Chapter Twelve #2
He offered her a wool blanket. “Thanks,” she said, tucking it around her.
Just then, Gunner let out a sharp whistle, and a group of excited children came running towards the sleigh. As they clambered aboard, their giggles and chatter filling the air, Aubrey couldn’t help but smile.
The sleigh lurched forward as Gunner clucked softly to the horse, its hooves crunching through the snow-covered field. Aubrey inhaled deeply, the crisp winter air filling her lungs as she took in the breathtaking scenery around her.
“It’s like something out of a fairy tale,” Aubrey murmured, her eyes wide with wonder.
Gunner’s low chuckle brushed over her. “Glad you approve. Though I’d say you outshine the view any day.”
Aubrey felt a blush creep up her cheeks, still unused to his easy compliments. She turned to watch the children, their faces alight with joy as they pointed out snow-capped trees and the occasional wildlife.
“Look, a deer!” one little girl squealed, causing a chorus of excited gasps.
As Gunner guided the horse around a gentle bend, Aubrey found herself lost in thought.
How different this was from the bustling kitchens and city lights she once knew.
Yet, surrounded by laughter and wrapped in Gunner’s warmth, she felt a peace she’d never experienced before.
This was it, she realized. This was where she belonged.
“You look a million miles away,” Gunner said softly, his eyes searching hers. “Everything alright?”
Aubrey smiled, surprised to find tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. “More than alright,” she whispered. “I just… I never expected to find this kind of happiness here.”
Gunner’s arm tightened around her, and she leaned into his embrace, savoring the moment. As the sleigh glided across the snow, Aubrey felt a deep sense of contentment settle over her.
For the first time since moving to Timber Falls, she felt truly like maybe she could make this town work.
* * *
The winter sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the snow-covered pasture as Gunner, Jaxon and Eli watched the last minivan crunch down the gravel driveway.
Gunner let out a low whistle. “Well, I’d say that went better than even I expected.”
Jaxon chuckled, his breath visible in the crisp air. “You’re not wrong. Those kids had more energy than a rodeo bull on Red Bull.”
“Speak for yourself,” Eli grumbled, but the twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement. “I feel like I just went ten rounds with a mechanical bull.”
Gunner clapped him on the shoulder. “Aw, come on now, Cole. Don’t tell me the infamous bull rider’s getting soft in his old age?”
As they shared a laugh, Gunner’s smile felt easier. It had been a long time since he’d felt this sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than himself. The talent show kids, their infectious enthusiasm… It all stirred something in him he thought he’d lost. A purpose.
“Alright,” Gunner said, straightening up. “One last chore and we can call it a day.” He turned to the mare and the sleigh.
Gunner took hold of her bridle, stroking her velvety nose. “Let’s get you settled for the night, huh?”
After Eli and Jaxon unhooked the horse from the sleigh, he led the mare toward the barn, Jaxon and Eli falling into step behind him. The steady clip-clop of hooves on packed snow gave way to a hollow echo as they entered the barn, the familiar scents of hay and leather enveloping them.
Once inside, Gunner’s cold fingers worked at the horse’s harness, the familiar motions a soothing rhythm. As he unbuckled the last strap, Jaxon cleared his throat.
“So, uh, how’re things going with Aubrey?” Jaxon’s tone was casual, but there was a hint of genuine curiosity beneath it.
Gunner paused at the mention of her name, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “It’s good. Real good.” He ran a hand along the horse’s flank, brushing away bits of snow. “She’s somethin’ else, you know?”
Jaxon chuckled. “I hear ya. It’s nice to see you both so happy.”
Gunner nodded, reaching for a brush. As he began to groom the horse, he found himself opening up. “It’s different with her. Feels real.”
He worked the brush in slow, circular motions, paying close attention to each spot. The repetitive movement was almost meditative.
“I used to think I needed the spotlight, the adoration of fans,” Gunner mused. “But with Aubrey? It’s like I’ve found something I didn’t even know I was missing.”
“I get that,” Jaxon said.
As Gunner continued grooming the horse, Eli leaned against a nearby stall. “Speaking of things you were missin’,” he said, “how’s the songwriting coming along?”
Gunner’s hand stilled on the horse’s coat, a flicker of excitement passing through him. He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a well-worn leather notebook, its edges frayed and pages bulging with loose sheets.
“Matter of fact,” Gunner said, “it’s going well.” He ran his fingers over the notebook’s cover. “It’s like a damn floodgate opened up lately. Words and melodies just pourin’ out of me.”
Eli raised an eyebrow, a rare smile tugging at his lips. “That so?”
Gunner nodded, flipping through the pages filled with his messy scrawl.
“It’s like, for the first time in forever, I’m not trying to write what I think people want to hear.
I’m just writing what’s in here,” he said, pointing to his chest. He paused, considering his next words carefully.
“You know, I used to be so caught up in chasin’ that next big hit, worrying about staying relevant.
