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

by Debra Clopton

  Maddie stared down at the baby and sighed. “She’s just so precious. Thank you for letting me watch her. Cliff and I are trying to have our own baby but so far we just haven’t been successful. I keep telling myself it will happen in God’s timing but I’m getting a little anxious. So I’m loving the idea of babysitting.” She smiled heartily at Rae Anne. “Now go have fun.”

  “Thanks and I’ll be praying you get your baby soon.”

  “Much appreciated.” Maddie headed toward the house cooing to Grace, lost in her own little world.

  Rae Anne took Joey’s hand and led him across the parking area to the stable that Maddie had pointed out to them. Since there were several she hadn’t been certain where to go.

  The grassy scent of hay greeted them along with the soft nicker of the horses that looked at them from across metal gates. Joey was in awe as he stared at each one. She was too. The place was very nice, with a wide concrete ally flanked on both sides by a long row of stalls. Dalton was in a stall near the middle of the building and Joey spotted him immediately.

  Rae Anne’s stomach tipped to the side when he turned and met her gaze. She suddenly felt as if she were riding over the highest rise of a rolle rcoaster–the world fell away and she lost her breath.

  “Hey there,” he said and his eyes warmed as if he felt it too. Then he focused on Joey. “Glad you came. You ready to ride Trigger?”

  “Yes.” Joey said and without fear marched toward the horse.

  “Whoa,” Dalton halted him and crouched down to his level. “Hold on. First never approach a horse alone. Let me introduce you.” Joey nodded, his eyes glued to Dalton with hero worship written all over him. He was soaking up everything Dalton said. Rae Anne watched as Dalton introduced Joey to the beautiful sandy toned horse and Joey laughed when it wagged its head up and down at him several times.

  Rae Anne held back as Dalton took Joey’s hand and together they led the horse out to the arena.

  She wasn’t even nervous when Dalton lifted Joey and set him in the saddle–which was a shock since she wasn’t all that comfortable at the thought of getting on one. But this was Dalton and she knew he would take care of her baby. The expression on her little boy's face was priceless. And Dalton’s was too as he looked sweetly at Joey.

  “I’ve gotcha, little man,” he said, and she knew he did. “You’re going to be a regular cowboy in no time at all.”

  Rae Anne’s heart clutched as her breath caught with emotion–she would forever love this man who had been so important to them since the night of the flood.

  “I’m doin’ it, Dalt! Mama, I’m riding. Dalt’s got me though, so don’t worry none. Okay.”

  “You’re looking great. And I’m not worried at all.”

  And she wasn’t. She knew that as long as he was with Dalton he was safe.

  Dalton led Joey around on the horse at a very slow and easy pace and he enjoyed the enthusiasm the little fella had at being there. Dalton had been tense since he’d left Rae Anne’s house earlier that day and now he made himself relax.

  After Joey had made several trips around the arena on the horse he crooked his finger at Rae Anne who was standing beside the arena gate watching them. “Come over here.”

  She walked across the soft dirt and stopped a couple of feet from him.

  “How would you like to ride?”

  Her brow knitted. “I’ve never ridden. Let Joey. I wouldn’t want to take his time.”

  He couldn’t believe it. “You live in Texas and you’ve never ridden a horse. That’s a shame and we need to fix that. You need to ride. You need to know what Joey is experiencing.”

  “Ride, Mama. It’s fun!”

  She laughed at Joey’s enthusiasm causing the hesitancy to disappear. “It does look fun.”

  “Joey you want to get down and watch Mom ride?”

  When Joey grinned and nodded Dalton reached up and lifted the boy down. “Go sit by the gate there and watch your mama, okay.” Joey happily did as he was asked and ran over to the spot and sat down cross legged, planting his elbows on his knees and his chin in his palm as he watched them.

  Rae Anne looked nervous again. “Hey, don’t look so nervous.”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “The fact that you’re a little green is a clue that you’ve either eaten something that’s not agreeing with you or you’re really nervous.”

