Chapter 14
The next afternoon, Brady and Abby didn’t leave the resort until the last possible moment after requesting an extended checkout time.
He felt a high like nothing he’d experienced before. Abby intoxicated him, and he’d wanted nothing more than to be inside her as many times as possible—which had been a second time last night and yet again this morning. The day was still young.
On the way back to his home, they held hands on the console and talked easily and comfortably like being together was the most natural thing in the world. And it had been.
When they reached the ranch, Brady saw Elena’s car parked in front of the bunkhouse. He set his jaw and focused on parking in front of his home. He would have to have a conversation with Elena and soon—he couldn’t have her interfering in his life and his relationship with Abby.
Lady bolted around the corner and danced and yipped as Brady climbed out of the truck.
“Hi, girl.” He paused to rub the Border collie behind her ears. “I missed you.”
Lady barked her agreement.
Brady helped Abby out of the truck, and she gave an almost imperceptible wince when she put her weight on her knee. He frowned. “Your knee wasn’t bothering you much yesterday.”
“It isn’t, really.” She shrugged. “It’s just a little sore from all the walking we did, but it’s much better than it was a couple of days ago.”
He stroked her cheek with his thumb as a breeze blew tendrils of red hair around her face. “We’re moving you into my bedroom.”
Her face clouded. “I won’t impose on you more than I have to.”
“Hun, you could never be an imposition.” He gave her a slow grin. “Not to mention it’ll be a lot more convenient than driving into town to whatever hotel you’d end up in.”
Amusement sparkled in her eyes. “I can see the wisdom in that.”
As they walked to the kitchen door, she leaned on him, like she was in more pain than she wanted to admit.
He opened the door and walked her through. “You were on your knee a lot yesterday. You should rest it.”
“I think you’re right.” She slid her arm around his waist as he gripped her by the shoulders. “I’ll lay down for a little while.” She tilted her head back and smiled at him. “Someone wore me out.”
He lightly kissed her then escorted her to his bedroom and encouraged her to lie down while he retrieved her belongings from the guest bedroom. When he returned, Abby’s eyes were closed, and she breathed deeply and evenly.
Guess he had worn her out, of which he was completely unrepentant.
Brady closed his bedroom door behind him and returned to the kitchen, where Lady had curled up on her rug by the hat tree. He gave her attention and refilled her food and water bowls.
When he finished, he considered what to make for supper. He’d promised to make Abby chili sometime, and now was as good a time as any.
He checked the fridge and pantry, and found that Charlene had stocked both, something she did for him on a weekly basis, using the ranch account. She must have done that yesterday when he and Abby were in Scottsdale. It was like her to be so thoughtful.
As he assembled the chili ingredients, he couldn’t stop thinking about Abby. He was happily head-over-heels for the leggy redhead. How’d he get so damned lucky?
A big pot of chili simmered on the stove by the time the back door opened. He looked over his shoulder and saw Charlene. Lady greeted her with an enthusiastic yip and the older woman paused to pet her.
“Buenas tardes, Brady.” Charlene sailed up to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Caesar said you ran errands in Phoenix with your young lady yesterday.”
“Hey, Char.” He settled his arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze. “Got back an hour or so ago. Abby’s resting her knee that she injured when that bull tried to kill us.”
Charlene frowned. “You are lucky to have such an intelligent dog as Lady to draw it away from you.”
“You’ve got that right.” He inclined his head to the pot on the stove. “I’m making chili. Thank you for grocery shopping yesterday.”
“You are very welcome.” She smiled. “It is the least I can do for you allowing us to live here.”
“Would you and Caesar like to join us?” he asked.
Charlene gave a shake of her head. “Thank you, but we have dinner planned with Elena.”
Brady winced. He’d managed to forget about her, but he couldn’t invite her to dinner, not yet.
A pained expression crossed Charlene’s kind face. “I hate to tell you this, Brady, but we just learned Elena has been telling people in King Creek that you and her are back together.”
