by Jo McNally
Her phone pinged in her pocket with an incoming text. She swiped it open and grinned at the picture of Amanda’s husband, Blake, sound asleep in a wing-backed chair with a tiny baby girl snuggled in his arms against his bare chest. Bree dialed her cousin’s number.
“My God, Amanda, I don’t know whether to hang that in my room as a pin-up poster of the hottest man alive, or put it with my collection of cute little puppy and kitten pictures.”
Her cousin laughed. “I know, right? Mr. Uptight Executive has turned into a big pile of mush over our little Maddy. She misses her Auntie Bree already.”
“I think she looks pretty content right now.” Bree spent a week in Gallant Lake after Martin Kettner was arrested, arriving just in time to help welcome the new baby.
Since her return to Malibu, it had been a whirlwind of business meetings, press conferences and interviews with the police and the FBI. Because Kettner had crossed state lines with the intent to kidnap, he was being investigated for federal charges, too. The guy was going away for a very long time. And the foundation Bree was creating with the money from selling the house was beginning to take shape.
“You’re closing on the house this weekend, right? Have you thought any more about our offer?” Amanda and Blake had invited her to stay with them in Gallant Lake until she knew what she was going to do. She might not have a choice but to take them up on it. Of course, her dad had offered to let her come home, but staying in California—and in her childhood bedroom—felt all kinds of wrong.
She looked down and watched people walking hand in hand on the beach in front of her. “I don’t know, Amanda. I really have no idea what I’m going to do.”
“You haven’t heard from Cole yet?”
She sighed heavily and shook her head. Did he have any idea the power he wielded right now to grant her happiness or crush her hopes? Did he think about her at all?
“No. Ty said Cole still refuses to discuss me. It’s like he’s just excised me from his life. On the bright side, Ty says the therapy is helping a lot. He should be home in a few weeks.”
“Are you going to be there waiting for him?”
“I’m not the type to sit and wait for my man like a good little girl, hoping he might want me. If he wants me, he’s going to have to work for it a little.” And if he didn’t want her...
“I admire your determination, Bree, but are you really willing to let your pride keep you away from the man you love? Does he even know how much you love him?”
“I told him, but he refused to listen. But if I’m waiting there for him and he still doesn’t think he’s ready to have me in his life, I don’t think my heart could survive it.” She turned away from the blazing sunset to face the cluttered mess in the master suite and sighed. “I have to finish packing, Amanda. I’ll be in touch.”
Two mornings later she taped up the last of the boxes. Most of the furniture had been sold with the house, but there were personal items and artwork she wanted to keep. She didn’t trust the movers with things like her mother’s keepsakes, so she’d packed those herself. Her phone rang with a call from Emily, and she shook her head. She talked to the girl almost every day, and each conversation ended with a plea for Bree to “come back to Russell where she belonged.”
She swiped her phone to answer. “Hey, kiddo, what’s going on?”
“Oh, not much. I’m working at Miss Nell’s and thought I’d call. Are you all packed?”
“I’m just finishing up. What are you helping Nell with?”
“I’m cleaning the house for her, and I’ll run the produce stand today. Mom is out cleaning stalls in the barn, and then she’ll be in to cook a few meals.”
“Why are you doing all that? Is Nell away?”
“No, she’s here, but she’s in bed.”
Nell was never in bed after the sun rose.
“Why is she still in bed?”
“She needs to rest and recuperate for a while, but it’s okay. We’re taking care of her place. And Uncle Cole’s place. And the bar...”
“What are you talking about? What exactly is going on there, and don’t make me drag it out of you, Emily.”
“Oh, didn’t Mom tell you? Miss Nell fell off the porch and hurt some ribs and her ankle, so she can’t do any work.”
Bree’s heart jumped.
“When did this happen? How bad is it? Is she awake? I want to talk to her.”
“She fell yesterday morning. She says it’s nothing serious, but you know, at her age she can’t take any chances. She’s had a headache, too.”
