Chapter 19 #2
“People get off all the time. Think about it. Rich and famous people have all kinds of connections, so people just assume judges and juries were paid off—”
“But they weren’t.”
“I know that, but that isn’t how everyone thinks. I ran away from all of it because the stress was too much. The way people looked at me changed.” He closes his eyes for the briefest of seconds. “They had that suspicious look in their eyes, like I was guilty no matter what.”
My heart aches for him.
“She did it to ruin you,” I whisper.
“Yeah, when extortion didn’t work.”
I can’t help but give him some leeway. The torturous look on his face says it all. “What happened after that?”
“I could’ve had her back in court charged with fraud—we had enough evidence—but then I found out she was a single mom. I didn’t want the kid to grow up without a mother, so I dropped the charges and moved on.”
I gape at him. “You did what?”
He shrugs. “This had been goin’ on for so long, Bailey. And everyone knew she was guilty. We had voice recordings of her slamming me, telling her friends what she did.”
“Jesus, Brett. She can’t be that much of a good mom if she’s willing to do that to another human being.”
She has a point. “I know. It cost me a lot in damages and my reputation, but in the end, I just felt sorry for her. She clearly has no life of her own. She needs help.”
My heart is breaking for him. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “That this happened to you. It isn’t right.”
“No, it’s not, but all isn’t fair in love and war.
” He smiles softly. “It was just another turning point in my life. Like I said before I’ve had relationships end through infidelity and lies, Bails, I get how much that hurts.
I’ve never cheated on any of my exes. It’s harder when you make a name for yourself because you have all these people around you, and half of them would throw you on the train tracks to get to the next best thing. ”
“Oh, Brett.” I pull him into a hug, my face sideways on his chest. “You’re breaking me over here.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Just don’t run away,” he whispers. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long, long time. You taught me how to ride again, how to feel good and free within myself. And you never judged or pushed me or wanted anything. That’s why I was afraid to tell you.”
“Thank you for saying that, you’re the best thing that’s happened to me, too. And just so you know?” I mutter against his shirt. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Elvis Presley reincarnated, I’d still treat you the same.”
“Uh, huh, huh.” He does his best Elvis impersonation and I laugh.
“Oh, man, please stick to your day job, let’s hope that’s not singing Elvis songs.” He bumps me with his hips. “And for the record, I would never throw you on the train tracks to get to the next best thing.”
“I know that.” He pauses. “Is our first fight over?”
I pull back to look up at him. “It’s not a fight, but you have to be honest with me, even if the truth hurts.”
“I can do that.” We hold each other for the longest time, neither of us saying anything. “You know how you said you love me?” I whisper.
“Yeah?” he asks, and I hear a little hesitation in his voice.
“I love you, too. I know it’s sudden, but I just… know.”
He tips my head back, his eyes gleaming like diamonds. “I love you, Bailey Owens. You’re the first woman who’s ever been truly honest with me and accepted me for who I am. Are you sure you can overlook all my flaws?”
“Well, I don’t really know any of them yet,” I laugh. “Now you’re some big hotshot country singer, you’re probably gonna fly your waiting entourage in to shake things up around here.”
He laughs. “Not a chance. I fired most of the people who worked for me.”
“Holy shit.”
“Yep. But just lately, I’ve started writing songs again.”
“Wow.” My eyes pop as I imagine him sitting down to write with a pen and a pad. I can totally see that about him.
“I’ve had a sudden burst of inspiration.” He jiggles his brows.
“Ooh, are any about me?” I beam.
He laughs again. “Let’s just say you’re my new muse. I’ll sing you one of them sometime, when all of this is behind us.”
“All of what?” I ask, and he’s about to answer when Jed comes jogging toward us.
“Heads up, guys. The press know all about Brett being here and they’re swarming the Alpine Apartments.”
“Shit,” we both say in unison.
“There’s still my couch you can crash on,” Jed offers. “Or Zane mentioned the carriage house?”
“That might be a good idea.” Brett looks at me.
I stand up straighter. “I can do one better, why don’t you come stay at Cedar Hollow?”
His face lights up. “Ah, yes, you have the bunkhouse.”
“No, I meant you can stay with me at my place, and if anyone comes past my fence line or steps one foot onto my driveway, I’ll be pointing my double-barrel shotgun at their asses.”
“I think that’s a yes,” Jed says with a laugh. “I’ll go get your stuff.”
“Thanks, man.” Brett fishes around in his pocket and tosses him the key. “Appreciate it.”
“Anytime.” He gives me a wink before taking off.
“What a mess,” Brett mutters.
“No, it isn’t, it’s just life,” I say. “And if I’d have known you were coming to stay for an extended period, I would’ve stocked up the fridge.”
He chuckles. “Long as you’ve got bread, coffee and half a dozen eggs, little lady, I’m sure we’ll survive on rations.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got friends in low places who can deliver food.” I smile up at him because it’s the truth.
“Uh huh. Well, I’d say we better get you home before this place is swarming with reporters. We know how fast news travels around here.”
I reach up onto my tippie toes and we kiss, long and hard. “We’re gonna do this?” I breathe when we break away.
He nods. “We’re gonna do this.”
I pull back for a second, then say, “Spoiler alert, I’m not an easy woman to please.” I know there’s a mischievousness in my tone that wasn’t there before. He brings it out in me.
He takes my mouth again. “Oh, I know, and believe me, that’s gonna be half the fun.”