “Hello. Did you have a good afternoon?” Jasper asked as he ran a line of kisses up my jaw toward my ear.

  “Sure did. I have to finish this chapter, and then I’m finished.”

  “Really?” Jasper asked as he pulled away and stared at me.

  “Yep. I’ll be writing a few more stories in their world, but this one is at a great stopping point to leave them, so I’m happy with that.”

  “Wow. Baby, that’s amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thanks. You’re not exactly a slouch, you know.” I smiled at my husband, and when I looked into his whiskey-colored eyes, I fell again.

  “You finish up and I’m going to go change. You going to be a while or…”

  “I have about two to three hundred words left, and then I’m finished. Give me ten to fifteen, and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  Jasper smiled before nodding and leaning in, stealing another kiss. I watched Jasper’s ass as he left—I couldn’t help it. It was perfect in my book. But I quickly went back to my manuscript. I had a few paragraphs left, and then Swanson and Holloway’s lives would forever be changed. My readers were going to both hate and love me. Damn, I really loved my job.

  Logan & Rhett

  Logan — 1

  “You tricked me. I can’t believe you did that,” Rhett said from the passenger seat of my truck.

  “Yes and no. Munchkin, you know we need a new vehicle. And I promise, we’re not getting rid of your Jeep. It’ll still be around at the ranch, and it’ll be right where it’s always been, but you know you need something bigger and safer to drive around.” I looked over at my husband, who was incredibly pissed off at me. He was right—I did trick him. But this was an argument we’d been having for several months now. And now we were out of time, so I took the decision away from him. He’d had several months to choose, but his adorably stubborn ass wouldn’t. Which was why we were parked outside of the Audi dealer.

  He didn’t know it, but several weeks ago I ordered a new Q8 for him. Dragon orange metallic was the brightest color they offered in the luxury SUV, and even though it wasn’t what he was used to, it would have to do. His Jeep was bright green, and it did fit him and his personality, but it was time to maybe change that. Actually, there was no maybe about it. We needed a family car and that was it.

  I understood, he had bought his Jeep with money he had earned, and now I’d gone out and done exactly what his dads had tried to do: I’d bought him a vehicle. But I wouldn’t take it back, and I was through giving him the option. If he really hated it, he could drive my truck.

  “Fine. What are we getting? Is it at least cool?”

  “Munchkin, does Audi have a vehicle that isn’t?” I asked, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. He shrugged but managed to look sheepish anyway.

  “You have a point. So, is this something that you’re going to drive, too? I mean, look at you. You scream cowboy, and cowboys don’t drive Audis. Don’t get me wrong, you know I love everything about you, from your hat to your boots.”

  “I will have no issues with driving your new ride.” I smirked at my adorable husband as he tried his hardest to scowl at me. It just didn’t work. I first met Rhett three years ago, and he couldn’t scowl then and still couldn’t. He was just too damn adorable to do so.

  “All right. Let’s go,” Rhett said as he rolled his eyes as if it was going to be such a hardship to go look at new vehicles.

  We got out of my big-ass truck, and I found it comical the way the salesmen looked at us. I personally didn’t fit anywhere at this dealership, just as Rhett had said. But my husband had grown up with SUVs such as these, and I’d asked my father-in-law more than a few questions when it came to picking a safe SUV for his son to drive around in. He was only too happy to help. But the Q8 got great reviews, and I knew it was a good choice. Now all I needed to do was convince my husband.

  We bypassed the too eager salesmen and hurried into the warm interior of the showroom. I had called earlier to let the manager know we were on our way, and he was only too happy to have everything ready for me. The SUV had been delivered to the dealership yesterday, but Rhett had wanted to go talk with Liam, and I had things I needed to take care of out in the barns.

  “Ahh, Mr. Redfeather. Everything is ready for you; we just need to get a final signature for delivery, and then I’ll walk you and your husband through any questions or concerns you might have,” the sales manager said as he walked up to us. I sent Rhett a sheepish grin when he looked at me and raised an eyebrow. Yeah, I was busted.

  “What does he mean? Don’t we need to decide what we’re getting before we sign something?”

