Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Gideon
It’d be a beautiful fucking day if I weren’t so annoyed. Only a few fluffy white clouds littered the sky. The light wind blowing over the rolling brown hills kept me from getting too hot, but it was too cool to strip down to my recently purchased shirt. I kept the new army-green hoodie on. I’d already gotten a hole at the bottom from some rogue wire.
I was fighting heartburn from the sloppy joes and cherry Kool-Aid Dad had packed. My taste buds had been delighted with the nostalgia, but my gut had gone into panic mode.
“It’s fence,” I said through gritted teeth. We’d been at this for hours. “The method of fixing couldn’t have changed in twenty-five years.”
Sweat trickled between my shoulder blades. My new ball cap was already dirty. So was the rest of me. We were working on a two-hundred-yard stretch of metal fence posts that hadn’t been touched since I’d probably been the last one to stretch wire. But no, Dad wanted new posts swapped out.
I shouldn’t complain. He’d at least bought more metal posts and hadn’t decided to upgrade to thick wooden posts to impress the Baileys. I still didn’t understand why the hell we were doing this anyway. Dad could sign the papers and leave everything as is.
“I’m not sayin’ the method’s changed.” To give Dad credit, he looked heartier than he had all day. The cool temperature pinkened his cheeks, his hat shaded his eyes, and the wrinkles that had formed since I’d left town gave him a rugged air instead of a tired one.
I ignored the stark relief in my chest that he was looking better each time I saw him.
He shrugged. “I’m just saying that we don’t have to rush.”
I took off my cap, pushed a hand through my hair, and stuffed the cap back on. “They could erect another casino in the time it’s gonna take us to finish this stretch.”
“I’m sure they’ll hire you to run that one too.”
I couldn’t decipher his tone. Snarky? Disappointed? Crestfallen? “It’s not like I’ll be rebooting my farm if you finish the sale.”
“You sound a lot like your grandfather right now.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
He straightened. His expression was the most serious I’d seen it since I’d gotten home. “It is if you’re spewing his poison.”
“He was dedicated to this place. And to Mom.”
“Is that how you remember it?” He peered at me, intent on my answer .
“I remember he was around when you weren’t.” He hadn’t been able to help physically, but he’d imparted his wisdom to me.
Sadness filled his gaze. “At least he tried to build you up instead of tearing you down. Not that I agree with how or why he did it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his tan Carhartt jacket. “What is it you plan to do? Quit your big-city job and come back to farm and ranch? Autumn can get a job anywhere, but there are no casinos in Bourbon Canyon.”
Irritation heated the back of my neck. “I know that.”
“Then Autumn’s moving? Mae’s going to be sad to see her go.”
I stomped to the bed of the pickup. He had a different vehicle than when I’d moved, but this one wasn’t much newer. Which piece of farm equipment had he sold to buy it?
I grabbed a new post. Only a shitload more to put up. “We haven’t decided yet.”
“I heard it’s a mighty nice patch of land that Darin left her.”
I hadn’t seen it yet. “Yeah, it’s nice.”
“Gideon, what are you doing?”
I knew what he was asking. He was thrilled about Autumn and that I was home, but the alcohol hadn’t burned away all his brain cells. “Trying to save a family legacy.”
“But you no longer have yourself to think of. You’re partners. She has her own family. Her own hopes and dreams. You can’t railroad them because your grandfather tied your worth to some dirt. ”
Some dirt? This was home. This should be my home. “The sale would’ve broken Mom’s heart.”
Those wrinkles of his carved deeper with his frown. “Giddy, I did the best I could.”
“Don’t call me Giddy, and you didn’t do a thing. Did you even care for the animals after I left?”
His brows crashed together. “Of course I did.”
“So the dog died from old age? Same with the chickens?”
“The dog got cancer and I gave the chickens away. What did you think happened?” Realization dawned on his face.
Aw, hell. I hadn’t expected to feel so fucking guilty today. I was the one missing work to fix fence for no damn reason.