“A headache? Did she hit her head on something?”
“No. I mean, maybe. Hey, I think she’s awake now. I hear her in the kitchen. Hang on, Miss Bree.”
Bree sat in the nearest chair and listened as Emily slammed the screen door and called out to Nell. She could picture the girl and the woman in that bright country kitchen, and her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She missed the farm. She missed her friends.
“Bree, honey, is that you?” Nell’s voice sounded faint.
“Nell? Are you okay? What happened? Why didn’t you call me?”
“Whoa, slow down, girl!” Nell’s voice came on strong, and it almost sounded as though she was laughing, then she faded again. “I lost my balance yesterday and missed a step. It was hot and I’d been out in the garden.” Bree frowned. The woman worked too hard and was alone too much. “The next thing I knew I was on the sidewalk.”
“How bad is it?”
“Nothing’s broken, but I’m sore all over. But don’t worry, Emily and Tammy and Ty are taking care of everything. I just feel bad because they’re already stretched to the limit running Cole’s place and The Hide-Away, and school starts up soon so Tammy and Emily will be gone during the day. I’ll just have to dig deep, I guess, and push past the pain. How are you, dear?”
Bree didn’t even think before the words were out of her mouth. “Nell, I’m coming to help you. I’ll be there tomorrow.”
“Are you sure, Bree? I’d love to see you, but I know you’re busy.”
“My work is done here. I just need to get this stuff in storage today and have dinner with my dad, and then I’ll come work the farm for you until you’re better.” Bree thought about the one potential pitfall to her plan. “Cole’s not...”
“Oh, no, honey, he’s still at Flat Rock for another week or two.”
That was good. She didn’t want him to think she was running to North Carolina for his sake. This was just to help Nell.
“Okay. I’ll fly into Charlotte in the morning and drive over.” And this time she’d rent something more practical than the Mercedes. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face. She was going back to Russell, if only for an emergency visit.
“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful. We can’t wait to see you!” Nell’s voice suddenly sounded strong again, as if just the news of Bree’s trip was enough to make her feel better.
“You go back to bed and rest, Nell, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“SO THIS IS your last week at Flat Rock, Cole,” Dr. Sinclair said. “How do feel about finishing up a little early?”
He returned her smile and nodded. “I feel good, Doc. I’m anxious to get back to the farm. My brother’s been shouldering a lot, and honestly, I miss the work. There’s something about working the land that’s just good for the soul.” He chuckled when she raised her eyebrows. “Not as good as therapy, of course. The farm alone can’t do it. I needed this.”
“I’m glad you recognize that. Don’t let this work slide just because you’re going home.”
“I won’t. I’ll join Chris and the guys in their group sessions at Bragg. And I’ll work on the exercises you’ve given me. I’m ready.”
Her eyes narrowed and he braced himself
. That expression meant she was going deep.
“And are you ready to face a house that doesn’t have Brianna Mathews in it?”
Damn. The simple question made his chest tighten. Just as with his combat memories, his task wasn’t to deny what happened, but to figure out a way to survive it.
In 1-2-3. Out 1-2-3-4-5.
“I’ll be fine.”
“And you still have no interest in speaking with her or knowing what she’s doing?”
“None. She’s back in California and that’s where she belongs. I probably don’t even cross her mind.”
The good doctor set her notebook down, twirling her pen in her hand.
“Have you been online at all while you’ve been here, Cole? Watched any television?”
He tried to determine where she was going with this.
“I’ve watched some sports with the guys. I’ve been emailing with my brother and my parents. Why?”
Dr. Sinclair looked oddly conflicted.
“You fell in love with a very famous woman, Cole. You might want to look online and see what’s going on in her life.”
He couldn’t imagine what Bree might be saying, or why he should care. He’d forced her to move on, and it was best for her. He stood and stretched, unwilling to take the conversation further today.
