Dalton Read online

  “You do? You don’t think it’s crazy for me to give up my place in the orchestra, my future as a performer?”

  “I don’t think it’s crazy at all. You should do what makes you happy. If performing does that, be a performer. If it’s teaching, then teach. I’ll back whatever you decide.”

  Her eyes widened and her hands dropped back into her lap. “You must think it’s strange I came all the way here to tell you that, considering the last time I saw you I was pretty adamant we didn’t have a future together.”

  His dimples deepened and he cocked his head, his eyes playful. “I knew you’d be back. You can’t resist me.”

  She slapped him lightly on the chest, her pulse racing. “Oh really? You’re so sure of yourself, are you? Let me tell you something, buddy. I can resist you.”

  Without warning, he lifted her feet from the ground and pulled her into his lap. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her, his lips exploring hers, sending waves of pleasure through her.

  When he pulled away, she felt as though he’d taken her breath with him. Her eyes opened lazily and she leaned her cheek against his firm chest. “I guess I was wrong …”

  He chuckled and tightening his embrace. “So what does this mean? Are you going back to school then?”

  She sighed. “I guess so. I know it sounds strange, but even the idea of studying again is pretty exciting. I’ve lost my passion for the orchestra – or maybe realized that I didn’t have a passion for it, I don’t know which. When I think back, I wonder if I ever cared about it, or if my ambition and success was all just because I’m naturally driven and competitive. I mean, I love music, I always have. But I also love being around people, children especially. And the orchestra is a lonely place at times.”

  He lifted a hand and stroked her hair back from her forehead. “You know, Valdosta State’s only about a half-hour from here, and they have a teaching program.”

  She pulled away and stared at him, her brow furrowing. “Really? It’s that close?”

  “Uh-huh.” There was a gleam in his eyes.

  Her heart leaped. “Well! I really should consider all my options …”

  “Of course. Though if you were to live close by, I wouldn’t object.”

  “You wouldn’t?” Could she live near the Cotton Tree? It would mean she’d have nothing to keep them apart. And she didn’t want anything to stand between them any longer, even if the thought of it made her nervous. If Dalton asked her now, she’d stay forever, happily melding her life to his. He’d been right – she couldn’t resist him. It’d been futile to even try. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment she’d fallen for him, but she had – so hard it made her chest ache. She’d fought against it as long as she could, but it was stronger than her.

  “You know, Eamon told me about the meeting at the bank today,” she whispered.

  Dalton sighed, rubbed his face and closed his eyes. “Yeah.”

  “Did it work out the way you’d hoped?”

  He shook his head, then looked at her, a finger tracing the outline of her cheek. “No. I’m not sure what I’ll do. The whole thing might be over in a couple of months unless I can think of something.”

  She looped her hands over his forearm and massaged his arm with her fingertips. “I’m sorry. I know how much you love this place.”

  He half-smiled and fingered a curl of hair that hung over her shoulder. “Well, I’ve still got some time.”

  “How has it been with Eamon and Parker here? Y’all seem to get along really well.”

  His face lit up. “It’s been great. I hadn’t realized how much I missed them. We haven’t lived together since I left home to follow the rodeo circuit. I’ve loved having them here. And we’ve gotten so much more done than I could’ve on my own. They’re heading back to Chattanooga in a few days and I’m dreading it, dreading how quiet the house will be again and having to do everything myself. But that’s how it goes.”

  “What does Parker do for a living?” she questioned, tracing a circle on his arm with a fingernail.

  He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingertips. “Well, he was discharged from the Army a few months ago. I think he just does odd jobs here and there. He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He was so excited when he joined the Rangers, but it changed him. He doesn’t like to talk about it, but I imagine he’s seen some things. Anyway, I’m just glad he’s back. I was always worried I’d get the call …”

  She nodded, considering his words. She’d noticed Parker seemed to keep mostly to himself, and didn’t joke and laugh the way the other brothers did. After hearing why, it made sense. “Have you thought about asking him to stay?”

