In the dining room, Roy and Millie were already seated. Dylan's father rose and strode to meet her, holding out his hands. "Lennie, welcome. I'm glad you'll be staying here in the big house."
With her fingers clasped in Roy's big rancher's hands, Lennie relaxed a little more. "Thank you. I appreciate the hospitality."
He squeezed her shoulder. "I hope you’ll feel comfortable. It’s nice to see those upstairs rooms put to good use."
Dylan led her to a seat and sat next to her.
A man who could only be Caleb grinned at her. "Hi, Lennie. Welcome to our home. I believe you’ve met my wife."
Eve smiled and reached across the table, clasping Lennie's hand. "Lennie, let me say again that I'm so happy you're here. It'll be wonderful to have another woman in the house. I'm surrounded by cowboys all the time."
Lennie grinned. "Thanks. I know how that feels."
Eve motioned to the adorable toddler seated in her booster seat. "This is our daughter, Abi."
Lennie waved, catching the big, blue-eyed gaze of the beautiful little girl. "Hi, Abi."
Abi waved back with her chubby fingers and grinned, baby teeth showing between perfect pink lips.
Lennie's heart melted. What a happy little family Caleb had.
A stout elderly woman who could only be Annie bustled into the room and set a serving dish on the table.
Dillan said, "Annie, this is Lennie."
Annie walked around the table and, after clasping Lennie's shoulders, planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Sweetheart, welcome to the ranch. You need feeding up. We'll take care of that."
Dylan laughed. "She sure will."
Annie headed back to the kitchen and soon appeared with more dishes.
Minutes later all that could be heard was the clinking of silverware on plates. Lennie savored each bite. Annie's chicken-fried steak and cream gravy were to die for. Using a piece of buttered biscuit, she scooped up some gravy and stuck it in her mouth. Annie was wrong about one thing. Lennie did not need feeding up. She'd get fat eating like this, but tonight she didn't care. She was going to stuff herself.
After dinner, they all settled in the family room. It was the only place in the house Lennie could actually relax. It's solid western décor of leather and longhorns and stout wooden tables reassured her. In this atmosphere, she let Dylan fix her a drink. Eve was a wonderful conversationalist and had a quick wit. Lennie found herself laughing, her troubles forgotten. Caleb held Abi on his lap for a while before letting the little girl down to play with her toys in the toy basket.
Roy and Millie sat snuggled side by side on the couch. Lennie felt a pang. It had been years since she'd seen her parents show affection between them. Of course, her mother had been terribly worried after her father's stroke. But this obvious attraction for each other—no, it was missing between her father and mother. Sighing, Lennie looked away. Her poor mom. What reward did she have for the hard life she lived? Lennie gritted her teeth. She would never live like that!
Dylan reached between their chairs and touched her arm. "You okay?"
Would Dylan treat her the way her father treated her mom? Lennie's eyes narrowed. How could she know? "I'm fine." She turned away, unsettled and suddenly unsure of everything she knew of him.
Clasping her fingers, he rolled his eyes to the door.
She hesitated, then nodded.
He stood, lifting her by her hand. "Hey, everyone, it's been a long day for Lennie. I'm going to walk her upstairs."
Millie rose and gave Lennie a hug. "Goodnight, honey. Breakfast is at seven-thirty around here, though Roy and I won’t attend. There's an alarm in all the rooms if you need one."
Lennie hugged her back. "Thank you for everything, Millie." A chorus of good nights rang out as Lennie smiled at everyone and followed Dylan out of the room.
Once in her bedroom, Dylan shut the door and took her in his arms. "What happened down there? You were doing great and then, all of a sudden, you weren't." He kissed her temple and continued to hold her.
Sighing, she just wanted this day to end.
He stepped back and led her to the bed. Once she sat down, he reached for her foot and pulled her boot off.
The corner of her mouth tilted up.
Grinning, he removed the other one. Next, he drew her socks off. With his hands resting on his hips, he eyed her up and down. "You going to tell me?"
She licked her lips. "Are your parents always like that?"
"Huh? Like what?"
