by Debra Holt
“Neither did I.” Dev smiled. “Meet Gypsy Girl… or just Gypsy to her friends, I guess. I hit her with my truck the day I arrived back in Braxton. She’s an orphan… or she was. A couple days ago, Doc decided she belonged here with me and delivered her to my doorstep.”
Josie gave him a longer look. “Doc? As in my good friend, Rissa Flanagan? I did see you two deep in discussion at the dinner the other night. Should I be jealous?”
“About as jealous as Chance should be of me.” He hoped he played that off easy enough.
Josie grinned, but then her tone was not laced with anything remotely joking when she spoke. “Rissa is a dear friend. She presents a lot tougher these days and she is. But it hasn’t been an easy road for her. She had a guy do a real bad number on her heart, and she deserves only the best from now on. Someone who will be here for the long haul.”
Dev met her steady gaze. “Message received, Josie. But you don’t have to worry about me on that score. The lady made it quite clear that she wants no part of me, whatsoever. I guess my earlier reputation did a lot to color her predisposition where I’m concerned. Some people just don’t get along. But she seems nice and she deserves only good things. I could see the kind of heart she has while I was at the vet clinic. She’s lucky to have you as her friend.”
Josie nodded. “Well, it’s going to take a little while, but people will see the real Dev and make you feel at home again. That is if you’re planning to stay around here. And you know we hope you will.”
“Feel at home again… that’s an interesting turn of phrase. I catch myself wondering if I ever felt at home here… either on the ranch or in Braxton.”
“Your dad was hard on both you and Chance. Even on Rio… in a different sort of way. But you have to know that you were loved by your mother… Chance’s and your mother here on the ranch.”
“I get what you’re saying, Josie. And while I found out I had a different birth mother than Chance… I do know that I was loved and accepted from the day my birth mother sold me to my loving father. But, having come into this family in a roundabout way seems to be par for the course given the father we three men share. And Chance and I did have your mom taking us under her wing after ours died. And there was you.
“I’ll admit I was jealous… in more ways than one when it came to Chance. He was the one everyone seemed to think was the perfect son… perfect boss man… perfect neighbor. But I can agree that he was indeed the perfect match for you. You two make people believe in the possibility of finding a real soul mate. Or some such nonsense as that.” He finished with a grin meant to lighten his words.
Josie shook her head. “It makes me happy to know that you realize such a possibility does exist. Because that’s what I want for you. To have you find that perfect person that will complete your life and make you as happy as Chance and I are. There’s nothing better than to have found the other half of yourself. And who is to say when you might come across that person…” She gave him a broad smile and a wink.
“And on that point, it seems as good a time as any for what I need to say to you. But how about I offer you some coffee first?”
“I’m afraid I need to get to Tom and Mary’s house shortly. I promised Mary I’d stop by and help her with some things this morning while Chance has Emma duty. But we can certainly talk without the coffee.”
“I need to apologize to you. There are a lot of apologies I need to make to several people, but you and Chance topped the list. Chance and I are talking things out in our own way. We did a lot of that already when he was with me those weeks in Nevada. But you deserve to hear me say the words that I assure you are coming from my heart.
“So many times I wanted to explain things to you… why I disappeared at the worst times and left you standing, and Chance had to step in. Of course, you might say I could also be given credit for you and Chance finding each other… but I won’t push my luck.” They both grinned at that remark.
“I’m sorry for hurting you and…”
Her hand on his arm forestalled him. “I accept your apologies, Dev, even though I understand why you did what you did back then in order to keep your cover intact. What you were doing is amazing to think about and how many people you helped and criminals you put away… and yet you had to take the harsh words and comments and let them bounce off you. The worst came from here at home. Your neighbors and friends… your own family. Only I think sometimes those words didn’t leave you, and I hate that.
“But do not think I ever thought badly of you. I knew deep down that the real Dev with the kind heart and soul was inside all along. And I can enjoy telling Chance ‘I told you so’ more than a few times since we found out about your other life. But all is good, and we are a family again. That’s what is truly important. Plus, we have Rio and Dee, and Emmy is crazy about her uncle Dev. Let’s just move forward and leave the past where it belongs.”
They shared a hug. Josie was one in a million and had always been his champion when no others had been. He was lucky.
She stepped back and gave him a grin and Gypsy another pat on the head. “I must get moving. Don’t forget that this Saturday is the Cattle Baron’s Ball and you’ll need a tux… and I have a mask for you. The men’s masks are fairly basic, but the women’s masks will be auctioned off at the end of the evening. We decided we needed to add something a little different to the usual event. It’s all for a good charitable cause… the children’s home at Fairmont Ranch. We have a table and we’re all going. All of us.” She added the last with emphasis as she mounted her horse and looked down at him.
“Yes, ma’am. Message received loud and clear.” He watched Josie depart across the pasture.
Great. Big event… tux… and mask. Fitting for him, he supposed. He had hidden behind one most of his life. Everyone would be there watching the prodigal son for signs of him returning to his old self. Everyone… that conjured the image of a certain female vet. What were the odds she might be there? Pretty good. What single man wouldn’t be asking her to go with him? This return home was getting tougher by the day.
