Ethan said, “Mother, I’ve already—”
“Let her talk, son. We’re getting to know each other.”
The predatory look in those blue eyes was all the warning Dallas needed. For some reason, this mama was on the warpath. She didn’t like Dallas, and she was going to pull out everything in her arsenal to turn her boy against her. “I’m a legal assistant. I work for two of the attorneys in the office. Ethan isn’t one of them.”
Linda frowned. “Oh, I’m sorry. You can’t make much money in that position. Ethan tells me that you have a ... child? Out of wedlock? It must be hard to support a child with your salary.” Laying her hand on her cheek, as if just remembering something, she said, “Wait, he also mentioned that you work at a bar? That must help out some. I’m sure the men give you big tips.”
Dallas stood. “Linda, I’m not quite sure why you’ve decided you dislike me. I had so been looking forward to meeting you, and I adore your son. Just to be clear, I do a wonderful job rearing my daughter on the income I receive from the firm. The money I make from the club goes into an education account. I plan on completing my law degree.” She turned to Ethan, who was also standing. “Would you please show me to the bathroom?”
He walked her through the house, apologizing profusely for his mother’s behavior. “I’ve never seen her act like this. I don’t know what’s happened to her.”
“Have you ever dated outside her”—she raised her hands in an air quote—“social group?”
He frowned.
“I thought not. That’s what’s going on. She thinks I’m a gold digger.”
“What the hell? You’re my choice. Mother has no say in it. She’s never behaved so rudely in her life.”
Dallas smiled ruefully. “She’s probably never felt so threatened in her life. A child born out of wedlock? In her family? Her son, dating some poor, dumb hick?”
Ethan opened his mouth in shock. “My God, Dallas. You are not!”
“I know that. But she doesn’t. I’d like to go home.”
“No, Dallas. Please stay. It’s important to me. Mother will behave, I promise. Take a few minutes and join us. Everything will be fine.”
Once in the lavish bathroom, Dallas sat on the cushioned bench in front of the vanity. What in holy hell had she gotten herself into? Was the woman crazy? What kind of person talked to people like that? Dallas couldn’t imagine her mother ever speaking to anyone that way. But then, her mother only cared that her daughter marry a man she loved. Linda obviously had different criterion for who she wanted her son to marry.
Dallas didn’t need to use the restroom. She had just wanted to get as far away from Linda as possible. Leaning into the mirror, she applied more lipstick. Going back out there would be hell. She stared at her reflection and narrowed her eyes. Head up, shoulders back. Ready to go.
As Dallas entered the room, Linda rose and rushed toward her. “Dallas, please forgive me, my dear. Let’s have a lovely dinner, shall we?”
Oh, how this woman loved her son. Her plastic smile was a mile from her eyes, but she would please Ethan. And, so would Dallas. “Oh, I’m so looking forward to it. Ethan said you’re a fabulous cook.”
Linda described what was on the menu as Ethan freshened Dallas’s drink. When he came back, he asked, “Mother, do you mind moving to my chair? I’d like to share the sofa with Dallas.”
With a hint of the predator, Linda smiled. “Of course not, dear.”
Ethan held out his hand to Dallas and pulled her in close to him as they sat down. Settling his arm around her shoulders, he asked her, “So what are, um, Piper, and the nanny doing tonight?”
At the mention of her daughter, Dallas smiled. “They’re picking up dinner at McDonald’s and going to the park. Piper likes playing there more than at the McDonald’s playscape now.”
Ethan glanced at Linda. “I think I told you, Mother, Piper is three years old.”
She took a long drink of her Manhattan and smiled stiffly. “They’re so adorable at that age.”
He asked his mother to tell them about her most recent charity work. By the time she finished, mercifully, it was time for dinner.
Though the food was wonderful, Dallas’s stomach was balled in a knot. She managed a few bites of everything, as Linda’s avid gaze examined every forkful she took. Ethan valiantly kept the conversation going but Dallas couldn’t remember spending a more miserable evening.
As they finished dinner, Linda raised her wine glass. “Shall we go to the living room for drinks?”
