by Erika Kelly
“How the hell would you know?”
“I’ve had feelings.”
Gray cracked a smile. “That right?”
“Sure.”
“But other than the feeling in your dick…?”
“I’ve dated.” He lifted both arms in a gesture that said, Obviously. “And I happen to know a lot more about it than you. You’ve never dated anyone.”
“You might want to pull out a dictionary, because I’m positive none of the women who’ve gone out with you would define ‘one-and-done’ as dating.”
“Hey, man, a date’s a date. Doesn’t matter if it means grabbing a coffee, going to dinner, or spending the weekend together.”
“Have you ever even asked a woman out?”
“I’ve gone out.”
Gray laughed. “Let’s face it, brother, most of the time you don’t even know you’re ‘dating’ someone until she tightens the noose. The only thing that gets your attention is when she tries to lock you down. Introduce you to her parents or make you go to a dinner party with her friends. Two seconds after she pulls that trick, the woman you’re ‘dating’ finds herself out on her ass.”
“You’re talking about Dana. Come on. I was focused on getting Owl Hoot up and running. We’d gone out twice and suddenly she’s making me come to her sister’s rehearsal dinner? What was that?”
“You’d gone out with her for six weeks. You just weren’t paying attention.”
“I was busy.”
“Fine. But, trust me when I tell you, when you meet the right woman, you’ll notice. You’ll notice every damn thing about her.”
“And now we get to the goofy expression. Does Knox know she’s the star of your fantasies?”
“The goofy expression was hunger.” He stabbed his fork into his cooling potato. “I’m eating.”
“Clearly, you didn’t take my advice. You do realize you’re leaving in three weeks.”
“Got it on my calendar.”
“So, you just want to get her out of your system…?”
When the back of his neck tightened and burned, Gray knew he didn’t have to bother responding. His expression said it all.
“Hey, just asking. Sometimes, once you hit it, you figure out it isn’t all that.”
“It isn’t like that with her.”
“She’s talented.” He said it like he was making a concession. “Sharp, too.”
The burden lifted. “Right? And I like hanging out with her.”
“And she’s hot.”
Gray shot him a look.
“But she’s not the girl for you.”
He wanted to say, You don’t know shit. But he couldn’t, because it rang true. And he needed his brother to say it out loud for him. “Why do you say that?”
“She’s got one foot out the door.”
She does. “She’s basing her business here.”
“For now. Until she gets back on her feet.” Brodie’s expression turned serious. “You know it as well as I do, man. This town’s too small for her.”
Chapter Thirteen
It struck Knox, as she pinned another layer of muslin on Callie’s dress, that something sleeker, more sophisticated might work better for the elegant woman. She wouldn’t say anything, of course. Callie knew her own mind, but Knox couldn’t stop imagining a different, more refined style.
Someone laughed, and Knox looked up to find Zach and Amelia talking together. A couple of sewers clustered in the kitchen, picking at a pan of brownies someone had brought in, while the others worked hard at their stations.
Most everyone knew each other. They were either Cooters, the retired men and women who gathered every morning at the local diner in town to catch up with each other and hang out, or somehow related to them.
They always brought in leftovers and cookies and cases of soda. Everyone worked hard, but when they took breaks, it was filled with laughter and food and lively conversation.
She liked it a lot, and it gave her a whole new impression of Calamity. One that included awesome people like Callie and Delilah.
And Gray. The memory of last night kept replaying in her mind, and every time she’d get a shock to her system. Gray had been ravenous for her. His hands gripping, caressing, his tongue so greedy.
Who knew she and Gray would be so good together? So…combustible?
Over the hum of the machines and chatter, someone called her name. She glanced up to find Zach waving her over. She set the pins down and headed over to the long dining table. To accommodate the work stations, they’d had to remove the game tables and couches, and, basically, turn the place into a warehouse. “What’s up?”
Zach had a glint in his eyes. “A new order just came in.”
