Chapter Fourteen
Fourteen
The following evening, Aubrey’s heart swelled with pride as she stood at the entrance of The Naked Moose, the warm glow of the bar’s lights spilling onto the wintery street. A steady stream of townsfolk approached, their excited chatter filling the air.
“Evening, Betty! Glad you could make it,” Aubrey called out.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, dear,” Betty replied with a wink.
As more familiar faces passed by, Aubrey’s smile grew. This was her idea from a month ago—a way to give the kids a chance to practice before the big talent show. Tonight was a private show, with only the talent show kids and family present, and the turnout was even better than she’d hoped.
“Hey there, Walt,” she greeted the local hardware store owner. “Grandkids all set for their big debut?”
Walt grinned, tipping his well-worn baseball cap. “Reckon so. Though I think I’m more nervous than they are.”
Aubrey laughed, the sound mingling with the growing buzz of anticipation.
As the crowd outside thinned, Aubrey slipped inside, the familiar scents of polished wood and hints of her latest cocktail creation enveloping her. The bar was packed, a sea of flannel and denim and cowboy hats, and faces alight with excitement.
Weaving through the throng, Aubrey’s trained eye scanned for any last-minute details needing attention. A loose tablecloth here, a misplaced chair there—small imperfections she swiftly corrected.
“Aubrey!” a voice called out. She turned to see Nancy, one of the regulars, holding up a glass filled with a shimmering purple liquid. “This new drink of yours? It’s amazing!”
Aubrey beamed, a flutter of pride in her chest. “Glad you like it.”
As she continued her rounds, Aubrey caught snippets of conversation, most praising her latest mixology experiment.
The kids would be on soon, and there was still work to be done.
She may have left behind the prestige of a top-tier restaurant, but here, in this moment, she felt more fulfilled than ever before.
Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Gunner approaching, his eyes shimmering with an intensity that made her heart skip. He moved through the crowd with an easy grace, his presence drawing admiring glances from the patrons.
“Aubrey,” he drawled. “This is incredible. I can’t believe you pulled all this together for us.”
She felt a flush creep up her neck, fighting to maintain her composure. “It’s nothing, really. Just thought the kids could use a little practice before the big show—and for their families to see how far they’ve come.”
Gunner’s hand brushed her arm, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. “Don’t sell yourself short, darlin’. This means the world to them, and to me.”
“I’m just glad I could help,” she murmured, acutely aware of how close they were standing.
As they gazed at each other, the rest of the bar seemed to fade away. Aubrey felt herself being drawn in, captivated by the intensity of Gunner’s gaze.
The spell was broken by a commotion near the stage.
Aubrey’s attention snapped to the source, her eyes landing on Emily.
The young girl stood at the edge of the platform, her small hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
Even from a distance, Aubrey could see the nervousness etched on Emily’s face.
“Poor thing looks terrified,” she murmured, her heart going out to the child.
Gunner nodded, his expression softening. “Stage fright’s a beast, even for seasoned performers. I should get over there—she could use a little encouragement.”
He approached Emily, said something to her which made her smile a little.
Then he strode onto the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention.
The crowd hushed, all eyes drawn to him as he approached the microphone.
His eyes sparkled with warmth as he surveyed the packed bar, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“Well, folks,” he said, his rich baritone filling the room, “looks like we’ve got ourselves a real shindig tonight.” A ripple of laughter flowed through the crowd. “Y’all are in for a treat, ’cause we’ve got the best darn show right here in The Naked Moose.”
Aubrey felt a flutter in her chest as she watched him work the crowd. There was something magnetic about Gunner when he was in his element, a charisma that was impossible to ignore.
“These kids,” he continued, gesturing to the nervous young performers, “they’ve got more talent in their little fingers than most of us have in our whole bodies. So let’s give ’em a big ol’ Timber Falls welcome!”
The audience erupted in cheers and applause. Aubrey found herself clapping along, a surge of pride washing over her. This was her idea, her event, and seeing it come to life was exhilarating.
