Page 7 of Healing Her Cowboys (Silver Creek Ranch #6)

Chapter Seven

R eese checked her image in the mirror for the fifth time. When Atlas suggested they go to the fall festival on the outskirts of town, she wasn’t too sure about it. Getting ready shifted her mood, and she figured she could use some time out.

She was even more curious if Atlas could keep his promise or not. It also made her wonder if Brik would be angry seeing them leave together.

No, it wasn’t about him. After all, she was a grown-ass woman. Even if he was mad, he couldn’t tell her what to do with her free time.

She had chosen a pair of jeans, a soft flannel shirt, and a pair of black boots to round out the outfit. It seemed fitting for a night out from the ranch.

When she came downstairs, Atlas whistled. “Damn. That outfit looks made for you.”

“Thank you.” Her cheeks warmed at the way he watched her as she approached him. She tried to shake off the feeling. This was a fun night out and nothing more. If she didn’t keep her head on straight, her body was bound to get her in trouble.

Atlas held his arm out to her. “You ready to see what it’s like to have some fun in this town?”

She hesitated only a moment before taking it. He was just being a gentleman, right?

“Lead the way,” she said. Again, her body reacted to him, even when she tried to regain a bit of control.

The warmth of his arm around hers comforted her, but it also made the deep, inner parts of her ignite, too.

It felt like the more she pushed it down, the harder it came back up in his presence.

Maybe if she just went with the flow of things, her body wouldn’t feel like it was working against her.

Stepping outside helped to bring her to her senses as the cool wind nipped at her skin. That lasted for only a moment as her eyes landed on a solid figure in jeans and a brown overcoat.

Brik rested against the red and white Chevy truck as they came out of the house. She thought it was just going to be her and Atlas, especially after the way Brik acted earlier.

Brik stood up straight and opened the car door for her as his blue eyes fell over her. His scrutiny felt different from the one from Atlas, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted it or would rather retreat into the house.

When she looked inside the truck, she realized it had one large bench seat. The men would be on either side of her, trapping her between them.

“You getting in or not?” Brik asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

Reese bit the inside of her cheek. There was no way he was ruining her night of promised fun, no matter what foul mood he was in. She took a deep breath, hopped up inside the truck, and moved over to the middle.

Brik sat down next to her on the end, while Atlas took his seat at the wheel. There was no turning back.

Both men’s legs brushed up against either side of hers. She tried to sit still, but every part of her wanted to shift in her seat as if that movement would ground her better.

It was odd having physical contact with them at the same time, but she also didn’t want to move to save her life. The quiet and comfort of them relaxed her the more she adjusted to their closeness, and they made their way to the festival.

When they arrived, the aroma of baked apples, cinnamon, and popcorn filled the air.

String lights hung up throughout the regular light poles, giving a bright glow to the atmosphere.

People of all ages walked around to visit stalls and play games.

It wasn’t just families and kids, either.

Clusters of couples and groups of friends made their way through the grounds.

“Are you up to play?” Atlas asked her, pointing to a bottle toss game close by.

“Do you plan on winning me a prize?” she asked.

Brik crossed his arms. “You better plan on leaving here empty-handed if you try that one,” he said. “It wouldn’t be a problem for me.”

“Such optimism,” she teased. “Can you put your money where your mouth is?”

His cocky laugh filled the air. “Stand back and watch the master work.”

The two men exchanged a competitive look between them before buying a round each. Reese stood back and cheered them on. She had to admit it was exciting watching their macho sides take over as they tried to outdo each other.

It took a few more rounds, but each man won her a prize. Atlas got her a cute little white Clydesdale, while Brik won her an adorable panda with blue fur instead of black. She held on to both stuffed animals tightly, as if someone would come and snatch her precious haul away from her.

She was enjoying herself and felt free to have fun with both men. It wasn’t until they got closer to the docks that things shifted. The locals were having a boat decorating contest, and Reese froze in place watching the small group of boats.

