“Never mind,” she finally said.
Dusty eyed her with open amusement. “Really? Is that the way you fight for what you want? You just give up that easily?”
“Only when my wants put a burden on somebody else,” she replied.
“Trisha, nothing could make me feel like you’re a burden,” he assured her. “I’ll be more than happy to see to it that you get to work and back here safely. Just let me know when and I’ll be available.”
How had she gotten so lucky to have a man like Dusty in her life? Was it really just some terrible trick of fate? A glimpse of what happiness looked like before it was all stolen away from her?
It was difficult to maintain the negative thoughts as Dusty got out of his chair and joined Cooper in the dirt, their laughter riding on the evening air.
While the two of them played make-believe, it was impossible not to notice how much they looked alike, with their blond hair and blue eyes. Dusty could easily be mistaken for Cooper’s father. The thought welled an unexpected wistfulness inside her, the longing for another baby...for Dusty’s baby.
The daylight began to wane, and all too soon it was time for Trisha to call it a night. “I think it’s about time to pack up the cowboys and head inside,” she said.
“Five more minutes?” Cooper asked.
“Okay, five more minutes and then no arguments,” she agreed.
“Thanks, little lady,” Cooper replied in his drawling Duke imitation.
“Yeah, thanks, little lady,” Dusty echoed with a laugh.
Fifteen minutes later Cooper was in a bathtub filled with warm water and vanilla-scented bubbles. “I love Dusty,” Cooper said as washed his knees. “Why can’t he be my daddy?”
“Because it’s not that easy,” Trisha replied.
“Why isn’t it easy?” Cooper asked.
“It just isn’t.” Trisha knew the answer wasn’t a real answer, but she couldn’t explain to her son that she still feared they would have to leave Bitterroot and Dusty behind. Cooper was too young to understand that fatherhood was much more than just calling somebody Daddy.
She and Dusty hadn’t spoken of marriage or happily-ever-after. He hadn’t said that he wanted to be a father to Cooper or a husband to her.
“If you don’t scrub behind those ears, your cowboy figures might just run away from you,” she said in an effort to change the topic of conversation. “They told me they don’t like boys who have dirt behind their ears.”
“That’s silly,” he replied and then soaped his washcloth and worked it behind each ear.
Later, after Cooper was in bed sleeping, Trisha made a phone call to Daisy and told her that she’d be back to work at her usual time on Thursday. Daisy was thrilled. She then called Juanita, who immediately agreed to watch Cooper at her home, only a couple of blocks away from the café.
Her final phone call was to Dusty. Since the night they had made love on the blanket in the pasture, they’d made a habit of talking on the phone each evening before bedtime.
“What are you doing?” she asked when he answered.
“Thinking about you. What are you wearing?” he asked teasingly.
“I wish I was wearing you,” she replied.
“Oh, woman, you shouldn’t say things like that when I’m so lonely in my room,” he replied in a husky voice.
A blush warmed her cheeks. She had never said anything like that to any man in her entire life. But he made her feel so sexy and desirable. She felt so safe with him to explore all dimensions of herself as a woman.
“Actually, I didn’t call to get you all fired up, I called to let you know that I’ve arranged to go back to work on Thursday.”
“Trisha, you fire me up when you just tell me hello,” he replied. “And don’t worry about the work thing, we’ll figure it all out.”
She squeezed her phone more tightly against her ear as the depths of her feelings for him filled her chest. She was madly, crazy in love with him and the need to tell him trembled on her lips.
But she’d loved Courtney and Courtney had been killed. She’d loved her mother, and her mother was also gone, murdered by an insane jealousy whose name was Frank.
When she loved, people died. She couldn’t tell Dusty that she loved him until she knew it was absolutely safe, until this madness was all over. “I really just wanted to tell you good-night,” she finally said.
“Sweet dreams, Trisha,” he replied softly.
An hour later she lay in the dark, thinking about her return to the café. If it wasn’t Frank who had come back to torture her, then would she get some sort of clue as to who might be responsible by being back at work and talking to the men who came in?
Would one of the cowboys she served say or do something that would point to his culpability? She hoped so. It might be the only way the guilty party would be identified and this whole mess would finally end.
She hated the uncertainty. She hated just waiting for something else to happen. She wanted this over so she could really move on with her life.
Thursday afternoon the ride in to work went off without a hitch. Cooper was dropped off at Juanita’s home and Dusty promised to be back at the café at ten that evening to get them back to the ranch safely.
Daisy greeted her with a warm hug that didn’t quite dispel the bounce of nerves inside Trisha as she got back to work on the floor.
Surprisingly, as the afternoon wore on she found herself relaxing, visiting with many of the townspeople who came in and realizing that, shockingly, nobody seemed to know anything about what was going on in her personal life, or at least it wasn’t a topic of discussion.
As she went about her work she was reminded again and again of how many good people there were in the small town and how much she wanted to make this her permanent home.
