Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Brodie has a black Reserve credit card.
The thought raced around her mind like a kitten chasing a laser pointer.
She didn’t know a lot about credit cards, but anything that was all black and had the word Reserve on it wasn’t the type of card an average Joe could afford.
Not to mention when he put it back in his wallet she’d spied what looked like a lot of money in it, more money than a ranch hand would make on a weekly basis.
Something wasn’t adding up. His truck looked more like a top-of-the-line vehicle than a basic model. Yeah, he’d said he gotten a good deal on it but even still, it would’ve cost a pretty penny.
“What exactly did you do before you came to work at Mitch’s family’s ranch?”
“I was a paramedic in San Antonio.”
“And before that?”
His sighed and his fingers flexed on the steering wheel. She wasn’t sure she was ready for what he was about to tell her. She didn’t like to think that he’d been lying to her all this time, but his reaction to her questions was pretty telling.
“Do you recall trivia night and that question about the successful app?”
Thinking back to that night, her thoughts immediately went to the kiss they’d shared in the parking lot, not to one of the questions that was asked. What relevance did it have now? “Yeah, but that’s not the best thing I remember about that night. What about the app?”
A small smile played across his lips. “I answered the question and told the guys which college they were from.”
“Oh yeah, now I remember they gave you a hard time because you said . . . wait . . .” She shifted in her seat so that she was fully facing him.
His eyes were focused on the road, which was how it should be, but this way she could see his reaction when she continued.
“You said that you knew them, but when the guys probed further, you said that you weren’t part of the group. But you were, weren’t you?”
“Yes, they’re my best friends. I saw them just before I moved to Texas, and we had another catch up.”
“So that means . . .” Again, she couldn’t finish, because it didn’t seem possible. But it certainly made more sense.
“Yes, it means that I made a buttload of money with that app. We all did.”
Cerise turned back and slumped down in her seat. “I don’t know what to think. If you’ve got all this money, why are you working in the middle of Texas? On a dude ranch?”
“Because I don’t like sitting around doing nothing. As for the money, it’s nice to have but it’s not the be-all and end-all of my life.”
She scoffed. “Tell that to people who are struggling. That’s a very cavalier attitude to have.”
“You’re right. That did sound arrogant of me.
” He glanced over to her. “Sparkles, I like being liked for who I am, not how much money I have. When the tech company brought us out, I gave money to my parents and my brother. My dad was able to retire early from his construction job, a job that was hard on his body, as well as being dangerous. Now he and Mom can spend the rest of their lives doing what they want without having to worry about their retirement funds running out. They travel and go on trips with Habitat for Humanity to help those who need it. My brother was able to go to college without having to worry about having a debt hanging over his head. He’s an investment banker, a damn good one, too, so he’s increased his own wealth a few times over.
He’s also looking after my money. And I give to various charities every year. ”
There was one thing about Brodie . . . he didn’t give off the rich-asshole vibe she’d seen from some of the guys who stopped in Kerrville on their way to their dude ranch experiences.
“You still haven’t answered why you’re working at the ranch.”
“Because I love it. It’s as simple as that.”
Such a succinct reply that she couldn’t doubt the truthfulness of it. Plus, she’d seen him in action at the ranch when she and Finn had been there. He did love being around horses and cattle. Not to mention he was very comfortable on the back of a horse.
“Do you plan on working there for the rest of your life. Or is this a whim like being a paramedic?”
“I have no plans to stay at Alexander Dude Ranch for the rest of my life, but I’m not going to decide tomorrow to leave.
” His voice was curt, a tone she hadn’t heard from him before.
“And as for being a paramedic, I did love being able to help people, and for a while I thought it might be something I would do for the long term, but then I found I was becoming stressed every time I had to go on a call. After a while I came to the realization I had to get out before I lost myself. Before I started having anxiety attacks.”
Everything he was saying about the stress being a paramedic induced was true. She’d seen it with emergency personnel. “But why ranch work? How did you come to that?”
They were getting closer to Finn’s school, and she wasn’t sure this was the type of conversation she wanted to have around the young boy. Nor did she think Brodie would either.