” Gunner’s eyes met Eli’s and then shifted to Jaxon.
“But now? I’m just livin’ in the moment, takin’ it all in.
And somehow, that’s making the music flow easier than ever.
” His mind drifted to Aubrey, to the ranch, to the simplicity of life in Timber Falls.
“It’s like I’ve finally figured out what really matters, you know?
And that’s what’s finding its way into these songs. ”
“That’s so damn good,” Eli said.
Gunner patted the horse’s neck absently, lost in thought. “I don’t know what the future holds, and for once, I’m okay with that. I’m just happy. Here. Now. With Aubrey, with working at the ranch, with the talent show, with my music coming back to me in a way I never expected.”
Jaxon’s eyes crinkled with warmth as he clapped Gunner on the shoulder. “Man, it’s good to hear you talk like that. You’ve come a long way since you first showed up here.”
Eli nodded. “Yeah, Woods. Who’d have thought a washed-up country star would find his mojo again getting dumped from young horses?” His tone was teasing, but there was no mistaking the affection behind it.
Gunner chuckled. “Watch it, Cole. I might just write a song about a grumpy ex-bull rider with a heart of gold.”
The three men shared a laugh, the sound echoing through the barn. As it faded, Gunner felt a surge of gratitude for these friendships he’d never expected to find his way back to as an adult.
“Alright,” Gunner said, giving the horse a final pat. “Let’s get her back to the field and call it a day.”
He led the horse out of the barn and put her back in the pasture with the other mares. As they walked back toward the house, Gunner found himself hanging back a bit, taking in the scene.
The weathered barn, the sprawling fields, the distant mountains, it was all so different from the glitz and glamour he’d once chased. Yet somehow, Timber Falls was always home.
His mind wandered to Aubrey, to the way her eyes lit up when she smiled, to the feeling of her hand in his. He thought about the kids he was mentoring, their faces beaming with pride and excitement. It was a simple life, but it was real. It was honest.
As they approached the house, Gunner realized he was smiling. The path that had led him here had been winding and often painful, but standing here now, he wouldn’t change a thing. For the first time in years, he felt truly, deeply content.
He followed Jaxon and Eli into the house, a wave of warmth and enticing aromas enveloping him. The house buzzed with a comforting energy, laughter and chatter drifting from the kitchen. When he entered the kitchen, his eyes immediately sought out Aubrey, drawn to her like a magnet.
There she was. Her waves cascading over her shoulders as she bent to check something in the oven. Without hesitation, Gunner strode across the room, his heart quickening with each step.
“Now that’s a view I can appreciate,” he drawled, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
Aubrey straightened, leaning back into his embrace. “Well, hello, cowboy,” she replied, laughing.
Gunner nuzzled her neck, inhaling the scent of vanilla and spice that always clung to her. “Thank you,” he murmured. “For everything today. Those kids won’t ever forget it.”
Aubrey turned in his arms, her eyes meeting his. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” she said softly. “You were amazing with them.”
His chest tightened with emotion. “It’s all thanks to you, you know,” he confessed. “You make me want to be better.”
A flicker of vulnerability passed over Aubrey’s face, quickly replaced by a warm smile. “Come on,” she said, giving him a playful nudge. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
As they all settled around the table, Gunner couldn’t take his eyes off Aubrey.
The way she effortlessly commanded the room, dishing out plates with the precision of a seasoned chef, stirred something deep within him.
It wasn’t just attraction—it was admiration, respect, and something dangerously close to love.
“This smells incredible,” he said, inhaling deeply as Aubrey set a steaming plate before him.
She beamed, a hint of pride in her voice. “Just a little something I whipped up. Nothing fancy.”
Gunner took a bite, flavors exploding on his tongue. “Darlin’, if this is ‘nothing fancy,’ I can’t imagine what you’d do if you were really trying to impress.”
Aubrey’s cheeks flushed slightly, and Gunner felt a surge of affection. He loved that he could still make her blush, this fierce, independent woman who’d seen and overcome so much.
The warmth of the conversation around the table enveloped Gunner like a familiar melody. Eli’s deep chuckle mingled with Jaxon’s animated storytelling, creating a harmony that filled the room.
“Remember that time we tried to wrangle old Bessie?” Jaxon grinned, nudging Gunner with his elbow.
Gunner groaned. “How could I forget? That cow had it out for me from day one.”
Aubrey leaned in, her eyes dancing with curiosity. “Oh, this I’ve got to hear.”
As Jaxon launched into the tale, Gunner found himself watching Aubrey. The way she threw her head back in laughter, the slight crinkle around her eyes—it was a side of her he was still getting to know, and he cherished every moment of it.
“You boys were something else,” Aubrey said, shaking her head fondly. “Pure trouble.”
Gunner’s heart swelled as he winked. “Still are, darlin’. Just a little more weathered now.”