"Like, your dad putting his arm around your mom. And he gave her that kiss when she made him laugh."
"Oh, that. Yeah, I guess." He sat down beside her and took her hand, twining his fingers with hers. "Why?"
"My parents don't do stuff like that."
He squeezed her hand. "Oh."
In a little while, when she didn't say anything else, he said, "So, that made you ... what?"
"I just .... She turned to him. "Will you be like your dad or my dad, Dylan?"
He looked into her eyes. "I will always love you, Lennie. You won't have any doubt. I'll be like my dad. You can stop worrying about that right this minute." Grazing her lips with a gentle kiss, he promised, "I'll always cherish you, honey."
Then he pulled her to her feet. "Get your stuff and take a shower. I'm going to give you a rub down before you go to sleep."
Seriously?
"I mean it. Hurry up now."
Grinning, she grabbed her toiletries and night clothes as he settled on the bed. This was going to be interesting.
Rushing through her shower because she knew he was waiting; she didn't even take time to comb out her hair. When she walked back in the room, he sat in the same place.
"That didn't take long." He grinned as she took off her robe and climbed on the bed with her brush. "You look nice."
"I'm sure you say that to all the girls."
He laughed. "You're mean tonight. I'll soften you up, though. Wait 'til I get my hands on you."
When he reached for her, she popped him with the brush. "I have to do my hair first."
He grinned and scooted closer to her. "Hurry up. I'm tired of waiting."
She rolled her eyes, but finished quickly. "Don't tell me I need to take my clothes off like I did in El Paso."
He rubbed his hands together. "Of course, you do."
"No way, cowboy. Not in this house. Not tonight."
He sighed. "Roll over on your tummy, then. I'll do my best under the handicap you've given me."
"Oh, give me a break."
She followed orders and settled with her belly against the soft bed. Then she grinned as he slid his hands under her gown and rubbed her naked anyway. But, damn, he felt good.
He nibbled her neck, sending goosebumps down her arms. "I love you, Lennie.
She opened her eyes. "I love you, too."
As she started to turn over, he grabbed her waist and held her in place. "Stay right there. I'm not finished."
Closing her eyes again, she relaxed back into the bed.
"That's more like it." He moved his hands to her legs and massaged her thighs, working the tight muscles until they loosened. Then he moved to her calves and down to her feet. She moaned in pleasure when he rubbed the ball of her foot. "Oh, my God, Dylan. Don't stop."
"Honey, I wish I could do this every night. You deserve it."
A moment later, she did turn over. "Come here." She scooted sideways and welcomed him into her arms. "I don't deserve you, Dylan Govain."
He nuzzled his face between her breasts and kissed her with a smack. "Sure, you do. We're a perfect match." Moving up beside her, he looked into her eyes. "Honey, don't you ever doubt my love. Not ever. I've grown up watching my daddy love my momma and that's how I'll love you. I promise. Now quit worrying." With a kiss on the tip of her nose, he stood.
"You need to get some sleep. You're exhausted, sweetheart. I'll see you at breakfast."
She watched him leave, reassured and comforted. Tomorrow, now, that wa
s another matter. She'd have to get the ranch books—bills were due—and that meant seeing her father.
Chapter Fifteen
DYLAN FLIPPED OPEN the lid to the box and examined the wedding band inside. It matched the engagement ring he'd given Lennie. When he would slip it on her finger, though, he didn't know. Long weeks had passed, and she'd fallen into a deep depression. He had no idea how to help her. Nothing he'd tried seemed to work.
It had started after she went by the ranch for the books. Her father had known that she was staying at the Govains and said terrible things to her. He even told her to get out of the house and never to come back. The episode, coming so close on the heels of the first outburst, had crushed her. She wasn't sleeping, was barely eating, and wouldn't talk about it. Dylan was desperate to help her.
Putting the ring box back in his drawer, he left his room and headed upstairs. Lennie had been missing breakfast and struggled to drag herself out of bed. She was pale, and she'd lost weight. He'd decided to start helping her get ready in the mornings. She needed a nutritious breakfast. He stopped outside her door and knocked. "Lennie, you up?"
