by Mari Carr
“Yeah, well, I’d say the radiator’s not only empty, it’s shot.” They both straightened before Shaw closed the hood. “Leave it here. I’ll call Danny to bring his tow truck. He can deliver this back to the shyster who screwed you by putting you in the thing to begin with.”
Max opened the driver’s side door and pulled the keys out of the ignition. “Where are your suitcases? We’ll give you a ride to Brody’s.”
“In the trunk. I only have a couple of bags. I shipped the rest of my stuff. Should get here tomorrow.”
She leaned in the driver’s side window to grab her laptop as Max retrieved her suitcases from the trunk. Once she’d recovered her computer and purse, Shaw took her hand and led her to the passenger side of their truck.
She grinned as she climbed in and scooted to the middle of the large bench seat. It had been years since she’d ridden in a pickup. Damn, it felt good to be home again.
Shaw followed her as Max threw her bags in the truck bed, then climbed in and started the vehicle. Shaw rested his arm on the seat behind her, and she tried to ignore how much his close proximity was pushing her buttons. She hadn’t had sex in nearly eight months and she hadn’t had good sex in years. Texas wasn’t the only thing suffering a drought.
“Your uncle says you’re an artist,” Shaw said.
“Graphic artist,” she amended. “I do most of my creating on the computer.” She tapped her laptop.
Max pulled out onto the road. “Brody says you’re really good. Says you’ve made quite a name for yourself.”
She rolled her eyes. Her uncle had always been her biggest fan—boasting about her constantly, whether she deserved it or not. “I see Uncle Brody’s been bragging on me again. I make enough to pay the bills. How are things on Bronco Ranch? I was surprised when I heard y’all had taken it over.”
Shaw turned toward her. “Things are pretty good. Can’t complain. Max and I bought the ranch a couple years ago after old man Hawkins retired and moved to Florida. Price was right and we’d been saving our money for some property for quite a while.”
Max glanced her way. “Brody will enjoy having you back. You stayed away a long time. What’s it been? Eight years now?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Life sort of got in the way of coming back to visit. You know how it is.”
“Eight years,” Max repeated. “So fill us in. What have you been up to?”
Keri laughed uneasily. She was leery to admit how little she had to show for her time away. “You don’t really mean to tell me Brody hasn’t bored you to tears with every nitty-gritty detail of my less than exciting life?”
Shaw chuckled. “Oh, I think your uncle may have mentioned you a few or twenty-thousand times. Still rather hear it from you though.”
Keri sighed. “I went to college, got my degree and then moved to New York City for a few years.”
Both men waited for her to elaborate, but sadly, there wasn’t much more to say.
“Maybe your uncle’s version is more interesting,” Max teased. “What about your job? What are you going to do now that you’re living here?”
“I do freelance work and I’ve built a decent client list. Besides an occasional bit of business travel, I can set up an office at Brody’s and work from there.”
Max turned onto the long lane that would lead to her uncle’s ranch. She let her eyes soak in her first look at the beloved place. She felt like she was coming out of a self-created cocoon. She took a deep breath of dry Texas air, ready to spread her wings and fly.
“You dating anybody?” Max asked.
“Not anymore.” The admission flew from her lips and she wished she hadn’t been quite so candid.
“Good,” Shaw replied.
Keri’s breath caught as she wondered about his response. Her schoolgirl fantasies came alive once more as she remembered all the time she’d spent spying on the two men sitting beside her. Her uncle constantly teased her about her crushes on his young ranch hands. At eighteen, she’d been nowhere near woman enough for the cowboys. Rumors of their exploits, of the two of them sharing women, had reached even her far-too-sheltered ears and she’d been fascinated. Now she was an adult, and what had seemed so taboo in her teens presently sounded pretty fucking hot.
Then she recalled Brody’s penchant for telling anybody within a hundred-mile radius everything about her. No uncle ever doted more. She assumed it was because he’d never married and had no children of his own. She was his little girl and, for better or worse, his favorite topic of conversation. While there were times when that habit was flattering, there were times—like now—when it made her uneasy. Had her uncle told Max and Shaw about her disastrous relationship? Maybe Shaw’s approval of her dating status was based on the fact that he agreed with Brody, that she was better off without John Callenda in her life.
Her heart lurched as she thought about John. She’d been a fool for years, blind to so many things. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to erase the pain associated with the memories. John was her past, a part of her previous life. Things were going to be different from now on.
When she opened her eyes, Shaw and Max were both looking at her. She wasn’t sure what they saw on her face, but she quickly pasted on a carefree smile. The expression became genuine when she glanced out the window once more and Uncle Brody’s house came into view.
“Thank God,” she whispered. “I’m home.”
Brody stepped out onto the front porch, his large cowboy hat shading his eyes. He’d been expecting her arrival. Knowing him, he’d been pacing the floor all afternoon waiting for her to show up.
Max pulled in front of the house and parked the truck. Shaw hopped out then turned to help her. His large hands gripped her waist, and she struggled to stifle the arousal the simple touch instilled.
“There’s my girl,” Brody said, coming down the porch steps.
