Long Hard Road (Crestwood Valley)

7. Nate

As I strolled into the post office the next morning, my head was filled with thoughts of Madison. After agreeing to her proposition, we’d filled ourselves with stew and more of Amelia’s pastries, washing it all down with more bourbon. She had eventually dozed off on the couch mid-sentence. My instincts told me to carry her to bed, but my brain told me that I should stay as far away from her bed as possible.

I’d settled for guiding her into a more comfortable position on the couch with a pillow tucked under her head. A worn blanket had been draped over the back of the couch and I pulled it over her before checking to make sure the fire was completely extinguished. On my way out of her cabin, I paused next to the couch and watched her sleep for a moment. Her blond hair fanned the pillow and the moonlight streaming through the window covered her skin in a pale light that made it seem like she was glowing.

“Maybe you are an angel,” I had whispered, brushing a knuckle over her cheekbone. “Sweet dreams, Madison.”

Then I went home and collapsed, sleeping more deeply than I had slept in a long time. Madison had greeted me with a shy smile when I’d stopped by this morning. She frowned a little when I asked her if she’d kept the tracker. I told her that I wanted to get rid of it for her so we wouldn’t have to worry about anyone stalking her location. I could tell she was doubtful of my intentions, but she went to her refrigerator and came back with the tracker.

“Keeping it cold so it doesn’t spoil?” I had teased.

“Signals don’t penetrate refrigerators or something. I saw it in a movie.” She had looked so adorable when she saw my smirk and crossed her arms over her chest, lifting her chin defiantly.

I just laughed and flicked the tip of her nose with my fingers. “If you say so, angel.”

Something had flashed through her eyes and she took a step back. After a stuttering goodbye, the door was shut in my face. I wasn’t sure what caused her cold reaction, but I had clearly said or done something wrong. That was a problem for later, however, because I wanted to get this tracker far away from Crestwood as soon as possible.

I knew everyone in the post office, including the clerk. Betty Speers had been working there since I was a kid. Her daughter had been my fifth-grade teacher. I’d taken her granddaughter to the homecoming dance freshman year.

She read the address on the padded envelope I handed her and smiled. “Brent? How’s your brother doing?”

“He’s good. Still in D.C. getting assholes elected to office.” I always felt a little uncomfortable when the locals asked about Brent. I knew a lot of them thought he was a jerk for leaving town and starting his high-paying job working for politicians.

Betty just laughed, though, and added the correct postage to the envelope. “You know, Nate, if you’re still single, Maisy will be back in town next weekend.”

“I appreciate the thought, Betty, but Maisy figured out freshman year that I’m not the right guy for her.” I swiped my card to pay and then took the receipt she handed me. “Now, if you and Glenn ever call it quits, I expect you to give me a call.”

“I’ve got you on speed dial, sweetheart.” Betty was always up for an innocent flirt with a younger man.

I braced myself before stepping outside. We had gotten the six inches of snow that was predicted, plus a lot more in the places where it had drifted overnight. The main road had been plowed, but the sidewalks and parking spaces downtown were almost unpassable. Harper hadn’t even bothered to open her store this morning even though her apartment was right upstairs. She had probably rightly assumed that most people wouldn’t be hanging around downtown today.

As the only coffee shop in town, Amelia had braved the elements to serve the few locals who were forced to be out. A police officer was leaving with a carrier of coffees and I hurried ahead to grab the door before it could swing shut behind him.

“Hey, Nate.” Sheriff Garrity nodded at me. “Good to see you.”

“Looking good, Sheriff.” I almost hadn’t recognized the man. He’d lost at least ten pounds since I saw him at the Winter Festival back in December.

“I got a grandkid on the way. Need to be able to chase after the little monster.” He nodded again and headed toward his cruiser.

Sheriff Garrity was older than my dad. He should probably be close to retirement, but it was hard to imagine anyone else in his position. He and the mayor had both been running the town my whole life.

Amelia was the only one inside and she smiled warmly at me. “Nate! Thank goodness you are here. I made all these cinnamon rolls and no one has come in to eat them. Please take some off my hands. My treat.”

“Amelia, you know I can never say no to any of your baked goods.” I pulled out one of the bar stools at the counter. “But you have to keep my company while I eat.”

“Deal.” She put the two largest rolls onto a plate and placed it in front of me. “Coffee?”

“Please.” I yanked a big piece from one of the rolls and shoved it into my mouth. “Damn, Amelia. These things should be criminal.”