  Her brows crinkled over alarmed eyes. “That bad?”

  He laughed. “Naw, I just wanted to loosen you up. You’re as beautiful as ever–just a bit pale.”

  She looked startled and he wasn’t sure if it was at the compliment or the fact that he had said it.

  “Why do you look so shocked? You are you know.”

  “Thank you, but we both know that’s stretching the truth–and that is not my attempt at fishing for more compliments—”

  He couldn’t believe it, she really didn’t know how beautiful she was. No, she wasn’t classic glamour beauty, but she was more…there was just a soft quality about her that he couldn’t look away from. “I think you’re about the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And you can’t say anything to change my mind…” he paused, so tempted to brush his lips across hers. Her eyes drifted to his lips as if she were wishing… “Um, are you ready?” he asked, needing to stop thinking about what he was thinking about. Her gaze jerked from his lips to his eyes. “I’m ready.”

  Something dug deep into his chest.

  “I do need to experience this,” she said in a rush. “So what do I do?”

  “You’re frightened, I can tell that and I’m proud of you for overcoming it by riding but you let me put Joey on this horse and you didn’t say anything about being so afraid. Weren’t you worried or scared for him?”

  Her lips curved gently. “I trusted you. I knew you wouldn’t let anything happen to him. And that’s the only reason I’m going to get in that saddle myself.”

  Her words grabbed him right in the heart and squeezed with both hands. “Thanks. Because I wouldn’t let anything happen to you or him.”

  “I know.”

  “Ride, Mama!” Joey hollered from where he sat. He was grinning like a kid in a candy store.

  “I think that’s my cue.”

  “Yes, reach up there and grab that saddle horn and hold on while you put your foot in the stirrup. I’ll give you a hand if you need it. Wait, are you up to this? I mean you just had a baby.”

  “It’s been nearly a month. I think I’m okay. I’ll let you know if I can’t do it. I mean I’d at least like to ride in a small circle so Joey can see me do it.”

  “Okay, we can do that.”

  She did as he’d told her and he stood by, holding the reins ready to catch her if she needed his help. She didn’t. She settled into the saddle and looked down at him as if she’d done this many times before.

  “So far so good,” she laughed nervously, glancing at Joey who was clapping for her. She gave the little boy a thumbs up and he copied her.

  Dalton rubbed Trigger’s forelock and watched Rae Anne. “Okay, this will be an easy slow walk. Ready?”

  She nodded. “Ready.”

  He led her around three times at a very easy walk and she smiled the whole time.

  “I think I could enjoy this.”

  “Good. I’m here to help anytime you want lessons. You or Joey,” he assured her. They walked around a couple more times and then he brought Trigger to a halt. “Next time I’ll hand you the reins. You did great. Maybe we’ll go for a ride in the pasture sometime.”

  “Maybe.”

  He chuckled at that and reached up to help her dismount. She had almost made it to the ground but her foot slipped in the stirrup and she lost her balance. He caught her in his arms.

  “Gotcha,” he said looking into her wide eyes. She felt light in his arms. “Feels like the first time I met you.”

  “I hope I’m a little lighter than that first time.” She murmured and he had that urge to kiss her again.


  It was an urge that wasn’t going away anytime soon.

  “I didn’t happen to notice your weight when I carried you last time. Or this time either.”

  “Oh, now that is the perfect answer, cowboy.”

  He set her on her feet. “I try.”

  “Mama,” Joey ran up and grabbed her around the legs. “You did it. I so proud of you!”

  She looked down at Joey and placed her hand on his head. “Thank you. And I’m proud of you.”

  Dalton wanted her for himself. It was a burning need inside of him that suddenly radiated through his soul. He led Trigger toward the gate and fought to get his head back where it needed to be. It was time to eat dinner and try and to put distance between him and Rae Anne.

