how’d it go?”
She smiled. “Okay, I guess. She didn’t want to talk about Em or the wedding much. I just brought up the gowns we might wear as an ‘us bridesmaids’ kind of thing. I suggested the Chess Club go to the bakery for their snacks.”
Nate’s brows lifted. “Chess Club?”
Laughing, she explained the misleading name.
“That was a good idea,” he admitted.
“Don’t look so surprised,” she said lightly. “I do have them now and again.”
He reached around and tugged her braid. “I know.”
She swatted at his arm, and he just grinned. When he walked away, Brooke couldn’t help staring after him and shaking her head. It was rather amusing how desperate her playboy brother was to get married.
After helping a couple tourists park in the right spot for the sleigh ride, Adam almost walked into the barn when he caught sight of Nate and Brooke talking. He backed out again before they saw him. Nate had assigned him some mechanic work in the truck shed, and he wasn’t quite done.
When he saw Nate leave the barn, he went in and found Brooke hanging up her tack.
She glanced at him and shook her head. “Surely you’re not interested in how my talk with Steph went.”
“Not really. I don’t have too many fond memories of the teenager I was.”
“I think you’re being too hard on yourself. You straightened out . . . some.”
He shrugged. “And your brother may want to get married in a hurry, but it’s not like he’s spending his nights alone.”
Brooke laughed. “No, but they don’t live together. He loves her and wants to be with her.” She tapped his chest as she walked past him out of the tack room. “Don’t tell me you’re complaining about spending your nights alone.”
“Not me. It’s peaceful.”
“Then why are you bothering me?” she asked in a lighthearted tone. “Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving, and I have lots to do.” She moved to the barn door and paused. “Did my mom invite you to Thanksgiving supper tomorrow night?”
“You don’t want me to be there,” he said, knowing it was for the best.
She didn’t deny it, only met his gaze then, and as usual, he couldn’t look away. He could get lost there, forget where he was—forget what she wanted. He wasn’t sure he knew anymore what he wanted from Brooke.
“But I don’t want you alone on the holiday,” she admitted at last.
“Alone?” He smiled. “When I have the widows?”
She visibly relaxed. “So you’ll be with your grandma then.”
“For the afternoon. Then I hear the widows are coming to your place. I’ll convince my grandma to come, too, so I can have some peace and quiet.”
“You seem to value that,” she said, putting her hand against a wooden beam.
“I do. When you’ve spent ten years shoulder to shoulder with other men, and you never do anything alone, even the most private . . . well, let me tell you, that log cabin is mighty peaceful.”
“I’m glad.” A sly smile curved her mouth. “Once upon a time, you never went anywhere alone, if I remember correctly.”
He grunted.
“Ah, so you can’t disagree. What did you need that posse for? Proof of your popularity?”
He had no choice but to smile. “I can’t deny that. It made me feel good to have guys who thought I was cool. It was something I definitely didn’t get at home.”
She winced. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply—”
“Naw, it’s okay,” he interrupted. “I did have a childish view of friendship then, that friends would do whatever I wanted, back me up, whatever I said. It took the Marines to show me that I was the one who had to prove I was good enough, to show that I would give my life in loyalty to my brothers.” He thought of those brothers, of Paul and Eric and Zach, and so many others who’d died because they believed he couldn’t make a mistake.
She stared at him solemnly, as if sensing his troubled thoughts. “Adam?” she began uncertainly.
He waved a hand. “Sorry. Lost my train of thought. Have a good Thanksgiving, Brooke.”
Thanksgiving had been hectic but wonderful, Brooke thought, as she finished up the last of the dishes with Josh. The day had been filled with football, turkey preparations, then a great meal. Nate and Emily had been practically glued together all day, arms around each other or holding hands, making Brooke feel happy but a little jealous. They looked into each other’s eyes and saw a future together. It must be so wonderful to be a