Chapter Twelve
Twelve
The next morning, the sunlight streaming through the curtains danced across Aubrey’s face, coaxing her awake.
She stretched, savoring the rare luxury of a lazy Sunday morning.
As consciousness fully returned, a ghost of a memory flitted through her mind—Gunner’s warm lips pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead at dawn—making her heart flutter.
She eventually got out of bed and padded barefoot to the kitchen.
“A day off deserves a proper breakfast,” she mused, pulling ingredients from the fridge.
Her hands moved with practiced ease, chopping vibrant bell peppers and whisking eggs for a frittata.
The sizzle of bacon in the cast iron skillet filled the air with a mouthwatering aroma.
The coffee maker gurgled to life, its rich scent mingling with the savory breakfast smells. Aubrey took her time, setting the table with care. It was a far cry from the elegant place settings of her Atlanta restaurant days, but there was an intimacy to this simple act that touched her.
Footsteps in the hallway announced Willow’s arrival. She appeared in the doorway, hair tousled from sleep but eyes bright.
“Morning, sunshine,” Aubrey called out with a grin. “Perfect timing, breakfast is just about ready.”
Willow inhaled deeply, a smile spreading across her face. “It smells amazing in here. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble, Aubs.”
Aubrey waved away the comment as she plated the frittata. “Please, you know I live for this. Besides, we deserve a little pampering on our day off, don’t we?”
They settled at the table, and Aubrey took a sip of her coffee, savoring the rich flavor before setting the mug down.
Willow took a bite of the frittata and moaned in happiness. “Always so dang good.” She took another bite before saying, “It’s been so long since we’ve had a morning alone.” She gave Aubrey a long stare. “How’s things going with Gunner? You guys seem happy.”
“You know,” Aubrey began, her voice soft but steady, “I never thought I’d say this, but things with Gunner, they’re really good. Better than I could have imagined.”
Willow’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Oh? Do tell,” she encouraged, leaning forward slightly.
Aubrey felt a blush creep up her cheeks, but she continued. “I feel safe with him, which is not something I ever expected to feel again with any man.” Not after her handsy boss. Or her absent father.
Willow reached across the table, squeezing Aubrey’s hand. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve this.”
Aubrey smiled, feeling a weight lift off her chest. She’d been holding these feelings in, afraid to jinx things by speaking them aloud. But sharing with Willow felt good. Right, even.
“Thanks. It means a lot to hear you say that,” Aubrey replied, her voice thick with emotion.
Willow nodded, then bit her lip, seeming to contemplate something. Finally, she spoke. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something too. Eli and I have been talking about maybe moving in together.”
“Wow, that’s big!” Aubrey said. “How do you feel about it?”
“Excited, but also a little scared,” Willow admitted. “After everything I’ve been through, it’s a big step. What do you think?”
Aubrey considered her words carefully, knowing the weight they would carry with her friend. “Honestly? I think it’s wonderful. Eli’s a good man, and I’ve seen how he treats you. If you feel ready, I say go for it.”
Willow smiled, but it looked a little sad. “But what about you alone in this big house?”
Aubrey glanced around the spacious kitchen. “I’ve been thinking about my own living situation lately, actually.”
Willow tilted her head, curiosity evident in her expression. “Oh?”
Aubrey nodded. “I miss being in the city, and while downtown isn’t really a city, it would give me a little more of that feel. If you moved out, we could sell the house and I might buy a condo in town.”
“Really?” Willow’s eyes widened. “That’s a big change.”
“I know,” Aubrey replied. “This place, as beautiful as it is, it’s too quiet and lonely. I want something that feels more…me.”
Willow nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. “You want more life.”
“Exactly,” Aubrey said, a smile tugging at her lips. “A place where more of the action is. Where I can walk downstairs and be surrounded by people and life.”
As she spoke, Aubrey could almost see it—a modern kitchen with gleaming countertops, large windows letting in natural light.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Willow said, her voice warm with support. “Nothing is decided on my end yet, but we can revisit this down the road for sure.”
“Agreed,” Aubrey said.
They touched their coffee mugs together in a playful toast, the ceramic making a satisfying clink. As they finished the last bites of their breakfast, Aubrey felt a surge of possibility that maybe this feeling in her gut that she didn’t fit in within Timber Falls would finally go away.
