FieldofPlay
Page 30
She hit the “end call” button and tossed the phone in her purse. Her hands still burned. The pain was nothing compared to the silence that followed. Dallas still didn’t call back.
Phalen returned with a giant cup of coffee for her. It warmed her. It didn’t make the phone ring.
“He’s not coming, Phalen,” she said, knowing tears were in her eyes. She didn’t care. “I ruined it. I should have made him listen.”
“I’ve texted him the details of where we are, darlin’. He hasn’t called because he’s trying to get here,” Phalen said, patting her knee. He sat back, taking a generous bite of a cheeseburger. He didn’t look worried at all. He offered her the fast food bag. “French fry?”
“Coffee’s fine, thank you,” she whispered, waiting and hoping Phalen was right.
* * * * *
Flight’s delayed. E-ticket attached in email. She’s crying. Get here and stop it.
Dallas clutched his cell phone in his hand. It was the third text he’d received from Phalen. The first had come in as he’d gotten his keys and ran to his truck to chase after Phalen’s SUV. He’d been told to go pack clothes for two and get to BWI ASAP.
He’d heard the phone vibrate with voice messages while he was driving, but he couldn’t drive safely and use the phone at the same time. Now that he was home, he listened to Grace’s calls. She sounded beautiful and sad. He’d caused her to cry.
The image of Grace in another man’s arms had hurt so damn much he’d been blinded by it. Now he picked up the video camera Robyn had given him. It still felt like a kick to the balls to watch Grace with Phalen.
He did it anyway. This time, he saw the truth. He didn’t doubt that Gracie loved him.
Rushing into the house, he packed a bag big. Grace had a pile of clean clothes folded on the bed. He stuffed that inside the case, along with socks and her slinky underwear. Damn, he got hard just by touching her silk panties. He didn’t have time to think about his dick right now. He had to get his ass in gear.
His carryon bag was still at the stadium. He’d get it when he came home. He checked on Max, dialed his housekeeper and asked her to come and pick up his dog. With Max taken care of, he went back to his truck. The engine was still warm. It was snowing enough to dust the ground. The roads were only wet. If the temps dropped any more, it could get slippery. He’d have to drive carefully.
At the end of his driveway, another text came in. He checked it. Flight leaves in an hour. Dallas texted back to let Phalen know he was on the way and reassure Grace that he was coming. He wanted to talk to her, but if he called, he’d be delayed even longer.
Traffic was a bitch from the Beltway to 195 and BWI airport. By the time he parked in the lot closest to the central terminal, he had to grab his bag and run. It helped that the woman behind the ticket counter recognized him. He still had to get his boarding pass printed up, flash his license and check the suitcase. The attendant at the counter did her best to get him through fast, but security was mobbed. The overhead speaker announced the last boarding call for the flight he was supposed to make.
“Fuck,” he mumbled to himself. He flagged a TSA official, showing the man his boarding pass and ID. “That’s my flight boarding. I need to get there.”
“You’re Dallas McKay,” the guy said.
“Yes sir,” he answered.
The guard let him through. “Hurry now and congrats on the Griffins getting into the playoffs. Hope to score some tickets for the next game.”
Dallas handed the man a business card that had his email address for fans to send messages. “You get me to my gate before that plane takes off and I’ll make sure you get tickets on the fifty yard line. Contact me at that address.”
He hated pulling that kind of stunt. Whether it worked or not, he’d still honor his word. The guard shook his hand and led him to another guard with a cart. “This will get you to the gate fast. I think the doors for that flight have closed by now, but we’ll try to hold it.” The guard radioed to hold the plane, but the reply was sketchy.
Dallas climbed on a vehicle that looked like a golf cart with a trailer. He was driven past a moving walkway and onto the B terminal runway. When they reached the gate, the seating area was empty, the door was closed and the plane was being pushed away from the gate. Passengers disembarking from other planes were meandering past, blocking his view of anything except the fact that Grace had left.
