Of The Cowboy's Own Accord (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight #3)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  ***

  When she hung up she went to get dressed. Dane stood outside the SUV smoking a cigarette, on the phone himself. She slipped into her shoes and took a deep breath before walking over to him, waiting until he finished. “Will you come back in now? You didn’t have to leave while I spoke to my dad.” She took his hand when he stepped away and they walked back inside. “How about some orange juice?”

  Dane dropped to the sofa, nodding yes to the beverage.

  She poured them both a glassful and sat beside him. “About your family. Do your brothers live there with your mother?”

  He took a drink when she handed it to him, his voice a little downtrodden when he replied. “Not in her house. I’ve told you this before. She lives alone now. As alone as anyone can be at the Double Dutch. I’ll take you for a ride to show you around.” He sat the glass down and leaned forward, scrubbing his hands over his hair again. “The frustration. I’m sorry. It’s that…I don’t know how to handle this…” He stuck his hand out. “This deformity. You having a stalker. My military career ending. Comradery with the guys…gone.”

  “What you are is a highly-trained soldier. You can handle this and anything thrown at you. Don’t expect it to happen overnight.” She placed her hand on his back. “I’ll get a shower so I’ll be ready when you return. Can we all meet for dinner instead?” Gracelyn worried about him. He did have a lot to think about now that he was home.

  “I’ll ask her. Let’s do tomorrow night.” Dane tapped his fingers against his knees. “My family would never turn their back on you if you’re concerned about that. You don’t know what they’re like. They’ll love you. Like I told you in that one letter you never got.”

  It wasn’t my fault I didn’t get it. “They’re here for you, too.” She stood. “Would you rather take time to figure it all out before diving into this relationship?” Maybe he wasn’t ready for her and a baby. Answering her wasn’t necessary, but he needed to ask himself.

  “Gracelyn, our relationship was figured out in my head before I got home.”

  “It’s time for me to get in the shower.” Gracelyn took his hand and kissed his palm. “I do want to meet your family, but…you figure out what you want. You’ve been home a day. Take some time.”

  He didn’t release her hand when she turned to go. “I don’t need to figure us out. The other stuff will fall into place.” His gaze went to her hand in his. “About our families. I’ll have to meet yours. Hmm. The guy who got you pregnant has to meet your dad. He did seem nice on the phone.” Dane situated his pant legs over his boots, then he smoothed out the denim at the hem. “I need to wrap my hand before I go.” He searched for the elastic bandage and proceeded to rewrap his hand when he found it in the bedroom.

  “Maybe you need to give my family a chance since you’re asking me to do the same.” Smoothing out the Velcro part of the bandage for him when he finished, she gave a soft smile. “Here ya go. What time will you return?”

  “I’m not sure I should leave you alone.”

  “Go. I’ll be fine. I’ve been alone all this time. You can’t be my bodyguard.” That was the wrong thing to say, for he’d been the country’s bodyguard for many years, the idea now ingrained in him.

  “Does two hours give you enough time?”

  “Plenty of time.” On the way to the bathroom, she whirled around. “Sure you don’t want breakfast first?”

  “I’m good, but thanks.” Dane glanced at the clock then he went to her. He lifted her chin to look at him. “I didn’t mean it to sound like it did about your family. That wasn’t fair, but it was my fault you got pregnant.”

  “You’re being ridiculous. I’m glad to be carrying your child, no matter how or when it happened.” Gracelyn poked his chest with her index finger. “By time we realized we weren’t using proper protection, it was too late, so don’t only blame yourself.” When he brushed her hand away from poking him, she raised her other hand to caress his face, but he caught it. Did he expect a slap? “We’ll not speak of our baby being anyone’s fault, again.” With a fixed stare, she stated adamantly, “Is that understood? He was nobody’s fault.”

  Dane gave a little smile. “Yes, ma’am. You know, you’re really my kind of girl. Damn pretty when you’re mad, too.”

  Humph. “Yes, I do.” Setting her hands on his shoulders, her voice lowered, “Thank you for staying last night. Will you stay tonight? I have to work tomorrow during the day.”

