by Susan Stoker
“I’m fine. I’m going back after Ferguson.”
Lennon wanted to scream for him not to, but she knew Dallas wasn’t the kind of man who could stand by and watch another man burn up if he could help it. “Be careful, please,” she cautioned him.
George was alive. Lennon soothed his forehead. “Wake up, George, please. Help will arrive in a moment.”
A sharp cracking noise sounded over the roar of the fire. Lennon jumped up, trying to ascertain what was happening. A loud crash made her heart jump in her throat. Part of the roof had collapsed. Not hesitating a moment, she flung open the door and reentered the house. She knew Dallas should be right near the door. What she saw horrified her. Colin Ferguson was on his feet and he and Dallas were fighting. Flames were roaring all around them, and the two men were fighting! “Dallas!” she cried out his name.
Her voice caused Dallas to look toward her and when he did, Colin grabbed the same poker she’d hit him with and cracked Dallas across the back of the neck, taking him to his knees. “No!” she yelled.
Ferguson threw down the poker. “You two deserve to die together. I’m getting out of here!” As he ran by, he pushed Lennon as hard as he could and she stumbled to one side, almost falling into a wall of flame.
“Dallas!” she called, righting herself. She had to get him out of here. If she didn’t, he would burn alive. There was so little time, Lennon could hear the roof creaking. In desperation, she saw a path free to the kitchen and she ran to retrieve a couple of dish towels, wetting them in the sink. Stumbling back through the smoke, she came to Dallas, holding the wet cloth over his face. She wanted him to breathe through it and hoped the cool wetness would awaken him. Desperately she held the wet rag to her own face, letting the damp cloth serve as a filter. “Dallas, please, baby. Wake up.” Throwing down the rag, she used every ounce of her strength to try and move him. Her fear was spiked to an unreal level and the adrenaline rush it produced was just enough to budge him. Fighting for every inch, she managed to move him a few feet. Overhead, another board cracked and Lennon expected for the structure to collapse on top of them any minute.
“Please, please, please,” she prayed, struggling to pull him just a little bit farther. She glanced backwards and saw she only had a few more feet to go. Dizzy and lightheaded from inhaling the smoke, she tugged and tugged, her breath coming in coughs and gasps. Finally, she reached the door. With one final bit of strength, she threw the door open. The sudden influx of oxygen caused the nearby flames to billow. Lennon felt her hair and skin begin to singe. “No! Dallas!” She refused to give up, pulling him the last few feet to safety. Once she got him out–Lennon collapsed into an exhausted heap.
*
Outside her hospital room door, Dallas paced. He couldn’t wrap his head around it–Lennon had saved his life. How could this woman be so different? Carly had destroyed life and Lennon fought for it–for him. When the doctor emerged, Dallas was in his face. “How is she?”
The doctor looked up from his i-Pad. “She was lucky. Very few burns and abrasions and her lungs aren’t too badly damaged.”
“How about the baby? Did you check to see if she was pregnant?” Dallas held his breath.
“She’s not. The blood test showed no signs of a pregnancy.”
Dallas didn’t know if that was good news or not. He’d half hoped there was a reason…an excuse. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to think.
“You can go in and see her now, if you’d like.”
Dallas didn’t hesitate. When he entered the hospital, he was struck by how small and fragile she seemed. But looks were deceiving, he knew she was fierce–brave–one of the strongest people he’d ever known. He went to her side, placing his hand over her small one. “Lennon?” He couldn’t resist, he bent his head to kiss her one last time. Gently. Tenderly. He savored the taste of her lips, he wanted to remember it forever.
She stirred, trying to open her eyes. Everything hurt. “Dallas?” she whispered hoarsely.
“I’m here.” He squeezed her hand. “Everything’s fine. Colin’s in jail. George is in the next room, he’ll be okay. I called and checked on Sally. Hiram and Marge will have her here tonight. Now, I have to drive to Austin to file these reports.”
Dread seared Lennon’s heart almost as hot as the flames she’d faced. “When are you coming back?”
