Winter Luna - Big Timber Pack Part 1

Ronen

Up in the left-hand corner of the bar, the tv blared with another stupid Hallmark movie depicting the same ten people the last 22 movies had. I rolled my eyes, huffed when the bartender wasn’t looking, and readjusted myself on the bar stool. I was pretty sure he put on the movie for me since I was waiting for a tow truck. It was a sweet gesture, so I refrained from verbally complaining.

I peeked outside, frowning. Snow began to sprinkle like powdered sugar from heaven, all cute, fluffy, and stupidly cold. It would take a while for the tow truck to get to me with ice on the ground, covered with snow and now more snow. Even with the county running snow plows and using deicer, it would still take a while. The main roads would be clear, but the side roads would be a mess.

I groaned, weaving my fingers through my hair and giving it a pull. I was frustrated. So close to being home yet stranded. I peered up at the tv, spying the same blonde actress proclaiming to be Amish in a ‘new’ drama. I shook my head, turning back to my half empty beer to polish it off.

The bartender smirked, sliding me another. I lifted my head, thanking the cute man with a smile. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him. But I swore I knew him from somewhere. I stared at him for a little longer than what was polite. He was cute, so I didn’t feel too terrible. He smiled, going back to his task.

“Thanks,” I said softly, catching the beer.

He nodded, stacking clean glasses in the upright freezer. “Want a burger?” he asked over his shoulder. “Kitchen’s gonna close in a half hour, so it's now or starve.”

“Sure. No pickles, please.”

“Fries?”

I nodded. “Please and thank you.”

“Comin’ right up,” he replied, going down the length of the bar to shout the order to the cook.

I offered a tight smile, not thrilled about being stuck here. My Jeep blew the damn radiator while I was less than a hundred miles from my mountainous destination. I was longing for a good time by myself with an outdoor hot tub and a bottle of wine until my boyfriend could join me.

Outside, the snow went from a light sprinkle to a blizzard. I glared, livid that getting to the cabin was now hindered by more fucking weather. I loved the snow when I was inside my house and I didn’t have to be out shoveling it for hours. But I would be out in it for sure this year as my sister Melody was having a winter wedding on our family’s ranch, on Christmas no less. But that was totally my sister’s thing to make any holiday about her.

I turned back around and glanced at the tv, noting the blonde actress blushing from having a dude wipe snow off her cheek. I rolled my eyes and huffed. Before my Jeep broke down, I called my mom to talk to her about my boyfriend being all distant and how he was acting strange; except my mom could only speak about Melody and how, when I arrived, I needed to help decorate. I hung up. I always knew Melody was the favorite. It just hurt to have it so blatantly in my face.

Melody was the epitome of beautiful and classy. She was chic, smart, witty, everyone loved and adored her. The love Melody found with her man Troy was straight out of a legit Hallmark movie. As for me, I was still waiting for my man to propose. He wanted to wait until after his first year as a practicing attorney was completed, but that was three years ago.

The bartender slid the burger in front of me. My mouth instantly watered at the big handmade burger, smothered in pepper jack cheese and the home cut fries on the side. I temporarily forgot about my boyfriend being all weird with my stomach growling.

He added a stack of napkins to my left, and a bottle of ketchup and malt vinegar in front of me. “You’re gonna need them,” he smiled, pointing to the napkins.

My hands barely wrapped around the morsel. “Looks like it. Thank you,” I replied, sinking my teeth into the meal.

It. Was. Heavenly! I moaned, swishing my head to the side while my body danced in the seat. The bartender laughed, putting away more glasses.

“Like it?”

“I love it,” I replied through another mouthful.

“Danny back there does put together a mean burger.”

I rapidly nodded, eating another bite. I stared at the bartender longer this time. Good God, I knew him but it just wasn’t coming to me. It’s been years since I came back to Montana, but fuck, I knew who he was!

Shaking my head, I decided to ignore where I knew him from and focus on eating. I happily scarfed down the burger, not realizing how hungry I really was. I tried not to snack too much when driving because it made me sleepy; nor did I drink too much, so I didn’t have to use shady gas station bathrooms.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, causing me to jump. I set my food down, wiped off my hands and answered without looking at who called. “This is Ronen Smythe.”

“Hey, where you at?” my boyfriend awkwardly questioned.

I tilted my head to the side at his super weird demeanor. “At a bar in McLeod. I'm about thirty minutes from Big Timber then about another hour from the homestead. What time will you be here, my love?”

He was silent for a moment. “I'm not gonna make it to the wedding.”

“Henry?” I frowned. “Do you want me to come get you?” I knew how he hated driving in the snow.

“No,” he sighed. “I don't know how to put this.”

