Authors: Jennifer Ryan
“All of it. The rodeo. Bull riding. The lifestyle.”
“There is nothing like the adrenaline rush of riding a bull. I don’t know why people do drugs, chasing that high, when all they have to do is grab a rope, hold on, and ride one of those out-of-control beasts. It’s addictive. I don’t know if I’ll be able to give it up or find something else to replace it.” The worry that he’d turn to drugs to chase that high must have shown on her face. “Don’t worry, Doc, I’ve never been into chemically induced illusions of happiness. Not my style. As for the lifestyle. I won’t miss sleeping in my truck and dirty, run-down motels. I won’t miss the bars, playing pool and cards, and drinking to kill time. I won’t miss hearing about what my brothers and their wives are up to on the phone, when I get to be there in person and experience it with them. I won’t miss long drives from one place to the next. And yes, I won’t miss a different woman every week or so who scratches an itch but never makes me feel better because at the end of the day, I’m still alone with my thoughts in the dark just like you said.
“While I am still trying to come to terms with what happened and the fact that this damn leg is going to make my life difficult for the next month or more, I am looking forward to being home with my family and friends and the place I love to be.
“I liked what you said about not settling down for a woman but finding one who fits me. Maybe all I’m looking for is what you’re looking for. Someone to see me.
“The reason I make you nervous, Doc, is because I see far too much of who you really are, and I like you. For some reason, you’ve become too used to people not liking you for whatever reason. You’re too smart. You’re someone your grandmother didn’t want to exist. I still can’t get over that one. I’m sure you can’t either. You want people to see through all of your past. All I’m asking is that you do the same with me.
“I am not that guy you think I am, despite the stream of women coming to see me. I don’t think women are disposable. I think they’re fun, kind, intelligent people who know their own minds and do what they want to do for their own reasons. I never took advantage. If they wanted to play, I was up for the game. I never hurt anyone. That’s not who I am.”
“I never thought you were.”
“Yeah, you did.” He tilted up one side of his mouth. “Don’t worry, Doc. I gave you every reason to think that on the surface, but you looked deeper and saw the truth. Those women had a good time. I had a good time. No one got hurt. I never made them any promises, and they didn’t want any. When I told you I’d pay you back for what you did for me, you believed me, because you know I take that very seriously. I’m not some heartless bastard. I’m just a guy who’s decided that my youthful adventures, while fun, are in my past. It’s time to get serious about my future. I’ve got a lot to live for and a second chance to make my dreams and plans a reality. Thanks to you.”
Bell didn’t know what to say to that. No one had ever really opened up to her this way. Sure, patients tended to unload their feelings and fears to her, but not like this. She knew Dane. In a way. But she never expected such a strong man—a man who knew his own mind and heart, who did what he wanted when he wanted because he could—to open up and speak with such honesty.
Yes, the man had a way of disarming her, pulling her in, and making her care. She felt like some kind of bond had been forged between them. More than the words he’d said, it was the sincerity and openness with which he’d spoken that touched her deeply. She’d never had a friend who would tell her secrets and share her most private thoughts. Dane had shared his with her, and it meant something and connected them in a way she’d never felt. She liked it, but didn’t know what to do now. It made her nervous and scared to open herself to him in the same way.
They sat across from each other for the rest of the flight in silence. Both of them aware of the other so close and the pull between them that made them glance over just to see if the other one felt it, too. That silent conversation that said so many things she wasn’t aware of and felt so new to her. Was it new—or at least different—for him?
She hoped so.
The plane landed, and they all got out. Dane did the same crab crawl down the stairs, then took Gabe’s hand to stand up at the bottom, where he fell into the waiting wheelchair. A black SUV complete with driver waited nearby to take the family home.
