“So, where will you go now?” his grandmother asked the ranch manager who’d been discharged from the hospital three days ago.
Lenny reached for the hand his wife had on the table and squeezed as he answered. “We own a cottage by the gulf where we spend our vacations and weekends. It’s time to make it our permanent home and enjoy some relaxation.”
“You deserve it,” Kade said.
“And you deserve a medal,” Jen told her cousin before kissing the man’s reddening cheek.
A chorus of agreement went up around the room.
“No.” Kade shook his head. “I was just using my training.”
“And I’m so thankful you had it,” Sherry said, wiping away a tear as she stared lovingly at her husband.
Lenny smiled back. “You and me both, sweetheart.”
“And I’m thankful my sister can cook,” Kevin piped up, deftly changing the subject. “This turkey is delicious.”
Again, a chorus of agreement went up around the room as he watched the woman to his right blush until her eyes shone a deep blue. His gut took an invisible blow. She was so damn beautiful he could hardly stand it.
How the hell he was ever going to leave her in two days?
He was still asking himself that seven hours later as he sat on his grandmother’s couch with the sweet, exhausted woman dozing in his arms. A sense of contentment he’d never known washed over Brock. Staring down at her beautiful, sleep-softened face, dark lashes casting shadows against her skin, full lips curving into a slight smile, he tightened his hold and tried to commit every feature to memory. His chest hurt just looking at her, and he was forced to acknowledge what he’d known for weeks.
He was in love with Jennifer Dalton.
How had that happened?
Slowly, and when he wasn’t looking.
What had started out as a night of pleasure quickly turned into something more when the haunted look in her sapphire eyes had penetrated his walls and reached his heart. He was drawn to her from the start, and when fate tossed them together a few days later, he knew he was in trouble. Try as he might, he could not resist her or the pull she had on him. Somewhere between consoling her, and his intent to temporarily enjoy her company, he had fallen in love with the selfless woman.
But, loving her made no difference to his plans, he was still leaving. He wanted a better life for her than he could give.
Stirring against him, she yawned and opened her eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to doze off.”
He kissed the tip of her nose and smiled. “No worries, hun. You outdid yourself with that dinner. You deserve a rest.”
An unrecognizable emotion flashed through her eyes and she opened her mouth as if to say something, then apparently changed her mind because she closed her eyes and hugged him tight. “I don’t want to rest, I want to hold you.”
He understood. He felt the same way. Crooking a finger under her chin, he tipped her face and waited until her baby blues opened. “Why don’t we take this upstairs where we can do a little bit of both?”
A big smile curved her lips. “I love the way you think, cowboy.”
Again, he got the impression she wanted to say more, but held back, for which he was grateful, because at times, her gaze told him what his heart already knew. She loved him, too. But if she actually told him, he’d have to break her heart by keeping his feelings to himself. He couldn’t—wouldn’t voice them. No way in hell was he going to hold her back. Not after she worked and sacrificed five years toward her schooling. She’d told him from the start her goal had been to graduate with a Masters in Accounting and land a job at a corporation in Houston. He’d be damned if he was going to stand in the way of her dreams.
Carrying her upstairs and laying her on his bed, he made up his mind. Tonight, although he refused to speak the words, he was going to take his time and show her what was in his heart. Tonight, his last night with his beautiful sapphire, was going to be memorable.
The morning of his departure from Shadow Rock had arrived. Last night, Brock packed most of his belongings before heading to the ranch house for a dinner Kade, Kevin, and Jen had insisted on throwing. Lenny, Sherry, and his grandmother were there, too, and even all the McCalls. He had great respect for the families of both ranches, and the fact they’d accepted him into their lives humbled him.
Sitting at the table with Jen’s hand resting on his leg, eating steaks Kevin had grilled to perfection, Brock felt a contentment he’d never experienced before, and knew he’d never experience again. It made leaving twice as hard. But he had no choice. There were side jobs up in Amarillo that led to more money.
