One Way Home

by Jennifer Youngblood

  “Hey, you,” she said, giving him an intimate smile.

  Jaxson stepped up to the booth, looking her over with a bold, appreciative eye. “Hey, Sadie. Looking good,” he drawled.

  A large smile wound over her lips as she gave her gum a go-around. “Thanks, sugar.” It was then that Sadie noticed that Zoe was standing beside Jaxson. Sadie’s eyes went cold as she sized Zoe up. “Who’s this?” she asked Jaxson with an insolent tone.

  Jax slipped his arm around Zoe’s shoulders. “This is my lovely sister, Zoe,” he said in a cavalier tone.

  Sadie’s features relaxed with relief. “Oh.” She smiled brightly. “Welcome. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re the sculptor, right?”

  The question took Zoe completely off guard. “Yes, I am.”

  “Jax told me all about your work. It sounds pretty impressive.”

  “Really?” Zoe looked at Jax who ducked slightly like he was embarrassed to be found out. Zoe hadn’t realized that Jax was proud of her. The knowledge caused her to feel a dart of affection for her younger brother. Zoe looked back and forth between Jaxson and Sadie. “Are the two of you together?” she asked innocently. Color crept into Jax’s face. It was fun to watch him squirm.

  “Sadie and I are friends,” Jax said casually.

  Sadie giggled. “That’s one way to put it.”

  Jax’s face grew redder than an overripe tomato.

  “I see.” Zoe gave Jax a look that said, I know exactly what you’ve been up to, mister.

  “I’m excited about Mason performing tonight,” Sadie chirped.

  “Me too.” Jax retrieved his wallet from his back pocket. “How much?”

  “The cover fee’s fifteen a piece,” Sadie said.

  Jax pulled out two twenties and handed them over.

  “I can pay for mine,” Zoe protested. She didn’t have a ton of money, but enough so that she didn’t have to feel like a complete beggar.

  “Nah, this one’s on me,” Jax said with an easy grin. “I’ll put it on your tab.”

  Sadie gave him an adoring look. “Your brother’s a class act.”

  “Yep, that’s my little bro. Mr. Class.” Zoe’s sarcasm was lost on Sadie, but she could tell from his smirk that Jax got the jab.

  “See ya around, Sadie,” Jax said as they moved through the foyer and to the main hall.

  “She seemed nice,” Zoe said, flashing a large smile. “Is she your latest and greatest?”

  His head swung back and forth as a grin played over his lips. “Oh, no. I’m not talking about this with you.”

  She laughed. “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t need a lecture, that’s why.” As he spoke, his eyes scoped the room, flirting shamelessly with every pretty woman he saw. Jax really did have the opposite sex eating out of the palm of his hand.

  “Mark my word. One day, little brother, you’re gonna find a woman who’s going to rock your world. I just hope I’m around to see it.”

  He laughed good-naturedly. “If Daddy has anything to say about it, you will be. Now that you’ve moved back home, he has no intention of ever letting you leave. It’s like Hotel California,” he quipped, “you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.”

  “Ha ha,” she said dryly. Zoe looked around the crowded room. She saw a few people she recognized, most she didn’t. A guy caught eyes with her as recognition lit his features. “Oh, no,” she groaned.

  Jax turned to see what she was talking about. When he saw the guy making a beeline for them, a slow grin stole over his lips. “Well, well, well, whaddaya know. Conan Castleberry.” He hooted. “That poor guy had it bad for you.” He waggled his eyebrows. “You should dance with him, make his year.”

  She gave him a light shove, rolling her eyes. “I’m not dancing with Conan Castleberry.” Jax could be so annoying.

  “Zoe Romeo,” Conan said exuberantly. “It’s great to see you.” He clasped Zoe’s hand and gave it a few hearty pumps. “I heard you were back in town.”

  “Yep, I’m back.” Conan looked much the same as Zoe remembered with his lanky frame, square glasses, and pencil straight hair, parted down the center. With his western-style, plaid shirt and large, gold buckle, he looked like he was about to go square dancing. Conan had always been a nice guy, but back in high school, his starstruck adoration for Zoe had bordered on absurd. He gazed at her in mesmerized concentration like he was studying a fine painting. “You’re even more beautiful now,” he proclaimed, with a goofy grin.