Ethan glanced at Dallas and said, “Actually, Mother, I promised Dallas that I wouldn’t keep her out. We never stay too late on work nights. I’ll just call the car.”
Linda rolled her eyes. “Of course, you don’t. And you always see each other on week nights because she works at ... the bar ... on the weekends.”
“Mother!”
Carrying her nearly empty second glass of wine, Linda left the room.
Uncharitably, Dallas figured it was most likely to make her fourth Manhattan.
Ethan shook his head. “My God, I don’t know what to say. I may have her tested for dementia. Seriously.”
Suddenly, Dallas wanted to laugh. The woman was ridiculous. And even though it hurt, Ethan didn’t fall for it.
He clasped her hand. “Grab your wine, and we’ll go out on the patio.”
Ethan called the driver as Dallas gazed around in the last of the evening light. A lovely, lighted infinity pool with two rock waterfalls was the mainstay of the terraced landscaping. Flowers and flowering bushes were everywhere. She felt a little better being outside, away from Linda.
Ethan hung up and sat beside her. “Beautiful, isn’t it? I love it out here. I usually come out with a drink when I get home from work. Thank God for the pool man and the landscapers, though. It’s a lot to take care of.”
He reached for her hand and rubbed his thumb across hers, as was his habit, and the cold, tense feeling in her chest began to melt. This was her Ethan. He’d stood up for her. With him, she was protected, cared for, safe.
He let go of her hand and stood. “I’m going to bring out the wine. We have about fifteen minutes. If you don’t mind, I’ll ride along to your house. I want some more one-on-one time with you.”
“I’d like that.” His arms around her was exactly what she needed right now.
When the car arrived, Dallas bid an awkward goodbye to Linda, who did the same, flashing Dallas a brief, cold smile.
As they pulled away from the house, Ethan folded her against his chest and kissed her on the forehead. “My poor Dallas. What a horrible evening. I’m so thankful you stayed. Mother had to be shown that she couldn’t run you off. I was so proud of you when you stood up to her bullying. She was an absolute disgrace. I don’t know if I’ll forgive her.” He tilted Dallas’s chin up and kissed her. “You didn’t deserve tonight. If Mother doesn’t think you’re worthy of me, she’s wrong. You’re strong, intelligent, caring, and a great mother. What else should I look for in a woman? And I didn’t mention that you’re gorgeous. You’re perfect for me.”
Dallas smiled and snuggled in closer to him. “Not perfect, but thanks for the compliments. I have to be honest, Ethan. I can’t in my wildest dreams imagine having Linda as my mother-in-law. Unless they were nightmares. No offense. I never want to go through another evening like tonight.”
He turned her face so she could see him clearly. “I promise, Mother will come around. I’m everything to her. Once she knows that you’re what makes me happy, she’ll cave in like a damn sinkhole. I think you’re right. She’s just scared for me. I’ve honestly never seen her like this. She’s being a protective mother bear.”
Dallas couldn’t bring herself to agree but let it go.
With the lights of the city surrounding them, Ethan looked into her eyes. “Let me make it up to you.” Sliding his hand into her hair, he tilted her face to him. He kissed her eyes, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, and then kissed her slowly, deeply, c
aressing her with his tongue.
She kissed him back. Oh, did she kiss him. She could drown in her need for him. She yanked him to her, wanting his weight on her.
He whispered in her ear, “I wish we weren’t in this damn car.”
Huh? She opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Dammit. Again? What had happened to her normal self-restraint? She kissed him softly and pulled away, sitting squarely in the seat. Maybe his mom was right. Dallas might be a slut. For the love of ... where did her mind go when she was being kissed? Egypt? Thank God, she hadn’t been like this in high school. She’d never have made it to college.
Smiling, Ethan, with his arm around her shoulder, pulled her in close and kissed her temple.
Her pulse was still thrumming from his kisses. Damn, he was good at kissing. But his kindness was what really spoke to her. Just like he knew she needed to leave tonight. Immediately. He rescued her with such finesse that she didn’t have to say a word. That was so like him—her protector. She leaned her head on his shoulder, thankful to have this man in her life.