Keri launched herself into his strong embrace, soaking in the smells that were so comforting, so thoroughly Uncle Brody—woodsmoke, horses, peppermint, coffee and the slightest trace of his favorite cologne. For a moment she was so overwhelmed, her throat clogged and she found it difficult to speak.
She’d been merely going through the motions the past few months, letting her lease run out, packing up her apartment, informing her clients of her impending move. She’d crossed all the T’s and dotted all the I’s, patiently waiting for the day she could escape her old life and embark on a new adventure.
Brody must have sensed the emotions welling inside her, for he simply held her tight.
When she managed to pull herself together, she released him and took a small step back. Her uncle cupped her cheek with his calloused hand and studied her face. She didn’t bother to hide anything she was feeling. It would be pointless. He knew her too well.
He leaned closer, speaking softly, and she was reminded that Max and Shaw were still there. “You’re home now. Everything will be fine.”
She smiled, blinking rapidly to stem the flow of tears his kindness provoked. He knew how badly her breakup with John had hurt her. When John walked out, he’d left her shattered, and she was forced to take a long, hard look at herself and the woman she’d become.
Brody turned to the men standing behind her. “Max. Shaw. Have to say I wasn’t expecting to see you two here today.”
As Max retrieved her luggage, Shaw and Keri explained about her car troubles. Brody thanked them for saving her from a long, hot walk and invited them to supper.
Keri was pleased—and more than a little excited—when they accepted.
It felt like old times as they sat down to dinner. Usually her uncle ate with the ranch hands in the kitchen, but tonight he’d planned a special welcome home meal in the dining room. She’d spent all of her life sharing meals, listening to the men discuss the ranch and their day. Having Max and Shaw with them at the table felt right. Her uncle had been struggling to find ranch hands as reliable and hardworking as them since they’d left, and she knew he missed having them aroun
d on a day-to-day basis. Max and Shaw had been a part of Mockingbird Ranch from the time she’d turned twelve until two years ago. They were more than neighbors. They were family.
“So Liv married Rem Bradley,” she said, as the three men attempted to catch her up on all the changes that had occurred during her absence. “I was surprised to hear that.”
Max nodded. “Yep. Rumor has it they’re expecting another baby around Christmastime. It’ll be their third.”
The Bradleys owned one of the four ranches in the area. They were good people, kind neighbors, and Keri was looking forward to reconnecting with them. “I think I remember Brody mentioning that Liv’s brother Jeb married too.”
Shaw speared a bit of meatloaf with his fork. “He finally convinced his high-school sweetheart Claire to marry him. They’re running the ranch next to Rem’s.”
“That’s nice. I sort of thought Jeb would follow the rodeo forever.”
Brody wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Everybody’s gotta grow up sometime. I’ve noticed even these two scoundrels are slowing down in their advanced years.”
They all laughed as Shaw raised his hand in denial. “You don’t have to worry about me growing up, and you might wanna watch yourself throwing around that advanced years comment, old man. People who live in glass houses…”
Brody shrugged good-naturedly. “Speaking of houses, I’ve put a fresh coat of paint on the walls in the office. I never use the damn room, so it’s yours, Keri. You can set up your computer stuff in there, hang whatever pictures you want.”
Keri smiled at her uncle’s generosity. “That sounds great. Thanks, Brody. As long as your Internet service works, I’ll be set.”
“It works,” Brody said with a grin. “Only dead zone as far as Internet and cell service is on that six-mile stretch of road where you managed to break down.”
She laughed. “I didn’t break down. The damn car did.”
Her uncle’s cell phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket, waving it at her as if to prove his point. He started to turn if off but frowned when he read the caller ID. Rising, he excused himself. “I need to take this.”
He surprised Keri by leaving the room. Her uncle was a stickler for the dinner hour. He never allowed phone calls during meals.
“He’s missed you,” Shaw said.
Keri smiled. “I’ve missed him too. More than I can say.”
“Your mother doing okay?” Max asked.
She nodded. “Yep. She finally settled down and got married. Found a nice man, an insurance salesman. They live in Philly. She tried to convince me to move there when I said I was sick of New York, but I couldn’t see the point in trading one city for another.”
Shaw finished his dinner, put down his fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “What made you decide to move? Your uncle seemed to think you loved the hustle and bustle of city living.”
She leaned back against her chair, uncertain she could explain her reasons in a way that would make sense. “I suppose I just woke up one morning and realized I was about a million miles away from where I wanted to be.”
Max narrowed his eyes. Keri suspected he wanted that answer explained further. However, before he could question her, Brody came back into the room. “I need to run into town for a little while.”
Keri stood up. “Is everything okay?”
“Oh yeah. Nothing serious. One of my hands got into a fight at a bar and needs somebody to bail him out. Dumbass.” Brody looked at Max and Shaw in turn. “Hard to find good help. I’m afraid you were the last two trustworthy cowboys in the state.”
Max smiled at her uncle’s compliment. “Want us to go pick him up? It’s Keri’s first night home.”