  With a furrowed brow, he shook his head. “No. I haven’t.”

  “Maybe he could live here and help you out on the ranch. It’s worth finding out if he’d consider it, I suppose.”

  “I couldn’t pay him,” he mumbled.

  “Yeah, but, what if you offered him a partnership in the ranch? You’re worried about losing it – maybe he could buy a share, keep the wolves at bay, and you could work it together.” She knew she was overstepping, but she wanted to help Dalton any way she could. And losing the ranch would devastate him.

  “A share of the ranch? That’s not a bad idea … though I don’t know if he has any money.” He slipped out from beneath her legs and stood to pace across the living room.

  “Well, there’s no harm in asking. He can always say no.” She stood as well, lacing her hands together behind her back.

  He returned to her in two long strides and scooped her up in his arms, pulling her against his chest and staring into her eyes with a faint smile on his lips. “You’re amazing. You know that?”

  She laughed, her pulse racing. The electricity between them could almost be felt. “You’re pretty amazing yourself,” she whispered. She kissed him, sweet and gentle, and craved more.

  Dalton set Hazel down, took her hand and led her toward the kitchen. “Let’s go and see what my brother has to say about your idea, Slick.”

  * * *

  Dalton ran his fingers through his hair and whistled. “Seriously? You both want in? Y’all have talked about it?”

  Eamon and Parker sat at the kitchen table, legs stretched out in front of them and cans of root beer each on the table. Eamon nodded, tipping his hat back. “Yep. I want to be a partner in the Cotton Tree too.”

  “But what about your hoity-toity job up in Chattanooga?” queried Dalton, going to the fridge to fetch himself a drink.

  Eamon hissed. “Give it a rest – it’s not ‘hoity-toity’ just ‘cause I don’t wear jeans to work. I’m bored, that’s all there is to it. I’ve had enough of working for someone else in a big impersonal company, crunching numbers but never really doing anything. I want to work with my hands and build something … meaningful.”

  Dalton sat down again across from him, popped the top of his coke can and took a sip before it could overflow. “First I’ve heard. I thought you loved accounting.”

  “I do, just not the corporate rat race. And I want to do something else with my life as well. I figure here, I’d be able to work with my hands and do the books. I’m assuming you probably need help with those, right?”

  Dalton chuckled and slapped his hand hard on the table. “Heck yeah, I sure do! I have to say, I wasn’t expecting this. And how about you, Parker – you’re in as well?”

  Parker nodded, his eyes gleaming. “I’m in. It’s the best offer I’ve had since I got out. And the idea of working with you two everyday … I can’t imagine anything I’d rather do.”

  Dalton felt as though his heart might explode. He didn’t know how to express the joy that swelled within him. So he sipped his drink and kept grinning. “I guess I can put up with both of you. Though it’ll likely be the death of me.”

  “I’ve got money saved,” Parker added. “I haven’t really had anything to spend it on, being in the desert and all the past four years. So I can afford a share.”


  “I’ve been living with Mom and saving for years,” offered Eamon. “I’ll pay my way in as well. With both of us in, we should be able to keep this place out of trouble. I’ll run the numbers soon as I get a chance, just to be sure.”

  Parker’s eyes narrowed and he rested both hands on the table. “You know, with three of us running the place, if we get low on cash we could even do some outside work to bring in the money.”

  Dalton hadn’t thought of that. But Parker was right – one of the three could keep the ranch going if money got tight, while the other two worked for a wage until things picked up. Sharing the load would certainly make it easier to bear. He’d been so disappointed when the bank turned him down for a line of credit, but since 2008 most banks around the state were hesitant to lend money where they didn’t see a certainty of return. A rundown ranch, being managed by a green rancher like him, apparently wasn’t a solid enough investment for Tifton First Savings & Loan.