Brady narrowed his brows, but Charlene held up her hand. “You know that both Caesar and I love you like a son, and we would have loved to have you as a son-in-law. But Elena made her choices and now she must live with that.”
She braced her palms on the waist of her flowing skirt. “I had a talk with her and told her that if she makes trouble for you, she can no longer stay with us while we live under the roof you have provided to us during our time of need.”
Brady considered what Charlene said before he spoke. “The bunkhouse is your home, and Elena is welcome to stay with you as long as you live there.” He glanced in the direction of his bedroom before meeting her gaze again. “My only request is that she doesn’t come into my home.”
“Of course.” Charlene studied him. “Thank you for being so understanding—I’m not sure I would be if I was in your shoes. We love our daughter, but we are very unhappy with her behavior.”
He leaned back against the counter. “I’ll have a conversation with her. Abby and I have a relationship, and the sooner Elena understands that, the better.”
Charlene nodded. “She said she’s not going anywhere else today, so she’ll be here if you want to talk with her this afternoon.”
“Thanks, Char.” He gave her shoulders another squeeze.
Her expression brightened. “I do have good news.”
He released her. “Lay it on me.”
“The builder just called and said our new home is on schedule to be ready the beginning of November, so we’ll be settled in it in time for the holidays.”
“It’ll be a lot nicer than spending them in a bunkhouse,” Brady said with a quick grin.
“Amen.” She started for the back door. “I won’t tell Elena you’re coming over to talk with her. Just come when you’re ready.”
Brady nodded. “Will do.”
Abby wandered into the kitchen just as the door closed behind Charlene. “I hope you don’t mind—I overheard that you’re going to talk to Elena today.”
Brady gathered Abby into his arms and kissed her thoroughly. When he released her and stepped away, her cheeks were flushed a rosy hue. “I need to get it out of the way. Elena has been spreading rumors that we’re back together, so I’ve got to cut her off before it goes any farther. I do intend to tell her that I’d like to be friends.”
Abby gave a slow nod. “You’re doing the right thing.”
He swooped in for another kiss. “You’re the best thing to happen to me as well as the smartest decision I’ve ever made.”
She grinned. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
He picked up a big wooden spoon and turned back to the pot. “You should.”
“That smells wonderful.” Abby peeked over his shoulder. “You made chili like you promised. I hope it will be ready soon—I’m starving.”
“Yep.” He stirred the pot. “Give it another fifteen minutes and we can sit down and have a bowl.”
“Awesome.” She moved to the cabinets. “I’ll expedite the proceedings and get out the giant soup mugs I saw when I looked in here last.”
For toppings, Brady chopped fresh tomatoes and green onions that Charlene had bought. He grated sharp cheddar and Abby got out the tub of sour cream and spoons to serve the sides.
They spent an enjoyable early supper, chatting and talking as easily as they had since they first met. Even though everything had changed when they’d spent a night in each other’s arms, it felt like little had. Things were still as natural and comfortable as they had been before. Maybe more so now that they’d shared that intimacy.
As much as he looked forward to spending more time with her in the bedroom, he felt equally happy just talking with her and experiencing more of that closeness.
“When you talk with Elena,” Abby said, “I’m going to call Emma before it gets too late in the evening and check on my dad. I’m worried about him. I’ll also ask her to get the ball rolling for the fencing so we can get it up as soon as possible.”
Brady had managed to forget about Elena. He looked at the clock. “As much as I’m not looking forward to it, I do need to have that talk with her sooner rather than later,” he said. “When I get back we can have dessert while we watch a movie if you’re up for it.”
“I’m always up for dessert.” Abby smiled and slid off the bench seat. “I’ll straighten up while you track her down.”
He furrowed his brow. “How’s your knee?”
“Better after resting it for a while.” She picked up the soup mugs and walked to the sink with barely a hitch in her gait. She set down the mugs and turned to face him. “Did I pass?”
He grinned as he carried the hot sauce bottles to the fridge. “Temporarily.”
“Humph.” She rinsed out the soup mugs and put them into the dishwasher. “Go on now.”
