“Were you able to get the key to the cabin that’s for sale?”
“Yup. I even called your real estate agent to let her know the son had given me a key.”
She stiffened for a moment. “Was she mad?”
He laughed, and the sound rumbled in her head before settling in her heart.
“No. In fact, she was busy with a bigger fish and was delighted I’d take you off her hands.”
“She would never say that.” She had a sixth sense that told her when Evan was fibbing.
“Okay, she didn’t say that, but she had no problem with me spending the day with you.”
Excitement at being with Evan all day sped through her. “Don’t you have to be at work?”
“Yes, but I told the dispatcher to page me if I’m needed.”
“Will you get paid if you’re with me?” She didn’t want to cause him any trouble.
He squeezed her waist. “For you, I’d do anything.”
She hadn’t expected him to be so nice after all these years. He opened her door to his truck and she crawled in, shivering from the cold. His cab was nice and toasty.
He pulled out her drive and headed toward the mountains. The trees were heavy with snow. While beautiful, she knew the weather could change any minute. Over the last few days she questioned leaving sunny California for this, but since running into Evan, she knew it was the right choice.
“How far away is this cabin?” She told him she wanted something fairly remote, but within thirty minutes of town.
“Not too far. Mind you it needs quite a lot of work. That’s why it’s so cheap.”
She held in a groan. “I am the most unhandy person in the world.”
He looked over at her. “While I can’t speak for Sparks, I can lend a hand. However, my roommate dabbled in carpentry and plumbing before becoming a forest ranger.”
“I didn’t know that. So are you or Sparks dating anyone?” That was a pretty tacky thing to ask, but in the old days, they told all.
“Not now.”
Her pulse sped up. Not that she was looking for romance, but it was nice to know she might get her good friends back and not have any interference from a jealous girlfriend.
You are a liar. Evan is a real hottie and a good catch.
He was far better than anyone she’d hooked up with in California, that’s for sure.
They drove in comfortable silence until he turned up the mountain. “Brit, I’m surprised you haven’t asked about Brody.”
Her stomach churned hearing his name. There was a good reason. Brody Thomas, or as she used to call him back in high school, Brooding Thomas, had eyes as turbulent and passionate as the ocean’s fury. His moods could be just as dark. Still, she’d loved him.
To protect him, she’d had to lie about why she couldn’t go to college near him. Now she prayed he’d never find out why. “How is your twin?” She was proud her voice didn’t shake.
“Meaner than an old coot.”
“Some things never change, I see.”
They both laughed, though hers didn’t come from the heart.
He inhaled. “Just to catch you up, Brody left Pleasure right after graduation. He took that football scholarship, but then got injured his freshman year. He finished in three years with a degree in business. He was offered a few jobs but decided to come home and put down roots.” Evan turned off the main road to go up the mountain. “Did you know he opened three hardware stores? One here, one in Bozeman, and another in Great Falls?”
Yes. “No.” She didn’t want to admit that she often searched for Evan’s, Brody’s, and Sparks’s names on the Internet. “I never would have guessed.” She’d always believed he’d make it big.
“We’ve all grown up.”
Before she could ask other questions, he pulled into the drive of a cabin. From the outside, it looked to be in some disrepair. Maybe the inside was better. Evan cut the engine and helped her out.
“Be careful. It’s slippery.”
He opened the cabin door. Inside was only slightly warmer than the outside. “Oh, my God.” The walls were a hideous green, the carpet was all stained, and the place smelled of mold.
“The changes are all cosmetic.”
He led her around the house and thoroughly checked that the light switches worked as well as the water. “The plumbing might need to be replaced from the way the pipes are making noise. I can get a building inspector to come look at the place if you like.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She didn’t want to owe anyone.
Evan stepped closer and ran his hands down her arms. “You’re back in Pleasure, remember? We like to help others.”
Disappointment filled her. Here she thought he wanted to help her because they were friends, not because she was some newcomer. They had slept together once, and she believed he’d cared a lot back then. Maybe he’d moved on. “Then, thank you.”
“I’ll see if he can come tomorrow, if you like the place.”
Evan really seemed to get into the house-buying thing. He suggested where she could put the sofa, the chairs, and the TV. “Let’s check out the bathroom,” he said, leading her down a hall.
There was only one bath. It was off the master, and it was small and grimy. “Eww.”
“I have to admit, this might be a gut job.”
She wondered how much all of this would cost. Her grandmother had left her enough to buy the house outright, as well as get a used four-wheel-drive vehicle, but there wouldn’t be much left over for renovations. “Maybe I could try to clean it.”
“That might work if you had a sandblaster.”
“Funny.” The house had two bedrooms, which was perfect for her. “I think I could live here once I get rid of the smell.”
“Let’s take a look at a few more places and we can put our heads together and decide.”
Being with Evan again stirred something deep inside her. It was a sense of connection she hadn’t had in California. He was one of two men she could trust. Sparks was the second man. She couldn’t wait to see if her former best friend was still so upbeat.