  “It means so much to me that you’d do this,” Dalton told them. “I really think we can make it work, and I love you both.”

  The men ducked their heads and mumbled in embarrassment. The Williams brothers weren’t accustomed to sharing their feelings so openly. But Dalton felt it needed to be said. Lately, he’d been working up to saying what he felt when he felt it. Jodie had left him for another man, in part because they’d never communicated well. She didn’t know how much Dalton cared about her, and had found someone who’d had the nerve to tell her just how special she was. Dalton had regretted his silence ever since.

  But now he had a chance at a new life, a new love. His future looked bright. And he wasn’t going to let the words go unspoken between him and his brothers. There were a few more words he wished to say before the day was over as well.

  Eamon’s eyes glinted. “Where’s Hazel? You’re getting a little too emotional, dude. You should be saving that kind of talk for your woman.” He laughed.

  Dalton grimaced. “Don’t get all squirrelly on me just ‘cause of feelings. You’re my brothers and you mean the world to me. Hazel’s visiting the Valdosta State campus – she wanted to check out the teaching program there before she goes back north tomorrow.” He leaned forward, his voice low. “Speaking of Hazel, there’s one other thing I need your help with …”

  Chapter 13

  Hazel pointed the convertible down the long drive at Cotton Tree Ranch, a packet of flyers and brochures on the passenger seat. The Valdosta State campus had been gorgeous and the program included just the kind of course she’d be looking to start in the fall. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to apply this late in the summer, but the admissions officer had assured her they accepted late applications for their Master’s in Education program all the time. She was hopeful it would work out.

  The sun was setting across the pastures, backlighting the barn and sending shimmering rays of pink and orange over the short-cropped grasses. Horses grazed nearby, the swish of their tails sending flies buzzing off to find evening sanctuary. Peace settled over her soul, and she was filled with a longing to settle in this place, to plant roots here and never leave. The sentiment startled her. She’d never considered herself the kind of person to stay put, let alone on a ranch in the middle of nowhere.

  The front door creaked open as she pulled in front of the house, and Dalton sauntered out, a hand raised in greeting. She turned off the car, got out, met him at the foot of the steps and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him hard on the mouth.

  He laughed against her lips and stumbled backward, catching her and steadying himself all at once. “How’d it go?” he asked, kissing her forehead and looping an arm around her shoulders so they could stand side by side and admire the setting sun.

  “It was great. They have a really good program there, and the campus is bigger than I expected. I like the feel of it too – relaxed and friendly. I can imagine attending there.”

  He smiled and drew her closer. “That’s good. I’m glad.”

  She gazed up at him, her brow furrowed. “Do you think I should? I mean, would you want me to … I know it’s too soon for us to be making plans about the future, but …”

  He gazed down at her, his eyes sparkling, and tilted her chin up. The kiss was tender and warmed her to her core. “Come with me,” he said, dropping his arm from her shoulders to take her hand.

  They walked toward the barn and stables, and she noticed that her hand fit into his as if custom-made. A sliver of moon hung high above the horizon where the sky had deepened to blue-gray, and she looked up to find the first star where it blinked in the dusky light. “Where are we going?”

  He just smiled and shook his head.

  They rounded the corner of the barn and she gasped, covering her mouth. “Oh, Dalton …”

  He laughed a small, satisfied laugh and pulled her forward. “Come on.”

  The entire external wall of the barn and the overhanging roof were decked in twinkling lights. The chairs and table had been relocated from the porch, the table covered in a white cloth. Lanterns sat on either end, and in the middle were two table settings, a bottle of wine and sparkling crystal glasses. Candles were dotted between the bowls and beside the table.

  Parker sat on a stool with an acoustic guitar on his knee. Eamon, beside him, was dressed in a white button-down shirt and black slacks. Both men had combed their hair and were grinning from ear to ear. Eamon pulled out a chair, offering it to Hazel.