“Hey, Brock, you got a minute?” Kade asked, suddenly appearing with Kevin in the doorway of the empty ranch hand quarters, bringing his mind back to the present.
He straightened and met the men’s gazes. “Yeah. Sure.” He hoped to God this wasn’t about Jen and the fact everyone knew he was about to break her heart.
“Let’s sit down.” The older Dalton motioned toward the table in the corner.
Once they were all seated, he glanced at the owners and frowned. “What’s up?”
“Well, to be honest, we’re hoping we could talk you out of leaving,” Kevin said.
Brock blew out a breath and shook his head. “I have to go. A promise is a promise, and my signature on that Amarillo contract is as good as one.”
The guardsman regarded him steadily. “What about Jen?”
His heart squeezed. “She deserves someone who can provide better. I don’t know what she’s told you, but my grandmother can barely live off her social security check. There’s no way she can pay the mortgage she took out to cover my late brother’s medical bills. So, until I wipe out that loan, I can’t think about myself.”
Kade nodded. “I understand. After my uncle died, we lived under debt here for over fifteen years, which increased when my aunt got sick. We finally finished paying it all off last year.”
Brock raised a brow, admittedly surprised to hear the ranch, and its owners, had ever suffered. He’d never suspect by the looks of the place. It thrived. A flash of guilt shot through his veins. Here he’d thought Jen had grown up with the proverbial silver spoon in her mouth.
But it didn’t change anything. In fact, it made it worse. She’d already been through hard times. He’d be damned if he put her through them again. No. He needed to get on his feet first before he could even entertain thoughts of a real relationship with her.
“I refuse to make her go through it with me.”
“You don’t have to,” Kevin said, having been unusually quiet.
He glanced from one Dalton to the other. “What are you talking about?”
“We want to offer you the ranch manager’s position,” Kade replied.
Well, hell.
Brock blinked and sat back in his chair. A manager’s position? At Shadow Rock? His heart leapt at the thought. Ranch manager positions paid a lot more than he made. Hell, he’d be debt free inside of three years, not ten. Plus, he loved it here. The work. The setup. The people. Jen.
Jen…
Damn. They were offering him the position because of her. His newfound elation nosedived to the floor. No thanks. He earned his keep. “I appreciate the offer, but I have to pass.”
“What? Why?” Kevin reeled back.
“Yeah.” Kade frowned. “We thought you liked it here.”
“I do. I love Shadow Rock, but I prefer to work a job I’ve earned based on my merit…not the woman I’m dating.”
Dawning entered Kevin’s eyes while her cousin just sat there and nodded.
“I kind of figured you’d say that. Here.” The older Dalton removed an envelope from his pocket and slid it across the table to him.
“What’s this?” He frowned, picking up the envelope.
“A letter of recommendation for a manager’s position,” Kade replied. “We’d love to have you here. Lenny’s the one who recommended you as his replacement, but I get it. You feel y
our involvement with Jen sparked our offer. It didn’t.” The man shook his head, his gaze open and direct. “I realize you don’t know me that well, but if you did, you’d know I don’t operate that way. Sure, I love my cousin, but this position, the job, and responsibilities it entails has absolutely nothing to do with her and everything to do with the welfare of my people and the livestock on this ranch.” Kade rose to his feet and held out his hand. “I wish you the best, Brock.”
He stood too, shaking the man’s hand, glad he understood his position, and humbled that he thought so well of him. “Thanks. It’s been a pleasure working here.”
Shoving the letter in his back pocket, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. All those years of hard work were going to pay off. Leaving with a ranch manager recommendation was huge. After Amarillo, he’d start applying, and maybe in five years time, he’d be debt free with a spread of his own, and actually have a life he could offer Jen…if she was still interested.
“Wait.” Kevin jumped to his feet and stared at them as if they were crazy. “Kade,” he implored, glancing at his cousin. “You can’t let him go.”