“Look,” he said, deflated, “I didn’t say my best was a lot. I’m not making excuses, son. I failed you. I failed this place. But I’m trying to do right.”
“By selling?”
He let out a long sigh. “Your mom didn’t have life insurance. I couldn’t run a farm and ranch. I’ve sold things off over the years to support myself. It’s time for retirement, and I’ve got nothing.”
The chafing around my neck intensified. The empty shop and cleared-out barns weren’t all from fueling his alcoholism. But his alcoholism was why he’d had to start selling off useful items to start with. “You’ve been living off what you sold?”
Shame filled his eyes, and he nodded.
“You can sell to me.”
His jaw went tight. “I don’t go back on my word.”
“Hank, I’m family. You can change your mind for family. ”
He peered at me. “Can you?”
What’d he mean? “Grandpa instilled a strong sense of honor in me.”
Dad’s parents had been more interested in going south for the winter than visiting their only grandchild. Mom’s parents had been all about passing on lessons of family and fortune.
“I was afraid of that.” Before I could ask what he meant, he checked his beat-up black watch. “I’ve gotta head into town.”
Dad and my grandfather had never gotten along. There was no point in bickering about a dead man.
I looked down the long stretch we had yet to get to. This fence was another kick of irony. My grandfather would approve of how much nicer it looked. Why was Dad leaving before we were done? What had happened to working until the sunlight was gone?
“Can you come back out tomorrow?” Hope filled his eyes.
The burn of guilt was back. He wanted to spend time with me. “I don’t know. I’m a little behind at my own job after today.” The words tasted sour as I said them.
“Well, I guess I’ll be out here no matter what.” He stooped to pick up the wire spreader.
I sighed. “What time?” I put the posthole digger in the bed of the pickup.
“Eh, midmorning?”
“What happened to ‘when the sun’s up, we’re up’?”
“I can be out here at dawn, but I doubt either of us want that.”
I thought of how the grass would glisten with dew. This time of year, frost would make the strands sparkle. A quiet I hadn’t heard the entire time I’d lived in Las Vegas would drape over the countryside, and it’d be peaceful. Just like now. Only the breeze and the birds filled in the silence when we weren’t talking.
I missed that. “Midmorning, then,” I said gruffly.
The smile that graced his face was like a hot pack on my conscience. He liked being with me.
Yet he wouldn’t sell Percival Farms to me.
Autumn
I tapped through spreadsheets, compiling data for the last month and the previous quarter. The bar in Copper Summit only had three customers, and they were having a drink by the windows that made up one wall. Wednesdays were typically quiet nights, which was why I preferred to work them. I could get some extra tasks done.
Summer and I hadn’t talked much beyond idle pleasantries on the drive here. She had gone up to the office Teller had readied for her. She was still the manager of the Bozeman site, but she worked remotely. When she had to travel for work, Jonah and their dog went with her.
A large shadow loomed over me. As big and quiet as it was, it had to be Tenor. I saved the cash flow report. “What’s up?”
“Got a minute?”
“I was just getting ready to send you last quarter’s reports.”
He had a tablet under his arm. He pushed his glasses up. “About those, I was talking to Tate about how to boost bar sales during our slow months?—”
“Why Tate?”
He cocked his head. “Why not Tate?” he asked carefully.
“I run the bar, Tenor.”
He nodded, but the corners of his jaw flexed. Tenor was mellow, but he hated explaining himself. “I don’t see you as often as him. We like to talk about the ranch and distillery.”
And make decisions about them between themselves.
“We don’t want to bother you when you’re working,” he added.
“It’s literally my job.”
“You have a forty-plus-hour-a-week job that takes precedence over this place.”
“I’ve juggled both for years.”
He lifted a heavy shoulder. “Exactly. Anyway, when you and Wynter come up with holiday specials, we think you should aim for three to four new cocktails, with a few that can make an annual return.”
It wasn’t a terrible idea, but with Wynter being a new mom, her time would be more limited. “I’ll talk it over with her.”