“Nah, the sheriff approves of them so they are perfectly legal.” Amelia placed a steaming mug in front of me and kept another in her hand. “Harper stopped in yesterday after I sent you away with those pastries. She told me you’ve made a new friend.”

I groaned. “You two are the worst gossips in town.”

“She said it was the girl you chatted up in here the other day. Nice work. She’s adorable.” Amelia winked playfully. “She’s legal, right?”

“Shit, Amelia. Of course she’s legal. She’s 24. What kind of guy do you think I am?”

“Sorry. I was just joking. Lily told me you were a little hung up on the age gap.”

I dropped my head into my hands. “Why was Lily talking to you about that? I swear, this is all just reaffirming the reasons I moved away from Crestwood to begin with.”

“Nate.” Her hand touched my arm. “We’re just happy to see you with someone. You are one of the best guys I know and you deserve to have someone in your life who makes you smile.”

Her words were meant to be encouraging, not to send me spiraling back to last night when Madison had so easily called me out for forcing myself to look like I wasn’t miserable. No one else in my life had noticed I was only going through the motions. Not even Brent, and he knew everything I’d gone through with Fiona. Somehow Madison just understood me. She saw the grief and anger I kept buried under a thin veneer of contentment.

“Hey, Amelia. Any chance I could get the second cinnamon roll to go? And two coffees?”

“Of course.” She smiled and there was a knowing glint in her eyes. “Madison takes her coffee black, right?”

“I guess I don’t know.” I made it a point to find out.

“I’m pretty sure that was her order. Just give me a sec.” She grabbed my plate and mug and headed toward the sink.

The bell over the door chimed and heavy footsteps echoed off the tile floor. The muscles in my shoulders tightened instinctively and I turned. The man wearing those loud boots was not someone from Crestwood.

“Hey.” I was instantly suspicious of the hulking stranger glaring at me beneath a black baseball hat that had been pulled low over his eyes.

“Is this place open?” The stranger’s voice was just as gruff as his appearance.

“Amelia is just in the kitchen. She’ll be right back.” I noticed the man’s smooth gait as he moved toward the counter. Definitely not a local. “Passing through or visiting?”

“In town for work.” He didn’t look at me as he answered.

Amelia came back into the room and placed two takeaway cups of coffee on the counter. “I need to grab Madison’s cinnamon roll,” she said before turning to the new customer. “Hi there! What can I get started for you?”

“Large coffee.”

“Anything to eat? We have lots of options.” Amelia had a perfect customer service smile.

“No.” Mystery man lacked any charm or tact. “I’m in a hurry.”

“Okay.” She glanced at me and I gave her an encouraging nod. While she was filling a large cup, I turned my attention back to the man standing at the register.

“What do you do for work?” I asked suspiciously.

His eyes were fixed on Amelia and it took him a moment to realize I’d spoken to him. “Consulting,” he said flatly.

Mr. Talkative kept his eyes on Amelia, either to make it clear he didn’t want to talk to me or because he was taken with Amelia’s backside. Either option was equally likely.

When she handed him the coffee, he slapped a twenty on the counter. “Thanks.”

His boot made a loud squeak as he spun on his heel before stomping away. Amelia stared after him with her mouth hanging open.

“Interesting fella,” Nate quipped.

“He was… something.” Amelia blinked a few times and shook herself from her stupor. “I’ll be right back with your box.”

A few minutes later, I was pulling my truck onto the driveway that led to Madison’s cabin. I had already called Chase to let him know we wouldn’t be working on the floors at my house today. I had new plans that didn’t involve any of my brothers. It was slow-going through the snow and I wouldn’t have made it to the cabins if I wasn’t in such a large vehicle. Madison’s car was nearly buried in the snow. I made a mental note to dig her out before leaving.

She opened the door as I was making my way to her porch. “Did you get lost? Your cabin is over there.” She pointed in that direction.

“Very helpful. Thanks.” I held up the coffee and takeout box. “I figured you’d be trapped inside today and thought you might like a treat from Amelia’s.”

“You figured right.” She snatched the coffee from my hand and took a long sip, a low moan escaping that stirred a lustful pull in my cock. “Want to come inside?”

Fuck yes, I do. But she probably was only inviting me to come inside her cabin and not inside her body. “I don’t want to interrupt whatever you had planned.”

“Yes, my big plans of sitting around and reading.” She rolled her eyes and took a step back. “Get in here, Sullivan.”

I had to turn my body to squeeze past her in the small entryway and we were close enough that I caught a whiff of her scent. It was a heady mixture of floral and sweetness. I bet she tasted just as sweet.