Ella walked over to Bell and embraced her. “Thank you for everything. You have no idea how much we appreciate everything you did. Saving Dane. Spending your vacation with us at the hospital. I, uh . . . Would you be interested in a business proposition? I have a project I’ve been thinking about for the last few months. I didn’t really know where to focus it, but now I do. I’ve got some great ideas for helping out Crystal Creek. I want to be a real part of the community. With your help, I think we could do something that is really needed.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I’ll make an appointment with you, and we’ll discuss it in detail. I’d like to put some money into the clinic.”
“Really? That’s wonderful. So many times we don’t have the supplies or equipment we need and have to send patients to the hospital in Bozeman.”
“Exactly. I think with your expertise, my resources, and the community’s involvement, we can turn that place into what everyone wants and needs.”
“I’m on board. I’ll put together my ideas. Whenever you’d like to discuss it, I’ll be ready.”
“I hoped you’d say that. It will be a big project. We’ll probably spend a lot of time working on it together. I don’t have many friends here, aside from Gillian, so I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.”
“Me, too,” Gillian said, stepping in to give Bell a hug. “Thank you for keeping me calm on the flight and taking care of me. I really appreciate it.”
“My pleasure. You take care of yourself and that baby. If you need anything, come down to the clinic. We’ll take good care of you.”
Gabe took his turn to say goodbye and hug her. “Thanks for everything. Can we take you to your car?”
“No. I’m fine. I left it in the long-term lot. After the flight, I’m happy to walk across the airport to get there. You guys go home and get some rest. It’s been quite a week.”
“Yeah, for all of us,” Gabe added.
“I’ll see you all later. Take care,” she said to Dane.
“What? No hug for me?” Dane said.
“I’ll see you back at my office in a week.” She turned and started to walk away.
“I’ll be there. I miss you already.”
That stopped her in her tracks. Five steps away, her back to him, she set her satchel on the top of her suitcase, turned, and walked back to Dane. She leaned down, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and squeezed, inhaling his woodsy scent and something that was uniquely him. She released him slowly. Reluctantly. Her body stopped of its own volition. She stood, bent over him, their faces inches apart. The something inside her that didn’t want to let him go pulled her in until her mouth hovered an inch from his. His breath washed across her lips. Hers caught in the back of her throat. The moment stretched, her gaze locked with his smoldering dark eyes.
His fingers caressed her cheek. The soft touch startled her. She took a step back before she gave in to the urge to kiss him, hold him closer, and press her face into his neck or run her fingers through his thick dark hair. She turned and took a step away, but he grabbed her hand. She didn’t turn around, but glanced back over her shoulder.
“Thanks, Bell. For everything.” He turned her hand and studied it, his warmth seeping into her skin and spreading through her whole system. “You have an amazing head and heart and hands. You put those all together and you save lives. That’s an amazing thing, Bell.”
Again, he left her speechless, unable to say anything to his softly spoken words that held so much sincerity.
Dane squeezed her hand, then released it. It didn’t seem possible, but she felt even lonelier without that connection to him.
She walked back to her luggage, pulled out the suitcase handle, and rolled the bag behind her, trying not to focus on Dane’s gaze locked on her back—or maybe her ass, knowing him.
A week seemed like a long time to go without seeing him. She missed him already, too. She didn’t think she’d ever missed anyone. Not like this. She’d missed not having the family she wanted. She’d missed having the things her sister had and took for granted. But she’d never missed an actual person, let alone a man, until now.
D
ane hated the sight of the temporary ramp going up the steps to his childhood home. He vowed he’d be out of the wheelchair and walking again soon. He had things to do. Plans to implement. A woman to repay—and get to know better.
He couldn’t get her off his mind. She stayed there like a ghost haunting his thoughts. Just when he thought of other things, she popped up and became a part of them. Like coming home to this house. Her grandmother’s place was right next door. Okay, so right next door was a hell of a long way away, but she’d be there when she wasn’t working. He wondered if she’d ever come here to see him. Ride the horses. She’d said she’d wanted his horse all those years ago when she’d spied on him.
