Chapter Eleven
Eleven
Weeks had flown by in a whirl of chilly wedding planning days and warm evenings at the bar and nights tucked into Gunner’s arms. There hadn’t been a night they’d spent apart since the movie night, and every single day was better than the last.
Standing behind the bar early in the morning, waiting for Gunner’s friend to set up with the band to audition for the wedding, Aubrey watched the amber liquid swirl hypnotically in the glass as she added a splash of bitters.
The familiar scents of oak and citrus wafted up, tickling her nose as she jotted down measurements in her dog-eared notepad.
“A little more vermouth,” she murmured to herself, reaching for the bottle. “Maybe a hint of elderflower.”
The tinkle of ice cubes against glass was a soothing melody, reminding her of busy nights in her Atlanta kitchen.
For a moment, a pang of nostalgia threatened to overtake her, but she pushed it aside.
This was her bar now, her creation. She was determined to make it shine.
And she hoped that, in time, this experience would become as fulfilling as her time at the restaurant in Atlanta had been.
As she raised the glass to her lips for a taste, her phone buzzed insistently on the polished wood counter. Aubrey’s heart leaped at the sight of her mother’s smiling face on the screen. She quickly wiped her hands on a nearby towel and answered the call, a genuine smile blooming across her face.
“Mom!” she exclaimed, propping the phone up against the liquor bottles. “How are things?”
As her mom launched into a story about their neighbor’s unruly dog, Aubrey found herself drinking in the familiar cadence of her voice, the crinkles around her mother’s eyes.
Aubrey’s mother leaned closer to the screen, her eyes twinkling with unmistakable curiosity. “So, honey, how is Gunner? Is he treating my girl right?”
A laugh bubbled up from Aubrey’s chest. She glanced at him helping the band get the instruments ready. “Gunner is great, and yes, he treats me very well.”
“Oh, sweetie,” her mother cooed, “you look happy. Happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.”
Aubrey’s heart swelled. “I am, Mom. I really am.”
As she told her mom about her latest adventures with Gunner over the last week, she felt a surge of excitement.
“Soon, you’ll finally get to meet him.” She was coming to town for Charly’s wedding—only a few months away now.
“I’d love for you to see the bar, meet Gunner, experience Timber Falls for yourself. ”
“I cannot wait,” her mother said, her voice warm with affection. “Well, honey, I’m just thrilled to see you so happy. This Gunner sounds like a real catch. I can’t wait to meet him and see this beautiful town you’re calling home now.”
Aubrey felt a lump form in her throat. “Thanks, Mom. That means a lot.”
“You deserve it, sweetie,” her mother added softly. “After everything you’ve been through, this is wonderful.”
Aubrey nodded, blinking back tears. “I love you.” She looked up to see Gunner waving her over to the stage. “Sorry, I need to get going.”
“Okay, my sweetie, love you,” her mother said.
Ending the call, Aubrey took a deep breath. She tucked her phone away, her gaze sweeping across The Naked Moose until it landed on Gunner, chatting animatedly with the band near the small stage.
Her heart did a little flip as she watched him, all easy charm and rugged good looks. Grabbing a mug, she filled it with steaming black coffee and made her way over.
“Thought you might need a pick-me-up,” she said, holding out the mug.
Gunner turned, his eyes lighting up. “You’re a lifesaver,” he drawled, reaching for the coffee.
Their fingers brushed as she handed it over, sending a jolt of electricity through her. Gunner’s lips quirked up in a knowing smile, and Aubrey felt heat rise to her cheeks. The heat had never quit between them over the weeks that had gone by. Somehow it only seemed to be growing hotter.
“Aubrey,” he said, turning slightly, “I’d like you to meet an old friend, Jessie. We toured together a few years back.”
The woman beside Gunner, all wild curls and smoky eyes, flashed a warm smile. “So, you’re the famous Aubrey,” she said, her voice rich and husky. “Gunner here hasn’t stopped singing your praises since I arrived.”
Aubrey raised an eyebrow at Gunner, who looked slightly sheepish. “Is that so?” she teased.
“What can I say?” Gunner shrugged, and she thought she heard a hint of pride in his voice. “When you find someone special, you want the whole world to know.”
“Such a charmer,” Aubrey grinned.
Gunner winked. “Always.”
Jessie laughed, shaking her head at them. “How ’bout we get started.”
“Please,” Aubrey said, taking a seat next to Gunner at the small table.
The band took their positions on the small stage, instruments gleaming under the soft lighting. Jessie stepped up to the microphone, her presence commanding attention even before she uttered a single note.
