“If it’s about money, I’m willing to pay for ha—”
“It’s not about money.” Adam released her. They could travel to a new place every day and never want for anything. He could give Bridgett the ultimate birthday gift...the freedom to see the world and escape the town she so desperately wanted to put behind her. It would also create a larger gap between Bridgett and her family. He’d much rather see them work it out than have her go through his personal brand of hell.
Only the truth stood between them. Lying to Bridgett caused his heartbeat to grind to a halt. He wasn’t proud of himself. But if he told her the truth, this very moment, and she ran, he’d always wonder what if. And if he told her the truth and she stayed, he’d wonder if it was because he was the easiest way out of Ramblewood. But those choices robbed him of the one thing he selfishly wanted—a chance to begin again. He could offer Bridgett a fresh start, or take his own. The risk of losing her was too great. As much as Adam hated deceiving her, he’d hate losing Bridgett more. He’d tell her and everyone the truth once he proved his worth. Maybe by then people would see him as Adam Steele. Not The Snake.
Bridgett slid to the passenger side of the cab and flopped against the seat. “Fine, I get it.”
Adam raked his hand through his hair. “No, you don’t. I have money. It’s not—”
“Well, good for you.” Bridgett’s hand hovered above the door handle. “I watch every penny. I’ll probably have to spend a good chunk of my savings on a new car soon. And once I spend it, it’ll take years before I can save it again. Enjoy your money, but please don’t tell me it’s not about the money, because if I had some of it, I’d be long gone from here.”
Adam reached for her before she opened the door. “Please don’t leave. I’m sorry.” Bridgett’s fingers eased from the handle and Adam feared his next words would push her further away. “Family is more important than anything else. Trust me, Bridgett. I’m getting nowhere with my family and it kills me to see yours desperately trying to have a relationship with you. Be careful what you wish for. Some families go away and never come back.”
* * *
BRIDGETT HADN’T REALIZED how much his family’s rejection had hurt Adam until this moment. She knew it bothered him, but the magnitude of the situation hadn’t hit her until now. She wasn’t sure how she’d feel if her mother or even Abby refused to talk to her. But wasn’t that what she was doing to them?
Bridgett groaned. “I am so sorry. I’ve been completely insensitive about your family. I can only imagine what you must think of the way I’m acting toward mine.”
Adam drew her close to his side. “I understand the betrayal you’re feeling. I just wanted you to see it from another point of view.”
“I do,” Bridgett whispered as his mouth sought hers. Adam gently brushed her hair aside and tilted her head back, trailing kisses down the side of her neck.
He lifted his head, his breath ragged. “Will you please show me where this pumpkin patch is before we find ourselves in a whole heap of trouble?” Adam slid back to the driver’s seat and shifted the truck into Reverse, easing out of the parking space. “I don’t think the Ramblewood police would appreciate us making love right here on Main Street.”
“I still can’t quite figure you out.” Bridgett studied him. “I sense a wild and reckless cowboy on the outside and this total family man hovering under the surface. I’m not sure what to think.”
Adam stiffened. Had she offended him? Maintaining his focus on the road, Adam didn’t acknowledge the comment.
“I don’t mean it in a bad way.” Bridgett saw the tension ease from his shoulders slightly. Friendships came naturally to Bridgett...romantic relationships did not. She tidied her ponytail from their mini-makeout session, relieved when she caught Adam smiling at her. “I guess this is new to the both of us and we’re still trying to figure one another out. I bet you have questions about me, too.”
“Another reason why I think a trip should wait. Not because I question my feelings for you.”
“How do you feel?” Bridgett held her breath, waiting for his response.
“My grandfather used to tell us the story of when he fell in love with my grandmother. It happened the day they met, at a train station in Missouri. I couldn’t fathom how someone could possibly know they were in love so quickly. But I’m beginning to understand it. I think I can safely say, as long as you are in Ramblewood, I will be, too. No matter what happens with my family. And I hope you’ll reconsider leaving town if any of those places you’ve applied to offer you a job. I’d hate to see us end before we begin.”
