by Jess Buffett
Sliding out of the car, she walked to the trunk, opened it, and grabbed her bags. Glancing out over the surrounding town, Bri smiled at the peacefulness that encompassed her. Not a dead town kind of quiet, just slow paced and relaxed. No hustle and bustle. She loved how most of the shops on Main Street seemed modernized, but somehow had still managed to maintain an old world charm. Some of the smaller stores had paint peeling around the edges but that seemed to add to the quaintness of it all. Seeing one antique store after another, Bri had the feeling they outnumbered the rest of the shops at least five to one. Taking in the fresh air, the beautiful sights, and the sense of calm that filled her, Bri could see being happy here.
Stopping those thoughts dead—no point in getting her hopes up before she had had a chance to speak to Josh—Bri dragged her bags behind her, and headed for the entrance, knocking when she stepped up onto the landing.
The door opened revealing a small woman, with graying-brown hair, light blue eyes, and a kind smile. "Can I help you, dear?"
"Ah, I hope so. I was wondering if you had a room free for a little while?"
"Oh, certainly. Come on in." The older woman ushered Bri inside and led her to the front desk. "I'm Adele, my husband and I run this place. So, how long will you be needing the room for?"
"Um. I'm not sure exactly. I know I'll need it tonight, but I don't know if that's it. I might be staying longer." It would all depend on what Josh's response to her news would be.
Bri still couldn't remember everything that had happened that night, but she just knew the kind eyes and gentle smile had been real. She hoped they could spend some time together and get to know each other better. Maybe a bit backwards, but she had never really been good at conforming.
Regardless of what happened between them, though, Bri had made her mind up; Josh would be a part of this baby's life. Charlotte hadn't been too happy about that. Bri shook her head, thinking of all the times Charlotte had told her how nice and sweet Josh had been, only for her to turn around and be suspicious. Apparently, she saw it as too much of a coincidence that he had just struck a deal with their father. Everyone knew daddy had a clause in his contracts, one that clearly stated he could pull out of any deal within the first five months. He couldn't walk away clear and free, but it wouldn't hurt his business, only the reputation of the other business. Brian Evans never backed out unless he had a reason, and his opinion held a lot of power.
"Well, okay then. One room, queen?" Adele asked.
"Yes, please."
"If you don't mind me asking, what brings you to our little town, dear? Bricker isn't a very big place, and only so many people live here," she inquired.
"Actually, I'm here to see Josh Kell. You wouldn't happen to know how best to get to the Silver Stone Ranch, would you?"
Adele's face closed down, and Bri fully expected to be asked to leave any minute.
"Now, what could you want from Josh? You're not from one of those big city newspapers, wanting to interview our local hero, are you?" Adele asked, looking outside at the car Bri drove as if it carried a sign announcing her as a journalist.
"Um, no. I-I'm not here for business. It's p-personal," Bri stuttered, her face flushing. "He's a hero?"
"Oh. Well, all right then," Adele said, giving her a knowing smile.
Oh, if only she knew.
"He sure is. Saved some young boys who'd had too much to drink, and then thought it would be a good idea to go for a merry drive. Anyway, let's get you a room and settle you in, then I'll write down the best way to get to the Silver Stone."
Her mind still spinning from the new information, she nodded, following the smaller woman up the stairs.
"All righty, make yourself at home, and then we'll see about getting you on your way to Josh's place." Adele smiled, leaving a key in Bri's hand while she stood in an open doorway to the room she assumed would be hers.
Okie dokie, then.
Chapter Four
Josh pulled his shirt off and used it to wipe the sweat dripping from his brow. The temperature had already risen into the nineties, and March had only just begun; he didn't want to think of what it would be like once the summer actually hit. At least they'd managed to mend the two fences damaged by the damn kids from town. Josh had been stunned when the car lost control and tore through the barbed wire before landing in the river that ran along the edge of the property. Thank God he had been sitting on his veranda and could holler for his men. The water had been deep enough that night after some heavy rain, the fools were lucky the entire vehicle hadn't been completely submerged.
Josh shuddered at the imagery that thought induced. The incident could have very well ended in death.
He shook his head in disgust, remembering the state he'd found them in. He'd never been so reckless and stupid at their age.
Josh stretched, easing the ache he felt in his muscles. On the way back to his truck, his phone started ringing. Looking down, one of his ranch hand's name displayed. He wouldn't call Josh unless something had happened.
He answered. "Hey, Loch, what's up?"
"Hey, boss man. Um, I don't exactly know what's going on, but there's a lady here askin' for you. She said she ain't a reporter, but she's a might too classy for these parts. What should I do?"
If another damned reporter had shown up again, Josh planned to shoot their camera, or whatever other devices they had, before kicking them off his land. He didn't qualify as a hero. He'd done what his parents raised him to do, and he was fixin' to come to blows with the people who kept coming onto his land and wasting his time.
"I'll be right there. Keep an eye on her."
Hanging up, he jumped in his cab and took off down the track to the main house. Parking around the rear, he threw open the back door and stomped through the house, every step he took just working him up more and more. With more force than necessary he flung open the screen in the front, stepping back out of the house. Off to his right, Loch stood watching the woman in front of him. Josh stumbled to a stop, recognizing her immediately. Not a reporter. No, Josh found himself staring at the woman he hadn't been able to get out of his head for the past three months.