“I’ll think about it, Doc, but don’t hold your breath.”
It was two nights before he finally succumbed to his curiosity. Someone was bound to mention Bree when he got home, so he’d hear about it anyway. Better to deal with it now, with Dr. Sinclair standing by.
He went into the media room and pulled a chair up to one of the cubicles with laptops. His fingers floated over the keys for a long time before he finally typed Bree Mathews into the search window. It was almost more than his heart could take, seeing all the images of her.
She’d taken her hair back to its natural dark red again, and it had grown enough that it was sweeping her shoulders. She was wearing designer clothes, and makeup covered the freckles he hoped were still hiding there. This was California Bree. His eyes picked up some of the headlines.
Stalker Chases Brianna Mathews Out of Hollywood.
Bree’s Goin’ Country!
From Reality Star to Philanthropist.
He read about the stalker being arrested, and how he’d planned to kidnap Bree and hold her captive. The police had Kettner’s journals, where he’d laid out his plans to torture Bree to “cleanse her” then kill her and himself in some twisted marriage ceremony. What if she hadn’t come to Russell? What if this nut had found her? Cole stared off into space for a while. She’d told him her life wasn’t in California anymore. After reading this, he could easily see why. Maybe she really had wanted to stay in North Carolina with him.
He scrubbed his hands hard over his face and swore. It was pointless to worry about that now that he’d forced her to leave. But then again, she said she’d never stop loving him. He pushed away from the desk, but one of the other headlines caught his eye. Why were they calling Bree a philanthropist? A video opened up on the screen, and he hovered the cursor over the play button. Was he strong enough to hear her voice tonight? He grunted. If he wasn’t, then he might as well find out while he was still at Flat Rock. He might not be able to leave early after all. He pressed the mouse and held his breath.
“Yes,” Bree was saying into a bank of microphones, “I’ve sold the Malibu house back to Damian.” An off-screen reporter asked a muffled question, and Bree smiled warmly. His heart skipped a few beats at that smile. “Yes, I’m leaving California and ‘show biz,’ whatever that means. While I was in hiding, I found myself living on a small farm.” She held up her hand and laughed along with the reporters. “I know it’s hard to imagine, but it’s true. I was actually happy there. Happier than I’ve ever been. That’s the life I’ve decided I want. You guys will have to find someone else to pester.” There was more general laughter, and another muffled question. “Damian and I have both moved on since our divorce. This was just a business transaction. I wish him only the best, but we are not reconciling now or ever.”
Someone shouted out a question and Bree nodded in response. “Yes, that’s true. I’m starting a foundation to help military veterans afford the care and supplies they need. I met several veterans while I was away, and their struggles affected me profoundly. The current VA system is good but overwhelmed, and some of these brave men and women need help finding the psychological care that works best for them, obtaining the best prosthetics, affording appropriate housing. The foundation will have a special focus on those dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome, which can be debilitating to so many.” She looked up and directly into the cameras. “These emotional traumas can leave good people unable to trust others, and unable to let people love them because they think they’re too damaged to deserve it. People with PTSD can end up pushing away the very people they need in their lives. Somewhere out there right this minute is a truly fine man who’s refusing to let love into his life because he’s afraid. I want to help him and others like him find the courage to love and be loved. I hope others will join me in that mission.”
Cole was suddenly having a hard time pulling oxygen into his lungs. Heat started spreading across his chest and throughout his body until his very skin felt flammable. He blinked rapidly and rubbed at his eyes, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was looking.
Cole slammed the laptop shut as if he’d just seen a monster ready to jump out of it. “Damn it to hell!” He jumped to his feet and backed away from the computer without taking his eyes off it. Bree had just spoken directly to him. She was telling him she understood. That she was still ready if he was.
He took his phone from his pocket and dialed. When his brother answered, he didn’t bother with a greeting.
“Do you know where she is?”
