by Faith Gibson
“How long did your friendship last?” Banyan asked.
“In my heart, until the day she died. But I couldn’t explain why I wasn’t aging, so when she and Frank, her husband, moved to Maryland, I used that as my excuse to travel somewhere else. I liked the idea of living near a big city, so I moved from New Jersey to New York. I stayed there throughout the nineteen twenties. I fell in with some girls who defied the norm and enjoyed the flapper lifestyle for almost a decade. Having my own money meant I didn’t have to find a job, but I did anyway. I rented a large house under the name Bryan Holgersen. It was easy to explain that I was his secretary, and he was a recluse who sent me to handle the paperwork. Since I paid up front in cash, the owners didn’t bat an eye. I worked nights as a cocktail waitress in one of the speakeasies. Those young women I befriended became my roommates, and we lived a life most women only dreamed about. Well, those who weren’t telling us we were going to Hell for our sinful ways.” Brynna laughed.
“You mentioned the morning of the coronation the dress was an original from that era, but I didn’t realize you’d actually worn it then.” Banyan smiled fondly.
“It is left over from one of the best times in my life.”
“How did it end up here?”
“I came home for a brief period. As much as I loved traveling, I missed Norway. It didn’t take long to realize home wasn’t any different than when I’d left. Our parents were pissed, and Father did his best to put his foot down.” Brynna shrugged. “So, I left again. Only this time, I didn’t return until your coronation.” Brynna chugged the last of her drink, then pushed back from the table. “I believe that’s enough of Brynna’s adventures for one night. I’ll see you both in the morning.” She rounded the table and kissed them both on the temple before heading to her bedroom. Travis’s door was closed, so Brynna paused to listen. His even breathing let her know he was asleep, so instead of knocking and bothering him, she retreated to her own suite.
The flapper dress Banyan asked about was the one Brynna wore before his coronation, to their parents’ chagrin. It wasn’t the only one she’d kept over the years, but it was her favorite with its silver sparkles. The clothes were over a century old, but she’d managed to preserve them in tightly sealed bags, carrying them everywhere she went, contrary to what she’d told Banyan. They were just getting acquainted after so much time apart, and she didn’t know how he would feel about the life she’d lived on her own.
Fanning through her wardrobe, Brynna touched on various articles she held a fondness for. Other outfits, like the chaps she’d worn during her gun-toting days spent with Annie, hadn’t made the cut. While they had been appropriate for her time spent with the sharpshooter, they weren’t practical for anywhere else she lived afterward. The flapper dresses weren’t practical, either, but she adored them. Brynna was a sucker for a nice dress, no matter the style. She might be a Gargoyle princess who could wield a sword with the best of them, but she was deeply in touch with her feminine side, and it showed in the ways she dressed, wore her hair, and kept her nails painted. Some hair styles were reminiscent of a Viking shieldmaiden with lots of braids and beads. Others were fancy updos most women only wore to parties. Before she met Travis, Brynna had nothing but time on her hands to watch online tutorials and try her hand at whatever caught her fancy.
Now, she still had plenty of time for such things, but she chose to focus on how to make her mate happy. She spent her days watching cooking videos instead of hair instructions. She knew all his favorite foods and tried to replicate fancier versions so he never had to eat the same dish too often. Brynna was a quick study when she put her mind to something.
As fashion changed, Brynna tried to embrace the styles, but she hated most of the prim and proper long skirts. The fifties were the worst. Then the seventies happened. While a lot of women were into bell-bottom jeans, Brynna fell in love with the crazy prints of the short dresses with long, flowing sleeves. She even wore the matching scarves. White, patent-leather boots completed the look. She had bought a few shiny, silver pantsuits for when she went dancing because she didn’t want to show her ass. Literally. It was also during that decade when her love for motorcycles came about.
Brynna cringed thinking about the massive shoulder pads and high-waisted “mom” jeans of the eighties. Her life had been more than fashion, but clothes really did make for a good or bad attitude. There were none of those to be found in her closet. Now, her clothes were a mixture of practical items as well as all kinds of dresses which made her happy. Eyeing one of the retro minis reminiscent of the seventies, Brynna decided that was what she would wear the next day because why not?
Travis couldn’t get Brynna’s words out of his head. “I don’t want to hurt him.” What truth did Banyan think Travis needed to hear? Nothing he came up with was good, and he’d come up with so many scenarios it gave him a headache before he’d drifted off to sleep. When he woke the next morning, his mind picked right back up with trying to figure out what Brynna needed to admit. While he was in the shower, those thoughts kept his brain occupied where usually he would take care of his morning erection.
The shower should have at least helped clear his head, but he was still grumpy and unsure of how to act. Did he pretend he hadn’t overheard her comment? Or did he meet Brynna head on and demand to know the truth? If it was as bad as he feared, his trip to Norway could be cut short, and Travis wasn’t ready to go home. He had promised himself to use the trip to put Rachel’s memory behind him. He would always love her, but living in the past wouldn’t bring her back.
