Long Hard Road (Crestwood Valley)

3. Nate

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yep. Lil was pretty clear about the plan. She’s convinced people will love these giant swings.” Chase had never blindly trusted anyone the way he trusted Lily Jameson and her plans for his ranch.

“You could fit five grown adults on this thing.” I stepped back to more closely survey the dimensions of the wooden swing we were building. “Is Lil planning to host orgies on the ranch?”

“If they bring in enough profit.” Chase finished drilling a hole in the large piece of lumber where we would be hanging the swing. “That woman has an eye for identifying profitable ventures.”

“Explains why she’s sleeping with our brother,” I joked.

“Talk about my girl like that again and I’ll toss you in the wood chipper.” Evan had returned from grabbing more screws from the other maintenance barn. Lily was right behind him.

“He’s not wrong,” she said diplomatically. “I’d consider you to be an excellent return on investment, Ev. Especially in bed.”

“Jesus, Lil.” Evan shook his head in reconciled embarrassment. “Haven’t we talked about you working on filtering your words?”

“I did.” She grinned. “You have no idea what I deemed to be too inappropriate to say out loud, babe.”

If they were anyone else, I would’ve found their flirty banter annoying. My jaded heart didn’t usually tolerate cutesiness, but I was willing to make an exception for Lily and Evan. Maybe because I actually like my brother’s girlfriend or maybe because Evan had been on his own for so long that I was just happy he’d found someone. It was probably a combination of those two things.

“We actually don’t need either of you to help with this,” Chase said pointedly.

Lily eyed what we were building. “Do you think it’s big enough?”

“You tell us.” Chase exaggerated a wink at her. “Is it?”

“Don’t answer that,” Evan grumbled.

“Nate, we need to talk.” Lily perched on the edge of the seat I’d just built. “Amelia texted me yesterday. She said you were flirting with some woman in her café.”

“Amelia needs to concentrate on making her delicious cinnamon rolls and not worry about who her customers are talking to.” Probably the most annoying part of living in such a small town was how everyone always knew my business. That was a big reason why I never hooked up with any locals. It was just easier to drive to a nearby town and avoid the Crestwood gossip mill.

“Who was she? Amelia said she was cute.” Lily wasn’t going to let me out of this conversation without some details.

“Just a tourist staying in town for a few weeks. Her name is Madison.” I was hoping that would be enough, but I should’ve known better.

Lily leaned forward, her caramel hair falling over her shoulder. “And?”

“And nothing.” I didn’t talk to my family about women. Not even a woman who was just a passing acquaintance. Especially not with Lily who would immediately latch onto the idea of another pretty outsider coming to town and falling in love with a Sullivan brother. “I can’t finish building this thing with you sitting on it.”

“So take a break.” She patted the space next to her. “Sit and tell me more about Madison.”

“There’s nothing to tell.” I turned my attention to digging through a pile of screws for one that was the right length. “She’s 24. Way too young for me to be interested in her.”

“Oh really?” Lily glanced at Evan, taking a moment to stare at his ass while he was bent over a pile of lumber. “Do you also think that I’m too young for Ev? Because he’s eight years older than me.”

“That’s different. You are in your thirties. You’re not still figuring your life out.” Most of the time, the age gap between Lily and Evan wasn’t even noticeable. Unless they were fighting over what movie to watch or whether today’s music was actually music or just “noise.” Evan never won any of those fights.

“Of course I’m still figuring my life out.” Lily waved a hand in Evan’s direction. “I just moved to a ranch and agreed to marry a cowboy with two kids. Life changes constantly, Nate. At twenty, thirty, or seventy, you never really have it figured out.”

Evan had turned to look at Lily and the pure adoration on his face was a little hard to see. I had once looked at someone that way and I was certain I’d never be able to again.

“Sweetheart, Nate isn’t going to date some woman just because you’re tired of hanging out with only men on the ranch,” Evan said.

“Really? You wouldn’t do that for me?” Lily batted her eyes at me. “Please?”

“Smooth.” I laughed and reached for the drill. “Nice try, Lily, but you don’t have me whipped like my brother.”

“Fine.” She sighed elaborately and hopped to her feet. “Stay single and lonely.”

“I’m not lonely.” That was mostly true. I was a loner at heart, much preferring to spend the majority of my time alone or with my family rather than being surrounded by people with whom I had superficial connections. But that didn’t mean I was lonely.

“If you don’t want to date Madison, maybe you could set her up with Chase?” Evan suggested with a conspiratorial wink at his girlfriend.

“Do not pull me into your games,” Chase said. “I don’t need any help finding a willing bed partner.”

