Dalton: Contemporary Western Romance (New Horizon Ranch: Mule Hollow Book 5)

by Debra Clopton

  He headed out of the house a few minutes later leaving everyone else to continue their work. Once in his truck he surveyed the house again and was impressed by the results of friends pitching in with concentrated effort. The windows that had been smudged with years of grime now gleamed from the gallons of glass cleaner that Maddie and Sadie had applied. The porch looked better and the straightened up shutters helped substantially.

  All things considered, from what the house had looked like to what it looked like after a herd of determined people had attacked it, there was no comparison.

  But was it livable for a newborn?

  He hadn’t known Rae Anne long–though it seriously felt like longer than two days– he still couldn’t picture her here in this house.

  For some reason he didn’t quite understand, he could picture her in his house. And that thought blindsided him. He had no plans to ever have a woman in his house–n that way.

  He was still telling himself that when he pulled up to the big house that was getting emptier and emptier as all of his partners had married off and moved into smaller homes either on the ranch or near the ranch. The sight of Rae Anne sitting on a porch swing was unexpected. Something in his chest tightened when she looked up and met his gaze across the yard. She was rocking Grace and the picture was so…perfect that it took his breath away.

  Stole it right out of his lungs like the kick to the chest from a two thousand pound bull.

  And despite the fact that he had the air conditioning inside the truck cranked up on high he felt like it was suddenly a hundred and fifty degrees inside the cab.

  “Mama, Mama, Mama,” Joey chanted from the back seat reminding Dalton that he wasn’t alone.

  Holding onto his senses by a thread he tore his gaze away from Rae Anne and looked over his shoulder at Joey. “You sit tight while I go see if your mom wants to go see the house.”

  “She do.”

  Dalton left his door open and headed to the patio. Rae Anne had risen and her head was tilted slightly as she watched him approach.

  “Is everything alright?”

  “Yes, why do you ask?”

  “You look, upset. Is Joey okay?”

  He stopped short. Realizing his tumultuous thoughts must have translated into his movement and his expression. “No, I mean yes. He’s fine. He’s in the truck. I just had…” he lost his words. She was gorgeous. There was still the dark circles under her eyes but she wasn’t as pale as she had been and her eyes were brighter. She seemed more centered. “I came to see if you would like to come see the house. The crowd of ladies over there are wanting to see what you think. But only if you feel like it.”

  Adela came out of the house carrying two glasses of water. “If you feel up to it, I’ll watch the baby.” She set the glasses on the table.

  “That would be wonderful. Thank you. They’ve worked so hard I need to thank them and admire their work. I can’t wait.”

  She handed over the baby and walked slowly toward the truck. Dalton fell into step beside her then helped her inside and they were on their way. His insides churned as she turned slightly in the seat and talked to Joey. The kid jabbered about climbing the porch and helping out.

  “I helped Noman Due.”

  “I bet you did. Do you like our new home?”

  Dalton saw the little tyke nod vigorously in the rearview mirror.

  “Good. It’s going to be wonderful. You’re going to have the country to run and play in and we’re going to make you a swing.”

  “And I go fish’n’!” he said gleefully. “Fish’n’s fun.”

  Dalton laughed at the declaration. He shot Rae Anne a glance and she was laughing too with joy in her eyes.

  “Yes, you’ll go fishing too.”

  Dalton wasn’t sure why they were here in this rundown home but he felt the powerful urge to make certain that they were happy here. He thought of the family that was always at the back of his mind. The one that would never get to enjoy the simple act of fishing or swinging with their child and that sick feeling gripped him, his hands tightened on the steering wheel and he sucked in fresh air. Holding his breath he let the moment pass then slowly, silently let the pain take him and then he let it go. As best as he could. There were some things that could never be changed. He knew over and over that he’d been told he wasn’t responsible for the accident that left mother and son dead but that didn’t mean he didn’t take responsibility for it. Always would question everything about the moment when their lives collided and he came out alive and they hadn’t.

  For all of his life it would haunt him. His heart had begun to race and he focused on turning the truck onto the blacktop and traveling the few feet it took to get to the drive on the other side of the road that would lead to Rae Anne’s new home. This little family had been thrown into his life too, just like the Bolts, but this family would have good times to share with each other and he was forever grateful that he’d had a part in insuring that was possible.

  Rae Anne’s gasp brought him out of the past. “It looks so much better already. The shutters–they aren’t falling off anymore.”

  “Funny how a small thing can make a big impact sometimes.”

  “Tell me about it. Did you do that?”

  “Me and Cliff, Maddie’s husband.”

  “I’ll have to thank him. He’s also your partner…Rafe’s twin brother?” she asked, hesitating on Rafe’s name as if she’d been hunting to remember it.

  “That’s right.”

  “Sorry to repeat information but I have a lot of people to thank and I’m not sure I’ve made all the connections with names and faces. So I might ask several times until I get them figured out.”

  “I don’t mind. And it’s understandable.” He pulled to a halt and cut the engine. “Everyone has pitched in.”

  “Me too,” Joey piped up from the back.

  “Yes you did.” Dalton climbed out and went around to Rae Anne’s side. She had gotten out and was reaching reaching for the back seat door.