Brody shook his head. “No. Keri, you mind if I leave you here with these two fellas for a while? I told the sheriff I’d come in personally and vouch for him.”
Keri was glad she wasn’t going to be on the receiving end of the lecture Brody’s ranch hand was about to get. She suspected it would be a long trip from town for the man. “It’s just the first night of many. We have plenty of time to catch up. We’ll be on each other’s nerves in no time.”
Brody gave her a quick buss on the cheek. “Never happen. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Max and Shaw rose as Brody shook their hands, thanking them again for bringing her home.
“Night, Brody,” Max said. Her uncle picked up the keys to his truck. They followed Brody outside, standing on the front porch and watching him drive away.
“I guess y’all need to be getting back to Bronco Ranch. I didn’t mean to keep you out all afternoon.”
Shaw put a friendly arm around her shoulders. “It wasn’t exactly a hardship blowing off work to spend the day with a pretty woman.”
She laughed lightly and then walked down the porch steps, soaking in the fresh air and peacefulness as dusk descended. Looking up, she spotted more than a few stars in the sky. “Damn. I think I missed the stars most of all.”
Kicking off her shoes, she walked barefoot through the grass until she found a nice thick patch. Then she sat down and lay back, looking up at the evening sky.
Max and Shaw walked over to stand above her, laughing.
She waved her hand. “You’re blocking my view,” she joked.
Max looked at Shaw, who shrugged. Then they both claimed a side, lying down next to her.
Keri sighed contentedly. “There’s nothing in the world like a night sky bright with stars and complete silence.”
Neither man said anything. She appreciated them giving her some time to simply enjoy the moment. She’d had a wonderful evening, laughing more than she had in months. She’d been right to come home.
“So who broke your heart?” Shaw asked after several minutes.
His question caught her unaware and she jerked slightly. “Who said anyone—”
Max’s deep voice halted any denials she might make. “Don’t, Keri. Maybe we haven’t seen you in years, but we still know you and care about you. You don’t have to pretend like everything’s okay with us.”
She took one last look at the sky and then closed her eyes. How many times had she confided her secret hurts to these men? All through high school they’d listened to her rage about mean girls who’d bullied her and consoled her over lost boyfriends. They’d offered advice, patience and two strong shoulders to cry on.
“His name was John. We dated four years. Lived together two of those years. I was with a company at the time, rather than doing freelance work. John worked in banking. I came home from the office one day and discovered half the place packed in boxes.”
“He was moving out and hadn’t bothered to tell you?” Max asked, his voice laced with disgust.
Keri smiled at him. “Yep. Pretty shitty thing to do. He came out of the kitchen, looked at me and just shrugged. I don’t think he’d expected me home so early. I had a tendency to work long hours.”
“Jesus. Guy’s a prick,” Shaw muttered.
She couldn’t help but agree. “I asked him what he was doing and he said he was leaving. Said he couldn’t live in the hamster cage with me anymore.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” Max rolled toward her, resting his head on his hand. Shaw followed suit. Their close proximity, their intent stares, made her feel warm and cherished. It had been a very long time since she hadn’t felt completely and utterly alone. She hadn’t intended to tell them any of this. Even Brody only knew bits of the story. She’d hidden most of the details, feeling almost ashamed for her part in the breakup.
“He said every morning we climbed on the wheel and started walking, never going anywhere, never seeing anything different. We were both in constant motion and yet we were standing still.”
Max reached over to brush a strand of hair away from her eyes. The gesture was simple, friendly, but it caused her heart to stutter.
“Anyway,” she continued, “I got pissed off. I yelled at him, called him every nasty name in the book. I think I even t
hrew a few things.”
“Good for you,” Shaw said.
“Didn’t matter. He still left. Then I did all the classic heartbroken girl things. I cried, listened to sad love songs, ate gallons of ice cream and cursed John’s name all the way to hell and back. Then I woke up one morning and realized he’d been right.”
Max shook his head. “Keri, the jerk packed all his shit without even telling you he was leaving. That’s not right.”
“No. The way he left was completely wrong, but his reasons weren’t. We had become everything he’d described—predictable, boring. Our days were only unique in that they were all exactly the same.”
Shaw sat up, his face too serious for the normally fun-loving man. “There’s nothing wrong with stability, Keri.”
She pushed herself to sit cross-legged next to him. “I know that. But there’s also a lot to be said for spontaneity, adventure. I started looking at my life and I realized there was a pattern. I’ve always been reliable, practical Keri. I wake up every morning with a plan for that day.”
“That just means you’re organized,” Max interjected.
She laughed. Both men seemed determined to make her feel better about a situation that wasn’t bothering her anymore. She’d found her own way out of the mess she’d called a life. Hell, the fact she was sitting here proved that.
“Dammit,” she said, “will you two listen to me? I’m not upset about the breakup with John. In a way, he set me free, and in more ways than just changing my Facebook status to single again. His leaving was a wake-up call. I’d become complacent with my life, going through the motions, but I wasn’t happy. In my too-organized, super-stable way, I’d forgotten to pencil in time for laughter and dancing and a million other tiny little things that make life worth living.”