Bridgett’s thoughts had a difficult time keeping pace with her frenzied heartbeat. Those words were better than any birthday present she ever could’ve received.
Chapter Six
“Surprise!”
“I am going to kill you.” Bridgett turned and punched Adam in the arm. “I specifically asked you if Mazie had planned a party and you feigned innocence. I won’t trust you again.”
“Happy birthday, girlfriend.” Lexi gave Bridgett a smothering hug. “You didn’t think we’d let your birthday go by and not celebrate it, did you?”
Lexi released Bridgett just long enough for Shane to squeeze in and give her a hug.
“I half expected Mazie to pull some sort of stunt, but I never imagined you two would be here. Especially you, Shane.”
“When have I ever missed your birthday? And if I did, it was only because I was on the rodeo circuit,” Shane said. “Today’s your special day.”
Bridgett appreciated Shane’s subtle emphasis.
“The four of you are amazing. Thank you.” Bridgett bit back her tears and faced Adam. “I knew I heard you out behind The Magpie talking with Maggie earlier. It was about this, wasn’t it?”
“In a matter of speaking,” Adam smiled. “They wanted to make sure you weren’t late for your own party.”
“Instead, Mazie ensured I’d rummage through a muddy pumpkin patch so I’d arrive filthy.” Bridgett attempted to grab Mazie with her dirty hands. “How can I thank you?”
“You’ll always look beautiful to me,” Adam said. A collective aww came from the other side of the room.
“Save the sugar for dessert. I need a minute to clean up. I’ll be back.” Bridgett hurried up the newly carpeted staircase.
“So do I.” Adam began to follow her up the stairs.
“Hold it, cowboy,” Shane called to Adam.
Adam stopped midstep and faced the dining room.
“What did I do wrong?” Adam asked.
“If you go up there, we won’t see the two of you for the rest of the night,” Shane laughed. “You can wash up down here. We’d appreciate celebrating Bridgett’s birthday with her before you two celebrate privately.”
Safely at the top of the staircase, Bridgett felt the warmth of a blush flood her cheeks. She’d had her share of boyfriends in her teens and early twenties—some might say more than her share—but none of her friends had teased her this warmly about one before.
After a quick change of clothes, Bridgett rejoined them in the dining room. Mazie had prepared Bridgett’s favorite Andouille sausage Cajun jambalaya. After dinner and a few bottles of wine, Mazie brought out Bridgett’s second birthday cake of the day. Homemade French lemon cake topped with fresh whipped cream—the highlight of the meal.
“Mazie, you’ve outdone yourself,” Bridgett said in between mouthfuls.
“I’m sorry, honey,” Shane said to Lexi. “I’m moving in here and you can run the ranch...I could handle a dinner like this every night.”
“Since when isn’t Hamburger Helper good enough for you?” Hands on hips, Lexi playfully glowered at Shane. “I have no business in the kitchen just as you wouldn’t want Mazie around the business end of a horse.”
“Lexi does hav
e a point,” Mazie chimed in.
“This lemon cake is the best I’ve had anywhere in the world,” Adam said.
“Have you traveled extensively?” Lexi asked.
Adam seemed to linger while wiping his mouth with his napkin before he answered. “I traveled with friends not long ago.”
He didn’t expand on who the friends were or where they’d gone. Bridgett wondered if by friends he meant an ex-girlfriend. She’d half hoped somebody would ask him more questions, but for once the chattering trio remained silent.
“More coffee?” Mazie asked.
“In a minute,” Lexi said. “I want to give Bridgett her present.”
“Lexi, I told you not to,” Bridgett protested. “Dinner with you four is gift enough.”
“Will you hush up, please?” Lexi excused herself from the table and disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a small box wrapped in zebra-striped paper and a turquoise bow. “Happy birthday, my friend.”
