Rustic Hearts (Poplar Falls Book 1)

by Amber Kelly

  “Pretty please, Mr. Braxton,” I add in my best little-girl voice while batting my lashes at him.

  He slings open the door, grabs Beau, and hoists him up into the truck with me.

  “Hop in, little man. It’s time to get this truck good and dirty.”

  “Yay!” Beau squeals as I slide over and let Braxton in the driver’s seat.

  After he shuts the door, he revs the engine and starts spinning the tires.

  He slams the truck in gear, and we take off like a shot as mud rains over us like a wave.

  Beau cheers with delight the entire time.

  Sophie

  After our morning on the knob, we return to the ranch and have lunch out in the backyard. I look around at this motley crew, and I see true friendship and sincere joy. I watch my aunts flit around, bringing out food and beverages and loving their people in the way they know best, and I realize that Dallas is right; this is perfect. Riding around in the mud with people you genuinely like and eating a good meal prepared by people who love you, getting rest and sunshine and fresh air and just being—it’s all joy. Poplar Falls doesn’t need more commerce or big buildings to be a great place to live and raise a family. It already has all it needs.

  We disperse for a few hours while the boys head out to get some work done on the ranch, and Dallas and Payne take Beau home for a nap. Tonight, we’re building a bonfire and grilling out in the meadow behind the barn.

  I take the opportunity to place a call to Charlotte.

  “Hi, Char. How are things going at the office?”

  “Strumming right along. I got the contracts you and Stanhope signed off on over to Gail. Manufacturing started on the new order. By the way, you knocked the watch design out of the park. Justin showed me the first sample yesterday, and it’s gorgeous. Lightweight and elegant. I told him I was keeping it and that he had to make a new one for Gail.”

  “I’m glad you love it. I was nervous that New Yorkers weren’t going to dig the vine design.”

  “It’s perfection. It’s different and delicate. Oh, and the quill bracelets went nuts in the precious metals. We’ve had over five thousand orders. That’s over seven hundred grand in profit on those sales alone.”

  “Amazing.”

  “Your little dream has exploded.” She squeals.

  “I have new sketches to send you this afternoon, and I uploaded a few new pieces on the website. I have a call with Justin and his team in an hour to discuss what quantities they can fulfill before we go into automatic backorder. I don’t want to overload them with Maple and Park’s orders going in.”

  “Those guys are like machines. I talked to him about the possibility of them hiring a second and maybe a third shift for the month of November to make sure we can get everything shipped in plenty of time for Christmas. He was on board for that. After this season, we might want to look into expanding their workshop. A birdie told me the space next door might be available to lease after the first of the year. It would be great if we could knock out a wall,” she continues.

  “I’ll have Stanhope talk to Lamar and get the 411,” I offer.

  The building we lease for manufacturing is owned by Lamar Chessler, one of Stanhope’s golf buddies. I wanted both spaces from the beginning, but only the smaller space was open at the time.

  “Enough business. What are you up to?” I ask as I settle on the porch with a glass of iced tea and my pad.

  “I’m on my way to spin class. Just waiting on the Uber now.”

  “You are taking a car to your exercise class around the corner? Isn’t that counterproductive?” I say through a laugh.

  “I don’t want to wear myself out before I get there. Plus, I’m crushing on the instructor, and I don’t want to walk in all sweaty. He needs to see what this looks like pulled together before he reduces me to a puddle.”

  “You’re ridiculous.”

  “I know, right?”

  “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too.”

  “Have fun at spin, and I’ll e-mail or call you after I talk to Stanhope.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We disconnect, and I take a moment to enjoy the feeling of pride that overcomes me at the success our little business is experiencing. It’s more than enough to keep our small workforce employed another year, and we are creating beauty in the world.

  I pick up my pad and start to sketch a sparrow as it sings me a sweet tune.

  “Oh my goodness, that is huge!” I exclaim as I take in the bonfire.

