Crushing on Love (The Bradens of Peaceful Harbor, Book Four) (27 page)

Ugh
. “Fine, but I’m leaving my pink shoelaces, my yellow hoodie, my pink cami…”
And my heart
.

THE CUMBERLAND RANCH had been transformed into a rally to end all rallies. Balloons and streamers decorated the tall fencing around the grounds. A gigantic banner, donated by a local graphics company, hung over the entrance and read,
BE A PART OF HISTORY—ADOPT AN ACRE
, and below it were the words C
OLORADO
L
AND
T
RUST
. Pride swelled in Shannon’s chest. She and Steve had done this. They’d taken their ideas, melded them together, and created all of this. They were good together. Really, really good.

The rally had opened at eleven o’clock, and five hours later they were still packed. The event was scheduled to run until six, with the barn dance starting at eight at the festival ground. Shannon stood at the top of the hill taking it all in. Crowds gathered around the riding ring where Luke and his wife, Daisy, were giving rides on their
girls
, their gypsy horses. The overly affectionate horses were gorgeous, with feathering completely covering their hooves, their abundant silky manes and tails flowing in the breeze as they circled the ring. Ross and Jade were giving veterinary exams to pets in exchange for donations while baby Hal slept in a playpen beside Jade. A line of people with leashed pets waited their turn. The line stretched up the hill, almost reaching Elisabeth’s booth, where she and Kelsey were selling cakes and pies—including the new River Pie, which was sinfully delicious. Beneath an awning beside Elisabeth’s booth, Shannon’s and Steve’s mothers were running the refreshment stand, while Rex and Treat grilled up burgers and hot dogs. Callie sat on a blanket reading to a swarm of excited children while they ate. Shannon watched her mother chat with Steve’s as they doled out drinks and paper plates piled high with chips and burgers. She wondered how much of their conversation was about her and Steve.
Probably most of it
. She smiled at the thought, because her mind was one hundred and ten percent on her hunky man.

Down by the corral, Jo was holding a red-tailed hawk, giving a lecture on birds of prey to a crowd, while Cutter leaned his tall frame against the corral, his legs crossed at the ankle, as he watched her. In a few minutes, the cattle-roping event would begin. Shannon could hardly believe how well the events had come together and how many people had turned out to support their effort.

Her eyes slid to Cutter’s right, catching on the tall, muscular man whose eyes were locked on her, and her heart skipped a beat. How long had Steve been watching her? And what was he saying to her uncle Hal, who was also watching her? She started down the hill as her father and brothers came out of the barn.

“There’s my girl,” her father said, stopping her from descending the hill. Thomas “Ace” Braden, with his closely cropped dark hair, button-down shirt, and slacks, was as conservative as her mother was bohemian. He pulled her into his strong, familiar embrace. “You and Steve have done an incredible job, sweetheart. Mom and I are very proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She looked at her four handsome brothers and felt her two worlds colliding. Cole was as conservative as his father, in dress and in nature, while Sam and Ty were like bees trapped in a glass, always ready to fly off and do something exciting. Nate tugged her into a hug, and she reveled in his embrace. Even though he’d been back from overseas for almost two years, she still felt the need to cling to him a little longer than the others.

“Everyone here is talking about you and Steve and how great a team you make,” Nate said. “I guess you’ll have a date for my wedding.”

“Damn right she will. Steve hasn’t taken his eyes off of her all day.” Ty lifted his camera and snapped a picture of her and Nate. “Beauty and the beast.”

Nate coiled back to punch him, and Cole grabbed his arm.

“Let him go,” Sam said with a laugh. “Ty’s been a big pain in the butt today.”

“What?” Ty smacked Sam on the back of his head. “I wasn’t the one Hal caught making out with Faith in the barn.”

“Jealous?” Sam teased.

Ty scoffed. “Hardly. You see all the hot women here?” His eyes shot to Jo.

