The big car purred into motion, and Ethan clasped her hand. “I grew up at the club, but I seldom visit anymore. They’ve remodeled, and it’s quite fancy now. Mother and her hens love the new look.”
Dallas laughed. “Her hens, huh?”
“Yes, they gather there a couple of afternoons a week and cluck away, always about someone else’s business.”
She grinned and squeezed his hand. “How lovely.”
She hoped her clothing fit in. With no idea what club ladies wore, she’d shopped for hours for clothes for this trip and spent her miscellaneous budget category for the next four months. Today’s pantsuit was classic, yet up to date. Her short, flowing geometric top in bright summer colors was paired with form-fitting yellow slacks. No matter what anyone else would be wearing, she felt confident in it.
As the car slowed to turn down the long drive, she tightened her grip on Ethan’s hand. Despite how Linda might behave, he would be there in the chair next to her. Dallas kissed his cheek. “That’s for luck. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”
Laughing, he squeezed her fingers. “Will not. We won’t stay long, anyway. I’m sure you want to get home to your little girl, Mommy.”
She grinned. “I do. Thanks, Ethan, for understanding me.”
He dropped a swift kiss on her lips as they pulled up to the entry.
Dallas eyed the building. It was kind of fancy with its high asymmetrical walls of glass and chic fountains. Her heartbeat picked up, and her breathing quickened. Putting a hand to her chest, she willed herself to calm down. She would not let this woman get to her.
The driver opened her door, and she stepped out.
Ethan followed her. He tucked her hand at his elbow and led her to the door. Pausing, he gave her a quick kiss. “I’ve got you.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s go.”
At the main dining room, he paused, scanning for his mother.
No wonder Linda and her cronies liked the place. The sleek, modern furniture and beautiful garden views from the massive windows gave the room a vibe that said money with a capital M. Despite her earlier bravado, Dallas felt smaller, her confidence dwindling.
Ethan led her across the room half-filled with dining members to the table where his mother presided.
Linda had eyes only for her son. Standing for a hug and kiss, she said, “I don’t know why you had to stay in that hotel. You’re welcome at the house. Separate bedrooms, of course.”
“Mother, we have separate bedrooms at the hotel.”
Now she turned her gaze to Dallas. “Yes, but do you use them?”
Ethan stepped back and put his arm around Dallas. “I’ll not allow a repeat performance of our last meal with you, Mother. We’ll leave now if that’s what you’re planning.”
Linda widened her eyes in alarm. “No, no. Please, we’re going to have a pleasant lunch. Chef and I have something wonderful planned, and you’re both going to love it.” She waved them into their chairs and sat herself.
Dallas kept her eyes on Ethan and away from the gaze of the woman across from her, a look which she knew would be feral as soon as her son turned his back.
He caught the attention of a waiter and ordered wine.
Linda asked, “How was the symphony, son?” Her eyes clung to Ethan.
Reaching for Dallas’s hand, he said, “I’ve never seen anyone enjoy it more than Dallas did last night. Experiencing the music with her enhanced my enjoyment of the evening.”
Linda took a long swallow of her Manhattan and looked out the window. “How nice.” After another drink, she turned to Ethan. “The next board meeting is coming up in a few weeks. Did you receive the letter?”
Dallas took a sip of wine. There was an undertone to Linda’s voice. What was she after?
Though Ethan hadn’t taken the reins of the company, as his dad had planned for him, he did accept a seat on the board and made sure he knew what was going on with the family business. “I’m planning to attend. I always do.”
Linda picked at a fold in her napkin. “You remember Melinda? Her daughter, Tiffany, will be in town from Boston that weekend, and Melinda’s invited us to dinner.” She smiled brightly. “Please say you’ll come. You haven’t seen Tiffany in years. She’s dying to see you again.”
Ethan’s mouth tightened into a grim line. “I’ll be returning home directly after the board meeting, and you can give Melinda my apologies. I won’t be seeing Tiffany nor any more of your cronies’ daughters. Is that clear enough for you, Mother?”
