Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ABBI
T he Iconic Women’s Collective ranks in the top five things that I’m most proud of in my life. Together, with my four best friends, we founded this collective to help other women in business, whether they already own their own company or want to or simply need mentorship, and it’s done so much more than we ever anticipated.
We meet monthly for a two-hour lunch at a local restaurant to network and listen to a guest speaker. It’s my favorite day of the month, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
With Brady in Santa Fe for the next couple of days at his second show, I need the distraction.
“It’s so nice that the rooftop is open for the season,” Summer says, tipping her head up at the sunshine as she takes a break from setting out flower arrangements on the tables.
Old Town Pizza is one of my favorite restaurants in town. The plaque on the door says that they’ve been here for forty years, and they recently went through a renovation, adding a rooftop area for the warmer months.
Since it just opened, we decided to hold our monthly meeting up here, and we couldn’t have chosen a better day for it.
“Montana is so interesting,” I comment as Erin and Polly join me. Millie’s on the other side of the patio, making sure the microphone works, but she can hear me. “The seasons are so distinct. As soon as the calendar turns to the solstice, it’s like the Universe flips a switch and that season is off and running.”
“It’s true,” Erin says with a laugh. “In Washington, it’s usually just rain or sun. Mostly rain. So it was interesting to adjust to the change of seasons here, but in the very best way.”
“Exactly,” I reply with a nod. “Anyway, this is a fun change for the luncheon. And this way, Heather can join us.”
Heather and her family have owned this restaurant since its inception all those years ago, but she usually can’t attend our meetings because she has to be here.
This time, we brought the meeting to her.
“I’m so excited for today’s speaker,” Polly says with a little shoulder shimmy. “Sophie Montgomery-Harrison is a powerhouse when it comes to social media advertising, and she’s gorgeous, and she’s married to the hottest quarterback in the league. Talk about an overachiever.”
“And she’s my cousin,” Erin reminds her with a laugh. “They should be here soon. I know that she and London were on their way this morning.”
London is married to another of Erin’s cousins and is the owner of the team that Ike Harrison plays for. Erin’s family is intimidating . Full of celebrities and wealth that I can’t even dream of, and we’ve met most of them. Everyone I’ve spoken with has been kind and welcoming and funny. They’re also good at putting people at ease, so I know that Sophie will be a great speaker today.
“We’re still good on time,” Millie says, checking her phone. “We have almost an hour. You guys, I’m exhausted. ”
She sits in a chair and braces her chin on her hand, blinking slowly.
“Are you finally going to tell us if you’ve been screwing around with Bridger Blackwell?” Summer demands. “Because if you and Bridger are visiting Pound Town on a regular basis, good for you. That fire chief is smokin’.”
“For fuck’s sake.” Now she drops her head on her arms. “ No. I’m not screwing around with Bridger. We’ve been friends for a million years, and he needs my help.”
“Help with what?” Erin asks, pulling out a chair and sitting across from Millie. The rest of us follow suit, wanting to be front and center for this tea party. “Come on, Mill. You’ve been at his place on the regular for weeks. Maybe months. We all know that he has his daughter, but what’s really going on? He’s been a single dad for a while now.”
I didn’t realize that Bridger Blackwell was a single dad.
Millie lifts her head and sighs. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”
“We’re not anyone ,” I remind her. “We’re the cone of silence. Maybe it’s something we can help with, too.”
“If any of you breathes so much as a syllable about this to anyone, I will skin you alive,” she warns us and then pushes her fingers through her long, chestnut-brown hair as we all make the cross my heart motion over our chests. “So, we all know that Angela left Bridger more than two years ago, before Birdie was a year old.”
“Sidebar,” I put in, getting their attention. “I love how everyone in that family has a B name. Even Birdie.”
“It’s maybe the sweetest thing ever,” Polly agrees. “Okay, continue.”
“Okay,” Millie says, leaning forward. “Angela didn’t want to be a mom. Hell, she just wanted to bang Bridger, and, as we’ve all discussed, who can blame her? He may be my bestie, but even I can admit that he’s a hottie.”
“Right?” Erin says, nodding.
“But lately, Birdie’s been really sick. Not with anything contagious. We don’t really know what it is, and it’s not cancer, that’s for certain. But it’s been bad enough that Bridger doesn’t want to leave her with just anyone, and he has to work. He’s the chief. He’s been pulling mostly night shifts the past couple of months to help out his crew, so I go and stay with Birdie so she can sleep in her own bed. It’s not that big of a deal because she sleeps 90 percent of the time I’m there, but she needs medicine, and damn. I shouldn’t have told.”
“Poor Bridger,” I breathe, not able to fathom the thought of my baby being sick and not knowing why. “And poor Birdie.”
