Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Teller
My island was covered with flat knives, spreading tools, piping bags, fake wildflowers, and cake stands. Last Sunday, Madison had run to Bozeman to buy supplies for Ruby and Tenor’s wedding cake. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, she’d been practicing her frosting spreading and piping skills. She’d baked several practice cakes.
I’d had lemon cake with raspberry filling for dessert Monday, vanilla cake with homemade lemon curd for breakfast on Tuesday, and white chocolate strawberry for Wednesday breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That flavor was my favorite.
I’d kept Madison fed—with something other than cake—and hydrated. I’d also refilled her red apple jelly bean supply, adding root beer flavor when she’d been especially harried.
Thursday had been for the real attempts, and then she’d decorated on Friday. I’d taken the day off to help my siblings get Tenor’s shop ready for the reception, but I’d hung around the house in case there were any piping disasters and Madison needed a shoulder to cry on.
She’d done a wonderful job. She and Ruby hadn’t wanted to copy the design the first bakery was going to do. The final result was three tiers of summery perfection. She’d lightened the color and added more yellow with a wild sunflower anchoring the twine of wildflowers.
Then there were the cupcakes. She’d made three dozen of each and frozen half. Just in case.
I was salivating over what was in my freezer.
Who knew I had such a sweet tooth?
And Madison was the perfect confection.
It was just before noon. Tate had swung by earlier to grab the cake and cupcakes. Madison and I would head to Tenor’s so she could get the cake tiers assembled and fix the decorations before the ceremony started.
She was upstairs getting ready. I tugged on the cuffs of my sleeves. Tenor had wanted the day to be semicasual. I was wearing my good black jeans and a pressed white shirt, and I had polished the dust off my best pair of boots.
I might’ve told Madison that my dad couldn’t bear expensive boots mucked up with ranch work, but that didn’t mean I hadn’t bought myself a pair of black Luccheses. The light gleamed off the silver tips.
Why was I nervous?
I ducked into the bathroom and checked my hair one last time. It was combed like normal. My beard was freshly trimmed. I looked like myself, yet I was double-checking my reflection like I was going on my first date in high school.
Heels tapping the hardwood above my head spurred me out of the bathroom. I rushed to the base of the stairs, and my heart stopped. “Goddamn, woman. You take my breath away.”
Madison wore a loose, dusty-blue sleeveless dress with pale pink flowers etched around the hem, so light they looked like they were floating up the skirt to her hips. The skirt billowed around her legs with each step, teasing me with glimpses of the smooth flesh underneath. The brown square-toed boots with classic stitching on her feet kept the dress perfectly casual. She’d fit right in.
She hit the landing and my gaze went right to her cleavage. The V only hinted at the creamy globes underneath. Her hair was in a loose braid and wound around the crown of her head. Loose tendrils fluttered around her face.
She smoothed her hands down her front. “You really think it’s okay? Not too much or too little?”
“Just right.” I feathered the backs of my fingers over her face. “So damn beautiful.” All I wanted was for the wedding to be over, to bring her home and flip that skirt up. But I wouldn’t take one second of today from her. She would get to hang out, have fun, and be an immortal part of my brother’s day.
“You look pretty good yourself, Bailey.” She brushed a piece of lint off my shoulder.
I took her hands and twirled her around. She laughed and her skirt flared up as she spun.
I pulled her into me at the end of the spin and started a slow two-step. “Ready to go get that cake almost as gorgeous as you?”
“I’m so scared I’m going to fumble a tier.”
“You won’t. And even if you do, it’ll be fine.” I kept dancing with her and she followed my lead, haltingly at first, then with more confidence. She didn’t dance much. I’d change that tonight. “Just make sure to drop the white chocolate strawberry tier so we’ll be forced to eat the remains and save the rest of the cake for the other guests.”
She grinned. “No promises.”
I let go of her hands, only to wrap one around my elbow. “Promise me the first dance.”
“I can do that.”
A buzzing phone cut through the day. Mine was in my pocket. “You got a call?”
She released my elbow. “It’s probably someone from work forgetting that I took the weekend off.” She peeked at the screen and her finger paused over the disconnect button. “It’s Cara.” Putting the phone to her ear, she stopped, head down, the fingers of her other hand worrying at her lower lip. “Hello?”
Cara’s high-pitched voice carried through the line. I couldn’t make out the words, but her tone was a mix of professional excitement and no-nonsense instruction. I hadn’t met the woman, but she sounded like the female version of Tenor’s soon-to-be father-in-law.
