"Are you sure? It seems like you've had a pretty rough day. I can cancel. I'll just need to—"
"What? Are you crazy? Don't do that! I'll probably call Jordan and talk to him for a few hours before turning in for the night. I miss him like crazy. Plus, I'm beat anyway." A wistful expression crossed her face as she said her fiancé's name. Louise doubted the two had ever been apart for a single day, much less several days on end, and it was all her fault that they were apart now.
"You're one hundred percent sure? I feel like an awful friend."
"Seriously, just shut up and go make yourself look fabulous." Missy bumped her shoulder and made a funny face.
Louise let out a deep breath. "Thank you! You're the best!"
"I know." Missy picked up her laptop again, then paused. "Hey, Louise."
"Yeah?"
"Just don't drink too much this time, okay?"
Louise tossed a throw pillow at Missy, and they collapsed in a fit of giggles.
A few minutes later, the doorbell chimed to the tune of Greensleeves.
"Crap, he's early! Buy me a few minutes, okay?" Louise rushed up the stairs and left Missy to deal with their guest.
She dabbed a fresh spray of perfume onto her wrists and ran her fingers through her short hair to get it to flip out at the ends the way she liked best. Her outfit from earlier that day, an A-line skirt and robin's egg blue blouse were just playful enough to work if she ditched the stuffy, khaki blazer. All she needed now was a cute pair of sandals to transform this office get-up into a date night ensemble. She dusted a bit of powder on her T-zone and applied fresh coats of lip gloss and mascara before heading downstairs.
Brady sat with Missy at the kitchen counter pouring over something on her computer screen.
"That could work," he said as a white princess cut dress with a long train popped onto the display. He looked incredible in his faded jeans and dark plaid shirt.
She took a moment to appreciate him from afar before making her way over and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Hmm, it's a little busy. Maybe this one?" Missy clicked and brought up a strapless number trimmed with pink pearls.
"Ready?" Louise offered him a placating smile as she came to stand next to them both. She still felt bad about the way she'd accused him of taking advantage of her earlier this morning. At least she hadn't made him wait long while she got changed.
As much of a perfectionist as she could be, she'd never been high maintenance when it came to her appearance. As long as her clothes and accessories looked nice and she'd had time to freshen up, Louise was good to go.
Brady stood and wrapped her in his arms, greeting her with a quick kiss that both surprised and delighted her. "Hey there, gorgeous. You look amazing, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to send you back upstairs to change."
She bit her lower lip. "Not fancy enough?"
"No, too fancy actually. Can you put on a pair of jeans and boots? You'll thank me later." He gave her another squeeze and motioned for her to hurry.
"Umm, I haven't got any boots. At least not here."
"Yeah, fancy is kind of her own personal style. Or at least stuffy is." Missy giggled when Louise kicked at the leg of her stool.
“Well, all right then,” Brady said with a laugh. “Honest, it's no problem. We'll drop in downtown and pick you up a pair."
"Shopping without me?" Missy teased without shifting her gaze from the computer. "Jealous!"
Louise jogged back up the stairs and changed into a pair of dark wash jeans and sneakers. She also grabbed a cardigan in case the night turned cold. You never knew with this state.
"Have fun tonight," Missy said as Louise and Brady finally left for their date.
Louise waved over her head as Brady ushered her through the front door.
"So, you've got me curious, what are we doing tonight?" Louise asked as she climbed into the cab of Brady's Ford F350. The rosary dangling from his rearview mirror surprised her, but she chose not to mention it.
He turned the key in the ignition and shot her an adventurous smile. "Riding."
Louise tried not to let her nervousness show. "Riding? Oh, it's been forever. I'm not sure I remember how."
"You'll be fine. It's like, well… it’s like riding a bike. It'll come back to you."
Kind of like how the whole Anchorage experience had been coming back to her ever since she'd first stepped into town—the way people always smiled and waved when passing her on the street even though she was nothing more than a stranger to most of them, the way the stars took over the entire sky at night leaving her with such a sense of peace and security, and most of all, the way she felt so alive in Brady's company.
A few short minutes into their drive, they stopped at the tanner's shop and picked up a pair of maroon cowboy boots embellished with elaborate stitching for Louise to wear on their ride, and for her to "remember him by."
They were beautiful, but she had no idea what use she'd get out of them in the city. She'd somehow find a way to work them into her wardrobe. She had to. It was only right, considering Brady had insisted on paying the two-hundred-plus price tag since the date had been his idea.
And she loved that he had.
Somehow, he'd managed to take charge in a way that made her feel cherished rather than shoehorned into a submissive role. The city boys back home could learn a thing or two from this small-town gentleman.
Back at the truck, he opened the door for her then drove them another half hour before they reached their destination. Brady parked the car at a large stable off a dirt road. Little purple flowers and flat, smooth pebbles peppered the walkway into the gated area.
The varied smells of pure nature greeted them as they traipsed toward the large wooden building at the other end of the lot. The more Brady showed her of his Alaska, the more she was beginning to think she'd been wrong about it—and about him. Had she somehow repressed all the amazing memories and replaced them with distorted ones as her way of getting over what she'd left behind? That wasn't fair to Brady, and it wasn't fair to herself.