“Don’t even think about it, Ty,” Shannon warned. “Cutter’s been eyeing her for two weeks.”

“When’s that ever stopped me?” He headed down the hill.

Shannon shook her head. “He’s going to get himself in trouble.”

“Damn it,” Sam muttered. “I’ve got him.” He hustled after Ty.

“Aw, hell. That’s like sending Dumb after Dumber.” Nate jogged down the hill after Sam.

“Cole,” their father said, and lifted his chin in the direction of their brothers.

Cole sighed. “Really, Pop? All because Ty might hit on some girl?”

“And then he gets into it with Cutter, someone says something that pisses Nate off, and Sam jumps in just for fun,” their father said. “Go on, son. Be the voice of reason.”

Cole rolled his eyes and dutifully followed in their wake, grumbling about how he was
too old for this
crap
.

Their father laughed and draped an arm around Shannon. “Think he bought it?”

“Probably.”
But I didn’t
. “Why didn’t you just tell him you wanted to talk to me in private?”

He shrugged. “Maybe I like knowing they’ve got each other’s backs.”

“You taught us well, Dad. Family comes first, no matter what.” She watched her brothers slapping each other on the back and laughing. Ty shook Cutter’s hand, and they fell into line along the fence beside Steve.

“How are you really doing?” her father asked. “Are you ready to come home, or do you need more time?”

“What I need and what I want have nothing to do with reality.” Shannon drew in a deep breath, preparing for the onslaught of emotions that had been wreaking havoc with her all day.

“They’re your reality, Shannon. That’s all that matters.”

“Not really. I have a whole life back home, Dad.”

He gazed down the hill at the people making their way across the field toward the corral. Rachel and Cal were talking with Max and her children, following the crowd. Max and Rachel looked up at them and waved. Shannon waved back. Tempe came out of the barn carrying a cat and joined them.

“I didn’t know you were in there,” Shannon said.

“I was checking out the horses, but then I found this lovable little guy.” She scratched the back of the cat’s neck. “What are you guys looking at?”

“Shannon’s other life,” their father said.

He’d always had the ability to know what each of his children were thinking. It was spooky when they were younger. He and her brothers would eye each other a certain way, and the next thing she knew, her brothers were confessing something or apologizing for something she had no idea they’d done.

“Looks like a good one,” Tempe said. “And here comes the best part of it.” She nudged Shannon with her elbow and nodded at Steve, who was heading their way.

“He sure is taken with you,” her father said, hugging her against his side. “Sam told me he tried to find work in Peaceful Harbor. I’m sorry, honey. I know how hard it’s going to be to leave him. But he’s doing the right thing. He’s worked hard to achieve what he has in his field, and back home he would have to start a whole new career.” He kissed the top of her head.

“I know, Dad.” She took in Steve’s purposeful stride, his broad shoulders, the square set of his jaw, which was clean shaven today, giving him a different type of allure. His short hair was brushed back from his face, and his eyes—those gorgeous slate-blue eyes that spoke louder than words ever could—were making her insides quiver.

Everything Steve did was with her best interests in mind.
You tried to move with me
. She swallowed past the love swelling inside her, the torment of the weeks ahead, and focused on making it through this moment without falling apart.

Steve was ten paces away.
Breathe.

Eight.
Inhale. Exhale.

Treat came out from the other side of the barn, joining Steve. The two fell into a conversation, but Steve’s eyes remained trained on her.

She could barely hear past the blood rushing through her ears as he approached. She could practically taste his lips as they curved into a loving smile. He took up the space beside her, and her rocking world began to right itself. Her body instinctively keeled toward him.

Her father bent, speaking quietly in her ear. “Roots run deep, darlin’, and they don’t come unearthed because of a little distance.” His words caused the first tears to spring free.

“Baby? Are you okay?” Steve took her hand, searching her eyes.