Chapter Five
Rissa looked at the black gown with its yards of skirt and lace top. She’d look good in it. But her gaze kept being drawn to the back of Bella’s Bridal and Formal Boutique. That was where rows and rows of white wedding gowns hung in their plastic protective sleeves awaiting the right bride to come in and say yes to the perfect dress. Her slow steps led her from the evening gowns to the bridal section. Her fingers reached out to touch the folds of one white satin creation.
Rissa had stood before those mirrors in such a gown, once upon a time. And she had had stars in her eyes and bought into the happily-ever-after propaganda. Right up until her loving fiancé had left her a dear Jane voice mail. “Sorry but got to hit the road. Marriage isn’t in the cards. Be in touch… Tony” And the wedding had been less than two weeks away. She blinked away the bad memory and turned her back on the wedding gowns and then stopped short. Dev Braxton stood watching her. What on earth was he doing there at the same time she was making a fool of herself? Was that pity in his eyes? Had he heard about her misfortune? What did it matter? Except, it did. Her chin rose as she moved to pass him.
“Looks like you found what you were looking for.”
His words made her pause. “Excuse me?”
“I assumed you found a dress to make a knockout entrance to whatever special occasion you’re going to wear it at. That’s what most females look for in a place like this, right?”
She didn’t answer him right away. His sudden appearance had caught her off guard. The fact he caught her in a vulnerable moment didn’t sit well either. Rissa worked hard to appear to be a career-oriented, thick-skinned female holding her own in a predominantly male profession.
“What are you doing here might be a more interesting question. In the market for a wedding dress for one of your adoring female fans? Wait… I seem to recall you had a fiancée… or was it more than one?”
“Well, it seems there’s a shortage of fans in these parts. And there’s no fiancée lurking anyplace. I’m getting fitted for a tux per Josie’s orders. This seems to be the only place in town to do that unless I drive into the big city.”
“I see. Guess you’re needing fancy duds to go out on the town. I’m guessing to the Cattle Baron’s Ball? Although I would have thought you had a tux or two already in your closet… being the consummate playboy and all. Don’t let me keep you.”
His footsteps were muffled by the thick carpeting, but he followed behind her, much to her consternation. “Afraid I got rid of the tuxes along the way back to Braxton. Seems just jeans and boots and work shirts are taking up most of the room in the closet these days. And, yes, I’m expected at the ball with the rest of the family. I suppose you’ve already been spoken for by one of Braxton’s bachelors?”
Rissa whirled to face him… wishing he weren’t standing so close. She received a hint of the cologne that had caught her senses a few days before. It was intriguing and the fact she liked it only made her more aware that she should tread carefully.
“The ball… yes, that makes sense. And, yes, I do have an escort. I’m sure your dance card will be overflowing for the evening. A new single man in town is catnip for the single ladies.”
“All the single ladies? That might be interesting if you’re including yourself in that group.”
“You are certainly something,” she said, shaking her head. “You don’t get it, do you? Your charm that you turn on and off like a faucet is wasted on me. I’m not in the market for used playboys.”
Rissa pivoted on her heel and headed toward the dressing room area. He couldn’t follow there. Once inside the cubicle, she took a deep breath, counted to ten, and then slowly expelled the air. She had felt herself being drawn back into those dark days, and then Dev Braxton of all people had seen her vulnerability. And he had to try and use his fake charm on her. She had been a fool for a man like him once before and that had put her in a dark place that she had to fight each day to climb out of. Dev Braxton was dangerous. She didn’t need to forget that. She wasn’t the same silly girl who would fall for fake charms. She had survived and then some.
That was when an idea popped into her thoughts. Perhaps she should give it more thought. Perhaps she should just be spontaneous and remind people she was more than just okay. She wasn’t brokenhearted or forlorn. Regrets weren’t how she wanted to live. And that was why she left the safe black dress hanging in the dressing room and chose the one on the display mannequin in the front window of the store. She felt a change in the air. It was time to shake things up.
*
“Thank heavens, we only have to get this dressed up once a year.” Chance ran a finger under his collar at his throat again for the umpteenth time, trying to loosen the noose-like grip the black bow tie had on his neck. “Next time, I’m wearing one of those things you have around your neck. Then maybe I can at least breathe once in a while.”
“This thing is my own variation. Take a bandanna and use a silver and turquoise clasp just below the collar of your shirt to hold it in place and you won’t have to be turning that purple color during dinner.” Rio threw out the last bit with an amused grin. “But I could do without the mask thing. We all know who we are.”
“Why are you two standing here complaining about your tuxes when you both are so good-looking in them? And look at Dev… he isn’t fidgeting. He looks right at home in his.” Josie nodded at the Braxton brother who was headed across the dance floor in their direction.
More than a few female glances fell in his wake. Chance and Rio shared a look and chose the wise course of action and remained silent.
“Some men are just born with natural elegance. And he could probably give James Bond some lessons.” Dee’s comment joined her friend’s assessment.
“And some men are just born to horse manure.” Rio couldn’t remain silent and was rewarded with a frown from his wife.
