Luke had one arm wrapped around Zoe while he stroked her hair. She was clinging to her father, tears streaming down her face. Luke bent to kiss the crown of her head, and that’s when Dylan noticed the tears in the man’s eyes. Even without words, the touching scene spoke volumes.
His eyes also a little misty, Dylan closed the drape, allowing them their privacy. The heaviness eased from his shoulders, leaving him lighter than he could recall being in a long time. Seeing Zoe heal her wounds had at last healed his.
He was ready to forgive his own past.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Are you sure you want me to be here for this?”
His fingers hovering on the box lid, he glanced up at Zoe. “Absolutely.”
She still looked uncertain, despite his assertion. “Okay. It just seems like it should be a private moment.”
His thoughts trekked to the prior evening and the brief glimpse he’d had of her and Luke hugging. Sharing this with her would put them on even ground. He knew she’d understand better than anyone. “No, I want you here. Both of you.” Hunter squirmed in his lap and he ruffled his son’s curly mop of hair.
He set aside the lid and pulled out the top scrapbook with the big D on it. A big 8x10 of him wearing a tiny cowboy outfit, complete with a miniature version of his favorite Stetson, took up the first page. “Damn, I was a good lookin’ baby.”
Hunter tapped the plastic covering the photo. “Me!”
“Wow, you guys really do look alike,” Zoe mused, moving in for a closer look. “No wonder you about passed out at the pharmacy.”
He shot her the stink eye. “Men do not pass out.”
“Oh yeah? Then what do you call it?”
“A very short-lived nap on the floor.” He flipped to the next page. It held his baby announcement and baptism photo.
“Is that your mom?”
“Yup.”
“She’s beautiful. And she and Dusty look so happy.”
He studied the image. The joy he saw was similar to those in his brothers’ books. Rather than feel any jealousy over that fact, or feel a little less special that his dad’s happiness hadn’t been reserved exclusively for him, it lightened his heart to know that Dusty had indeed loved them. He’d stubbornly resisted that notion for a long time, but acknowledging it now freed another layer of the scab eroding his soul.
The next several pages chronicled his younger years. There was even a picture of him on his Schwinn and proudly showing off his missing middle tooth.
“Uh, did that happen while you were riding your bike?”
“No, it was loose and I tied a rock to it.”
Zoe shuddered. “Didn’t that hurt?”
“What do I look like, a sissy?”
“In other words, it hurt.”
“Yeah,” he mumbled, turning the page. He blinked at the photo of him up on the stage with the band. Mystified, he leaned closer, scanning for the copyright symbol that all publicity shots were marked with. He couldn’t find out. His pulse giving a funny little upswing, he peeled back the plastic and lifted the image. As he did so, a concert stub fell from the back. He picked it up and stared at the date. It was exactly five years ago—his official first gig with Truckstop Pickup. “Dusty was there.”
“You didn’t know?”
“No. He was always against me joining the band.”
“Did he tell you that?”
He shook his head. “It was just a feeling I had.”
Zoe squeezed his shoulder. “Well, whatever his feelings were, he put them aside to see you perform. That’s pretty big.”
“Yeah.” He cleared the gruffness from his voice. “It is.”
He thumbed through the remaining pages, all of them showcasing his music. There were several more photos Dusty had taken at different concert venues, along with the accompanying ticket stubs. There was even an image someone had snapped of Dusty. He wore one of the band’s T-shirts and the biggest grin Dylan had ever seen.
The photo threatening to do him in, he dropped his head into his hands, struggling to keep his shit together. Hunter wrapped his arms around him, sniffling. Little Man’s empathy getting to him just as much as the picture, Dylan hugged his boy. He looked up at Zoe as she rubbed his back. “I wish I’d known he was there. I wish—” His voice cracked.
Tears rolling down her cheeks, she nodded and leaned down to kiss him. “I know.”
He caressed her cheek and returned his focus to the scrapbook. Sucking in a shaky breath, he turned to the very end and stared at the envelope with his name written on it.