It was just after the early dinner rush when some of the men who were on her radar began to come in. The first was Steve Kaufman, who took his usual booth in her section.
“Trisha, I’ve missed seeing you around here,” he said when she approached him to take his order. “I certainly hope everything is okay with you and your son.” His dark eyes bored into her as he placed a paperback copy of Lord of the Flies next to him.
“Everything is fine, Steve. I just decided I needed a little mini vacation,” she replied. “It was great to spend the extra time with my son.”
“That’s nice, but I have to confess that I’m glad you’re finally back,” he replied.
Was he the one? she wondered as she delivered a cup of coffee to him. She knew his wife had died two years before. Had his grief somehow turned him into a dangerous stalker?
Or was Frank somewhere in town with his blond hair dyed black and maybe a scruffy beard hiding his strong features? Surely if there was a stranger in town Dillon would know about it by now. Bitterroot wasn’t that big, and he had all of his officers on high alert.
It was just after six thirty when Shep Harmon and Greg Albertson walked through the door. They also sat at a booth in her section. The two Humes ranch hands weren’t too bad when they were without Zeke Osmond and Lloyd Green and some of their other cohorts.
“Hey, Trisha, long time no see,” Greg said, his slightly plump features uplifted with his friendly smile.
“We were starting to wonder if maybe you’d left town or something,” Shep added.
“Why would I do that?” she asked. Had Shep left the things at her door? Had Greg? How she wished she could see into the heads of every man in town to learn who was guilty and who wasn’t.
Shep shrugged his broad shoulders. “Beats me. I never try to figure out why a woman does something. What’s the special tonight?”
“Spaghetti and meatballs,” she replied.
“I’ll take that,” Shep said. “Daisy makes great meatballs.”
“Make that two,” Greg added.
Trisha went back into the kitchen to place their orders with the cook and when she returned to the floor, she saw that Zeke and Lloyd had joined Shep and Greg.
With a deep breath for patience, she returned to the booth, where both men gave her salacious smiles that made her want to head to the nearest shower.
“Ah, sweet Trisha, so good to see your sexy self again,” Lloyd said.
“Hey, Trisha, are you still seeing that snot-nosed cowboy?” Zeke asked.
“I can’t imagine who you’re talking about, and in any case it’s really none of your business,” she replied stiffly.
Zeke’s eyes narrowed and Lloyd laughed. “I guess she told you what for, boy,” he said to Zeke. “Give me a double cheeseburger and fries.”
“I’ll have the roast dinner,” Zeke said in a surly tone. “And let me know when you’re ready to dump that stupid cowboy for a real man in your life.”
“Would you like the mashed potatoes on the side or on the front of your shirt?” Trisha replied sweetly. The three other men laughed uproariously.
“You think you’re real funny. Well, I got news for you, that just cut your tip in half,” he retorted.
“Hell, Zeke, you never tip worth a damn anyway,” Greg exclaimed as Trisha whirled around to place the orders.
Once in the kitchen she took a minute to steady herself. Daisy walked over to her with a concerned expression. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Trisha said to her boss. “I just hate dealing with the Humes men. They’re all such...such...”
“Jerks,” Daisy replied.
Trisha gave her a rueful smile. “The word jerks isn’t what initially popped into my head.”
Daisy laughed. “Trisha, you know they don’t have a brain between them. Don’t let them get to you.”
“I know,” she said. But still, she couldn’t help regretting her impulsive words to Zeke.
She couldn’t help wondering if she’d possibly just baited a man who was already a dangerous creature.
* * *
Saturday night, Dusty was in the stables alone, brushing down Juniper after a late-night ride among the herd. As always, whenever he was alone, his thoughts filled with all things Trisha.
He’d been grateful that there had been no issues so far with her returning to work. It felt remarkably normal for him to take Cooper to Juanita’s and then drop off Trisha at the café only to return for them both when her shift was over at ten.
Usually on the way to town Cooper kept the conversation fun and light, and when Dusty came to pick the boy up, he was sound asleep.
Dusty would never have believed he would like the way a little boy felt curled up in his arms as he carried him to the truck. He’d never have believed that he would enjoy the sleepy kiss Cooper gave him when he carried him up the stairs and placed him in the twin bed.
Through Cooper he was exploring a part of himself that he never had before...the wonderful world of childhood. Dusty might not have imagined having children before, but now he couldn’t imagine not having Cooper in his life, just like he couldn’t envision not having Trisha.
Never in his life had he thought about his future as much as he had since the night he and Trisha had made love under the stars. He’d been content living in the bunkhouse and hadn’t really considered a different kind of lifestyle until now.
He was ready to make a move. He was more than ready to find a place where the three of them could live together and build their future, but he knew things had happened fast between them. He wasn’t sure where Trisha’s head was. It was quite possible that she wasn’t as all in as he was.
Besides, there were so many things unsettled right now. How could she even think of planning a future with potential danger still hanging over her head? Or perhaps over his?
