Page 45 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
As they continued their journey, Aubrey found herself captivated by Gunner’s relaxed confidence. The way he effortlessly navigated the winding roads, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on his thigh. It was a far cry from the tortured artist she’d first encountered in Atlanta.
“You seem so much different now than when I first met you,” she mused aloud.
Gunner raised an eyebrow at her before focusing back on the road. “Good different or bad different?”
Aubrey hesitated, weighing her words carefully. “Good, I think. More at peace.”
A soft chuckle escaped Gunner’s lips. “Funny how a small town and a certain stubborn chef can do that to a man.”
As the truck climbed higher into the hills, Aubrey laughed. “I suppose that’s true.”
Twenty minutes later, the truck rolled to a stop in a parking lot at the edge of the cliff, the engine’s purr fading into the night’s stillness. He swiftly exited, his boots crunching on gravel as he grabbed wool blankets from the back. Then he rounded the vehicle and extended his hand to Aubrey, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
“May I assist you, ma’am?” he drawled, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Aubrey couldn’t help but roll her eyes, even as her heart skipped a beat. “Such a gentleman,” she teased, placing her hand in his. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the crisp night air.
As she stepped down, her breath caught in her throat. The view before her was breathtaking—a sea of twinkling lights from Timber Falls nestled in the valley below, mirroring the bright stars above.
“Gunner, this is…” She trailed off, at a loss for words.
He squeezed her hand gently. “I know. C’mon, the view’s even better from back here.”
He led her to the truck bed, where he laid out a nest of blankets. They settled in, shoulders brushing as they arranged the wool around themselves. Aubrey found herself hyperaware of every point of contact between them.
“So,” she began, desperate to break the charged silence, “was this where you’d bring all the girls to impress them back in the day?”
Gunner’s laugh was low and warm. “Nah, darlin’. This spot’s special. I used to come here to write when I was younger. Helped me feel connected, I guess. To the town, to the music.”
“And now?” she asked.
His eyes met hers, filled with an intensity that made her breath hitch. “Now, I’m hoping it’ll help me feel connected to something—someone—even more important.”
She smiled, inhaling deeply, the crisp mountain air filling her lungs. A profound sense of calm washed over her, seeping into her very bones. Her gaze drifted across the sleepy town below, its lights twinkling. A mix of emotions swirled within her.
“It’s so quiet up here,” she murmured. “Makes the world feel… I don’t know, simpler somehow.”
His low chuckle rumbled through her. “That’s part of why I love it,” he said. “Used to think I needed the roar of the crowd, you know? The bright lights, the constant rush.”
Aubrey turned to face him, struck by the vulnerability in his eyes. Gunner took a deep breath, as if steeling himself.
“Truth is,” he continued, his voice soft and sincere, “I thought I’d be going crazy by now, missing all that. But being home, with you…” He trailed off, obviously searching for the right words. “I’ve never felt more like myself.”
The confession hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning.
She took a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper when she finally spoke. “I know what you mean,” she admitted. “Timber Falls was not what I expected when I first came here. But there’s something about the town that’s gotten under my skin.” Now she paused, struggling to find the right words. “I miss Atlanta sometimes. The energy, the constant buzz of the city. But here, I’ve started to find a different kind of excitement. A warmth I didn’t know I was missing.”
Gunner’s hand found hers, his touch sending a spark through her body. “Tell me more,” he encouraged gently.
Aubrey bit her lip. “Sometimes it feels like I’m caught between two worlds,” she admitted. “The city girl in me craves the hustle, the opportunities. But Timber Falls, and you…” She squeezed his hand. “You’ve shown me a life I never knew I wanted.” She glanced out toward the sleepy town. “I can’t imagine a future without this place now,” she confessed. “But I also can’t let go of who I was before. Is it crazy to want both?”
His arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer with a gentle but firm tug. The warmth of his body enveloped her, a stark contrast to the cool night air.
“Darlin’,” he drawled, his voice rich like honey, “wantin’ both ain’t crazy at all. It’s who you are.”
She tilted her head up, meeting his intense gaze. “You really think so?” she whispered, afraid to break the spell of the moment.
His lips curved into a soft smile. “I know so. Hell, look at me. I’m living proof that a man can have two hearts—one for the stage, one for home.”