Dallas shook his head, knowing a clean break was for the best–for both of them. “I don’t know. There’s a lot of loose ends to tie up.” Trying to offer her assurance, he explained. “The doctor says you’ll be fine. And you’re not pregnant, I had him check.”
Despite the redness of her skin from exposure to the heat of the fire, Lennon felt herself blushing. “You told him I might be pregnant?”
“I didn’t have a choice. If you were pregnant, we needed to make sure the baby was safe.”
Lennon knew he was right. She closed her eyes. This was the type of news that would leak out. The idea that Lennon could’ve been pregnant would be a source of levity for anyone who knew her when they heard. Especially when they found out that Dallas hadn’t stuck around. She clutched the sheet with her fingers, God, she was scared. It was as if everything important to her was slipping through her fingers. “Don’t go. Please,” she whispered. The words just erupted from her lips. Desperation made her weak. “Stay with me, Dallas. I love you. Sally loves you. George loves you. Everything I have, I’ll give it to you. The ranch is worth something now.”
Her offer almost angered Dallas. “I don’t want the ranch!” What kind of person did she think he was? For a brief flash of time, he considered telling her who he was–what he was–why she should be relieved that she wasn’t pregnant. Why she’d never want to wear his name–never want to bear his child. But he couldn’t–the words just froze in his throat.
The vehement way he responded to her offer said it all. He didn’t want her and the ranch wasn’t enough added incentive to make him stay. “Oh. I see.”
Dallas didn’t think she saw anything. “Look, I’ll call you and let you know what’s going on.”
Lennon was very near tears. When he framed her face and kissed her, she wanted to grab onto him and never let him go. Was this goodbye? She wouldn’t beg him any more than she already had. Her bargaining chips were few. She’d just offered the most valuable thing she possessed and he’d turned her down flat. “Thank you, Dallas. For everything. I’ll never forget you.”
Dallas laughed harshly. “No, that’s my line. You saved my life. You almost died–for me.” This was still unbelievable to him. “For that, I’ll always owe you. More than I could ever repay.” Torn by emotion he didn’t know how to handle, Dallas backed out of the room. “Marge will be here to see after you and I’ll call tonight and check on you all.” She looked so small and lost against the white hospital sheets. It was all Dallas could do to keep from jerking her up and taking her home. God, how he wished he had the right.
“I’ll send you the money I owe you as soon as I can.” He shook his head, but she continued to speak. “I don’t want you to go, Dallas. But all I can think about is how lucky I am to have loved someone so much that it makes saying goodbye so hard.” Her voice broke. “If you change your mind, I’ll be here. I’ll be waiting.” She thought he’d say more, but he didn’t. With a raised hand and a long look, Dallas McClain was gone. Lennon covered her eyes and cried until there were no tears left.
Heading out of the hospital, Dallas passed by the small gift shop. A framed picture caught his eye. The scripture in Corinthians was painted on a dark ocean background, the same Love Lessons that were embroidered on the tapestry hanging on Lennon’s wall. He stopped to read them through a blur of tears. He was struck by how every word described Lennon. He’d come here with no belief in love left in his heart–a loner–a man with only a star and a gun and she’d shown him what true love could mean–if only he deserved it.
He wasn’t worthy. He should never risk loving again. Yet, he had no idea how he’d ever live without
Lennon. This was the dilemma Dallas faced. Was he still the broken shell of a man who had lost his wife and child? How could he overcome the stigma of his childhood and the blood that ran through his veins? As he walked to his truck and out of Lennon’s life, he dreamed an impossible dream – building a new life with someone who would never betray him.
Somehow he had to find the answers to those questions or he’d never find any peace.
*
“I’m so glad to be home, Lenny!” Sally hugged her hard and Lennon hugged her back, clinging to the little girl like a lifeline.
On her knees, she buried her face in the softness of Sally’s golden curls and tried to hold back her tears. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
Since she and George had been released from the hospital he hadn’t said any more about leaving. Trying to explain to him about Dallas was hard enough. The old man had actually thought the Ranger would want her to leave Apache Springs to marry him and live in Austin. The secret Lennon harbored in her heart was that she would’ve gone–gladly–in a heartbeat. Yes, this was her home, but Dallas owned her heart. Only, he didn’t want her. She just wasn’t enough.