  “Thank you,” Zoe said genuinely. After living with Carl for so many years and feeling severely under-appreciated, it was flattering to be given a compliment, even from Conan. She could tell from Jax’s expression that he was about to bust a gut. She shot him a warning look that said, Cut it out.

  “How have you been?” Conan asked.

  “I’m surviving.”

  “I’m sorry about all of your troubles.”

  She nodded. Nothing was a secret in Franklin.

  “Conan,” a high-pitched voice called. “Where do you think you’re going?” the voice demanded.

  He turned and looked behind him as he grimaced. “Oops.” He gave Zoe a sheepish grin, almost if the two of them were co-conspirators. Conan was an odd duck. No wonder Zoe had kept her distance from him in high school.

  The woman stepped up beside him and linked her arm through his. Her sculpted brows tugged together as she turned to face him. “Where’s the fire?” she huffed. “One minute you were there, and the next you were off like a shot.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry,” he soothed. “Look who I found.” He looked at Zoe like she was the discovery of the century.

  Zoe got a good look at the big-haired redhead. Her makeup was a little much and her shirt super low cut. She’d taken a few too many trips to the tanning bed. Still, she was attractive in a garish, in-your-face sort of a way. She looked, then looked again. “Marcie? Is that you?” Zoe and Marcie had been on the cheerleading squad together. She’d lost touch with all of her old friends and acquaintances after moving out West.

  “Hey, Zoe. I heard you were back.” Marcie didn’t seem nearly as excited to see Zoe as Conan did. In fact, she was regarding Zoe with suspicious eyes.

  Zoe put together the pieces. “Are y’all together?” The Marcie Zoe knew back in high school was a complete snob—the type who would’ve pegged Conan as a total geek. She couldn’t imagine the two of them ending up together. Then again, it was kind of cool—a testament that everyone eventually moves past high school. Or maybe not. Why was Marcie acting like Zoe was competition? Did she really think that Zoe was interested in Conan Castleberry? She swallowed the laugh tickling its way up her throat.

  “We have eight years and the blessed fruit of our loins to show for it—two beautiful daughters who look just like their mother,” Conan said as he floated Marcie a doting grin. He turned to Zoe. “We’d love to have you over for dinner, wouldn’t we, sweetie?”

  The stricken look on Marcie’s face was comical. It was crazy how some women deemed every other divorced or single woman a threat to their marriage. “We’ll have to do that sometime,” Zoe said evasively. Wild horses couldn’t drag her to dinner with those two!

  “It was great seeing y’all,” Jax said as he placed his hand on Zoe’s back, “but we have people waiting at our table.” They said their goodbyes as Jax steered her away.

  “Thank you,” she breathed.

  He chuckled. “I didn’t do it for you.” He scowled. “If I had to spend one more minute around that freak show, I’d poke my eyeballs out.”

  “That’s a little harsh,” she countered with a giggle.

  “You know I’m right. You’re just too nice to say it.”

  She couldn’t argue with him there. “How did those two ever end up together?”

  “I’ll give you a million and one reasons.”

  Understanding registered. “Conan’s wealthy.”

  “Yep. Some computer big wig. This way,” Jax s
aid as he began threading his way through the throngs of people dancing. Zoe followed close on his heels. She smiled and nodded as she made eye contact with people she recognized. A few said hello. Not wanting to get caught up in conversation with any of them, Zoe quickened her step to catch up with Jax. “Where are we going?”

  “To our table.”

  “We actually have a table?”

  “Of course, we have a table. The best seat in the house.”

  “Oh, cool.” Zoe had thought the table was just an excuse to get away from Conan and Marcie. The inside of the dance hall had a barn-like feel with the tall open-beam ceiling. Strings of white lights were draped over the rafters and there was an enormous disco ball in the center that scattered the light into shimmering diamonds. The energy in the room was infectious, causing anticipation to trickle through her. Maybe it was crazy, but Zoe got the feeling that something momentous was going to happen tonight. She chided herself for such a ridiculous thought as they moved toward the stage, which was empty at the moment. The songs playing over the loudspeakers were top hits from well-known country artists. She looked around at the tables scattered around the edges of the dance floor. Every seat was taken and people were standing against the walls.

