28. Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Eight
E ight days after the chocolates and note incident, Brooke sat on the bench at the edge of the garden, staring at all the people who’d come for the Fourth of July party.
Last year’s picnic had been a much bigger event.
She couldn’t handle that many people at the ranch this year, so they’d kept the guest list small. Intimate.
Still, everything reminded her of how she’d spent time with Mindy Sue and all their friends, including Adam. More than likely, that time they spent together had sparked his obsession for her. Everything about this day and the picnic reminded her of him, how she’d thought she saw someone in her room that night.
It was him. Had to be.
The memories flooded her mind and threatened to send her over the edge.
This was why Cody had wanted to forego the party this year. She’d insisted they carry on tradition.
She didn’t want one more thing taken away from her.
She wanted to stand up to him in this small way and prove to herself that she was getting stronger.
She loved the parties Harland and now Cody threw at the ranch. She loved having their family and closest friends gathered together, even if it sparked whispers and sad looks.
Even though it overwhelmed her, she needed that right now.
Her anxiety had sent her to the outskirts of things a few minutes ago. She needed a minute to gather herself again. But she had a view of Cody standing at the bar with a group of their ranch hands. They smiled, joked, and laughed together. Cody seemed so at ease, just like he’d always been at these parties.
The perfect host. A great boss. Everyone loved him.
His gaze never strayed from hers too long. He wanted her to know he was there if she needed him.
She wanted to go over and join him, to be the woman he deserved by his side. But anxiety and fear held her back. Too many people all at once. She was afraid someone would come up behind her and send her into one of her panic attacks.
Better to play it safe. For now.
Cody wasn’t the only one who glanced her way. It seemed everyone stared at her, understanding why she isolated herself and wondering if she’d ever be the girl they used to know. Not likely. She’d broken into a million pieces when her baby died. Brooke didn’t know exactly who she’d become, but she was a survivor and she’d find her way eventually.
She tried to give herself a break, like her therapist told her she deserved.
“Hey, stranger.”
Brooke jumped up from the bench and caught Mindy Sue in a tight hug. “You came.”
Mindy Sue hugged her back just as fiercely. “I promised I’d be here.”
Brooke stepped back. “I’m so happy to see you.” She waved at Mindy Sue’s boyfriend, Tony, at the bar.
Mindy Sue’s gaze swept over her. “You look good. How are you?”
“Better.” Brooke sank back down to the bench and pulled Mindy Sue’s hand to tug her down beside her.
Brooke stared across the courtyard at Cody. He held up his beer to her and Mindy Sue.
“You two can’t stop looking at each other. How are things between you? As hot as they sound?”
Brooke blushed. She didn’t hide things from her best friend. That didn’t mean she gave every detail either. “At first, it hurt to look at him. But he wouldn’t go away. He stayed with me, no matter how hard I tried to push him away. Every time I came out of my funk and fog, there he was, waiting for me.”
He spent his days trying to make her smile, telling her jokes to make her laugh, rearranging his schedule to spend more time with her. They slept together every night. He made love to her like every time might be the last. He told her he loved her at least five times a day.
“Now…it’s everything I ever wanted and more.”
“Back when you first came home and Cody was calling and updating me, he said you two were going to get married.” Mindy Sue pointedly looked at her left hand, still in the brace for her broken wrist. “Is that what you still want?”
“At first, I didn’t believe it. But now that I’m really with him, like spending every day and night together and living like we are a couple and partners and everything to each other…yeah. I want it.”
“I’m glad you guys are taking some time to settle into it.”
She smiled. “I haven’t been all here for some of it, but I’m getting better.”
“You look better. You sound better. I know you still have some difficult moments and days, but that’s okay.”
“I’m trying to be okay with my darker thoughts and emotions taking over sometimes.”
“It’s just your brain’s way of processing all you’ve been through.”
She set aside thoughts of the past and focused on the future and the man still staring at her with so much love in his eyes. “I can’t believe he wants to marry me.”
Mindy Sue squeezed her hand. “It’s real, Brooke. I’ve spoken to him several times over the last few weeks. Believe me, if I thought for a second he wasn’t all in, I’d tell you. He is one hundred percent, dead set on marrying you.”
“Yes, I am.” Cody smiled down at her.
Mindy Sue took the beer he offered her. Brooke took the sangria he held out to her.
Cody bent in front of her. His hand settled on her thigh and slid up to her hip. “Happy your best friend is back?”
Brooke smiled from him to Mindy Sue and back. “Yes.” She confessed to Mindy Sue, “I was kind of afraid to see you again.”
Mindy Sue’s eyes went wide. “Why?”
“Because you were there that night and after. I thought seeing you would bring it all back. But instead, I’m just so happy you’re here.” She hugged Mindy Sue and both of them wiped away a tear.
Once they separated, Cody brushed his hand over her hair. “I’m so glad you’re happy, sweetheart.”
“You make me happy, Cody.”
“I’m trying.” He squeezed her hip. “Did you tell her about the counselor?”
Mindy Sue glanced at her.
Brooke filled her in. “Cody and I went to see a grief counselor yesterday. We talked about our daughter.”
“It helped me,” Cody said.