He was just relieved that she hadn’t left town, that she’d chosen to remain here and see how things played out. He hoped she continued to stay, because it was growing more and more difficult for him to imagine life without her and Cooper.
He finished brushing Juniper and moved the horse to a stall. On impulse he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Forest. It had been too long since he’d talked to his friend.
“Dusty! I was just telling Patience this morning that it was time for a check-in with you.”
“How are things going in Oklahoma City?” Dusty asked.
“I’ve never been happier in my life,” Forest replied. “I’ve put an offer on a piece of property just outside town. It has a nice house on it and we’re hoping the owner accepts.”
“So, when are the wedding bells going to ring?” Dusty asked.
“Patience wants a Christmas wedding and she’s already planning all of the details. How are things with you and all the other men?”
“I told you that I finally got up the nerve to ask Trisha out. Well, things have been going better than I ever imagined. I’m crazy about her, Forest, but we have some issues.”
“What kind of issues?”
Dusty leaned against Juniper’s stall door and explained everything that had been happening. “I just hope she’s safe here at the ranch with me watching over her.”
“Of course she is,” Forest said with confidence. “You’re a strong man, Dusty, and there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll do everything in your ability to keep the people you care about safe.”
Dusty closed his eyes for a moment. He hadn’t realized until this moment how much he’d needed somebody to remind him that he wasn’t a vulnerable boy anymore. He was a man who could protect his own now.
“Hopefully you and Trisha will be able to make the trip into the big city for the wedding. In fact, I’d like you to be my best man, Dusty.”
Dusty was surprised and pleased. “Forest, I’d be honored,” he replied.
“I’ll let you know all the details as soon as Patience tells me,” Forest said with a touch of humor. “She’s definitely the person in charge of this operation.”
The two men visited for another few minutes and then said their goodbyes. For several moments he remained against the stall door.
Forest had sounded so happy, and nobody was more pleased for the big man than Dusty. Forest had been such an important person in Dusty’s life. He’d not only protected Dusty during those bad days on the streets, but he’d also been a source of support, wisdom and guidance through the years.
He’d just turned away from the stall door when he heard the loud creak of the main stable door opening. He tensed and immediately his hand fell to the butt of his gun in the belt around his waist.
“Who’s there?” he called out.
“Dusty, it’s me.” Trisha’s voice rang out bold and strong from the front of the stable. “Where are you?”
“Stay there, I’ll come to you.” He headed toward the stable door and grinned when he saw her. “What a nice surprise. What are you doing out here this late at night?”
“Cassie told me to get out of the house for a little while, and Tony was just outside and told me he thought you were in here. He escorted me here from the yard.”
“So, here I am...and here you are,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Welcome to my world,” he said as he dropped his arms from around her.
She gazed around with interest. “I’ve never been in a stable before. Show me around?”
Her eyes sparkled with pleasure, and as always the scent of her half muddied his mind. Her yellow T-shirt and shorts were like a burst of sunshine, as was the warmth of her smile.
They’d had no time alone since the night in the pasture and what he wanted to do was lay her down in a bed of fresh hay and make love to her all over again. But he sensed that she hadn’t come in search of him for a rou
sing bout of sex. Besides, Brody was still out on his horse and could return to the stables at any time.
It didn’t matter—Dusty was just glad to have her all to himself for a little while. “Were you making Cassie crazy?” he asked as he led her down the aisle with the wooden stalls on either side.
“I don’t think so. She just told me to take a break and spend a little time with you and without Cooper. I think your boss has a bit of a romantic soul someplace deep inside her.”
“I’m just glad to see you,” he replied. He gestured down the bank of stalls. “As you can see, this is where the horses are kept.”
“Don’t let Cooper see this, he’ll be asking you to get him a horse,” she said wryly.
“Actually, he could start riding any time,” Dusty replied and then laughed at her look of motherly horror. “Cowboys start young riding their horses.”
“But he’s still my baby,” she protested.
“And you’re an awesome mom,” he replied. He slung an arm over her shoulder. “Come on, I’ll show you the feed room and Adam’s office and then the magic of the tack room.”
She fit so neatly against his side as they walked toward the office. They fit together physically as if they’d been made specifically for each other, he thought.
Adam’s office was a small room with a wooden desk and several file cabinets. It smelled of horse and hay and stale coffee. “He’s usually in here most early mornings, taking care of the books and ordering supplies,” Dusty explained.
“He and Cassie seem close,” she said.
“We all think Adam has the hots for the boss lady, but so far he hasn’t made his move on her. You’ve been spending a lot of time with her. Has she mentioned anything about Adam to you?”
In the dim light casting down from a single bare lightbulb Trisha’s smile was teasing and bright. “Are you thinking of playing Cupid for the two of them?”
He shrugged. “Not really, I just want everyone to be as happy as I’ve been lately.”
“As crazy as it sounds with everything that has happened, I’ve been happier than I’ve ever been in my life these last few weeks.”
Harlequin Romantic Suspense March 2016 Box Set Page 14