The more Jace pressured her, the more anxious she became about it. She told him she was afraid Tucker would be angry. He kept telling her he thought she was wrong, but the truth was, she hadn’t been telling him the truth about what was happening between her and Tuck.
“It got to the point where I was the one who was angry. I started asking her if she was sleeping with both me and my brother, which she insisted she wasn’t.
“What she didn’t tell me was that Tuck had started talking about the two of them getting married. It wasn’t until I overheard Tuck talking to our dad about it the night before Thanksgiving that I realized how serious he was.
“I called Rosa while Tuck was still talking to my parents and I gotta tell you, I was pissed. She kept saying she was afraid to tell him. In hindsight, I should have told him myself.”
“In hindsight maybe you shouldn’t have gotten involved with your brother’s girlfriend.”
“In hindsight I should become a monk or somethin’,” he laughed, Bree didn’t.
“Anyway, Tucker was spending Thanksgiving with her family, which was another thing I was mad as hell about.”
Rosa called him after Tucker left their house, and told him how upset he’d been after talking with her father. She begged Jace to meet her. It hadn’t been easy to come up with a reason he had to leave on Thanksgiving, but he’d managed it. There was a creek that ran behind her house and they’d been meeting there when the weather was nice enough. It was warm for Thanksgiving, so that’s what they did.
“It took her quite a while to talk down my mad. And even then, I felt as though Rosa was playin’ us. I had pretty much decided to end things with her myself, and I guess she sensed it, because she started begging me not to break up with her, tellin’ me how much she loved me, all that. I was walkin’ her up to the house and she wrapped herself around me. She was kissin’ me like her life depended on it when we saw somebody drive up to the house. We were far enough away that whoever it was couldn’t see us, but she was quick to realize it was Tucker’s truck.
“She went running up to him, begging him to listen to her. My heart was breakin’, I gotta tell you. When I heard her scream for him to wait, and then she got in his truck, I realized she loved him all along, and that she’d been lying to me. And maybe it was worse than that. Maybe she didn’t love either one of us.”
Bree was still huddled under the blanket, but her face had softened. It didn’t seem as though she was as mad at him as she had been during most of the story.
“Tucker told me bits and pieces about what he remembered of the accident. He also told me that she’d been trying to tell him that she was in love with someone else.
“That near broke my heart. That she’d been trying to tell him. The other thing he said, was that she hadn’t told him who it was when he lost control of the truck and it rolled. She was killed on impact, and Tuck was in pretty bad shape.”
Jace was visibly trying to wipe away his tears. Bree reached out from under the blanket and put her hand on his arm. It made him want to cry more.
“After Tucker recovered, things got worse.”
Jace told her that Tucker was hell-bent on finding who the other guy was, and that everyone believed if he found him, he’d kill him. He’d never seen Tucker act that way, and worse, he could feel the rage inside of his brother. There was sadness too, they were both feeling it, but Tucker didn’t know how much of the sadness was Jace’s.
“I never told anyone it was me. No one. Until today, I never told anyone any of it.”
“I’m the first person you told this story?”
“No, I gotta be honest. You’re not.”
“Did you tell Blythe?”
“God no. It wouldn’t be my place to tell Blythe.”
He told her that when he woke up before dawn, he could feel Tucker’s anguish, and that was why he got up and left. He told her about meeting up with Tucker at the scene of his accident, the one with Blythe, and how the pieces fell into place.
“Tucker realized it was me that night. And that’s why I look the way I do. I tried to get him to stop and talk to me, but he wasn’t havin’ any part of it. I guess beatin’ the shit outa me was more what he was after.”
“Can you blame him?”
“No. Can’t say I do.”
“Now what?”
“I have no idea. I don’t know what’s goin’ on with him and Blythe. I don’t know if he’ll ever want to talk to me again. I don’t know anythin’ about anythin’.”
“And you told me because you want me to find out for you.”
The expression on Jace’s face changed so drastically, so quickly, it startled her.
“No, that isn’t why I told you. Jesus Bree. You know, I already think I’m the worst guy in the world. I don’t need you or anybody else rubbin’ my nose in it, or makin’ it worse. You think the only reason I told you this story was so you could get information for me?”
“Well why did you tell me?”
“Fuck…I don’t know. I had to, that’s all I know. Somethin’ inside me was sayin’ that I had to be the one to tell you. ’Cause even if you don’t believe me, your opinion means somethin’ to me.”
“Who was the other person?”
“What do you mean?”
“You said that I wasn’t the first person you told this story to today. Who was?”
“Lyric.”
“Ah. I see.”
“Now what does that mean?”
“But you don’t want either of us to talk to Blythe, or Tucker, right?”
“So that’s what we’re back to, you thinkin’ the worst possible thing you can about me. That I spilled my guts to you so you’d help me with my brother…or your sister.”
“You have to admit it’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“No, I don’t have to admit that. Not at all. I told you because I care what you think.”
“And you care what Lyric thinks too?”