She laid her hand on his arm. “It helped me, too. We have a few more appointments with her over the next several weeks. The psychiatrist helps me with what happened with Adam, but the counselor is a way for Cody and me to grieve together.” She’d needed to deal with her fear and trauma to get to a place to talk about her grief and the pain of the loss.
“It’s a great first step to learning to live without her,” Mindy Sue encouraged.
Cody stole a quick kiss to distract her from thinking about all they’d lost. “Everyone wants to say hi and talk to you. Feel up to joining the party? Mindy Sue and I will stay beside you. If you get overwhelmed and need some space, no problem. We’ll come back and hang out here.”
She was scared. Scared to be around so many people, even though she knew them all. Scared of what they would say or ask her.
She needed to be brave and daring like she used to be.
She took Cody’s outstretched hand. He pulled her up and they walked to the patio where everyone was gathered. Mindy Sue followed along.
Cody stopped on the edge of the small crowd, released her hand, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her into his side. “These are the people who love you most, Brooke. I want you to feel that.” He waved his free arm. “Everyone, may I have your attention.” The much smaller crowd than past celebrations quit their conversations and turned to Cody and her. “I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight. In addition to our annual Fourth of July barbecue, we’re here to welcome Brooke home. No one is happier than I am to have her return to the ranch. Of course, I have my selfish reasons. I love her.” Cody leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. The crowd cheered. Cody smiled down at her, then at the crowd. “Your friends and family love you. Welcome home, Brooke.”
“Welcome home,” the crowd echoed.
Cody tipped back his beer. She took a sip of her wine and smiled at him and everyone around them. “Thank you.”
Cody cupped her cheek and locked eyes with her. “This is your home. This is your place. Right beside me.” He sealed those words with another soft kiss.
Brooke settled into his side and the rest of the evening. Cody walked her from one group of friends to the next, starting the conversation and letting her join in when she felt like it. Mindy Sue flirted with Tony and kept Brooke’s mind occupied with silly jokes and reminders of all the other good times they shared, making it easier to keep the dark thoughts at bay.
Cody pulled her onto the patio and into his arms. Others were already dancing to the soft music coming from the garden speakers. She settled in against him and swayed to the music. She held him tight, comforted by his familiar scent and the heat of his body against hers.
“All I want to do is take you upstairs to bed,” he whispered in her ear.
“I want to always be this close to you.”
Cody pulled her tight against his body. They barely moved to the music. “How are you?”
“Tired of everyone asking me that and staring at the scars on my arms.”
The Texas heat didn’t allow her to cover up the way she desperately wanted to do to keep everyone from seeing the scars. She’d nearly told Cody she couldn’t attend the party because every dress in her closet was either short-sleeved or sleeveless. In the end, she realized she couldn’t hide what Adam did to her—it was still written on her face and in her eyes as well as on her body.
She’d settled on a raspberry-colored, sleeveless dress with a pretty, sheer ruffled edge at the bottom of the skirt. She’d picked a pair of silver sandals and a silver and crystal beaded necklace to complement the outfit.
The people who were here were the people they knew and trusted to keep Brooke’s secret that she’d been attacked on campus.
“Maybe they look for a moment, but then they remember you’re still the Brooke they’ve always known. The scars don’t matter, honey. That you’re safe and home with all of us matters more than anything else.”
“You always know the right thing to say.”
“I didn’t always. I wish telling you I love you was enough to…”
She pressed her thumb to his lips and her hand to his cheek. “It’s enough, Cody. I feel how much you love me.”
The song ended and Cody stared down at her. She went up on tiptoe and kissed him in front of everyone. They ended the kiss to another round of applause.
Feeling lighter than she had in weeks, she smiled and buried her face in Cody’s chest, embarrassed to be caught in such an intimate moment.
Cody looked ridiculously happy, and that made everything better. Cody took her hand and led her away from the crowd.
Her mom stopped them and pulled Brooke into a hug. “Everyone is so happy for you and Cody, Brooke. I’m so glad you’re home.”
Her mother had done a wonderful job planning and setting up the picnic. She’d been invaluable helping Brooke get ready to open up her bookstore and café. She owed her mom so much.
She smiled for her mom, knowing how much it made her happy to see it. “It’s been a really great party.”
“We’re not done yet, sweetheart.” Cody pointed to the pasture across the way.
“Why is there a fire truck here?”
“I know how much you love fireworks.”
“You didn’t.” She’d done that as something special last year, but didn’t think they’d do it again because it cost a fortune.
Cody tipped her chin up and kissed her softly. “For you, I’d do anything.” He walked her to the stone wall, clamped his hands on her waist, and hoisted her up.
Mindy Sue sat on her left beside Tony, Cody on her right, and her mom on the other side of Cody. The other guests gathered around just as the first set of rockets lifted off and burst in the air.
She leaned her head back and stared up at the night sky and the sparkling stars. The fear came when she remembered another starlit night she’d stared up and wished for Cody to save her. This time, the night lit up with bursts of color, and twinkling lights danced back to earth from the sky like sparkling gems raining down.
Cody wrapped his arm around her and held her close to his side. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” She pushed the fear away.
Adam couldn’t hurt her anymore. He was locked up.
She never had to see him again.
With Cody by her side, she’d find her way back to always being happy. How could she not when she had him to show her the way?