“Ew. Gross.” Lily shuddered. “And you wonder why I wish there were more women I could spend my time with.”

Evan grabbed her arm and pulled her against his side, holding her there with one arm. “You’d rather spend your time with some random woman than me? You sure about that?” His hand slid over her ass and she yelped as he squeezed.

“Remember when that guy was a monk? I miss those days.” Chase rolled his eyes at me. He hefted a hammer and glared at them. “Unless you’re planning to grab a hammer for your banging, maybe you could take that to your bedroom?”

“Good idea.” Evan had Lily thrown over his shoulder before she could get away. He slapped her ass on the way out of the barn. “Time for riding lessons, city girl.”

“Giddy up, cowboy,” she said around a loud giggle.

Chase’s low groan filled the barn. “Are they getting worse? It feels like they are.”

“Nah, they’ve always been that disgusting.” I checked my watch and frowned. “Shit. I’m running late.”

“Hot date with Madison?” Chase joked.

“I promised Harper that I would help out with some stuff at the bookstore. We can pick this up tomorrow.” One nice thing about winter on the ranch was that we had some free time to work on extra projects like giant swings.

“Aren’t we working on the floors at your place tomorrow?” Chase freed the pencil he’d tucked behind his ear and began to mark measurements on a piece of wood.

“Oh right. I’ll see you at the house.”

Several years ago our father had gifted all his kids with a plot of land on the ranch. The hope was that we would each decide to build our home just down the way from the main house. Evan had built his years ago after the twins were born and Chase built his when he turned thirty and decided it probably wasn’t cool to keep living in his childhood home.

Brent would likely never use his land since he had no desire to live back in Crestwood and Noah was never in town long enough to need a permanent residence. He was always content to crash at the main house or with one of his siblings. Harper didn’t plan to build a house until she was married because she wanted her future husband to have input. Or she wanted him to do the work.

I had finally broken ground on my house last spring. The land surrounded the largest pond on the ranch and was secluded enough that I didn’t have to interact with my family if I wasn’t in the mood. That was key because as much as I tried not to be a grumpy bastard, sometimes my demons forced their way out.

Dad was thrilled that I was finally committing to living on the ranch. I had lived with him since leaving the army and he had been dropping a lot of hints about how much he loved having three of his sons living on the ranch. I had been hesitant to commit to anything because building my house would mean that I was back in Crestwood permanently. But I couldn’t stay with Dad forever, so I’d finally decided to start building.

Chase and Evan were thrilled to have me staying so close and I was starting to warm up to the idea, too, now that my house had a foundation and exterior walls. I’d even had some guys from town out to set up the plumbing and electricity. The rest of the work was all stuff that I could do myself with the help of my brothers. Harper would swoop in at the end to handle paint colors and tile selections.

I wouldn’t be moving into the house for at least another two months and in the meantime, I had rented one of Maggie Holden’s cabins. It had only made sense given that I would be running the bar every night for the next month and it would be risky to drive out to the ranch in the middle of winter when snowstorms could be sudden and frequent. It was nice to be able to walk home each night in less than five minutes after closing. Even nicer now that I had a pretty neighbor to occupy my thoughts.

Despite what I had so adamantly told Lily, I had been completely smitten with Madison the second she’d crashed into me in the café. Her grass-green eyes had gone wide, plump pink lips opening in surprise. When she walked into the Nest last night, it was hard not to believe that the universe was testing me. I meant what I had told her. She was too young and innocent for a guy like me. I would only tarnish her beautiful shine.

It was a fifteen-minute drive downtown from the ranch and that was almost enough time for me to stop thinking about my new neighbor. The second I stepped into the bookstore, Harper put me right to work. She had a stuck drawer under her register, some loose floorboards, and new blinds to hang in the window facing the alley.

“What would I do without you?” she asked after I had returned her step stool to the utility room. She clapped her hands in excitement as she looked at the newly hung blinds. “Seriously, Nate. You’re going to make some woman very happy one day once you stop being so afraid of commitment.”

“I’m not afraid of commitment.” I wasn’t against the idea of being in a relationship. I just didn’t think I would ever find a woman who would want to commit to me. Not with all the trauma I kept buried beneath layers of carefully crafted disengagement.

“What about the girl you flirted with in Amelia’s café?” She hoisted herself onto the counter next to the register. “Amelia said she wasn’t a local.”

“Amelia really needs to mind her own business.” I set down the toolbox that Ronan had left behind when he’d installed the new bathroom door. “Don’t you have some work you need to do?”

“Nope.” Harper blew a large pink bubble with her gum and let it pop loudly before sucking it back in.

