Page 45 of Bryson

Julianne felt the ache spreading inside her chest. The hurt had gone even deeper than she realized. And she was determined to make him see that there was nothing to worry about.

"I said those things because of what your mother said to me. She would come up with little digs. At first, I tried to ignore them, but they soon got to me, and it was frustrating that you did not or would not see my side of it or realize what she was doing."

"She's my mother and I knew what she went through with my father. What we both went through." His mouth twisted in regret. "After you left, I confronted her. I was in the study digging through some papers when I saw the check she had written. She had kept it, for whatever reason I do not know. So, I confronted her and we had a very bitter argument. I blamed her for running you off."

His fingers stroked the back of her neck. "When I found the check, which was proof of what you'd been saying all along, that's when I came to find you." His hand tightened around herneck as the recollection of what he had seen seared through him. "I was prepared to ask for your forgiveness and beg you to come back with me."

"I wish you had." Tears blurred her eyes as she stared at him. "I wish you had approached me and then I would have explained that what you saw was nothing. I'm sorry, Bryson, for all the misunderstandings and the bitterness of the past. I want to stay."

"Do you, darling?" he asked softly. Releasing her nape, he used his thumb to wipe away the tears that had started to fall. "Because if you're uncomfortable with her living at the ranch, I can make arrangements for her to go elsewhere."

"No." She shook her head. "I'm fine, really, I am, and she's coming around."

"Promise me something."

"Anything," she told him solemnly.

"If for one minute, even a second, she ever says anything to make you feel the least bit like the ranch is not your home, I want you to tell me and I'll deal with it. I want you to feel at home. I cannot have you feeling like a stranger. She's my mother, but you're mywife, the mother of my child, the woman I love with my entire being. I don't want to have to worry about whether you're going to leave." He tilted her chin up. "It would destroy me."

"It would destroy me too." Her lips trembled open. "I love you and whatever happens, I'm here to stay."

"Be very sure," he told her gruffly, his head descending. "Because I'm never letting you go."

Wrapping herself around him, she used the means available to her to convince him that she meant what she said.

"I'm so happy you extended your stay for another week," Barbara told him with a pleased smile as she dismissed the hovering maid and poured the coffee herself.

"So am I." Brian was surprised that he was actually enjoying the woman's company. With his best friend still at the cottage with her new husband on their honeymoon, he had woken up to the knock on his door. When he opened it, a maid wearing a crisp black and white uniform told him that Ms. Barbara requested his company for breakfast in the informal dining room.

He had been annoyed at first because, after the long night of dancing, drinking, and carousing with a very cute cowhand (not really his type, but one could not be too picky in these parts!), he had fallen into bed still fully dressed and slept the sleep of the dead. His only plans for today were to sleep the day away and have something brought to his room.

But his resentment had been shelved. The woman had obviously gone the extra mile to have the kitchen prepare a very tasty meal. The coffee was the best he had ever had, and the homemade soda bread was so delicious, he was making a pig of himself. Not to mention the delicately sliced ham and fluffy eggs. He had been to many different countries and stayed in five-star hotels and cozy little bed and breakfasts, but nothing compared to this. The place was magical.

"You've known Julianne a very long time."

Brian looked up from pouring another cup of coffee and gave the woman a contemplative look. If she was looking for dirt on his friend, she was going to be sorely disappointed. "Forever. We met in high school. She was an overachiever and completely fearless."

He settled back to enjoy the coffee, a smile playing around his lips. "Everyone feared her. You see, she had this enormous chip on her shoulder because her dad had left them without a word and she was angry at the world. I was skinny and scared all the time. She defended me when I was cornered by two bullies whodecided to entertain themselves by picking on me. I fell in love with her then." He laughed softly at the memory.

Barbara stared at him in surprise. "I thought you're... that you were-"

"Gay?" Brian sent her a wicked smile that had her blushing. "Darling, I was a gangly fifteen-year-old who was just exploring his sexuality and confused as hell, pardon my French. She was beautiful and extremely confident; I wanted to attach myself to her like a leech."

"Were you involved?" Barbara asked, delicately sipping her coffee.

Brian burst out laughing. "Oh, absolutely not. She told me bluntly that she didn't have time for a relationship and that men were basically pigs." He grinned. "I told you she was angry at the world. But she could not get rid of me."

His green eyes met hers. "She's gold. Your daughter-in-law is the most wonderful and completely loyal woman I've ever met. She will stand by that son of yours through thick or thin and she loves him. I've known her all her life and I've never seen her that way around a guy before. Not that she has been around many of them," he added hastily, not wanting the woman to think hisbest friend was some sort of slut. "She was too busy building her career to give relationships a try. And she had trust issues."

"I misjudged her," Barbara said softly. "And you're right, my son loves her. I was the one who caused her to leave before. I-I offered her money." She had no idea why she was telling him this, but for some unknown reason, she liked Brian.

"I know," he told her gently. "I hated you for what you did, but now, I'm completely afraid that I'm falling in love with you." His artless smile had her laughing out loud, something she had not done in a very long time.

"Thank you," she told him softly.

"You're most welcome," he murmured. "Now, let's finish this delicious breakfast and go for a ride. I have the strongest urge to feel the fresh air on my skin."

She stirred around noon to see the pale sunshine filtering through the thick drapes. Blinking her eyes open, she sat up when she realized that the space next to her was empty and there was a tray on the bedside table, with a note.