She huffed and turned to the window. “Quite clear.”
Dallas sucked in her bottom lip to hide a smile. It was hard to determine Linda’s expression. She’d been given so many Botox injections, her face appeared frozen in the same expression no matter what she felt.
A woman Linda’s age walked toward their table. Dallas compared her own outfit to what the woman wore and smiled a little. She’d made a perfect choice. Instead of passing them by, the woman stopped and patted Linda’s arm to get her attention. “Hey, honey, I didn’t know you’d be here today.”
Linda gave the woman a hug and an air kiss. Nodding toward her son, she said, “Of course, you remember Ethan.” Then she turned her gaze and frozen smile on Dallas. “Helen, this the woman I was telling you about. Dallas, this is my good friend, Helen.”
Dallas stood and held out her hand.
Helen stared at Dallas, sweeping her hawk-like gaze from top to bottom, then reached out her hand for a genteel shake. “Nice meeting you.”
Her tone of voice said it was anything but nice, however, Dallas replied in a friendly voice, “You, too, Helen,” and sat down.
By the time Linda’s fourth friend stopped by the table, Dallas had figured it out. It was a parade of homes, and she was the model house. None of the women were welcoming, and each one had heard of Dallas. She was sure lunch had been planned at the club so all Linda’s besties could take a gander at the money-hungry woman Ethan was dating.
Though lunch was probably delicious, Dallas hardly took a bite. Despite Linda’s intent gaze, there was nothing Dallas could do about her spasming throat and stomach.
When she declined dessert, Ethan did too. Laying his napkin down, he stood and pushed back his chair. “Mother, we need to get back. I’ve got a lot to catch up on before court in the morning.”
Dallas swept to her feet and grabbed her purse. Please, God, get me out of this room.
Linda frowned. “So soon? Can’t you stay for another glass of wine?”
Ethan gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’m sorry, Mother. We have to go.”
He must have sensed how uncomfortable Dallas was. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they walked to the door. “Thank you, thank you, a million times, thank you for taking me home.”
“I hear you. Sometimes I feel like Mother and her friends suck the life right out of me.”
Dallas kept her mouth shut. His mother was kind of like a vampire. An evil one, not like the ones in Twilight.
The limo was waiting outside, and the driver opened the door as they walked up.
Ethan got in and reached for her hand, helping her scoot close to him. “Come here, sweetheart. Lean on me and relax.” He found some classical piano on the radio and turned it down low.
Dallas snuggled her head on his chest and slid her arm across his waist. For the first time that afternoon, she felt completely safe.
As the city traffic thinned and they headed out on the highway, Ethan stroked her arm, kissing her softly on the temple. She couldn’t settle down, though. Lunch had been so upsetting. Her thoughts coalesced into a strong determination. She would never go through an experience like that again. It was time to stand up for herself.
Sitting up straight, she pushed her hair out of her face.
Ethan asked, “Would you like something to drink?”
She didn’t want to hurt him, but she had no choice. His mother had made this decision for her. “Not now. Ethan,
I need to talk to you.”
He frowned. “Is there something wrong?”
“Yes.” She clasped his hand, gripping it firmly. “I can’t go through another day like today with your mother. I’ll be frank. I think she planned lunch at the club so all her friends could get a good look at me. If you’ll remember, when I met each one, she said she’d heard of me. I’m sure your mother said unkind things about me, and they couldn’t wait to see the gold digger that had her claws in Linda’s only son. Your mother ignored me unless she was introducing me. Her smile never reaches her eyes. And how about throwing you at Tiffany right in front of me? Ethan, she doesn’t like me, doesn’t want me to be part of her family, and will do anything in her power to come between us. Please, try to understand where I’m coming from.”