“Okay. Yeah, I mean...” Madison paused as Cara chattered. “What do you think? No, I’m okay with it.” Another major pause. “Yes, I’m sure. The first one. I just want it done more than I want another three hundred grand. Email me whatever you need, I’ll take it.” She hung up but kept her head tipped down. A crease slashed across her brow. Then she raised her gaze and hope simmered there, bright and uncertain. “I got an offer on the property. Two, actually.”
“Hey, how ’bout that!” I clamped my hands on her arms. “That’s a good thing, right? Or did they underbid?” Anything was better than the pennies Sal had listed it for, but Madison deserved every dollar that place was worth.
“One offered two hundred thousand more than the asking price and they just want to buy it. No loans, no inspection, nothing. Just a flat-out purchase. The second offered more, but it’d go through financing.”
“Damn, that first one’s a good deal. Both are.” I ducked my head to catch her eyes. “Right?”
“It’s a great deal. Cara asked if I wanted to counter with a higher offer. She thinks I could get three million.” Her laugh dripped with disbelief. “Can you believe it? That three hundred K alone would probably take care of Mom for life.” She shook her head. “No, two point seven is more than enough. Mom’s care, a reserve for Flatlanders, a house for me, and some more to live off.”
She wasn’t allowing herself to be happy. I tipped her chin up. “You nailed down long-term care. The doors to Flatlanders are going to open in two weeks. You did it.”
Her smile was slow. “Yeah. I guess I did okay.”
There was something else she wasn’t telling me. A reason she couldn’t really celebrate and was treating the news like business as usual. “Then what’s wrong?”
She stared at me for a moment, then blinked. “Nothing. Don’t count your chickens and all that.”
She was too practical to celebrate this early. I’d make sure she treated herself when the money did land in her account, but her caution wasn’t the issue. “I’ll count a few of your chickens for you. And when we toast at the wedding, we’re going to sneak one in for this. All right?”
“I can do that.”
Madison
I wasn’t a photographer, yet after a week of letting my creative side loose, my fingers had itched to take a picture through the whole ceremony.
The pastor stood in front of Tenor and Ruby, with the backdrop of the tree-covered slopes surrounding Tenor’s place. Their place. Ruby’s off-the-shoulder dress stopped before her ankles and she wore white sandals with a chunky heel that wouldn’t sink into the soil. A light breeze ruffled the curls around her face. Tenor towered over both her and the pastor. A gentle giant. His focus was all on his bride. No others stood with them. They’d invited only family. And me.
When the panoramic view wasn’t holding my gaze, it strayed to the cake inside the shed. A plastic tent protected the food from bugs and probably from the children that would be running around later. All the food was covered, and the cords running to the buffets were concealed behind the table.
Fairy lights and white tulle dressed up the inside of the shop, converting the interior into a classy but unfussy reception hall.
My own wedding hadn’t been this relaxed. I had wanted a small ceremony, but Damien had pushed for a show. We’d married in Missoula, which had been fine, and my parents had complained about how long of a drive it’d been. Everyone had been drunk.
A seamless wedding didn’t guarantee a happily ever after, but the atmosphere surrounding the couple and all of the property could make a person think Ruby and Tenor were for forever. Not even the clouds building in the distance gave me pause. The vows were done. Tenor was kissing Ruby.
Whoops went up around me. Little kids cheered. Teller squeezed my hand, smiling at me. When I looked at him, at the line of his jaw and the slope of his nose, I flashed to a fantasy world. I was the one in a simple white gown, saying I do to a guy who’d promised to love and cherish me forever and meant it.
I smiled.
This dream was new and so damn vivid my lungs stalled, forgetting how to draw in air or let it out. Breathe .
I inhaled. Exhaled.
I liked what I saw.
I said I’d never marry again unless the guy was the opposite of Damien and had proved he was a good man. Genuine. Sincere. Truthful. Teller was all that. If I was to get stuck in Bourbon Canyon for the rest of my life, he was a nice consolation prize.
Only he was more than that.
Didn’t mean I wasn’t stuck in circumstances I couldn’t control. I’d be a millionaire, but the money from the sale wasn’t really mine. Mom needed it. I could replenish my savings, but then I’d need to invest for Flatlanders’ future. And there was my nephew. He had his trust, but I needed to run the bar to make sure he had a legacy. A better one than I’d been left with.
“You’re stuck in your head, Mads,” Teller said as we rose and followed the group to the shed.
“Just thinking about how this summer is turning out.”
“Good? Bad?”
“For being so bad, it’s turned out really good.” That was truthful. There would always be a little part of me that was sad for the girl who’d missed out on college, for the girl who’d wanted to travel farther than two hours away, for the woman who wouldn’t get the career she desired. The rest of me knew I was lucky. I had a home and a business. I was already further ahead than my parents had gotten.