"Ugh. What?"
"Can I come in?"
"Yeah."
She lay on her side, her eyes closed.
He sat down on the edge of the bed and brushed a lock of hair from her face. "Time to wake up, sweetheart. Breakfast will be ready soon."
She sighed. "Don't want breakfast. Thanks."
Leaning down, he kissed her temple. "You need it though, honey. You haven't been eating, and I'm worried about you. Please, will you come down? Do it for me?"
She opened one eye, staring at him.
"Come on. I'll owe you one."
She turned her head a little and opened the other eye. "Only for you, cowboy. Because I love you."
He grinned, but, sadly, she didn't return it.
Sighing, she rolled over on her back and stared at the ceiling. "How long?"
"How long what?"
"Before breakfast."
"Oh, thirty minutes."
She reached for his hand. "You better wake me up then. I didn't sleep last night."
He laughed and laid beside her on the bed. "With pleasure."
A smile played across her lips for just a second.
Looking into her eyes, he said, "Prepare to be awakened, my love."
By the time she started to dress, she was revved up and raring to go. Grinning, he left her to it.
Later, at breakfast, Lennie made an effort to eat, though he could see her heart wasn't in it. It was a start.
His mom noticed Lennie’s eating and caught his eye, smiling. Everyone had been worried about her. Annie had even asked him what Lennie's favorite foods were so she could fix them. Crap, he hoped Evan would somehow get over his anger and accept the situation. Lennie couldn't take this much longer.
Dylan had another worry. Teachers went back to school before the kids, and he started work next week. That meant he wouldn't be seeing Lennie at lunch anymore. She depended on the support he gave her during that time to make it through her day. He could text her or possibly call, but it wouldn't be the same.
After breakfast he walked Lennie to her truck.
Just as she opened her door, her phone rang. When she pulled it out of her back pocket, her face took on a worried frown. "It's my Mother." Clicking the speaker on, she said, "Hello, Mom?"
"Lennie! It's your dad. He's had another stroke. I've called the ambulance. I need you, honey. Will you come?"
"Of course, Momma! If I miss you, I'll meet you at the hospital."
He touched her arm. "I'll drive. Come on."
They raced to his truck and clambered inside. His tires squealed as he gunned the engine heading out of the driveway. However, just before they reached the Duncan ranch, they met the ambulance heading in the opposite direction with Lennie's mom following close behind. Dylan did a quick maneuver on the side of the road and pulled up behind the speeding vehicles.
Lennie clutched the console, her face tense with worry. "Mom must be going crazy. I should have been there for her when this happened. Dammit! Why does my father have to be such an asshole!"
Dylan covered her hand with his. "You'll be there with her at the hospital. She'll need you then. And, I'm here for you."
She turned to him, her eyes wide and near tears. "Thank you, Dylan. I'm worried what Dad will do when he sees me. I don't want him to have a bad reaction and get worse. I still love him despite how he feels about me."
He squeezed her fingers. "Of course, you do, honey. Let's just wait and see how it plays out and plan from there."
She nodded and blew out a nervous breath. "I can't believe this is happening. Dad was already facing such a challenge. How will this new episode affect him?"
Dylan met her gaze. "I know it's hard, but you can't worry about that now. We have to take this one step at a time."
Sucking in air, she nodded again and looked out her window.
Dylan peered down the road, wondering desperately how he might help. His presence sure wouldn't make her father happy.
When they reached the hospital, he dropped Lennie off at the emergency room entrance right behind the ambulance. She strode to the back of the vehicle and waited for the doors to open.
Dylan followed Angie to the parking lot and parked, then escorted her back to the emergency room entrance. By that time, the paramedics were rolling her husband into the building through the double glass doors.
Dylan jogged a few steps to catch up with Lennie. "How is he?"
"I don't know. I didn't want to interrupt while they were working with him. His eyes are closed, but he seems to be breathing well under the oxygen mask."
Dropping back to her mom's side, he said, "She didn't find out anything."
Angie nodded, mouth in a tight line, her eyes narrowed with worry.