He pulled her in and hugged her tight in thoughtful silence for a moment. “Dallas, you’re right. I should have known something was up. Usually, those old hags are all over me, and this time they didn’t give me a second glance. I swear to God, my mother has sunk to a new low. And how dare she speak ill of you?” Tilting her chin, he kissed her hard, making it last. “Don’t you worry. I’ll handle this right now.”
He grabbed his phone and dialed, crushing it to his ear. “Hello, Mother.” He paused to listen for a moment. “No, of course not. We’re still driving. I have something to discuss with you, and please don’t interrupt. I know what you were up to this afternoon. You made Dallas feel unwelcome and reviled. It will never happen again. The reason I know this is we won’t be seeing you again. You forced me to make a choice, Mother, and I choose Dallas. There may come a time, in the distant future, when I give you a chance to prove that you not only accept Dallas but will be kind and caring to her. However, I can’t promise that. You’re on your own now, Mother. Goodbye.”
Terminating the call, he dropped his phone in the console and tilted Dallas’s face to him. “Nothing—and no one—is more important to me than you, Dallas. My mother will learn that or she’ll lose me.”
Knowing how much his mother meant to him, Dallas was unable to find words to express her feelings. She clasped his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly. No man had ever sacrificed so much for her. “Ethan, I’m sorry. I know how you love her.”
He started to speak, and she shushed him with her fingertips.
She kissed him again. “You’ve given me a precious gift.” This man would give anything, do anything for her. How could she not love him?
Chapter Thirteen
Monday night, Dallas rocked Piper to sleep. Her daughter had been extra clingy since Sunday evening when Dallas returned from her trip. Though Piper enjoyed her time with the nanny and loved her grandparents, she didn’t like being away from her mother for so long. After cuddling her daughter a few minutes longer, Dallas at last tucked her in bed and pulled her door nearly shut.
Pouring herself a glass of wine, Dallas’s thoughts turned to Ethan and the sacrifice he made. A warm rush swept through her. It was still hard to believe the man had cut his mother from his life to protect Dallas. He said he’d fallen for her. Did that mean he loved her? She smiled and remembered the feeling of him holding her on the ride home. Never had she been so carefree or content with her life. Ethan handled everything when she was with him, and despite the fact that she always prided herself on her strength and independence, she found that she didn’t mind him taking charge.
Lord, how the man could kiss. Goose bumps traveled up her arms. He’d thoroughly aroused her. Though she hadn’t exactly lost control, she’d reveled in his seduction. Even more, she trusted herself with him. Ethan was a gentleman. But, did she love him?
In the darkened living room, she settled on the couch and took a sip of wine, staring at the lighted time on her sound system, mesmerized by the blue light. In the silent house, she relaxed for the first time since returning home. Leaning her cool glass against her brow, she closed her eyes.
Her phone rang, startling her, and she looked at the display. Cash. She hesitated at a pang in her heart. Am I feeling disloyal to Ethan? Oh, hell! Punching in the call, she said, “Hey, how are you?”
Ignoring her question, he said, “Dallas? I need to see you. It’s important. I’m sorry, you just got back from your weekend, but can you get away tomorrow night?”
She swallowed. His voice told her something wasn’t right. “Cash, is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. So, what do you think? Can you come?”
Her pulse quickening, she answered. “If it’s important, of course I will.”
He expelled a loud breath. “Good. I’ll pick you up at seven,” and he disconnected.
She laid her phone down, her hand at her throat. He didn’t know if anything was wrong? What did that mean? And where had that flitting sense of being untrue come from?
It had only taken the sound of Cash’s voice to remind her how deeply she cared for him. Groaning, she hid her face in her hands. Her life was on the road to disaster, and she had no idea which path to take.
CASH LAID HIS PHONE on the coffee table in the family room and stared at nothing. Hoping Dallas would agree to his request, he’d made reservations at the Salt and Pepper restaurant, the most romantic place in Wichita Falls. He’d also ordered a large bouquet of flowers for pick up on the way to her house and had a small present for Piper which Dallas could give her the next morning. His plan was set.