“Of course I can, Kev. We can’t make him stay.”
“Yes, we can. We have to.” The younger owner stepped to him and cupped his shoulders. “You can’t leave, Brock. This is dumb. You love it here, and you love my sister. Don’t be a fool.”
Kade detangled his cousin’s hold, then placed himself between them. “Kevin. Cut it out. What’s gotten into you?”
“Me? It’s not me,” Jen’s brother insisted, thrusting his arms in the air. “We just need to make Brock see he’s making a mistake by leaving.”
He understood where the man was coming from. He couldn’t help but feel he was about to make a big mistake by severing ties with the woman he loved. He blew out a breath. The selfless woman challenged him. Inspired him. Made him want to do things and be a better man. He was a better man with her around, and it was going to suck to leave her, but he would.
She deserved the moon. Hell, he couldn’t even give her a piece of earth because he didn’t own property. The only things he owned were his truck and his saddle. Pretty damn pathetic. His gut soured. He loved Jen, and because he loved her, he was leaving and not looking back, giving her the opportunity to move on and find someone who’d stick.
With a heavy heart and firm resolve, he faced the woman’s well-meaning cousin and brother. “It’s better for her if I go.”
“No. No, see? That’s where you’re wrong, man.” Kevin rounded on him again. “It’s better if you stay. Trust me, Brock. You want to stay.”
“All right, Kevin. What the hell is going on?” Kade grabbed his cousin by the shoulders and turned him so they were face-to-face. “Spill.”
Brock watched the motor mouth clam up and shake his head.
“What is it?” The older Dalton’s brows creased deep. “Is it Jen?”
Jesus…
Brock’s heart dropped to his boots. He stepped close, job and pride suddenly forgotten at the thought of something wrong with Jen. God, she had been awfully pale and tired lately. “Is she sick?”
“No…not really.”
“Then what is it really, Kevin? I knew something was off about her lately, but I thought it was her anxiety over Brock leaving.”
His gut twisted further. He hated that he was causing her any type of discomfort.
“Look, Brock just needs to stay,” her brother repeated, then glanced at him. “Say you’ll stay, man.”
“Kevin—”
“Why?” He stood toe-to-toe with the blue-eyed cowboy, prepared to stand his ground until he got an answer. “What is going on? Why do I need to stay?”
“Because she’s pregnant, all right?” Kevin blurted, gaze angry, sad, and determined. “Jen is pregnant.”
Chapter Eight
Kade stilled, sharp gray gaze narrowing on his cousin, while Brock’s heart stopped beating for a full two seconds before rocking hard in his chest. So hard, he stepped backward. He felt as if a stampede of horses ran him down. When the imaginary dust cleared, so did his head.
“Did you hear me, Brock? She’s pregnant with your baby,” her brother continued. “And you’ve got the perfect opportunity here. Don’t be—”
“I’ll take it.” He cut the guy off, knowing without a doubt there was no way he’d leave her now.
“What?” Kevin blinked.
“I said I’ll take the position.”
“Sweet.” Her brother smiled, then exhaled long and deep. “Now, if you could just forget what I told you about her, maybe she won’t kill me. She made me promise not to say anything, but you were acting like an idiot and required an idiotic action.”
Kade set a hand on his cousin’s shoulder and regarded him closely. “You all right?”
Kevin nodded, and Brock wondered briefly what that exchange was about when Jen walked into the building, her beautiful eyes overly bright and slightly puffy.
Ah, hell. His gut twisted. She’d been crying. It didn’t feel good knowing he’d been the reason.
“There you are.” She smiled. “I was wondering what was keeping you. You were supposed to stop in for lunch before you left.”
“Is it true?” Subtle. Her brother was right. He was an idiot. But he had to hear it from her.
She frowned, glancing at all three of them. “Is what true?”
“Are you pregnant?”