SATURDAY MORNING, CASH shoved his clothes into the locker in the men’s room at the Cove Water Park. It was the first time he’d seen Dallas since The Cowboy, and he was hoping things went smoothly today.
He walked out into the bright sunshine and meandered over near the women’s dressing room entrance. Dallas and Piper must still be inside. Leaning against the building, he glanced around the park, still relatively free of people. They’d be able to get on the fun rides quickly. Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. His heart plowed into his chest wall. Dallas wore a bright turquoise bikini, showing off a rocking-hot body. He bounced away from the building and waved.
She grinned and waved back, holding Piper’s hand and walking toward him. “There you are. Where shall we go first?”
He kept his gaze safely locked on hers and away from that body. “Let’s let Piper decide.” After he described several things around the park, the little girl chose the kids’ water slide. Clasping her little hand, he said, “This way. Come on.” Dallas walked on his other side, and his breathing quickened. How in the hell would he keep his eyes off her today? Of course, he’d been attracted to her before, but this was way over the top. Did she have any idea what she did to a man in that bikini?
Dallas looked up at him and smiled. “Thanks so much for bringing us. Piper has been so excited all week. I guess you could tell that on the ride over. I should bring her, but the tickets for both of us really add up.” She clasped his arm and leaned into him.
Fingers of arousal tripped up his belly, and he slung his arm around her. This was going to be an awesome day.
When they got to the tall water slide, Piper eyed it, frowning, and reached for her mom’s leg, curling her arm around it.
Cash squatted in front of her. “That’s kind of high, isn’t it? What if I went down with you? Would you like that?”
She smiled shyly and let go of her mom.
He held out his hand and stood. “Come on. Let’s get in line.”
Dallas smiled and mouthed thanks.
When their turn came, Cash sat down and put Piper between his legs, wrapping his hands around her tummy. He bent and kissed her cheek as he pushed off. She screamed and then shrieked with joy the rest of the way down.
Dallas jogged up to them. “Honey, that was awesome. See, it wasn’t scary.”
Cash helped Piper stand, handing her off to Dallas. The little girl sure looked cute in her bright-orange ruffled one-piece. “She’s a brave one, all right. I’m proud of you, Piper.”
As he stood, he gave a tug on Piper’s sun hat. “You can do anything you put your mind to. Remember that.”
Dallas flashed him a smile and a thumbs-up. “Where to next, Piper?”
Piper looked at Cash.
He took her hand and started walking. “What about the kiddie pool? That’s got a lot of fun stuff.”
She nodded and grinned.
He reached his arm around her mom again and couldn’t remember being this happy. When he glanced at Dallas, she was looking at him. Leaning down, he kissed her, enjoying the way her soft lips felt warm from the sun.
Kissing him back enthusiastically, she grinned as he lifted his head. “Thanks for being so good to Piper.”
“I’ll be even nicer if it gets me more of that.”
She giggled. “Piper, maybe you can practice floating on your back when we get to the pool.”
“Okay, Mama. Mr. Cash can help me.”
He was her favorite helper now, for everything. The kid was so darn adorable. “I sure can. I remember when I learned how to float on my back.” A couple with a young boy in tow walked ahead of them, and Cash realized that was what he looked like today. Glancing at Dallas and Piper, a new and curious sensation settled over him. This must be what if felt like to have a family. He smiled and squeezed Dallas close. He could get used to this.
DALLAS LEANED BACK against the edge of the pool, smiling as Cash helped Piper up the slide in the kiddie pool. She’d been too timid to climb on her own. He helped her sit down then nudged her gently down the slide. She squealed loudly then laughed as she slid down the slippery surface and plopped into the water at the bottom.
The guy was amazing with her daughter. The look of adoration on his face as he watched Piper slide melted Dallas’s heart. This handsome man, with his beautiful ranch, had a wonderful life and it showed.
Cash looked at her and grinned, and she waved to him.