Nothing unusual there. “Cool. As soon as I finish the muslins for Callie and Delilah, I’ll start calling the brides.”
“We might want to call this one sooner.” He paused. “Have you heard of the MacAllister twins?”
“Of course.” They’d been at Columbia University at the same time Knox had been at FIT. The daughters of a Wall Street titan, they’d somehow managed to graduate with honors, while spending their every waking moment shopping and partying.
“They want you to design their wedding gowns.”
What? “Me? Are you serious?”
“That page you created was a stroke of genius. We’ve almost hit a hundred thousand followers.”
“And it brought us the MacAllister sisters?” She could hardly believe it.
“This would obviously be extremely high profile. I don’t think we should pass on it.”
“No, definitely not.” Making dresses for them would absolutely get Jack Abrams’s attention. “I’ll call them right now.”
“Good idea.”
“I can’t believe this. They could get a gown from Hayley or Bellerose or Vera. Why me?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew what she’d done. So, she answered before giving Zach a chance. “Because my gowns are amazing.”
He smiled and shook his head, like he couldn’t believe she didn’t get it.
But she was starting to understand that, for all her confidence in her talent, on the deepest level, she didn’t feel worthy of the MacAllisters.
Or of Gray. She didn’t believe herself worthy of his love. But who should he want? Someone prettier, more successful, athletic, rich? Because if you boil it down, the only thing I don’t have is family and money. Who cares about those things when you’re talking about love? Lord knows he had enough of both--he sure as hell didn’t need them from her.
And whose gowns should the MacAllisters choose over hers? Mine are special.
They’re sensational.
“Brace yourself,” Zach said. “If you score this job, you’re going to become the “It” girl in the bridal world.”
“I have to finish Callie and Delilah’s dresses first.”
“Oh, trust me, it’ll take the sisters a while to settle on a design.”
“You’re right about that.” She knew from Luc’s atelier that anyone spending that kind of money took her time and got involved with every step of the design process.
“Could take months.”
“I can’t believe the response we’re getting to this social media campaign.” She glanced up at him. “Boy, am I glad I haven’t followed up with the requests that’ve already come in.”
“Looks like you’ll need to be selective.” He smiled. “All right, let me get you that number.”
She was heading back to her station, when the door swung open, bringing in a gust of autumn-scented wind, all dry leaves and crisp air. In strode a man she didn’t recognize, holding a tablet and wearing khakis and a flannel vest.
More people spilled in after him. An efficient-looking woman in black slacks and a tan sweater and a man in a short-sleeved white shirt with shiny gold badges and patches on it. Fire chief. Warning flares shot off in her brain.
Hurrying over to find out what was going on, she approached the group with a
smile and her hand extended in greeting. “Hello, I’m Knox Holliday. How can I help you?”
The man in khakis looked around the room, up at the ceiling, and down the hallway. “Mike Fairchild, Town Inspector.” He nodded to the woman beside him. “Elaine Tailor, Fire Inspector.” And then gestured to the man on her other side. “And Chuck Bailey, Fire Chief.”
Oh, shit. “What can I do for you?”
“Do you have a permit to run a business out of this building?”
An awkward laugh tripped out of her throat. “Uh, no. This…this is all new.” The three of them just stared at her with impassive expressions. “Sorry, I’m a fashion designer, and I was getting ready for my first show when a car crashed through the window of my house and mowed down my dresses. So, I came out here—I’m from here, actually; I grew up in Calamity—to fix them. That’s what we’re doing.” You’re babbling. Stop talking.
“You’ve got employees.” The woman scanned the work stations, before looking up at the ceiling. “Do you have sprinklers? Exits?”
“I don’t…know. Like I said, I pretty much just got here. It’s temporary.”
Footfalls pounded on the porch steps, and a massive ball of energy stormed into the room, causing her guests to whip around. In running shorts, sweaty T-shirt, and hair tousled from the wind, Gray reached out his hand. “Mike. Elaine.” He gave them a lazy smile. “Chuck, good to see you. What’s up?”
