Forsaken Trail (Runaway, #4)

by Devney Perry

Maybe it was time to switch directions. To forge a beaten path. And find out if there was a rainbow waiting at the end of my forsaken trail.

Aria’s doing, no doubt. This morning, when I’d had my coffee, she’d been out with watering can and shears, pruning the pots and planters. She was a gorgeous woman. Much to my dismay, her looks always made my heart beat a bit faster. Just my type too. Beautiful. Obstinate. Bold. Aria’s looks were different than Clara’s, though they shared some features. The pretty bows of their lips. The tips of their noses. The same shining brown eyes flecked with gold. And a realism for life beyond their years.

“Her dress is gaudy and hideous,” Aria said as we emerged through the threshold of the double doors. The couple in front of us gaped and sent her horrified looks. Aria simply smiled. “Hello.” I fought a laugh. It was . . . surprising. I hadn’t thought I’d have to fight much other than my gag reflex tonight.

“You love your home. You love your job. What else should I know about you, Aria Saint-James?” That maybe I don’t hate you. “One day, I’d like to have a flower shop and a greenhouse of my own. I’d like to make bouquets like that one and keep growing plants.”

“What are you doing?” I asked as he inched closer, pressing into the skirt of my gown. “I’m going to kiss you.” My heart skipped. Yes. That was the champagne talking. I didn’t care. “What if I don’t want you to kiss me?” He leaned in close, the warmth of his breath caressing my cheek. “What if you do?” What if I did? I took his face in my hands, letting the scratch of his beard scrape against my palms, and I pulled his mouth down to mine. Then I kissed him.

Aria Saint-James was impossible to escape.

He’d come here without a bag, hadn’t he? The cold robot who loved money had cared enough and been freaked out enough to hop on a plane without so much as a toothbrush. He’d come here on a spur-of-the-moment decision because our lives were now different. Entwined. He’d rushed to my side and begged me not to cut him out of our kid’s life. Brody never stopped surprising me.

Brody’s entire face changed. Gone was the fear and worry. Gone was the stoic, stony gaze. Everything melted. His eyes. The hold of those soft lips. His shoulders dropped from his ears. He almost looked . . . happy. He looked like the man who’d charmed me at a wedding.

He dropped my hand and, in a flash, those warm palms were on my face, pulling me off my stool. Brody’s lips crushed mine, sending a zing down my spine. God, his lips were soft. The texture from his beard tickled my chin, and when his tongue darted out to lick the seam of my mouth, a whole new flutter rocked my stomach. This one the good kind.

Welcome Floral hadn’t cost me one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars like I’d told Aria. No, the flower shop had cost me four hundred and eighty thousand dollars. Nearly half a million.

She’d own the building downtown, and I hoped that after a year in Welcome, she’d realize my small town wasn’t without its charms.

I’d meant what I’d told her. After my birthday, I’d consider moving. But I also liked it here in Arizona. I loved this lifeless house. It was safe. Comfortable. Ron had his bungalow on the property. Clara had her house. One day, I wanted to see my child outside playing in the driveway.

And the stray lock of hair was mine. One sweep around the shell of her ear and Aria’s breath hitched.

“You wore jeans on Saturday.” “That was different.” “Why?” Because we were hauling boxes? “Because that was for you.” One sentence. One answer. And the world fell away from my feet.

Did he realize what he’d just confessed? Did he realize how special he’d just made me feel? I was the exception to his rules. One sentence, one answer, and we were back to that night. He was in a tux. I was in a green gown. And electricity sparked between us.

Aria was more beautiful than any flower in the world. Even mad, she was lovelier than any rose.

Within a mile, I missed home. I missed her.

Aria was the exception. When it came to her, none of my rules applied. She had my focus. She had my free moments. She had my nights.

“Brody, I know this seems strange. I know Clara can take a gift and say thank you. I can’t.” “Why?” “Because tomorrow it might be gone. If I earn it myself, then maybe it won’t disappear.” In that single sentence, it all made sense. She was protecting herself. She was insulating herself from heartbreak. If she counted on me and I left her . . . “I won’t leave you, Aria.” “You might.” “Never.” Not when I was falling for her. She closed her eyes and collapsed into my chest.

I giggled and tossed my napkin at his face. The smile on his made my heart flip. I’d seen that smile more in the past month than in all the years I’d known Brody. Even Clara had commented on how happy he was. How happy we both were.

love you. Damn, but I love you, woman.” “And that’s why you buy me things.” I nodded. “That’s why I’ll try to stop.” She stared at me, those mesmerizing eyes glassy with tears. “I love you too.”

“It’s not worth that price.” “But you paid it anyway.” “For you? I’d buy the moon.”

Aria leaned into me. “I love you.” “I love you too.” I kept her in my arms as we faced the sunset again. “What do you think? Want to stay in Arizona? Or go back to Oregon?” “Arizona is growing on me. And besides, it’s where the Cadillac brought me.” “So?” She tipped her chin up and smiled. “You can’t argue with that Cadillac.”