Brianna.
His shock faded quickly, replaced by anger. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I-I, ah. I just…"
Christ. The woman looked close to tears. Why? When she had been the one who ditched him, leaving him alone in bed before he'd even woken up.
As if sensing his presence would be more of a hindrance, Loch excused himself, mumbling something about Caleb needing his help.
Trying to keep his voice gentle this time, Josh asked, "What are you doing here, Bri?"
Clearing her throat, she stuttered out, "I-I needed to s-see you."
"Why? I'm pretty sure you said it all when you left before I had opened my lids." Josh let her hear his bitterness, he couldn't hide the fact he felt used.
"I'm sorry. I drank too much, and I couldn't remember who you were. I got scared and panicked." Brianna shrugged her shoulders, her eyes pleading for understanding.
And then her words sank in.
"Wait. How could you forget even meeting me?" he asked incredulously.
"Oh, God. It doesn't take much for me to become drunk, and if I drink too heavily, then it usually blocks out most of the night. At least for a while." She twisted her hands together, gnawing on her bottom lip, just like she had the night they met. "I let my sister's words get to me that night, and I know I shouldn't have. I handled the whole thing badly." She groaned.
Josh didn't really know how to take the admission. So, she drank when she knew she had little tolerance for liquor, and then ran the next morning when she woke? That screamed irresponsibility, regardless of the reasons behind it, and Josh wouldn't deal with someone like that. He had too many people counting on him already.
"Well, I'm glad you came all this way to clear things up, ma'am, but I best be getting back to work. So, maybe I'll see you around," he said, trying to sound cordi
al.
Josh turned to leave, but paused when she called out. "But I still need to speak to you."
"I'm not sure what else there is to say. You were irresponsible and panicked the next morning. Maybe that's something you should think about." Done with the conversation, Josh just wanted to get back to work.
Bri gasped at his words.
Well, tough.
"Irresponsible? You want to talk about being irresponsible, then you should really look in the mirror, buddy."
Facing her, Josh noted the extremely pissed look on her face.
"I was apparently drunk, and from the sounds of it, you weren't. So really, protection should have been left up to you, but I guess you were a little irresponsible," she bit out.
Josh could feel all the blood drain from his face as the meaning of her words sank in. "You're pregnant?" She couldn't be.
Receiving a nod, Josh stood there stunned. No, she had to be wrong. He wouldn't make a mistake like not using protection. He tried desperately to think back to that night, but couldn't; it was three damn months ago. Josh became angry, how could he even be sure she told the truth? How could he be sure the baby belonged to him? The timing was suspect for sure.
Without thinking, he blurted out, "Are you sure it's even mine? You might want to check that first."
"What?" She gaped, and he felt like a heel for just spitting the cruel words out like that, but he wouldn't fall for the deception. Josh simply had too much difficulty believing she just happened to turn up when he started appearing in newspapers for being a hero, and for his multi-million dollar contract with Brian Evans. He had never put much stock into coincidences.
"You heard me, lady. I know why you're here. It's because of the deal with Evans I just signed, but it ain't happening. You can go elsewhere for a husband, 'cause I ain't bitin'." He knew her type. She probably got pregnant by some fella her parents deemed 'lower class' and now feared telling daddy. Boy, had he really pegged her wrong that night.
Josh normally wouldn't talk to a woman so rudely and dismissively, but anger rose in him for her misleading him and getting his hopes up, but most of all, with himself for almost falling for her act.
"I don't need a damned husband, you bastard! You're the only man I have been within two years. I came to tell you that you were going to be a father. I'm keeping the baby, but stupid me didn't want to deprive you of the chance to be a part of the baby's life." Brianna's bottom lip trembled, belying the confidence in her voice. A single tear followed, slipping down her cheek and her hands fisted at her sides.
Josh had a really bad feeling in his gut that he had read the situation all wrong.
Her eyes grew stormy as they narrowed on him. "And for your information, I couldn't give a shit about your contract. Seems I wasn't the only one not paying attention, since you obviously failed to catch my last name. It's Evans, asshole."
Josh stood frozen on the spot as he watched her race back to her car, get in, and tear down the driveway. Oh, fuck. Evans? Did that mean? And if what she said about being the only one in two years, then…
"You fucked up good and proper there, brother," Caleb muttered, shaking his head. "I've never seen you be such a bastard. You may have just lost us that account with Evans, but worse, you may have just lost your chance to know your own kid."
He hadn't noticed Caleb. His brother stood looking all shades of disappointed and maybe even disgusted. Josh couldn't rightfully blame him; however, he didn't need judgment at the moment. He needed to work out how to fix the mess he had created.
"What the hell should I do then? If you know better, then tell me," he growled at him.
"Think, moron. If she was planning to stay even for the night, then she probably rented a room. And since there is only one place to rent a room in town…"
Randy and Adele's place, but…
"What if she hasn't rented a room, or has, but is planning to leave now?"
"One way to find out. And you might not wanna waste your time."
