Cherished Embrace (Cherish Cowboys Book 3)

by Charlene Bright

  “Well, I did have something to take care of,” she said. She looked at Colton, and for a moment, the two were lost in each other’s eyes, showing their undeniable love for each other and how much fun they were having growing together as a couple.

  Brayden looked down at his plate and took a bite of food, feeling like an intruder as he watched the intimate scene.

  “You two are so adorable,” Mal said.

  “Sis, I love ya, but you can’t call me ‘adorable.’ That’s going too far,” said Colton.

  “Adorable,” Mal repeated in an exaggerated, drawn-out voice.

  Colton shook his head.

  Brayden laughed. The little sister has the upper hand in this situation, he thought. He was an only child, and those dynamics were always fascinating to him.

  “Oh, Brayden, I almost forgot. I have something that needs to get to Kelsey tonight. Do you mind taking it over to her after dinner?”

  “No, it’s no problem,” he said right away. He’d be thankful for the chance to get out of the house for a bit and away from the happy couples. Despite their kindness, they were burning reminders of what he did not have.

  “Mal, it’s not like Kelsey is going to work on that tonight. Why should he have to drive all the way into town?” Wade asked.

  “And how do you know what Kelsey is or is not doing tonight, Mr. Williamson?” She used that name the way a mother might use a middle name to warn a child they were close to getting in to trouble.

  “It’s Friday night. She works hard all week, and she deserves a break,” Wade said.

  “Spoken by the man who works sixty hours a week and thinks it was a light week,” she countered.

  “Really, it’s no problem. I’ll just send her a text to be sure,” Brayden said.

  “Great idea,” Olivia said, smiling at him. She smiled a lot—more than a smiley face emoji, Brayden thought. Was she that full of mischief or just that exuberantly happy? If she had a formula, she should bottle it; she’d be a millionaire.

  Brayden excused himself and went to grab his phone. He texted Kelsey, Mal has something for me to drop off to you. Are you around?

  There was no answer for a few minutes and Brayden remained standing on the porch of Colton’s house, just looking out at the calm fields and waiting for her response.

  Inside the house, Mallory and Olivia were talking more quietly, Colton and Wade listening.

  “Wouldn’t Brayden and Kelsey make a decent couple? They are kind of like two peas in a pod,” Olivia said.

  “You know, I never thought about it before, but you’re right,” Mal said, nodding her head and taking a sip of her beer.

  “You two aren’t fooling anyone,” Wade said. “Ever since that first day at Kitty’s, you’ve slowly been trying to get them to see each other more and more. It’s completely obvious.”

  “What are you talking about?” Colton asked, looking genuinely confused.

  His expression made Wade and the girls laugh. “Brother, you can’t be that clueless.”

  “About what? Do Brayden and Kelsey like each other?” he asked.

  “They haven’t admitted it yet, but we’re helping them to,” Olivia said. She clasped her hands together and squeezed them a bit, raising her eyebrows, looking like a fiery auburn-haired cupid.

  “No—don’t,” Colton said. “You two can’t just be getting into everybody’s business, you know. I don’t think Brayden came to Cherish for you two to blindside him with a free dating service. And for that matter, I don’t think that Kelsey did, either.”

  “Oh, Colton, don’t be so dramatic,” Mal said.

  Colton looked at Wade. “Back me up here, man. Tell them to leave well enough alone.”

  “Apparently you don’t know what your sister is like anymore. I’ve cautioned her, and look where it’s gotten me—or should I say Brayden—in a place where she’s more determined than ever. She’s like your bull with that one section of fence.”

  Colton turned to Olivia. “Just leave the guy alone.”

  “I wonder what happened to him,” Olivia said. “Someone must have really hurt him.”

  Wade was the only one who knew what had happened to Brayden that day at the altar. His wedding had been a small, private affair with only a few people in attendance. Looking for a way to recharge, he’d confided to Wade with the assurance that Wade would not tell anyone else.

