Chapter Thirteen
Thirteen
A couple hours later, after making a quick trip back to Audrey’s house, the clatter of dishes and the warm laughter of friends filled the kitchen as Gunner, Jaxon and Eli finished cleaning up after dinner.
Aubrey watched from the table, along with Willow and Charly, stuffed full and finally warm again after spending all day outside.
When Gunner finally finished, wiping his hands on a towel, his eyes drifted to hers and he gestured for her to follow him into the living room.
As she reached him, he tugged her close. “Hey there, darlin’,” he drawled, his voice dropping to that low, inviting tone that never failed to send a quiver down Aubrey’s spine. “How about you and I slip away for a little surprise?”
“A surprise, huh?” she repeated. “What kind of surprise are we talking about?”
He chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “Now, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” He extended his hand to her, his calloused fingers a stark contrast to her smooth ones. “Trust me?”
“Alright, cowboy,” she said finally, slipping her hand into his. “Lead the way.”
“We’ll be spending more time outside,” Gunner said. “Dress warm.”
Aubrey nodded, savoring the heat of his body next to hers. “Okay,” she replied. “But maybe you could tell me where we’re going to help me get a better feel of what I should wear?” She really hated surprises.
Gunner’s laugh rumbled through her. “Patience, darlin’. Some things are worth the wait.”
She laughed, shaking her head, but dressed in all her warmest clothes, including a snow suit, hat and mitts, and then followed him to his truck after they said quick goodbyes to the others.
Once outside, she settled into the passenger seat of Gunner’s truck, her heart racing as he climbed in beside her.
The engine roared to life, its low growl filling the comfortable silence between them.
As they pulled away from the ranch, Aubrey stole a glance at Gunner, admiring the way the dashboard lights cast a soft glow on his rugged features.
“Now are you gonna tell me where we’re headed?” she asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
Gunner’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. “Now where’s the fun in that?”
Aubrey rolled her eyes playfully but couldn’t help the flutter in her chest. She turned her gaze to the window, watching as the familiar streets of Timber Falls gave way to winding country roads. The stars above seemed to shine brighter with each passing mile.
“You know,” Gunner said softly, breaking the silence, “I used to drive these roads late at night when I was struggling when I first came home.” He paused, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel. “Something about the open road always helped clear my head.”
Aubrey felt a pang in her heart, recognizing the vulnerability in his admission. “And now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gunner’s eyes met hers for a brief moment, filled with an intensity that took her breath away. “Now, I’ve got better reasons to stay grounded.” He gave a small smile. “And I’ve learned better pain management.”
As they continued their journey, Aubrey found herself captivated by Gunner’s relaxed confidence. The way he effortlessly navigated the winding roads, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on his thigh. It was a far cry from the tortured artist she’d first encountered in Atlanta.
“You seem so much different now than when I first met you,” she mused aloud.
Gunner raised an eyebrow at her before focusing back on the road. “Good different or bad different?”
Aubrey hesitated, weighing her words carefully. “Good, I think. More at peace.”
A soft chuckle escaped Gunner’s lips. “Funny how a small town and a certain stubborn chef can do that to a man.”
As the truck climbed higher into the hills, Aubrey laughed. “I suppose that’s true.”
Twenty minutes later, the truck rolled to a stop in a parking lot at the edge of the cliff, the engine’s purr fading into the night’s stillness.
He swiftly exited, his boots crunching on gravel as he grabbed wool blankets from the back.
Then he rounded the vehicle and extended his hand to Aubrey, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
“May I assist you, ma’am?” he drawled, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Aubrey couldn’t help but roll her eyes, even as her heart skipped a beat. “Such a gentleman,” she teased, placing her hand in his. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the crisp night air.
As she stepped down, her breath caught in her throat. The view before her was breathtaking—a sea of twinkling lights from Timber Falls nestled in the valley below, mirroring the bright stars above.
“Gunner, this is…” She trailed off, at a loss for words.
He squeezed her hand gently. “I know. C’mon, the view’s even better from back here.”