  Zoe caught sight of Mason as they neared the table closest to the stage. He was with several other guys, presumably his fellow band members.

  “Hey, bro,” Mason said, “we saved your seats.”

  “Thanks,” Jax said as the two clasped hands before patting one another on the back. Mason hugged Zoe before introducing her to his crew. They seemed like nice guys. One was around Mason’s age, but the other three looked to be in their mid-thirties—the understated hippie types who were probably hardcore rockers in their younger years but had tempered a bit with age.

  Mason was shifting back and forth on his feet and talking fast, his eyes bright with excitement. Zoe felt a spark of nervousness for him. Daddy was right—Mason was nowhere near being ready for the big league. “When do you perform?” Zoe asked.

  “Soon,” he replied.

  “I’m sure you’ll do great,” she soothed, giving him a reassuring smile. It was interesting how natural it felt to switch back into the big sister role of her youth. As Zoe and Jax sat down, Mason and the guys gathered up their things.

  “Well,” Mason announced, “we’d better skedaddle so we can get everything set up backstage.”

  “Break a leg,” Jax said heartily.

  “Will do,” Mason chimed, flashing a cocky grin. “Oh, and good luck to you too, bro. May the highest bidder be easiest on the eyes.”

  “Here’s hoping,” Jax said.

  With a final wave, Mason strolled away.

  A man approached the table. “Hey, are y’all using these extra chairs?”

  “We only need one more,” Jax said.

  “Mind if I take the rest?” the man asked.

  “No problem,” Jax said.

  Zoe turned to Jax. “Highest bidder? What was Mason talking about?” She happened to glance behind Jax, her breath freezing a tight ball in her throat, when she saw a familiar figure striding toward them.

  Jax turned to follow her trail of vision. When he saw Briggs, a coy smile stole over his lips. “Aha! Busted!”

  She blinked, heat blasting over her cheeks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she mumbled, her hand going around her neck.

  “Sure, you don’t,” Jax grinned.

  “Don’t you dare say a word,” she seethed.

  Zoe’s heart started slamming against her ribcage like a boxer caged against the ropes as Briggs approached the table. She traced the outline of his broad shoulders, how his well-built body moved in such easy, fluid steps. His leather boots, long legs ensconced in faded jeans, a denim shirt that molded well to his chiseled torso. Sheesh. No wonder she’d been dreaming about Briggs! He was every woman’s dream. She didn’t have to look around to know that there were scores of women eyeing him right now.

  “Hey, man,” Jax said as he rose from his seat. The two shook hands and clasped shoulders, exactly like Mason and Jax had done. It must be some sort of guy code greeting thing. “Glad you could make it,” Jax said.

  So Jax knew Briggs was coming and he hadn’t told her. Zoe wanted to punch her brother in the gut. Briggs fixed his penetrating azure eyes on Zoe. “Hey.” Those eyes … how many times had she dreamed of them? Her brain catalogued his rugged features, noting how his dark-blond hair spiked a little on top, giving him a tough and tumble look that she rather liked.

  Panic trickled through her as she realized he’d greeted her and was waiting for her to respond. “Hey,” she sputtered, a tremulous smile quaking over her lips. Her skin sizzled with awareness as Briggs’ eyes moved over her. Was that subtle appreciation she saw on his expression? This connection between them … was it heightened because of her silly dreams? Or was all of it real?

  Her heart thumped out a fast beat as Briggs leaned down and brushed a kiss against her cheek. At the same time, she smelled his clean, woodsy masculine scent that had a hint of mint. The touch of his lips seeped into her skin, evoking troves of memories. Everything in her wanted to throw her arms around him and jump right back to the past, back to when Zoe had been so completely in love with Briggs that she could hardly breathe. Back to when she believed his promise that the two of them would be together forever.

  He pulled away, leaving Zoe with a cold pit in her stomach. All of those hopes and dreams shattered in an instant when Briggs broke up with her. Her heart still demanded to know why.

  “Have a seat,” Jax said.

