Page 48 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
He felt the familiar tension building within her, the way her sweet body hugged him tight.
“Let go, sweetheart,” Gunner whispered, his breath hot against her ear. “I’ve got you.”
With those words, Aubrey cried out, trembling in his arms as he followed her over the edge, their bodies finding release in each other.
As the aftershocks subsided, Gunner withdrew and tucked her into his arms, holding her close.
“You’ve got me,” she whispered.
He kissed her shoulder. “Always, darlin’. I always have you.”
Fourteen
The following evening, Aubrey’s heart swelled with pride as she stood at the entrance of The Naked Moose, the warm glow of the bar’s lights spilling onto the wintery street. A steady stream of townsfolk approached, their excited chatter filling the air.
“Evening, Betty! Glad you could make it,” Aubrey called out.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, dear,” Betty replied with a wink.
As more familiar faces passed by, Aubrey’s smile grew. This was her idea from a month ago—a way to give the kids a chance to practice before the big talent show. Tonight was a private show, with only the talent show kids and family present, and the turnout was even better than she’d hoped.
“Hey there, Walt,” she greeted the local hardware store owner. “Grandkids all set for their big debut?”
Walt grinned, tipping his well-worn baseball cap. “Reckon so. Though I think I’m more nervous than they are.”
Aubrey laughed, the sound mingling with the growing buzz of anticipation.
As the crowd outside thinned, Aubrey slipped inside, the familiar scents of polished wood and hints of her latest cocktail creation enveloping her. The bar was packed, a sea of flannel and denim and cowboy hats, and faces alight with excitement.
Weaving through the throng, Aubrey’s trained eye scanned for any last-minute details needing attention. A loose tablecloth here, a misplaced chair there—small imperfections she swiftly corrected.
“Aubrey!” a voice called out. She turned to see Nancy, one of the regulars, holding up a glass filled with a shimmering purple liquid. “This new drink of yours? It’s amazing!”
Aubrey beamed, a flutter of pride in her chest. “Glad you like it.”
As she continued her rounds, Aubrey caught snippets of conversation, most praising her latest mixology experiment. The kids would be on soon, and there was still work to be done. She may have left behind the prestige of a top-tier restaurant, but here, in this moment, she felt more fulfilled than ever before.
Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Gunner approaching, his eyes shimmering with an intensity that made her heart skip. He moved through the crowd with an easy grace, his presence drawing admiring glances from the patrons.
“Aubrey,” he drawled. “This is incredible. I can’t believe you pulled all this together for us.”
She felt a flush creep up her neck, fighting to maintain her composure. “It’s nothing, really. Just thought the kids could use a little practice before the big show—and for their families to see how far they’ve come.”
Gunner’s hand brushed her arm, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. “Don’t sell yourself short, darlin’. This means the world to them, and to me.”
“I’m just glad I could help,” she murmured, acutely aware of how close they were standing.
As they gazed at each other, the rest of the bar seemed to fade away. Aubrey felt herself being drawn in, captivated by the intensity of Gunner’s gaze.
The spell was broken by a commotion near the stage. Aubrey’s attention snapped to the source, her eyes landing on Emily. The young girl stood at the edge of the platform, her small hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Even from a distance, Aubrey could see the nervousness etched on Emily’s face.
“Poor thing looks terrified,” she murmured, her heart going out to the child.
Gunner nodded, his expression softening. “Stage fright’s a beast, even for seasoned performers. I should get over there—she could use a little encouragement.”
He approached Emily, said something to her which made her smile a little. Then he strode onto the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention. The crowd hushed, all eyes drawn to him as he approached the microphone. His eyes sparkled with warmth as he surveyed the packed bar, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“Well, folks,” he said, his rich baritone filling the room, “looks like we’ve got ourselves a real shindig tonight.” A ripple of laughter flowed through the crowd. “Y’all are in for a treat, ’cause we’ve got the best darn show right here in The Naked Moose.”