Brady placed a hand on the small of her back as he led her into the gated area outside the structure. "My buddy's letting us borrow a pair of his horses tonight, so we can do a sunset ride. It's the best time of day for one, sunset. After that, we'll go grab some dinner."
"Sounds perfect," Louise said, hitching the gate behind her. And she meant it. She couldn't have asked for a more perfect—or more romantic—night out, least of all with Brady Rockwell, the boy who had always been more wild than thoughtful. What a man he'd become.
"These are our two mounts for the night." Brady walked up to a pair of horses at the far end of the stables. One was black, and the other white with brown spots. A paint, she seemed to remember, it was called.
"They're good horses," Brady said.
Louise tiptoed up to the smaller of the two animals and patted it between its large, gentle eyes. It had been a long time since she'd found herself around animals, and she didn't want to spook the gentle-looking creature by moving too abruptly. Although she'd chosen not to add a pet to her tiny city loft, she'd always liked the idea of one day welcoming an animal companion into her life. Too bad a horse would never work out in the city.
She remembered the rides from her school days so fondly, especially the ones with Brady. He'd taught her the joys of riding, and she'd taught him all about how a good book could transport you to other worlds entirely.
Why had she not thought of either of these things until now? How much had she forgotten about the beauty of simple living?
"Her name's Star," Brady said from behind her as he slipped a saddle on the mare's back. "This one's Sky." He motioned toward the large, black colt beside her.
The horse whinnied and shook his mane, and Brady laughed.
"He's a little unpredictable, so you'll probably do better with Star."
"I think you're right about that." Louise laughed, too, and Star nudged her affectionately with her soft, brown
nose.
"See, best friends already." Brady smiled at her, taking a moment to hold her gaze, then shook his head and said, "Let's go, so we can reach the cliffs before the sun goes down."
He swung forward, wrapped his strong hands around her hips, and hoisted her up onto the back of her horse. His touch took her by surprise, mostly for how natural and inviting it felt.
She wished they could have lingered a little longer before heading out on the horses—but she also loved that he had devised such a romantic outing for the two of them. That he knew exactly how to take charge, so she could relax and enjoy the evening.
Louise settled herself into the saddle, as Brady effortlessly pulled himself up by the stirrup and then swung his leg over the other horse to mount.
"Ready?" he asked, his deep eyes hidden by the brim of his hat and the descending night. He steered his horse forward and turned himself around, then walked it back toward Louise and stepped so close their ankles touched.
"Mind if I sneak a quick kiss first? You're just so unbelievably cute. I don't think I can wait until we're through here. Best to clear the air after last night and all, so we can focus on our ride. Besides, I’ve been waiting fifteen very long years for the chance to kiss you again.”
She gulped and nodded with a smile, so he leaned in and took his kiss. It was quick and short—their awkward positions wouldn't allow for much more—but it told of even better things to come. As much as she looked forward to their sunset ride, she also couldn't wait for it to be over.
After offering a quick riding refresher for Louise, Brady steered his colt toward the worn path on the other side of the stables. Star knew to follow, but Louise wanted to lead.
"Hyah," she called, pressing into the mare's ribs with her heel.
Brady watched in astonishment as she pulled ahead on the path. Her form and control were both fantastic, as if she'd been riding regularly for the past ten years.
"Where are we going?" she asked, peeking back at him over her shoulder and scrunching up her nose in an adorable smile that reminded him very much of their younger days.
"Follow the incline." He gestured toward the right, then watched as she sped Star into first a trot, then a gallop.
"Well, if she wants to turn this into a race, we'll give her a run for her money." He patted Sky on the neck and then set him into a full gallop. As he passed Louise, he took in her expression of pure bliss and fell for her even harder than he already had. Any woman who could find this much fun in day-to-day living was a woman he wanted by his side. Who'd ever have guessed that Weezy Gordon would turn out to be that woman?
"This is amazing!" she shouted over the rushing wind. "I feel so free!"
"Race me to the top?" he asked, slowing briefly to match her pace.
"Hyah," she called again, speeding forward without technically answering his question. Her lithe body bounced as she navigated the land with ease. If she was sore from the saddle, she sure as heck wasn't letting on.
He loved a woman who could take charge. Made life that much more interesting. He clicked his tongue and allowed Sky to reach his full speed as they sprinted toward the top of the cliff.
They soared quickly past beautiful scenery—lush meadows, a quiet lake, the rich oranges and pinks of the setting sun. In no time at all, they had reached their stopping point, Brady arriving just a hair before Louise.
She let out a joyous, full-bellied laugh as he hitched the horses up and helped Louise down onto her own two feet. "I can see why you love it so much. A part of me never wanted to stop."
Her eyes fixed on his lips as she closed the small distance between them. "Thank you for this," she whispered. "I think I really needed it."
He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and traced the outline of her cheek with his finger. "Thank you for this," he whispered back taking her in a deep embrace of both arms and lips.
This kiss was different than the one they’d shared in elementary school or the brief peck they’d exchanged before their ride. Her mouth explored his with a confidence he found irresistible. And her body squirmed against his—stretching, reaching, melding.