  To her disappointment, Briggs chose the seat on the other side of Jax instead of the one nearest her. She swallowed. It was for the best. She needed to reel herself in here. Just because Daddy and Mama kept shouting from the rooftop that she and Briggs needed to get back together didn’t mean that it was the right thing to do. It wasn’t just Zoe anymore. She had the welfare of her children to think about.

  Briggs and Jax began chatting about the ranch. Zoe could tell the two of them were close, which shouldn’t have come as a surprise. After all, they did work together. What did take Zoe off guard was how left out she felt, watching the two of them interact. She wanted to be part of their group. She was home, dang it, and shouldn’t feel like an outsider.

  Her heart skipped a beat when Briggs turned his attention to her. “Milo’s getting pretty good at riding Blue.”

  “Yes, he is.” She pinned him with a questioning look. “Have you seen him ride?” Zoe knew that Briggs had been somewhere on the ranch the past week working, but she’d not seen him. She caught the amusement on Jax’s face. “What?”

  “Briggs has been teaching Milo to ride.”

  Her jaw dropped. “What? I thought you were teaching him.”

  “I was, but Briggs is much better at it. Mr. Horse Whisperer.” He shoved Briggs’ arm.

  “Oh, I didn’t realize … thank you,” she mumbled. Their eyes met for one long moment. Did Briggs feel it too? This restless energy sparking between them?

  “You should come out of the house every once in a while so you can see what Milo’s learning,” Briggs said.

  Her spine stiffened. Was that a hint of reproof in his tone? “I’ll do that,” she fired back through narrowed eyes.

  “Good.” A wry grin tipped his lips. “You can officially meet Roach.”

  She grimaced. “I can hardly wait.”

  Jax laughed. “Mads sure is fond of that chicken. What I would give for Carl to see her tromping around the yard with that thing on her heels.”

  Zoe caught the tightening of Briggs’ jaw at the mention of Carl’s name. Interesting that she could still pick up on his feelings, even after all this time. She gave Briggs a questioning look. He wouldn’t be bothered by Carl … unless … An unreasonable hope fluttered in her breast. She swallowed and looked away to break their connection.

  Jax pulled at his shirt. “It’s getting a little hot in here.” Innuendo was writt
en all over his face as he looked back and forth between Zoe and Briggs.

  “Sometimes you can be a complete moron,” Zoe derided. Both men laughed, and it had the magical effect of soothing the tension.

  “She may be more refined now, but she still has plenty of bite,” Jax hooted.

  A server wearing a skirt hardly big enough to cover a gnat’s hind-end approached the table. “Can I get y’all something to drink?” she asked with a peppy smile, her hopeful eyes lingering on Briggs.

  Zoe was unprepared for the hot sting of jealousy that scorched through her.

  All three of them ordered sodas, and by the time the girl had finished taking their orders, Jax had worked his charm, and the girl was making moon-eyes at him. As she sashayed away, Zoe shook her head. “You’re terrible.” She popped him in the arm with her fist.

  “Ouch,” he yelped, holding his arm. “What was that for?”

  “For thinking you have to capture the attention of every female within a ten-mile radius.”

  Mellow, baritone laughter floated from Briggs’ throat as he looked at Zoe. The years stripped away, and it was the two of them against the world. They shared a long look that caused everything around them to slow so that she could only see Briggs.

  “Should I leave the two of you alone?” Jax asked in a mocking tone.

  Zoe’s head snapped, heat blotching up her neck.

  Briggs didn’t seem the least bit affected by Jax’s comment. “Z makes a valid point. You’re not happy until you have all the women pining away for you.”

  “Whatever, dude,” Jax sulked as he sat back in his chair.

  Briggs looked at Zoe and winked as if to say, That was payback for Jax’s jab.

  Zoe’s heart took on a curious lightness as she sat back and allowed herself to do something she’d not done in ages—relax and get lost in the contentment of the moment.

  10

  Zoe, Briggs, and Jax had just polished off a large basket of fried pickles when an attractive brunette clopped across the stage in tall heels. A large smile filled her face as she stepped up to the metal stand and removed the microphone. As if on cue, the music died down and people gathered close. Zoe was grateful to be at their table where they had a bird’s eye view of the stage without being stuffed in a crowd.