Chapter Four – Mackenzie
MACKENZIE
After Bradly helped me up into his truck, he made his way around the front and climbed in. “Looks like we might get some more snow later today.”
“I’m still a bit fresh when it comes to driving in the snow. I’ve only gone from the barn up to your parents’ house, and once into town, but the roads had been plowed, so I’m not sure that counts.”
He let out a laugh that made my insides feel soft and warm. I liked his laugh more than I wanted to admit.
“Well, it does take some practice. Even the most experienced drivers will hit ice occasionally. So, I have to ask—do you always sing to the animals in the barn?”
Feeling my face heat, I pressed my hands to my cheeks. “I do. Well, only when I think I’m alone, and I honestly didn’t think anyone would be popping in Christmas night.”
I could feel his eyes on me, so I turned to look at him. He winked, and my stomach fluttered. “You have a beautiful voice, Kenzie.”
“Thank you,” I said as I focused on my clasped hands, now in my lap. “In addition to reading, I’ve loved singing since I was a little girl.”
“Have you ever sang professionally?”
I snapped my head and looked at him. “I have.”
“You have a beautiful voice so I’m not surprised.”
“It was a long time ago. I was part of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus.”
“Wow! That’s like a big deal, right?”
With a soft laugh, I nodded. “Yes. We sang at the Grand Ole Opry once. That was neat.”
“Wow. How long did you do that?”
I felt the happy memories quickly fade away. “Um, maybe until I was about fourteen or so.”
Bradly nodded when I didn’t elaborate, then said, “Well, like I said, you have a beautiful voice.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
He winked at me once more, and I felt myself blush again. The rest of the drive into Hamilton was filled with casual conversation.
“Did you like growing up on a ranch?” I asked.
“It was the best way to grow up. We spent a lot of our time at the Shaw Ranch as well. We all grew up together. That’s why Avery and I call them our aunts and uncles. As well as cousins. We’re not blood-related, but it sure as hell feels like we are.”
Smiling, I nodded. “I only had my younger sister growing up. No cousins or anything like that.”
“Are you two close?”
“We are. She’s the only family I have. Well, the only one I want in my life, anyway.”
“I’m sorry, Kenzie. I can’t imagine not having my family in my life.”
I shrugged. “Not all families are happy ones.”
He simply nodded and changed the subject back to himself, which I was grateful for.
“I remember one time, after I’d found my love of riding bulls, and I came home after spending a week over at my uncle Ty’s place. My mother said she was beginning to wonder if I’d moved out. We spent just as much time with that family as we did at home. My sister and I, that is.”
“It has to be hard for her to have you and Avery both gone so much of the time.”
He let out a soft sigh that if I hadn’t been watching, I would have missed. “I know it is. I feel guilty about that, and I know Avery does as well.”
“She mentioned she’ll be heading home for good early next year.”
“Yes. I know she loves fashion, but it’s hard to be away from your family for so long. I think she might be working for our cousins, Morgan and Georgiana. Have you met them yet?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ve only met Morgan’s mom, Lincoln. She’s very sweet.”
“So are my aunts Timberlynn and Kaylee. If you decide to join us for New Year’s Eve, you’ll be able to meet them.”
“What got you into bull riding? I know your father did it professionally too…is that why?”
Another brilliant smile appeared on his face, and I nearly swooned at the sight of the deep dimples in his cheeks. “He was part of the reason. I’d seen him ride, and Blayze, my oldest cousin. He was damn good, but he decided going professional wasn’t for him. Anyway, I was four, I think, when I was put on my first bull.”
“What?” I said, shock filling my voice.
“Not in that way. Most of the bulls are babies when they’re out in the pasture. There was one bull that was my favorite. Dad bought him once he was retired from the Pbr. He’d been ranked number one in the world at the same time my father was. Anyway, Dad would take me and Avery out to see him every day. He’d plop me up on his back, and that lazy bull would just keep on grazing or eat the bread my father brought him. The older I got, the more I’d visit with him. There were days I would simply lie on his back and stare up at the clear blue sky and dream of riding bulls professionally someday. I’d talk, and he would listen. I loved that bull.”
“What was his name?”
“Big John. He only allowed seven qualified rides out of a hundred and thirty-nine. He was one of the most unridden bucking bulls in history, with Bodacious coming in first. My father was the last one to ride him the full eight. He was a mean bastard. Did things he shouldn’t have been able to do because he was so damn big. They truly are athletes. The bulls, I mean.”
I turned more in my seat to look at him. “And your father put you on his back at four?”
He laughed, and it was such a hearty sound that it made me do the same. “I know; it sounds crazy, but he really was the best bull. Avery would walk around in the pasture picking wildflowers, and Big John would follow right behind, like he was protecting her. It would drive my mother crazy.”
“Are they all sweet when they’re not working?”
Bradly looked at me. “I love that you recognize they work. Just like the rider.”
I smiled.
“But no, some are complete assholes, in and out of the chutes.”
“Good to know. If I ever come across one.”
Bradly pulled into a parking space and turned off his truck. “Would you like to see what it is I do up-close, after lunch?”
My heart jumped in my chest. “By up-close, what do you mean?”
“Uncle Ty raises bulls. He’s one of the best stock contractors around. He’s always needing people to ride them for exercise, or to see if they have what it takes to make it in the Pbr.”
A bubble of excitement coursed through my veins. “I think I’d love to see that. You won’t get hurt, will you?”
He winked. “I hope not!”
Bradly slipped out of the truck and made his way to my door. He opened it and held out his hand to help me down. “Don’t slip, looks like I’ve got some ice on the footrail.”
