Chapter 12

Brooklyn

Eden picks up Noodle from my house the next day while I'm at work and Blake is at school. She texted me to say she was home early but didn't say why. I was in the middle of things at the rickhouse so I didn't get to see her, and her texts have been very non descriptive:

Eden

Hey Brook, I got back early. Something came up at work so I can collect Blake after school and Noodle later this morning

Me

Okay, E. Sounds good. I'm bottling again, so I have a huge day. Noodle was making herself at home on the couch last time I checked

Noodle is used to sleeping over sometimes when Blake is here, so Eden never has to worry on the rare occasion where her dog isn't with her. Blake and I also take Noodle for walks on the farm and she loves it.

Eden

Thanks for looking after her, and for having Blake on short notice

Me

Anytime, you know me. How was Atlanta?

Eden

It was fine. I'm just on the run so will talk later

Me

Alright, talk later

I know she's busy with her events business and it takes up most of her time. So it doesn't surprise me she was pulled away early. I can't say I'm not secretly glad about it. The less time she spends around Dr. Fuckface, the better. The guy gets my back up like no other, and I know he knows it. But I've had to resign myself to the fact she's capable of running her own life, and I have to trust she knows what she's doing even if I don't like who she's dating.

Am I going to confess my feelings for her? I'm on the fence because she deserves to know, but I don't want to mess with her life, especially if she really is serious about this new guy.

I've got plenty to take my mind off shit at work anyway for the moment. Since the new brew is going ahead, I have to pull my finger out and get the design work finalized.

I know Georgia is working on it as we speak, along with the help of Celeste, so I know they're going to come up with something brilliant and we can tweak it here and there if need be.

Once the first batch is ready in a couple of months, we'll host a big, exclusive event in the tasting room. It's big enough to have plenty of people there for our launch.

Georgia is already contacting the local newspaper and a few media outlets to invite them along once we've set a date. She's asked Beau to contact his friend, Autumn, who's also good friends with Eden, to come along and snap some photos for our social media, and do some new photos for the website which we'll update soon.

I'm excited about it. It feels like it's my new little baby in the business that I can nurture and watch grow and expand. It's exciting times and adds a bit of new adventure into BBB, as well as into my life. I've always done things the way my dad and Gabriel want them, and put my heart and soul into being the best I can be, running the cellar proficiently and profitably. But this new venture feels fresh and new and ultimately a little freeing from the norm.

I have a quiet night when I get home, except I do my usual routine of checking on the horses in the field next to the barn. Old habits die hard, and the horses are my babies. Putting them into the stables for the night and feeding all the animals is a daily routine that I'm used to. I'll take Bandit out for a ride on the weekend. Blake will probably want to come with me and take Sailor.

"How's my baby Sawyer?" I croon. Giving my donkey a head scruff as I lead her into the stables for the night next to the horses.

She's making good friends with the other animals and really getting used to her surroundings. She pushes her head into me and I laugh. "My, my, you're coming out of your shell. Don't tell Mandy, she might get jealous."

Yeah, I talk to my animals too. It's like therapy.

She rewards me with another head push. I love her to bits. I love all of them, but Sawyer is special.

But it's glaringly obvious to me that something is missing… A special woman in my life. Someone to come home to at night and cuddle up with in bed.

I've known it for a while now. To have my woman to share my life with, to share all of this with would be the icing on the cake. A dream come true. Shit gets lonely on your own, you can only do that for so long.

I may seem all smiles on the outside, and it's true; I've learned to really enjoy and appreciate life, but inside I know I want more. I know that I'm ready for it. To settle down.

And there's a larger part of me that wants it with Eden. But do I go storming in and make her mad when she doesn't feel the same way? Or do I just let sleeping dogs lie and not go there again? We couldn't make it work twice before, why can we now?

A shot of bourbon or two when I get in the house should take the edge off everything floating around in my head… Maybe even some Moonshine. Now there's a thought. I grin and make my way back inside; the idea that people all over the world could be drinking my new creation fills me with so much excitement.

A bourbon or three isn't above me. Luckily I decanted some of the Tiramisu before I left for the day.

Relaxing back in my porch rocker with the sun going down seems like the place to be.

The next couple of days go by in a blur and I haven't heard much from Eden. I assume she's busy at work and I won't see Blake until the weekend. That is until a text pops through on Friday afternoon.

Eden

Hey B. Blake has asked if she can have a sleepover tonight with your folks, I think Trinity is going over there too.

It's not like she has to ask permission or anything, but we always like to tell each other what's happening.

Me

Sounds fine. You okay?

Eden

I'm okay. I've just been swamped. Me and the girls are going to go out for some dinner tonight, a girls' night

Me

Don't let my little sister lead you astray if she's going. Have fun!

I'm half tempted to tell her I'm going to Moose's, but I've been trying to follow Beau's advice and not bombard her too much. Even if I'm dying to know if she's had a tiff with lover boy or if work really did call her back early. Something feels a little off, since she runs her own business. She didn't say where the girls night was taking place so I'm half wondering if she will be at Moose's, as Georgia overheard our plans in the staff room and was talking about her own little get together with the girls. Or maybe they'd go to the wine bar, Di'vine, that's a little more upmarket as far as Stoney Creek goes.