“Teller thought December would be a good time to start.”
Which meant that was what Wynter and I would do. “Three to four Christmas specials, coming right up.”
He narrowed his eyes at the bite in my tone. “Okay. I’ll, uh, let you be.” He started to circle around the bar and head for the entry into the main part of the distillery .
“Sure. Just let me know what else you and Tate decide about the bar.”
He paused and glanced over his shoulder. I got a small nod from him and then he was gone.
I’d been a little catty, but seriously. Tenor never stopped in to chat about his ideas. Just to order me to complete them.
I punched through the rest of the reports. Summer breezed in, rubbing her hands together and adjusting the neckline of her cowl-neck cream sweater. The offices upstairs could get cold with the old windows.
“So. You ready to talk about what happened the other night?” she asked.
I’d almost forgotten about the way we’d left the party and how unwilling Gideon was to talk about it. Last night had kept my thoughts occupied since I’d woken this morning. Teaching multiplication tables when I’d rather dwell on the possessive sounds he’d made was hell on my concentration.
“He’s still adjusting to talking to his dad again.” I wasn’t going to tell my sister I didn’t know. I had no idea why Gideon had pulled us out of the shop with no warning, and he had made it clear he wouldn’t tell me about it.
I could get angry. Or I could enjoy waking up in his arms while he was in my bed. Option two, please.
She leaned on the bar and put her chin in her hand. “Are you ever going to tell me what’s really going on?”
I sighed. My sisters and I were close. We weren’t secretive—until we were. For years, Summer hadn’t told us she’d broken up with her high school boyfriend right before he’d gotten drunk, crashed his pickup, and died. Only recently had she opened up to anyone about it, starting with Jonah, her ex’s brother and now her husband.
Before that, Wynter had gone to Colorado to low-key stalk her husband. He’d been a foster kid at our house when we were little. She’d only told us she was in Colorado for work, not why.
Who knew what Junie was keeping to herself. She was all up in our business when she had time, but when it came to sharing what was going on in her life, she wasn’t specific.
I could throw all that back in Summer’s face like I had when she’d confronted me with the others. Yet I couldn’t deny I needed to talk to someone. My husband was giving me all sorts of feels. He was standoffish but unexpectedly thoughtful. He blew my mind in bed but asked for nothing for himself. And now he was helping his dad, but he hadn’t sounded thrilled about it. Yet he’d skipped a day of catching up on a demanding job to do it. I didn’t buy that it was only to get into his dad’s good graces to influence the sale.
I made my decision. “If you tell any of our brothers, I’m going to fly to the other end of the world and live there forever.”
Her light brows notched up. She hated flying. My threat was a personal blow, but I meant it. Our brothers would drive Gideon out of town if they knew why he’d married me. It wouldn’t matter that I had wanted something out of the deal.
Something I wasn’t going to get.
I punched the button to shut off my tablet screen. Inventory would have to wait for the weekend.
I glanced at the guys by the window. They weren’t paying attention to us, and their glasses were still full. “We made an agreement,” I said quietly. “We agree to marry and look happy so his dad will change his mind and think we’re having lots of little James babies to pass the land down to.”
She was quiet for several heartbeats, her keen brown gaze scrutinizing me. “What do you get out of it?”
I appreciated that she didn’t assume I was so smitten with the man I’d do anything, that being on his arm was enough.
Even if that was the case.
“Uh . . . I wanted a baby.”
Her strangled gasp grabbed the attention of the customers. She turned her back to them and crossed her arms. “Autumn,” she hissed. “What the hell—” She shook her head. “Never mind; that makes a lot of sense, really.”
Should I be insulted? “Yeah, well, it’s off the table.” She kept quiet, waiting for me to answer. The truth piled on the end of my tongue. “One, we haven’t done it yet.”
Sympathy welled in her eyes and my nape prickled.