“Shit,” he cursed, leaping off the cart and running to the desk. A pleasant woman with a nice smile greeted him. “I need you to stop that plane.”
“I can’t do that, sir. It’s already pushed back and been cleared for the runway. It’s already two hours delayed.”
“Do you know who I am? My woman’s on that flight and I need to get on it. We had our first fight. I have to fix it. Won’t you help me?” He was tempted to flash his Black Card, but knew it wouldn’t help.
“I’m sorry, Mr. McKay,” she answered, shaking her head. “Perhaps the lady who just went into the ladies’ room can help? She asked if Dallas McKay had checked in when the flight started boarding. I couldn’t give her that kind of information. She was with some big, blond guy. He went on. She stayed. I’ve been trying to find her two tickets on a flight heading to Sioux Falls.”
“What?” Dallas followed the woman’s gaze, finding Grace walking out of the rest room. She was plugging away on her cell phone, completely oblivious to his arrival.
“Gracie!’
She looked up. Even at a slight distance, he could tell she’d been crying. Fuck it, she still was. “Dallas!”
Charging across the terminal, he had to leap over a couple of trash cans and dodge a few people with roller bags. She dropped her phone into her purse, almost tripping in her haste to meet him in the middle.
Feeling like an ass for making her cry, he parted his long coat and took her into his arms. She buried her face against his shoulder, her tears soaking his shirt. He cried for her, with her, hell, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that his face was wet and it wasn’t from the minor snowfall outside.
“I’m sorry, so very sorry,” she mumbled.
“I’ve got you, baby. It’ll be okay. I’ve got you and won’t let go.” Lifting her up, he ignored the shocked patrons watching the two of them cry like a couple of love-struck fools. Miraculously, they made a path for them and he carried Grace to the closest set of seats he could find.
They collapsed onto the chairs and he held her on his lap. Leaning into her, he nuzzled her temple to get her to look at him. Saying he was sorry the only way he could without words, he kissed her. Holding her tight and swallowing her sobs, he swore he’d never make her run away again.
Chapter Fifteen
Grace clung to Dallas, letting him kiss her, and wishing he’d never stop. Feeling like an idiot for letting a faked video cause such trouble, she protested when he drew back.
“Hello, beautiful,” he whispered, touching one hand to her cheek and wiping away a tear. She had to look awful. She got blotchy and puffy eyes when she cried. But knowing he saw her as beautiful helped her breathe without feeling as though her heart was being crushed.
“Hello, McKay,” she answered, trying to smile. It faltered miserably. Dallas’ eyes were shadowed. Crumbling under the weight of his pain, she cried again. Hiccups made it worse. “I’m sorry. I…should have stayed…and convinced you that nothing had…happened.”
He shook his head, continuing to catch her tears. “Oh, baby, we were both wrong. At least we realized it before we did something really stupid.”
“Like what, running away and almost breaking my ass doing it?” Hearing how sad she sounded, she shook her head. “No, I shouldn’t have said that. You’re right, I’m an idiot.”
“You’re human, Gracie,” he corrected. “You were hurting. Your fight or flight reflexes kicked in and you fled.” He eased her back some and let go long enough to check her bandaged palms. He grimaced and kissed her hands. “God, look what I did to you.”
His jaw tightened. “Thought about what?” Territorial male pride reflected within his chocolate brown eyes and she almost backed away. She didn’t want to make this man angry. But she had to say her piece and hope he’d forgive her.
“About doing something with Phalen to make Brant think the two of us were a couple. Somehow, Brant recorded that moment and made it look passionate,” she admitted. “I swear that I stopped before crossing the line.”
His kissable mouth turned from a frown to a half-smile. “I was wrong to doubt you, Gracie. It hurt to see you in another man’s arms. Fuck, it still does. When people are hurt they lash out. I lashed out at you. I’m sorry.”
“The truth is, Dallas, I felt like the kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar,” Grace admitted, thinking back to how panicked she’d been when Dallas watched it. “My reaction likely triggered your doubt. You’re right. We were stupid.”