He led her to the truck bed, where he laid out a nest of blankets. They settled in, shoulders brushing as they arranged the wool around themselves. Aubrey found herself hyperaware of every point of contact between them.
“So,” she began, desperate to break the charged silence, “was this where you’d bring all the girls to impress them back in the day?”
Gunner’s laugh was low and warm. “Nah, darlin’. This spot’s special. I used to come here to write when I was younger. Helped me feel connected, I guess. To the town, to the music.”
“And now?” she asked.
His eyes met hers, filled with an intensity that made her breath hitch. “Now, I’m hoping it’ll help me feel connected to something—someone—even more important.”
She smiled, inhaling deeply, the crisp mountain air filling her lungs. A profound sense of calm washed over her, seeping into her very bones. Her gaze drifted across the sleepy town below, its lights twinkling. A mix of emotions swirled within her.
“It’s so quiet up here,” she murmured. “Makes the world feel… I don’t know, simpler somehow.”
His low chuckle rumbled through her. “That’s part of why I love it,” he said. “Used to think I needed the roar of the crowd, you know? The bright lights, the constant rush.”
Aubrey turned to face him, struck by the vulnerability in his eyes. Gunner took a deep breath, as if steeling himself.
“Truth is,” he continued, his voice soft and sincere, “I thought I’d be going crazy by now, missing all that. But being home, with you…” He trailed off, obviously searching for the right words. “I’ve never felt more like myself.”
The confession hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning.
She took a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper when she finally spoke.
“I know what you mean,” she admitted. “Timber Falls was not what I expected when I first came here. But there’s something about the town that’s gotten under my skin.
” Now she paused, struggling to find the right words.
“I miss Atlanta sometimes. The energy, the constant buzz of the city. But here, I’ve started to find a different kind of excitement. A warmth I didn’t know I was missing.”
Gunner’s hand found hers, his touch sending a spark through her body. “Tell me more,” he encouraged gently.
Aubrey bit her lip. “Sometimes it feels like I’m caught between two worlds,” she admitted.
“The city girl in me craves the hustle, the opportunities. But Timber Falls, and you…” She squeezed his hand.
“You’ve shown me a life I never knew I wanted.
” She glanced out toward the sleepy town.
“I can’t imagine a future without this place now,” she confessed.
“But I also can’t let go of who I was before. Is it crazy to want both?”
His arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer with a gentle but firm tug. The warmth of his body enveloped her, a stark contrast to the cool night air.
“Darlin’,” he drawled, his voice rich like honey, “wantin’ both ain’t crazy at all. It’s who you are.”
She tilted her head up, meeting his intense gaze. “You really think so?” she whispered, afraid to break the spell of the moment.
His lips curved into a soft smile. “I know so. Hell, look at me. I’m living proof that a man can have two hearts—one for the stage, one for home.”
His words settled over Aubrey like a warm blanket, soothing her doubts. She snuggled closer, breathing in his scent of leather and pine.
“Maybe,” she mused, “maybe we could build something that has room for everything we want and need.”
Gunner’s chest rumbled with a low chuckle. “We can have anything we want.”
“Of course we can.” She smiled.
They soon fell into a comfortable silence, gazing out at the twinkling lights of Timber Falls below.
Until the soft rustle of fabric broke the silence as Gunner shifted, reaching behind him. She lifted her head from his shoulder and watched, curiosity piqued, as he pulled out a well-worn guitar case.
“What are you up to?” she asked.
His eyes twinkled as he unlatched the case, carefully extracting his Gibson. “Just feeling inspired.”
Her breath caught as he removed his gloves and positioned the guitar on his lap, his strong hands caressing the polished wood with a tenderness that made her heart flutter.
His fingers found their place on the strings, and he began to strum a gentle melody. The notes floated on the night air. And when he started to sing, his rich baritone sent shivers down Aubrey’s spine.
“Back roads twist through little towns,
Where neon fades and stars hang down.
City lights might shine so bright,
But peace is found on country nights.”
Aubrey closed her eyes, letting the tingles from the music and Gunner’s voice spread through her entire being.
* * *