  “That’s what she said,” Walker retorts and curls his tongue out to his chin as he walks past me with a cooler in his arms.

  I punch him in the side.

  “That’s what he wished she’d said,” Dallas calls after him loudly.

  He laughs. “Give me a couple of hours and a few beers, and I’ll be happy to whip it out and show you, Dal.”

  She makes a disgusted face as we sit in the lawn chairs set up a safe distance from the rising flames.

  “I invited Russ tonight. He said he and Trey might swing by later,” she says as she opens a bottle.

  “That’s cool. You like him, huh?”

  She shrugs. “I guess. We had a good time the other night, and when he took me home, we made out in the truck for a while before he left. He rounded a couple of bases. It was nice. What about you? How did things go with Trey when he brought you home?”

  “Fine. He walked me to the door, and we started to kiss good night until we were interrupted. He called me this morning while we were out at the knob and left me a sweet voice mail.”

  “Interrupted?”

  “Yeah, Braxton was letting Hawkeye out, and he got away from him and came for me. Braxton chased him onto the porch, and it kind of killed the moment.”

  “He just happened to be letting his dog out at the same time Trey was walking you to your door?”

  I nod.

  She scoffs.

  “What?”

  “He was waiting up for you.”

  “No, he wasn’t. He was asleep, and that’s why Hawk got away. He wasn’t quite awake.”

  She gives me a look that says, You cannot be that dense.

  “He was.”

  “Whatever. He’s gotten territorial over you lately. He doesn’t act like that. Not even over Elle.”

  Has he gotten territorial? Yes, he’s a little protective at times, but that’s just the man in him. I don’t think it’s jealousy.

  I look off to where he and Myer are chatting as they man the grill. He seems so much younger at this moment. Carefree and laughing. His brow is usually creased in concentration or from exertion while he works. Either that, or he’s scowling at me. However, right now, he’s casual and relaxed. I think it’s because the work is done, and both Elle and I are close. There is nothing for him to worry over.

  His eyes find me in the firelight, and he smiles. His smiles are rare, but man, it’s nice when he grants one to you. A shiver runs down my spine.

  “See what I mean? He doesn’t look at anyone else like that,” Dallas voices her observation of our eye contact.

  “Like what? He just smiled at me.”

  “Like he wishes the rest of us would go the hell home.”

  That takes my attention from Braxton, and I snap my eyes to her.

  “He does not!”

  “Uh-huh. You’re blind.”

  “No, I’m not. You’re just picking up something that’s not there.”

  “We’ll see.”

  She gives a conspiratorial raise of her eyebrow as she turns her bottle up. I have a sneaky suspicion this is going to be an interesting night.

  “Food is ready!” Myer calls out.

  “Myer, can you bring Sophie and me a burger and chips?”

  “Sure, Dal. Mustard, ketchup, and cheese, right?” he answers.

  “And pickles. Thank you!”

  As I watch Myer jump to do her bidding, I wonder exactly who the blind one is.

  Braxton


  I’m having a nice time. It’s a beautiful, clear night. The food is good. The beer is good. Everything is good. That is, until the Range Rover pulls up.

  I grab another beer from the cooler and dry it off with my shirttail.

  “Toss me another one, will you?” Walker bellows from his perch on the guitar case.

  I snatch another bottle from the cooler and walk it over to him.

  “Who are the dudes with Dallas and Sophie?” He throws his chin in the direction of the girls and their guests.

  “Russ Eastman and his brother, Trey.”

  “Russ Eastman? That douche. He was a whiny little pissant in high school. Why are they hanging out with that pair?”

  “They ran into them at the rodeo last week, and they took them to dinner and the drive-in last night.”

  “We just going to allow this?”

  I cut my eyes from Sophie to him. “What exactly do you want to do? They’re grown women; they can talk to whoever they want.”

  “No, sir, those are our women, and I will not let assholes objectify them.”