Could it really be that he'd found the perfect girl for him, so many years ago but only just realized it now? Sure seemed that way.
Louise pulled away, taking the sweet taste of her lips with her. She laid her head on his chest, and together they watched the sun make its final descent over the horizon. He was in serious trouble when it came to Louise Gordon.
Good thing he liked to live dangerously.
Chapter 8
Louise sat close to Brady in the cab of his truck as they drove back toward town, listening to the local country music station over his tinny speakers. He serenaded her with his best Tim McGraw impression, which was actually pretty good. They drove clear past one restaurant after the next, and Louise’s stomach growled in protest.
"I've got something much better," he informed her with a twinkle in his eye.
She smiled and snuggled into his side. Anchorage was bringing out such an unusual side of herself, one she'd long since repressed. Back in Manhattan, everything was focused on efficiency, but here she wanted to slow down and enjoy each day—and especially each evening—as it unwound.
She liked striking out into the evening without a tightly planned agenda or longstanding dinner reservations, and she'd all but forgotten how much slower life moved down here.
Could she have been missing out on life by trying to live it so fast back in the city?
Here, she became vibrant, alive—just as she'd been the last time Brady had taken hold of her heart and given it a good, firm squeeze. Maybe this time could be different. She was more confident now, more sure of herself. She knew how to ask for what she wanted and to make sure she got it.
"We're here," he announced, shifting into park behind a couple other cars along the side of the road. They got out and walked toward a tiny, yellow food truck with bold black lettering and a friendly cartoon pig painted across the side. Four picnic tables sat beneath a pop-up trellis, which was covered with dozens of strings of white lights. Higher up, the Northern stars shone their brightest, free from the light pollution of any major city. The whole scene was straight out of a storybook.
"I love it," Louise gasped, taking in the full charm of the setting before her.
"Just wait until you try the food. Much better than anything you’ll find in the lower forty-eight.”
"Hey, Brady!" the man inside the truck called out from beneath a large, bushy mustache. "Long time no see. I was beginning to worry about you."
Brady smiled and walked forward to shake Jimbo's hand. "Been on the road, I'm afraid. But don't worry, your stuff is still the best I've found."
"And you brought me a new customer, I see. Who might this lovely lady be?"
Louise blushed. She wasn't used to feeling like a princess, and she definitely wasn't used to enjoying being made to feel that way.
Brady slung an arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. "This is Louise Gordon, and she can't wait to try your number three combo." Turning to Louise, he said, "I remember how you always loved chili cheese fries with extra mustard."
Normally she hated it when a man ordered for her, but a quick scan of the menu confirmed he had made the right choice for her. She also found it sweet how he still remembered her favorite order all these years later.
Maybe what happened between them really had been a big misunderstanding. Maybe she finally needed to let it go and to forgive him.
She was still mulling that over as she and Brady chose a table and took their seats. A few minutes later Jimbo delivered a pair of piping hot pulled pork sandwiches with sodas and chili cheese fries.
It smelled divine.
Louise covered her portion of fries with French's mustard just as she always had and then popped one into her mouth. The dish definitely had a pleasant kick to it. "So good," she gushed between bites. "Do you eat like this every day?"
"Sure do," he d
rawled, snagging a fry for himself.
"Then how the heck do you look so good?"
"Hey, gotta fuel my workouts somehow. What do you normally eat?"
"Organic this or that, whole grains, veggies. But none of it tastes like this." She filled her mouth with the warm barbecued pork and let out a small moan of pleasure.
Brady reached across the table and used his thumb to wipe away a bit of stray sauce from Louise's cheek.
So tender, so caring.
"Seems like it was time you shook things up a little. Why did you decide to leave Anchorage in the first place?"
"You mean why did my parents decide to leave?" She shrugged. "My dad got a better job offer in New York."
"Then why did you decide to stay away for so long?" His voice sounded far away, almost sad.
"I never really felt like I belonged here." She shrugged again. "The other girls, their interests were so different. I always preferred books to beauty pageants, skyscrapers to oil rigs. Plus, Rosie kind of made my life a living nightmare.”
If Brady was troubled by her mention of Rosie, he sure didn't show it.
"Feels like you belong now." He said and reached across the table to rub her hand. "And I always liked you precisely because you were different. You're different than all of them, Louise, and I mean that in the best possible way."
She stopped to study him for a moment.
"Just when I think I have you all figured out, you go and flip the script on me again. Next you're going to tell me you have Sunday brunch with your mother every single week."
"Well, not Sunday, but, yeah, I see her at least a couple times a week. I live just a few blocks over from her, so it's easy to stop in for visits."
"This is not the Brady I remember. What happened to the daring rebel who balked at authority?" She laughed, but he seemed to want to keep things serious.
"I'm still a daredevil at heart, but I've grown up, Louise. Learned a few things along the way."
Louise dipped her sandwich in barbecue sauce. "Why do they call you the bad boy of the rodeo?" She wanted to ask so much more, but this question didn't hurt like the others did.
The Alaska Sunrise Romances: A 9-Book Sweet Romance Collection Page 46