Overdue for Love - A Long Valley Romance: Country Western Small Town Romance Novella

by Erin Wright

  Imagining her driving around in that relic, especially when she’d been pregnant, made Dawson flinch. Hank hadn’t had to ruin her life. Dawson had beaten him to it by leaving her pregnant and alone. “So, why Idaho?”

  Her head fell back against the headrest. “I remembered you saying something about a cousin in Washington, so I was driving there.” She sniffed. “It was a stupid plan. I didn’t even know your cousin’s name. He might not have been a Blackhorse. In hindsight, I can’t believe I was so foolish.” After a pause, she said, “Anyway, I stopped and worked as I went along, getting together as much money as I could. A couple of times, I stayed in by-the-week motels. Once, I spent two weeks on a bartender’s couch. He and his girlfriend felt sorry for me. I stayed with them until the owner decided I was showing too much. Pregnant waitresses must make drinkers uncomfortable.” She gave him a small smile, but it quickly disappeared. “Mostly, I lived in the car.”

  Unable to hold back, Dawson cursed a blue streak. “I’m so sorry, Chloe.”

  Again, she ignored him. “I made it to Sawyer when the car broke down. It was the middle of March and snowing like crazy, and I was eight-and-a-half-months pregnant on the side of the road.”

  He glanced over, worried by her pallor. Maybe he shouldn’t keep pushing her for answers. Did it really matter how she’d ended up here? Well, yeah, it did, but not at the expense of causing her more pain. “It’s okay. You don’t have to finish,” he said, trying to reassure her.

  Chloe leaned forward and glared at him. “Yes, I do. You need to know what happened after you screwed me and ran. Maybe then you’ll understand why I want you to drive off and keep going, never to come back.”

  He swallowed, managing a tight nod. Okay, I deserved that.

  “I started having contractions. At first, I thought they were just Braxton-Hicks, which I’d had off and on for a few weeks. But they kept getting worse, and then my water broke.” She pressed on, talking over the hissing sound he made before he could stop himself. “I thought I was going to be delivering Tommy myself in that car. You have no idea how terrified I was.”

  “I can imagine,” he said in a whisper.

  “Not really,” she volleyed back, and Dawson nodded. Okay, I deserved that, too. She seemed to let it go, though, and continued. “If it hadn’t been for Doc Whitaker seeing my car and stopping to check on me, I don’t know if we would’ve made it.”

  The name sounded familiar. “Is he the one Tommy’s with?” She nodded, making his stomach clench. Was this doctor her boyfriend? And did he have any right to care if the doctor was? At least the man had been there when she needed him, which was more than Dawson could say about himself. He tried to keep any trace of jealousy from his voice when he spoke. “Imagine the odds, a doctor stopping when you were stranded.”

  Chloe laughed, this time without a hard edge. “Adam is a vet. I think he was almost as scared as I was when he delivered Tommy.” She grinned, her expression soft with affection. “He told me he hadn’t had kids by then and never would, thanks to that experience.”

  He forced himself to chuckle, even though he felt like he’d swallowed a live snake. She loves him. Just look at the way her eyes light up when she talks about him. You’re too late, Dawson. About nine years too late.

  “He helped me give birth in his new truck. Afterward, he wrapped up Tommy and me in a horse blanket and spent the night keeping us all warm and making sure we were okay. In the morning, the snow finally stopped, and he took me to the hospital over in Boise. They released us within hours, and Adam took us home with him. He lived with his mother, Ruby, and I was afraid she’d feel differently than he did about charity for strangers. Thankfully, she adored Tommy from the start.” Chloe smiled again, her expression full of affection. “I wish their cats had felt the same. They took a while to come around.”

  “I’m glad he helped out.” That sentence came out normal-sounding and genuine. He was tempted to pat himself on the back for that. The truth was, he was happy the good doctor was there to help out. He just wished he had been, too.