  I laugh. “I dare you to walk over there and say that to Dallas.”

  “I will. Right after I finish this here beer,” he says as he raises his fresh bottle in the air.

  To make the night even better, Lori’s red Mercedes pulls in next. I have been avoiding her the last couple of weeks, and I guess her patience has run out.

  “All we need now to make the night a complete disaster is for Morgan’s Jeep to come down the road,” Myer notes.

  I look over, and he is shooting daggers at Russ. I guess I’m not the only one sloshing through shit tonight.

  I slap him on the back as I make my way over to Lori. “Don’t speak that on me, man.”

  Lori gets out of the car and walks to meet me.

  “Hey, stranger,” she says as she takes in the scene. “I didn’t realize you were having a party.”

  “It wasn’t planned. Just threw it together a few hours ago.”

  “It’s Saturday night, and you aren’t answering my texts, so I thought I’d ride out and see if you just weren’t getting them or you had other plans. Now, I know.”

  I feel a little guilty for blowing her off. I’m not even sure why I have been. We’ve always enjoyed each other and our no-strings-attached arrangement, but something doesn’t feel right about it anymore.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your messages. I’m not sure why I didn’t.”

  “It’s okay, Braxton. You and I are just having fun. If you’re otherwise engaged at the moment, all you have to do is tell me.” She lets me off the hook.

  “Come on,” I say as I wrap my arm around her neck and lead her back toward the crowd. “Since you’re here, you might as well grab a cold one and some food.”

  I introduce her around and set her up next to Walker with a plate piled high.

  I catch Sophie’s eye as she watches me hand Lori a beer.

  Doesn’t look like she’s any happier to see my friend arrive than I was to see hers.

  Eastman has had his hands all over Sophie. Anytime he can think of a reason to touch her, he does. The night has gotten chillier, and the wind has kicked up, so he takes that as an opportunity to pull her close to him and wrap his coat around her shoulders. He uses his hands to warm hers and then tucks them under his arm.

  I want to break that arm off his body and throw it in the fire.

  I’ve tried to keep my attention diverted from that side of the fire, but I can’t focus on anything, except for how close he is to her and how she blushes every time he leans in and whispers in her ear.

  Last night was the longest night of my life. I sat, watching television, until I saw the headlights from his truck pull into the driveway. I watched from the window as he got out of the truck and opened her door. Then, he walked her, hand in hand, to the front porch. I knew he was going to kiss her, and I just reacted. Before I could think better of it, I woke a sleeping Hawkeye up and opened the door. It took him a second to catch on, but as soon as he caught sight of the lights, he darted straight for her. I followed, and I could see the embrace Trey had Sophie in as I made my chase. That was the first time I wanted to break his arm.

  “Braxton, man, you in outer space tonight or what?” Walker snaps me out of memory lane.

  “What?”

  “Lori here needs another beer.”

  “I’ll get it.” I get to my feet and head to the cooler. I look over my shoulder and ask if anyone else needs anything while I’m up. When I turn back around, I collide with something soft.

  “Oops, sorry,” Sophie says as she grabs my sleeve to balance herself.

  “Where are you headed?” I ask her as she hurries past me.

  “The barn. I have to pee,” she calls over her shoulder as she makes haste toward the barn.

  I walk the beer over to Lori, who is enthralled by whatever bullshit Walker is spewing.

  Then, I look around as everyone chats, and against my better judgment, I decide to follow after Sophie.

  As I enter the barn, she is coming out of the door where the toilet is and walks over to the old sink where she washes her hands. She dries them on the leg of her jeans and turns to leave when she sees me and jumps, letting out a little yelp of surprise.

  “Oh my God, Braxton, you scared the bejesus out of me.”

  “Sorry, Princess.”

  “What are you doing up here?” she asks as she looks behind me.

  Looking for you. I don’t say it aloud, but it’s the truth.

  “I’m going to let Hawk out.”