“Is that from—?”
“Yeah.” He glanced at her. “Can you open it? I...don’t know if I’m ready for whatever’s inside.”
She nodded and picked up the envelope. Using her thumbnail, she broke the seal and fished out the paper inside. She unfolded the sheet and gave him an uncertain look.
“Go ahead and read it.”
Zoe returned her focus to the letter, her hand trembling slightly. “Dear Dylan—”
“I’ve changed my mind. I-I think I need to read it for myself. See his handwriting.”
She handed the sheet to him and stroked his hair as he read the words his father had written to him.
Dear Dylan,
I’m writing the things I didn’t tell you in life. Maybe it’s the coward’s way out, but I hope you can see past that and forgive me.
I know we didn’t always see eye to eye. I know too that you’ve probably spent a good deal of your life hating me. I can’t say I don’t deserve it. But know this son, I’ve always loved you. Even when I couldn’t be there for you, you were never out of my mind. Not you or your brothers. You boys were my world. My reason for putting in the hours I did and building D. Walker Mineral into the company it is today. I know that your music is your life, and I don’t expect you to give that up. But consider being a part of the company too. My fondest dream is for you boys to become the family that you were meant to be. It won’t rectify the sins I’ve committed, but it will give you the foundation each one of you deserves.
Anyway, I hope you consider it. I have passed on to you the only heritage I have, and I hope you’ll find a place in your heart for it.
I love you, Son.
Your dad,
Dusty Walker
Dylan folded the sheet and tucked it back in the envelope. He gazed at his name scribbled on the front. Once he felt reasonably collected, he stashed the letter inside the scrapbook and returned everything to the box.
“Are you okay?”
He lifted his focus to Zoe. “Yeah.” And he was. Better than he’d been in a long time. He scooted back his dad’s chair and hefted Hunter into his arms before heading into the hall. A figure ducked behind a doorway. Frowning, he headed in that direction. He stepped into the billiards room and met Marliss’s sheepish smile.
“Ya busted me.”
He gave her a considering look. “You’re the one who left the safe open.”
She nodded. “Sometimes hearing the words from others doesn’t have the same impact as uncovering the facts on your own.”
“You’re a helluva smart woman, Marliss. My dad was lucky to have you in his employ.”
“No, he was lucky to have you boys. Dusty told me that himself.” She tickled Hunter’s arm, making him giggle. “Looks like you’re well on your way to carrying on the tradition of fine Walker men.”
“That I am.” He offered Marliss a one-armed hug. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Oh pooh! Weren’t no trouble at all. And you better not be a stranger, you hear?”
“I won’t. Take good care of my brothers when they’re here.” After bussing her cheek with a kiss, he led the way out to the stretch limo waiting in the drive. Zoe’s truck sat on the other side of the vehicle, along with Malcom’s van. The kid and Trin would be driving minus one passenger. Dylan had talked Luke into flying back with him in Dusty’s private jet. It’d give them a chance to bond without threat of breaking someon
e’s kneecap. He hoped.
He hesitated next to the passenger door of Zoe’s truck, stalling. Emotion welling inside him, he hugged Hunter tight. His son squirmed before allowing Dylan to situate him in his car seat and kiss him goodbye. His chest heavy, he straightened and faced Zoe. He smoothed a glossy pink-tipped lock of hair behind her ear.
This was going to be the toughest part to get through. He needed her to have faith in him that this trip to Nashville was temporary. He’d be back to her before she even started to miss him. But damn it, he was going to miss her the second he got in that limo. Hell, he was already missing her. “Come with me.”
“I have to report to the school on Tuesday. You know that.”
He sighed. “Yeah.”
She stroked his cheek. “You’ll see us next weekend. No getting rid of us that easily, Dylan Mitchell Walker.”
He grimaced. “You and my mom are gonna get along like two peas in a pod.”
“Scared?”