  “I will. We’ll have the rest of the talk later.” Dane lifted her hand to his lips. “Today, we’ll pick out your ring. Talk about getting married, about Vegas, and our dog. We’ll check him out today, but I can’t bring him home until tomorrow. I promise to get my attitude under control.”

  Gracelyn nodded. “You’ll have to bring the dog to spend time here. We better get used to each other, him and me.” She collected a towel from the linen closet in the hallway.

  Dane picked up his keys then hugged her. “Keep your doors…windows locked.” He gave her a long and slow kiss. “Nice,” came out as he licked his lips afterward. “See you soon.”

  Her gaze followed him until the door closed. She sauntered to the window, cracking the blind more open to watch him walk across the parking lot. It’ll be a struggle in the beginning, but I know we can make it through.

  It’d be an adjustment for them both, although he had much more to adjust to. Gracelyn was up for the challenge. He was home. Alive. She put her hand over her stomach. “Your daddy’s home, my little boy, and we’ll be a family. That’s what matters to all of us.” She looked forward to another full day and night with him.

  Chapter 11

  Tension eased between them after spending two days and nights together. Now, Dane headed back to the ranch when Gracelyn went to work. He’d search for a pickup instead of using his brothers. Having to return to base, to leave her again turned his gut inside out. Especially now with Smith Jamison in the picture. What would he do about that? Shaking his mind clear, he concentrated on the now. She had been understanding of his circumstances. More than he was about his plight.

  He understood why she couldn’t return with him if he had to. It wasn’t the right time to give up what she had made for herself here. This time, he wouldn’t look forward to going overseas to finish his deployment if he had to after his convalescent leave.

  For him to be a soldier putting in time but without the combat, made no sense. To sit outside of the theater of operations? He thumped a fist against the door. But, surprisingly, he admitted to something he never believed he would—without animosity about his choice this time. Not too much anyway. Once a Ranger, always… Isn’t that what he had told his brothers?

  Gracelyn agreed to marry him. A kid was on the way. He had war injuries detrimental to his Army career, yet, unlike many other wounded soldiers, he still had a career, a life…as a rancher.

  Yesterday after visiting the base and spending time with the dog, they picked out and purchased rings. He visualized her face when he slipped the ring over her finger before handing it back to the jeweler for resizing to fit her delicate finger.

  Wouldn’t this be another shocker to his family? A dog. Baby. Marriage. Career. Ass-backwards rebel as my dad would say. His mom never noticed the wink—his dad’s way of saying to Dane, he understood his ways.

  The man himself who packed up and moved to a ranch on a whim because he met the woman of his dreams while digging for the Lost Dutchman’s gold in the Superstitions. The reason for the Dutch in the Double Dutch Ranch. He turned left on the 60 toward home. Everybody did say he took after his dad.

  Maybe the proposal wouldn’t shock them. They knew him well enough—not much surprised them anymore. He removed his gold band from his pocket, flipped the box open, and peered at it. Pretty soon he’d be buying diapers. What did he know about either? He had no clue how he used a defective condom. They were old, and he was unsure why he carried them anymore, but remembered fast. Have them available. Be prepared. Desert heat must�
��ve ruined them.

  The first step now would be talking to his chain of command. Trying something as simple as buttoning a shirt, proved how worthless he’d be to his unit in combat. Facing it was the only choice. Things in life change, although he hadn’t expected it to be now. This didn’t mean he’d give up. A new life filled with challenges waited. They’d be met head-on like everything else.

  He drove down the ranch road allowing for a minute, old memories of home to tug at his brain. What he wanted to do was saddle a horse and ride into the mountains, escape into himself for a minute. Think. But there were important matters to take care of first. The Superstitions weren’t going anywhere.

  Before going inside Tristan’s office at the ranch, he called his commanding officer who looked over his paperwork from the doctors in Germany and at Walter Reed who agreed with a medical retirement. In fact, he didn’t have much of a choice at all. I’d find a way if I wanted to stay in. After all, he wouldn’t have been the first wounded soldier to remain a Ranger. Dane sighed. Step one. The paperwork had begun.

