Brodie's Wish (Cottonwood Falls Book 10)

by Aliyah Burke

  He couldn’t afford to hang around here any longer or he’d be tempted to buy a drink. Or go to Andy’s Place for one. In fact, as if his feet were encouraging him to drink, it eased off the accelerator as he passed the bar. The lightning bolt shaped marquee was enough to snag his attention along with the string of running red lights lining it, only adding to the first impression of it being a run-down establishment. At least they had Christmas lights along the windows.

  Depressing the gas pedal, he pushed the rattletrap truck to a faster speed and bypassed the Siren’s lure for him. Drinking got him kicked out of the Army. He was sober now and planned on staying that way.

  Not like I didn’t have a good reason to drink, given all the hell I saw. And the nightmares that came home with me.

  He didn’t have time for excuses anymore and while he suffered from things, he’d come to understand it’d been his own fault. He could have asked for assistance, could have sought out help. Or so he tried to convince himself each day.

  Brodie caught a glimpse of himself in the rearview mirror. His lips pressed together in a slight grimace. He shook his head and tore his eyes from himself to focus back on the road. There wouldn’t any choice now, he needed to keep it together for his father, he owed the man so much more than he’d given. Noah may not win father of the year award but he’d been there for Brodie.

  Since he’d been out of the service, he’d worked odd jobs, mostly under the table and had a good stash of money at his fingertips. Then there was what he’d earned while actively serving.

  I’ll make a list when I get back and start fixing this place up for him. He should just buy the man a new home but for that to happen he’d have to have a job that the bank would give him a loan with.

  There’s always your step-brother.

  Okay, now his subconscious needed to shut its door and fast. He wanted nothing from Gabe Dresken.

  Not even for your father?

  Low blow. He would move mountains for his father, especially seeing just how sick the man was becoming. But to work for the son of the man who left with his mom, who’d been his mistress, rubbed him the wrong way on all accounts. He despised the Dresken name and the money they had. All these years while Gabe had the best of things, he scrounged. They lived in a mansion and he was raised in a single wide trailer. One he currently lived in with his old man. No, asking Gabe for work at the lumber company was not the first option he wanted to go with.

  Maybe something would pop while they were at the indoor rodeo and holiday carnival tonight. He had every intention of getting his father out of the house for a while. As he neared a corner, he slowed, as the old truck wasn’t the best at handling them.

  A red car shot around the corner then drifted, beautifully handled, however.

  Then because of the narrowness of the road, he had to drive toward the side. The front of the truck hit a tree and he swore as he jolted from the impact.

  In the side mirror, he watched brake lights come on and the car swerve a bit to a halt. Anger filled him as he yanked free of his belt and hopped out of the truck, ready to do battle. He rubbed the back of his neck and stomped toward the Hyundai Coupe.

  Not more than two steps had been taken when the door flung open and someone jumped out.

  “Holy shit! I’m so sorry. I didn’t think anyone would be traveling on this road right now. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need me to call the medics?”

  Brodie stared at the woman nearing with long determined strides. He blinked and looked once more. Now he stilled, all he wanted to do was—touch.

  Her.

  Everywhere.

  Anger rushed out on a breath only to be replaced by wanton lust. His entire body trembled with the need coursing through him.

  “Sir? Please, say something. Are you okay?” She reached out to him.

  Brodie didn’t move, waiting for the second she touched him. When she laid her hand on his arm, the jolt ricocheting through him had nothing on his imagination of what it would be like. “I’m fine.” The words sounded foreign to him and he shook his head. His entire body tingled and he felt lightheaded. Who is this woman?

  From the dark blue leather coat down her black jeans to the boots on her feet, she intrigued him.

  “Fuck, I am so sorry. Let me help you get your truck back on the road. Are you sure you are okay? I don’t need to call the medics?”

  That was the second time she referred to them as medics. It clicked in his head, military. That’s why it had been familiar to him. “No, I’m fine. Not sure about the truck, though.”

