Wrangled Hearts

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Brynn

"What the actual fuck, Blake? You should have called me as soon as it happened." My voice raises with each word I spit into the phone at my oldest brother.

"I was trying not to panic you until I had more information B. I swear."

"No, you were treating me with kid gloves. I am thirty-fuckin-two. Stop treating me like a child!"

"Stop throwing a tantrum like one and listen to what I am saying."

I inhale a big breath and slowly exhale. I am trying not to lose my ever-loving shit on my brother. He has a lot on his plate, and I need to remind myself of that. "Okay, sorry. It just caught me off guard. I thought Dad was in good health. Having a stroke….it is something I was not prepared for."

"No one was prepared." Blake sounds exhausted .

"Okay, so what are the next steps?"

"I have no idea. There are so many doctors telling me all different things. I can't keep up." He falls silent. I can imagine him rubbing his brow with his thumb and forefinger.

"What are we going to do?" I already know where this conversation is heading.

Silence.

"Blake?"

His long exhale breaks through the silence. "B."

"I am sure we can find a nurse or someone to come sit with him." I am trying to turn the conversation around.

"Brynn. Please."

Now it is my turn for a beat of silence. "I don't know if I can."

"This is not some holiday you can skip out on B. This is a huge deal. Dad needs you."

Dammit. I thought I could just offer to pay someone to provide top-notch care for Dad.

"I need you. Please B."

Fuck .

"I'll see what I can do. It may take a couple of days to get work situated."

Blake clears his throat. "Thanks B. I owe you."

"You owe me so fucking big. You are going to be in debt until the day you die, big bro."

"See you soon." He disconnects the call before I can respond.

"Fuck!" I scream as I slam my phone down on the cushion beside me. At least I am sitting on the loveseat in my office and not my desk chair.

"Brynn? Is everything okay?" My assistant, Gwen, asks as she comes barreling into my office.

"No," I whine. "Everything is the complete opposite of okay."

"What do you need?"

"A time machine. To go back and stop my dad from having a stroke."

"Oh Brynn, I am so sorry. Is he okay?" She walks over and sits beside me on the pink suede loveseat, her eyes full of sympathy.

"Yes and no. I just got off the phone with my brother." I release a breath. "I am going to have to go there and see what is happening. My brother seemed really overwhelmed."

"You? You are going to your hometown?" Gwen's eyes widen in shock.

"Unfortunately, yes." I bury my head in my hands. "There is no other way. I already tried."

"Oh shit," she whispers.

"Oh shit, doesn't even cover it. Blake said please, and that he needs me."

"Blake, as in the man who does everything himself and never asks for help? "

"The very one." I lean back against the plush loveseat. "I need to finalize the projects we are working on now and reschedule all my in-office meetings to virtual."

"Do you need me to come with you?" Gwen asks, knowing that I hate going to my hometown.

"No, I might need you here in New York. You can work from home unless I need you to come to the office for something."

"I will go schedule your flight." Gwen stands and smooths out her pencil skirt. "How long will you be there?"

"Not sure. Just make sure the flight serves booze."

Gwen laughs and pats me on my shoulder. "Maybe this will be good for you. You are not the same girl you used to be."

"Nothing good can come from me being in Cedar Creek."

Gwen walks out of my office and leaves me to sulk. Going back to my small ass hometown was not on my bingo card for this year. I avoid that place like the plague. I feel my anxiety take over. I vowed the day I left I would never go back. I've kept that promise to myself, until now.

Cedar Creek is a small town full of judgmental busy-bodies and nosey neighbors. Hopefully, I won't need to come off the ranch and I can just stay a couple of days to be sure dad is settled. I talk to my brothers on occasion, but not often. I always send gifts for birthdays and Christmas. I only talk to one person on a regular basis from Cedar Creek; she is my ride or die and I miss her like crazy .

My phone buzzes on the cushion beside me. I turn it over with my hand and see her picture. "Well, speak of the devil." A smile coming through my voice.

"Speak of greatness and I shall ring," Whitney says with a laugh.

"Why didn't you call?" I am quite irritated with my supposed best friend.

"About that," she says slowly. "Brooks told me Blake was handling it and that I should stay out of his way."

"That little shit. He is going to get it when I get there." The words come out in a growl.

"Holy shit. You really are coming here?"

"Yes, unfortunately." I stand from the loveseat and walk around to my desk chair. "I have to figure out what is going on with dad and how long he will need care. Hopefully, I can find someone to come out to BFE and help dad with whatever he needs."

"I think it is best to make that decision when you get here. You can put eyes on him and see what he needs." I hear some muffled talking in the background.

"Who's that?"

"Your brother. He is already protecting his crotch, and you haven't packed yet." She is laughing at whatever my brother is doing .

"You tell that motherfucker he is on my shit list. Right there at the top." How dare my brothers keep me out of the loop about what happened with our dad.

"I will not repeat that. She will kill us both."

"This has been fun. I would say I can't wait, but that would be a colossal lie." I gather my laptop and charger and add them to my bag. "I'll be there soon."

"Can't wait to see your beautiful face!" Whitney singsongs right before I hang up.

Time to put my boss lady pants on and handle this shit.

"Gwen? Did you get my flight scheduled?" I ask loud enough for my voice to carry to her desk.

"Yes, I just emailed the itinerary to you. I booked first class so you could be as comfortable as possible, and I also have already reached out to the clients that are scheduled this week and asked if we can reschedule or move to a virtual meeting."

"Thank you. I guess I better go home and get packed." I feel my shoulders tense as I think about where I am about to go.

"Let me know if I can do anything else." Gwen gives me a warm smile.

"Go to Cedar Creek instead of me?" I ask with hopeful eyes.

"I will join you, if that is what you need."

I lean my head back and groan. "No, I won't ask you to do that. Trust me, no one goes there willingly. They just get stuck and never leave. "

"How long exactly has it been since you have visited?"

"I have never visited since I left. I left the day after my high school graduation and never looked back."

"Damn. Maybe it won't be so bad."

"I can only hope." I leave the office and head to the elevator. I rent an office space in a lavish building close to all the major high-end retailers. I like to impress my clients and let them know they are working with the best.

If only I felt that way when in Cedar Creek.