Authors: Amanda Renee
Back to Texas (17 page)
“He lied by omission.”
“Who hasn’t?” Kay threw back her head and laughed. “Don’t even begin to tell me you haven’t done the exact same things. We all do. We purposely leave something out because it might hurt someone or because we’re afraid of losing their love or respect. Does Ruby have any idea you used to sneak out here for riding lessons?”
Bridgett shook her head. “No.”
“Why not? Why keep it from her?” Kay goaded.
“Because she would have felt like a charity case if she’d found out Joe wasn’t charging me for the lessons.”
“And what about all those crazy things you used to do when it came to boys? Does Adam know about the time you fell and broke your arm because you had such a crush on Aaron Bradley you chased him up a tree? No, because it’s not who you are today. Adam left things out because it’s not who he is today. And yes, hiding his identity was much bigger than falling out of a tree, but Adam was trying to move forward with his life. Nothing he hid was threatening or physically harmful to anyone. I know you were hurt by it, and you have a right to be upset. But it isn’t always black and white. You have to allow for gray, too. He’s a good man, Bridgett. I shouldn’t tell you this, but he made a large anonymous donation to Dance of Hope the first few days he was here.”
“He did what?”
“I’m not going to give you the amount,” Kay smiled. “But he added lots of zeros to the check.”
Bridgett thanked Kay and sought out her sister at Dance of Hope. She needed Clay to locate Adam for her so she could talk to the man who’d come to mean so much to her before he’d broken her heart. If it meant flying to California, she’d be on the next plane out. She refused to let things end this way.
Chapter Thirteen
Days passed and Bridgett was no closer to finding Adam. Where the stares and whispers had once begun to wane, they were now in full swing again. She’d moved home with her mother after Thanksgiving, and while it was a start, they still had a long ways to go before they repaired their relationship.
Clay had run a detailed background check on Adam. It turned out everything he’d told them was true. By the week’s end, Adam’s face was plastered across every trashy tabloid at the grocery store checkout. He had done exactly what he’d said he would. He’d told the world the truth. While he had refused interviews, Bridgett had read every one of his press releases.
Despite Clay’s various connections in Los Angeles, Adam had the money to hide and stay hidden. For all she knew, he might actually be trekking the Australian outback this time. It was the last place anyone would check now.
She had been able to contact Adam’s sister, Lizzy. Clay had located her phone number and Bridgett had listened while his sister told her the extent of Adam’s deception. Lizzy loved her brother, but she hadn’t sugarcoated any of it. She gave Bridgett the facts and told her to come to her own conclusions. Bridgett just wanted Adam to return one phone call. That was all she needed.
* * *
A
DAM
LANDED
AT
the San Antonio airport exactly two weeks after he’d left. With all ties severed in California, he finally felt free. During his time away, he had researched every available property in Ramblewood.
Eager to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams, he found a storefront for his music school. He also found a large house near the center of town on a few acres with a commercially zoned separate building he’d love to convert into a restaurant for Bridgett, if she’d have him back. She had at least left him a few voice mails, asking him to call her back. It had given him a glimmer of hope, but he hadn’t felt right returning her calls yet. He’d wanted to ensure he’d wrapped up everything before he spoke with her again.
Adam had an appointment to meet with Bond Gallo, a Ramblewood real estate agent, in a little over an hour. If the properties he’d looked at online were as good in person, Bond would have one hell of a commission check this month.
As much as he wanted to see Bridgett, there were a few minor details he needed to tie up first. He knew Bridgett would never want to be the wife of a rock star, but the wife of a music school owner was altogether different.
When airport car service pulled up to the first property, Adam was pleasantly surprised.
The main house was magnificent, needing very little updating. The old farmhouse that stood on the property was the perfect size for a restaurant and he’d be willing to pay for whatever modifications Bridgett wanted. It needed to be completely gutted and outfitted for an industrial kitchen, but he was confident it would maintain much of its charm.
“It’s perfect,” Adam said to Bond.
The commercial property Bond had shown Adam for his music school had far exceeded his expectations in size. It was an abandoned ammunitions factory. The inside was a blank slate and could be configured any way he wanted. Adam made two full price offers that afternoon, setting his final plan in motion.
Adam asked his driver to take him to the back entrance of the Bridle Dance ranch, closest to Shane and Lexi’s house. He wasn’t ready for anyone to spot him just yet. He wanted to be the one to tell Bridgett he was back in town.
Adam dialed Shane’s number and was grateful Shane didn’t give away who he was talking to when he answered the phone.
“How are you doing?” Shane asked.
“You’re about to find out, because I’m almost to the ranch. Is there any way you can get me my truck without anyone seeing you?”
“Come on up to the house. Lexi’s not home.”
By nightfall, with Shane’s seal of approval, Adam headed toward Ruby’s house to see Bridgett. He was surprised to hear she’d moved back home. He wondered what had changed her mind, but was glad she had finally resolved her family differences. Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite say the same for himself. Things still hadn’t improved with his parents, although his relationship with Lizzy was growing stronger every time they spoke.
Adam’s Texas cell phone rang and he was surprised to see Bridgett’s name and photo on the screen. He wondered if Shane had told Lexi and she had tipped Bridgett off that he was in town. It didn’t matter anyway: he was almost to her house.