As the first chords rang out, Aubrey felt the air in the room shift, charged with an electric anticipation. Jessie’s powerful gravelly voice filled the space, raw emotion pouring from her lips as she belted out a soulful country ballad.
Aubrey’s foot began tapping involuntarily to the rhythm, her body swaying slightly. She stole a glance at Gunner, noticing the way his eyes had closed, lost in the music. God, he’s beautiful when he’s like this, she thought, a warm flutter in her chest.
His eyes suddenly opened, finding hers locked on him.
He smiled softly, leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear. “She’s got something special, don’t she?” he said, his low drawl sending a shudder down her spine.
“Mmm-hmm,” Aubrey hummed in agreement, trying to ignore the way her skin tingled at his proximity. “Her voice is incredible.”
The song built to a crescendo, Jessie’s voice soaring as the band poured their hearts into the performance. Aubrey found herself holding her breath, completely captivated.
As the final notes faded, Aubrey’s eyes met Gunner’s again. “I think we just found our wedding band,” Aubrey said, a smile playing on her lips.
Gunner nodded. “Couldn’t agree more, darlin’,” he replied, his touch sending heat flaring through her body.
As the music died down, Aubrey and Gunner applauded, and Gunner strode toward the stage. “That was somethin’ else, Jess,” he said.
“Thanks,” she said.
Aubrey agreed, “Totally incredible. We’d love to book you for the wedding, if you’re agreeable.”
“Of course, I’m in,” Jessie said.
“Great,” Aubrey said. She glanced to Gunner. “Why don’t you talk details, and I’ll get back to work.” At Gunner’s nod, Aubrey offered her hand to Jessie. “It’s really great to meet you. I can’t wait to hear you play at the wedding. It’s going to be fab.”
“Lookin’ forward to it,” Jessie said, then got into a conversation with Gunner about the logistics of the evening.
Just as Aubrey strode behind the bar, the door swung open, flooding the dim bar with early morning sunlight.
Poppy breezed in, her vibrant red curls bouncing with each step, clutching an envelope to her chest like a prized possession.
Her eyes scanned the room, landing on Aubrey behind the bar.
A grin spread across Poppy’s freckled face as she made a beeline for her target.
Aubrey felt her heart warm as the whirlwind that was Poppy approached.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the belle of The Naked Moose,” Poppy quipped, sliding onto a barstool. “I see you’ve got quite the view from here.” She winked, nodding toward Gunner, who was helping the band pack up.
Aubrey felt heat rush to her cheeks. “It is a nice view,” she said with a laugh, grabbing the cocktail glass she was mixing earlier. “And what about you?” she deflected. “Any luck in the romance department?”
Poppy dramatically placed a hand over her heart. “Alas, my prince charming seems to be stuck in traffic. But don’t you worry about little ol’ me. I’m just biding my time until Mr. Right comes along…or until I can convince one of these rugged cowboys to sweep me off my feet.”
Aubrey chuckled. “Well, there’s certainly no shortage of those around here.”
As she watched Poppy’s animated gestures, Aubrey couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly this force of nature had wormed her way into their lives the last couple months.
When Poppy had noticed that there was a connection between Gunner and Aubrey, she, with her quirky charm, accepted that another Timber Falls heartthrob was off the market and resumed her quest for new prospects.
She was a force, and a welcome one at that, which was good because, with the wedding planning in full bloom, she seemed around more often than not.
Poppy’s voice snapped her back to the present. “Speaking of rugged cowboys, how’s our resident country star treating you? If that man isn’t writing a love song about you as we speak, I’ll eat my hat.”
Aubrey rolled her eyes, but couldn’t quite suppress the smile tugging at her lips. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”
“It’s part of my charm,” Poppy replied with a wink.
Aubrey’s gaze drifted to Gunner. “He’s treating me very well,” she admitted.
Before Poppy could respond, the door swung open again, bringing with it a gust of cool Montana air and the sound of boots on hardwood. Aubrey’s gaze snapped to the entrance, where Charly stood framed in the doorway, her eyes dancing with excitement.
“Mornin’, ladies,” Charly called out, practically bouncing as she made her way to the bar.
“Morning,” Aubrey said, gesturing to Jessie. “You just missed the show. Jessie agreed to do the wedding. You’ll love her.”
“Oh,” Charly said, giving a quick glance to Jessie. “I knew she’d work out. Those YouTube videos were mind-blowing. I’ll go say hi in a second.” She turned her focus to Poppy. “What brings you by this early?”
Poppy grinned. “I’ve got the final invitation to show you.”