An hour later, showered, with a fully belly, Aubrey’s hands gripped her steering wheel as she navigated the winding road to the ranch, the landscape outside transforming into a winter wonderland.
Willow sat beside her, their animated chatter filling the car with warmth despite the frigid temperature outside.
“I still can’t believe how much snow there is here in February,” Aubrey marveled, her eyes wide as she took in the pristine white blanket covering everything in sight.
Willow laughed. “I know. It’s wild.”
As they rounded a bend, the breathtaking view of Timber Falls unfolded before them. Snow-capped mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks piercing an impossibly blue sky. The sun glinted off frozen streams and icicle-laden trees, creating a dazzling spectacle.
“It’s like a postcard,” Aubrey breathed. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m starting to understand why people fall in love with this place.”
“Even at a balmy five degrees?” Willow teased.
Aubrey chuckled, shaking her head. “Okay, I could do without the arctic temperatures. But this view, it’s something else.”
As they approached the ranch, Aubrey’s heart began to race, anticipation and nervousness fluttering in her stomach.
“I wonder what Gunner’s got planned for his talent show kids today,” she mused, trying to keep her voice casual.
He’d had this surprise excursion planned for a month now but kept the details to himself.
“Knowing him, it’ll be something special,” Willow replied with a knowing smile.
Aubrey agreed with a nod, pulling into the ranch’s driveway, and her jaw dropped.
The scene before her was like something out of a fairy tale.
A crackling bonfire cast a warm glow over the snow-covered ground, surrounded by hay bales draped with cozy blankets.
To one side, a quaint wooden stand was set up, steam rising from large urns of what could only be hot chocolate.
But what truly took her breath away was the magnificent black horse hitched to an old-fashioned sleigh, the horse’s coat gleaming in the sunlight.
“Oh, my god,” Aubrey whispered, her eyes wide with wonder. “This is gorgeous.”
“No kidding,” Willow agreed, stepping out of the car.
Aubrey followed, the crisp air nipping at her cheeks as she took in the thoughtful setup.
Willow gave Aubrey’s arm a gentle squeeze before heading off toward the campfire, where Eli was stoking the flames. Aubrey found herself alone, surrounded by the bustling energy of the kids, along with their families.
“Aubrey!” Charly called out, waving from the hot chocolate station. “Come try some of this cocoa. It’s to die for!”
Aubrey made her way over, her boots crunching in the snow. “This is incredible,” she said, accepting a steaming mug. “I can’t believe how much work you all put into this.”
As she sipped the rich, creamy cocoa, Aubrey felt a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the drink.
“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Jaxon commented, sidling up to them. “But this was all Gunner. We’re just helping.”
“Amazing,” Aubrey said, before saying goodbye and heading off.
As she wandered through the event, greeting familiar faces and meeting new ones, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being so damn happy she could nearly burst.
Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her, and warmth enveloped her senses. Turning, she found herself face to face with Gunner, his eyes twinkling with joy.
“Hey there, darlin’.” He leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her lips. “I’m glad you could make it.”
Aubrey’s heart fluttered, her body instinctively leaning into his. “Gunner, this is amazing. I can’t believe you did all this.”
He smiled, a hint of bashfulness in his expression. “Well, I wanted to do something special. For the kids and their families.”
As they stood there, surrounded by the laughter and warmth of the community, Aubrey felt the last of her walls crumbling. In Gunner’s eyes, she saw a future she’d never dared to dream of, right here in Timber Falls. “This is just amazing,” she repeated, not sure how to word all she was feeling.
Gunner’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he took Aubrey’s hand, his touch sending a familiar shiver down her spine. “Say, Miss Hale,” he drawled, “how’d you like to be my navigator for the sleigh ride? I promise I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
Aubrey laughed, the sound bright and clear. “A perfect gentleman? Now that, I’d like to see,” she teased, feeling a flutter of excitement in her chest. She squeezed his hand, her eyes meeting his. “I’d love to.”
As they made their way to the sleigh, Aubrey’s mind raced. How had this man, this place, become so important to her in such a short time? The thought both thrilled and terrified her. She was barely thinking about how much she didn’t like small-town life anymore.
When they reached the sleigh, Gunner placed his hands on her waist, his touch gentle but sure. “Allow me, darlin’,” he said, helping her climb aboard.
Aubrey settled into the seat, the worn wood smooth beneath her. Gunner joined her, his body a solid warmth against her side.