Braydon(64)

“She’s certainly talented,” Braydon said as he brought the truck to a stop.

“Yeah. She is,” Jessie agreed softly. Too bad she hadn’t gotten any of the talents that her sister had.

The thought depressed her, but Jessie tried not to let her expression reflect her negative thoughts. There was no time for self-doubt. Not right now anyway. Especially since she was about to be face-to-face with her sister and Jessie knew without a doubt that Kylie would pick up on the slightest nuance in Jessie’s mood.

So, when Braydon opened her door, she forced a smile and kept it there until it didn’t feel fake. And when he took her hand and twined their fingers together, her smile became genuine.

She only hoped she could keep it that way.





chapter FIFTEEN

Hauling wood from one place to another was mindless, backbreaking work. Not that Braydon minded doing it. He was used to manual labor.

Except today was Sunday, the last day of his weekend, and he wanted to spend it with Jessie. Just the two of them. Had he even thought that was a possibility prior to committing to helping Gage, he probably would’ve told his brother-in-law no can do.

Not really. Braydon had no issues helping his family.

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t anticipating taking Jessie out later.

Ever since he’d suggested that they go on another real date, the idea had been churning in his head endlessly. His trip to his house hadn’t even distracted him enough to stop thinking about it. However, that could’ve been because Brendon hadn’t been home, either.

As much as Braydon had wanted to know where his brother was, or more accurately, if he was getting himself into more trouble than he had already, he had refused to let his mind wander in that direction. Instead, he had focused on getting back to Jessie.

He thought his worry was going to abate when Brendon texted him about the time he was walking back in Jessie’s front door. But after reading the text, he was pretty sure he was more worried now. Brendon hadn’t come home last night, but Braydon didn’t need an announcement from his twin to know that. The evidence had been the empty house he’d walked into. A brief glance around had told him Brendon wasn’t there, nor had he been there.

Several texts later, Brendon had pretty much brushed him off.

Apparently Brendon had brushed off Sawyer as well, because Braydon’s phone had been blowing up all morning with texts from Sawyer, who was extremely worried. As much as Braydon wanted to assure Sawyer that everything was fine with Brendon, that he just needed some time to himself, he didn’t believe it for a second.

Once he and Jessie arrived at Kylie’s, Braydon had left his phone in the truck, not wanting to be distracted when he was supposed to be working. And now, after three hours of relocating wood to the various places where the sections would be added, Braydon was in desperate need of another shower and possibly a beer or two. Oh, and he was almost desperate to check his phone.

He was worried about Brendon. Something was off. He could feel it.

“I seriously owe you one,” Gage told him with a slap on the back after Braydon dropped the last of the two-by-fours that he’d been carrying.

“I’m sure you can pay me back by picking up the tab at Moonshiners,” Braydon said easily as he lifted his ball cap and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the edge of his shirtsleeve.

When he looked up to continue his conversation with Gage, he noticed Jessie staring at him from several yards away. He smiled at her.

Gage twisted, then glanced over his shoulder before he turned back to Braydon. “Be good to her,” Gage said, his voice low and lacking the taciturn tone Braydon had become familiar with.

“I intend to,” he informed Gage truthfully. It might take some effort for him and Jessie to get to the next level, but Braydon fully intended to work through their obstacles.

“She was a mess when you were gone,” Gage said, his eyes locked with Braydon’s. “She likes to pretend she’s tougher than she is. Just keep that in mind.”

A mess? Braydon wanted to implore Gage for more regarding that fact, but Jessie and Kylie approached, effectively cutting off the discussion.

“Hey,” Kylie greeted Gage. “You need to shower,” she told him decisively, her nose scrunched up in distaste.

Gage grinned at Braydon and then turned to Kylie. In a move that caught her off guard, Gage wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off her feet.

“Oh, gross! Gage! You’re sweaty! Put me down.”

“Now you need a shower, too,” Gage growled at her, refusing to put her down. “Care to join me?”

Braydon peered over at Jessie, who was watching the commotion. Yeah, a shower sounded just about perfect. Then a movie. And dinner.

God, yes. Dinner sounded good.

“You about ready?” he asked Jessie as Kylie laughed, doing her best to get Gage to release her.

“Whenever you are,” Jessie told him, meeting his gaze.

“We’re gonna get out of here,” Braydon told Gage. “If you need more help tomorrow afternoon, just holler. I can stop by after work.”

“Travis’ll be home in a couple of hours. I intend to put his ass to work, so you’re off the hook. But thanks,” Gage said, placing Kylie back on her feet.

Braydon nodded and then reached for Jessie’s hand. He linked their fingers and tugged.