As the first young performer took the stage, a hush fell over the crowd. Aubrey held her breath, watching as a little boy no more than seven picked up a guitar almost as big as he was. His small fingers began to pluck at the strings, and a sweet, simple melody filled the air.
The silence from the audience was palpable, a collective holding of breath as everyone focused on the child’s performance.
Aubrey glanced around, taking in the rapt expressions on the faces of the townsfolk.
There was something magical about the moment, a sense of community support that brought a lump to her throat.
And this was something she realized was hard to find in a big city.
As each child took their turn, the atmosphere in the bar grew warmer, more supportive. Aubrey found herself swept up in the emotion of it all, her heart swelling with each performance. She caught Gunner’s eye across the room, and he gave her a wink that warmed her from head to toe.
But Aubrey’s heart started to sink as she watched Emily’s turn approach.
The young girl’s eyes widened with panic, her head shaking vigorously as she backed away from the stage.
Aubrey’s protective instincts flared, but before she could intervene, Gunner was there, kneeling beside Emily, talking to her.
Aubrey’s breath caught as Emily hesitated, then nodded.
She watched them ascend the stage. The first chords struck her like lightning.
It was the song from the cliff, the one that he had clearly been writing.
Aubrey’s heart clenched as Gunner’s rich voice filled the air, joined moments later by Emily’s tentative soprano, her confidence seeming to grow with each note.
The girl’s voice strengthened, twining with Gunner’s in perfect harmony.
All around, cell phones appeared, capturing the magical moment.
Aubrey’s chest tightened again, pride and something deeper, more vulnerable.
As the song ended, a heartbeat of silence hung in the air before the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Cheers and whistles ricocheted off the walls. Emily’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of surprise and elation.
Gunner’s hand found Emily’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Take it in,” he drawled, loud enough for Aubrey to hear over the din. “This is all for you.”
Emily’s gaze swept across the room, drinking in the sea of smiling faces and raised glasses. Aubrey felt a lump form in her throat as she watched the young girl’s transformation. Gone was the shy, hesitant child from moments ago. In her place stood a beaming, confident performer.
Gunner pulled Emily into a warm embrace, bending down to whisper in her ear. Though Aubrey couldn’t make out the words, she saw their impact. Emily’s smile, if possible, grew even brighter, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy.
Aubrey’s heart swelled as she watched Gunner step off the stage, his hand resting protectively on Emily’s shoulder. And Aubrey found herself captivated by Gunner’s unexpected gentleness, a side of him she’d rarely glimpsed before.
“Well, well,” a familiar voice purred beside her. “Looks like someone’s falling madly in love.”
She turned to find Willow sidling up next to her, a impish glint in her eyes. She playfully nudged Aubrey’s ribs.
Aubrey’s gaze drifted back to Gunner, a soft smile spreading across her face. She let out a quiet sigh. “It’s kind of hard not to,” she admitted. “Look at him.”
Willow’s teasing grin softened into a look of genuine warmth. “He is pretty dreamy.”
As if sensing their gazes, Gunner looked up, flashing Aubrey a warm smile that sent a flutter through her chest. He was in his element, moving through the crowd with easy charm, shaking hands and clapping backs.
But there was something different about him tonight—a lightness to his step, a genuine joy in his interactions that went beyond his usual stage presence.
Aubrey watched, mesmerized, as Gunner crouched down to speak with a little boy clutching a guitar. The tenderness in his expression, the way he gave the child his full attention, it stirred something deep within her.
Her heart swelled with an emotion too big to name. There was no use denying it anymore. The realization washed over her. Her feelings for Gunner weren’t just a fleeting attraction or a remnant of their past encounter. They were real, growing stronger with each passing day, impossible to ignore.
As Gunner’s laughter rang out across the bar, mingling with the joyful chatter of the crowd, Aubrey came to a realization she knew she could never run from. She wasn’t falling in love with him—she knew she was already in too deep to ever turn back.
And no matter how much happiness filled her heart, there was a cold, harsh reminder that whispered in her heart: But will he stay?