  She nodded. “So am I. Adam introduced me to Betty, and she hired me. Ruby watched Tommy for a long time, until her arthritis got too bad to chase after him. Luckily, he got old enough to start attending school, and so now Adam helps Ruby with Tommy after school. During the summer, he goes to the day camp at the community center. It’s nice that the diner closes at two o’clock every day — I don’t have to worry about trying to find babysitters in the evening.”

  Relief swept through Dawson as he pieced together what she hadn’t said. Bad arthritis must mean his mother was elderly. The vet lived with his mom and some cats, and he’d never had kids. He barely suppressed a smile. Whitaker was probably middle-aged, maybe even gay. Certainly not any competition for him to worry about. That was one less problem to overcome on the path of getting Chloe back.

  The urge to smile vanished with the thought. Hold your horses there, Dawson.

  He wasn’t trying to get her back. They’d never really been together. He just wanted to be part of his son’s life and help Chloe. That didn’t equate to having a relationship with her. Since she was the mother of his kid, having an affair with her just didn’t seem right, so…

  Hands off, buster.

  He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles turning white with the strain.

  As they pulled onto the farm’s dirt driveway, he asked, “How’d you end up living out here, so far away from town?” It made him nervous to think of Chloe on her own with only Tommy there with her, and miles from help if something happened.

  “Adam again. This was his place. He bought it and lived here with his wife until she died. Then he moved in with his mother to take care of her, with her arthritis and all. She refused to leave her house, so the farm just sat here, unused. It was hard for him to take care of his mom and the farm and be a full-time vet, so it was getting neglected. He lets us stay here for free in exchange for taking care of the property and the animals.”

  Her explanation added another dimension to the doctor. So, he wasn’t gay — dammit — but he was a widower. Definitely middle-aged and obviously too old for Chloe.

  Again, not something he really cared about, right? Right.

  Rrriiiggghhhhttt…

  He ignored that thought, too.

  He pulled to a stop and she hopped out of the truck before he could think of an appropriate reply that didn’t include the words “How old is he?” or “Are you in love with him?”

  “If you’re going to hang out here,” she tossed over her shoulder as she headed towards the house, “you can make yourself useful. You go milk the girls again while I start dinner.” Without waiting for his reply, she put the buckets on the porch and headed back inside.

  Dawson finished the job as quickly as he could, though the stubborn goat made it more difficult. He wanted more time with Chloe before Tommy came home. There was still a lot he wanted to know. Like, was she involved with anyone? And, who else had she been with in the past nine years?

  Okay, even to him, that last question was ridiculous, especially since he wouldn’t want to share his history with her. By no means was he a man-whore, but as a rodeo cowboy, there had been a lot of women who appreciated his skills — in and out of the arena.

  None had made him want to settle down, though. None had made him want to leave the rodeo world. It was a life he’d chosen as a way to earn enough to one day buy property — property like the Bartell Ranch. He’d used the money Hank had given him that fateful night so long ago to buy a horse, truck, and trailer. He was good — damn good — but the rodeo circuit was hard on relationships.

  It wasn’t something he’d cared about before.

  And I only care about it now because I have a son.

  He finished milking just in time to see a late model Chevy pickup coming up the driveway. The horse and fancy lettering on the side gave the doctor’s name and phone number, along with his credentials. Dawson hurried with the milk i
nto the house, eager to see his son again, and to meet the man who’d brought him into the world.

  Eager to size up his competition.

  Chloe looked up. “I thought I heard Adam’s truck.”

  “Yeah, I think he’s here.”

  A second later, Tommy came tearing into the house, the screen door saved from slamming by a large hand. The good doctor entered, and Dawson’s deepest desires *ahem* misconceptions were destroyed. The man before him was only a few years older than he was, with thick brown hair, warm golden eyes with crinkles around the corners, and not a hint of gray anywhere.

  How could he not be Chloe’s boyfriend? He was probably going to be popping the question next week. She was gorgeous and smart and self-sufficient and hardworking and Adam would be a real idiot not to have seen that for himself.

  It took every ounce of self-control to shake Whitaker’s hand and exchange pleasantries.

  “Are you staying for dinner, Adam?” Chloe asked cheerfully.