She blinked away her tears, wondering if a person’s love could consume them to the point of rendering them mute. He was really ready to give up the mountain for her. Seeing him now, among the rally whose sole purpose was to save the land he loved, realization hit her harder than before. She didn’t know how she was still standing. How she was managing to blink her eyes dry or how her voice still worked when she said, “Yes, just happy it’s all coming together so well.”

“Look at what you’ve done, baby. You made this all happen.” Steve waved his hand toward the crowd below, then pulled her in tight.

She melted against him. This was how she made it through. One breath at a time. One hug at a time. One second at a time.

“You made your dream come true, baby.”

And you were willing to let yours go to give me mine
. “
We
made
our
dream come true,” she managed.

“We’ve already hit our goal,” Treat said. “Congratulations, Shannon. You and Steve made this possible. You’ve given Weston their happily ever after.”

She nodded and smiled, trying not to fall apart as the news of their success sealed the end of another thing she loved.

Where’s our happily ever after?

THE BARN WAS lit up like a Christmas tree on the sprawling fairgrounds, with colorful lights strung from exposed beams along the ceiling and around the windows and doors, bringing a whimsical, romantic feel to the special night. Country music filled the air from the band playing on a stage in the back of the barn. Women wore their prettiest dresses and men donned their best jeans and boots, dancing and mingling, but no one was as captivating as Shannon, twirling in her short pink halter dress. Silver embellishments formed delicate designs along the hem, glistening under the lights as she stomped out a country dance in her pink and white cowgirl boots. Her hair lifted from her shoulders as she, Jewel, Faith, and Leesa moved in time to the beat.

She was beautiful. She was his. And she was leaving.

Sam sidled up to Steve. “My sister can dance, can’t she?”

“I have yet to come across a thing she can’t do.” He crossed his arms, more nervous than he could ever remember being. He’d been learning to dance for weeks now, and from what Rex and the others told him, he was pretty good. He just hoped
pretty good
was good enough for Shannon. He wanted tonight to be unforgettable.

“Except make a life decision,” Sam said with a serious look in his eyes. “She came out here because she was into you. She fell for you, and now she’s afraid she’s going to screw it up.”

“She can’t screw this up. There’s nothing she could do that would change my feelings for her.”

“It’s not what she might or might not do. It’s what she thinks she can handle.” Sam motioned across the room to Tempest.

Tempest waved, smiling as she crossed the room toward them. Her blond hair was pinned up in a ponytail, revealing her long, graceful neck. She carried herself more primly than Shannon, appearing acutely aware of her surroundings at all times, where Shannon flitted from one happy moment to the next. Except recently she’d been on the verge of tears every time they talked about her leaving.

“Why aren’t you dancing, Sam?” Tempest asked.

“Faith’s having too much fun with the girls. Besides, you know Steve doesn’t dance, so I thought I’d hang out with him.”

“Who told you I don’t dance?” he asked.

“Shannon, who else?” Sam answered. “She told us not to give you a hard time about it.”

Steve got a funny feeling in his stomach knowing she was watching out for him. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she swayed to the music. She caught him staring and lifted a hand in a half wave, looking sweet and sexy and moderately shy. In her eyes, sadness rode just below the surface, but love led the way, reaching out to him across the room. She was worried about leaving, and probably about dancing without him.
Don’t worry, baby. Soon enough you’ll be in my arms
.

“Tempe, tell Steve about Shannon and life decisions,” Sam said.

Tempe’s lips pressed into a firm line. She narrowed her eyes and said, “Sam, that’s not my story to tell. Or
yours
.”

Sam chuckled and turned to Steve. “Trust me on this—she’s scared to leave her safe little hometown for good.”

“Sam,” Tempest chided. She turned a softer gaze to Steve. “It’s a big move for her. She just needs time.”

“Don’t worry, Tempe. I’ll give Shannon whatever she needs. Including time, even if it kills me.” He had a few surprises in store for her before she got on that plane tomorrow, and when Mack waved him over he knew at least one of them was ready.