News from Dallas had been sparse. He’d called to inform her that they’d gotten a complete confession from Colin and her cattle had been found safe and sound. Yesterday, two semis had pulled up in her drive with her animals.
Rooster Daniels had come over to pay her a visit and George had grilled him, insisting that Lennon hire a lawyer to look over the proposal. This had pleased Daniels and after some negotiation, Lennon found herself to be a very wealthy woman. It was no surprise to her to find out that the old saying ‘money can’t buy happiness’ was the gospel truth.
At least now, she could pay Dallas back the money she owed him. “Sally, sweetheart, why don’t you go get settled in your room and unpack the bag you brought from Mr. Hiram and Ms. Marge’s house.”
“Okay, Lenny.” She skipped off and Lennon braced herself on the cabinet, trying to find the strength to make a phone call she both dreaded and craved.
*
“Here you go, I hope you’re happy here.” Dallas handed Sonia the keys to his apartment.
The beautiful blonde gave him a kiss on his cheek. “Oh, I will be. I’ll be glad to sublet until we can get the lease transferred. I just can’t believe you’re leaving Austin to move out to the back of nowhere. This must be some lady you’ve fallen in love with.”
“She is.” Dallas had spent the last couple of weeks fighting a war with himself. He’d finally broken down and told his friend Sonia the whole ugly story. To his surprise, she’d given him a hug and told him he was off his rocker.
“Dallas McClain, you’re a fine man. Your mother sounds like she had a great heart. People who would hold the details of your birth and childhood against you aren’t worth their salt. If you’re depriving yourself and the woman you love of happiness because of this–you’re making a horrible mistake.”
He’d listened, but it hadn’t been automatic. Dallas had walked the riverside near his apartment, he’d debated every point, rehearsed what he would say to Lennon. He had to be absolutely honest, hiding things from people only gave opportunity for the lies of omission to fester into an incurable cancer. One day, he’d even driven to the pauper’s cemetery in Dallas, walking the narrow aisles formed by the cheapest headstones money could buy. At least, the poor folks interred here had headstones now, even if there was no way to know who was who. It was only after the real estate fiasco that their fate had come to light.
Dallas took the memories he had of his mother out of the corner of his mind where they’d been secretly stored away. He’d knelt under a tree and just talked to her, asking forgiveness for being ashamed of who she was and the love she’d shown him. Cruel people with narrow minds and hard hearts had nearly ruined his life, making him afraid to reveal himself, to allow someone to see and know the real William Walter ‘Dallas’ McClain.
Well, no more. “Thank-you, Sonia, for being my friend. I’ll be in touch and I hope you’ll meet Lennon someday.”
Sonia laughed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We women tend to be jealous types, especially when it concerns a hunk like you.”
Dallas didn’t know about that, but he did know he was anxious to get on the road. He patted the duffle that he’d hastily packed. “I’ll send for the rest of my things. Okay?” A frown came to his face. “She might not want me,” he told Sonia gravely. “She could’ve changed her mind.”
Sonia laughed heartily. “I doubt that. The woman you described to me had a good head on her shoulders. She knows quality when she sees it, and you, Mr. McClain are Grade A Prime.” She gave him a farewell pat on his shoulder. “Haven’t you told her you’re coming?”
“No.” He was too nervous. “I’ll call her when I’m farther down the road.”
Sonia stood at the door and watched Dallas McClain leave. He had a spring to his step that she hadn’t seen in a long time–if ever. With a contented sigh, she shut the door, then noticed his phone lying on the bar. Grabbing it, she rushed outside only to see his taillights pulling onto the highway. “Oh well, he can pick it up when he’s back in town.”
A few hours later, Lennon closed her bedroom door and went to sit on the bed. She was trembling all over. This was the hardest call she’d ever had to place. Twice she had to start over, because she’d hit the wrong buttons. At last, she could hear ringing.
“Hello?”