Evan pulled out his phone. “Let me give the agent a call. Maybe she can direct us to another home.”
He was so kind to take the time to do this. When he got a hold of the agent, he motioned for a piece of paper. She retrieved a pad and pen from her purse and handed it to him. Once he jotted down the notes, he disconnected.
“There are two more places we can check out, but they are both a bit higher. Why don’t we take a look, then discuss the options over dinner?”
She wrapped an arm around his. “I don’t want to take up all your time.” He’d spent the whole day with her already.
He faced her and dragged a knuckle down her cheek. “I need to make up for lost time. I’ve missed you.” Pain accompanied his tone.
For a moment, she considered kissing him, to see if he tasted the same.
Evan stepped back and looked away, as if he, too, had the same thought. “We better get going. It won’t do any good to see the properties at night.”
It was only three in the afternoon. “Sure.”
The next two places were nice, but not worth the added expense.
They got back in his truck and headed to town. “Dinner is going to be my treat,” she said.
Evan’s hands tightened on the wheel. “I don’t let my dates pay.”
He thought of this as a date? That was cool. “You spent your gas driving me around as well as sacrificed your time. Please?”
“I’ll think about it.”
Dinner was wonderful. She believed Evan was as excited about her potential purchase as she was.
He waved his beer. “The only thing I don’t like about that first cabin is that if anything happened to you, help would be far away.”
“I have a phone.”
He shrugged. “I know, but you could get snowed in, or fall ill.”
She chuckled. “I’m a nurse. I can take care of myself.”
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“There are wolves.”
“Evan.” What was he getting at?
He took her hand and his warmth shot straight to her heart. “How about if Sparks or I stop by every day or two to see how you’re doing? Your cabin is in our territory. Our job is to check on the constituents who live out of the way.”
Her stomach lurched. “So, I’m just part of the job?”
“Oh, God. No. I didn’t mean that. Brittany, you have—”
“I was only kidding. I knew what you meant. Yes, I’d love it if you did stop by.”
“Good. It’s all settled.” He returned the bottle to the table. “If you want, I can call the agent tomorrow and tell her you’ve decided on the Walker cabin.”
She smiled. “I’m a big girl. I can call, but thanks.”
Evan really hadn’t changed. He was still the protector. When the bill came, she swiped it before he could. “You can get it next time.”
“It’s a date.”
Evan walked her to her car. With the sun down, the wind had turned bitter and damp. She opened her door and hustled in.
“I’ll follow you home.”
She’d been about to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but she changed her mind. “Thanks.”
How nice was it to have someone who cared about her for a change? She spent the last few years learning to care for others. Fortunately, her parents’ house was only ten minutes away. When she pulled into the drive, Evan came to a stop behind her. He got out the same time she did, and he jogged up to her. Together they walked to her front door.
It was high school all over again. She pulled out her key and faced him. She’d been about to say how much she loved being with him again, when he leaned over and kissed her. This was no high school, fumbling kiss. This was a man’s kiss. Her pulse soared and her pussy shot into overdrive. Instinct took over and she wrapped her arms around his back.
She was savoring the kiss when the front door opened and her mother gasped.
Both looked at her mom and laughed. “Whoops.” She’d given her mom too much to worry about over the years. Why stop now? She gave Evan another quick kiss.
“Well, good night, Evan, and thanks again.”
He faced her mother. “Mrs. Davenport.”
Her mom didn’t answer back. Evan trotted off and she went inside. She expected a lecture, but instead her mom started coughing. Brittany went into nursing mode. “Come sit down and let me get you something to drink.”
Her mother let her guide her into the living room. Once Brittany was sure her mom wasn’t having some kind of attack, she relaxed.
Her mom stood. “Now that you’re home safely, I can head off to bed.”
She felt bad she’d kept her mother up. Brittany wanted to talk about the cabin she wanted to buy, but tomorrow might be a better time.
Brittany was getting ready for bed when her cell rang. She didn’t look at the display. She assumed it was Evan.
“Hi.”
“Brittany, is that really you?”
She knew that voice. Only now it was lower, richer, and very sexy. “Sparks?”
“Hey, girl. How’s it going? Evan just called and told me you were in town.”
A wave of excitement blasted her. They’d been best friends in school, sharing every intimate detail of their lives. “Where are you? When can I see you?” Even to her ears, she sounded and felt eighteen again.
“Unfortunately, it won’t be for another week. Something came up, and I’m staying longer than I planned, but we’ll for sure get together as soon as I get home.”
“That would be wonderful.”
“Evan tells me your new cabin might need some work.”
“That’s an understatement, but I haven’t bought it yet.” Hopefully, if the inspection went okay, she would start the process tomorrow.
“When you do, call me and I’ll talk you through what you might need.”
Her decision to come back here seemed to be paying off. “That would be great.”
They talked for a good hour, reminiscing about old times. By the time she hung up, she was more confused than ever. Each of the men had reactivated a part of her she thought had died. She wanted to reignite what they had, but knew there was one thing standing in the way—Brody Thomas.