Thoughts drifted back to her parents getting on that boat without her.

Reese imagined them happy and having the time of their lives.

She could still hear her dad’s hearty laugh and see the glimmer of her mom’s flawless smile.

What she didn’t want to imagine was the fear that must have filled them in those last moments.

“Reese?” Atlas called, but she couldn’t answer.

Her eyes stayed fixated on the line of boats in front of them. It wasn’t until Brik pulled her away that she snapped out of her trance.

“Time for a drink,” he said.

She couldn’t agree more. They found an open area of high-top tables and barstools next to a vacant dance floor.

Reese wasn’t a big lover of beer, but that was the only alcohol they had on hand to help steady her nerves.

No one forced her to talk about what happened, and she was grateful for that.

Still, she felt like she owed them some kind of explanation.

She sipped the beer Brik handed her. The taste wasn’t as bad as she thought, with a hint of fruit behind the hops.

She took a big gulp before saying anything.

“The last time I talked to my parents, they were about to get on a boat with friends. I was supposed to go with them, but I canceled because my nursing finals were coming up. They sounded so proud of me and understood why I couldn’t come.

I used to ask myself if the guilt of not being with them or being glad that I didn’t die next to them bothered me more. ” She took another large swig of beer.

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to live,” Atlas said.

“I didn’t know your parents, but I doubt they would have wanted you on that boat with them, and it’s hard to believe they would want you to suffer from guilt when you did nothing wrong.

We all have our own issues to go through, but at least you experienced love and support of wonderful parents.

That’s more than many other people ever get. ”

Reese had never really thought about it that way before. They were kind and caring parents. She never really lacked for anything under their care. All she ever thought about was losing them.

“I’m going to go get us some more beers,” Brik said, sliding off the stool.

Atlas stood up with him. “I’ll grab us something to eat. You’re going to need something to soak up all that alcohol. We’ll be right back.”

Reese worked on the last few sips of her beer while thinking about what Atlas said. Had she been so full of guilt and forgotten to appreciate the time she had with her parents when they were living?

Music played around her, and she realized people were congregating on the dance floor.

A familiar Shania Twain song came through the speakers, and she danced in her seat and bobbed her head to the country song that one of her favorite female artists belted out.

The music tuned out all the random thoughts she didn’t want popping into her head.

A man with a wide cowboy hat and an easy grin walked up to her. “Care for a dance, young lady?”

She hesitated, looking to see if Atlas or Brik were anywhere in sight. What the hell? It wasn’t like she needed their permission. She was out to have fun, and that was what she planned on doing.

“Sure,” she said before draining the rest of her beer. “I have to warn you, I’m not the best dancer.”

“Then just follow my lead,” he said. He held his hand out for her, and she allowed him to pull her onto the dance floor.

It wasn’t too crowded with people, but there were enough around her to worry she might stumble into a few of them if she wasn’t careful.

Reese relaxed more when they moved together. She wasn’t sure if it was the beer, the lights, or just giddiness, but she felt free as he swayed her around the wooden floor. Letting him lead her took away the stress of thinking too hard.

When they made a last turn at the end of the song, she spotted Brik back at their table. He narrowed his eyes at them. The annoyance was back on his face as he stared in their direction.

After the song ended, the cowboy asked for her name. He seemed nice enough and had even shaken her out of the foul mood she had been in.

Brik was right beside her before she could even utter a syllable.

“That’s not something you need to know. Get lost.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the group of couples who started dancing to the next song.

He didn’t let go of her until they were back at their table, where Atlas was already sitting.

Atlas spread the food out on the table when they walked up to him.

“That was rude,” she said to Brik when he finally released her. “That guy was just being nice.”

Brik laughed, a bitter tone tainting it. “I didn’t know you were here to flirt with every nice cowboy in town. You want me to see if another wants to take you around for a turn?”

“Excuse me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Calm down, Brik.” Atlas said. “She was just having a little fun. No harm in that.”