“I was drinking the first night, and he didn’t want to take advantage. Then he realized how nervous I was and said we had time for me to get used to him. It didn’t take long for me to notice how weird he gets about the idea of a kid.”
“I imagine. He’s not planning to move here for this charade, is he? The sale will either go through or be done in the middle of November. He’d be faced with abandoning a kid.”
“No, he’s not staying.” A little fissure in my heart opened. This was the risk of enjoying the dream. “The divorce papers are ready to go when he is.”
“Autumn,” she said flatly .
“Whatever. I don’t want to make babies with a guy who isn’t sure he wants them. I don’t mind helping him stop the sale.” At her censuring look, I rolled my eyes. “Yes, okay? I like having him around. Can you blame me? Waking up to that every morning? It hasn’t been a hardship.”
Her lips quirked. “It is nice to open your eyes to someone you want to climb on top of with every heartbeat.”
“Almost TMI.” Though her feelings for Jonah were no secret. “He helped put the set together for the music program tomorrow night. And he’s fencing with his dad today.”
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this.” Her tone said I’d hear it anyway. “But he’s been gone since he graduated. He doesn’t know his dad sober. You and I don’t know his dad drunk. Hank James is just a pleasant guy we see around town.”
He’d always say, “How are the Bailey girls today?” when he passed us on the street, and he’d always end chatter with, “Tell your folks hi from me, will ya?”
“Gideon’s going through some things emotionally, and he doesn’t strike me as a guy who’s usually in touch with his emotions.”
I ground my teeth together. I couldn’t argue.
“I’m worried, Autumn. I can see you really like him, and the way he looks at you and how he defended you the other night is the only reason our brothers haven’t dumped him in some ravine.”
“I’d like to see them try.”
“It’d be a show for sure.” She sighed. “You’re getting attached, getting your hopes up that this marriage will be real, and he’s not looking beyond whether his dad will sign the papers.”
“I’m not getting my hopes up. Divorce papers, ready to go, remember?” I couldn’t forget. Because of those, I wasn’t thinking about what it would be like to wake up, smile at him, maybe have a morning orgasm, and then sit at the table over our orange juice and eggs and talk about the upcoming day.
I wasn’t thinking about what it would be like if he hung up his clothes in my closet. Sure, we couldn’t make room for much, but there could be space. I wasn’t thinking about upgrading to a place with more bedrooms and a bigger garage. That pickup he mentioned buying would be parked by mine. Would he understand that I didn’t want to build on my land? Would he be bitter if he couldn’t live where he was raised?
“I can see the hearts in your eyes,” Summer said. She gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Just keep talking to me at least, okay? You and Scarlett were there for me when I thought Jonah and I were done. And Wynter’s not a stressed-out new mom anymore. We’re all here for you.”
“No, I can’t tell Scarlett. I can’t expect her to keep something like this from Tate.”
“Talk to Wynter. She needs some juicy drama to fuel her marketing inspiration.”
Wynter was head of marketing for Copper Summit, and now that she was back to work full-time, she was supercharged with ideas.
We already had a virgin drink in the bar called Fool’s Gold. I could just imagine what Wynter would come up with. My sister’s marriage is fake, but our bourbon is not. Or would she name a new line Summit’s Impulsive Blend? A Vegas Wedding Special Barrel? Copper Summit Split?
A few more people walked in. Two of them were parents of a student I’d had a couple of years ago and then another guy I’d gone to high school with.
They sat at a table on the opposite side of the room from the guys by the window. After I finished taking their order and preparing their drinks, a few more people walked in. We usually got a Wednesday night after-church rush before closing.
Summer tapped me on the shoulder. “You sure you’re okay if I take off?”
“I’m fine. Gideon will be here soon.”
She didn’t look confident. “Okay, but I’ll have my phone on me. Call if you need a ride.”
“He’ll be here.”
“He is here.” A deep voice broke in.
I turned and blinked. A guy with a dusty navy-blue ball cap stood behind me. An olive-green hoodie clung to his broad shoulders, matching the piercing green eyes. “Gideon?”