“Hell yeah.” He leaned in and kissed her fiercely. Cupping the back of her head, he pressed his forehead to hers. “And for your information, I don’t wanna be rid of you guys. Not ever.”
“Good. Because we don’t wanna git rid of you either.” Smiling tremulously, she stepped back. “Now I’ve gotta scat. Before I embarrass myself weeping all over you.”
Every inch of him aching for her, he watched her climb behind the wheel and speed off.
His feet like blocks of cement, he trudged to the limo. He ducked inside and slid across from Luke as the driver shut the door.
Luke cocked an eyebrow. “You look like shit.”
“I feel like it.”
A silence fell over them. The driver rolled down the partition separating the back seating area from the front cab. “Ready, Mr. Walker?”
“No, he’s not. Give us a moment, would ya?”
“Of course.” The driver rolled the partition back up.
“Here’s where you need to decide what you want to do, son.” Luke propped his arm on the seatback. “Be on the road for the next eighteen months, exhausting yourself and barely seeing your woman and child? Or playing gigs closer to home and doing something worthwhile while you’re at it?”
Dylan frowned. “I’m not entirely following ya.”
“I think you should take this tour off. But don’t worry, I’ve got an idea that will prevent you from becoming a lazy man of leisure in the meantime. For a while I’ve been wanting to put together a year-round band camp for underprivileged kids.” Luke grunted, presumably in response to Dylan’s disbelieving stare. “Yeah, I know y’all think I’m a selfish prick who don’t care about nobody but himself. Little do ya know I got more layers than an onion.”
“That’s really deep of ya, Buttweiser.”
Luke grunted. “Anyway, I think you and Zoe are the ideal candidates for overseeing this project for me.”
Dylan stroked his chin. “Only if we can be full partners in the whole operation. And if Zoe agrees, of course.”
Luke held out his hand. “Deal.”
Dylan accepted the shake on it. Holy hell. Was this really happening? He wouldn’t have to be away from Zoe and Hunter. And they’d be working together, doing something that they both loved. He stared at Luke, still trying to process it all.
Luke dropped his hand, and thumped on the partition. “Jeeves, follow that truck.”
***
The deluge of tears started before she hit the town limits. Why was she being so silly about this? She knew Dylan was coming back to her. She trusted him implicitly. Even the ghosts of her old fears were no match for that love and conviction of his. He’d managed to slay her demons, and the future she envisioned for them shined so bright, it was blinding. But in the best possible way.
She sniffled and dug in her side pocket for a tissue just as a scary hissing noise came from the engine. An ominous clunking noise preceded a billow of smoke.
Aw damn it. Not the stupid radiator again. Of course it’d have to choose to act up when she was in the middle of having a meltdown. Resisting the urge to weep harder, she wiped the moisture from her eyes. The service station was just down the street. At least she had that on her side. The damn truck could have broken down miles from town and then she would have had to worry about calling for a tow.
Nursing the vehicle along at a snail pace, she finally rolled into the gas station. She parked and grabbed Hunter out of his seat. Clutching him to her, she hurried into the building. Al, the owner, was working the counter. He smiled as she approached. “Afternoon, Zoe. What can I do for ya?”
She explained the situation with the truck and he promised to have his mechanic look at it first thing in the morning. Not exactly the news she’d been hoping for. Battling the frustration adding to her sense of hopelessness, she nodded glumly and reached for her cellphone. She’d have to call Callie and ask if she could come pick her and Hunter up.
“Mama.”
She fumbled with the phone.
“Mama.”
Finally she got her contact list open. A warning ding sounded, announcing a low battery. An instant later the screen went black. No, no, no.
“Mama.”
Distracted and desperately trying not to give into the tears stinging her eyes, she stroked Hunter’s head. “What Boo Bear?”
“Lan.”
Hearing her son use his shortened version of Dylan’s name was the final straw breaking the camel’s back. A shuddery whimper broke from her throat.
“Zoe.”