  “I’ll pay for whatever damages. Again, I’m so damn sorry about this.”

  “In a rush to get to Apple Valley?” he asked, wanting to hear more of her velvety voice. He’d heard a hint of a Southern accent in her words and it brought to mind all those warm southern nights when kids were out chasing lightning bugs and playing in creeks.

  She smiled.

  Now his eyes zoomed in on her full lips and the muted shine covering them.

  “You would think that by the way I was driving, but no. I actually have no desire to be back here but my mother ordered it, so here I am. I just stopped on the way and am running a bit late from when I told her I would be arriving. Thought I would take this back road and make up some time. Which had me running you off the road. So, let’s take a look and see if it will still run or if I need to give you a ride and call for a tow.”

  Part of him—okay, most of him wanted the truck not to start. “Your mother? So, you’re from here?”

  Her lip curled up before she could stop it.

  He smiled, understanding the feeling, only too well.

  “Born and raised.” She stuck out a gloved hand. “Shea Worthington.”

  How the fuck did braces wearing, eye glasses nerd Shea, become this sexy woman? He didn’t hesitate to capture her hand in his. “Brodie Wallace.”

  She jerked her hand from his and laughed. “Well hell, even though I didn’t recognize you, I know who you are and that means a hug.” She jumped at him, wrapping her arms tight around him. “It’s good to see you, Brodie!”

  He damn near purred at the contact of her pressed against him. “You too,” he replied, forcing himself not to kiss her.

  She did it for him, brushing her bitable lips along his cheek then she stepped back. “Let’s get you back on the road. I have a mother to face and I’m sure you were going somewhere before I careened into your life.”

  So many inappropriate things popped into his head but he somehow kept them contained. “Wasn’t injured, so no harm.”

  “We haven’t tried the truck yet.”

  It didn’t take long and he was back on the road watching that red coupe race off around another corner. “Holy fuck, I’m going to be jacking off for a week just from that alone! Who knows, perhaps Christmas won’t be such a drag this year, if she’s home for it.”

  Shifting into gear, he headed back to the house to check on his father and daydream about the ‘babe who no longer resembled a nerd’ Shea Worthington.

  Chapter Two

  Shea couldn’t shake the attraction she felt for Brodie as she finished her drive and pulled into her parent’s driveway.

  Parked behind her father’s truck, she got out and zipped up her jacket again. Funny, the cold hadn’t bothered her while she’d been around Brodie but now, it wasn’t anything she wanted to hang out in. Swiping her bags from the trunk, she headed up the walk and knocked on the door. “Anyone home?”

  The front door opened and her mother stood there. Her stern expression segued into a huge smile. “Shea,” she cried. “You’re finally here. I thought you were going to try and get out of it again.”

  And so it begins. “Hello, Mama.” She hugged and kissed the woman who’d given her life. Then stooped to pick up her bags and follow her inside the warmth. “Sorry I’m late. I had to stop and help someone who had run off the road.”

  “Oh no, is everyone okay? Where was it?”

  Hol
ding up her hands to stop the flood of questions, Shea smiled at her father, Elijah, who walked in. Hugging him tight, she kissed his cheek. “Everyone is fine. I was the cause of it. I came around the corner too fast and was in his lane. We exchanged information and I said I would pay for any repairs his truck needed. Oh, and it was Brodie Wallace.”

  “He’s been home about a week now,” her dad explained.

  “What were you doing driving that fast?”

  Shea shrugged. “I always drive fast, Mama.”

  While her mother went off on how irresponsible it was for her to do that, she focused on her father. His hair was gray now, giving him a distinguished appearance. She hugged him again. “How are things at the hardware store, Daddy?”

  “The same. Not much changes in a small town, you know.”

  Yeah, she knew this. Part of her issue with this place. It never changed.

  “Come eat, Shea. I see you’re not eating enough and I made some lunch for us.”