“My buddies and I get together every few months. They’re all married with kids, but we made a pact once the app was sold that we wouldn’t drift away from each other.
Their friendship is too important to me.
Anyway, Phil suggested we check out this dude ranch.
The second I got on the back of the horse, and we started riding, a sense of peace and rightness washed over me, just like when we were working on the app.
A sense that this was what I was supposed to be doing. ”
He pulled into the school parking lot and joined the carpool line.
“After that week-long trip I found out all I could about ranching and talked the dude ranch owner who, I still don’t know why, decided to give me a job.
I guess he could see I was sincere when I talked to him.
I quit my paramedic job and moved there.
After about a year, they sold the ranch and the new owners were closing it down.
I went on the job hunt and found an opening at the Alexanders’ ranch, which I later found out was Mitch’s position. And here I am.”
“Do you think you’ll buy your own place?” The way he talked about what he did, his passion for it was evident. It would make sense for him to get his own place.
“One day I might. I still have a lot to learn about tending to cattle and horses.”
The line had begun moving, signaling the end of their conversation was approaching. “Thanks for telling me all this.”
He tapped an index finger on the steering wheel and looked at her. His gaze wasn’t quite as confident as it normally was. “Does it make you think differently about me?”
Did knowing that Brodie could be a billionaire make her look at him differently? Think differently about him. She had no idea. “I don’t know. I mean you’re still you, but there’s a whole different part of you that I need to process.”
“Fair enough. I hope that you’ll still let me spend time with you.”
Cerise reached across the console and grabbed his hand in both of hers. “I’d still like that, too.”
The flames leaped into the sky and the heat from the bonfire was a welcome relief.
It had been a fun day at the Alexander’s ranch for their annual Welcome to Spring event.
The night had turned cooler than expected.
Cerise huddled down in the jacket that Brodie had loaned her.
It smelled like him and she closed her eyes as she rubbed her cheek against the soft fabric.
“You do know you’re going to get glitter all over that jacket?” Nadia plopped down on the bench next to her.
“Yep.”
“And you have no regrets, do you?”
Cerise chuckled. “Nope. Brodie’s used to my glitter.”
Nadia canted her head to the side. “Is he now? What have I missed by working nights and not seeing you?”
“I’m surprised Mitch hasn’t told you.”
“My fine and handsome and oh-so-sexy fiancé and I have been ships passing in the night. So no he hasn’t told me anything. Which I shall be having words with him about.”
Cerise shook her head at her friend’s antics. “I’m sure the time you are together, you have better things to do and talk about than me.”
A soft smile played across Nadia’s lips. “That we do, but getting back to you and Brodie. Tell me everything. I’m your best friend in the whole world. I should know these things.”
Remorse stabbed her momentarily. Nadia was right. They had shared a lot with each other over the past year. “I know you’ve got a lot happening, what with wedding planning and working. Not to mention supporting Mitch as he transitions back into being a surgeon.”
“True, but I’ve always got time for you, Cerise, you know that. What if I let you glitterfy me again for a date night for me and Mitch. I’ll even promise to get glitter all over him.”
Cerise laughed out loud at the visual she was describing. “I really don’t need to know about what you and Mitch get up to in the bedroom, but I’m totally up for glitterfying you again.”
Nadia nudged her with her shoulder. “Good, now dish. The way you keep avoiding the subject has me wondering what’s really going on.”
Since their meeting with Daphne and Gordon, Brodie had become a regular fixture in her and Finn’s lives.
The three of them had dinner together every night and once, when she was asked to cover a night shift, Brodie had offered to stay with Finn.
Finn had loved it and was so excited the next morning when she arrived home.
She was dead on her feet, but she listened and her heart burst with love for the boy.
She was losing the battle that what she was feelings towards Brodie was anything but love.
“Brodie and I are seeing each other and I’m thinking of adopting Finn.” There, she’d blurted everything out, and there was nothing more to say.
“Whoa, that’s a lot to unload. How about we break it down?
Let’s start with you wanting to adopt Finn.
I think that’s great and you’ll be a wonderful mom to him.
Are you ready for it? What about your job?