“You’re a good friend,” Polly says, reaching out to cover Millie’s hand with her own. “We already know that, of course, but seriously, Mill, you’re a good friend.”
“Bridger and I were always tight,” she says with a shrug of her shoulder. “He’s a couple of years older than me, but we got along. Aside from you guys, he might be my best friend, and I can’t tell him that I won’t help him out just because I’m not getting enough sleep. He’s coming off of nights soon, though, and then he’ll have to find help during the day.”
“She could come to the ranch,” Erin says, thinking it over. “But I’m pretty busy with the event center. He probably wants someone more full time.”
“He’d like to be able to put her in preschool this fall, with the other kids her age. She turned three last month. Hopefully, they can figure out what’s going on with her, and she can go. She’s just the sweetest kid. His family’s been helping, too, of course.” She yawns hugely. “Anyway, that’s the skinny on that. No Pound Town for me, and let me tell you, I could use an orgasm or two.”
“Holden?”
Millie narrows her eyes at Erin and growls. “Don’t start on that guy.”
“You know,” I say, tapping my finger against my lips, “I have a toy that I never got around to using, since I’m now getting dick on the regular, and you’re welcome to it.”
“First of all,” Millie says, scowling, “ew. Second of all, absolutely not.”
“I’m so sorry that I’m almost late!” The five of us turn as Sophie and London bustle onto the terrace, both looking absolutely gorgeous.
London’s in a pink summer dress, her dark hair pulled back from her face, and she makes a beeline for Polly, giving her a big hug before rubbing Polly’s belly.
Sophie is tall, also dark-haired, and absolutely gorgeous in her signature activewear—orange today—and crisp white sneakers.
Sophie has built an entire brand around wellness, from the inside out, at any size, and that’s something that I really respect about her because I’m a curvy girl, too. Not only does she talk about nutrition and exercise, but also skincare and fashion, and because we’re close to the same size, I’ve often felt like I can identify with her.
So, when she comes over to say hello to me, I can’t help but hold on to her hand for an extra beat.
“Thank you,” I say softly, only for her ears, “for what you do. And for being here.”
Her beautiful face softens, and she leans in to hug me. “It’s truly my pleasure, Abbi. It’s so good to see you again. You look fabulous.”
She pulls back to smile at me, and then her gaze narrows.
“Are you using a new skincare routine I should know about? You’re glowing.”
“Yeah,” Erin replies for me, “it’s called regular sex with a hot cowboy.”
Sophie’s grin spreads, and then she laughs and hugs me again.
“That’ll do it. Good for you, girlfriend. Sex is good for us. Now, when does this party start?”
Over the next half hour, attendees begin to pop in. There’s lots of mingling and chatting, and servers bring up the first of the pizzas for the buffet.
“There are gluten-free options here at the end,” Heather announces. “Go ahead and grab it while it’s hot, if you’re hungry.”
The pizza here is the best I’ve ever had, and she doesn’t have to tell these girls twice. People dig in and then return to their seats to eat and talk.
“Abbi,” Jackie Harmon, the owner of The Sugar Studio, says as she walks past. “How is Brady? Is he back on the road right now?”
I blink at her and then frown. “He’s fine. Why are you asking me ?”
Jackie grins. “Honey, I know it’s relatively new, but this is a small town. Do you think that everyone doesn’t know that you two are together? Silly girl.”
I know that she doesn’t mean anything bad by it. Jackie’s the sweetest lady.
“Small towns,” Millie says with a wink. “They get you every time. Where is Brady this week, anyway?”
“Santa Fe,” I reply, suddenly feeling nervous and shy. I don’t like being the center of attention. “He rides later today and should be back late tonight.”
“We sure are proud of him,” Jackie says with a smile before she sits down with her pizza.
I’m proud of him, too.
There’s no reason for me to want to shut down at the idea of all of Bitterroot Valley knowing that Brady and I are a couple. I love him. He’s it for me.
But I’ve never loved being the one under a microscope. Since I lost my mom, it’s been in my nature to blend in and not make waves.
To not be noticed.
“It was rather sad when I heard the last Wild brother was scooped up,” someone says. I don’t know who because now I’m staring down at my hands. “They’re all a bunch of hotties—no offense, girls. I guess we all hoped it would be a local to catch Brady’s eye. That’s one fine cowboy.”
There’s laughter, but I feel my cheeks heat.
I want the floor to open up and swallow me.
With that one statement, I am reminded that I’m not a local. I don’t really belong here. And I don’t deserve someone as amazing as Brady Wild.
“Stop,” Erin whispers in my ear, clasping my hand in hers. “No one means anything by that.”
I take a breath and force a smile.
“I mean it,” she continues. “You pick your chin up because Brady is obsessed with you, you’re absolutely gorgeous and wonderful, and you’re not doing anything wrong.”
