Page 23 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
“Earth to Aubrey.” Willow’s voice cut through her thoughts. “You’ve been awful quiet this morning. You okay?”
Aubrey turned, forcing a smile. “Just taking in the view. It’s beautiful out here, in its own way.”
Willow raised an eyebrow before focusing back on the road. “But?”
“But nothing,” Aubrey said quickly.
Too quickly.
She sighed, relenting under Willow’s knowing look. “It’s just…sometimes I still feel like a fish out of water, you know? Like I don’t quite belong the way you and Charly have settled in here so easily.”
Willow reached over and squeezed her hand. “You belong with us, Aubs. Just give it a little more time.”
Warmth bloomed in Aubrey’s chest.Thiswas why she’d traded skyscrapers for mountains. The lifelong bonds she’d formed with Charly and Willow weren’t anything she was willing to trade. Even when she’d moved to Atlanta, the end goal was always to get enough experience and then end up together. Aubrey just never expected that to be in a place like Timber Falls.
“You’re right,” she said softly. “Besides, I don’t know what I’d do without you and Charly.”
“Probably be bored out of your mind,” Willow quipped, a grin playing on her lips. “Speaking of which, you ready to try a little canter today on our ride? Eli said you’re totally ready to go a little faster.”
Aubrey groaned playfully. “God help me. Remember last time? I think he forgets I can barely trot.”
They dissolved into laughter, recalling Aubrey’s last riding lesson with Eli, where she’d trotted just fine but couldn’t seem to stop. He had way more confidence in her riding ability than she did, but at least she wasn’t falling off.
The ranch soon came into view, a sprawling expanse of weathered wood and open pastures. Even from a distance, Aubrey could make out the flurry of activity—their friends milling about, cowboys leading horses from the stables.
Willow pulled up to the main house, barely putting the car in Park before Aubrey was out the door. The brisk wind nipped at her cheeks as she strode toward the group, drinking in the familiar faces and welcoming smiles.
“There you are!” Eli called out, waving enthusiastically. “We were starting to think you’d both chickened out—bunch of city girls.”
Aubrey rolled her eyes but couldn’t keep the grin off her face.
Willow called, “In your dreams. We’re tough cookies and can handle the cold.”
Aubrey slipped her hands into her mitts, not totally sure about that. The day was sunny, but bitterly cold.
A chorus of good-natured jeers and laughter erupted from the group. Aubrey felt herself relax, slipping easily into the warm embrace of friendship. This was her family now, chosen and cherished, and she told herself again that she just had to get used to it.
Shewouldget used to it.
As the cowboys began leading out the horses from the barn for their ride today, with Charly in tow, the crunch of gravel under tires drew Aubrey’s attention. A sleek black pickup rolled to a stop, and her breath caught as Gunner stepped out, his cowboy hat tipped low over those piercing eyes. But he wasn’t alone. Emily and her mother emerged from the truck next.
Aubrey’s stomach twisted as she watched Gunner help Sarah down. “Well, isn’t that cozy,” she muttered under her breath, unable to quell the flicker of jealousy that ignited in her chest.
“Did you say something?” Charly asked, appearing at her side.
Aubrey shook her head, forcing a smile. “Just talking to myself.”
As Willow chatted with Charly, Aubrey couldn’t tear her eyes away from Gunner. He was laughing at something Sarah said, looking more relaxed than Aubrey had ever seen him.Ugh.She turned away. She really had to stop looking his way.
“You okay?” Willow asked…again.
Aubrey blinked, realizing she needed to pull herself together. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Great,” Willow said, a knowing smirk on her face. “Come on, let’s go say hi.”
Before Aubrey could protest, they were walking toward the newcomers. Gunner’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. There was a flash of something in his gaze—tenderness, maybe even longing—before he quickly looked away.
“Gunner,” Aubrey said, proud of how steady her voice sounded.
