Chapter Twenty
Twenty
Days had gone by, filled with all things wedding, and now Aubrey stood at the edge of the dance floor, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her champagne flute as she watched Charly and Jaxon sway to the music.
In the big white tent, the newlyweds moved in perfect sync, lost in each other’s eyes, their faces glowing with unbridled joy, surrounded by all their friends and family.
A bittersweet ache bloomed in Aubrey’s chest.
They look so happy, she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips. So certain.
Her gaze drifted across the sea of smiling faces and twirling bodies, searching for one in particular. The absence of Gunner sent a ripple of unease through her.
“Have you seen Gunner?” she asked, turning to her mother beside her.
Her mom shook her head. “Not for a while. Perhaps he stepped out for some air?”
Aubrey nodded. “Thanks, I’ll go check.” It came as no surprise that her mother loved Gunner. His charm could win anyone over.
She set down her glass and made her way to the edge of the tent, pausing to smooth the skirt of her cornflower-blue dress. The fabric felt suddenly constricting, matching the tightness in her chest.
I can’t keep avoiding this, Aubrey thought, steeling herself. We need to talk. For days she’d been able to tell something was wrong. Maybe she didn’t want to face it. Maybe she didn’t want to admit there was trouble brewing, but she knew now—she couldn’t avoid it any longer.
As she slipped out into the cool evening air, the sounds of laughter and music faded behind her. She took a deep breath, the scents of pine and wildflowers filling her lungs. She gazed out at the sprawling ranch, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
She started walking, her heels sinking slightly into the soft earth with each step. She moved with purpose, driven by a need to confront the truth she’d been dancing around for weeks. The weight of unspoken words and lingering glances had become too heavy to bear.
What if he’s pulling away? The thought crept in, unbidden. What if I’m not enough to make him stay?
She pushed the doubts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. Finding Gunner. Having the conversation they’d both been avoiding.
As she rounded the corner of the barn, her heart skipped a beat. There, silhouetted against the fading light, stood the man who had captured her heart.
She paused at the edge of the pasture, her breath catching in her throat. The mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks painted in hues of purple and orange as the sun dipped lower.
Gunner stood alone. He seemed lost in thought, unaware of her presence. Her heart ached at the sight of him, so close yet feeling a world away.
Why does he look so…defeated? she wondered, her brow furrowing with concern.
Taking a steadying breath, she stepped forward. The grass rustled beneath her feet, breaking the stillness of the moment. She saw Gunner tense, his posture straightening as he sensed her approach.
“I thought I might find you out here,” she said softly, her voice carrying on the gentle evening breeze.
Gunner turned, his eyes meeting hers. The intensity of his gaze made her pulse quicken, as it always did. “Aubrey,” he breathed, her name a melody on his lips. “Shouldn’t you be enjoying the party?”
She shrugged, stepping closer. “It didn’t feel right without you there.”
A flicker of guilt passed over Gunner’s face. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture Aubrey recognized as a sign of his inner conflict.
“I just needed some air,” he explained, his voice tinged with an emotion Aubrey couldn’t quite place. “To clear my head.”
She nodded, her eyes never leaving his face. “And did it work?” she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
His gaze drifted back to the mountains, a wistful expression settling on his features. “I’m not sure anything can clear this particular fog, darlin’.”
Her heart clenched at the pain evident in his voice. She closed the distance between them, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. The warmth of his skin beneath her fingers sent a familiar thrill through her, but she pushed the sensation aside, focusing on the matter at hand.
“Gunner,” she said, her voice firm but laced with vulnerability, “what’s been going on with you? You’ve been distant, troubled. I need to know what’s wrong.”
He turned to face her fully, his eyes searching hers. Weariness etched into his rugged features. For a moment, Aubrey thought he might deflect, but then his shoulders sagged slightly.
“I’ve been wrestlin’ with something,” he admitted. “Something that could change everything.”
Aubrey’s breath caught in her throat. She steeled herself, determined to be strong no matter what came next. “Tell me,” she urged. “Whatever it is, we can face it together.”
His hand came up to cup her cheek, his touch achingly tender. “You don’t know how much I want to believe that,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.
She leaned into his touch, her heart racing. “Then help me understand,” she whispered. “No more secrets. Not between us.”
