Page 25 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
“But now,” Sarah continued, her voice brightening, “it’s like watching the old Gunner come back to life. That spark in his eye, the way he carries himself… It’s good to see. This town, it has a way of healing people, you know?”
Aubrey nodded, her mind whirring as she guided her horse along the snowy trail. Sarah’s words echoed in her thoughts, painting a picture of two Gunners—the charismatic man she’d met in Atlanta and the broken one who’d slipped away in the morning. Her heart clenched, realizing the possibility that the real Gunner might be a blend of both, complex and layered.
Lost in her musings, Aubrey barely registered the shift in conversation until Eli’s booming voice cut through her reverie.
“C’mon, Gunner! You can’t hold out on us forever. When are you gonna grace us with that famous jambalaya of yours?”
Gunner chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re relentless, man.”
“Famous jambalaya?” Aubrey asked, her chef’s instincts kicking in.
Looking back over his shoulder, Gunner’s gaze met hers. “It’s my grandma’s recipe,” he said, his voice warm. “But I’m biased to how good it is.”
“Don’t let him fool you,” Eli interjected. “It’s the best damn jambalaya this side of the Mississippi.”
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?” she called out, her voice carrying a playful challenge. “Let’s see if your culinary skills match your musical talents.”
Gunner’s lips quirked into a half smile. “Is that a dare, Miss Hale?”
“You bet it is,” Aubrey replied, a smirk playing on her lips. “Impress me with your dinner, if you can.”
He chuckled again, the sound low and rich. “Challenge accepted, darlin’.”
For the rest of their ride, and then as they guided their horses back toward the ranch, Aubrey’s mind whirled. What was she doing? Wasn’t she supposed to be avoiding him? Yet here she was, practically inviting him into her world.
“Don’t get too excited,” she said, when the trail brought their horses nearer to one another, trying to mask the emotions flaring within her. “I’ve got pretty high standards, you know.”
Gunner steered his horse closer toward her. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Aubrey.”
The use of her name sent a tremor through her. “Just remember,” she whispered, “I’m not easily impressed.”
His eyes searched hers, filled with an intensity that made her breath catch. “Maybe that’s exactly why I want to try.”
* * *
A couple hours later, the aroma of sautéing onions and bell peppers filled the farmhouse kitchen as Gunner expertly wielded a wooden spoon, his movements smooth and assured. He inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar scents that reminded him of lazy Sunday afternoons spent with his grandmother. The sizzle of andouille sausage hitting the hot pan brought a smile to his face.
He’d dropped Sarah and Emily back off at home before heading to the grocery store. His eyes roamed over the fresh ingredients spread across the butcher-block island—plump tomatoes, fragrant garlic and a colorful array of spices. His fingers itched to start chopping and dicing, to lose himself in the rhythmic motions of cooking. It felt good to be creating something again, even if it wasn’t music.
The sound of laughter drifted in from the living room, and soon the kitchen was filled with the boisterous energy of his friends. Willow perched on a barstool while Aubrey leaned against the counter, her eyes sparkling with amusement at something Eli had said.
“Smells amazing in here,” Jaxon commented, inhaling deeply.
Gunner chuckled, tossing a dish towel over his shoulder. “My grandma’s recipe never disappoints.”
“I agree, it smells delicious,” Charly teased, nudging Aubrey with her elbow. “Looks like you’ve got some competition in the kitchen.”
Aubrey rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Please. I could cook circles around this country boy.”
“Is that another challenge, darlin’?” Gunner drawled, raising an eyebrow. His gaze locked with Aubrey’s, and for a moment, the air between them crackled with unspoken tension.
Willow cleared her throat, breaking the moment. “As fun as a cook-off sounds, we’ve got more pressing matters. Like why my socks are still damp after two cycles in the dryer.” She turned to Eli and Jaxon. “Our dryer has been acting up for weeks. You guys know anything about appliance repair?”
Jaxon puffed out his chest. “I’m basically a mechanical genius. Lead the way, milady.”
Eli just rolled his eyes.
As the group filed out of the kitchen, Gunner found his gaze drawn to Aubrey. She lingered for a moment, her expression unreadable. He wondered what she was thinking, if she ever thought about that night in Atlanta. The memory of her soft skin and breathy sighs haunted him still.