I dress in my black denim jeans tonight with a dark blue button-down collared shirt, plus my trusty black cowboy boots and hat. I'm as bad as Hudson when it comes to cowboy mode. At least I take my hat off some of the time. I glance in the mirror, wondering if I should shave completely or just trim my beard a little more. I don't want it getting too wild, busy, or unkempt. I like the barely there, subtle kind of look.

I check on my animals before I head out, and splash on an extra dash of cologne. I'm not fancy by any means, but Eden always dug me smelling good.

I could well and truly be on the scope to pick up tonight; I don't have Blake and it's been a minute or two. Though the second I think it, thoughts of my wife flood to mind. The idea of her curvy, sexy body pressed up against mine as we dance… I can still smell the scent of her shampoo and that vanilla body cream she uses; like I could ever forget. My dick stirs to attention. That won't do.

Of course, since the whole non-divorce debacle — that ultimately re-sparked my feelings for her — I haven't thought about anyone else. I haven't wanted to.

Eden and I were perfect in a lot of ways, and maybe a little imperfect in others. But we got a lot of things right. The sex with her was always amazing, but not just that. It's the way we cared for one another, and still do.

I loved the fact I was her first. Everything with me was her first. That was hot as fuck in itself.

I swipe my hand down my face as I drive. Thinking about the past, like I have been doing lately, isn't going to solve anything.

I should just get drunk tonight and not worry about any of this anymore. There might be a sweet chick I can spend the night with, that is if I can stop thinking about my wife.

I can't be infatuated with someone I can't have. She was available for all those years, so why now?

The part of my brain I'm trying to shut out says, ‘why not now?' And I lose that argument with myself all over again.

I decide to just do my best to put it out of my mind for tonight at least and have some fun with the boys.

When I arrive, the first people I see are Callan and his two future brothers-in-laws, Gaitley and Easton. They run Horse-shoe Ranch across town and are both ex-bull wranglers. They don't get out much because they're always out on the ranch.

"Hey." I grin as I approach. It's just after eight o'clock and the place is already filling up fast.

Callan, Easton and Gaitley all turn around to look at me.

"Man of the hour," Callan jokes, giving me a slap on the back as I nod to the other guys. "We thought you'd be hauled up with your special brew until doomsday now you've got the go ahead."

"Not on a Friday night." I chuckle. "A guy has to catch a break somewhere."

"You ridin' the bull tonight?" Gaitley takes a pull of beer while getting the bartender's attention.

"I very much doubt it. Isn't it Hudson's job to show us all up?"

"True," Easton agrees. "Your sister is here too over by the booths. I think she and the girls are having a Friday night drink-a-thon."

I glance over the far side to where he was just looking. I see a group of girls sitting in a booth but no sign of Eden. I wonder if she will be here and try not to feel too disappointed if she isn't. I'm supposed to be forgetting all about that anyway.

"You can break it up if they get too rowdy." Callan gives him a wink. East chuckles into his beer.

"Where're the other guys?" I ask.

"Gray and Huds are on the other side of the bar playing darts. I think Gabe and Beau are around there too playing pool with Travis," Callan says.

"Owen or Daniel here tonight?" They're two guys that we've all been friends with for years. I hang out more with Owen on a regular basis since Daniel is married with kids and he doesn't get out much these days.

"I think Daniel is holed up at home," Easton says. "The wife has the flu or some shit."

"Not sure about Owen." Gaitley shrugs.

"I say we do some pool sharking." I nod for a beer toward the bartender as he finally approaches after Gaitley flagged him down.

"I say we go chase some tail." Easton grins his head off. He's definitely one for letting loose when he gets the chance, and granted, that's not often. "The Bassett's have been takin' all the new available women off the market the minute they get here."

"Hey, I've got no say in anything. I'm lucky to see the light of day from down in the cellar all day."

"Is that why you look so pasty?" Callan shoves me.

"Or hiding under that beard. Not bad by the way," Gaitley grunts. He never has too much to say for himself.

"Thanks." I smooth it over. "The chicks seem to like it."

"Anyone in particular?" Easton asks as I pass some money to the bartender and pick up my beer.

"Nope." I figure lying is best when it comes to my most recent phenomenon. Nobody wants to hear the news about my newly found infatuation with my wife.

"I only ask so I know who to stay away from."

"I hear Dolly Simpson is on the lookout again," I muse. "You could ask Huds all about that if you really wanted to."

"Hey, she's cute." Easton shrugs.

"She sure is. Problem being, she thinks every available guy in Stoney Creek is into her."

"That don't worry me."

"Well, there you go then." I chuckle. "Go get ‘em tiger."

Gaitley pats him on the back with a hard thump. "I'd keep it in your pants, brother. Huds said she got a major crush after he slept with her and chased him down for weeks after. You want that happenin' to you?"

"This is a bad thing?" Easton ponders. "I mean to be chased down by any woman in Stoney at this point would be somethin'."

