Chapter Nineteen
Nineteen
Spring came fast. Too fast. Gunner stood in the heart of Timber Falls Ranch, a sea of motion and laughter swirling around him.
The crisp spring air carried the scent of blooming wildflowers and fresh hay, mingling with the excited chatter of friends and cowboys bustling about.
Jaxon and Charly’s wedding was only days away, and the ranch had transformed into a hive of joyful preparation.
For a moment, Gunner let himself get lost in the scene. His eyes swept over the corral where Eli was helping string up fairy lights, past the weathered barn doors thrown wide to welcome guests and finally settled on the makeshift crafting area near the house. A smile tugged at his lips.
Soon one of his best friends would be getting married, and he couldn’t have been happier for Jaxon.
He unconsciously fiddled with the worn leather bracelet on his wrist. The past few months with Aubrey had been a whirlwind of stolen kisses and late-night conversations, of rediscovering his passion for music and finding a place he truly belonged.
The journey to Nashville happened a few months back, yet it seemed as if it were just yesterday. And now…
Gunner’s gaze zeroed in on Aubrey as she laughed with Willow and Charly. Her nimble fingers wove delicate flowers into an intricate garland, each movement precise and graceful. Even from a distance, he could see the sparkle in her eyes, the way her smile lit up her entire face.
“I swear, if I have to make one more of these damn things, I’m gonna lose it,” Willow grumbled good-naturedly, holding up a tangled mess of ribbon and wire.
Aubrey chuckled, reaching over to rescue the decoration. “Here, let me show you again. It’s all in the wrist.”
As he watched her patiently guide Willow through the process, just close enough to hear them, Gunner felt a familiar ache in his chest. How could he even think about leaving this? Leaving her?
But the call of the stage whispered in the back of his mind, reminding him of unfinished dreams. With a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and made his way toward the women, determined to savor every moment he had left in this little slice of heaven.
“Ladies,” he drawled, tipping an imaginary hat as he approached. “I hear there’s some decorating that needs doing. Any chance you could use an extra pair of hands?”
Charly let out a dramatic groan, leaning back in her chair and fanning herself with a half-finished paper flower.
“Oh, Gunner, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into,” she said with a wry grin.
“I thought making our own centerpieces would be so romantic. Now, with the wedding just days away, I’m starting to think I should have let Poppy hire someone. ”
The group erupted in laughter, the sound warm and genuine. Aubrey’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she nudged Charly playfully. “Come on, where’s your sense of adventure? Besides, these will be way more meaningful than anything store-bought.”
Gunner smiled, but his mind was elsewhere. He’d heard the label’s offer from Tom an hour ago, and it weighed heavily on him. “Well, I could try my hand at this crafting business,” he said, picking up a spool of ribbon. “Though I can’t promise it’ll be pretty.”
As he sat down next to Aubrey, their eyes met briefly.
The connection was electric, sending a jolt through Gunner’s system.
God, how was he supposed to leave Timber Falls?
This was different from recording a single.
He would need to stay in Nashville for a while and then go on tour.
The thought of them being apart, of him missing moments like these, made his chest tighten.
Aubrey must have sensed something was off. Her brow furrowed slightly as she handed him a bunch of flowers. “You okay there?” she asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of concern.
He forced a smile, trying to shake off the worry. “Just fine, darlin’. Though I might need some of that patience you were showing Willow earlier. These stems are mighty tricky.”
As he fumbled with the flowers, his mind raced. The label loved his new sound. They wanted him back in Nashville, promising studio time, a new album, a tour. It was everything he’d wanted again. So why did it feel like he was about to lose everything that truly mattered?
Charly snorted, leaning over to inspect Gunner’s handiwork. “Looks like your fingers are better suited for guitar strings than flower stems, buddy,” she teased.
Gunner laughed, the sound a bit hollow to his own ears. “You got that right. I should stick to what I know best, but here I am.”
As the group continued their work, the easy banter flowed around him. Gunner found himself relaxing, drawn into the warmth of friendship. This was what he’d missed during his years chasing fame—the sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than himself.
“Hey, Gunner,” Aubrey called, her eyes meeting his. “Can you pass me that ribbon over there?”
Their fingers brushed as he handed her the spool, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away.
In that silent exchange, Gunner saw a future.