Bridgett smiled at the package Lexi set before her. “This is definitely a Lexi wrapping job.”
Bridgett tugged at the paper, revealing a black velvet box. Lifting the hinged lid, she covered her mouth, shaking her head. “Lexi.”
“Don’t you start with the tears.” Lexi crouched down beside her chair. “You have had your eye on that for as long as I can remember. I knew you would kill me if I bought you a new one, so I’m giving you mine.”
“I can’t take this. It’s been in your family for years.” Bridgett ran her fingers over the heavy silver chain and oversize, antique filigree locket. “It’s beautiful but it should go to Mazie, not me.”
“Lexi and I have already discussed it,” Mazie added. “It’s perfectly fine with me. You’re a part of our family.”
“And I want you to have it.” Lexi covered Bridgett’s hands with her own. “I don’t wear it as often as I used to. It’s too long for me to wear when I’m working with the horses. Plus Shane gave me a diamond pendant for a wedding gift. This has been sitting in a box for a long time. It deserves to be worn.”
“Thank you.” She wiped away her tears. The gift of her friend’s beloved locket meant more to Bridgett than anyone could’ve imagined. She’d never owned anything more than cheap flea-market jewelry. The locket was pure silver and over a hundred years old.
“It’s very beautiful.” Adam leaned closer. “I have a gift for you, too.” He excused himself from the table and ran upstairs, returning seconds later. “Happy birthday, and I hope this is the beginning of many more we share together.”
As he put the pink-and-silver gift bag on the table before Bridgett, the second collective aww of the evening resonated throughout the room.
“Adam, we had this conversation earlier. You shouldn’t have.”
Adam addressed the table. “Is she always this argumentative?”
“Yes,” everyone replied at once.
Bridgett removed the tissue paper from the bag, and lifted out three hand-tooled leather journals in various shades of pink, lilac and baby blue.
“Those are for the recipes you’ll use in your future restaurant.”
“What a clever idea,” Mazie said. “You’ll have no problem filling these up. You should see her in the kitchen, Adam.”
Bridgett leaned affectionately into him, tilting her face to his for a kiss. “Thank you, for the gift and your faith in me.
“Mazie.” Bridgett laid the journals on the table and rose to give her friend a thank-you hug. “This dinner means the world to me. I am truly blessed to have you as a friend, especially after all you’ve done for me these past few weeks. I love you. I love you all. Family drama aside, this tops my best-birthday list.” Her heart sang with the love of her friends. Their unyielding support had kept her grounded for the past few weeks. A wash of sadness gripped her at the thought of leaving them behind when she moved away. Maybe Adam was right. Maybe she needed to give more thought to moving away from Ramblewood.
“It doesn’t have to end yet,” Shane said.
Lexi elbowed her husband hard in the ribs, shaking her head.
“It’s okay, Lexi,” Bridgett said. “I actually feel guilty for not going to Slater’s tonight. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to poke my head in and say hello. Mom will be there and as much as I said I didn’t want to see her, my birthday doesn’t feel complete without her.”
“Are you sure?” Lexi asked.
“Yes, it will be fine. I can leave if it turns dicey.”
“Why don’t all of us walk down together?” Adam asked. “Safety in numbers.”
“You four go ahead,” Mazie said. “I need to clean up before my guests return from dinner.”
“I wondered where everyone was.” Bridgett began to clear the table.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Mazie waved Adam to the table. “Take your girlfriend out dancing. No more work for you on your birthday. Maggie told me she gave you the day off and you refused.”
Bridgett protested as Adam physically lifted her over his shoulder and carried her to the door. “I hate leaving you. Please join us.”
“I have work to do and a business to run.” Mazie stacked the plates and silverware into one pile. “Have fun tonight.”