“Not in the same way, no.”
“Then why did you tell her?”
“Because I was scared. Okay? I’ve never told anyone this Bree. No one. I carried this secret around with me for the last seven years. And when Tuck was so messed up over Blythe and disappeared, I knew I had to step in and take care of her, because I owed him. I owe him everything.”
“And because you love her.”
“I don’t know that I do. As long as I’m tellin’ the truth about everything. That’s the truth about Blythe. I don’t know that I love her. And you wanna know why not?”
“I’m afraid to ask,” she smirked.
“Oh you think this is funny now, is that it?”
“No, I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s funny. Go on.”
“Forget it.”
“No, I want to hear this. Why don’t you think you’re in love with my sister anymore?”
“Because of you.”
She gasped. “Jace, if I’ve led you to believe—”
“Believe that you have any feelings for me other than hatred? Nah, you haven’t Bree. You’ve made your feelings clear, especially in the last few minutes.”
He stood up.
“Where are you going? Do you want another beer?”
“No thanks. It’s time for me to go. It was important to me to tell you my tragic story, and now that I have, there isn’t any reason for me to stay.”
“Wait. Listen, I’m sorry. It’s a lot to take in. You can’t blame me for wondering about your motives.”
“That’s it.” Jace turned and walked out through the kitchen. Bree heard the back door slam behind him.
***
Blythe was stroking Tucker’s hair when he woke up. They were facing each other, so close, she could feel his breath on her face.
“Guess I nodded off.”
“You were exhausted.”
“Is everything okay Blythe?”
“Everything’s okay with me, but Tucker, I have to ask. What happened with you and Jace today?”<
br />
“It was him.”
“What do you mean?”
“He was the other man. Rosa was in love with Jace.”
“No!”
“Yes. So you understand now why I never want to hear my brother’s name again. Ever.”
“Oh Tucker. I’m so sorry.”
“Me too.”
“You didn’t have any idea?”
“None whatsoever. I was blindsided.”
“He told you? Outright?”
“No, not exactly. We were talking about how I felt then. I told him I wasn’t sure whether I ever loved Rosa. I was trying to sort through my feelings. I buried them for so long, when they came to the surface I wondered if I’d made more of it back then than it was.”
“What did Jace say?”
“He said he couldn’t tell. When I asked him if he remembered, he said he couldn’t tell whether I loved her or not, because he couldn’t differentiate his feelings from mine. That’s when I figured it out. It all came together. It was him. That’s why Rosa’s brother said we looked alike. He was playing with me, trying to bait me. Because we did look alike, exactly alike.”
“Why didn’t he tell you?”
“Because he’s a bastard, that’s why. You accused me once of playing games with you. In fact, I think you accused me of that more than once. It was never me darlin’. You were getting ol’ Jace and me confused. He’s the game player, not me. And he always has been.”
Blythe wanted to tell Tucker she didn’t believe it. She’d never believe that it was that simple. Jace had been willing to do anything for her and the baby, and that included giving up his own chance at love. She couldn’t believe the man Tucker was talking about, saying these things about, was the same man she knew.
Tucker was hurt, and had every right to be. But he was oversimplifying what happened. If Rosa told Tucker she was in love with this other person, there had to be more to it.
“Had she told you she loved you?”
Tucker closed his eyes tightly. She wasn’t sure he was going to answer her. “Yes. Of course she did.”
“And were you, you know, intimate?”
“Yeah, we were.”
“Do you think she and Jace—”
“I can’t think about that. As it is, I never want to see him again. If I start to think about him and Rosa together, I don’t think I’ll be able to handle it.”
Blythe gathered him close and held on tight. “I love you Tucker.”
“I know you do. And I love you. Those are the only two things I’m absolutely certain of right now. Everything else seems like a clusterfuck to me.”
***
“They’re downstairs. The last time I checked they were both sleeping,” said Paige.
“I don’t want to disturb them, but I want to ask Blythe a couple things. I’ll hang out for a while, if we hear movement, I’ll go down, otherwise, I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
“What’s this about?”
“Did she or Tucker say anything about Jace?”
“Now that you mention it, they didn’t. Nothing at all.”
“Something happened today. Tucker and Jace got into a big fight. Jace told me the story of what happened, you know the accident.”
“The accident? You mean with Blythe?”
“No. The other accident. Tucker was in an accident seven years ago. There was a woman with him and she was killed.”
“Oh. That explains a lot.”
“Yes it does, but there’s more.”
“More?”
“Yes. It seems that Tucker and Jace were both in love with this woman at the time. Except Tucker didn’t know anything about her relationship with Jace.”
“Oh dear.”
“And to make matters worse, Jace came to the house tonight to tell me his side of the story and I handled it very badly.”
“Where’s Jace now?”
“I don’t know. He left, and something tells me he doesn’t intend to come back.”
“Where do you think he’s headed?”
“No idea. Although he could be on his way to Crested Butte. Back to train with Billy, back to the rodeo circuit.”