Color drained from her face, taking with it the life in her eyes. She cocked her head and asked quietly, “Did you take the job?”
He blinked. “What?”
“Did you take the ranch manager’s position?”
“What does that have to do with anything?” he asked, stepping closer, studying her serious expression. Damn. His chest tightened at what he saw in her eyes. “You weren’t going to tell me, where you?”
“Of course I was.”
His chin lifted. “So you are pregnant.”
“Yes,” she replied, expression closed, no longer giving anything away. “Did you accept the position before or after you found out?”
He shrugged. “Why does it matter? I’m staying.”
“Before or after, Brock?” she repeated, this time a little more forcefully.
He didn’t see the relevance. “After.”
“I see,” she said, then turned around and walked straight out the door.
She left. Why wasn’t she happy?
“Jen, wait!” He rushed forward, but Kade stepped in front of him and blocked the exit.
“Let her be for now,” the man said, tone deathly serious.
Let her be? No. He had to follow her. Find out what was wrong. “I have to go after her.”
“I agree, just not now.”
“Kade’s right.” Kevin stepped close. “My sister is stubborn. She is not going to listen to anything you say right now.”
“Will someone explain what just happened?” He inhaled and began to pace. “I told her I was staying, then she left.”
“I believe she wanted you to stay for her, not the baby,” Kade replied.
Brock stopped and blinked at them. “But I am staying for her. I want to be here for her. No way in hell will I let the woman I love go through this alone.”
“We believe you, but my sister will not be so easily swayed.” Kevin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Look, I’m sorry, man. This is partially my fault. It was the reason she didn’t want me to tell you.”
Kade put a hand on Brock’s shoulder and held his gaze. “Stay. Move into the manager cabin, and give Jen some time.”
Time? Jesus, how much time did she need?
“Yes. You’ll have several months before the baby comes.”
He released a breath and nodded. “You still want me to work for you?”
“Of course. I told you, the position and my cousin have nothing to do with the other. You are the best person to run our ranch.”
“Thank you.” Relief eased some of the tightness squeezing h
is chest. Damn. Is this what Lenny felt when he had his heart attack? Brock could barely breathe.
“Things will work out. Just hang in there,” Kade said, handing him a key. “The cabin’s empty. It’s all yours.”
He nodded. When he’d helped the Daltons’ move Lenny and Sherry four days ago, he’d never expected to be the one moving in, replacing the good man who had been his immediate supervisor the past three months.
Kevin lifted the duffle bag from the bunk. “My cousin is right,” he said, handing the bag to Kade. “You are the best person to run the ranch, but you’re also the best person to love my sister, and you do love her, right?”
“Yes, with all my heart.”
Kade drew near, duffle slung over his shoulder. “You tell her?”
“No.”
Not in words. Actions. Touches. Embraces. But not words. He didn’t want to give her false hope, so he’d deliberately withheld them. Now, Brock realized that omission was his biggest damn mistake. It just came back to bite him in the ass.
Jen’s whole body ached as she lay on her bed at the apartment, staring up at the ceiling. What good was Brock staying at Shadow Rock if it was out of duty to their child? How did that help ease the pain around her heart?
It didn’t. It was the cause.
Tears rolled down her face, but she ignored them, even when they pooled in her ear. Just like she ignored the texts from the three men at the ranch since she’d walked away three hours ago. She didn’t feel like talking. Or sleeping. Or eating. What she should be doing was studying. She had finals all next week.
But that would require movement, and she was content to just lie on the bed while her eyes leaked. A knock sounded on her door, but before she could ignore that too, it swung open and her deadmeat brother waltzed in.
“Go away.”
“Hey, Jen, I know you don’t want to see me right now, but you weren’t answering your texts.” He sat on her bed and held out a spoon and a pint of her favorite ice cream. Death By Chocolate from The Creamery, the best ice cream parlor in south Texas.
Harland County Christmas (Harland County Series) Page 8