  “Wade knows,” Mal said.

  “And I’m not telling. It’s not my story to tell,” he said.

  “I know, but I’m sick of speculating about it,” Mal said.

  “Well, you two know Kelsey’s story and we don’t know that,” Colton said.

  “And we sure as heck don’t speculate about it, either,” Wade added.

  “You two are impossible,” Olivia said. “Now change the subject. Brayden’s on his way back.”

  Brayden showed up at the door a few seconds later and became aware of the quiet, leaving him with the feeling that he may have been the topic of conversation. Another good reason to get out of there and go deliver whatever it was that was so urgent for Kelsey to receive that night.

  “Well, thanks for the great meal, Olivia and Colton. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m going to go into town and deliver that stuff to Kelsey,” he said. “By the way, Mal, where is it?”

  “Oh, I have it in the truck. Let me go out there with you and get it,” she said.

  Once they were standing by the truck, she opened it, took something out, and handed Brayden a small envelope. He looked at it and smiled at her.

  “Have fun,” she said. “Just in case you’re late, I’ll leave the front door open, okay?”

  “Are you going to be like Motel 6 and leave the light on, too?” he asked.

  She laughed. “You are so funny, Brayden. You should show that sassy side more often.”

  Then she walked back into the house while Brayden went to his car, ready to make his way into town.

  Once on the road, he wondered what Kelsey’s house would look like. He liked her tastes, assuming that they were a reflection of how her shop was set up. They were not over the top or fluffy. One thing he had loathed about Kellie was how she liked to have ten pillows on their bed, making it a time-consuming task just to go to sleep at the end of the night. Then, making the bed … well, he didn’t have to bother with that one because he hadn’t done it the right way, ever. A smile came across his face as he passed the line that marked the township from the town. It felt great to be freed of such small details that had created strained moments in his life before. It was a moment of perspective that he was grateful for.

  ***

  Brayden pulled up in front of the small, cottage-style home that Kelsey rented just off the main street of town. It was a nice little place, ideal for a family of one. It would be nice to see her, even if it was just for a few minutes.

  Grabbing the small envelope that Mal had given him, he nodded his head in disbelief. What was in that thin envelope that was so necessary to deliver that night?

  Inside her home, Kelsey tried to open the curtains just far enough to look at Brayden as he walked up her small path. He had such a calmness about him that it really made him seem like he was a gentle giant, despite being lankier than a giant might be. And he sure was handsome—a different type of man than what she’d ever been attracted to before, for certain, but that wasn’t so bad.

  Realizing she’d thought the words “attracted to,” Kelsey quickly shook her head and thought, It’s about the fundraiser, not your love life—or lack thereof.

  There were three soft raps on the front door and Kelsey slowly walked over, not wanting to appear too eager, even though she was. She might normally be embarrassed to be found home alone on a Friday night, but Brayden was obviously not doing anything either or he wouldn’t have been there.

  She glanced in the mirror by the front door and adjusted her bangs to cover up the scar on her scalp line before opening the door.

  “Hey, come on in, Brayd
en,” she said, standing to the side.

  He walked in and she watched him quickly look around, assessing her place. She wondered what it said about her. It was something she’d never thought of before, despite always thinking that someone else’s personal environment said a lot about them. She thought of it as neat, structured, and calming—the first two things were qualities she’d always had, but the calming had come after her departure from Jackson Hole and all the pain that she’d hoped to sever.

  “Nice place,” he commented. “Do you rent or own it?”

  “Rent it. I wasn’t quite ready to commit to buying any place in Cherish until I’ve lived here awhile. Just in case,” she said.

  “Makes perfect sense,” he replied.

  They looked at each other and Brayden realized he was still holding the envelope from Mal. He extended his hand. “Here’s the important delivery.” Then he laughed.

  “I’m sure it’s urgent. I don’t even know what it is,” she said, looking from Brayden to the envelope. She debated whether she should open it right away. She chose not to.