“I’m surprised you didn’t ask Ronan to take a look at this drawer. Didn’t he refinish this thing for you?”

Harper frowned. “He’s busy. Or avoiding my texts. I’m not sure which.”

“Ronan wouldn’t avoid you. I’m sure he’s just busy. This time of year is always chaotic for his job.”

“You know what next week is, right?” Harper’s eyebrows pinched together.

“The anniversary.” I didn’t have to be reminded. None of us did. That day twenty-three years ago had made Ronan a permanent member of our family.

“He’s always weird for a few days before.” Harper was six years younger than Ronan, but she had always understood him better than any of us. Even better than Evan who was technically his best friend. “But he doesn’t usually shut me out like this. I’m worried.”

“He’ll be alright. Ronan is the toughest guy I know.” I wasn’t exaggerating. He had been through absolute hell growing up and had somehow still grown into a good man. “He always gives you space when you are in one of your moods, Harp. You can grant him the same courtesy.”

Harper sighed elaborately. “Fine. But if Ronan isn’t going to answer my texts, I’m going to bug you instead.”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing right now?” I knelt down to get a better look at what was happening beneath the drawer.

“That is my top responsibility as your annoying little sister.” She dropped quickly to her feet when the bell above the door chimed merrily, announcing the arrival of a customer. “Hi! Welcome to Final Chapter!”

“Oh. Hello.” The soft, silky voice sent my blood racing southward. I would recognize that voice anywhere.

“Can I help you find anything today?” Harper asked, oblivious to the physical reaction happening inside my body.

“No, I’m just…looking.” Madison was just on the other side of the counter, oblivious to the fact that I was on my knees just a few feet away.

“Okay. No problem. Just holler if you need anything.” If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve sworn that Harper was purposefully fucking with me. Almost as if she knew that I’d had an intense dream last night that had me on my knees with Harper hollering my name. Presumably, she was wearing more clothes now.

“Thanks.” Madison’s voice was nearly a whisper and her footsteps were light and quick as she hurried deeper into the bookstore.

Harper crouched down. “She was cute. You should go check her out.”

“No thanks.” I had never concentrated so hard on a drawer slider in my life.

“I mean, I know that a woman who reads isn’t your typical type, but maybe it’s time to branch out.” She let out a yelp when I jabbed my fingers between her ribs. “Ow, jerk.”

“That didn’t hurt.” I was used to Harper being dramatic. “Can you hand me that screwdriver?”

She slapped it into my hand and stood. “I’m going to find out if she’s single.”

“Harp. Don’t.” This wouldn’t be the first time Harper was incredibly forward with a stranger in an effort to embarrass me.

“Stop being such a reclusive weirdo, bro.” Harper started to step past me and I grabbed her arm to stop her, getting to my feet in the process.

“Nate?”

“Madison. Hey.” I should’ve known she’d be standing just a few feet away, staring at me with her hypnotizing eyes.

“You know each other?” Harper was practically bouncing on her toes as she appraised us, nudging me with her elbow in the least subtle way possible. “Introduce me, Nate.”

“This is Madison.” I quickly cleared the catch in my throat. “She’s visiting Crestwood for a few weeks.”

“I’m Harper Sullivan.” My sister grinned and stuck out her hand. “How do you know my big brother, Madison?”

Those green eyes blinked once. “He made my drink last night.”

“He did?” Harper whirled toward me and widened her eyes.

“At the Nest,” I emphasized. “I was working.”

“Right. He was the bartender. I was the customer.” Madison’s eyes darted between us and she shifted the stack of books in her arms.

“She’s also my new neighbor,” I said, unable to hold back a smile. She looked so damn cute with her wide eyes and parted pink lips.

Harper was so thrilled by that news she actually clapped her hands. “How wonderful! Welcome to Crestwood, Madison.” She held out her hand for the books. “You are in luck. We have a New-to-Crestwood discount.”

“You do?” Madison and I asked at the same time.

“Sure do.” Harper started ringing up the sale. “Is there anything we can help you with while you’re in town? The Sullivans have lived in Crestwood for generations, so we’re probably able to help you with almost anything.”

Madison looked at me and then hurried to look away as her cheeks turned pink. I suspected that she’d been thinking of a naughty way that I might be able to help her and I couldn’t help but enjoy that thought.

“Harp is right. What do you need, Madison?”

She tugged on a strand of her pale hair as she gnawed on her lower lip. “Actually, my car is making a weird noise. Could you recommend a trustworthy mechanic?”