Stern faces softened. They all shook hands and chattered for a moment. Knox cut a look to Zach. Are we up shit’s creek?
“Gray,” Mike said. “You know you can’t run a business out of this place, right?”
“We’re going to take a look around,” Elaine said.
With his back to her, Gray reached behind and found Knox’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “Sure thing. Let me take you on a tour.”
Zach mouthed, Without a paddle.
Thunder boomed in the distance, and Gray looked up to the darkening sky. They’d known the storm was rolling in, so they’d tried to visit as many properties as they could before it hit. Good thing this is the last one.
The real estate agent slid a key into the lockbox. “I’ve been trying to rent this space for a year, and I’ve had no takers.”
What the listing called an industrial park was really a series of five connected buildings located halfway between Calamity and Jackson. Personally, Gray liked the remote area. Just across the highway was the Bison Sanctuary, a flat stretch of grassland that ended at the dramatic upthrust of the Teton Mountain range.
Right as a raindrop hit his cheek, he followed the women into the building and stood inside the empty, cavernous room. The wide-open space would be perfect for their operation. He listened as the agent answered questions and talked up the space, but mostly he watched Knox.
She’d been knocked sideways when the inspectors had shut her down.
It had sucked, but at the same time, he’d gotten a fierce hit of respect for the way she’d handled it. She’d shifted straight into fix-it mode. Without a word, she’d gone to her laptop to look up real estate agents.
“Why can’t they rent the space?” Knox asked. “Is it the location? I mean, it is in the middle of nowhere.”
“That’s exactly why,” the agent said. “The moment anything in town goes on the market, it’s snatched up by a business that appeals to tourists, skiers, hikers, hunters…that kind of thing. Thanks to Owl Hoot, we’ve got new breweries opening up, restaurants, outfitters, you name it, but this location’s no use to them. It’s too far out. The good news is that you can get a great price and a flexible lease. In fact, the owner will love you because you’ve got so much growth potential. These walls are removable, so when you’re ready, you can expand into the next space.”
“It’s so pretty from the outside,” Knox said. “It doesn’t look like an industrial park.”
“Oh, it did. Three years ago, when it opened, it had a karate studio and a shared office set-up. Neither business cared about the façade. But, after they left, a big furniture store expressed interest. They needed a huge showroom, and there’s nothing in town with that kind of space. Of course, they didn’t think their high-end customers would give them a chance when it looked so bleak, so the owner tarted it up. Put up all that dark wood and fancy fittings. Unfortunately, the furniture store decided to open in Idaho Falls, and that was that.”
Knox nodded, her gaze seeking his. He gave her a firm nod. He liked it a lot.
The agent caught the exchange and said, “Okay, I’m heading back to town. As soon as this storm passes over, I’m showing the Hellerman Ranch.” She slapped the key in Gray’s hand. “I’ve known you since you were in diapers, so I trust you’ll lock up. You know how to put it back in the box?”
Gray pocketed the key. “Sure do.”
“Great.” She headed for the door. Before, she left, though, she turned back to them. “Knox, honey, I made this our last stop today for a reason. I wanted you to have other spaces to compare this one to, so you’d see what a great deal it is. If you want to hold off, wait for something new to come on the market, that’s fine, but I guarantee you won’t find a better space for the price.”
Knox made an effort to smile, but anyone could see she was having a hard time. “Thank you so much. I’ll be in touch soon.”
“You got it.” The moment the agent opened the door, thunder exploded, and rain pummeled the metal roof. “Oh, goodness,” she shouted, before dashing out.
He reached for Knox, clasping her delicate wrist. “What do you think?”
“This is definitely the best place.”
Not: this is the one I’m going to lease. She was hedging. “Do you want to keep looking?”
“No, I don’t have time to wait for another property to hit the market.”
