More burden. More rocks filling Bree’s middle. “I know.” This time she stopped there. If she said any more it would force her into a full-on freak-out, and she could not let that happen in front of Braden.
She focused on the steps as she lowered herself from one to the next. Beneath the streetlamp stood Braden’s truck. Taped-up boxes filled the flatbed, seeming to weigh it down the way she had him.
The air was soured with unspoken words. Words that would rile and rage and rob her of all things good. Words that – if she chose to speak them– would give new life to the small, tormented girl inside her – that girl that came to life the day Carl Ronsberg singled her out. Sure, she’d learned to bury that little girl long ago, giving life to the confident, semi-adjusted woman she’d become. Still a different version of who she might have been, but adjusted just the same.
“I meant to tell you,” Braden said, opening the passenger door for her. “I might have found someone to help care for the orchard while you’re there. So you won’t have to do it all on your own.”
A distraction. One point for Braden. “That’s good.”
He closed her door, circled around the truck, and climbed in behind the wheel. “He grew up on an orchard his father owns not far from here, so he’s got plenty of experience.”
Whoa. “Did you say he?”
“Yes…” He dragged out the word while giving her his take-it-down-a-notch look. “It’s not like you’ll be sharing your bed. He’ll stay in the guesthouse.”
“How old is he? What does he do? What kind of guy can just put his life on hold and move to some orchard in an entirely different state?”
The look was still glued on Braden’s face. “Take a breath, Bree. He’s about your age. Never been married. Kind of between jobs –”
“He’s thirty-two and he’s never been married?”
When her brother tipped his head, Bree bit back her words. Braden hadn’t married until he was in his thirties. She grasped for something else. “Does he have any children?”
“No. And can we save the twenty dozen questions for later? We don’t even know if it’s a sure thing.” He fired up the truck, began backing out of the drive.
Sure. She could do that. Forget that this news filled her with enough angry heat to launch a hot air balloon across Glacier National Park. “I just don’t feel like spending my sentence to misery with some jobless, lifeless louse. I’d rather do the work my self and be left alone.” She felt a hint of relief once that was out, but guilt was quick to snatch it away.
Braden put on the brakes, the rear of his truck halfway into the quiet street. “You know, Bree, you’re going to have to learn to trust people somehow. They’re not all Carl Ronsbergs, you know?”
Oh, she knew. But she also knew there were all types out there: Ronsbergs, and those who created the likes of Ronsberg. She had to watch out for both. She shrugged, done with the argument for now. “I just figured it would be a woman, that’s all.”
He sighed. A heavy, laden sound. “Probably because old Ms. Clemmins has run the place all this time.”
Bree managed a stiff nod. “Yeah, that’s probably why.”
Yet one particular question bounced higher than all the rest. One that made thoughts of her stalker fade faster than the house in the distance. Just who was this guy Braden had in mind?
This completes the sample chapter of Fresh Starts. This novel can be found in the Falling For Her Bodyguard Collection here, or purchased separately here.
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Also by Kimberly Krey
Unlikely Cowgirl Series
Her Gun-shy Cowboy
Her Kismet Cowboy
Her Dream Cowboy
Cobble Creek Small Town Romance
The Unlikely Bride
The Hopeful Bride
The Determined Bride
The Sweet Montana Bride Series
Reese’s Cowboy Kiss
Jade’s Cowboy Crush
Cassie’s Cowboy Crave
Rough Edges
Mending Hearts
Fresh Starts
Beach Romance
Catching Waves: A Sweet Beach Romance (The Royal Palm Resort Book 2)
28 days with a Billionaire
Young Adult Novellas
Getting Kole for Christmas
Getting Micah under the Mistletoe
Chemistry of a Kiss
Novella
Ranch Hand for Auction
Navy SEALs Romance
The Honorable Warrior
The Fearless Warrior
Christmas Romance
Her TV Bachelor Fake Fiancé
The Comfy Christmas Collection: Four Holiday Romance Reads; First Loves & Second Chances
Collections
Falling for Her Bodyguard: Four Full-length Romance Novels
Cobble Creek Romance Collection: Three small-town Romances
The Sweet Montana Bride Series: Three Witness Protection Cowboy Romances
Second Chance Romance Series: Three Sweet Romances Featuring Second Chances
The Comfy Christmas Collection: Four Holiday Romance Reads; First Loves & Second Chances
Also See
The Cowboy’s Catch (in Big Sky Anthology)
About the Author
Writing Romance That’s Clean Without Losing the Steam!
Award-winning author Kimberly Krey specializes in writing 'Romance That's Clean without Losing the Steam'. She's a fervent lover of God, family, and cheese platters, as well as the ultimate hater of laundry. Follow her on any of the sites below for updates on new releases and or giveaways.