He nodded, his expression thoughtful.
Mae approached us, dabbing her eyes with a lace handkerchief, but she was smiling. “What a beautiful service.” She grinned at me. “Don’t you two look sharp?”
“Thank you. I love your dress.”
She lifted the skirt of her taupe summer dress. “My son’s wedding was a good excuse to buy a new one.”
Brinley rushed to her. Mae’s smile got somehow wider and she hugged her granddaughter.
The next two hours were full of laughter and chatter. Everyone raved about the food. Then came time to cut the cake. I gripped Teller’s forearm, my nerves surging to life. This was it. Ruby had liked how it looked, but flavor was just as important.
Ruby and Tenor posed by the cake for pictures. The wildflowers made Ruby’s eyes bluer and complemented her white country dress. If I never made another cake again, I would be happy to go out on this masterpiece.
There was a small tug on my heart. Despite the stress of the week, I’d had a blast. Teller had let me take over his kitchen, and that one week was everything I’d imagined it could be. If I continued, I wouldn’t need as much practice. I could play with flavors ahead of time and cut out that step. But I was a bar owner, and what I’d told Teller held true. I’d never start a new business in Bourbon Canyon. My parents might’ve been their own worst enemies, but the townsfolk hadn’t helped. Scott had barely stayed afloat and had little leftover to pay himself.
The happy couple posed behind my three-tiered masterpiece and cut the first piece together. Lemon with raspberry swirl. Tenor carefully fed his bride the first bite. Not one single crumb smashed into her face, and Ruby smiled at him while chewing. Then she lifted a slice to his mouth. He licked across her fingertips as he took his piece.
“Save it for later!” Teller called. Laughter rose up.
Ruby wiped the corner of her mouth and caught my eye. “Oh my god, Madison. This is delicious.” She waved her arms, beckoning everyone toward her. “Come get a slice before I eat it all.”
Relief poured through me and I sank against Teller. “She likes it.” Days of obsessing over the decorations and nailing the delicate flavors were over. I was elated, but disappointment followed on its heels. It was done.
“Of course she likes it,” he murmured against my hair. “You’re excellent at what you do.”
After the others went through the cake line, I got to enjoy my creation.
Ruby stopped at our table and wrapped me in a giant hug. Her limoncello scent washed over me. “Thank you so much,” she said when she pulled away. “It’s even better than I imagined. I insist on paying you. That’s hundreds of dollars of work, not to mention the supplies you went out and bought.”
It had carved out a chunk from my last paycheck, but I’d do it all again. “Don’t worry. Really.”
“Just wait until Flatlanders’ soft opening, then,” she whispered conspiratorially.
“You just wait until I stare at your boobs like Allen would’ve.”
She chortled. “Are you worried that customers are going to complain they don’t get their tits ogled since Allen moved?”
“I’ll be able to recoup any lost business by using half the alcohol he did.”
She grinned and gave me another side hug. “Thank you for coming.” She gave Teller a pat on the shoulder. “You too.”
He stood and gave her a hug. “Keep making my brother crawl out of his hermit shell.”
“Only on the days I don’t want to be curled in there with him,” she said.
When she was gone, Teller squeezed my hand. “You wait here.”
He helped Tate and Gideon move tables. Myles and Tate fiddled with a set of speakers with Chance.
Tate clapped his hands together and the shop fell quiet. “As the oldest Bailey, I told my siblings that I get to introduce the new couple. Tenor—you might cast a shadow over me, but you’ll always be my little brother. And, Ruby? I can’t imagine a better employee turned sister.” Everyone laughed. “Alone, you are each amazing individuals. Caring, hardworking, and smart as hell. Together, you make each other even better. An impossible task, in my humble opinion, but you do it.” He lifted a tumbler with Solemn Summit, the only bourbon available tonight. “To Tenor and Ruby. May forever be too soon.”
I lifted my glass with the others.
Teller tinked his glass against mine. “To the sale,” he said only loud enough for me to hear.
“To the sale.” Should it go through.
“Like she did for the rest of us,” Tate continued, “Junie wrote a special song just for the couple.”
He nodded toward Chance, the DJ for the night. A slow country melody carried through the speakers. Tenor took Ruby’s hand and twirled her into him. She curled into his chest and he bent over her. Their sister’s voice carried through the shop, sweet and bright and pure. The tenderness made my chest tight. Teller stroked my shoulder.
Once the song was done and another sweet but slow country tune poured through, Teller grabbed my hand. Tate was pulling Scarlett to the dance floor. All the couples were breaking. Kids were running the perimeter or spinning on the dance floor.