  Chapter Fourteen

  All during the evening meal, Rae Anne couldn’t shake the feeling that Dalton had withdrawn from her. She tried to mark it off as her imagination at first since when they got back to the house he went to hang out with the guys around the big BBQ pit, while she went to the kitchen to see if she could help. But everything was already done so she just visited with Mia, Amber, Maddie and Sadie. They were having a good time playing with Grace as they took turns cuddling the baby.

  “We gather the ride went well,” Mia commented, a twinkle in her gaze.

  “Yes, great. Joey loved every moment.”

  “How about you?” Sadie asked. She had her long cinnamon colored hair pulled into a soft twist on top of her head which seemed to accentuate her big green eyes and the blatant curiosity sparkling there.

  Amber and Maddie looked just as curious.

  “You do realize he’s handsome, single and a very eligible bachelor,” Amber grinned.

  “I enjoyed the ride. Y’all don’t need to get started matchmaking though.”

  Maddie chuckled. “We can’t help it. We love Dalton. He’s very…apart though. We think he needs someone.”

  Rae Anne wasn’t ready for all of this. She was just getting used to the idea that she had deep feelings for him and though she was so glad to have these four as friends she wasn’t ready to discuss her love life with them. “Maybe so, but I’m not comfortable talking about this,” she said truthfully. “I have a lot going on in my life.”

  “We know,” Mia said, standing up with Grace in her arms. “Let’s go eat and stop pressing. Y’all know she’s going to get plenty of that soon enough.”

  Rae Anne started to follow Mia out the door. “What did Mia mean by that?” she asked Amber who was closest to her.

  She winked. “The posse has you in their sights…well, they’ve had Dalton in theirs for a while but he’s not shown any interest in anyone and since he fished you out of that flood he’s been a bit preoccupied with helping you and the kids.”

  Maddie was behind her. “So be on the ready because they love a good match. We’ve all been touched in varying degrees by their meddling.” She chuckled but no more was said as they were too close to the men by then.

  Rae Anne tried not to let this information worry her. Dalton was a grown man after all. He would probably laugh if he knew some older women had him on their matchmaking radar. She was the same way.

  They couldn’t make Dalton do something he didn’t want to do. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel any kind of pressure where she was concerned.

  And goodness knew she didn’t need any pressure on her–she’d just gotten rid of a little of it that afternoon. Matchmaking was the last thing she needed.

  Dalton had put himself smack in the middle of a personal tribulation. He had to force himself not to stare at Rae Anne all through dinner. But it was hard to keep his eyes off of her. She and his partner’s women all interacted so well–she fit with the group almost as if she belonged. And he was trying to talk himself out of being crazy about her but he’d sabotaged himself from the moment he’d invited her over so he could put Joey on a horse. He’d realized his mistake in the arena and now he knew it could only get worse.

  He needed to introduce her to Treb. She deserved a man like Treb…her laughter had him glancing her way again. Joey was dancing for the group, the little tyke had some awesome moves for a three-year-old.

  “So, what’s up with you and Rae Anne?" Chase asked, quietly from where he sat next to Dalton.

  Dalton shrugged and shot him a quick glance before scooping up a forkful of beans. “Nothing.”

  “And I’m not over the moon in love with my lovely wife Sadie.”

  Dalton grunted. “That’s a lie. You’re a sap over her.”

  “Exactly,” he cocked a sarcastic brow. “You’re crazy about her. I can see it and so can everyone else. Why deny it?”

  This was not the conversation that needed to be happening with Rae Anne siting two chairs down the table from him. He’d chosen this seat so he’d have a bit of space between him and Rae Anne but now he realized he should have picked the far end of the large picnic table so that there was a lot of space between her and himself.

  “I have my reasons,” he said, keeping his voice barely above a hiss.

  “Well, all I have to say is if your reasons for denying you care for her are valid then you’d better tell your face to straighten up because, buddy, your expression was pretty syrupy a moment ago.”

  “Great,” Dalton grumbled and crammed a stuffed jalapeno into his mouth without thinking of the consequences until it was too late. Heat suffused his mouth after the first chew of the fiery pepper. He choked and grabbed for his glass of sweet tea and gulped a huge swig.