Lazy Sunday mornings, shared laughter over pancakes, stolen kisses between sets at The Naked Moose.
But he also saw the question in her eyes, the one he wasn’t ready to answer.
Across the yard, Eli and Jaxon hefted a massive wooden arch, their movements in perfect sync as they maneuvered the unwieldy decoration.
“Little to the left, Jax,” Eli grunted, his intense eyes focused on their task.
Jaxon adjusted seamlessly. “How’s that?”
“Perfect,” Eli nodded.
Gunner felt a pang of unease. He turned away, suddenly overwhelmed by the activity around him. Without a word, he slipped away from the group, his boots crunching on gravel as he sought a moment to himself.
At the edge of the property, he leaned against a weathered fence post, his gaze drifting to the distant mountains. The tranquil beauty of Montana stretched before him, but his mind was far from peaceful.
“Damn it,” he muttered, running a hand over his face. The label’s demands echoed in his head, a tempting promise of success and redemption. But at what cost?
He closed his eyes, picturing Aubrey’s face. The thought of leaving her behind made his chest ache. Leaving Timber Falls before for a tour was easier. This, he nearly couldn’t endure.
As he stood there, torn between love and ambition, Gunner realized that no matter what choice he made, something precious would be lost.
“Earth to Gunner!” Charly’s playful voice snapped him back to reality. “Did you get lost in one of your country ballads again?”
Gunner turned, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “Just admirin’ the view.”
Charly rolled her eyes, but her smile was warm. “Well, come admire the view over a well-deserved beer.”
As he followed her back to the group, Gunner felt the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. Charly’s gentle teasing had a way of grounding him, reminding him of the simple joys he’d found here.
“Alright, folks,” Jaxon called out, wiping sweat from his brow. “I think we’ve earned ourselves a break. Beers on ice.”
A cheer went up from the group as they gathered around a makeshift picnic area. Gunner snagged a cold bottle, relishing the first sip as he settled onto a hay bale next to Aubrey.
“You okay?” she whispered, her fingers brushing his arm.
He nodded, forcing a smile. “I’m all right.”
As conversation flowed around them, punctuated by laughter and the clinking of bottles, Gunner forced himself into the moment. These people, this place—he wanted to keep them all strong in his mind.
He took another swig of beer, letting the cool liquid chase away the bitter taste of indecision. For now, he’d savor this moment, surrounded by laughter and love, and pray that somehow, someway, he’d find a path that wouldn’t lead to heartbreak.
He suddenly caught Jaxon’s eye and saw him tilt his head slightly toward the barn.
Gunner excused himself from Aubrey and followed Jaxon behind the barn.
“Spill it,” Jaxon said. “What’s eating at you?”
Gunner sighed, leaning back against the barn. “The label loves the new tracks I sent. They want me back in Nashville, pronto. Album, tour, the whole nine yards.”
Jaxon let out a low whistle. “That’s great news, isn’t it?”
“Should be,” Gunner muttered. “But I can’t stop thinking about what it means for me and Aubrey.”
They’d paused near an old oak tree, its gnarled branches offering shade from the afternoon sun. Jaxon leaned against the trunk, facing Gunner, his expression thoughtful.
“Listen, man,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “Aubrey loves you. Anyone with eyes can see that. She’ll support you, no matter what.”
Gunner nodded, swallowing hard. “I know. That’s what scares me. What if I’m making a mistake? Part of me doesn’t even want to go. I want to stay here, with her, where everything finally makes sense.”
“You can’t run from who you are, Gunner,” Jaxon said softly. “Music’s in your blood. It’s part of who Aubrey fell for.”
Gunner sighed, rubbing the tension from his neck. “But what if I lose her? What if I lose all of this?” He gestured to the ranch, to the laughter echoing across the field. “What if I’m walking away from a good thing that saved me when I needed to be saved.”
Jaxon placed a reassuring hand on Gunner’s shoulder.
“You won’t lose anything. Home isn’t just a place, it’s the people who love you.
And brother, you’ve got that in spades here.
You and Aubrey are a good thing. You’ll make this work.
Timber Falls is all but a flight away. You can come home anytime, and now you know that you should. Being home grounds you.”
As Gunner absorbed Jaxon’s words, he felt a flicker of hope ignite in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, he could have both—his music and the life he’d built here in Timber Falls.