“Maybe a little too much fun,” Brik muttered under his breath.

“If you’ve got a problem with me, just say it, Brik.”

He shook his head. “Forget it.” He huffed, walked off, and disappeared into growing the crowd.

The man was so damn frustrating. One minute he was bearable, and the next minute he was being a jerk. His moods changed so often he was giving her whiplash.

“Don’t pay him any mind,” Atlas said, handing her a corn dog. “When he’s upset, he gets stubborn and picks fights. Been that way for as long as I’ve known him, and I doubt he’ll change anytime soon.”

“How do you even stand him sometimes?” She took a bite of the corn dog and chewed as if it owed her money. Her good mood had left just as quickly as it came, which aggravated her even more.

He shrugged. “Sometimes I’m in a mood to start a fight with him. When I’m not, I just choose to ignore him. He’s a hothead, but he always cools off, eventually. Don’t take it personally. He’s annoying as fuck, but he has a good heart when he shows it.”

“Annoying is an understatement.”

They both laughed as they ate the food Atlas brought back. She put Brik out of her mind. She wasn’t about to let anyone ruin her good time.

***

Brik needed to cool off away from Reese. Every stir of emotion he had lately was aimed at her, no matter how hard he tried to remain indifferent.

A cool breeze drifted around him, but it didn’t calm the heat filling up in his chest and spreading through his limbs.

He couldn’t shake off the image of Reese dancing with a stranger.

Her smile was bright and carefree as she moved around the dance floor.

It was a joy he’d never seen her have around him.

Sure, it was probably his fault, but it didn’t push away the jealousy that was boiling up inside of him.

Just as he was finally beginning to calm himself down, a familiar voice called out to him. He looked over to see Jason and May arm-in-arm and walking towards him.

“Look who decided to join us in the real world,” Jason said. “I thought it would be a cold day in hell before we ever saw you at a festival.”

“Stop teasing him, honey,” May said. “It’s good to see you, Brik. Did Reese and Atlas come with you too? I don’t see them.”

“Yeah, they’re around here somewhere.” Brik stuffed his hands into his pockets to ward off the chill.

“How’s Reese working out?” Jason asked. “Is she getting your ass into gear?”

Brik shrugged his shoulders. “She’s definitely good at her job. I’ll give her that.”

Jason raised an eyebrow. “Was that a compliment? She must be something else if you’re supporting her. I don’t think I’ve heard you say anything positive about anyone but Atlas.”

“Who’s complimenting her? It’s not like I need her constant pity or anyone else’s,” Brik said.

“Reese is the last person I know to offer anyone pity,” May said. “Support and comfort maybe, but never pity.”

Jason nodded in agreement. “May’s right. Reese has never been like that. I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding. Talk it out with her. If she’s really helping you, do you really want to lose her?”

Their words struck a nerve, and Brik felt horrible for the way he’d been treating Reese.

It wasn’t her fault he was fucked up in the head and didn’t trust anyone.

His mother died after giving birth to him, and his dad turned into nothing but a functioning alcoholic who didn’t care if Brik existed or not after she died.

That’s why he enlisted, to get as far away from his reality as possible.

It didn’t matter. Escaping only brought him more problems.

He made that choice to enlist all by himself. Just like he had made the choice to go against his corrupted superiors and save a rich Muslim family they were trying to kill and steal from. The family survived, but he lost his leg to a carefully planted IED.

May’s hand patted his arm and brought him back to the present. “You’ve been through a lot, Brik. You and Atlas both. It’s okay to accept help from others, especially if the one offering it is sincere.”

“Go find her and enjoy the festival,” Jason said. “Even if you pulled some stupid shit, Reese isn’t one to hold grudges.”

Brik watched Jason and May as they walked away, and he discovered a renewed focus. He turned back around, determined to face the complicated feelings he had for Reese and finally own up to his so-called “stupid shit.”