“What is that smile?” his mother asked, walking out the front door with his dad right behind her.
“I always smile at pretty women, you know that, Ma.”
He loved that his mother blushed, even when her son complimented her. “You save that for someone special. I’m three out of four for happy marriages for my boys. I’m looking to make it four.”
“Yeah, well, first I’ve got to get my ass out of this chair.”
“Watch your tongue, boy,” his father scolded, not really meaning it. They did this kind of thing, and it felt so damn good to be home and with them again.
“Sorry, Dad.” He hugged his mother and shook his dad’s hand. “I missed you guys.”
“We would have come, but Gabe and Blake assured us you were in good hands. By the time we got ready to be on a flight down, you were out of surgery and everything was looking okay.”
“Mom, it’s fine. I understand. Gabe told me you bought a new place.”
“Well, you bought us a new place. Come inside, and we’ll talk about it.”
His father grasped the handles at his back and pushed him up the ramp and through the front door. Ella, Gabe, and his mother followed. Everyone remained quiet when he stared at the empty house. Well, empty of his parents’ things. They’d bought him a new sofa, area rug, chair, side tables, and a coffee table to go with a monster flat-screen TV. Every other room he could see from the foyer sat empty. Hollow, like his gut felt, knowing everything had changed and this wasn’t the house he grew up in anymore. This was his house. He lived here. Alone.
He didn’t like it. This huge place should be filled with a family. He’d been alone on the road, moving from one town to the next, staying in one-room motels. Enough space for him—and sometimes a guest. But this place should be filled with the love and laughter and happiness he remembered from his childhood. It echoed in his mind but seemed absent from the cavernous rooms.
“If you don’t like the living room furniture, say so now, and we’ll return it. Otherwise, I hope you like it. I tried to get something you’d be comfortable with and would last you for years to come.”
Dane stared up at his mother. “I like it. Thanks. I’m just surprised. I didn’t know what to expect when Gabe said you were leaving me the house and ranch. I didn’t really put it all together that you and my past moved out.”
“This is the future you wanted, son. Your own ranch. We talked about my retiring. I wanted to do it sooner,” his father said, “but I waited for you to make your mark on the rodeo circuit, earn the money you wanted, so you could come back here your own man. You didn’t expect to come back in this condition and under these circumstances, but we are so glad you’re home.”
Dane took in his father’s words. His dad was grateful that he’d agreed to come home and take over the ranch. It was a load off his dad’s mind, and now he could travel with his mom without worrying about the business. Dane hadn’t expected that, but it made it easier on him to take over and do what he wanted without worrying about stepping on his dad’s toes.
“So am I. I’m just a bit confused. When did you guys do all this?”
“We found the property about six weeks ago. We didn’t want to bring it up before your big day. We are so proud of you, son.”
His father’s praise hit Dane right in the heart. “Thanks, Dad. But it didn’t exactly work out the way I wanted.” He stared down at his outstretched leg in the brace, thinking of the stitches down his leg and the plates, screws, and wires holding his bones together.
“You performed well and won. What happened after was a tragic accident. You don’t know how scared we were for you. Thank God Dr. Bell got to you in time,” his father said.
“Oh, she got to him, all right,” Gabe teased.
His mother and Ella shared a look and one of those mysterious smiles that says so much.
“I owe her my life.”
“Is that why you stared at her all the time?” Ella asked.
“Drop it.” He didn’t want to get into it with all of them. Yeah, he liked her. He wanted to get to know her better, but she saw a side of him he didn’t much like anymore either. Could he convince her his interest was more than getting her into his bed? He hoped so, because when she’d given in and hugged him goodbye, he’d wanted to kiss her like he’d never kissed another woman in his life. It had taken every ounce of self-control he possessed not to crush her to him, take her mouth, and taste her. She smelled like a field of wildflowers. Fresh and sweet.
He liked talking to her. She said what was on her mind and she didn’t mince words, even when she gave him her honest opinion. She spoke the truth, even when he didn’t want to hear it.