  Dawson chewed the inside of his cheek to shut himself up. He wasn’t sure if he could live through a whole meal with Chloe’s boyfriend. Chloe’s handsome, young (well, at least not old), definitely not gay, veterinarian boyfriend.

  Adam shook his head. “Already ate, thanks. You know Stetson’s housekeeper, Carmelita — she can cook up a storm. She fed us as thanks for taking a look at Stet’s cow.”

  “Oh good! How’s their little one doing?”

  Chloe seemed deadset on keeping Adam in the kitchen with them by engaging him in chitchat. It was obvious she was using Adam as a shield against having to deal with Dawson.

  Well, Dawson didn’t care. He could out-wait Adam any day of the week. He hip-checked the kitchen counter and smiled blandly at the two of them. He wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Growing like a sprout! I can hardly keep up with ‘em.”

  “So I take it Tommy’s eaten?”

  Adam ruffled his hair. “Sure has, but you know this boy. I’m sure he could eat again.”

  Tommy shrugged. “I could eat.” He, at least, did not seem obsessed with keeping the vet there. In fact, he seemed awfully anxious to go do something, shifting from foot to foot while trying to wait for his mom to dismiss him.

  She’s done a damn good job of raising a polite child.

  After a surreptitious glance in Dawson’s direction, the vet said, “Well, I’ll leave you to it. It looks like a long night with Wildflower. Miss Lambert called on the way here.”

  “She’s ready to foal?” Chloe’s eyes sparkled. “We’ll have to go visit her baby in a couple of days, huh, Tommy?” He nodded eagerly, finally interested in the topic. “In the meantime, I could bring you some dinner later, along with a thermos of soup or coffee.”

  With another sidelong glance at Dawson, Adam shook his head ruefully. “Thanks, but you’ve got company.”

  “Dawson isn’t company,” she said in a flat tone that made Dawson flinch.

  Adam must’ve decided not to get into that discussion. “I’ll see y’all later. Nice to meet you, Dawson.” Smart man.

  Dawson tipped his head, realizing he hadn’t removed his hat. He took it off as the other man left the kitchen and headed out the back door.

  “Go wash up,” said Chloe to Tommy.

  Still in the grips of jealousy even he realized he had no right to feel, he turned to Chloe as soon as their son clattered up the stairs. “Is that how you meet up with him? Take him soup late at night?” He scowled. “I guess it’s better than screwing him in your bedroom. It must be close to Tommy’s, since this house is so small. I appreciate your discretion in that, at least.”

  With a ruthless chop, Chloe split the head of iceberg lettuce in two before slamming the knife down on the counter. She stepped away from it as if trying to force herself to leave it alone. “How dare you?” she hissed at him, glaring daggers in his direction.

  It was probably good she put the knife down on the counter.

  “I don’t want my son exposed to your affairs.”

  “My son considers Adam a friend, like I do. He’s been a stand-in father, which is more than I can say for you, Mr. Sperm Donor. Whatever other relationship I have with him is none of your business.”

  She stepped back to the kitchen counter and began massacring the lettuce, chopping it into bits so fine, they’d be hard to spear with the tine of a fork.

  Anger swelled in him. He had to admit, if only to himself, that he’d pushed her on this topic so hard because he’d expected her to deny the relationship, not leave the answer vague. “What kind of relationship do you have?” he demanded.

  She licked her lips, her pink tongue darting out for just a moment, tantalizing him. “A cozy one.”

  She was officially trying to drive him crazy, and for the record, it was absolutely working.

  Chapter 6

  Chloe knew she was playing with fire and shouldn’t be taunting Dawson, but he was being such a jackass, she couldn’t make herself care. She should be trying to keep Tommy from picking up on the anger between them. When he came downstairs, he’d feel it as soon as he walked into the room.

  Woulda coulda shoulda.

  “Very cozy,” she repeated, poking the bear in the cage, chopping the lettuce like a maniac. It was so fine, it didn’t even resemble lettuce any longer, but rather a mushy green slime. Whatever. He could ask questions all day long, but he didn’t deserve honesty, not after his accusations.