She blinked, certain she was so far gone in her pathetic misery that she’d conjured Dylan’s voice. But when she turned around he was standing right there. Too blessedly real to be a figment of her imagination. “Dylan?”
He stepped toward her the same instant she moved in his direction. They stalled for a moment, staring at each other. Then she was in his arms, kissing him in between her sobbing fits. Mindful that she was crushing their child between them, she set Hunter down and tongue kissed Dylan hard again before caressing his dear face. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be on your way to the airport.”
“I’m not leaving you guys.”
“I know that.” Oh God, he came back because he thought she didn’t believe him. “I’m sorry my issues made me ever doubt you.”
He cupped her nape and looked her in the eyes. “No, baby. You have nothing to be sorry about. And I meant that I’m staying. For good. Other than us going to Nashville so you can meet my mom, I have no reason to go back there. Luke made me an offer that’s impossible to refuse.”
She stared at him. “I don’t understand.”
“We can talk about it later.” He brushed a lock of hair out of her eye. “Do you love me?”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes and let out a wispy breath before meeting his gaze again. “Oh God, yes. I have from the very first moment I saw you.”
“Me too, darlin’. The day I crashed into you, my world tipped off its axis. I knew you would have my heart forever.” He took a deep exhale. “That’s why your answer to this next question is vitally important.”
A mixture of nervousness and determination etched into his handsome features, he got down on one knee. Her pulse danced a Macarena. He took her hand in his, his fingers shaking slightly. “I was gonna wait until I had a ring to do this, but I think fate keeps telling us something here.”
She was befuddled by his statement, until she followed his gaze to the row of chips and beef jerky next to them. Her mind flashed to the first time they met, and a blubbery laugh bubbled from her. “Yeah, I think it is.”
“So what do you say, Zoe Chapman? Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” She pulled him to his feet and wrapped her arms around him. “A million times yes.”
Hunter bounced around in a circle near their feet, wanting to join the happy-fest. Laughing, Dylan swung his son up with one arm. His face shining with joy, Dylan pressed his lips to hers, kissing her senseless. He pulled back and grinned at her
. “Ready to spend a lifetime making sweet memories together?”
She hugged both of her guys, her heart swelling with an overabundance of love. “You better believe it.”
EPILOGUE
Damn hard to believe it was the thirty-first of August already. It seemed a lifetime ago that he’d sat in the lawyer’s office, unable to believe he’d just inherited a fourth of his dad’s company and three new brothers. A lot had changed since then. Him, for starters. For the better.
He glanced around the interior of Cubby’s. He hadn’t been in the joint since his first week in Red Creek, but he swore those old timers over in the corner booth had been there last time he was in. Probably they never left. The men nodded at Dylan and his brothers. It felt good having roots in this place, where folks welcomed ya as one of their own if you hung around long enough. Granted, he’d been too busy setting things in motion for the Walker Pendergrass Band Camp project to spend much time in town. Plus with him, Zoe, and Hunter just getting back from visiting his mom in Nashville, he was woefully ignorant of any of the juicy gossip going round. Reckon he was in the perfect place to get caught up. Man, I really am becoming a Red Creekian. The realization sounded pretty damn good to him.
His attention drifted to the champagne-colored land barge parked at the curb. “You’re driving Dad’s Caddy?” He grinned at Rogue, who’d spent the last week in Kansas.
“Damn right. The thing is smooth as sin.”
Jackson fiddled with the fork that sat on a napkin in front of him. “You know, Dylan, when I got your email after that first week, I thought you’d gone crazy.”
Rogue and Killian nodded.
Hell, if anyone told him the beginning of that first week that he’d be extoling the virtues of small town living, he woulda called them crazy. “I was under the influence, I guess.” He scratched his cheek as he pondered the reasons why. “But damned if I don’t feel exactly the same way being back here today.”
“I figured that.” Rogue crooked one arm over the back of his chair. “Figured you’d found yourself a gal.” A smirk curved his lips. “But I agree, this place grows on a man.”
Dylan: The Sons of Dusty Walker Page 14