I clear my throat and nod, my smile more genuine when I turn it on her.
“Thank you for that.”
“I love you,” she says, and that alone just about brings tears to my eyes.
They love me.
And I love them.
“Okay, let’s not make you wait any longer to hear from our spectacular speaker today,” Summer says as she jumps up to introduce Sophie. “This woman really needs no introduction, but I’m going to give her one anyway. Sophie Montgomery-Harrison is a multi-million dollar entrepreneur in the health and wellness industry, but we all know that she’s so much more than that. She inspires women to love themselves, just as they are, and she gives awesome advice on home décor, skincare, and even gardening. There’s nothing this woman can’t do. Give it up for Sophie Montgomery-Harrison!”
We don’t just applaud. We stand and hoot and holler, and down below, someone honks their horn in response, making us laugh.
“Well, that’ll make a girl blush,” Sophie says with a laugh and takes the microphone, moving the stool out of the way. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to stay standing so I can come to you and wander as I talk. I guess I’ll tell you a bit about me and how I got started in this business, and then we can just chat.”
We all nod at that, and she begins.
“I come from a physically beautiful family. Like, there are literal movie stars and athletes in my family, you guys. And when I was a teenager, I thought I was fat. Thus began my struggle with food and eating in general. When I lost my best friend at thirteen—she died of a heart attack from being anorexic—I knew that I wanted to do something with my life that helped shift the way we think about ourselves. So, I became a nutritionist and a health coach, and yes, I’m still a size sixteen. I run, I lift weights, I’m mostly vegetarian and eat no sugar, and my body is naturally this size. It’s who I am. My husband thinks I’m hot as fuck, and, well, so do I. And, because I was born in an age of social media, I’ve been able to reach a lot of people with my message of self-love and health.”
We clap for her, and Sophie continues to speak about her company and what’s worked for her to grow her brand, and then she opens it up to questions.
“I have a question,” Charlie Lexington, Holden’s sister, says, raising her hand.
“Yes, ma’am.” Sophie jogs over to Charlie and gives her the mic.
“Can your husband introduce us to his single teammates?”
Sophie laughs at that and takes the mic back.
“You know, it’s funny, because London and I were talking about bringing the team out here at some point for a couple of days of R I just worry most of the time until he’s back home. Last week, he forgot to call or text to let me know he was okay. I’m waiting to hear now.”
“Let me do a quick search.” I can hear her tapping on a keyboard. “He just finished a few minutes ago, and it looks like all is well. He’s talking to an interviewer.”
“Thank God.” I close my eyes and let out the breath I’ve been holding all day. “How am I supposed to do this for another six months?”
“You’ll do it,” she says, reassuring me. “Because he loves it, and you love him. I will say, though, that I’m glad this is his last year. It’s time for him to retire. He doesn’t have anything else to prove, you know.”
“I agree, but it has to be up to him.”
“That it does.”
Her accent makes me want to fall into my old accent, so I clear my throat, careful not to.
“Have you and Hugh set a date for the big day?” I ask her.
“We’re looking at a wedding around New Year’s. At first, I wanted to do Christmas in the Smoky Mountains, but it’s hard for people to leave their families at Christmastime, so now I’m thinking New Year’s. I want snow. Is that weird?”
“You’re talking to a woman who lives in Montana,” I remind her with a chuckle. “That doesn’t sound weird to me at all. It’ll be beautiful.”
“I think so, too. But, back to why I called, you’re really okay?”
“I’m okay. Especially now that I know he’s safe.”
“If you ever want to talk, you just call me. Your friends and family will think that they can relate and try to understand, but no one gets it like we do. So you call if you need me.”
“Amy, you’re so sweet. Thank you for reaching out. And I know that I’ve never had the opportunity to say this, but I’m very sorry about Dirks. I’m very, very sorry. I lost a husband, and I know what that feels like.”
“You and I are part of a club that no one should have to join,” she says, her voice soft. “And I’m sorry for your loss, too. Kiss your sweet girl for me, and let’s stay in touch, okay?”
“I will, and yes, please. I think that’s a great idea.”
“Goodnight, Abbi.”
“’Night.”
I hang up and set the phone down, but then my screen lights up with a text.
Cowboy: I’m okay. All went well. Wanted to let you know. I’ll be home by midnight.
I smile and type out my response.
Me: Thank you. Glad it went well! Can’t wait to kiss you. heart emoji
I glance at the couch and see that Daisy has fallen asleep, so I kiss her on the head and then cover her with a blanket.
I love my girl to pieces, but she is the grouchiest person when she’s tired. I grab my book and sit in the chair to read. Brady will take her up to bed when he gets here.
I can’t wait to see him.