  “Is it this kind?” He surged forward, hauling her into his arms to capture her mouth. She tried to twist away, but his arms held her immobile. His lips moved on hers, forcing her mouth to open so he could get his tongue inside. With a stifled moan, she melted against him, dropping the knife on the counter, hating herself even as she tangled her fingers in his black hair. Sensations she hadn’t felt in nine years surged to life, leaving her aching for his touch.

  He deepened the kiss, pulling her even closer. She lost count of the kisses and track of the time as their mouths worked in concert. A whimper of protest escaped her when he broke the kiss. He kissed along her jawline and cupped her breast. “This kind, Chloe? Does he touch you here?” She moaned when he palmed the sensitive flesh before circling his thumb around her nipple through the uniform top and sensible bra. Arching her back, she offered more silently, throwing her head back as he kissed her neck.

  With one hand busy with her breast, the other one was suddenly at her thighs, pushing up the hem of her skirt while urging them apart. She began to obey when the thought of Tommy walking in on them jerked her back to reality, and she pulled away abruptly.

  When he tried to pull her back, a growl in his throat, she held up her hand. “Stop. Tommy will be here in a moment.” After a second, she could see he was visually revving down, though the bulge of his erection was obvious through his worn jeans.

  With timing that usually only happened in the movies, she heard Tommy’s footsteps clattering down the stairs and through the living room. Dawson’s head jerked at the sound and then he said quietly, “We’ll finish this later.” She wasn’t sure if it was a threat or a promise. Or a little of both.

  She didn’t reply as she busied herself with finishing the minced salad. Dawson clearly expected to have sex with her. Why wouldn’t he, after her shameful performance? She’d soaked him up like a sponge during a rainstorm in the desert. If Tommy hadn’t been there, she would’ve done it. She damn well would’ve done it. A part of her wanted to send Tommy to Adam’s house for the night so she could still do it.

  It’d taken her several months to recover from a broken heart, three years to accept a date, and another three years before she’d consented to one awkward sex session that neither had wanted to repeat.

  A few kisses and a couple of minutes with Dawson had undone all of her hard work.

  As much as she despised Dawson and his treatment of her nine years ago, she still wanted him. What did that say about her? Was she a stereotypical sex-starved single mom? Chloe wouldn’t have thought so a couple of
days ago, before his return to her life. Now, she wanted to believe that. She needed to believe she craved contact so much that any man could elicit such a response.

  Otherwise, that meant she still reacted like a wanton slut only with Dawson. She refused to believe that.

  That just couldn’t be true.

  Chapter 7

  By the time Tommy was ready for bed, she was on tenterhooks. Since her son had asked Dawson to read him the next chapter in Where the Red Fern Grows, she didn’t even have their nightly ritual to distract her from the dread consuming her.

  Telling Dawson no was going to be unpleasant, to say the least. When he found out she wasn’t going to sleep with him after their earlier encounter had worked him up, he might fly into a rage.

  Actually, she realized as she thought about it, pacing around the kitchen, scrubbing everything in reach, she really had no idea how he would react. She just didn’t know him well enough. She wished for the hundredth time that she’d had the common sense to realize she didn’t know him very well nine years ago, before having sex with him.

  Except…she shook her head. No, that really wasn’t true. Despite the trouble it had caused her, and the loss of her father’s emotional and financial support, she couldn’t regret that night with Dawson. It had given her Tommy. That alone had made it worth it.

  That night had also given her the most intense sexual experience of her life. She groaned, trying to smother the thought. Dwelling on how fantastic he’d been wasn’t doing anything to strengthen her determination not to have a repeat performance.

  Instead, she should focus on how angry she’d been when he’d mocked her virginity. His words, “A virgin who has no idea how to please a man,” were burned into her brain with a branding iron. They’d echoed in her mind every time a cute guy gave her a smile at the grocery store. They’d echoed every time she’d thought about flirting with a customer at the restaurant. No one would want her. The only man she’d ever truly made love to had laughed at her afterwards.