The Promise (Butler Ranch Book 1)

by Heather Slade

  “Look at me, Peyton,” he’d said. “I want to see your eyes the minute we come together. I’m going to make you mine, Peyton. You’re mine. Do you understand?”

  Her eyes told him then that she understood. So did her body.

  “Isn’t this weather wonderful?” her mom rode up beside her. “Hard to believe it’s the beginning of March, and it’s this warm. Good for the vines.”

  In the last few weeks, the parched valley had received sorely needed, blessed rain. Lake Nacimiento was at more than 96 percent of its capacity, and other lakes in the region were as close or over capacity. The region was still in what was considered a moderate drought, but after years of the drought being severe, they were finally able to get some relief. Hot summers meant the grapes would produce bigger, bolder juice, but lack of water put more strain on the vines than they could handle.

  They rode past rows and rows of grapes laid perfectly on the rolling hills of the Los Caballeros Ranch. Some of the best wine in the world came from these vineyards. Alfonso Avila was renowned for coaxing the best from his vines, and then masterfully blending what they produced. Alex’s oldest brother, Gabe, was the head winemaker now, and he learned everything he knew from his father.

  Her father made really good wine, but the Avilas made great wine. He didn’t begrudge them though. Alfonso had taught her father the kinds of things you could only learn in the vineyard from a master.

  Butler Ranch wines were on par with Los Cabelleros. It was part of the feud that went on for years between Alfonso and Brodie’s father, Laird. When Alfonso died, Laird Butler took over the Avila’s harvest and crush, when the family wouldn’t have been able to handle it. Gabe Avila was vocally appreciative throughout the valley, and word spread the feud was over.

  “Slow down,” Peyton shouted to her boys. They were getting further away than she was comfortable with. “I’m going to catch up with them, Mom.” Her mother nodded, and Peyton was off.

  All too soon, she saw why there were riding in the direction they were. In front of her sat Brodie Butler, on one of the most beautiful Morgans she’d ever seen. A powerful horse for a powerful man. He sat regally, yet comfortably, in the saddle. Brodie was a beautiful man, as though God handcrafted him to be the perfect specimen.

  “Finn!” Peyton heard Jamison scream. She couldn’t see either of them, but took off in the direction of their voices. Brodie heard Jamison’s scream, and was riding toward them too.

  Peyton jumped off her horse when she reached her little boy, on the ground, but being held in Brodie’s arms. “He’s okay,” Brodie looked up at her. “I think his leg might be broken, but otherwise, I don’t see any sign of head trauma. You’re good, right partner?”

  Finn nodded his head, and reached for Peyton when she fell on her knees in front of him. Jamison was standing over them, trying to wipe his tears away. She reached up and squeezed his hand. “It’s okay, Jamie. He’s going to be fine. We’ll just get him to the hospital for an X-ray. Okay?”

  Brodie was on the phone, telling someone their GPS coordinates, and asking them to get down here as soon as possible. “Call the hospital and see if I can land,” she heard him say.

  “Brodie?”

  “I’ll fly him over, Peyton.” He motioned with his head to Finn’s leg. She could see bone protruding near Brodie’s hand. The break was bad, and her little boy had to be in a tremendous amount of pain.

  “Peyton! What happened?” Her mother rode up, jumped off her horse, and ran over to where Brodie still held Finn in his arms. “Brodie, hello.” She was out of breath, concern etched in her forehead. That’s where Peyton’s worry showed too. Her mom held her hand, and squeezed.

  “Someone is coming to get Finn, and Brodie is going to fly him to the hospital!” Jamison announced.

  “Well, he’s quite a hero, isn’t he? And so is Finn,” her mother smiled at them. “And you too, Jamison. I bet you’re the one who called for help.” Jamison’s chest puffed out at his grandmother’s words.

  “There’s Naught,” Brodie told her. “I’ll get him in the backseat, you get in the front.”

  “Mrs. Wolf, could you, and Jamison take our horses back to the house, and meet us at the hospital?” Jamison nodded and climbed back on his horse. “Ready, Grandma?”

  “Are you sure?” Peyton looked at Brodie.