  Her mother’s statement cut in and immediately, they headed for the dining room. She would handle her bags later.

  Once she got settled in, she helped her mom out for a while then trotted out to the garage where her father stood looking at a piece of wood. “It’s getting cold, Daddy. I brought you your jacket.”

  “Thank you.” He slipped it on.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to figure out what to make from this.” He slid an arm around her shoulders. “Ideas?”

  “No sir. I’m not the talented on in that area, it’s all you.”

  “You come from two creative parents. It’s in you. You just don’t want to acknowledge it. You can’t be in the Corps forever. It’s time you start to figure out what you are going to do once you are done with the Marines.”

  She rubbed her chest. It pained her to think of a life without the Corps. Yet, she’d been doing that very thing. However, she didn’t believe her father would be pleased with the direction of her thoughts. She knew he wanted her to come home and buy a house in Apple Valley. They wanted grandbabies and all of that. At the rate she was going, none of that would be happening.

  Brodie flashed through her mind and she smiled. He’d be fun to practice the baby making with.

  Maybe Sarah had been right and this time home wouldn’t be so bad. She could possibly get an itch scratched along the way. Brodie was sexy as hell, reminding her of that actor who played Jason Bourne. Hell, he even carried himself the same way.

  “Why are you smiling?”

  “I’m happy, Daddy. That’s all.”

  He grunted. “Are you going to the rodeo tonight?”

  She laughed, kissing his cheek again. “I am. I was told that I was coming home for these events leading up to Christmas, so I will be at most of them. Besides, I love the rodeo.”

  “That’s right. You went with your friend Sarah to the finals in Vegas one year, didn’t you?”

  “We did.” She grinned at the memory. “That was a lot of fun.”

  “Probably won’t be as big but I hope you have fun.”

  “I will, don’t worry.” So long as there is alcohol, I’ll make do.

  Her phone buzzed against her ass cheek and she drew it from her back pocket.

  TUNGSTEN PROTECTIVE SERVICES

  “Excuse me, I need to take this.” She stepped away from her father and accepted the phone call, “Worthington.”

  “Shea, sorry to bother you this close to the holiday, I know you were heading home but I wanted to see if we could pencil in a sit-down before you head back to base.”

  She captured her lower lip in her teeth as she paced on the other side of the garage. “Absolutely, I can meet you, Captain Leighton.” Flutters exploded in her gut at the thought. This meeting just brings me one step closer to being employed by Tungsten and working with Sarah and the others.

  “Is there a time that would work for you? And please, call me Scott or Harrier, I’m not a captain any longer. Not to mention, we’ve known each other long enough to not be so formal.”

  “Harrier then,” she acquiesced. One didn’t just simply stop calling a man by the rank he earned during his illustrious SEAL career because he retired. At least not in her book.

  Her father watched her with raised eyebrows.

  She waved him off. “I don’t have access to a chopper, so I can’t fly to meet you but I could stop in after I leave here.”

  “I have access and I have no problem coming to you. I’ve done it before and since we want you, we will be happy to fly to you. Just tell us a time that would work best.”

  “I’m free tomorrow until the evening. In fact, my days are free. It’s the nights that we have things going on up until Christmas Eve, then I’m just booked.”

  “Okay, let me get with Tyson and will let you know when we’ll be arriving there. Looking forward to seeing you again, Shea.”

  “Thank you. You as well, Harrier.” She ended the call and squealed like a little girl, spinning in a circle.

  “Who’s Harrier?”

  Shea heard the suspicious tone in her father’s timbre. She met his gaze and shrugged. Guess now was as good a time as any to fill them in.

  They all moved back to the kitchen.

  “We’re waiting.” Her mother crossed her arms.

  At the coffee pot, Shea withdrew the reusable filter, put in a scoop then slid it back into the housing. She flipped the button and started the brew process. “Harrier is an ex-Navy SEAL that I have been discussing opportunities for me, once I’m out of the Corps.”