"It is if you don't want Dolly stalkin' you day and night." Callan gives him a pointed look. "And you know Huds; he's a love em' and leave em' kinda guy. Not his style to be chased down by anyone. Gotta hand it to him, he ended up not breakin' her heart too bad."

"Why don't we go find the others," I suggest with a chuckle. "Throw some darts, maybe at Gait's head." I give him a sharp blow between the shoulder blades as they edge off the bar stools.

The corners of his mouth turn up in an almost smile. Almost. The guy is broodier than anyone I know. But that's how he's been for as long as I can remember. I think some chick did a number on him, but he doesn't talk about it much.

We take our drinks and walk through to the other guys. The jukebox is pumping; a few beers down and I may even bust out some moves on the dancefloor. The ladies love a set of loose hips, at least I have that going for me. Must be all that horse riding.

Sure, as Callan said, the guys are commandeering the pool area and one of the dart boards.

"Hey, didn't you start a brawl last time you were here?" I say, giving Gabe a friendly nudge as I almost make him miss his shot. It was when some guy was hitting on Skye, and Gabe saw the unwanted exchange from across the bar. I'd not seen him that angry in a long time. My brother has always been a grumpy ass, but when it comes to protecting those he cares about, he's unstoppable.

Gabe glances at me, undeterred by my annoying him. "I was protecting Skye's honor if you must know."

Beau chuckles. "And you're two seconds too late, Brook. You might wanna try shoving him again when he's actually shooting. Might make his aim improve."

"I'm whooping your ass," Gabe throws back.

Beau laughs. "Come on now, anything can happen in this game. You know it."

"The loser has to get out on the dancefloor with me later." I grin as I watch Easton, Gait and Callan take the pool table next to us and start setting up for a game.

"Dance?" Travis balks. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Hey, these boots aren't just made for walkin'." I do a step to the left and kick up my back heel as I scoot around in a circle, holding onto my belt buckle.

"For fuck's sake, brother." Gabe's shoulders shake with laughter.

"You scaring the women away again, Brook?" Gray shakes his head at me between dart throws.

"The women love it, you should try it on Hart, spice things up a little." I waggle my eyebrows.

"Thanks for the tips from my very single younger brother who spends most of his nights smellin' like horse shit and placating his donkey," Gray quips.

"Hey, don't knock it. Sawyer is better company than most of you guys." I throw back.

Everyone laughs, including me. Gray knows how to get me fired up, and I know he doesn't mean it. He loves to ride horses and plans to get some of his own once his house is built. He has a soft spot for Sawyer, like everyone, because she's so sweet.

"You know he's probably right." Gray shrugs.

"You just stick to your veggie burgers, big guy." Huds throws his dart, narrowly missing the bullseye. "Leave the sweet talkin' to us."

"You should try the beyond burgers," I inform them. "There's more protein in black beans than in any meat product you'll find on the market, so thanks all the same. Who are we sweet talkin' anyway?"

"I just heard Eden is back on the market." Hudson looks at me deadpan.

I glance at Gray who looks about as clueless as me as he pops a shoulder.

"She has a boyfriend," I say. I then glance at Gabe and Beau. They're the only ones who know about my little secret, but I've got a feeling it isn't going to stay that way for long.

"Not anymore. I overheard the girls at the bar just earlier talkin' about it. Maybe I heard wrong…" Huds shrugs.

"Which girls?" I frown.

"Your lovely sister, Blue, was talking to Celeste saying they had dinner with Eden tonight and…" He's called her Blue Belle for as long as I can remember, sometimes he shortens it to Blue.

"And what?" I interrupt.

"Let the man finish," Beau says, coming in behind me, overhearing the exchange.

"I was grabbin' a beer and I heard Blue say, ‘Isn't it a shame about Eden and Kurt,' or whatever the fuck his name is," Huds continues.

"Kirk," I correct. Though fuck knows why I bother. My head is already spinning.

She broke up with him? Is that the reason she came home early?

"Is she here?" Fireworks go off in my head at this news, but if it is true, then my life just got made. Again, I kick myself for letting her go in the first place without saying how I feel about her. Not that she's gonna come running back to me… but still.

"I haven't seen her," Gray says. "But no doubt she won't be far away."

"She was with a couple of her friends, someone she works with I think," Huds says.

"Where?" I look around.

Huds gives me a weird look. "I don't know. Blue and Celeste had dinner with her and two of her friends at Mary-Lou's on the Creek, I think."

Hmm. Now is probably the time to act normal, or try to at least pull myself together before anyone notices my sudden interest in my wife's whereabouts.

I take a pull of beer and grab out my cell, half-tempted to text her and see where she is, and if she's okay. "I'm gonna go get a refill," I say, walking backwards a couple of steps.

It's Gabe's hand I feel on my shoulder this time before I get to far. "You're playing with fire," he says. "Be careful, bro."

I nod, like I have it all figured out. "You know me, brother. Playin' with fire is what I live for."

I have to talk to her and find out what's going on. And if it means playing with fire for real, I'll bring the matches.