He picked up Piper and walked over to Dallas. “I think we’re ready for some swimming lessons.”
The man had taut, tanned skin, and perfectly defined slabs of muscle. Rivulets of water ran down the hard ridges of his abdomen, sending tiny shivers up her tummy. Grinning at Piper, she asked, “Are you having fun, baby?”
She smiled and nodded.
Cash helped her daughter work on her back float for a few minutes then settled next to Dallas. “She’s a natural.”
Piper wandered off and started up a conversation with another girl about her age.
Sliding his arm around Dallas’s shoulder, Cash pulled her in for a quick kiss. “You and Piper make me happy.”
The honest, caring look in his eyes struck something deep inside Dallas. Her heart responded with a rush of desire, and something more—an intense longing for what he seemed to be offering. She shivered.
He drew his brows together. “Cold?”
Shaking her head, she said, “I’m having a great time today, too.” She caressed his cheek, looked into his eyes, and kissed him back, wanting him to feel how much she cared for him. Drawing away and leaning back against the edge of the pool, she chewed her lip. When she was with Cash, it felt like he was the only man for her. Why was it, then, that when she was with Ethan, he made her feel these same things? How could she ever choose just one man?
Chapter Ten
Cash stopped his hay pickup far inside his pasture up near Rule. Lowering the round bale speared on the long spike to a few inches above the ground, he got out and sliced the nylon mesh surrounding it with long, swift strokes of his knife.
Last night, Dallas was all he thought about as he lay in bed. He realized something that rocked his world—he didn’t just care for the woman—he was in love with her. And he didn’t know what to do about it. Dallas was seeing another man, for God’s sake. By her own admission, she cared for this lawyer. Then there was Piper. The little girl was starved for a man’s attention. He loved Piper, too. How in the hell did he get himself into a position like this? His heart had been broken once. Now he’d set himself up for that same scenario.
Wadding the mesh into a ball, he threw it into the cab and lowered the bale to the ground. It lay on its side, ready for the hungry cattle that would find it anytime now. Ranch tasks like this were easy—second nature for him. Taking care of his heart was much harder. Yet, knowing all this, he wouldn’t do anything differently. He wouldn’t give the woman up. His future was with Dalla
s and that little girl.
AFTER PICKING UP PIPER Friday afternoon, Dallas made a quick trip to the grocery store. She barely had enough time to pick up food for the weekend before getting her daughter fed, bathed, and ready to go back to her parents’ house.
Most of her items were already in her basket when she turned down the dairy aisle for milk and spotted a familiar figure. She stopped her cart so fast Piper’s head whipped back. Doug. The man had his arm slung over a woman’s shoulder in that way a cowboy had when he was in love—elbow at his girl’s neck, his hand dangling down, with her head tucked in at his chin. He and the woman peered at a grocery list while a small child sat in the seat of their cart, a sucker in her mouth. Looking closer, Dallas noticed a sparkling wedding set on the woman’s hand. Doug’s married!
Whipping her basket around, Dallas sped out of sight, down the next aisle. Hot blood filled her face, her ears burned, and she wanted to punch something. She’d really liked the guy. If she wasn’t already seeing not one, but two men, she might have taken him up on his offers to go out. Maybe even fallen for him. God, I’m so stupid! Gritting her teeth, she pushed her basket forward again. The lying, cheating, son of a... She needed to do something. If he was her husband, she’d want to know he was playing around.
Dallas spotted the jerk and his family two aisles over at the canned goods. Plastering a smile on her face, she walked up to the woman with an outstretched hand. “Hi, you must be Doug’s sister. He comes in Friday nights at The Cowboy. It’s wonderful to see that Doug hangs out with his niece when he can.”
Ignoring Doug completely, she kept her eyes locked on the woman, who said, “I’m not his sister. I’m his wife.” She turned with a confused look to Doug, whose face had lost its color.
Dallas now stared at Doug, and said, “You’re married? How dare you ask me out?” Turning to his wife, she said, “I’m so sorry, ma’am. Looks like your husband’s got some explaining to do about how he spends his Friday nights.”
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