  “I’ll get him. The last thing you need to do is try and lift him out of that car seat.”

  “Right. It’s a habit. Thank you for getting him.”

  In a few minutes he had the little dude out of the seat. The boy wrapped his arms around his neck and held on so Dalton carried him up the steps and pushed the door open for Rae Anne.

  She stopped just inside the doorway. Her hand pressed against her heart as she let her gaze drift around the room. Her expression was one of awe.

  The place still needed work but he had to admit that it looked good. A lot better than it had.

  “Oh my goodness,” she murmured.

  “What do you think?” Maddie came around the corner from the kitchen as everyone came from different directions in the house.

  “I,” Rae Anne started to say but her voice broke.

  “What’s wrong, Mama?”

  Dalton had the overwhelming urge to put his arms around Rae Anne as tears glistened in her beautiful eyes. He forced his boots to remain planted two feet away from her.

  “It’s just so wonderful,” she managed. She scanned the room. “Thank you. Each one of you. I don’t know what I would have done without all of you stepping in to save the day.”

  Pride swelled in Dalton’s chest as he looked at his friends. They’d stepped up to the plate and welcomed a young mother in need with open arms. But more than that, they’d backed it up with deeds. This place might need a ton of work to get it completely turned around, but at least it was clean and livable now. A ping of regret hit him about that.

  Had he hoped that maybe they’d be stuck at the ranch house longer?

  Yup.

  The answer that echoed through him startled the daylights out of him. He had no place in his life for wishes like that. None at all.

  Chapter Seven

  Rae Anne sat in the chair and rocked her baby as the most wonderful people she’d ever met swarmed around her making dinner for her and her children and maki
ng beds–after they’d scrubbed the house down and made it shine. The sun had gone down and darkness had settled in around her new home like a cozy blanket. For now, at least she felt safe.

  Mr. Overton had told her that this place was a good place for her and her little family to heal and he was right. He had been the most intuitive man she’d ever met.

  “Okay,” Esther Mae said as she hustled out of the kitchen. With her red hair and her canary yellow warm-up suit she was walking sunshine. “We’ve got you fixed up with food for the next few days. You might not want us popping in and disrupting your life every few hours but the least we could do was give you food to eat.”

  “We’ve even tucked a few in the freezer for you too,” Norma Sue added. “Are you sure you don’t need one of us to spend the night and help you out, honey. Any one of us would love to stay.”

  “I’ll be okay. I, I really want to have the time with both babies. I’ll call Maddie if I need someone.”

  Maddie came out of the back room holding Joey’s hand. “We finished making the beds. And Joey here helped me get that little folding crib set up in there for now, until your furniture arrives. That baby will need a real mattress soon.”

  Rae Anne would have to take care of that as soon as she could but for now she was grateful for the portable crib.

  “I helped,” Joey said coming to climb into the rocker with her. He placed his hand on Grace’s head. “You got a bed, little sister.”

  How had she been so very lucky to have ended up here? “Thank you all. I think we’ll be settling into the beds pretty soon and be just fine.”

  Adela had come out of the kitchen and now stood beside Esther Mae. “So we’re going to go now and let you have some time to yourself.”

  “But, you call if you need us. Dalton is only two minutes away if you need some muscle. And the others aren’t too far away and I’m just a couple of miles down the road.”

  “I’ll be fine and I promise I’ll call if I need anything.”

  Everyone started talking at the same time. None of them looked convinced that she would be okay alone. It was touching that they were so concerned but she was certain that she could handle everything on her own now. Still, everyone assured her that they were available if she needed them.

  “But remember,” Esther Mae said, shooting a pointed glance at Dalton. “Dalton is the closest to you so if there is an emergency he is the logical one to call.”

  “That’s right,” Norma Sue agreed heartily. “He could get here faster than Applegate Thornton can spit a sunflower seed–and that’s fast. So call him. Isn’t that right, Dalton.”

  Dalton had been standing beside her listening but not saying much. Now he got a strange look on his face as he looked at the two older ladies. It was almost a wary expression. “Rae Anne knows I’ll be here if she needs me.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Esther Mae gushed. “I’ll sleep better tonight knowing you’re on call.”

  Rae Anne didn’t know what was going on but there were some heavy currents passing through her living room.

  Maddie chuckled as she looked at Dalton. “So, now that we have that all settled I think we should all head out and let this little family get some rest.”

  More chuckles and twinkling eyed glances were shot at Dalton who seemed to be scowling more with each look. A few more minutes and finally everyone was in their vehicles and taillights were disappearing down the road.

  And finally, Rae Anne and her family were alone. She was forever grateful to everyone but she’d needed this. Needed some time alone with her babies. Dalton and the curious currents that had been in the room earlier had her distracted though. What had been going on?

  “I like them, Mama,” Joey said, looking up at her. “They made me cookies.”

  She hugged him close. “That’s because you’re such a good boy. And you’re going to be the best big brother in the whole world. What do you think about your sister?”

  He peered into his sisters sleeping face. “Her sleeps a lot. But I like her. Can she play with me?”

  “Well, babies do sleep a lot and she’s not big enough to play with you yet. But soon.”