“Hello.”
“I wasn’t sure if you’d answer.” Bridgett said on the other end. “Hear me out before you hang up on me.”
“I have no intention on hanging up on you, Bridgett.”
“That’s good because I have a lot to say.”
“Can it wait a minute?” Adam asked.
“No, it can’t. I’ve waited two weeks for you to pick up the phone. I’ve done a lot of soul-searching and I know in my heart you are the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. You said you wanted a second chance, and I’m ready to give you one, even if it means going to California.”
Adam heard the words, but his brain had a hard time keeping up with her. “Are you sure, because if you are, I have something to ask you first.”
“Okay.” Adam could hear the anxiety in Bridgett’s voice. He had debated telling her about his plans in person, but he didn’t think he’d be able to endure the rejection if she were standing in front of him.
“How would you feel if I bought a house in Ramblewood and opened up a music school nearby?”
“A music school?”
Adam pulled up in front of Bridgett’s house and parked. “I wanted to tell you the night you asked me what my hopes and dreams were. But I couldn’t. Not then, I couldn’t. It had been my plan from the beginning. I’ve designed and redesigned it many times over the years and I’m ready.”
“Is that what you really want?” Bridgett asked. “To leave Hollywood and the standard of living you’ve grown so accustomed to.”
He opened the truck door and stepped onto the sidewalk. “I’ve never been happy or comfortable in California. Don’t get me wrong—it’s a beautiful place, but it can also be very ugly at times. I got caught up in that lifestyle years ago.” Standing outside her front door, Adam inhaled deeply. “I know I still have a lot of work to do when it comes to my family, but I love you, Bridgett. With you by my side, I know I can accomplish anything.”
“I love you, too, Adam.”
Adam heard the doorbell through Bridgett’s end of the phone.
“Answer the door, Bridgett.”
“Of all times for someone to show up at the house.” Adam tried not to laugh at Bridgett’s frustration. “Hold on a second.”
The front door to the house swung open, fast and furious.
“Oh, my God.” Bridgett dropped the phone. “You’re here.”
Adam knelt on one knee before Bridgett and held a ring box out in front of him.
“Bridgett Jameson...” Adam slowly opened the box, revealing a two-carat pear-shaped diamond set in a delicate diamond accented white-gold band. He knew she’d balk at anything larger. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Bridgett’s hands flew to her chest. “I—I don’t know what to say.”
“
Yes
is customary, that is, if you’ll have me.”
“Yes!”
Adam pulled away and removed the ring from the box. Lifting her hand he slid it onto Bridgett’s finger.
“I’ve secretly envisioned this moment from the day we met,” Adam said. “I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
“How does
soon
sound?”
Epilogue
Bridgett and Adam accepted Abby and Clay’s generous offer to join them in a double New Year’s Eve wedding ceremony at Slater’s Mill. Abby spared no detail in decorating the honky-tonk to look like a sparkling country fantasyland. Since it had been Abby’s wedding to begin with, Bridgett went along with whatever she chose and didn’t try to change a single thing. Bridgett had never imagined a place so rustic would look so romantic. The decorations even lined the back deck and all along Cooter Creek. It was perfect in every way possible. Abby and Clay had wanted to marry in the place where they shared their first kiss.
They’d sent silver-engraved invitations to their families and every Ramblewood resident. They’d even personally delivered invitations to Adam’s parents and sister on Christmas day. Their unexpected visit caught Adam’s parents off guard, but by the end of the day, they seemed to warm to Adam’s new appearance and listened while he explained his plans for a music school and recording studio along with Bridgett’s restaurant.
Late Christmas evening, Bridgett and Abby dropped in on their biological father after hearing he was spending another holiday alone. They invited him to the wedding, and he thanked them but was afraid he’d overshadow their big day. They left the decision up to him.
Considering Bridgett was supposed to be Abby’s maid of honor, they changed things up a bit, each couple being the other’s maid of honor and best man. With only minutes to go before Ruby walked her two daughters down the aisle, Bridgett’s nerves began to ramp up. Peeking out at their wedding guests, she was thrilled to see Adam’s parents arrive moments before the wedding procession began.
A few months ago, Bridgett never would have imagined she’d be walking down the aisle, beside a twin sister! The fast friendship they had formed when Abby had first come to town had once again blossomed. Bridgett had always wanted a sister to confide in, and now she had one, however unexpected.
The thought of leaving town was a distant memory. As they walked down the aisle, Bridgett felt the love radiating off their guests. Almost the entire town had come, including their new half siblings and Darren. This was where she belonged. This was home.
At midnight on New Year’s Eve, Abby and Bridgett stood side by side, as they pledged their love to the men in their lives. And even though they’d learned that good intentions don’t always turn out as expected, they’d also discovered that the honesty in their hearts would always prevail.
* * * * *
Give yourself an early Christmas present!
Watch for MISTLETOE RODEO,
the next book in Amanda Renee’s
WELCOME TO RAMBLEWOOD
series.
In stores October 2015.
Keep reading for an excerpt from THE COWBOY’S HOMECOMING by Donna Alward