I know you had an arrangement in place the couple of times you’d fostered him, but this is long term. ”
Cerise spent the next few minutes explaining her adoption plans and, if it happened, what she’d do with her job.
Nadia’s arms wrapped around her when she finished, and Cerise appreciated her friend’s hug. “You’ve such a big heart, Cerise Robinson. He’s very lucky to be with you. Whatever you need from me and Mitch to help with the adoption, then just say the word.”
“Thanks, Nads. I appreciate it.”
They sat for a few minutes and Cerise took the opportunity to gather her thoughts for the next onslaught of questions.
“What about Brodie, and how does he feel about Finn? I mean, it looks like he loves that kid and Finn loves him back. And if you guys are seeing each other, it had to have started after the night we all worked at the accident scene. You hadn’t met him before that, had you?”
“Nope.” There was something in Nadia’s tone that had Cerise’s mind turning things over.
“Wait, was Brodie the guy you were trying to set me up with?” Ever since she’d gotten engaged at Christmas, it had been Nadia’s mission to set Cerise up on a blind date.
Every time Nadia suggested it, she’d shot her friend down quicker than a duck in hunting season.
“Maybe.”
Cerise rolled her eyes. “You’re hopeless.”
Nadia lifted her hands in surrender. “Hey, I was right about the two of you, wasn’t I? You’re seeing each other. It’s just that you met under different circumstances. I mean, I never would’ve suggested your first date be an accident scene, but fate works her charms in mysterious ways.”
“I think you’re full of it. It’s new and he’s really good with Finn.
But that worries me, because what if we get attached and then Brodie decides that it’s not what he wants?
That he wants to go live it up in Europe and spend some of the millions and millions of dollars he’s got sitting in a bank account?
” She kept her voice low so that those around her didn’t hear what she was saying.
Nadia’s eyes widened. “You know about Brodie and what he did before he came here?”
“Yes, he told me the other day. I worry, Nads. I really like him and Finn worships the ground he walks on, but I’m scared to trust my feelings.
I’ve never had any luck when I allow someone in my life.
The moment I do, they walk. It happened to me so many times as a kid.
I’d be with a family, and everything would be going well, and I’d let my guard down and, bam, the next day I get the Honey, we’d love to keep you but we can’t.
I’m sorry and it’s nothing you did. talk. ”
“I may not have known Brodie long, but he doesn’t seem the type of guy to do something like that.
He wouldn’t string you along and, if he wanted to go to Europe and spend all his money, he would’ve done it before now.
He and Mitch have talked a lot. You know Mitch doesn’t trust a lot of people, but he trusts Brodie. ”
Everything in Cerise wanted to believe her best friend, but fear still held her back. She looked up and found Brodie and Finn standing in front of her. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t seen them approach.
“Everything all right, Sparkles?”
“Yep, everything is great.” She spied some chocolate on the corner of Finn’s mouth. “Did you enjoy your s’mores, Finn?”
“Yep. But Andy’s mom and dad say it’s time to go. Are you sure you’re going to be okay if I have a sleepover with Andy? I don’t want you to be by yourself.”
This kid . . . he always put other people’s needs in front of others. She stood and brushed her thumb against the side of his mouth, wiping away the smudge of chocolate. “I’ll be fine. If I get too lonely, I’ll go sleep in your bed and then I’ll be close to you.”
“Okay.” He hugged her close. “I love you, Cerise.”
“Aww, buddy, I love you too.” She pressed her lips on top of his head. “Now did you pack your toothbrush?”
“Yes.”
“Clean underwear?”
“Cerise,” he whined. “Yes, I did.”
She laughed and put her arm around his shoulders. “Sorry, Finn, it’s my responsibility to embarrass you. Come on, let’s get your bag and then I’ll take you to Andy’s parents.”
“Okay.” He turned to Brodie and gave him a hug as well. “Bye, Brodie, and thanks for helping us make s’mores.”
“You’re welcome, and I’ll make sure Cerise gets home safely.”
She smiled up at Brodie, and he placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “I’ll be back soon.”
As she walked away she was aware of Brodie’s eyes following her and her body tingled with prickles of awareness. She had her house to herself tonight, so maybe she could entice Brodie to stay.