“Only for a little while,” he reassured, dipping his head to kiss her again.
“Ah, excuse me, Ms. Daniels?” A young woman had come up to them. Grace looked up to see the attendant she’d been working with to find a way to Sioux Falls. “I apologize for interrupting. I’m holding two tickets for a flight to Denver. From there, you’ll have to change airlines. But that’ll get you to South Dakota tonight.”
Grace looked at Dallas. “Are we going?”
“Isn’t Phalen already on his way?”
“Yes,” she said. “I couldn’t leave without you. I had to stay and work it out with you first.”
Dallas lifted his eyes to the airline attendant. “We’ll take those tickets. My suitcase might be lost somewhere in this airport or on the flight that just left. Any way we can track it and get it to Sioux Falls?”
“Yes sir, I can help with that,” the woman assured.
“That settles it,” he decided. “Ready to go, Gracie?”
“Definitely,” she agreed.
Dallas helped her stand up. Her knees felt like jelly. She stopped shaking when he put his arm around her. “What gate?” he asked the attendant.
“Right down there,” she answered, pointing to the gate. “You two go on. I’ll get your boarding passes and bring them to you. The incoming plane just landed. Once they get the passengers off, they’ll start the boarding call.”
“Thank you, you’ve been very helpful,” Grace said, reaching to shake her hand.
“You’re welcome. Good luck to the two of you.”
Dallas tucked Grace closer, sending a charming smile to the other woman. He took out his wallet and handed her a simple white, business card. “Email that address. I’ll send you some tickets for the Griffins playoff game at Griffins Nest Stadium two weeks from now.”
“Oh wow, thanks so much,” the woman cheered, taking the card. “The whole area’s buzzing about the Griffins getting into the post-season. I might be a Baltimorean, hon, but I’m a huge fan of yours. My boyfriend’s going to flip.”
She took off, waving at them with her prize in her hand. Dallas brought Grace back into his arms and kissed her soundly. As soon as he let her breathe again, he escorted her to the waiting area for their flight.
The attendant came back, handing them two boarding passes and tickets for the flight they’d take from Denver. Passengers came up to Dallas for his autograph. He gave one to anyone who asked, but when they were called for their first class seating, they stowed their coats in the overhead bin and secluded themselves in the two, big comfortable spaces.
Fifteen minutes later, the plane was pushed back from the gate. Not once did he let go of Grace’s hand or add to her sore palms. “Are you doing okay, Gracie?”
Her heart felt bruised, but she was healing. He must be feeling the same way.
“I’m doing better now that you’re here,” she said. “How about you, are you scared?”
“Terrified.” He’d hid it well by giving autographs. Now she felt him shaking.
“I’m still very sorry,” she apologized again. “I’m not going to hurt you again.”
“I’m not afraid of that.”
She turned to look into his face. “Are you worried about what will happen when we get to Deadwood tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” he admitted. “When you left messages on my voice mail, you said grandfathers, as in plural.”
“Dr. Joseph Mathews, the doctor listed on your birth certificate, and Ransom Smith, the officer who’d claimed he’d found you at the police station, are your grandparents, Dallas. While he was waiting for his flight, Phalen was filling me in on the few details they’d admitted to. You were born in Minnesota because your teenaged mother got pregnant and was sent there to live with relatives until she could place you for adoption. We don’t know why your mother changed her mind and took you to Sioux Falls after you were born. Or why you were small enough to be passed off as only a week old. My guess is you were a little premature.”
“I’m still confused,” he said.
“Believe me, so am I,” she replied. “Joseph, who’s now going by Thomas Warring, lives in Minnesota. Ransom Smith, who’s Lakota name is Chayton Akecheta, lives in Deadwood. Both of them want to tell you why they turned you over to the police station. Dr. Mathews created a new birth certificate to make it look like he was the attending obstetrician who’d delivered you. Again, we don’t know why yet.”
“Holy fuck, they’d no right to do that, Grace.”