I was in Teller’s arms, just like I’d been at his house. His movements were so easy that I forgot I could barely dance. We wove through the other couples. My world was centered on Teller, but I was also a part of this night, a part of these people. Maybe there was a place in Bourbon Canyon for me after all.
Teller
Stars scattered across the sky like one of my nieces had taken a handful of glitter and blown into it. My headlights cut through the night and bounced off trees. Before my driveway, I pulled to a stop.
Madison frowned out the window. There was a small clearing out her side leading to the gate in the fence. We didn’t often need this end of the pasture, but if the cattle got out, we wouldn’t have to drive them down the road and around the trees to the valley.
I killed the engine. The headlights would stay on for a few minutes. “Wait here.”
I jogged around the pickup. The smell of impending rain hung in the air, but there was no lightning.
I opened her door, and I held a hand out. “My lady.”
She laughed. “What are you doing?” She slid her warm fingers into my palm and got out of the pickup, smoothing her dress down.
“Taking my girl dancing under the stars.” I tugged her to me just like we’d been on the dance floor. “Not sure what else to get a millionaire.”
She looked away. “It’s not really my money. I’m the executor of it.”
“You can do more than be the executor.” When the headlights lit the crease in her forehead, I placed a kiss in the middle of it. “I’m not going to pressure you. Just give you something to think about.”
Her identity was being a Townsend, and that wouldn’t change overnight. Her family had shrunk her world so small, she saw no way out, even when presented with millions of dollars.
I didn’t bother with the radio. I did a slow side to side with no other music than what the night had to offer. Crickets and frogs sang around us, and she laid her head on my chest, her arms hooked around me.
“Today was wonderful,” she said. “I keep feeling like I’m going to wake up back in Missoula, working nights and wondering if my husband has to work late again.”
“Tomorrow, you’re going to wake up in Bourbon Canyon, and you’ll still be working nights, but I’ll be working late with you.”
“Full circle.”
“But it’ll be different for you.”
She tipped her head back. “It already is.”
But was it enough? The evening had been amazing so far, I didn’t want to risk her answer. Why, no, Teller, never getting a chance to live my dream, even in a small way, isn’t enough .
Her bad fortune was my good. She had gotten stuck in Bourbon Canyon to be around for her mom—who resented her—but I got a woman I couldn’t have conjured in my fantasies. A loving, intelligent, driven person who loved with her whole soul. I woke up to her and I went to bed with her. And on a night when I’d been prepared to come home and stuff down the bitterness about my empty house, I was dancing with her under the wide-open Montana sky as a summer rain drifted across the land.
I stopped. “I love you.”
The headlights timed out and she jumped.
I kept hold of her and continued to dance. Her moves were sluggish, but she let me lead. We were close to the truck and the moon gave us enough light that I didn’t fear steering us both into the ditch. Unless I’d done that with my confession. “You don’t have to say it back. I just had to tell you.”
Her boots crunched in the dirt as she stopped. Her chest rose and fell, her breasts brushing against my chest. “Teller... I...”
The buzzing of her phone reached us from inside the cab. She turned her head, but I couldn’t make out her shadowed expression.
The vibration stopped.
“I...” She sucked in a breath. “I never thought I’d say this again, to be honest. I’ve said it to someone before and I thought I meant it then. I really did. But this? What you make me feel? Teller, it’s so much more.”
She couldn’t see my smile.
The buzzing started again.
For fuck’s sake. I was having the most heartfelt talk I’d ever had with a woman and someone had to get ahold of her now?
“Who would be calling this late?” Worry edged her voice.
“The last time it was to tell you that you were getting millions.”
“Two point seven,” she uttered. “What if it’s a call that will take it all away?”
“Not every good thing is going to get taken from you, Maddy.”
She was still looking at me as her phone went wild, vibrating against the cupholder in the console.
“Go ahead,” I said. “Answer it. Find out for yourself.”
She stayed where she was for a moment. Then two.
The phone went silent.
“I should see who it was,” she said.
It started again.
This time, she leaped for it. Three consecutive calls. Foreboding crowded in my chest. Was something wrong?
“It’s the home,” she said as she punched the screen to answer it. “Hello?”
A drop of rain hit my forehead. Another plopped on my shoulder.
I couldn’t hear a word, but Madison didn’t move. She didn’t say anything. Seconds ticked by.
“Okay,” she finally said in a wooden, empty tone. “Thank you for calling. I’ll be right there.” She dropped her hand with the phone. The screen was dark.
The sprinkles got steadier.
“Madison?”
She rubbed her hands down her skirt. “We need to get to the house. I have to change and get my truck.”
I crossed to her and blinked against the increasingly heavy rainfall. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Mom. She died.”