Thanks to her and that damn disastrous ride, he’d taken a good long look at his past and decided he wanted something better for his future. He wanted her. The girl who haunted his dreams but was a very real presence now. She’d gotten inside of him all those years ago. Now that he’d actually met and talked to her, he wanted more. Time to figure out what this feeling pulsing in his chest and coaxing him to call her right now just so he could hear her voice really meant.
I’m losing it.
He never thought he’d turn into one of those guys who chased after a woman. Women chased him. Damn if he didn’t want to steal his brother’s truck, go see her, spend more time with her, and just be with her.
Why? What was so special about her? Was it just the fact that she’d saved his life?
Everything inside of him said no. Something more pulled at him.
“Well, come into the kitchen. I’ve made a light meal. We’ll catch up,” his mother said.
“Ella and I are heading home. I need to check in with my ranch foreman. Ella’s got some calls to make for work. We’ll catch up with you and Dad later. Dane, I’ll be by the day after next to take you to physical therapy. Gillian will be by tomorrow to help you out.” Gabe handed over his bag of meds. “Take those like the doc ordered. Get some rest.”
“Thanks for staying with me. Ella, I can’t thank you enough for chartering the flight and threatening lawyer hell on the hospital to get them to save my leg and let Dr. Bell operate on me. I owe you big time.”
“No, you don’t. We’re family. You know how important that is to me. You are important to me. I love you. Be good. Stay off your leg. Rest. I’ll take you to see Bell for your next appointment. I want to talk to her more about my plans for the clinic.”
“I want to hear about them, too.”
“I thought you might like it if she spent more time in town at the clinic rather than at the hospital in Bozeman.” Ella winked at him. “Unless of course you’d rather the distance.”
“Hell no.” All eyes turned to him. Maybe he shouldn’t have answered so quickly or definitively. “Ah, it’ll be nice to see her at the clinic. I hate driving all the way to Bozeman for anything.”
“Especially a beautiful woman.” Gabe clamped his hand on Dane’s shoulder and squeezed. “Nice try covering, though.”
“Shut up. Take your wife home.”
Gabe and Ella said their goodbyes. Dane sucked it up, ignored the pain in his ribs, and wheeled himself through the empty dining room into the kitchen. His mother had laid out a platter of cold fried chicken, a bowl of potato salad, fresh fruit, and some rolls. The kitchen didn’t seem quite so cozy without all his mother’s decorations. No crockery filled with cooking utensils. No fruit crate plaques on the walls. No blue-and-cream gingham curtains on the windows. No breakfast table next to the windows in the alcove. Just the wood stools lining the breakfast bar along the island where the food sat on the counter.
His mind started redecorating. The tile countertops were old and outdated. Maybe new granite in a light tan to complement the maple cabinets. New handles and knobs in brushed silver to go with the new faucet his father put in last year. Too modern for the way the kitchen looked now, but with a few changes in the room, he’d make it work.
Paint. The whole house needed a fresh coat of paint. Inside and out. He could do some of the work himself once he was on his feet again. Right now, he’d hire someone to come in, clean the place up, make some minor repairs and restorations, and make this place his.
“What color are you planning to paint the kitchen?” his mother asked, walking into the room with his dad.
“Maybe off-white or a pale yellow. Depends on the color of the new countertops.”
His mother smiled. “I didn’t think it would take you long to get over the fact we moved out and moved you in.”
“You’ll want new carpet upstairs,” his dad said. “It’s been too many years since we redid anything up there.”
“That’s an easy fix. I’ll hire someone to do it.”
“About the house, son. Your mother and I are giving it to you, but we expect some compensation. We talked in general terms about this when you said you planned to come home after the championships.”
“Dad, I’ve got the money to pay you for this place. You don’t have to beat around the bush. What do I owe you?”