The past weekend had been awful. Knowing Dallas was with the lawyer made every minute scald his nerves. He imagined the man with his arms around her, kissing her, and Cash had had to jump in his truck and drive like hell—anything to shove the thoughts away. He didn’t know how to keep on going. How to love her and let her be with this man. What he did know was that he was near the limit of what he could take.
THE NEXT EVENING, CASH arrived at Dallas’s house at straight-up seven. Acid ate at the lining of his stomach. He glanced at the vase of blooms buckled into the passenger seat. Were they too much? Should he have bought a smaller arrangement? Blowing out a few quick breaths, he scrubbed his palms together. He had this. Since practicing what he wanted to say tonight many times, he was sure he’d remember it. After throwing his door open, he strode to the other side of the truck and grabbed the flowers and Piper’s gift.
When Dallas answered his knock, his jaw dropped. She was barefoot and fiddled with the back of her earring, but that wasn’t what captured his attention. The tight-fitting bodice of her brilliant blue dress pushed her breasts into soft half-moons above the neckline. The garment’s slightly clinging material hugged every sensuous curve of her waist and hips. His fingers flexed instinctively. Lord, how I want this woman.
Dallas’s eyes widened. “Oh, Cash, the flowers are gorgeous. Thank you. Come in.” Taking the vase from him, she walked into the living room and placed it on the coffee table. Leaning in, she sniffed a lily. “This smell will fill the entire room. They’re wonderful.”
He relaxed a little. “I’m glad you like them, Dallas.” Clasping her hand, he tugged her gently toward him, giving her a choice to come or stand still.
She came.
Holding her gaze to the last, he kissed her tenderly. “Thanks for seeing me. I know Piper must have missed you last weekend and how that bothers you.”
“She’s kind of clingy, for sure. There’s been a lot of newness for her to get used to lately.”
“I understand. I’m one.”
Smiling, she said, “That little girl adores you.”
The sudden pang in his heart had nothing to do with Dallas. He loved Piper. The fact that she might never be part of his life tore at him. “The feeling’s mutual.” Handing her the gift, he said, “I got her a little something.”
Dallas smiled and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for thinking of her. Let me get my shoes, and I’ll be ready.”
They arrived at the restaurant with plenty of time for their reservation. As Cash had anticipated, the darkened ambiance and candlelit tables were perfect for the evening. They were se
ated, and he handed Dallas the wine list. “Why don’t you choose what you like?”
She smiled at him, an unreadable expression on her face. “Thank you. I’d like that.” After finding what she wanted, she ordered.
Dallas glanced around the shadowed dining room. “This place is lovely. I haven’t been here before.”
“I’ve eaten here once. I remembered you said you liked fish, and they’re known for their fresh selection here. I was sure you’d like it.” He couldn’t stop looking at her. It wasn’t just that she was beautiful. Dallas shone with goodness, emanating a clean wholesomeness that couldn’t be faked. He’d found a woman who embodied everything he wanted in a life partner, and yet, there was the lawyer. The big boogeyman in the equation. He had to find a way to X him out.
They’d ordered dinner, though now Cash couldn’t remember his choice. His focus kept straying to the end of the evening. He rubbed his hands down the thighs of his sharply pressed Wranglers. How would Dallas react?
She took a sip of wine. “What’s going on at the ranch?”
“I did some late branding on a bunch of calves out at Rule on Saturday. They were kind of big, and it turned into a rodeo. Other than that, I fed and worked around the home place.”
“I’d like to see you branding calves sometime.”
He reached across the table and clasped her hand. “Enough about me. I want to hear more about you.” Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Dallas was funny and easy to talk to and she kept up a lively conversation until their food arrived.
Following her lead, he’d branched out and ordered the sea bass.
Dallas laid her napkin on her lap. “You’re spoiling me, Cash. How can I go back to macaroni and cheese after a dinner like this?”
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