Maybe Brynna didn’t want him there after all. His best course of action was to get the plans for the new house together as quickly as possible, then head home. If he wasn’t around Brynna, she couldn’t hurt him. After getting dressed, Travis grabbed his laptop and decided working on the plans for Banyan and Uri’s house would hopefully take his mind off Brynna’s secret.
Laughter sounded from the kitchen where Marcie and Banyan were tag-teaming breakfast. Travis stopped short when he saw Brynna reaching into the cabinet for a coffee mug She had decided a short dress was the outfit of the day. Her long legs were on display, showing one calf more muscular than the other, and he couldn’t help but take them in from her bare feet to the hem that barely covered her thighs. Jesus H. Travis already knew one of her legs was just a bit shorter than the other, and when she went without shoes, she tiptoed to make up the difference.
Someone cleared their throat, and Travis was mortified when he realized it was Banyan who’d caught him. Instead of scowling, Banyan was grinning. That was good. At least the Goyle didn’t want to punch him in the throat for ogling his sister. Maybe.
“Good morning.” Brynna gave him a winsome smile that melted his heart. His lips turned up at the corners. It was impossible not to when she turned her happiness toward him. “How did you sleep? Was the bed okay?”
Travis set his laptop on the table. “Like the dead. I was plenty tired from the excitement and alcohol, and the mattress was perfect.”
Speaking of perfect, Brynna handed him a cup of coffee fixed the way he liked. “I happen to know you’re fibbing about the mattress, but I’ll let it slide for now. Since you have your computer, I assume you’re going to be working this morning?”
“Yes, unless you need me for something else.”
“I do want to revisit the conversation about remodeling the manor, but we can do that later. I think I’m going to drive into town and get a manicure.” She held out a hand, indicating the chipped polish. “You know I suck at painting my nails.” When she didn’t pull her hand back, Travis clasped it, brought it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles.
“I do know. And if you can’t find a salon, I’ll polish them for you.”
“You paint her nails?” Urijah asked.
“Oh, uh, yeah. But just her right hand. She’s not ambidextrous, and it looks like a toddler did it.”
Urijah turned to Banyan. “Why do you never paint my nails?”
Banyan smirked. “Because instead of a toddler, it would look like a Tasmanian devil got hold of a spray can.”
“That’s very specific.” Urijah held his hand out. “I think a nice shade of navy would look good.”
“Maybe you should go with Brynna to the salon.”
“Maybe I will. What do you say, Bryn? Want some company?” Uri asked.
“I’d love it. Just so you know, I’m going shopping too. I’m in the mood for a little retail therapy.”
“It’s a date.”
Banyan looked over his shoulder after he pulled a pan of biscuits out of the oven. “Who are you, and what have you done with my mate?” Instead of answering aloud, Uri tilted his head to the side. Travis was pretty sure he was responding silently. He often wondered what it would be like to have that type of connection with someone.
Marcie announced breakfast was ready, and Travis fell in line to fix his plate. He loved how laid-back everything was. He should have known Banyan wouldn’t act like a pretentious ass just because he was King. In the few months he’d know the Gargoyles, Travis had been pleasantly surprised on more than one occasion, starting when Rafael offered him a job. The whole Clan treated Travis as though he were family. It took him a while to get used to it because he wasn’t close with his own parents. Not since he found out how his mother treated Trevor after Travis left for college. Their dad had apologized to both him and his brother, but other than going out for coffee a couple times a month, there were no family dinners. Travis doubted he would ever forgive their mother.
After breakfast, Brynna kissed Travis on the cheek and told him she would see him later. She and Urijah headed out together, leaving Travis with Banyan. “I’m going to get started on the plans.”
“Do you mind if I watch? I have nothing else going on since Uri went with Bryn.”
“Not at all.” Travis was in his element, and having a client watch the process of their house being designed was exciting for him. The one he already designed back in New Atlanta had been combining three plans. This one was being designed from the ground up, and Travis couldn’t wait to see how it turned out. He opened his computer and got busy, explaining each aspect as he went. Banyan asked questions, and Travis preened on the inside at being able to teach the Goyle something new.
After a couple hours, Banyan stood. “Let’s take a break.”
Travis saved his work and followed the Goyle to the kitchen. It seemed to be the favorite room for everyone who lived there. It would be a shame to make it larger for a hotel, and he thought remodeling the house to make it more Brynna’s style should be considered first. It wasn’t as though she needed the money from a business.
Without asking, Banyan poured them both a glass of sweet tea. When they sat at the well-worn table, Banyan relaxed back in his chair. “So, what do you think about this house?”
“I think it has a lot of potential. If Brynna were to keep it and redecorate it to her own liking, she could see if that makes it feel more like home before going the hotel route. Then again, it is such a large place for just her. You and Uri will be moving out when your house is finished. That won’t be for a few months, but then it’ll just be her, Marcie, and Lawrence.”
“And you.” Banyan sipped his tea, watching Travis.
“Me? Why would I stay here? I mean, yeah, we’re friends, but I live in New Atlanta. That’s where my family is.”
“What if she asked you to stay? Not full time, because she understands you would want to visit Trevor. But you’ve come to mean a lot to her. Last night, she asked your opinion on turning this into Casa Bryn and Trav, did she not?”