His father grabbed a folder off the counter and handed it to him. Dane opened it and found the real estate papers, which indicated his buying the property at a hefty discount and repaying his parents for the furniture they bought to get him started. He added up the total for both and frowned.
“Dad, this is nowhere near what I expected to pay you.”
“That is a fair price. It’s the money your mother and I feel comfortable having you pay for a property we would have left to you four boys anyway. Your brothers agreed you should get this property.”
“They agreed to this.” Dane pointed to the papers.
“All of it. Like you want to do, they’ve made their own way and don’t need your mother and me to support them or give them anything.”
“If you understand that about me, then let me pay you what this property is worth.”
“What we’re asking is more than we ever paid in the first place. It’s enough for us to live on the rest of our lives. We’ve helped each of your brothers over the years in some way. You never asked for help, even when things were tough for you in the beginning. You’re smart. You save your money. You plan. This is our chance to help you, even though you don’t need it. We are so proud of you for all you’ve accomplished. We know you’ll make a good home here. You’ll run your business well. You’ll make this place yours. That’s what we want for you, Dane.” His dad put his hand on Dane’s head like he used to do all the time when Dane was a kid.
Dane took his dad’s words to heart. They wanted him to let go of the past and make this place his. He wanted to do that, too, but having his parents’ blessing made all the difference. He didn’t need to feel guilty for mentally redecorating even now, planning what he wanted to do in the stables and on the land. They’d turned it over to him, entrusted him with their home and land and legacy with no qualms about what he did with it. They knew he’d do them proud. He’d certainly spend his life trying to live up to their expectations, as he always had.
His mother handed him a plate. His father took his seat at the bar beside his mother. They ate in silence for a few minutes. Dane savored the fried chicken. His favorite. He’d missed his mother’s cooking.
“Dane.” His mother had a look in her eye. She wanted to ask him something but didn’t want to overstep. He could only guess what she wanted to discuss now.
“About Dr. Bell. Maybe you want to settle in here and get things running the way you’d like before you pursue other interests.”
“Are you warning me away from the doc? I thought all parents wanted their kids to grow up and date doctors.”
His mother and father shared one of those looks that says so much between them but Dane couldn’t quite read. They knew something he didn’t.
Interested in what they were hinting at, he asked, “Dad, why did you let me believe I’d hallucinated her all those years ago? You knew she lived next door, didn’t you?”
“Not at first,” his father answered. “The scandal happened years ago, then died down, and I hadn’t really thought about it in years.”
“What scandal?”
“Mrs. Warwick’s son had an affair with Miss Kentucky not even two years after he married and had a daughter with his wife. Bell is the result of that one-night stand.”
“Bell’s sister, Katherine, is married to a buddy of mine. I don’t know Tony well, just in passing at the rodeos. His bull is the one who took me down.”
“Their small ranch and yours sandwich the Warwick land.”
His father said, “yours.” It hit Dane all at once. The responsibility of owning and running a business on this land. The small herd of cattle his father kept, the horses in the stables, and everything else. All his now.
He thought of the layout of the property in connection to the Warwick land that bordered it. The Warwicks had a huge chunk of prime grassland, a river snaking through most of it and onto his property. Mrs. Warwick didn’t have any animals on the land. Nothing but pristine wildlife. Untouched for decades, except for her tiny cabin house and vegetable gardens.
If he remembered right, Tony Cortez and Katherine’s place was much smaller. Maybe a thousand acres. Not enough space to run even a medium-size operation. But maybe that would change with Tony’s bull doing so well in the championships. They’d get some major stud fees and possibly buy more land. Or run cattle on Katherine’s family property. Where Bell lived.
“Dr. Bell’s father was, is, a big deal in the pharmaceutical industry. He’s quite smart and developed a couple of drugs that help save lives. The affair caused an uproar for him personally with his wife and in his family, but professionally, it was nothing more than a blip. Still, when he discovered the affair produced a child, he made what I will graciously call poor choices.”