  Joey yawned. “Okay,” he said, and leaned his head against Rae Anne.

  It was time to get him tucked in.

  “Let’s get you ready for bed and I’ll tell you a bedtime story, okay?”

  “About a horse?”

  “Yes, about a beautiful black horse. Now, hop up and let’s go. While Grace’s sleeping.”Joey raced down the hallway to the first bedroom where she’d told them to set the beds up. She wanted to be as close to the kitchen as possible. And the old house wasn’t small, though it wasn’t huge either but she would want to be as close to the kids at all times as possible.

  She placed Grace into her crib then decided not to worry about baths until morning. It had been a long day.

  Rae Anne had left everything behind except her photos. Everything in the room had been donated and everyone had assumed the moving van with all her belongings would be arriving soon. But nothing was coming. And that was okay because she had what was important. She had her babies and they were safe. Dalton had brought all her suitcases inside. She was lucky because the water level had stopped at the cars bumper and never actually gotten inside her car other than the floorboards when they’d opened the door to get out of the car. If she hadn’t gotten stuck on that incline she would probably have lost everything inside the car. Again more to be thankful for.

  She snuggled in beside Joey, hugging him close in the crook of her arm and feeling more blessed than she could fathom.

  “Story, Mama,” he said with a yawn.

  She kissed his forehead and then began the story…making up a story about a horse and a little boy and a great adventure in a new place.

  She’d barely started and he fell sound asleep. He ran at ninety miles an hour but when his gas ran out, Joey fell asleep quickly. Kissing his forehead she eased out of the bed, tucked the covers in around him and slipped out of the room.

  She knew she needed to take advantage of the moments both babies were asleep but she couldn’t do that at the moment. Instead, she walked through the house trying not to think about all the work that still needed to be done. Despite knowing this, she saw the possibilities.

  She didn’t know how long they would be here in the house though. Mr. Overton had told her to make it her own and to stay as long as she needed to but she really didn’t know that much about him and for all she knew there could be family the house belonged to now. She was here temporarily and as soon as possible she’d find a place they could actually settle in.

  She was in the living room when she heard Grace whimper and then she began to wail.

  Hurrying into the room she scooped her baby out of the crib, grabbed a diaper and headed out of the room. Joey, miraculously continued to sleep.

  Taking Grace to the couch she sat down and talked gently to her baby as she changed her wet diaper. When that was done she settled into the rocking chair to feed her.

  Contentment settled over her as she looked down at her baby girl and a renewed determination filled Rae Anne–she would make a life for her children and she would not fall prey to a man ever again. Yes, there were good men out there and she knew that, Dalton Borne was one of them. But this wasn’t about her really bad track record of picking the liars with something to hide in their past. No, that wasn’t ever going to happen again because she was going to stand on her own two feet from here on out.

  She would raise her children here in this wonderful community. She’d increase her assistant job and was thankful she had a job she could do from her home and online-she’d just need to get internet set up soon. With the clients she had now they’d live on a tight budget but they’d make it.

  Other women did it every day and so could she.

  And with any luck when Grace’s daddy was released from prison tomorrow he wouldn’t come looking for her.

  With any luck the no-good
, sorry excuse of a man would have no care that he’d fathered a daughter. And he’d have no idea that he went to prison because Rae Anne had given the cops the info they needed to catch him.

  Chapter Eight

  Two weeks had passed since Rae Anne and her little family had moved in across the road. Dalton had stayed away as much as possible but he’d had to check on them a few times. It was the right thing to do. Other than that he’d let the ladies help her out. And they were all happy to do so. He hadn’t missed the way Esther Mae and Norma Sue had looked that first night when they’d settled her into the house. Those two plus Adela weren’t called the Matchmakin' Posse for nothing. He’d seen that glint in their eyes when they’d suggested Rae Anne call him first.

  He hadn’t really known what to do about that then. The posse had never had their sights set on him before but he had a pretty good feeling that his time was up.

  They had figured out that Rae Anne didn’t have a truck full of furniture coming and had called him immediately to head over to Dottie and Brady Cannon’s to pick up a real crib they wanted to lend Rae Anne from the women’s shelter that they ran on their ranch. He didn’t care about the matchmaking right now, he was just glad to see the concern for Rae Anne and glad to have the crib and mattress for the baby in the back of the truck.

  Dalton contemplated digging into Rae Anne’s business today. He’d been trying to stay out of her way. Trying to keep her out of his head but she was there. And every day he wondered more and more why she’d shown up here on the verge of giving birth with only the few belongings she had in her car. He felt from the beginning that something wasn’t right about this whole scenario. And when he’d been out at the shelter he’d run into Dottie’s husband, Brady who was also the sheriff of Mule Hollow. Brady had asked about Rae Anne, about exactly what was bugging Dalton-was she in some kind of trouble? A pregnant woman with nothing to her name moving to town…it just seemed like a red flag that something wasn’t right. He’d told Brady that he’d wondered the same thing but hadn’t probed and they’d agreed to keep a watch and that he should see what he could find out. So he had more on his mind than the fact the posse had been the instigators in getting him to be the one to deliver the crib.