He drew a deep breath, his hand falling away from her face. He turned slightly, gazing out at the Montana landscape as if drawing strength from the rugged beauty surrounding them.
“I got a call from my label,” he confessed, his words slow and deliberate. “They’re offerin’ me a chance to record a new album.”
Aubrey’s heart skipped a beat. “That’s…that’s amazing,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, still not meeting her eyes. “It is. But it means I’d have to leave Timber Falls.
They want me in Nashville for at least two months, maybe longer, to record the album.
” His eyes finally locked with hers, filled with a storm of emotions.
“And after that, they’re talkin’ about a tour to promote the album. ”
Aubrey felt as if the ground was shifting beneath her feet. She struggled to keep her expression neutral, even as her mind raced with the implications. “How long have you known about this?” she asked, fighting to keep the tremor from her voice.
“Just a few days,” Gunner admitted, guilt flashing across his face. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you, how to make this decision. It’s everything I should want, but…” He trailed off, his gaze drifting back to her.
Aubrey swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus on his needs rather than her own tumultuous emotions. “But what?” she prompted gently.
“But leaving Timber Falls for that long, leaving you…” His voice cracked slightly. “It feels like I’m giving up something just as important.”
Her heart ached at his words, even as a part of her soared at the implication. She reached out, taking his hand in hers. “Gunner, this is your dream,” she said softly, surprised by the steadiness in her voice. “You can’t give that up, not for anything or anyone.”
His fingers tightened around Aubrey’s, his touch electric even in this moment of uncertainty. He took a deep breath, his eyes searching hers with an intensity that made her heart race.
“Come with me,” he said. “Join me in Nashville. And on tour. We could make this work, together.”
Aubrey’s breath caught in her throat. The offer hung in the air between them, tempting and terrifying all at once.
For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to imagine it.
The excitement of life on the road, nights filled with music and passion, waking up each day in a new city with Gunner by her side.
But reality crashed in like a tidal wave. The Naked Moose. Her best friends. The life she’d painstakingly built here in Timber Falls. Her grip on Gunner’s hand loosened as she took a step back.
“Gunner, I…” she started, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I can’t just leave everything behind. The bar, it’s more than just a job.
It’s my home, my responsibility.” She looked away, unable to bear the disappointment she knew she’d see in his eyes.
“And Charly and Willow, they’re counting on me. ”
Gunner’s shoulders sagged, but he nodded slowly. “I understand,” he said, though the pain in his voice was palpable. “You’ve built something real special here. I’d never ask you to give that up.”
Aubrey felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. “I want to support your dream. I do. But I can’t just abandon my life here.” She reached up, cupping his face in her hand. “Is there no way we can find a middle ground?”
The tension between them crackled like electricity in the air. Her hand fell away from his face, and she wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to hold herself together. His jaw clenched, his eyes stormy with conflicting emotions.
“Middle ground?” he echoed, his voice rough. “I don’t know if there is one, darlin’. This tour, it’s not just a few weeks. We’re talking months.”
Aubrey’s breath caught in her throat. Months. The enormity of it hit her like a physical blow. She turned away, her gaze sweeping over the Montana landscape she’d grown to love.
“I can’t ask you to wait for me,” Gunner continued, his words barely audible over the pounding of Aubrey’s heart.
Aubrey whirled to face him, frowning. “What are you saying, Gunner? That this is it? We just give up?”
He took a step toward her, his hands reaching out but stopping short of touching her. “I’m saying I don’t blame you if you don’t want to sit here and wait for me to come home.”
Her eyes searched his. “And what about us? Aren’t we part of each other too?”
A flicker of pain crossed Gunner’s face. “Darlin’, you know I love you. You’ve known that since that first day in Atlanta.”
Aubrey’s heart swelled in her chest. He’d never said those three little words, but she felt them too. She took his hand in hers. “And you know I love you too. I can wait for you. I can fly to see you when I can.” She swallowed hard. “How long until you have to leave?”
“Two weeks,” he replied.
The finality of it hit her like a physical blow. Two weeks was all the time she had left to hold on to.
As they stood there, hands clasped and hearts heavy, the sun dipped below the horizon.
She took a deep breath, squeezing Gunner’s hand. “Well, these two weeks are ours. Let’s make them count.”
Gunner nodded, pulling her close and pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.