  He inhaled the fresh, dry air and pulled dog tags out of his shirt. Clenched them. “Damn.” His stomach knotted. Regardless, he’d never stop wearing them. It was his connection to who he really was. A few days of riding—roaming the desert and mountain range might convince him of who he was about to be…a rancher. Again. Step two. He removed his hat from the seat and put it on. When he stepped out, combat boots were as dusty as they had always been. Inside he’d tuck them into his closet and change back to cowboy boots. Step three.

  ***

  He took his time walking into Tristan’s office that was attached to the main house. “Hey, Trist, I hope you don’t care if I use your truck a little longer. I have to pick up my dog from the base. Come along.”

  “I don’t know,” said Tristan, sitting at his desk in front of the computer. “As long as the damn thing won’t kill me.”

  “Not to worry. Yesterday at the base, he was freaked out at hearing the jets. I can’t imagine what he went through on his trip back from the Middle East then over here.” Dane chuckled. “He sure did turn into a real baby around Gracelyn. She liked him too—actually has a soft spot for animals.”

  “I didn’t know dogs went through PTSD. Do you think he’ll be okay around the kids?” Tristan got up from his desk to get his hat from the rack.

  “We’ve broken horses many times so maybe we can break a dog.” Dane shrugged. “The only thing is, I’m not supposed to be breaking him.” Taking a quick glance into Nora’s office to say hi, he didn’t see her.

  Tristan laughed and stopped at the interior office door. “Dude, you better go see Mom. She barely knows you’re home since you’ve spent two nights away.”

  “Isn’t anything a secret around this place?” Dane followed him down the hallway leading to the rest of the house. He took note of the bench sitting where it always had in this hallway…the one his dad made from timber on their previous property in New York. He wanted that for his own house. “I’m inviting Mom for dinner tonight to meet Gracelyn.”

  “Well,” said Tristan, stopping in the kitchen. “I still can’t believe it. You’re hooked up, but not only that, you have a kid coming, too.” He grinned, showing a twinkle in his eyes. “You should know by now there aren’t many secrets around here.”

  “What kind of shock do you think I’m going through to find out I’m having a kid. Prepare yourself because shocking y’all isn’t over yet.” He blurted it right out, finding himself more proud than he realized, “I’m having a boy. She’s pregnant with my son.”

  Tristan spun around to face him. “That’s terrific.” He lowered his voice, “Mom knows right?”

  “Only about the baby. I’ll let her know in time she’s having a grandson. You’re the only one who knows right now that we’re having a boy.”

  Tristan stopped at the refrigerator to grab the pitcher of iced tea. He poured them a glass and tried not to spill it due to laughing. “Awesome about having a son.”

  “Who’s having a son?”

  Dane whirled around to find their mom standing between the kitchen and dining room with her hands on her hips as if demanding an answer. “Shit,” Dane said under his breath. “I wanted to surprise you later. Me. I mean Gracelyn and I are having a son.”

  Judy’s hands shot to her cheeks faster than a blink, and she stepped forward. “When do I get to meet this girl who’s giving me another grandson?” She lifted her arms to the air as if thanking the Lord himself. “My goodness, Dane. You must be so tickled.”

  “Shock is more like it, but I’m getting used to the idea.” He took a drink of tea and nodded to her. Her iced tea had something no one ever duplicated. “You can meet Gracelyn tonight. Are you up for dinner with us?”

  “It’d be my pleasure,” Judy said.

  Jase knocked on the back door before entering the kitchen then flung his hat to the round oak table. “What’s going on? You all look like the world is about to come to an end.” Right away, he removed the pitcher of tea and poured himself a glass.

  Judy laughed. “It might, but this is quite the opposite.” She glanced around at her three boys. “Y’all have made me so happy giving me all these grandbabies. Lordy, Jase—Dane’s having a boy to go with your Joey.”

  Dane rolled his eyes when Jase grinned. Hmm. All of a sudden his mom believed the baby was his? This indeed was a good thing.