I pulled my phone from my ear and set it on the bar so I wouldn't drop it. Turning the speaker on, I waited with bated breath. My stomach sank. The food I’d just eaten threatened to come back up. I knew… I knew without him having to say a word. I covered my hand with my mouth to stave off the vomit.

He'd been acting distant lately. I contributed his behavior to all his cases and long hours at the office. Deep down I had a feeling it was something else, but hoped I was wrong given all the years we had together. My intuition was right all along. For weeks I knew but did and said nothing.

I fiddled with the ends of my hair, willing my eyes to stop welling with tears. I clenched them, only to find my mind forcing memories to the forefront; all the trips together, dates, late nights making plans about our future, were dashed. I’d met Henry at the county attorney’s office. Apparently, I was the secretary for his best friend’s brother. We hit it off and moved in together a few months later. Now, all those memories, the pictures, the life we were building were gone.

“I'm moving out. I met someone else.”

I was silent. Tears accumulated on my lashes and slipped down my cheeks.

“I've paid the rent and utilities through February, so you have time to find something else.”

The bartender whistled low. My eyes snapped up and glared. He walked off, going to the other side of the bar to give me space. Their phone rang and I ignored the sonorous chirping.

“How considerate,” I growled.

“Ronen,” he paused. “It’s nothing against you. You’re a great woman.”

“Save the bullshit.”

“I haven’t done anything-”

I laughed viciously. “Yeah, you’ve done nothing. Keep telling yourself that. If you were so miserable, you could have said or done something sooner instead of leading me on.” The silence on the other end made my heart squelch further. “How long, Henry?” I finally asked.

“How long, what?”

“How long have you known you didn’t love me anymore?” my voice cracked.

My query was met with more silence. Tears slipped out of my eyes and I brushed them away angrily. I wasn’t angry that we were over; I was angry at being led on, at the kisses and affection when it wasn’t genuine. He’d checked out while I fought for us, tried to keep us together; but I knew we were done. I’d just hoped it wouldn’t be for nothing, so I stayed. And it felt viciously unfair.

“Everything’s paid through February.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but the line was dead. My phone released the call and went back to the main screen. I stared at my fries, not feeling hungry anymore even though they looked delicious, and my stomach growled. My head swam. It was like all the memories flooded my brain and all the signs pointing to him being deceptive were there, yet I stupidly ignored it all, believing in my heart that my love would see us through. I thought my love could save our relationship if I’d hang on.

I downed the rest of my full beer. “Cheers to another failed relationship,” I muttered, trying to harden my heart.

The bartender sighed.

“If you say ‘but you’re still so young,’ I will throw this at you, Kyler,” I growled, pointing at the empty glass.

My brain fog finally lifted and I realized who he was. It was like an “oh-duh” moment for me and Kyler stared at me like no-shit. Kyler McCann was my neighbor growing up. He was cute, always kind, but I always put him out of my mind, thinking that he would go for Melody and not me, but clearly, he never did.

“I was gonna offer,” he began pointedly, “to drive you home, Ronen. Tow truck called and they couldn't make it out. Big wreck southwest of here.”

I nodded. “That would be nice. Thank you.”

He grinned. “And hey, it will be about thirty minutes. I need to close.”

Reaching into my purse, I pulled money out and left it on the counter. “It’s good to see you again.”

He winked. “Likewise.”

I tried not to read too much into his expression, but the joy he held at my very recent breakup shimmered in his brown eyes flecked with amber. I wriggled on the barstool. Grabbing the bottle of ketchup, I squirted some onto my plate. Taking the malt vinegar, I mixed some in with the ketchup and dipped my fries. I swear to God above; it was the best way to eat fries.

Kyler offered a wan smile, bustling around to get cleaned up. I peeked outside, not liking how the snow continued to drench the ground. Snow was pure, untainted, beautiful; and I felt like the complete opposite. I hung my head and ate my fries. When I got home, I planned on drinking the largest bottle of wine my cabinet had.

Ronen

Driving in the snow was a beast. I was thrilled it was Kyler and not me driving. I would have gotten a hotel in Big Timber and figured it out instead of going all the way to my cabin in this white bullshit. Kyler lived next door to my family’s ranch, and didn’t mind driving me home. It was truly kind of him and I was grateful, as the drive to my cabin was a bit of a stretch.

Each of the kids my parents had, me included, got a cabin built for us on whatever stretch of the four thousand acres we liked most. I picked my favorite spot: base of the mountains, tucked in the trees, and between where the valley meets the mountain side; right in the spot where I swore I saw my first large wolf. My cabin was a small, one bedroom abode with an underground concrete basement. My dad was terrified of the zombie apocalypse, so all our houses had underground bunkers.