“Sure. Lou is great. His shop is just down the road, too. Maybe Nate could show you?” Harper looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Nonsense. I’ll take a look at it myself. It’s probably a quick fix.” I had spent two years in high school working at Lou’s shop and was still pretty handy when it came to fixing cars.

“No!” Madison put a delicate hand over her mouth as if she was trying to catch the word after it had already left her lips. “I mean, I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t. I offered.” I pushed the drawer shut. “This just had a loose screw that was blocking the roller. I would’ve thought you’d know a thing or two about having a screw loose, Harp, but you’re all set now.”

“You are my favorite brother. Don’t tell the others.” Harper smiled enigmatically at me. “The floorboards can be fixed some other time. Go help Madison with her car.”

Madison made a strangled noise in her throat. “You don’t have to do that. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

“It’s no trouble.” I bent down and tossed the screwdriver back into the toolbox before hefting it. “I’ve already got the tools and everything.”

“Okay.” She turned her attention to paying for her books and avoided eye contact with me as she looped the tote that Harper handed her over her shoulder. “My car is right outside.”

I stepped around her to open the door. “I’ll see you at Sunday dinner, Harp.”

“Don’t be afraid to bring a date!” Harper called back. I just barely stifled my groan.

Madison glanced nervously at me and I smiled reassuringly. “Lead the way, angel.”

I had no idea why I had started using that nickname for her. Maybe it was the way her golden hair reminded me of a halo when the sun illuminated it exactly the way it was now. It also might have been the perfection of her beauty. I had never seen another woman even half as beautiful as Madison.

She stopped next to a car that had cost more than the five other vehicles in the parking lot. “This is it,” she said quietly.

“Nice ride.” I didn’t want to make a snap judgment, but Madison either had an incredibly high-paying job or a nice trust fund.

“It’s ostentatious,” she replied with a nervous laugh. “A bit of an impulse purchase, you might say.”

A beautiful woman who casually used the word ostentatious was my new kryptonite. “When I was ten, my grandmother gave me $100 for my birthday and I spent every cent of it on candy. Believe me, I understand a good impulse purchase.”

“You have a sweet tooth. Cute.” Madison’s normally guarded expression had shifted into something much more genuine and relaxed. It was a good look on her.

“I guess you would be the expert on cute.” I tested my most charming smile on her and was instantly rewarded with a flush in her cheeks. “Can you start the car for me and pop the hood?”

“Sure.” Madison opened the back door first and placed her bag of books next to several paper bags from the market. She must have spent her morning doing some grocery shopping. After she started the car, we both listened carefully to the mysterious rattling noise.

“That’s not coming from under the hood,” I said confidently, slamming it shut. “Do you mind if I get in your car?”

“Go ahead.” Madison stepped back just enough for me to squeeze past her, but I misjudged the amount of space and accidentally brushed her chest with my arm. Even with layers of fabric between us, I could feel the swell of her breasts shift against my bicep.

“Sorry,” I muttered as a tightness pulled low in my belly.

She took another step back. “It’s okay.”

Maybe our accidental touch was okay, but my visceral reaction to it was not. The interior of Madison’s car smelled like the ocean breeze and I looked around for an air freshener but didn’t find one. The noise was muffled inside the car, so it wasn’t coming from the mechanics in the dashboard.

“That’s weird.” I turned off the car and the noise stopped. Then I turned the car back on and got out, letting my ears lead me around to the back of the car. The noise sounded like it was coming from the muffler, but it wasn’t a normal muffler noise. “Can you turn it off again?” I asked.

Madison hurried to do as I asked while I crouched on the ground next to the rear tire. “I think your muffler might be loose,” I said, eyeing the snow-covered asphalt. “I need to get under there to take a look.”

“You can’t get on the ground. It’s wet and dirty.”

“Wet and dirty, huh? Just the way I like it,” I joked.

“At least you didn’t add quick to that list.” Madison looked a little startled by her own joke and that only made me laugh harder.

“Never.” I hooked a thumb over my shoulder. “Lou’s is right there. I’ll drive it over and take a look at it. Why don’t you go to Amelia’s and grab something warm to drink while you wait? I’ll bring you the keys when I’m done.”

Madison looked stricken. “Oh no. I can’t let you do that, Nate. This isn’t your problem.”

“It’s not a problem. I used to work at Lou’s. He’ll be glad to lend me a service bay for a few minutes. Your fancy car is in good hands, angel.” I couldn’t resist slipping in that term of endearment since I knew it would make her cheeks turn pink. “If you want to pay me back, I’ll take a hot coffee when I’m done. Deal?”

That earned me a smile. “Deal.”