by Kay Edwards
Wyatt and Brock sat down and watched Dalton sleep. It was morning, and the two could hardly contain their laughter. Brock leaned over to his brother and whispered. "He is going to have one heck of a pain in the neck after this."
Wyatt had to agree. "The porch swing is probably not the best place to catch up on your sleep."
Brock was just getting ready to wake him up when Misty stopped him cold. "Don't you dare put that piece of grass in his mouth Brock Bishop, or I will skin you alive."
Wyatt looked up at his sister and smiled. His smile faded as she turned toward him. "I suppose you planned on stopping him?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Misty went over and sat beside Dalton. She gently laid her hand on his chest. When he opened his eyes, he looked confused. "Misty why are you in my bed?"
Brock started chuckling. "If that is what was going on this would be an entirely different conversation."
Misty glared at her brother. "I'm not in your bed Dalton. You are on the front porch."
Dalton went to move and groaned. Brock and Wyatt looked at each other as Brock said. "Yup he is going to have a pain in the neck for sure."
Misty looked at her brothers and frowned. "I'm sure you two would be welcome in the kitchen helping with breakfast. You two are being a pain in my neck."
Brock shook his head. "Nope, mom already kicked us out."
Dalton finally managed to sit up on the swing. "I can't believe I fell asleep out here. After you went in, I don't remember a thing."
Misty touched his face and grimaced. "You did not look comfy at all. Are you going to be ok?"
Dalton nodded his head and winced. "I think I'll be ok once I start moving."
Wyatt helped Dalton to his feet, and the group went into the house. Misty laughed as her brothers started to 'help' Dalton to his room.
Chad stood behind his daughter and spoke through his laughter. "We men never actually grow up."
Misty had to agree as she watched Dalton put Brock in a headlock. "I can see that."
Chad grinned at her as he said. "Let's go in and help your mom. Those two brothers of yours had her all in an uproar."
Misty worked with her parents to get breakfast on the table. It was time to eat, and she looked up as her brothers and Dalton headed into the kitchen. She had been getting ready to sit down just as she got a look at Dalton. The weather had always been chilly, but today it was warm. He was wearing a muscle shirt and a pair of shorts. She couldn't help but notice his very muscular arms. She may have actually hit the chair if she had just looked away, but she didn't look away, so she didn’t hit the chair.
Dalton looked at Misty just as she missed her chair. He frowned at Brock who was laughing at his sister's mishap. He walked over and knelt beside her. "Are you ok?"
Terry and Chad had watched the entire thing unfold. It appeared the only one that was clueless was Dalton. Misty glared at her family and answered Dalton. "I'll live."
Dalton couldn't help but notice her flushed face. He touched her forehead. "Did you get dizzy?"
Wyatt and Brock were leaning into each other laughing now. Terry was coughing as Chad looked at anyone but his boys.
Misty shook her head no. "I guess I was not paying attention. I'm fine. The only thing damaged is my pride." She really wanted to throttle her brothers right now.
Wyatt couldn't help but add. "…and her bottom…"
Dalton knew he was missing something. He stood up and helped Misty to her feet. "Are you sure you're ok?"
Misty looked up at him and smiled. "I'm all right."
Looking around the room he finally had to ask. "Ok. What am I missing?"
Misty glared her brothers into silence. "You aren't missing anything."
Dalton looked at her. "Ok. We can talk later because I'm not buying that."
Misty now glared at Dalton. "Now listen here…" she started but was interrupted as Dalton grabbed her hand and proceeded to drag her from the room.
As soon as they were alone, Dalton turned folded his arms across his chest and waited for her to look at him.
Misty started to shake her head. Of all the things he could do, he had to stand there like that. His stance drew her attention to the muscles that got her into this mess in the first place. She knew if she looked at him now she would not be able to form a complete thought. She had no intention of looking at him.
Dalton was frustrated. "What is going on Misty?"
Misty started to chuckle. Of all the things she could say, every one of them was going to embarrass her. She didn't look at him as she began to speak. "Do you happen to have any other shirts?"
Dalton looked at her and said. "Come again?"
Misty finally looked up at him. She knew her face was on fire. "Dalton, I have just realized how nice you are to look at."
Dalton looked down at his shirt. He looked back at her and started to laugh. "You missed your chair because of what I'm wearing? Good grief I thought you were getting sick…and your family."
Misty could feel face getting hotter. She shrugged her shoulders. "I was not aware that you were so… healthy."
Dalton touched her cheek. "I'll go change. I didn't realize you would find me…healthy."
Misty looked back down at the ground as she said a heartfelt. "Thank you."
Dalton shook his head as he headed toward his room. "I'll take my time if you want to yell at your family."
Misty grinned. "I may take you up on that." She said as she turned and marched into the kitchen.
Terry looked at Misty and smiled. "We are sorry, but that was funny.”
Misty frowned. "I can't believe you all did that."
Wyatt knew he probably shouldn't say what he was going to but he couldn't seem to stop his tongue. "Really…?"
Brock started to laugh and then stopped giving his brother a shove he said. "We are sorry. It is just that…" He pictured his sister's face as she missed her chair and started laughing again.
Misty heard Rachel start to fuss. Grabbing the monitor, she headed for the door. "If you bring this up again Brock you better start to sleep with your eyes open."
Brock grinned at her and then winked. "I'll keep that in mind."
Misty turned and walked out of the kitchen door and right into Dalton's arms. She looked up at him as he steadied her. “Summer is going to kill me." She said miserably as she eased out of his arms and continued to walk toward Rachel.
Dalton watched her go. He was flattered that she found him attractive. He had to chuckle at the fact that she wasn't so happy about that. He turned and walked into the kitchen. Everyone looked at him expectantly. He finally looked up at them with a sheepish grin and said. "She finds me…healthy."
Brock and Wyatt roared with laughter, and her parents started to chuckle. Dalton felt the need to defend Misty and said. "The funny thing is when you boys bring home 'healthy' girls. Misty and I will probably enjoy getting even."
Misty busted out laughing at her brothers' expressions. She was suddenly back to being comfortable with Dalton again. "That is an absolute guarantee."
Wyatt looked at Brock and frowned. "This is your fault."
Brock frowned back at him. "You were laughing too."
Misty walked up beside Dalton and nudged him with her hip. When he looked down, she smiled. "Thanks for defending me."
He winked at her and then smiled. "No problem."