“We all know you’d rather be with your horses in the stable right now, but for one evening, you must join in with the civilized neighborhood of humans.” She slipped her arm through his.
“And what’s with the red bow tie he has on? That’s a bit out there, don’t you think?” Chance said.
“But on him, it looks just right,” Dee responded.
“Good evening, beautiful sisters-in-law of mine. I hope I’m permitted to say that in front of your husbands?” He winked and gave each a smile.
“You may say that at any time you like. A woman always enjoys a compliment.” Dee smiled back and then gave a raised brow toward her husband.
“And there he goes with that charm and we—”
Josie grabbed her husband’s hand. “And you get to take your wife out on the dance floor. Let’s go. Our table is just over there, Dev.” She nodded to a large table at the edge of the floor in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Rio followed suit with his wife, and they were soon lost in the swirl of black and white on the dance floor. Dev took a glass of champagne from the waiter who appeared at his elbow. He had already been informed by Josie that the dress code for the ball was black, white, or red. But most people chose the black or white route.
So, he couldn’t resist the urge to tweak a nose or two by opting for a scarlet satin bow tie to go with his black tux and white shirt. He was still in dress code… just with his own style thrown in. And he had to admit the mask did lend him a bit of concealment… if just a tiny shred, more so mentally than anything else. He glanced around the room as he sipped his champagne.
Then a vision in red appeared framed in the doorway to the ballroom. His fingers tightened around the stem of the glass to keep from dropping it.
It couldn’t be. Was he seeing things? His gaze narrowed and he stared. He had no idea a vet could look like that. Even though this vision had a fairly opulent matching mask of sequins and black feathers, he’d know her anywhere. Marissa Flanagan had decided to make her own fashion statement. Dev had taken a small mosquito step with his bow tie, but she had decided on a swan dive from the high diving board. The dress was all glistening sequins and sparkles from the high neck, down the long sleeves, over the lines that hugged each curve of a figure that made the room temperature go up several hundred degrees… or so it felt inside his body.
Her raven hair had been piled upward in a sophisticated way that his fingers itched to unleash. But then she turned to say something to the person behind her and Dev took a blow in the lower regions. A sheen of moisture was popping out on his forehead. While the front of the gown had covered most of the flesh, the back of the gown did the opposite… it was backless and left lots of tanned, firm flesh open to view and male fantasizing. A quick swing of his gaze around the room and his thought was confirmed… many of the males were quite aware of her arrival. The females, too, but in a different way.
The breath slowly filtered back into his lungs with the help of the sight of a man’s hand inching around the small of her back… across all her lovely skin. His eyes locked on the tuxedoed figure, head bent listening to what she was saying, then laughing. He didn’t recognize the man, but Dev had just placed him at the head of the short list of people he did not care for in the least. Before he had time to consider the wisdom of it, Dev moved in her direction. He couldn’t say why or whether he could have stopped if he tried. She was a siren and he was under her spell. That was the simplest explanation.
Rissa must have sensed his presence behind her because she turned as he stopped within a foot of her. Those deep amber eyes looked up at him from beneath dark lashes through the slits of her sparkling mask. A cool smile curved a pair of luscious red lips. He had a feeling that moment was burnt across his memory book. Thankfully, she had full use of her speech capacity.
“Good evening, Devlin.”
Three words that he would not forget. This is how it feels? Why was his brain short-circuiting? Where was the sparkling debonair conversationalist he had created over the years? The one
he hid behind? He needed him and he was nowhere to be found.
“It’s not like the man I knew to be at a loss for words.”
“He was just a figment of people’s imagination. The real man can definitely be thrown for a loss. I could have sworn you were going for a black gown when I saw you in the dress shop.”
“What? You don’t approve of my decision? I would think you’d know better than most that sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind when the spirit moves you.” She reached up a fingertip lacquered in the same shade of red as her gown and tweaked the satin of his bow tie.
“I applaud your choice and your spirit. And I envy the man who brought you tonight.”
“And I’ll take that envy. Long time no see, Braxton. How long you back for this time?”
The voice registered in Dev’s mind, and he locked on the man handing the glass of wine over to Rissa, noting the proprietorial stance he took at her side. He couldn’t blame the man for that. But he didn’t have to like it.
“Mark, right? You’re Phillip Abbott’s grandson. I seem to recall you had left town on a basketball scholarship?”
The guy bristled and straightened. “I blew a knee in the first game. I could have kept playing, but I chose to step away. Got a law degree and now I work in the family business.”
Dev nodded. He remembered the facts as he heard them the last time he was in Braxton a few years ago. But the story was a bit off. The way he heard it, the guy got drunk celebrating his big-time scholarship, ran his Jeep into a tree, tore up his knee and the school decided they didn’t need him after all. But that was the devil about details. Let him play it his way.
“They’re waiting for us at the firm’s table.” It was clear Mark wasn’t into drawing out the conversation either. He had his hand on Rissa’s elbow.
Was that a glimmer of irritation Dev saw in her amber eyes? Maybe Mark’s attention wasn’t as welcome as he’d like to assume? Either way, it wasn’t up to him to step between a man and his date… not at that moment at any rate.