I smiled, thinking of my dad. I couldn't wait to see him and hear another one of his silly jokes. I swore the man googled half the jokes he said, though I would never tell him my suspicions. Seeing his face light up and his blue eyes sparkle with mirth at the punchline was something I always loved witnessing.

I sighed, stealing a glance here and there at Kyler. He was a cutie with light brown hair streaked with red. A tattoo crept up the right side of his neck. I glanced at his left hand, noticing it was wonderfully vacant of a ring. Scolding myself, I turned back out the window, not wanting to appear desperate. Hell, I’d just been dumped hours ago, what the fuck was wrong with me?! He was just a good guy taking me home when he didn’t have to.

Kyler drove up the snow packed road, slowly taking the turns to where my house was situated. The outside light was on, making me wonder who got there before I did. I tilted my head to the side and huffed. Whipping my phone out, I checked it; wondering if there was a text detailing if someone was there or a missed call. There was nothing. It hurt. I’d figure my family would’ve called me by now.

“I’ll walk you to your door,” Kyler said, the last word coming out growly.

I arched a brow at his sudden protectiveness. “It’s okay, you don’t have to.”

Kyler turned in his seat and scowled. “I’m gonna, whether you agree or not. I’ll leave when you’re safely inside.”

“Okay,” I said, scooting closer to the door.

His hands gripped the steering wheel, accentuating his muscular arms and overall athletic build. He pulled around to the left where the drive was. Already my driveway and sidewalk were cleared of snow and heavily salted. The front light was on and the window beside the door opened. I noticed a person inside and so must have Kyler as he parked the car hurriedly and got out.

“Stay,” he commanded.

I crossed my arms but obliged; reasoning him being so kind after the blunder of a breakup back at his bar. He didn’t give me any immediate red flags; just a direct yet firm sense of protection. It was weird to me. None of my family members had ever expressed such concern. Even Henry wasn’t overly protective.

The front door opened and my brother Finch stepped out. Words were exchanged between them, with Finch shoving Kyler away. I unbuckled and opened the door to get out. Kyler grabbed him by the cuff of the shirt, tossing him in the snow face first with ease. Finch scrambled to his feet. His wife was on the stoop with the phone to her ear.

“Finch stop,” I yelled. “Bailey put the phone down. He brought me home.”

My older brother huffed, glaring daggers at Kyler. “Why didn’t you call one of us?”

“What makes you think I didn’t?” I countered.

Prior to Kyler taking me home, I had tried calling all my family members. None answered. I assumed they were busy with the wedding planning or whatever else was happening. So, I finally relented and let Kyler bring me.

Finch’s dark blue eyes pinched at the sides. “So, you had the local drunk take you home?”

“Bar owner,” Kyler growled.

“Yell at your sister inside,” Bailey’s grumpy tone commanded. “It’s fucking cold.”

While she wasn’t my favorite lady, I nodded and strode toward my house. My two toe-headed nieces were in their hot pink and polar bear footie pajamas, watching one of the Disney princess movies. They were so engrossed in the movie; they hadn’t noticed me or what had just occurred. I went into the open kitchen, leaning against the side of the island, and waited for the guys.

“Tangled,” Bailey said, pointing a finger and referencing the movie. “We’ve watched it four times today.”

“It’s a great movie,” I replied.

Finch entered the kitchen with Kyler behind him. “Explain to me,” Finch said, his voice low and menacing. “What the hell happened? Why is he here?” he finished, jerking a thumb over his shoulder.

“My Jeep blew the radiator and the tow truck was working on a wreck. Kyler offered me a ride home since none of you answered. I even called the ranch hands. If he hadn't brought me home, I would’ve been stranded.”

Finch deflated. “I’m sorry. The wedding preparations are wild, and I ignored your calls to help Melody. I figured someone else might have answered you.”

I crossed my arms in hopes to stem the tears. Kyler moved across the kitchen and stood beside me. The man, even in a sweatshirt, put off some serious body heat. He stood near me, almost protectively, and crossed his arms.

“You assumed wrong,” I bit out. “And what are you doing here?”

“Melody put Troy’s family in our house,” Bailey scoffed. “She could’ve asked.”

“Huh,” I quipped. “The nerve, am I right?”

Bailey rolled her green eyes.

“Ronen,” Finch hissed. “It’s just for the weekend.”

“You can stay with me,” Kyler said, shoving his hands in his denim jean pockets.

“Where’s Henry?” Finch asked. “At least he wasn’t a drunk.”

“That’s a lot of nerve coming from someone who used to frequent my bar regularly because he couldn’t deal with his wife,” Kyler shot back.

That was a preview of Winter Luna - Big Timber Pack Part 1. To read the rest purchase the book.

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