  “You alright?” Cliff asked from across the table.

  Dalton nodded, and took another swig of tea and tried to breathe through his nostrils as he realized all eyes were on him. Finally, he glared down the table at Rafe. “I thought you grilled jalapenos.”

  Rafe grinned. “I did. I just found some extra hot ones at the market. Pretty spicy huh?”

  “Yeah, just caught me off guard.” He recovered with a chuckle, and glanced down the table. “Watch out for the peppers.”

  “You alright, Dalt?” Joey asked from his chair beside Rae Anne.

  “I’m fine but you stay away from Rafe’s peppers.”

  That got laughter and Rae Anne smiled but he saw concern in her eyes.

  He liked that concern and that smile far too much.

  When dinner was over Rae Anne gathered up her crew, thanked everyone for a wonderful evening and he went to help her load the kids into their car seats.

  “I’ll follow you home and make sure everything is okay,” he said after Joey was strapped into his seat.

  “No, it’s okay. There’s no need,” she insisted.

  He placed his arm on the hood of her car–better to place it there than around her waist. “I’ll feel better making sure y’all are inside and safe for the night. It’s dark.”

  “Fine. But there is really no need.”

  He was already heading to his truck. He was doing this strictly to make sure they were safe. No other reason.

  Like he’d thought, she’d not realized she’d be gone until after dark and the house was blanketed in darkness as they drove up. He left his truck lights on and went to help her get the kids. Joey was, as usual, chattering up a storm.

  “Let me have the keys and I’ll unlock the door and turn on a porch light.”

  She handed it over and he had the door unlocked and lights flipped on within moments.

  “Thanks, Dalt,” Joey said as he tromped inside.

  “Yes, thank you. I hadn’t really thought about the darkness. And its dark out here in the country.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Joey, let’s get you ready for bed. You have to take a bath first. You’re a little stinky tonight.”

  He glared indignantly at his mother. “I don’t stinky.”

  “Oh,” she chuckled. “I beg to differ with you, little man. You smell like a little horse. And I’m sure I probably do too.”

  That made Joey happy. “I like horses.”

  “Wel
l, I’ll be going.” Dalton had taken two steps back toward the front door. This was too cozy. Too homey. Too perfect.

  If he was here much longer he’d lose all his determination. Rae Anne had gone very still as she focused on him. And his heart was pumping like an oil well that had hit the motherlode.

  He took another step back.

  “We had fun today.”

  Her voice was like silk that soothed his soul. He was in trouble and he’d said it over and over before but he knew now that he was in deeper than he’d imagined.

  “Yeah, we did. Lock up behind me.” He had his hand on the door when Joey walked across the room and looked up at him with his little cherub face. Dalton’s heart stalled and turned over as Joey slipped his tiny hand into his.

  “I show you my room.”

  Dalton couldn’t turn away from the little boy despite that he was struggling with what he wanted and what he didn’t deserve. He did not deserve to have this…not when Able Bolt no longer had the family he’d loved and adored with all his heart. Dalton had been a part of his pain, he’d been involved–involuntarily but even that didn’t bring him peace. And despite knowing it he could not turn away from Joey so he let the child lead him past Rae Anne and down the hallway.

  Rae Anne slowly followed Joey and Dalton down the hall. Joey had taken over the small room across the hall from the room where she slept. He had toys that Norma Sue, Esther Mae, and Adela had brought over and there was plenty of space for him to play.

  Her heart gave a tug when Dalton sank to the floor and sat cross legged with him to play with cars. Feeling a bit off kilter she went to put Grace to bed and then she went to run bath water for Joey. The sound of Dalton and Joey’s conversation drifted to her and she smiled as she headed back to lean against the doorjam and watch them. Dalton was so very wonderful with her little boy. He was going to make a wonderful daddy one day.

  “Okay, you two, it’s time for your bath now Joey.”

  “But—” Joey started to complain but Dalton interrupted.

  “You do like your mom asks. Cowboys always clean up after a day of riding their horse.”