  “Umm, yeah, about that. Yeah, I umm, placed an order for a Q8 several weeks ago. It’s ready and we’re here to sign for it and pick up the keys,” I said as I nervously rubbed the back of my neck.

  “Are you shitting me? No way. You got a Q8? That’s like…nice.” Rhett had an almost excited look on his face, but I knew him well enough to know not to fully trust it.

  “Are you saying I did good? I’ve done a lot of research, and it was this or a Land Rover, but I decided on an Audi instead. I know if you prefer a Land Rover, we shouldn’t have any problems getting someone to take the Audi. Hell, I’m sure Mom would be more than happy to drive it back to Texas in a few weeks.”

  “No way, she can get her own. But seriously? We get to take it home today?” Rhett laced his fingers with mine and gave my hand a hard tug, effectively pulling me to him. I willingly wrapped my arms around my husband and gave him a sweet and chaste kiss, only pulling away when the dealership manager cleared his throat. When I looked away from Rhett and to the manager, he only had a smile for us, which was comforting.

  “Here we go. I just need a signature and you’re all set. The one fob is already in it, and here is the second one. I can’t stress enough to not lose them or submerge them in water. Let’s just get a signature saying we delivered the SUV, and we’ll go over the scratch and dent form and cover any other questions you two might have, and then we’ll get you on your way.”

  Yes, what I’d done was a bit underhanded, but I would do it again simply because I needed to keep Rhett safe. I knew it would destroy me if anything ever happened to him, and if he was in a safer SUV, I’d feel better about everything. Not that his Jeep wasn’t safe. It simply was no longer going to be big enough.

  Even though Rhett squealed and was genuinely excited when he was shown the ins and outs of his new SUV, I knew I was going to have some major groveling to do later on. Maybe. Possibly. Then again, maybe not. The look on his face was one of genuine happiness, and he seemed to be taking everything in stride.

  Before I was ready, Rhett was buckling his seat belt and blowing me a kiss, and then he was off, driving away in his new SUV like he’d been driving it for years.

  “I’d say you did good. He seems happy,” the sales manager said to me as we watched the SUV turn out of the parking lot and head back toward Crooked Bend.

  “I hope so. Thanks again for everything,” I said as I held out my hand for a handshake. The manager reached for mine and smiled before letting go. I turned and walked back to my truck as he went back inside, both of us seeking the warmth and getting out of the biting wind.

  My truck cab had cooled off considerably, but the engine was still warm, and in no time, th
e heater was blasting warm air out of the vents and into the cab. I smiled when the vehicle’s Bluetooth rang at me and I saw it was Rhett calling.

  “Hey, munchkin. You didn’t get lost, did you?”

  “No. But I thought it might be better if I wait for you. Are you far behind?”

  “Not at all. Just a few minutes. Where are you?”

  “Sitting at this blasted stoplight.”

  I chuckled at that because no matter how you timed it, everyone always seemed to get caught at that last light leaving Jackson. That meant Rhett was only a minute ahead of me, and as soon as we left the city limits, I’d have no problems catching up with him.

  Sure enough, after I’d sat through my own turn at the same light, I saw the orange SUV that had my munchkin in it. I smiled when he waved out the side window at me before he pulled his arm back inside and rolled the window up. Twenty minutes later we were turning off the highway and driving over the cattle guard that led us to our entrance of Wild Creek.

  When we pulled up in front of the garage, I pushed the button on the visor and slowly drove my truck into the garage. We would need to sync the buttons in the SUV so Rhett could park in there, but for now, his new vehicle could stay outside because we were going out to dinner in just a bit.

  “Okay, I was a little ticked, but you’re forgiven,” Rhett said as I got out of my truck and walked back outside. I quickly found myself standing in our driveway with my arms full of my husband. He’d run up to me with a giddiness that I hadn’t seen in a while and jumped into my arms.

  “Yeah? You like it, then?”

  “Are you kidding? It’s great. The ride is so smooth. Nothing at all like my Jeep.”

  “Well, it’s not really an off-road vehicle. It’s supposed to ride nice,” I replied as I pulled Rhett’s mouth to mine. I had to remember to behave because I was taking him out to dinner. But if he kept grinding his hips into me like he was, we were going nowhere but upstairs to our bedroom. To hell with dinner.