Without another word to his brother, Josh ran into the house and out the back, jumping into his truck. He sped out just as quickly as Bri had, if not faster, desperate to catch her. He felt wretched at what he had just done and said, and now he might risk the ranch as well. Such a mess, and he could only hope he could fix it in time.
*****
Fury poured off Bri, but so did devastation. So much for being a good guy. A hero? Yeah right, more like an asshole. Blinking through tears, she surprisingly made it back to Adele's in one piece. Pulling into the parking space, she stopped long enough to roughly swipe at her face before getting out quickly and rushing to her room. She had to get out of there.
Bri had no desire to confide in her father, telling him his little girl had gotten in trouble again. He'd been supportive and protective two years ago, and she didn't doubt he would be once more, but this time her actions created her dilemma. He would be so disappointed in her, not to mention what he would do to Josh, because while he might be an asshole, he didn't deserve to lose his home and business. Josh had people who depended on him, and from what little Adele had told her the town relied on his support and donations, as well. No matter how angry he had made her, Bri didn't want others to suffer.
A soft knock alerted her to a presence at her door. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Adele, a small worry frown on her face. "Is something the matter, sweetheart?"
Sighing, Bri turned and sat on the bed, staring down at her hands in her lap. "Just made a really stupid mistake, is all. I thought someone was different, but I guess not."
"Ah. That wouldn't happen to be the same someone who just came screeching into the parking lot like a madman, would it?"
Bri's head whipped up. "What?"
Adele nodded her head, coming to sit beside Bri. "Damn fool, came peeling in here and slamming on the brakes. That boy should know better. He lost both his pa and mama to a car accident, but I guess he was a little more concerned with other things."
She raised an eyebrow.
Bri let it all out, not knowing or caring why she felt a strong need to tell Adele everything. "I'm pregnant, Adele. And yes, it's Josh's."
She told Adele how they had met, what happened when she drank and what happened the next morning. Bri glossed over her reason for running, just saying she'd had a bad experience, but she thought Adele might have understood, to some extent. Through it all, Adele sat and listened, never seeming to judge. When Bri got to this afternoon's events, the older woman looked furious.
"That stupid boy! What the hell was he thinking? His mama raised him better than that. I have the right mind to go down there and tan his hide, and I promise he won't be walking for a damn week."
Oh, Bri liked Adele. She didn't fight the smile that spread across her face, or the bubble of laughter that broke through her lips. For the first time since that night, Bri felt genuinely happy.
Then Adele's words sank in.
"Wait. Downstairs?" Bri swallowed hard.
She thought that perhaps Adele had sent him home.
"Now don't you worry. My husband, Randy, is there with him, and I told both I was coming up here to sort things out." Adele placed a comforting hand on top of Bri's, squeezing lightly. "I know this may not be what you want to hear, but I think maybe as scared as you were when you found out, that Josh was feeling the same. I'm not excusing what he said or did. The boy is going to have some major groveling to do. My suggestion is, you let him. He was probably feeling a bit hurt when he woke and found you gone."
She added before Bri could protest, "Does he know something happened two years ago? Or did he think the two of you had made a connection, and when he woke, was left with thinking you had lied to have a good night and then ditched him?"
Thinking about it, Bri realized Adele had a point. From what she could barely remember and what she'd been told, they really had hit it off. It must have hurt him to wake alone. Confused and uncertain what step to take next, Bri sent Adele a pleading look.
> As if sensing her problem, Adele rose from the bed, gesturing for Bri to do the same. "How's about you go with him, spend some time, and get to know him better. Give him a chance to know you, hmm? I'll keep this room open if you ever feel the need for space, or if things don't work out, you'll have somewhere to go."
Her mind spinning, Bri grabbed at the suggestion. If she didn't have some direction, then she might just lose any semblance of calm she had. "Okay. Let's go downstairs, I'll talk to him and go from there."
"That sounds like a great idea, honey."
Chapter Five
Josh sat on a chair in the sitting room by the front entrance, impatiently waiting for Adele to come down with Bri. Twisting his hat in hands, he kept shooting glances to the top of the staircase. His foot tapped on the hardwood floor beneath him, unable to keep still. He wanted to explode.
"Boy, if you don't stop that tappin', I'm gonna tie your legs up and hang you from ceiling." Randy raised an eyebrow at Josh, daring him to see if he were bluffing.
Josh felt like a right fool at the moment, but not even he was stupid enough to test that, because everyone knew Randy Thompson didn't bluff.
"Mind you, I don't think I need to be botherin', since Adele is right mad at you for tearing in here the way you did. Plus, she's been up there a while now, so I'm guessing whatever happened, it won't be your side she be takin'." Randy chuckled.
Josh didn't doubt it, and his gut churned at the thought of Bri walking out that door and leaving before they could at least talk about things. He hoped he hadn't blown it completely, that Bri would still be willing to give him a chance.
Not like I'd deserve it, though.
A creak from the stairway let them know they were about to have company. Standing, with his heart in his throat, Josh waited for Bri to reach the bottom step before he drew her into his arms. He heard a soft gasp come from the woman as she tentatively brought her arms up and placed them on his hips.