“You expected someone else?”
Summer’s stare bored into me. Yes, I was gawking at the man I’d married.
“God help me if you have boots on.” My mouth was dry, and my pulse was speeding up. My body knew exactly how this man could make me feel, but seeing him all countryfied was giving me palpitations.
He frowned at his footwear. “They’re new, but they don’t look like it after today.”
I leaned over the counter. He was wearing black square-toed cowboy boots, also as gritty as the rest of him. I groaned. “It’s even better than I imagined. ”
Summer choked behind me.
Gideon leaned forward and gave me a peck on the lips. My eyelids fluttered shut like it was my first kiss ever. The pressure of more eyes on me poked into my skin. Was this for show? Or did he want to kiss me in public for more reasons than to cement the idea we were a real couple?
“I’m dirty and irritated,” he murmured against my lips. The brim of the hat shaded his eyes. “This is what gets you?”
My heart thumped a steady beat against my ribs. The guy was fire in a suit. So damn good-looking. But all scruffed up, with his five o’clock shadow showing through the sun- and wind-burnished skin? Be still my raging hormones.
“It makes you look less like you want to punch everyone,” Summer said. “Except now, you look like you want to punch them and then run them over with your tractor.”
“Accurate,” he replied. “Present company excluded,” he finished, tipping his hat.
Aw, he wanted Summer to know he wasn’t insulting her.
“Don’t be so sure. I’ll be a pain in your ass if I think you need it.” She knocked on the counter. “I’ll get going, then. Call me if you need anything.”
I said goodbye to her, and when I looked back at Gideon, he was watching me with those hooded, intense eyes.
There went my butterflies. “Okay, I’m irritated about my brothers keeping me out of their brainstorming for the bar. Why are you irritated?”
His eyes narrowed. “You need to tell your brothers to knock it off.”
“I do.”
“Use the same authority you handled me and Deon with. Pretend your brothers are just third graders who don’t listen well.”
If I did, I might start giggling, but also... I talked to my brothers like a younger sister. Maybe I needed to bring more of my teacher persona along for the conversation. “You have a point. Enough about me. Why are you upset?”
The glower returned. “Hank’s work ethic has changed to whatever, whenever. He’s fixing fence that doesn’t need to be repaired. It does, but not by him. And he stopped right in the middle, claiming he had to head to town.”
“Just like that?”
“He didn’t tell me his business, nor did he tell me why he won’t sell to me, other than he lumps me in with some city slicker who’ll hire out a ranch manager.”
“At least you’re a local boy.”
He slid onto a stool. “Meaning the town won’t like it if I hire out a ranch manager?”
I put a large ice cube in a squat glass and dug out my special bottle of bourbon. Autumn’s Summit.
His gaze landed on the bottle. A dry chuckle escaped him. “It never dawned on me before. There’s one for each of you.”
“I thought you banned it from Silver’s premises.”
He took a sip, his jaw moving as he rolled the fluid over his tongue. His throat worked with his swallow. “I make it my business to know my competition.” He studied the fluid in the glass .
I laughed. “You didn’t know I was staying at the Silver last weekend.”
His burning gaze flipped up to mine and held me immobile.
“You knew?”
“I wanted to be notified if a Bailey ever came into the casino. I’d be remiss if I left the Kerrigan sisters out.”
“You were watching me?” I picked up a rag and swiped at the bar. The butterflies went dead silent. Mortification did that to them. “Our meeting wasn’t a coincidence?”
“I wouldn’t say that. Like I said at your mom’s, I was heading to Glitter anyway. Running into you in the elevator was still mildly surprising.”
“Huh.” I should be creeped out. Scandalized. But the sense that we’d been entangled since before we’d met was calming. It gave me hope I shouldn’t have. This was exactly why Summer was worried.
“I have some bad news.”
I stopped wiping the counter. “What?”
“I didn’t have time to get to Bozeman. The good news is that the next drink on my tongue will be you.”