Could she be with Evan when at some point she’d have to interact with his twin? That might not be fair to Evan. From what Evan said, the three of them were still tight. She didn’t want to break up any friendships, yet she wanted to be with Evan and Sparks.
Damn. She couldn’t let them do her favors and get nothing in return. She’d have to make a choice, and soon.
Chapter Two
“Here you are, Ms. Davenport.” Her realtor handed her the keys to the cabin.
Paying cash had a way of quickening the deal. Within a week of arriving, she had her own place. Wow.
Since her mother didn’t need her car for a few hours, Brittany had borrowed it. That option would end once she moved into her cabin. Then she’d have to get her own set of wheels. With so much on her plate right now, she decided to deal with that purchase later.
After her grandmother’s death, she’d shipped some pieces of furniture to Pleasure, and now she needed to hire a moving company to have her stuff delivered. She couldn’t wait to get unpacked and settle in.
It only took one call to get the ball rolling. They even promised delivery today. There was nothing like being in a small town to get something done in a hurry. In Los Angeles, she’d be lucky to get the job done a week from now.
Needing food, she stopped at the grocery store and stocked up. Her money sure did go fast. Starting from scratch was going to be more expensive than she thought.
By 3:00 p.m., the furniture was in the cabin and the food put away. Exhausted, she dropped onto the sofa and pulled out her phone. Evan’s shift seemed to depend on weather and need, so she didn’t know if he’d be able to come over. He said he was basically on call twenty-four-seven, but she wanted to thank him for all his help.
She dialed his number.
“Hey, Brit.” He sounded excited she’d called.
“I was wondering if I might be able to convince you to join me in my first meal in my new home.”
“Holy shit. You got the place already?”
She told him about the fast closing, and how she was able to get her furniture out of storage. “Amazing, isn’t it? Would you be able to make it at, say, six?”
“You bet. I’ll bring the wine.”
Crap, she’d forgotten the best ingredient. Good thing he offered. “Perfect.”
Once she disconnected, she realized not only was she a mess, but so was everything else. Fortunately, she’d chosen her grandmother’s recipe for homemade lasagna, which was easy to make. If she added a tossed salad and garlic bread, she’d have a feast made in no time.
She got to work, more excited than she’d been in a long time. Having Evan over made the move that much better. If Sparks had been in town, the evening would be the best ever.
She’d finished putting the final touches on her makeup when Evan knocked. She rushed to let him in.
Her heart nearly stopped at seeing him dressed up. He had on nice jeans, polished boots, and a white button-down shirt under his open parka. The wind rushed in. He was all man.
“Come in.”
He leaned down and kissed her. While he might have meant it as a friendly, welcome kiss, tingles raced down her spine at the intensity.
He closed the door and looked around. “Even with the ugly wall paint, the place looks good.” He sniffed. “And it doesn’t smell like mold. More like bleach.”
She laughed. “It got rid of the mold.” All the furniture was basically in the middle of the room. “I still have a lot of work to do.” He handed her the bottle of wine, tied with a red ribbon. “How sweet. Thanks.”
Together they went into the kitchen, where they both had to search for the glasses, but it made for a more comfortable time. He poured the wine while
she checked on the food. “Dinner won’t be ready for another thirty minutes.”
She could have planned it better, but she wanted to spend more time with him before dinner. They headed back to the living room, where they sat on the sofa.
Evan held up his glass. “Here’s to your new home.”
They touched glasses and took a drink. “And here’s to you. Without your help, I wouldn’t be here.” She scooted closer and gave him a proper kiss.
When she pulled back, Evan didn’t move. He licked his lips as if he were savoring her taste. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for a full-blown relationship so soon, but being with Evan seemed right.
The oven timer went off sooner than she’d wished. When she jumped up, Evan got up, too. “I’ll help.”
Together they got the food on the table. For whatever reason, she was happy they didn’t talk about Brody. Instead, she kept asking him questions about his rescues and whether he was happy that he returned here after college.
“I love it here. I love the job, and I love the people.” He looked off to the side as if he thought about stating an exception.
She wondered if he was content being alone, or if he, too, wanted a deep, loving relationship. The image of Sparks popped in her head, but his face wouldn’t form.
After dinner, they returned to the sofa. He picked up the remote. “Your TV hooked up?”
“Not yet.”
“You want me to see what I can do?”
She wasn’t used to having someone around to help, but she enjoyed having him there to lighten her burden.
Evan got to work, organizing the cords. “You did sign up for satellite service, didn’t you?” There was a slight look of horror on his face.
“Yes. That was my second priority after arranging to have the furniture delivered.”
“Sweet. A girl who knows what’s important in life.” He smiled and once again her body reacted. In no time, he got the TV working.
“I wish I had some popcorn. We could pretend we were at the movies.”
“I’m just happy having you next to me.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.
“Why, Evan Thomas, you do say the sweetest things.”
Monroe, Melody Snow - Brittany's Destiny [Pleasure, Montana 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 2