“I thought she was joking.” Travis refused to get his hopes up, yet he lay awake last night imagining what it would be like to stay in Norway with Brynna and set up house with her. He might have even thrown a few kids into the mix. The house was certainly large enough to raise a big family in.
“Brynna jokes about a lot of stuff, but she was serious about that. She’s spent her whole life searching for someone to settle down with. Tell me honestly, Travis. How do you feel about Brynna?”
“She’s amazing. She’s funny, fierce, and brilliant. Brynna has the biggest heart of anyone I know.”
“You didn’t mention her looks. Why is that?”
“Because there’s more to her than looking like a runway model. Like the way she spends her days watching cooking videos so she can make my favorite dishes. Or the way she has supper on the table as soon as I get home from work even though we don’t live together. She listens to me when I get excited about a project like it’s the most fascinating subject in the world. It’s all the little things too, like taking my car to get the oil changed while I’m at work so I don’t have to worry with it on the weekend.”
“And why do you think she does those things for you?”
“Because that’s who she is. She’s genuinely a nice person.”
“Does she do those things for anyone else?”
“Well, she did go shopping for Deacon, but…” Travis thought back over the short time he’d known Brynna. Other than that one shopping trip, she spent all her time taking care of Travis.
“But?” Banyan sat up and leaned his forearms on the table.
“But she was only in New Atlanta a month, and for whatever reason, she liked hanging out with me.”
Banyan tilted his head to the side, smiling. “Bryn’s crazy about you.”
“And I’m crazy about your sister, which scares the crap out of me.”
“You just mentioned all the things she does for you. Why would liking her scare you?”
Travis closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Could he admit the truth aloud? And to Brynna’s brother of all people? Banyan was staring at Travis when he opened his eyes. “I feel guilty because it hasn’t been that long ago that I lost Rachel, but Brynna is like no one I’ve ever met, Rachel included.” Travis took a sip of tea, giving himself a moment. “More than that, I’m scared if I let myself get close to her, I’m going to fall in love. Then, when she finds her mate, I’m going to get my heart broken. Again.”
“I can promise that isn’t going to happen. The getting your heart broken part. Here’s something else to think about. I already told Brynna, but I’ll tell you too. The clearing where Uri and I are going to live sits on over a thousand acres. There’s plenty of room for another house. I know how much Brynna loves it out there, and I would love to have her close when she’s in Norway. So, after you design our house, maybe you can design her one too.”
Being an architect, Travis had already designed his dream home, but he’d never allowed himself to think about the possibility of it becoming a reality one day. He could see it among the trees on Banyan’s property, but that was his dream, not Brynna’s. And he wouldn’t get his hopes up about something that would probably never come to fruition, no matter what Banyan said.
Chapter Four
Brynna thoroughly enjoyed Uri’s company. The male was so much more laid back than she expected, especially when he joined her for a manicure. The nail technician thought he was joking when he set down the blue polish, but when he assured her he was serious, she got busy working on his hands. Brynna cringed at the woman’s attempt at flirting, so she did the woman a favor and started a conversation with Uri about the house he and his “husband” were building. The woman deflated but remained professional.
“Speaking of houses, when are you going to have the talk with Travis?” Uri asked. Brynna knew which talk he was referring to, but she couldn’t speak freely about mating in front of the human. “I mean, you all but asked him to move in with you last night when you were talking about redecorating. Banyan’s right, Bryn, you need to let him know why.”
Brynna slung her long hair over her shoulder as she gave him her full attention. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“Nope. If you hadn’t spent the last month or so playing house with the man, maybe.”
Brynna arched a brow at him. �
�It’s not like that.”
“And I didn’t mean it like that. But you have to admit you spend more time together than alone. If he didn’t care about you, he wouldn’t do that. He’d go home to his dog, watch bad television, and eat whatever frozen dinner was in his fridge.”
“He could just like my cooking.” Brynna smirked because she knew Travis loved her cooking.
“He could, but if he wasn’t over Rachel, I don’t think even prime rib would ease his guilt.”
“Maybe.”
Uri let the subject go, and they finished their manicures in companionable silence. Once their nails were dry, they paid and walked outside into the cool air. When they reached the car, Brynna stopped, turning to look at her brother’s gorgeous mate. “Not once since I’ve known you have you ever painted your nails.”
“And?”
“What’s the real reason you came with me today?” Brynna carefully opened the car door, making sure she didn’t chip the dark berry polish. She slipped into the passenger seat and waited for Uri to get in the car.
“Can’t I spend time with my favorite princess without an ulterior motive?” Uri was less careful with his short, navy nails.
“If I thought for a second you didn’t have one, then yes. But I’ve been around you and my brother long enough to know when you speak silently to one another. You’re both up to something. Wait, did you come with me so Banyan could be alone with Travis? Oh, Odin. Please tell me B isn’t having a talk with my mate!”
Uri pulled the car out of the parking lot, flipped the visor down, and headed away from the house. They had already talked about where Brynna wanted to go next, so it made sense he was driving that direction. Now, though, she didn’t think shopping was such a good idea. “Urijah Aldobrand, answer me.”