“Cole? What the hell, man, it’s almost midnight.” He heard Ty rustling around and knew he was getting out of bed. Ty said something muffled. “Yeah, babe, go back to sleep.” His voice got louder. “Cole? You still there?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m here. Why didn’t you tell me about this foundation Bree was setting up?”
“Rewind that question for a minute, little brother, and think about it. You’re the one who didn’t want to hear anything about her, remember? I tried and you shut me down.”
He didn’t want to be confused by facts. “She sold her house so she could use the money to help guys like me. You couldn’t tell me that? You couldn’t tell me she still wanted me?”
“Uh-huh. And you would have totally listened to that, right?”
The phone fell silent.
“She never reached out to me once. She knows where I am, right?”
Ty sighed heavily. “That’s on me, man. We wanted to give you a chance to get better. That’s the priority for all of us, and she agreed to stay away. Plus, she was afraid you’d send her packing. She doesn’t think she could deal with that again.”
“It sounds like you’ve spent some time talking with her. She’s called you?”
Ty chuckled. “Yeah, she called quite a bit from New York and LA.”
“And where is she now?”
“Well, my guess is she’s right where Tammy and I left her an hour ago, sitting on Nell’s front porch drinking dandelion wine.”
The room started to spin, and Cole sat on the sofa in the thankfully empty lounge with a thud. “She’s in Russell?”
“Yeah, your niece and Nell cooked up a crazy little scheme to get her back. She’s staying at the cottage.”
“I need to see her, Ty. I need to talk to her.”
“You’ll be home this weekend, and you can talk to her face-to-face. She thinks you’re in for another week, so she’s not expecting you.” Ty hesitated. “I figured if we were keeping something from you, it was only
fair to keep something from her.”
Cole started to laugh. “And you also figured if I didn’t know she was there, I wouldn’t be able to tell you to get rid of her. I’d just come home this weekend and there she’d be, whether I wanted to see her or not. And we’d be talking, one way or another, because Bree is a force of nature and would never let me get away.”
“And that’s a bad thing how?”
“Holy hell. She’s there, in Russell.”
“Yes, Cole. She’s here. Don’t screw it up this time, okay?”
“I don’t intend to, Ty. I don’t intend to.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
BREE HAD NEVER seen this much rain. For the four days she’d been in Russell, it had been raining nonstop. The meteorologists explained that some hurricane was stalled off the coast, pulling in gulf waters that were soaking North Carolina. She fell asleep to the sound of rain on the cottage’s tin roof every night, and she woke up to the same exact sound. The once-comforting noise was beginning to feel like torture. And now, on morning number four, it was...raining.
Maggie jumped off the bed when Bree got up. Even the dog was restless. “I think this is what they call cabin fever, Maggie.” A rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. “Just be glad your daddy isn’t here through all this.”
She pulled her robe tighter and looked out the front window to Cole’s farm, barely visible through the pouring rain. Would he be better about storms when he returned from Flat Rock? Or would they still set him on edge? She leaned her forehead against the glass, closing her eyes with a smile. The night of that first storm had ended pretty nicely, actually. She shivered as she remembered Cole pushing her up against the wall and kissing her desperately. He’d carried her upstairs and given her the kind of night that...well, it had been one hell of a night.
In another week he’d be home and she’d be gone. Despite Nell and Emily’s plotting, she wasn’t going to be waiting here to meet him. The teenager and the older woman had played her like a fiddle with their little matchmaking scheme. Nell really had taken a small tumble, but it was off the bottom step, not the top. She’d been bruised, but the woman certainly hadn’t been injured enough to need all the help Emily claimed. It only took Bree a few hours after arriving at the farm to see that Nell was acting, and not doing a very good job of it. Sometimes she’d limp on her right foot, and sometimes she’d limp on the left. Sometimes her voice was feeble, sometimes it was strong and healthy. And when Bree caught her standing on top of the kitchen counter, reaching above the cupboards to pull down a basket she wanted, the game was up.