I carefully stepped out of the truck and looked up at the restaurant. “Naps Grill? I’ve heard this is a great place to eat.”
“It’s one of my favorites. I always try to eat here at least once when I come home.”
Like the gentleman Bradly was, he motioned for me to go first as he said once again, “Don’t slip, there’s some ice right here.”
Nodding, I took his offered arm. It felt so nice to have someone looking out for me, even if it was just something simple like watching for ice. He reminded me of the heroes in the romance books I loved so much. A real-life book boyfriend was turning out to be much better than a fictional one.
Well, he wasn’t my boyfriend. But a girl could dream about finding love one day.
We stepped inside and I took in the decor. It had a very rustic feel, and I was instantly in love with the warm and cozy vibe.
“What a cute place,” I said as we walked up toward a counter.
“Yeah, I love this place. We order at the counter, then we can either sit on this side, or on the other side, which has a bar.”
I nodded. “How about the bar side? What do you recommend to eat?”
That brilliant smile of his broke out over his handsome face, and I was once again charmed by his boyish good looks.
“You can’t go wrong with any of their burgers. I love the French dip sandwich, the Rockefeller burger, and the Vanderbilt chicken sandwich.”
I scanned the menu, reading the description for his choices, and raised my brows. “You like spicy things, I see.”
“The Rockefeller is the burger of all burgers. Their onion rings are heavenly, as well.”
Glancing at him, I grinned. “Thank you for not suggesting a salad. That would have been the first thing my mother…”
I let my voice trail off. Had I really been about to talk about my mother?
Bradly didn’t miss a beat. “Salads are for pussies.”
Laughing, I turned back to the menu. When it was our turn, Bradly ordered the Rockefeller, and I ordered the Vanderbilt. We decided to split an order of onion rings.
We waited up at the counter for our food, which took no time at all. Bradly grabbed it and we made our way to the bar side of the restaurant. It was just as cozy as the rest of the place.
“Hey, Dan,” Bradly said to the bartender, as he turned a stool for me to slide up onto. He placed my sandwich in front of me and put the onion rings between us before he took a seat.
“Bradly! It’s good to see you, man. How’s the bull-riding gig going?”
“It’s going. How’s your family?”
A look of pride filled the bartender’s face. “Millie just had our first baby. It’s a girl we named after her mother, Ashley.”
Bradly reached across the bar and shook his hand. “Congratulations, man. I’m happy for you and Millie.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll tell her I ran into you and pass it along.”
“I bet life has changed a bit for y’all,” I said with a smile, wanting to acknowledge his celebration in some way.
“I’m sorry,” Bradly stated. “Dan, this is Mackenzie. Mackenzie, this is Dan. We went to high school together. His family owns this place.”
“Oh, it’s such a charming restaurant. I love it already.”
Dan smiled. “First time here?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I work for Bradly’s parents on their farm and have only been in town for a few months.”
“Well, I hope you enjoy Hamilton and we see you here more often. From the sound of the accent, you’re from down south?”
Laughing, I replied, “Yes, I am. Thank you. I’m already loving it here. And I’m sure you’ll see me again. Bradly keeps bragging on the food here.”
Dan winked at Bradly. “What can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll take one of your latest craft beers,” Bradly said, before turning to me. “Kenzie?”
I quickly scanned the drink menu. “I’ll have the Naps Old Fashioned.”
When I looked at Bradly, he raised a brow. “A whiskey lover. My kind of girl.”
Dan asked me for my license then got to work on our drinks.
“There have been plenty of nights I’ve sat at my table with that pretty black label and a glass of ice.”
He laughed. “Same.”
Our gazes met and held for what felt like forever before I spoke. The words were out of my mouth before I could even stop them. “Could it be, Mr. Littlewood, that you find yourself just as lost as I am?”
His eyes answered before he did. “Some days, I feel pretty damn lost. More lonely, I think, but yeah…lost as well.”
“Lonely?”
Bradly shrugged. “It’s hard being out on the road and away from my family. We’re all so close, and each time I come home one of them is getting married, having a kid. Life is moving on for them and I feel…stuck.”
“What is it about your life that makes you feel stuck?” I asked before I took a bite of my food.
I watched as he chewed and thought about my question. After wiping his mouth, he let out a soft sigh. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for my success. I really am lucky, and I know it. I’ve made great money for someone my age, thanks to my wins and the sponsorships.”
“Are you successful? I would have no way of knowing that.”
He gave me a wicked smile. “You mean you haven’t googled me yet?”
I laughed. “I haven’t. Should I?”
With a shake of his head, he said quietly, “No. I’d rather you get to know me personally.”
A rush of heat swept over my body, and I directed my attention back to my food. Our drinks had been placed on the bar, but clearly neither of us had noticed. Reaching for mine, I nearly downed the whole thing. “I’d like that. Getting to you personally, I mean.”
He smiled, and if I had been standing, my knees would have wobbled. “That makes two of us.”
The velvety sound of his deep voice made a shiver run down my neck. I was struck yet again by how sexy his voice sounded, and that boyish grin on his face wasn’t helping matters. How was it that I was so taken with a guy I hadn’t even known for a full day?
“So we’re going to your uncle’s to watch you exercise the bulls?”
He laughed. “Something like that.”
My teeth dug into my bottom lip at the idea of spending more time with Bradly. When his gaze dropped to my mouth, I let go and licked my lips. I swore his dark eyes turned even darker. When he looked up and our eyes met, I made the decision to listen to my heart instead of my head.
“I’d love to see what you do.”