“Call Renie.”
“I will, but I’ll wait until tomorrow. And listen, I’m going to go back home now. I’m pretty tired. I’ll come see Blythe tomorrow.”
“Okay, drive safe.”
“Night Mom, love you.”
“Love you too baby.”
Bree loved that her mom called all of them baby. It was one of her favorite things about her mom.
***
When Bree called Renie the next morning, she told her they hadn’t heard a word from Jace. She promised to let her know when they did.
Chapter 21
“I don’t understand,” said Lyric.
“He left. He told Bree what happened, and then he left.”
“And nobody’s seen him?”
“Renie says not to worry. She’s sure Billy’s talked to him. They’re scheduled to ride in Kansas City next weekend. Maybe he’s taking a few days to get his head out of what’s going on here, and back into rodeo.”
“What about his parents?”
“No idea Lyric. I’m telling you what I know.”
Blythe thought it was odd that Lyric was reacting the way she was. If anyone was a free spirit who traveled whichever way the wind blew, it was Lyric. Jace needed some time, that’s all. Blythe wasn’t worried about him as much as she was worried about his relationship with Tucker.
“So how are you feeling anyway? Ready to work?”
“You know it. I’ll go crazy doing nothing for the next four months.”
“Where’s Tucker?”
“Looking at houses.”
“That was quick.”
“I guess when you know, you know. And we know.”
“Ha! Yeah, that sounds ’bout right.”
“What’s crazy is, my dad is with him.”
“What’s he lookin’ for?”
“I have no idea to tell you the truth. But Tucker is an artist, so it’ll be interesting to see what appeals to him.”
“I’m gonna have to go out of town again soon, like tomorrow.”
“Business?”
“No, but I sure wish it was.”
“What then?”
“It’s my brother. I’ve told you about him, right? Bullet?”
“You’ve mentioned him a couple of times. What’s goin’ on?”
“He’s a hot mess. In a huge custody fight with his daughter’s mama, got another one on the way.”
“Why is she in a custody fight with him if they’re having another baby?”
“Oh the other baby isn’t with her. It’s with a different woman, which is what’s behind the custody fight. I think.”
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes. You think things are complicated in your lives, wait ’til you hear more about mine, or my brother’s. I don’t have time for my life to be complicated.”
“Your brother would probably think our lives are more complicated than his. More people involved anyway.”
“Yeah, ’bout I guess. Anyway, I’m sorry to be leavin’ again, but I got everything mapped out for you.”
Lyric went over a list of upcoming rodeos with Blythe and they researched websites to see who would be posting scores in real time and who wouldn’t. Lyric also gave Blythe a list of contacts she could text for results for the smaller rodeos.
“You can keep your eye on Jace too this way, without him knowing about it. You’ll at least know if he bucks off or gets a score.”
***
It took Tucker three weeks of looking at houses daily before he found one he wanted Blythe to see. It was out Hodgen Road, which wasn’t far from where Billy and Renie’s ranch was, and even closer to Dottie and Bill’s house. In fact, their property bordered one another’s, although you couldn’t see either house from the other’s.
Tucker carried her to his truck, where he had pillows waiting for h
er to prop around her.
“I think you’ve gone overboard,” she said to him.
He glared at her.
“Never mind. This is perfect. I’ll be well-padded on every side. Will I be required to be wrapped in bunting whenever we go for a ride in your truck? Or do you think bubble wrap would work better?”
“You’re on bed rest. Do you remember that part? I’m sure if we asked the doc, he wouldn’t have approved a twenty minute ride in a truck, on a dirt road.”
She smiled and winked at him. “I love you Tucker Rice.”
“And I love you Blythe…Cochran.”
The house was spectacular. Construction was almost finished on it.
“I don’t understand, did the people building it decide they didn’t want to live in it?”
“Financial issues I think. Anyway, it’s surrounded by a little over one hundred acres, mostly forested. Isn’t it great?”
“One hundred acres? I don’t even know what that means.”
“Well, your parents place sits on about five acres. So we’ll have twenty times more than that.”
“For what? And don’t tell me you want to have horses Tucker. I’m not as into horses as Renie is.”
He laughed. “We don’t have to have horses Blythe, but I need space. I may add a barn at some point, but it would be more of a workshop and art studio for me than it would be to board horses.”
He walked around and opened her door. “Are you ready to go inside?”
“Uh, sure. You, um, aren’t going to carry me are you?”
“Of course I am.”
Tucker carried her up the steps and nudged the front door open with his knee.
“I think this counts as carrying you over the threshold, doesn’t it?”
She held up her left hand and looked at it. “I don’t see a ring on this hand Mr. Rice. It doesn’t count until we’re officially husband and wife.”
“Okay, then.”
“Okay, then, what?”
“Let’s look at the rest of the house.”
They walked from room to room. The house was two stories, like Billy and Renie’s house. And it was huge.
And Then You Kiss (Crested Butte Cowboys Series Book 3) Page 23