Hearing a woman’s voice answering Dallas’ phone made Lennon mute.
“Hello? Who is this?”
Clearing her throat, she asked. “Is Dallas there? May I speak to him?”
“No, he’s not here. What…?”
Lennon couldn’t stand it. She ended the call, slamming the phone down on the bed. God, she felt stupid. He was with another woman. Shaking her head, she pressed a hand to her chest to keep her pounding heart from breaking through the skin. “Dallas. It’s over… he wasn’t there…” She said the words as if she were trying to convince herself to give up on her dreams.
“No, because I’m here. I couldn’t stay away from you.”
The sudden unexpected beloved voice caused Lennon to spring from the bed. “Dallas!” She stood her ground, afraid to assume anything. “What are you doing here? I have your money. I was calling to ask where to send it.”
Dallas drank her up with his eyes. He’d missed her so much. When George let him in a few minutes ago, he’d thought he was going to have a fight on his hands. But the old man had been glad to see him. “I’d wondered how long it was going to take for you to come to your senses.”
“I’m not here for the money, Lennon.” Dallas moved a step closer. “I’m not interested in your land. I don’t covet your ranch.”
Lennon shook her head. “Of course not. I shouldn’t have ever said such a thing. It was an insult to you.” She hiccupped a sob, keeping it inside. “What do you want?” Almost afraid to ask, she knew she’d give him anything he wanted.
“I only want one thing.” He gave her a smile, his eyes dark with what looked like longing.
“Tell me. If it’s in my power, it’s yours.” She repeated his own offer to him.
Holding out his hand, he offered for her to take it. “I only want to make you happy. I want you and George and Sally. I laid eyes on you and nothing in my life has been the same.”
Lennon stared hard at him, making sure she wasn’t misinterpreting what he was telling her. “Why?”
“Because of who you are,” he said simply. “You’re patient and kind. You don’t envy. You’re not self-seeking or easily angered.” He smiled at her. “You keep no record of wrongs done to you. You’re protective of who you love, trustful, and full of hope. Every minute we’ve been together, you’ve been teaching me the lessons of love.”
“I love you.” Lennon didn’t know what else to say. She took his hand, afraid to believe. “Does this mean you want me in your life?” Dallas went to his knees in front of
her and Lennon didn’t know what to do other than to join him–so she did. “Why are we down here?”
Dallas raised her hand to his lips and kissed the palm. “Before I ask you to marry me…” He paused at her intake of breath. “I have to tell you the truth of who I am.”
“I know who you are,” Lennon whispered. “You’re my Dallas.” He wanted to marry her? Her heart was racing. She placed his hand over her heart and held it there.
“Wait.” He gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. “I need to say this. What I’m about to tell you is why Carly aborted our child. Why she intended to leave me. Why people have turned their back on me time and time again. Why I’ve hidden my past so carefully and deep that no one would ever know who I really am.”
“I know all I need to know,” Lennon tried to stop him with a finger over his mouth.
Dallas kissed it, then removed it so he could speak. “I need to tell you.” He swallowed, licked his lips, then began to speak. “I don’t know my father’s name or anything about him. My mother worked as a prostitute. We had no real home. She kept me with her, either shut in the bathroom or outside the motel room doors, when I grew older, while she sold herself for money. She named me William Walter McClain. The cops called me Dallas, because that’s the city we were in the day she was murdered by one of her Johns.”
Lennon couldn’t speak. Not because she was horrified, but because she loved him so much she couldn’t stand it.
When she didn’t say anything, Dallas hung his head. “I’m a fake. I have no idea whose blood runs through my veins. Any child we might have would be the grandchild of a prostitute.”
“Did she love you, your mother? Was she good to you?” The question broke Lennon’s heart to ask.
Dallas smiled sadly. “Oh, yes. She loved me. She was funny, she made me laugh all the time. I know she made some horrible decisions, but there were things in her life that tortured her.” He cleared his throat, fighting back tears. “I’m sad to say that I don’t know what they were. I remember her crying at night when she thought I was asleep. But my mother loved me. I have no doubt about that fact.”