  “Would you like something to drink?” she asked instead. Might as well be social with someone who was volunteering so much time for the event. “Unless you have other plans, that is.”

  He laughed. “Is it pathetic to admit that I don’t have any other plans out loud?”

  “I’m going to go with no, because clearly I don’t either,” she replied. They started to laugh and it instantly eased the slight bit of tension that was there. “So, do you like beer or wine?”

  “Beer, please.”

  “Great,” she said, debating whether to sit in her living room or in the kitchen. It was a silly debate to have, really, but it was there. How had she grown so unsure of basic social skills since being hurt? She had to get over that. Finally, she decided. “Why don’t we sit in the kitchen, if that’s okay?”

  “Sounds great.” He smiled and followed her through the arched opening that took him from the living room into her kitchen. It was tiny, but orderly—everything in place—just like it would be if it were his home.

  “This is a great-sized place,” he said.

  For one, Kelsey thought. What an unfair thought. She’d chosen it just for that reason.

  “It works great for me. I don’t get a lot of visitors and I’m at the shop mostly, it seems, so it’s nice to come home to a place that’s easy to manage.”

  “I bet,” he said. He sat down and she opened the black refrigerator door and poked her head into it, emerging with a beer and a bottle of white wine.

  As she poured the wine and opened the beer, he talked. She sensed he was a bit nervous, just as she was. “What made you decide on Cherish?”

  “Research,” she said, turning around and handing Brayden his beer, before sitting down.

  “Research?” he said, a question in his answer.

  “Yes, I’m kind of a planner,” she confessed. “I knew that I had to get out of Jackson Hole and wasn’t sure where I wanted to go. I started doing some research and even visited one of these websites where they help you find a place you might like living based off your preferences, personality, etc. Well, when Cherish came up, I chuckled at first. Then I started to investigate it more and I found that I really liked a lot about it. It took just one visit and asking a few questions for me to realize that it was a place where I could see myself living.”

  “Permanently?” Brayden asked.

  “Well, I’m not one to say anything is permanent,” she said. “I’ve learned my lesson about that.”

  “Ah, a lesson,” he said. “Don’t we all have those?”

  Kelsey looked at him and saw a spirited look in his eyes—as if he were watching some movie with disdain, but couldn’t pull his attention away. When he looked up at her, he saw someone who appeared to lack trust and was trying to get used to it. She hadn’t always been that way, he could tell, but she was kind of determined to be that way now.

  “Well, here’s to life lessons,” he said, raising his beer to her.

  She raised her wine glass and they clanked softly before taking a sip.

  “So, Brayden, how do you like working on the ranches and doing that type of thing?” she asked.

  “It’s tough work, unlike anything I’ve ever done before. I’m getting used to it, though. I’ll admit, for a few days I was so sore that it was hard to even focus or walk with a normal gait. Just not used to it.”

  “I’ve never done anything more manual than yard work, myself, so I understand that.”

  “Yeah, I’m a runner, but running doesn’t use the same muscles, apparently. How about you? What activities do you enjoy?”

  “I like hiking, but I am not very gifted athletically. Maybe it’s just because I never found anything that really interested me sports-wise. But if there was a race for clumsiness, I’d probably win.”

  Brayden laughed. “You don’t appear clumsy.”

  “Well, I’m alone enough that there aren’t many witnesses to it,” she said. Then she blushed, not liking the way that sounded.

  “You busted yourself then,” he said, sensing her embarrassment and trying to make light of it. It truly was not a big deal and he wished she wouldn’t feel like it was. “I’ve been known to bust myself on occasion too.”

  “Like when?” she asked.

  “Well, the most recent example was when I mentioned to my ex-fiancée something about a being a bit dull, thinking it was a joke. But then she agreed.”

  “Ouch,” Kelsey said. “That’s painful.”

  “It was, but I guess that’s why she’s in the ex column now,” he said, shaking his head softly.