“Then what’s the problem?” He wanted to press a kiss to her pulse point, but he checked the impulse. After she’d shut down on him last time, he didn’t know where they stood. “Talk to me.”
“I guess I just need some time to think. Leasing a building is a huge expense, and one I hadn’t considered.”
He understood that. “Would it help if we called a meeting and went over finances?”
A clap of thunder startled her. It sounded like the skies unloaded a dump truck full of gravel on the roof. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I have to relocate, and I’m not going to find a better price. It’s just… Remember at the trailer, you asked if I’d want to do fittings there? Well, the same question applies here. Can I imagine my customers coming here? It’s not exactly—”
“An atelier.”
“No.” She tipped her head back and blew out a breath. “But, also, it just sort of drives home that I’m committing to living in Calamity. God.”
Brodie’s words slammed into him. You know it as well as I do, man. This town’s too small for her. He couldn’t force her to stay—he wouldn’t even encourage her. It had to be her choice. He let go of her wrist and took a step back. “I heard about the MacAllisters. I knew big things were coming for you, I just didn’t know they’d come this quickly. But here we are. And now you’ve got to make a choice.”
The next boom rattled her so badly, she let out a shout of frustration. “No, I know this is the right choice. It’s just a little scary. Leasing a building? Hiring all these people? Salaries, benefits, maternity leave…it’s a big deal.”
“It is. I can’t do anything about the location, but one thing we might consider is taking on equity investors.”
With two fingers, she rubbed her temple. “Yeah, maybe. I have a lot to think about.”
It struck him, what was troubling her. “If you sign a lease, you lose the option to take off when Chanel calls.”
She gave him a weak smile. “I think you know that was more a fantasy than a real possibility. No, I’m staying here for at least a year. Signing a lease, though…it’s just throwing me off a little.”
“Let’s call a meeting, so we can talk about it as a team. T
hat’s where the great ideas come from, when we’re all together in a room, bouncing ideas off each other.”
She nodded vaguely, like she was humoring him. “I need a little time alone to wrap my head around all this. It’s just how I work.”
But she wasn’t humoring him, he realized. How had he not seen this from the start? He could change pronouns all he wanted, but she could only think in terms of the personal, because it was all she’d ever known.
Maybe it wasn’t about Calamity or couture. Maybe it was just the overwhelming responsibility of being the top of the pyramid in her life. No parents or siblings…no one to catch her if she failed.
It was so far out of his realm of experience, that the idea was deeply unsettling. He knew, no matter what, he had his brothers, his uncle, the ranch. Friends. His inheritance. For one stark moment, he swiped them from his world, imagined himself like Knox, completely and totally alone.
It was…devastating. Just as she turned from him, he caught her arm. “You’re not alone. We’re all in this with you.”
“I know.” But she sounded about as firm as dandelion fuzz.
“No, I don’t think you do. Knox, look at me. We’re in this with you.”
“Look, I’m going to sign a lease. I just…I need to look at my finances and think about the location. I need some time to work through it all.”
Yeah, he was pretty sure he’d gotten it right. It was the vast well of loneliness she lived in, with only her voice and thoughts echoing against the walls. He cupped her beautiful face in his hands. “You’re not alone. You’ve got us.” Me. If you’ll have me.
She didn’t look at him.
He lowered his hand right over her heart, the heel of it pressing down on the plumpness of her breast. “I need you to hear me, Knox. Not just in your head, but in your heart. You’re not alone. We’re in this together. You and me. All of us. We’re with you.”
She knocked his hand away, the fire back in her eyes. “That’s so easy for you to say. But I saw Amelia’s bag. She might look like some free-spirited surfer girl, but she comes from money. This is fun for her right now, because it’s new, and it’s got so much potential, but it’s not her career. It’s not her life. You don’t understand, because you’re in the same situation. There is no rock bottom for either of you. If this fails, it’s no big deal. You can move on or dabble in something new.”