Brady waited until Abby straightened and gathered her into his arms and kissed her. Desire curled in his gut and he wanted to sweep her up into his arms and carry her off to his bedroom—forget talks, dessert, and movies.
He released her and smiled down at her. There would be time enough for that later.
She waved toward the back door. “Go on, now.”
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
She smiled back at him and started to cover the toppings to put into the refrigerator.
Lady stayed at Abby’s side as Brady opened the kitchen door, as if knowing he was going to go have a serious conversation with Elena.
He closed the door behind him and his smile faded as he stared at the bunkhouse, where Elena’s car was still parked. He blew out his breath and headed in that direction.
He knocked on the front door and a few moments later the door opened. Elena’s eyes widened then she smiled. “Hi, Brady.”
“I need to talk with you.” He jerked his head toward the front porch. “Have a seat out here.”
Elena wore a wary expression as she stepped out then closed the door. She settled at the small patio table that Charlene had placed there to make the bunkhouse homier. Brady wanted to remain standing, but he figured it would be better to join her at the table.
When he sat across from her, he studied her for a long moment. She looked nervous then confused then hopeful.
“Elena, it’s important we come to an understanding.” He fixed her in his gaze. “We were friends from the time we were toddlers. Everything changed once we started dating, and then, well, you made your choice and left.”
“Brady, that’s in the past?—”
He stopped her with a look. “Yes, it’s in the past and I have forgiven you.” At her hopeful look, he shook his head. “But you need to accept there will never be anything between us again. Nothing you say can change that.”
She took on a pleading expression. “But?—”
“I am in a relationship with Abby, and you need to accept that.” He said it firmly and Elena’s expression froze. “Don’t try to get in the middle of it again.”
Elena’s face had gone blank.
“I’m going to propose the only two possible outcomes.” He raised his finger. “One, we keep our distance from each other and we’ll be acquaintances at best.” Her mouth tightened and he raised a second finger. “Two, you acknowledge that there will never be anything between us and we can one day be friends.”
Elena lowered her gaze and looked at her hands in her lap. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” He watched her as her expression shifted while processing what he’d just said. “Acquaintances or friends. What will it be?”
Her chest rose as she took a deep breath. She put her hands on the table, raised her head, and let out a sigh. “I miss having you as a friend, Brady. Maybe that’s what I missed most about you—all the memories and history we have.”
He watched her without responding, waiting for her to make up her mind.
She gave a single nod, clearly coming to a decision. “I want to be friends. I know it won’t be the same as it was before we started dating, but I’d rather have that than have you only as someone I say hi to in passing.”
He put his hand over her smaller ones where they rested on the table. “Thank you, Elena. We’ll start slow, and we’ll go from there.”
“I—I” Tears sparkled on her lashes. “I’m sorry for what I did to you when I left.” Her throat worked as she swallowed. “It was cruel, and I was wrong.”
“Thank you.” He squeezed her hands. “It’s in the past now. We’ve both grown and moved on since then.”
She sniffled. “You grew and moved on but I held onto the past. I’m also sorry for what I said to Abby.”
“Abby doesn’t hold anything against you.” He met Elena’s gaze and moved his hand from hers. “It’s all history now, okay?”
She nodded as she wiped tears from her eyes with her fingertips. “You’re a good man, Brady.”
“And you are a good woman, Elena. Someday you’ll meet a man worthy of you.”
She shrugged. “Since we’re in a small town and everyone knows what I did to you, I don’t think I’ll have much for options.” She smoothed her long hair away from her face. “I should consider moving.”
“Whatever happens,” he said. “You have a friend in me.”
She nodded and he got to his feet. She stood and gave him a watery smile. “I’ll see you around, but I promise I’ll stay out of your way and Abby’s too.”
He gave her a quick hug. “Give it time, and it’ll get easier for both of us.”
She hugged him back and they parted. “I’ll see you later, Brady.” She turned away and slipped into the bunkhouse, closing the door behind her.
Brady let out a long breath. That had gone much better than he’d feared it would. He turned and headed back to the kitchen, back to Abby.