  “I have an ex, too, so I know what you mean,” she said softly.

  “Well, they say that it’s their loss, right?” He smiled at her with really kind and sympathetic eyes, but without any pity, which she appreciated.

  “Indeed. I don’t know what happened to you, but the ex’s future hasn’t panned out exactly the way he’d thought it would when we last spoke. My mom is kind enough to give me updates.”

  “My mom does that same thing,” he said. “And the same story holds true for me as well.”

  “Do you ever think you’ll get back together?” she asked. “Sorry, if that’s too personal.”

  “No worries. To answer your question—no. We will never be back together. It was tough, but I wasn’t really myself any more than she was herself. We had some good times, got along, and then grew apart. So, while it’s tough, it’s better off being single and re-identifying with who I am than pretending to be someone I’m not.”

  “That’s some good advice,” she said. He was smart and assured, which she was so drawn to. However, if he was better off being single—according to him—she would have to keep that in mind. Their talk was such of friendship, nothing more. Since she felt an attraction to him she’d have to keep this friendship in mind so she didn’t set herself up for a disappointment.

  After a bit more talk, he said, “So, aren’t you even curious what’s in that envelope that just had to be delivered tonight?”

  “Not as curious as you are, I guess.” She turned her head to look at it. It was on the edge of the counter and she reached over to get it. “Let’s satisfy that curiosity.”

  He watched as she opened up the envelope and pulled out the contents. It was a piece of marigold paper which she unfolded. She blushed and then shook her head. Then she started to laugh and handed it to Brayden.

  He didn’t blush, but he did shake his head and start to laugh. “Subtlety is not one of Mal’s attributes, is it?”

  “Nope,” she said.

  The letter had said that they were to meet tomorrow at the Millberry Farm for the final planning and decorating meeting.

  “I got that email yesterday,” he said.

  “Same here,” she replied.

  They looked at each other and were definitely amused by the obvious intentions of their mutual friends. The most telling thing was that neithe
r was quick to dismiss their efforts, although they were slightly embarrassed.

  “So, thanks for delivering this important piece of information, Brayden. You’re a lifesaver.” She could barely keep a straight face as she spoke.

  “Thanks, going to reward the hero with another beer?” he asked, holding up his bottle.

  “Why, of course.”

  Somehow, through the silliness of that unnecessary delivery, Brayden and Kelsey had grown more relaxed with each other and were able to just talk about life in general. Neither went into the specific details of their pasts—details which they were still recovering from—but both seemed to feel that they were not as alone as they’d maybe felt before.

  Chapter Six

  Kelsey had accepted Brayden’s offer to drive her out to Millberry Farm for the committee meeting the following day. Although she was used to it, it wasn’t necessarily comfortable to always show up at places alone, especially if you were meeting other couples. So, walking in with someone—even someone whom certain parties seemed to be determined to bring together—was okay. It was a deal that she’d gladly accept.

  “This event is going to be so fun. I’m looking forward to it,” Kelsey said. “I can’t believe how much everyone in town is already talking about it. Hopefully I do it justice.”

  Brayden turned his head toward her briefly and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, neither of us has ever been to it, but I know how hard you’ve worked. If anyone can pull it off, it’s you.”

  “And Olivia,” she added.

  “Yeah, Olivia, of course,” he replied. Olivia had gone out of her way to make sure that every question Brayden had could only be answered by Kelsey. At first he wondered if Olivia had been avoiding him for some reason, but he’d quickly caught on to her matchmaking scheme. Although he would never admit it to anyone, he kind of liked it. Kelsey was an incredible woman, not full of herself and also naturally kind.

  “It’s great that they have such a good place to hold the event,” he said after they’d pulled their seatbelts on and he’d started the engine.

  “I can’t believe it’s just two weeks away,” Kelsey said. “There’s a wedding there next week and I get to go and check it out. It’ll be nice to see it decorated, even if it’s not with our theme.”