Bridgett struggled until Adam put her down. “We won’t be back late.” Bridgett dashed to the table, gathering her gifts to bring upstairs. She smiled at her friends. “I think this is definitely the start of a new beginning. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
* * *
WHEN THEY RETURNED from Slater’s Mill, exhaustion began to set in. Bridgett had been quiet at the honky-tonk, but she’d managed a few pleasantries with her mother and sister while maintaining a safe distance from Darren. It wasn’t until their walk home a few hours later that she’d become more talkative again.
Saying their goodbyes to Lexi and Shane, Adam and Bridgett climbed the oak staircase to the second floor. Walking Bridgett to her room, Adam hesitated to say good-night. He’d much rather make love to her until the sun rose.
“I had fun tonight,” Bridgett whispered. “Thank you for the lovely gifts, I can’t wait to start creating new dishes. Hopefully it won’t be too long before I open my own restaurant. I get excited just thinking about it.”
“Don’t ever let go of your dreams, Bridgett.” Adam brushed an errant lock of hair from her face.
“I can promise I will fill every page of those journals you gave me. In fact, I’m planning to keep the smaller one in my purse.”
“I figured maybe you would, which is why I chose that size for you.” Adam wished he could give Bridgett the restaurant she wanted. Maybe one day he’d have the opportunity. “I guess we should call it a night.”
“What time do you have to be at the ranch in the morning?” Bridgett asked.
“Six o’clock.” He couldn’t remember when he’d last started a job so early in the morning. The life of a rock star began at six in the evening. “You’ll be off to work before I am.”
“Get a good night’s sleep, and if I don’t see you in the morning, good luck tomorrow. The Langtrys are great people to work for. And as you can already tell, I think of them as my second family.”
Adam bent his head and kissed Bridgett softly on the mouth, deepening the intensity to a dangerous level in the hallway. Reluctantly he broke away before he lost the ability to stop.
“You will see me before you head to work in the morning,” Adam said. “Happy birthday, sweetheart. I meant what I said earlier. I hope today is the beginning of many more we celebrate together.”
“I do, too.” Bridgett slipped into her bedroom and closed the door, leaving Adam alone in the hallway. The walk back to his room seemed more like a mile than twenty feet.
Once inside, Adam sat on the bed and set his alarm for the morning. Tonight had turned out better than he
had anticipated. He pulled out his wallet, making sure he had everything he needed for his first day at work tomorrow. According to his temporary driver’s license and registration, he was an official resident of Texas again. Coming back to Texas felt better than he’d thought it would. He didn’t need the job at Bridle Dance and anyone who knew him would probably question his sanity for taking it.
Playing guitar in front of thousands of screaming fans had been a fantasy throughout his teen years He’d started playing guitar at twelve. By the age of sixteen, he’d had enough songs to fill a notebook. At twenty, he’d tried his hand at Nashville. He hadn’t fared well, but didn’t give up. At twenty-three, he was back again. And that’s when it had happened. A Los Angeles manager in town with one of his bands saw Adam at The Bluebird Cafe and convinced him to move to California. It was the start of him losing control over his life. The more estranged he’d become from his family, the more he’d partied. What wasn’t there to like? He’d had fame, women, fast cars and money.
In the beginning he’d loved being on the road. They’d arrive in a new city, do a little sight-seeing, run a sound check, head to dinner somewhere exotic and expensive, then they’d perform. The adrenaline high that came with a live performance had been dangerously addictive. They’d always wanted more and their agent had been more than happy to book the shows. Adam had been living his dream.
But it had fallen flat once the novelty wore off. Being on tour, singing the same songs night after night, nothing had ever changed. They’d lived in a continuous loop for up to eighteen months at a time. Only the city they performed in changed, and those began to blur after a while. Now shoveling horse manure held more appeal. He needed to feel useful again. He wanted to work with his hands and have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
Standing up, he undressed and let his clothes fall to the floor. He slipped beneath the cool crisp cotton sheets, and immediately wished he had Bridgett by his side. Of course, if she were, they wouldn’t be sleeping. But once they had gotten used to sleeping together, he easily envisioned them holding each other through the night. That was perfection.
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