“Did you bring me more food?” Her eyes found the takeaway box in my hand.

“Amelia insisted.”

“If you keep feeding me, I might become too domesticated and unable to live in the wild.” She smiled shyly when I laughed.

“We can’t have that. I like my women wild.” I looked at the box. “Guess maybe I’ll have to eat this myself.”

She snatched the box out of my hands. “As long as I don’t eat it out of your hand, I think it will be alright.”

“Are you going to let me pet you now?” I joked and then immediately regretted it because that comment had way too much innuendo.

Madison’s plump lips parted in surprise. “Uh…”

“Joking. It was a joke about you being a wild animal that I’m taming. That was not a pickup line.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “Unless you were going to say yes.”

That earned me a small laugh. “Can I get you anything?”

“No thanks. I had one of those with some coffee already.” I bent down to untie my boots while Madison went to the kitchen and pulled open a drawer. I hung my coat on the hook and joined her at the kitchen island, watching as she shoved a fork into the roll and then pushed a large bite into her mouth.

My dick responded instantly to the sight of her wrapping those lips around the fork, hints of white frosting glazing her lips. I shifted my lower half forward in the chair until it was safely tucked under the island’s countertop.

“I think I made a mistake choosing Crestwood,” she said. “I’ve gained about five pounds eating Amelia’s pastries and your brother’s stew. My trainer is going to be pissed.”

“Fire them.” I had been spending quite a bit of time studying Madison’s body over the last couple of days, and it would look incredible even if she gained twenty pounds.

“Maybe I will.” She smiled and took another bite. “I’m really enjoying not waking up before dawn for a two-hour workout.”

“I don’t mind an early morning workout as long as it’s done in bed,” I said with a smirk.

She blushed all the way to the tips of her ears. “I believe paying my trainer for that kind of workout would be illegal.”

“A real gentleman would never charge.”

“My trainer is a woman.” She finished the last bite with a flourish. “I do eventually need to find a gym. As much as I’m enjoying the break, I can’t take an entire month off.”

“Why not?” From what I knew about Madison’s career, she was one of the most successful celebrities in the country. I would think someone like that could do whatever she wanted.

“My manager is arranging another tour for me. I’ll have to start rehearsals in a couple of months and that will be a brutal experience if I’m out of shape.” She frowned at the empty container in front of her. “Plus it might put the entire rehearsal process behind schedule if I can’t keep up.”

“Do you like touring?” I had never met anyone remotely famous and I was fascinated by Madison’s lifestyle. My only adventures outside of Crestwood and college had been my deployments with the army. Not exactly a luxurious experience.

She nodded with a frown. “I did like it, at first. It was exciting to be in a new place every day and the rush of being on stage is exhilarating. But after four concert tours in seven years, I’m exhausted. I just want to stay in one place for a while and figure out what my life looks like outside of performing.” She sipped her coffee and glanced at me. “I know, I know. Poor little rich girl. Has everything anyone could ever want and can’t even be grateful for it.”

“I wasn’t thinking that.” I had actually been thinking that Madison was just as good at hiding her sadness as me. “If you don’t like touring, why are you doing it?”

“Because I would be letting down a lot of people if I didn’t. My manager and agent would miss out on a financial reward, not to mention the dozens of people on the concert payroll. Backup singers, dancers, makeup artists, hair stylists, costume designers, the entire crew of about a hundred people who handle the lights, sound, stage design, and logistics, plus the drivers who haul everything.” She let out a long breath. “Not to mention the fans.”

“But what about you?” I hated that she was listing all those people who depended on her and hadn’t included herself in that list. “You should be at the top of your priorities, Madison.”

“It’s not that easy.” She fidgeted with the cardboard sleeve on her cup. “Or maybe I’m just not strong enough to say no.”

“I don’t know you very well, Madison, but you seem pretty strong to me. You’ve been carrying hundreds of people for years.” I couldn’t help but compare her to my oldest brother, Evan. He had been carrying our family and the family business on his back since our dad’s stroke. That was a lot of pressure and Madison’s situation was even more intense. “I know you didn’t ask for my opinion, but I think you should forget about all those other people while you are here and just live your life for you. No one else.”

Her back straightened and she turned to me. “That was my whole plan when I arranged this trip. I thought I would be able to focus on myself without everyone else bothering me and asking me for things. But then I got here and… It’s really hard to shut all that out.”

“Maybe I can help you with that.” A plan started to formulate. It was going to require me to let down my guard a little bit, but I had a feeling that Madison would be worth it. “Do you trust me?”