  “Yes. Whatever it is, yes, I’m sure. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

  “I meant—”

  “I know what you meant, Peyton. And you know what I meant too.”

  “We good?” he said to Naughton.

  “Yep. Mad’s on it.”

  “I get to fly in a helicopter?” Finn winced, but Brodie held him close.

  “You sure do. Your mom will be my co-pilot. Naughton here is going too. Do you know Naughton?”

  “No, but I don’t know you either.”

  Brodie laughed, but did his best not to jostle Finn’s little body. “I’m Brodie, Finn. We’ll shake later, okie dokie?”

  “Oh, you’re Brodie.” Finn looked over at his mother and smiled. “He’s nice, Mom, and he flies helicopters and rides, too. And he owns a vineyard.”

  “The vineyard isn’t technically mine, only partially. Some of it belongs to Naught, and our other brother, Maddox, and our sisters. But really, the ranch belongs to our parents.”

  “So it used to be Kade’s too, right?”

  Brodie flinched, but not enough that anyone would notice. Peyton wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t been staring at him.

  “Sure did. Bet you miss Kade, don’t ya?”

  “Yeah,” Finn said softly. “Bet you do, too.”

  “You got that right.”

  Brodie slid Finn into Naughton’s arms and climbed in the back seat of the Suburban. Once he was in, Naughton handed Finn to him. Brodie sat just off the center of the seat so he could get Finn’s leg positioned as comfortably as possible.

  “Hey, Finn, did you know that the guys used to call Kade ‘Doc?’”

  “No, why?” Came Finn’s little voice. Peyton was so proud of his bravery.

  “He was what you call a physician’s assistant,” Brodie explained. “So if a doctor wasn’t there, Kade could help if someone got injured.”

  “He helped when doctors were there, too,” Naughton added. He looked over at her, and his eyebrows came together. “You okay, Peyton?”

  “I’m fine, Naughton. Thank you. And thank you for coming out to get Finn, and helping us.” She looked back at Brodie holding her son.

  “I don’t know what we would’ve done if you hadn’t been out there. Thank you, Brodie.”

  “It’s what family does, right, Naught?”

  “That’s right.”

  Peyton faced forward and for the second time that afternoon, hid her tears from her son.

  Naughton maneuvered the truck over the terrain, doing his best to minimize jarring bumps. Peyton turned in her seat and watched as Brodie absorbed what Naughton couldn’t avoid, keeping Finn as still as he could. The ten minutes it took to get to the landing pad, seemed so much longer. However, if Brodie hadn’t been out riding, Peyton couldn’t fathom how they could’ve transported Finn to the hospital.

  Naughton climbed into the back of the helicopter, and Brodie eased Finn onto a small stretcher not quite long enough to hold her son. Naughton fastened a harness around him, being as gentle as he could, while Brodie did the same for Peyton.

  He leaned forward, reached for the harness, and brought it over her head. His forehead briefly rested against hers. “You okay?”

  “I will be. Again, I can’t thank you enough, Brodie.”

  His lips brushed against hers for an instant as he backed away and shut her in.

  “How’s he doing?” Brodie asked when Peyton came out to the waiting room.

  “They’re taking him into surgery in a few minutes.” Peyton hesitated, taking a deep breath. “He asked to see you first.”

  “Oh, uh, is that okay with you?” Brod
ie wasn’t sure how to navigate this situation. Was it a good thing Finn wanted to see him, or was Peyton unhappy about it? He couldn’t tell.

  “Of course it’s okay, Brodie.” She smiled at him like his ma would’ve.

  “Okay, so, where is he?”

  “I’ll take you back.”

  “I’ll hang out here and let your mom know what’s goin’ on when she gets here,” Naughton offered.

  Peyton approached him. He was standing near the window, his hands in his pockets. Brodie watched as she rested her hand on his arm, reached up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Naughton,” he heard her say. Then she walked back over and motioned for Brodie to follow her. “He’s back this way.”

  Brodie followed, looking left and right into the small partitioned areas of the emergency room. Finally they reached the one all the way in the back, where a nurse was talking to Finn.