  “Great to know the Carlson name will continue. Damn, little brother.” Jase patted Dane on the back, but drew his hand back. “Sorry, I keep forgetting you’re not full of muscle like you used to be.”

  Dane bumped Jase’s shoulder then he flexed his bicep. “Don’t bet on it, I still have a good one. I’ll be ready to take you on pretty soon. Give me a couple months of working out with your weights, and I’ll kick your butt.” He winked at Jase but directed his next comment to his mom. “Maybe you’ll want to sit down for this next bit of news.” It’d be best to give it all to her full blast.

  “Now what? You’re not having twins are you?”

  “Hell no, I’d need oxygen if someone told me I was having twins.” Dane rolled his shoulders to take a minute to relax. The more he talked about it, the more real it seemed. Soon, a little guy running around this kitchen would be calling him dad. It excited him with unfamiliar emotions.

  Judy took a seat at the end of the table. “Now, what is the other news you were about to tell us? You boys are like roller coasters. Up. Down. Good news. Next bad news. I never know what to expect.”

  “We plan it that way to keep you guessing.” Dane prepared himself to face the outcome of what he was about to say. “I talked to my chain of command about concluding my military career.” He took a drink from his glass to give them a moment to think about it. Probably should’ve put a shot of bourbon into it, if it wasn’t already there. “I’m not taking the chance of finishing out my deployment overseas, on a desk no less. That’d kill me not to be able to do my real job. Then I found out it wasn’t my choice to make. It looks like I’ll have a medical retirement with a full honorable discharge.”

  Dane watched in joy as they all smiled and talked amongst themselves. “But there’s more.” That silenced everyone. His mother frowned, apparently still waiting for bad news. “Gracelyn and I are getting married, but before you all get too fired up, we’re going to Las Vegas. The two of us—that’ll be it.”

  “You mean we can’t be there?” Judy asked with her head cocked and the furrow still on her brow. “Your family?”

  Dane walked over to his mother and put his arm around her shoulder. “Come on, Mom, you’ve recently celebrated a couple weddings. That’s enough for a while.” He nodded. “This is how we want it. Throw us a party when we come home, but I’d rather wait until the baby’s born to have a party. We’ll be in and out of Vegas, then take a quick trip to San Francisco to see her parents.”

  “Can I invite them to the…” Judy made quote marks with her fingers. “Celebration?”
/>
  Was that sarcasm in his sweet mother’s tone? Dane shoved his hand into his back pocket. “Not sure about that yet.” It was time for the subject to drop. “Tristan and I are going after the dog now.” He shoved Jase’s arm. “Coming with us?”

  Jase put his hat on. “Only if I don’t have to be in the backseat with the dog. It’s bad enough to smell like a horse most of the time.”

  ***

  That evening Gracelyn paced in her apartment. Dane halted her. “Calm down. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “I’m so doggone nervous. I’ll remind you of this when you meet my parents. What if your mom doesn’t like me?” She wrenched her hands away and clutched her head. “Are you sure?”

  “Gracelyn, you’re an Army brat and used to meeting people. She already loves you and won’t judge if that’s what you’re worried about.” Dane picked up his hat. “It seems like telling your own parents would’ve been harder.”

  “Darn right it was, but…” To distract herself and get off the subject, she knelt to pat the dog. “Good boy,” she said in a soothing tone. “Maybe I should stay home with Boston since this place is new to him.”

  When she stood, Dane cupped his hands around her face. “The fact of another grandson has put her on cloud nine…no—cloud one hundred.” He smiled and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. “It’s time to go.”

  “I’ll get my purse.” She grabbed it off her doorknob and returned to the front room to stand in front of him then glanced down at herself. Pride swept over her. It wouldn’t be so bad to meet her future mother-in-law. It had to be done. Why not now? “I really look pregnant.”

  “I hear that’s what happens at seven months. You’re, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, pregnant or not. I’ve told you that before.” He pulled her arm back to stop her when he opened the door. “Wait. We need to put Boston in his kennel until he gets used to the house.”