“I don’t believe it was their aim to hurt you or make you feel abandoned. Maybe they were trying to place you with a good family and it didn’t work the way they hoped. If Safe Haven laws had been in place back then, it would have been much better for you, your grandparents and your parents. Kohana Blackstone was a strong advocate for foster care and kept you from getting irrevocably lost in the system. He made certain you were legally able to go to Texas to be adopted.”
“I’ll call Mom and Dad during the stopover in Denver,” Dallas commented. “They need to know what’s going on.”
“I’m sure they’ll be relieved to learn the answers to the puzzle are coming together,” Grace replied. “I wish I’d done more for you, Dallas. Phalen gets the credit for following Ransom Smith’s trail and connecting him with Joseph.”
“You did a lot of the background work and traced the names involved in the initial investigation thirty-two years ago,” he amended. “I’m proud of you, baby. It couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t. I was so worried I’d do something to tip someone off about your case. So many times, Phalen worked his computer magic to make sure we weren’t being hacked. I don’t think the details were discovered, but my old boss must have figured out what I was doing and told Robyn.”
Dallas flinched. “I’m going to make sure Derek Billings requests her resignation. I don’t know what to do about Ty for letting Robyn hire a PI, but I won’t have her anywhere near you. Unless, god forbid, I get hurt, I’m not going anywhere for at least three years. And then I might follow in Kyran’s footsteps.”
“What do you think will happen to us after three years?”
“No worries, we’ll be together. From now on, wherever I am, that’s where you’ll be. I almost lost you today. I won’t let that happen again. When I think of how hurt you must have been to run like that, I want to break something.”
“It sounded to me like you were about to break Ty’s nose.”
“Nah, he got in front of me. I moved him aside. He tripped over his own two feet trying to get out of my way. Robyn flipped, threatening to have me suspended.”
Grace used her free hand to smooth her hair out of her face. “It really is a small world, you know? I mean, Robin Miller from high school grows up to become Robyn St. Clair, has a great job with an organization like the Griffins and then ruins it because she still doesn’t want me to have the jock. Despite the name change, she’s the
same bully she was in school.”
“Sorry, baby, you lost me on that one.” Dallas reached over and stroked her hair, tucking some behind her ear.
“She dated the jocks, was a cheerleader, prom queen and senior class president. She had everything. And yet, the one time I’d been asked to go to the prom with one of the football players, she ruined it. The guy stood me up when I got injured and took her to the prom. She should have gotten over it. I don’t even remember his name.”
“What about you, Grace? Are you over what happened to you in school?” he inquired, cupping her face with his hand.
“The memories are there. They just don’t hurt anymore. When she made you believe that I’d cheated on you…oh god…that was a thousand times worse than any stupid nickname I’d been called.”
Dallas caressed her jaw. “Do you think you’ll forgive me if I say I’m sorry every day from now on?”
“I love you. There’s no need to keep apologizing. Yes, I was mad as hell, but I knew you were as hurt as I’d been. I would have gotten a cab and faced you at home if you hadn’t shown up at the airport.”
“You think of my place as home?” he tested, grinning devilishly. Sam Elliot’s voice came back in a rush, sending shockwaves through her pussy.
“I, uh, well, I…know it’s your house,” she stammered nervously. “However, I’ve spent all of about three days in my own bed since we met. I guess I’ve started seeing your home as ours.” A little worried that she’d presumed too much too soon, she swallowed hard.
“Easy, baby, mi casa es su casa,” he murmured. “When we get home, we’ll talk to Kyran and Anna about the lease on your apartment. Until we move you to the house, we can take turns on where we sleep at night. It may not be very big, but what I can do to you in that double bed of yours will rock your world.”
“Sounds wicked. What about Max?” she asked. “Oh no, wait, where’s Max? He needs to be taken care of tonight.”
“I had Jeanie pick him up. He’ll be fine.”
“Whew,” she said. “You know, I’m sure he’d be happier at your place. He’s a big dog, size is going to matter.”