  “I’ll get the doctor,” she told Peyton. “He needs to talk to you before we take him back. Better yet, if you could come with me, I have some forms for you to fill out.”

  Peyton looked at Brodie. “Go,” he told her. “We’ll be okay. We’ll wait right here. Won’t we, Finn?”

  Finn nodded and Brodie watched as Peyton blew him a kiss, which Finn pretended to catch in his palm.

  “Tell me the truth,” he said to Finn once Peyton was out of earshot. “How are you really doin’? I know you’re being brave for your mama.”

  “It doesn’t hurt as bad anymore. They put something in this thing.” Finn pointed to his IV.

  “Oh, gotcha. Yeah, you’re probably feelin’ pretty good right about now.”

  Finn smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “She’s gonna be super worried the whole time. Will you stay with her?”

  “Of course.” Brodie saw the concern in Peyton’s son’s eyes. “Look at me, Finn.”

  Finn turned his head.

  “I’m not going anywhere. You got it? Nowhere. I’ll stay right with her and help her not worry so much.”

  “That’d be good. Thanks, Brodie.”

  Peyton pulled the curtain back and joined them. “All set.” She took Finn’s hand. “You ready for this, kiddo? I know you’ll be brave, and before you know it, you’ll be right back here, and you won’t remember a single thing.”

  “I’m ready, Mom. Oh, and Mom? Brodie is going to stay with you. And he’s not going anywhere, right Brodie?”

  “That’s right, buddy.” Brodie leaned over and kissed Finn’s forehead. “I’ll take care of her while they take care of you.”

  “Thanks, Brodie.”

  Peyton leaned over and kissed Finn too, and hugged him as best she could. When he tried to sit up, she bent down further so he wouldn’t try to move too much. She was such a good mother. Both her boys were well-loved, and loved her back equal measure.

  The orderly wheeled Finn away, while Peyton stood in the hallway, tears streaming down her face.

  “Come here.” Brodie wrapped his arms around her, and Peyton’s head fell against his shoulder.

  “You were so good with him, Brodie. I really don’t know how to thank you.”

  He had some ideas, starting with her letting him be a part of their lives, but that was something they’d talk about later.

  When they walked back through the waiting room doors, Jamison, Peyton’s mom, and Alex came running toward her. Jamison landed first, wrapping his arms around his mother’s waist. Her mom and Alex hugged Peyton at the same time, standing over Jamison.

  “They just took him into to surgery.”

  Peyton knelt down and looked into Jamison’s eyes. “His leg is broken in a couple places, and they need to operate so it heals properly. Do you have any questions?”

  “How long will it take?”

  “I’m not sure, maybe a couple hours, maybe longer. Do you want to go back to the house with Grandma and wait there?”

  “Can I stay?”

  “Of course you can, sweetheart.”

  Peyton took his hand and led him over to a chair. She sat next to him and cuddled him closer to her.

  “I was so scared,” Brodie heard him say.

  “So was I,” she answered.

  “She’s something, isn’t she?” Alex whispered to Brodie. “She’s such a good mom. Almost makes me not want children. I think I’d have a hard time measuring up.”

  “You’ll be a great mom too, Alex.” Brodie put his arm around her and pulled her close.

  Peyton’s father walked in, went straight to his wife, and put his arm around her. “How’s Finn?”

  “He’s in surgery.” She led her husband away from where they waited. Brodie couldn’t hear what else she said to him. A few minutes later, they walked back, and Mr. Wolf knelt down and talked to Peyton and Jamison. She rested her head on her father’s shoulder, and whispered something.

  Mr. Wolf stood and approached him. “I understand you saved the day.” He shook Brodie’s hand. “Thank you, Son.” He walked over to the window. “You too, Naughton.” He shook Naught’s hand.

  “You’re welcome, sir,” Naughton answered.

  “Who’s at Stave?” Peyton asked Alex, who laughed.

  “We’re closed. Out of business, in fact. It all went to hell with you gone. Sorry, Peyton. I did my best.”

  “Shut up.” Peyton smiled. It was great to see her smile.

