Chapter Two
Brooks
Sipping my hot toddy, I watch out the window as the snow falls in fluffy piles.
It’s getting deep out there. I sigh at the extra work it’s going to cause me.
Living on a ranch means the weather doesn’t stop the animals from needing to be fed.
So I’ll be shoveling my way out to the barn in the morning to feed.
Most people, I’m sure, are delighted with the snow for the holiday. There for a while it was looking pretty bleak here in the mountains. A few flurries here and there, but nothing which amounted to much. Now it’ll be a white Christmas for sure.
The thought has my gaze tearing from the window to the tree my best friend, now sister-in-law, insisted on putting up before leaving on her belated honeymoon with my brother. All it does is remind me of how alone I feel lately. I’m still adjusting to them being in a real relationship.
To say I was shocked to find out their marriage of convenience involved real feelings was an understatement.
Walking in on them going at each other like a couple of horny teenagers didn’t help the situation.
Once I got over the initial trauma and feeling like I needed to bleach my brain to rid myself of the eyeful I got, I couldn’t be happier for them.
But it didn’t take long for me to feel like the third wheel. Even though they include me, seeing them all over each other is a bit much to take. And now Kayla is never without Austin. The two of us used to hang out together all the time when I wasn’t traveling. Now it’s always the three of us.
It makes me realize without Kyla, my life is pretty damn empty when I’m home.
Being out on the road, I’m constantly on the move from one rodeo to the next, so I haven’t noticed it as much, but now it’s glaringly obvious.
I’m not getting any younger, having just turned thirty-five.
If I want a wife and kids, which after seeing Austin and Kayla together I’m definitely leaning that direction, I need to stop screwing around.
Not that I screw around with a lot of women, but I’ve taken advantage of what’s been offered from buckle bunnies at rodeos to scratch an itch on more than one occasion.
But I’ve never felt anything more than a passing attraction with any of them.
I love the friendship I’ve had with Kayla over the years, but she’s always felt like a sister to me since we grew up together and attraction was never part of our relationship.
Watching Austin with her has been eye opening to say the least. My brother can’t keep his hands off of her, but then again neither can she when it comes to him. Which makes me wonder what that feels like.
Ugh, I sound like a fucking chick. That’s what I get for having one for a best friend, I guess. I wouldn’t trade her for the world, but sometimes being out on the road with all the testosterone is a respite.
Being alone this time of year isn’t really helping matters either. I get they wanted and deserved a honeymoon, especially considering how their marriage started, but to leave right before Christmas was a shitty thing to do. Now I’m stuck here in a snowstorm.
Heaving another sigh, I head to the kitchen to make myself another drink. Might as well, it’s not like I have anything better to do.
Drink in hand, I flop down on the couch and flip through the channels, attempting to find anything to hold my attention.
I’m on my second round through the channels with my drink half gone when there’s what sounds like a knock at the door.
Positive I’m hearing things because there’s no way anyone would be out in this blizzard I keep stabbing the channel button on the remote.
But then the knock comes again. I drag myself up from the worn leather and shuffle to see what the hell is going on.
My eyes widen when I swing the door open and reveal a woman shivering on the porch.
Snow clings to copper hair sticking out of a blue stocking hat.
Her plump cheeks and nose are Rudolph red.
Hazel eyes stare at me from behind fluttering light red lashes.
“Um, hi. My car went in the ditch, and there’s no service. Do you have a phone I can use?”
Her husky voice breaks me from the trance I’m in and sends a trail of tingles down my body. I stand aside so she can come in. “Sorry. Yes, come in. I thought I was hearing things. I can’t believe you’re out in this mess.”
She shakes her head. “Yeah, me either. I didn’t expect a blizzard when I started my trip. I thought I could make it before the worst of the snow, but it came down so fast I didn’t stand a chance, and it was closer to keep going towards my destination.”
I shut the door. “Where are you headed?”
She pulls off her gloves. “To Blossom Grove. My friend Becca owns it.”
“I know Becca. My sister-in-law is friends with her.”
The worry on her face melts away at my announcement, and she visibly relaxes. It’s then I realize she’s a woman by herself, stranded with a strange man. Her apprehension is understandable.
Giving her my grin known to charm the ladies, I hold out my hand. “I’m Brooks.”
She hesitates a second before placing her chilled hand in mine. Electricity shoots up my arm at the contact, and her eyes widen.
“Sorry, it must be static electricity. I’m Everlee.”
“Nice to meet you, Everlee. You can leave your boots and coat here. I’ll get the phone so you can call Becca to let her know you won’t be making it.”