  “Oh, okay.” She starts to walk past me, and then she stops. “Don’t let him in the bed with you two tonight,” she says.

  Then, she starts walking again, and I grab her arm to halt her.

  “What’s that?”

  “Hawkeye. Don’t let him sleep with you and her tonight.”

  I pull her close and whisper in her ear, “You feeling some kind of way about my dog, Princess?”

  “Yes. He’s my snuggly sleep partner. Not hers.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  “In that case, maybe you should stay the night with us and not her.”

  She opens her mouth to say something and then stops as she processes what I just said. She blinks up at me and replies softly, “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  I snake my arm around her back and pull her flush to me. Then, I do the one thing I have been dying to do since this morning in the truck before Beau’s interruption. I crash my lips to hers.

  It takes her off guard for a second, and she stiffens, but then she melts in my arms and opens to kiss me back.

  I back us up toward the door.

  She whimpers as I press her into the door and disengage our mouths, so I can look down at her.

  “This is a bad idea,” she says.

  “The worst,” I agree.

  Then, I pick her up at the waist, and she wraps her legs around me. She gasps as our bodies make full contact, and I take the opportunity to enter her mouth again.

  I hold her in place with my hips and run my hands up her sides, taking her sweatshirt with them. I pull back from our kiss, and she raises her arms, so I can slide it from her body. Then, I’m kissing my way down her neck to the tops of her breasts. I push the straps of her bra down until it falls free from her. I take one pretty pink nipple into my mouth, and she arches her back, breathing my name into the air.

  I move to her other breast, suck it between my teeth, and gently bite down. She moans and starts circling her hips against me. I grow so hard, it’s painful. I want so damn bad to slide into her right here against the splintered wall of a dirty barn.

  I reach down and cup between her legs, and she softly purrs, “Yeeeesss.”

  I want to make her feel good. Right now. So, I force my hand into the front of her jeans. She’s bare. Fuck.

  She’s slick and ready, so I circle her clit and then give it a little pinch. She
bucks her hips into me.

  “You like that, Princess?”

  She nods.

  I coat my finger in her wetness, find her opening, and slide inside her.

  “Oh God,” she murmurs as she starts moving with me.

  That’s when we hear the voices. Her eyes fly open.

  “Shh.” I try to calm her as I slide my hand away from her.

  A whimper of protest leaves her mouth as I lower her to the floor. I move a few steps to the side, so I can look out of the door, and I see Eastman and Dallas approaching as he calls out Sophie’s name.

  She pulls her sweatshirt back over her head and tries to right herself.

  I tug her to me and give her one last deep kiss before I tell her, “You’re in my bed tonight, Princess. Get rid of him.”

  Then, I dart off into the barn.

  Sophie

  I have exactly two seconds to process what just happened before Trey and Dallas walk into the barn. I scurry over to the sink, turn it on, and place my hands under the flow.

  “There you are. We were starting to get worried,” Trey says as they walk fully in.

  I take a moment to calm myself down, and then I plant a smile on my face and turn to face them.

  “Here I am,” I squeak out just a little too loudly.

  Dallas raises an eyebrow, and her eyes start flitting around the barn.

  “Sorry I took so long. I’m not feeling very well. I think maybe the burger disagreed with me.” The lie falls easily from my lips.

  Trey gets a look of concern, and I feel a tad bit guilty.

  “I ate the exact same thing, and I feel fine,” Dallas unhelpfully replies.

  “Maybe yours was done better than mine,” I say slowly and punch out each word.

  She grins. “Maybe.”

  “I’m sorry, Trey. I think I might have to call it an early night tonight,” I offer the apology as I lead them back out of the door. I’m not sure where Braxton ran off to, and I want to get them out of there, so he can make his escape.

  “You do look a little flushed,” he says as he lays the back of his hand against my forehead. “You’re a bit clammy too.”

  I smile weakly at him. “Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”