He patted her back and stayed with her. Poor woman. She'd had her hands full for months now.
A nurse escorted them outside a curtained room, where the paramedics wheeled the gurney. Dylan, Lennie and her mom held back, allowing the medical team to settle their patient on the hospital bed and hang his IV bag. Soon only the nurse was left in the room. Evan still had his eyes closed and hadn't moved.
Dylan accompanied the women as they walked into the room. After helping Lennie's mom sit in the uncomfortable metal and plastic chair, he joined Lennie at her father's bedside. Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he kissed her cheek tenderly. "I'll be right outside the curtain." He glanced at her father. "I don't want to stir things up."
She hugged him hard. "Thanks."
Parting the heavy fabric, he stepped through and let it close behind him. Crossing his arms, he surveyed the activity around him. It looked like there was only one empty room. How many docs did they have on duty? Hopefully more than one. This was a busy day.
Just then Lennie said, "Momma, he's awake."
Dylan dropped his arms, listening hard.
"Evan, can you hear me?" Angie said in an unsteady voice.
Faintly. "Ugnh."
Lennie said clearly. "We're here with you, Daddy. You're at the hospital in Ft. Stockton. You've had another spell."
A little stronger. "Ugnh hng hrr."
Dylan turned and parted the curtains a crack.
Lennie leaned down, putting her face near her father's. "What Daddy?"
He slowly raised his hand, dragging at the oxygen mask.
She pulled it up to his forehead. "We can leave it here for a minute. Now tell me what you want to say."
Dylan narrowed his eyes, focusing on Evan's mouth to read his lips.
"Ah ... ubh ... oo.
Lennie clutched her father's hand and brought it to her cheek. "Daddy, I love you, too. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I never meant to."
"O-auh!" He moved his other hand toward her and tried again. "Ome."
"You want me to come back home?"
"Ome."
"Lennie, please come back. You heard wha
t he said." Angie clasped Lennie's hand.
Dylan smiled as Lennie leaned down and kissed her father's cheek. "I will, Daddy. You work at getting better, and I'll be there when you come home."
Evan closed his eyes then, and Lennie put his oxygen mask back on.
Lennie continued to hold his hand as the nurse reappeared. She explained that she would be setting up an EKG on her father. Lennie stepped back as the woman drew down the sheet and began attaching the sticky patches with electrodes to his body.
When that was done, she opened the computer and asked Lennie's mother questions about her husband's health. Lennie parted the curtains and joined Dylan outside the room.
He wrapped her in a hug. "I heard what your father said. I'm so happy for you."
"I can't believe it. I feel like I can breathe for the first time in weeks."
He kissed the top of her head. "I know, sweetheart. Maybe realizing that he might die with hard feelings between the two of you changed his mind. Your daddy loves you."
She sighed. "It would have broken my heart if he died mad at me. He's always been my hero. Dad kept our ranch going despite the drought and bad run of luck we've had. He'd never consider giving up. He's a Texan through and through. I wouldn't be who I am without him. Knowing he couldn't stand the sight of me was killing me."
Dylan gave her a quick kiss. "Thank God that's over now. How about I bring you and your mom a cup of coffee?"
When he returned a few minutes later, the nurse was gone and Lennie and her mom were seated in the chairs against the curtained wall. He entered quietly and handed each a cup of the steaming hospital brew. "I hope you drink it black, Mrs. Duncan. I didn't know," he whispered.
"I do. Thanks." She blew on it and gingerly took a sip.
"Cophg."
Dylan froze.
"Combh rr."
Evan's meaning was clear. Dylan turned and approached the bed, his pulse racing.
Lennie came and stood at his side. As her father's hand struggled to his face, she removed the mask again.
Evan met Dylan's gaze. "A ... ake ... krr ... mmma ... grrr."
Dylan nodded, understanding him. "I'll take good care of your girl. I love her, Evan. I'll help Lennie out at the ranch while you're in the hospital, too. Both of your ladies will be taken care of. Don't you worry."
The Cowboy's Wish (The Govain Cowboys Book 3) Page 15