  She laughed and sat down, and Eamon laid a napkin on her lap while Parker began playing a soft melody. “You did all this?” she gasped, her throat tightening.

  Dalton nodded. “Yep. You like it?”

  She grinned. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Welcome to the Cotton Tree Outdoor Diner,” said Eamon with a smirk. “I’ll just get you started with a salad – the main course will be out shortly.” He spooned salad into bowls for each of them, then headed for the house.

  As Hazel poured vinaigrette dressing over her salad, she fought against the tears that threatened to overwhelm her and took a deep breath. She knew Dalton had feelings for her, but this was the most romantic gesture anyone had ever made her. She knew what her own heart wanted – a future with him, a happily ever after – and he seemed to want it too. Could this be it?

  Dalton reached across the table and took her hand. “You asked me a question before.”

  She cocked her head. “Yes?”

  “I think you should go to school in Valdosta. But that’s me being selfish – if you want to go somewhere else, I’ll support that too. I just want to see you every chance I get.”

  Her heart was playing a concerto. Her mind whirled like a ballerina. He looked so handsome seated across from her, toying with her fingers. His gaze shimmered over her, taking in every part of her.

  “You look beautiful.”

  She smiled brightly. “So do you.”

  He laughed and lifted her glass by the stem. “Wine?”

  She nodded, and he popped the cork from a champagne bottle, filling her glass, then his own. “What are we celebrating?” she asked.

  “New beginnings, Slick,” he murmured, handing her the glass.

  She took it by the stem and held it up. “To new beginnings.”

  “Cheers,” he responded, clinking his glass against hers. They drank, and the bubbles tickled her nostrils. She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand and blinked.

  They ate their salad and chatted about the ranch. He told her how Eamon and Parker were both staying on as partners, and she toasted their new venture. Eamon returned with a steak and baked potato for each of them, setting one plate in front of Hazel, the other in front of Dalton. “Thank you, Eamon,” said Hazel.

  Eamon gave an exaggerated bow, then left with a chuckle.

  “This is all amazing,” she continued. “Thank you, Dalton. I feel like a princess.”

  “You’re welcome. I wanted to spoil you – and let you know how I feel about you. This isn’t a small thing for m
e. I haven’t wanted to be with anyone ever since my fiancée left me for another man two years ago. I haven’t even wanted to talk about it. Until now. Until you came along and changed everything. Now, I want to be with you, all the time. When you’re not here, I miss you and wish I was with you. When you are here, I feel like I could take on the world. I don’t know if I’m making any sense …” He shook his head with a wry smile.

  She reached for his hand and traced a circle on his palm, a lump in her throat. Her words came out a hoarse whisper. “It makes a lot of sense. I feel the same way …and it’s as much a surprise to me as it is to you.”

  He grinned. “Good.” He got down on one knee beside her.

  Hazel’s eyes flew wide, and she put a hand to her heart. Surely he couldn’t be …?

  “Hazel Hildebrand, from the first moment I saw you I should’ve known I was a goner. You stole my heart, even while lying about who you were …” He chuckled. “You might be the worst vet in the world, but you’re perfect for me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be your family, if you’ll have me. I love you. I know this is quick, so you don’t have to answer me right away, but will you marry me?”

  “YES! I love you too!” she yelled, wrapping her arms around his neck. She hadn’t known him for long, but she understood, deep down, that he was the one she could spend her life with. The quiet surety of that was enough – she loved him!

  So what if it didn’t make sense, that she wasn’t the type of woman who leaped into things, that she’d always carefully considered every angle? Because here she was, changing everything about her life to commit herself to a man she’d met only weeks earlier. She didn’t need a pro-con list for this, just how it felt when she was with him and how it felt when she wasn’t. She didn’t want to be apart from him, and she couldn’t shake that off.

  “You sure Slick?” asked Dalton with a grin.

  “I couldn’t be more sure about anything.” She used her lips to block any more questions, and melted into his embrace.