  Their eyebrows shot up toward their respective hairlines.

  “Why haven’t we heard of this?”

  She held her mother’s gaze as she answered her, “Nothing is set yet, Mama.” That’s why I kept it to myself. I can reup next year, so I’m exploring my options.”

  “And what exactly is this opportunity?”

  She swiped two mugs from the cupboard then reached for some spoons. “They are a protection agency Daddy. No, before you ask, not like Blackwater. I wouldn’t be boots on the ground, very often like that.” At least not that I’m telling you about.

  “When do you make your decision?” Her father grabbed the creamer and sugar.

  “Not for a while yet. I’m not presented with re-upping until late September. We haven’t even had Christmas. I probably won’t know until closer to June.”

  Her parents were shoulder to shoulder.

  Her dad spoke next, “So you’ve taken into consideration what leaving the Corps would be like? How it would affect your finances and your living?”

  “Hush Gerald. I want my baby home safe, instead of flying those death traps.”

  “I fly Cobras Mama, not a death trap.” She poured her father’s coffee then tended to her own empty mug, her head throbbing.

  Her mother watched and began toying with a hand towel. “Is this a job that would bring you closer to home?”

  “They headquarter in Georgia, Mama. However, they work all over.” Sure, she wasn’t telling them everything about Tungsten Protective Services nor did she plan to. Nor would she mention that she’d already made her bones with them and had flown a few ops. Then there was the need to keep it quiet, she wanted nothing to do with this town anymore.

  “It would be nice for you to be closer. Get married. Have some babies and leave that life of danger behind.”

  She clenched her jaw, doing her best to keep her opinion to herself. Adding sugar and creamer, she stirred with some force, the spoon clanked against the porcelain of the mug. “I’m not looking to settle down.”

  “You’re not getting any younger.”

  Pouring her drink into a travel mug she pulled from the cupboard, she walked away before some horrible and unpleasant words flew from her mouth.

  As she spun out of the drive, she called Sarah.

  “That was a lot longer than I thought it would take you to give me a call for a calm down talk.”

  “I had an accident, so it took her lon
ger than usual to start in on me and her need for me to give her grandbabies. I’m not getting any younger you know,” she ground out. Her mother’s words bothered her beyond belief.

  “Wait—what?”

  “I said it took her—”

  “No, Shea. About the accident!”

  She sipped some coffee. “Not anything major. I drifted a corner and ran an old truck off the road. No one was hurt.” Shea pulled into Three Wishes and waited in her idling car.

  “Drifting? In winter? On back roads?” Sarah burst into laughter. “Please tell me you didn’t give some old man a heart attack.”

  “Not at all.” Brodie was far from an old man and he didn’t seem at all in danger. Such a shame, because she wouldn’t have minded giving that man some mouth to mouth.

  “Good. So, then tell me, any cute guys in town?”

  “I’ve barely been here and you’re asking me that?”

  “Oh, bullshit. You have a damn homing beacon for hot guys. So, who’s the hottie?”

  “There’s no hottie.” She left Three Wishes, opting to get something there later and continued to where the rodeo and holiday carnival would be held this evening. The carnival had already begun and people were mingling around as she parked and got out of her car.

  “Do you remember when you told me you knew that there was something else going on that I wasn’t telling you? When it came to Grey?” Sarah asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, my bullshit meter for you is going off. Fully. Ergo, there’s some hottie who’s already caught your eye. Spill.”

  Some of the cows and bulls for the rodeo began mooing.

  “Where the fuck are you?”

  “Outside the building we’re having a rodeo at this evening.”

  “A rodeo?”

  She propped her hip against the side of her car. “There’s a full week of events leading up to Christmas here in the picturesque town of Apple Valley,” she drawled with false sweetness.

  “Well, now don’t you sound like a damn commercial for your town?”