  “Seriously though, we’re closed. It was deader than dead. So your dad and I made an executive decision to stop worrying from so far away, and drive over here.”

  Peyton shook her head, but was still smiling. Brodie couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  “Your love is showing,” Alex whispered.

  “Good. I hope she can see it.”

  “Oh yeah, impossible to miss.”

  “Hey, Brodie,” Naughton called over to him. “Mad wants to know if he should come get us.”

  Brodie couldn’t leave. He made a promise to Finn that he’d take care of his mother.

  “Actually, he’ll leave the truck and we’ll fly ol’ Betty back.”

  “That’s a better idea. Thanks, Naught.”

  Brodie walked over and sat next to Peyton.

  “Betty?”

  “Don’t ask me. Naught does that, comes up with random names for inanimate things like helicopters.” Brodie leaned forward.

  “How are you doin’, big guy? Is there anything you need? Hungry? I don’t know how good hospital food is, but I saw a vending machine with candy bars.”

  Jamison looked over at his mom, who smiled and nodded. “Thanks,” she mouthed to Brodie.

  “My mom is still upstairs. We should probably go say hello.”

  “Oh,” Peyton gasped, “I’m so sorry, Brodie. I completely forgot she was here. Go. We’ll be fine. I can take Jamison to get a candy bar too. God, I’m so sorry.”

  “Stop.” He leaned in close to her. “I’m going to take Jamison to get a candy bar. Several in fact, and then I’m coming back here with him. When I do, you and I are going to zip upstairs, say hello to my ma, and then zip right back down.”

  “Brodie—”

  “Please, Peyton. Naught told her we were here and what was going on. She’s worried about you. A couple minutes will be all it will take to ease her mind. It isn’t good for her to worry about anything right now.” Brodie was embellishing the truth a little. His ma was worried about Peyton, but she was also stronger than his Morgan.

  “Of course, I’m sorry. Of course we can go say hello to your mother.”

  Good. Guilt worked. He’d try not to use it too often.

  Brodie came back carrying several candy bars, and some chips. He and Jamison went around the waiting room, offering food to their family and friends. Naughton came in a few seconds later, carrying water bottles.

  He walked over to Peyton first. “Figured you’d skin me if I offered your boy soda, so it’s water for everybody.”

  Brodie watched Peyton interact with his brother. It was such a shame Kade hadn’t brought her around more. She fit w
ith them, and it was obvious Naught adored her.

  She caught him looking and smiled. “Ready?”

  “We’re gonna go see Ma. If you’re not here when I get back, tell Mad I owe him.” Brodie looked over at Alex, and since she was hanging on his every word, he winked and said, “Hey, Alex, your love is showing.”

  “Shut up, Brodie.” Alex laughed.

  Jamison walked up to Alex and held out his hand.

  “What?”

  “Shut up is a bad word, Alex. You owe me a buck.” Alex laughed, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a five. “I’m covering your mom too, kiddo. I think I heard her say it at least four times, to me, of course.”

  “Alex!” Peyton shouted at the same time Jamison shouted, “Mom!”

  Peyton walked over to Alex. “By the way, when this is over and Finn is home and healing, you have a lot of explaining to do.”

  “What?”

  “Maddox? Since middle school?”

  “Yeah, yeah. Not that much to tell.”

  “As if I believe you. By the way, I understand he didn’t come home last night.”

  “Don’t you mean either?” Alex smiled.

  Brodie grasped Peyton’s hand, hoping she wouldn’t pull away from him. She didn’t. Instead she held tight, and came closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

  “You don’t have to thank me again, Peyton. Your head on my shoulder is more thanks than I could ask for.”

  “I will though. I keep imagining us out there alone, with Finn’s leg broken. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done.”

  “Now you know. Anytime, any reason, you need anything at all, you call me. If you can’t reach me, call Naught. After Naught, call Maddox. We’ll take care of you, Peyton.”

  “Thanks, Brodie.” Peyton leaned into him again, so close that her breast brushed against his arm. He managed not to groan, but it took every ounce of strength he had to squelch it.

  Peyton stopped when they rounded the corner to the elevator.