“Nope. I figure you’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
“Well, I’m not ready.” Mitch walked past him and into the office, prepared for the next fire he knew would be waiting.
Chapter Eighteen
Fire Mountain
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or keep me guessing?” Amber sat across from Dana, nursing a drink while Eric finished up his meetings.
“Neither, because there’s nothing going on. I visited a friend last weekend and am doing the same this weekend. No great mystery.”
Amber eyed her over the rim of the wine glass. “I’ve known you a long time, Dana, and there’s something going on. I won’t push, but if you want to talk about it, I’m here.”
Dana studied the scotch in her glass, then set it down, her voice low. “Thanks.”
“This doesn’t have to do with a certain man in Crooked Tree does it?” Amber leaned forward when Dana’s eyes shot to hers, then held a hand up. “Never mind. You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
Dana picked up the glass and took a sip. Last weekend had confused and excited her, resulting in a mix of mangled feelings she didn’t know how to resolve. They’d known each other close to eight months, spent time together, learned a lot about the other, and became friends. In her mind, spending weekends in his bed wasn’t hasty, but a natural result of her developing feelings and his unsubtle invitation.
She’d been careful to hide behind a shield of indifference most of the time, not sending out signals that might turn Mitch away. His response had been to pull her closer, showing a vulnerable side of himself he kept well hidden.
“He’s overwhelming.”
Amber almost missed Dana’s whispered words. She didn’t ask her to repeat them. Instead, she reached across the table, placing a hand on Dana’s arm.
“Guard your heart with him. I don’t want to see it broken.”
Amber knew Dana had a mouthy, questioning side, the one exposed to strangers while she decided if they were friend or foe. She also had a private side, the one with a huge heart and generous nature.
Most were drawn to her easy smile, contagious laugh, and friendly manner. It hadn’t been hard to see Mitch being taken with her—his night to her day. Amber just hoped he hadn’t drawn her in too close, only to burn her and send her away.
Dana bit her lower lip and nodded. “I don’t either.”
******
Crooked Tree
“Please send her up.” Mitch glanced at the men in the room. Sean and the sheriff sat across from him while Emilio and Fritz leaned against a wall. Gayle had called the evening before, wanting to set up a meeting to go over the test results and her recommendations. It had given Mitch enough notice to pull everyone together.
There hadn’t been time to mount a full investigation. Instead, the sheriff suggested confronting her with what they suspected to see if they could draw a confession from her.
The door pushed open as Gayle Wheaton walked in, coming to an abrupt halt. She recovered, plastered on a smile, and looked at Mitch.
“Good morning. Quite a group in here today.”
Mitch heard the stammer in her speech and saw her hands shake as she took a step forward.
“Have a seat, Doc. We have some questions for you.”
******
It took some time and a good many questions before she broke down, her confession pouring out at the evidence they’d compiled. Almost cocky, she smirked at how easy it had been with her access to drugs and ability to obtain the virus needed to infect the bulls. In her mind, RTC and the three partners had been the ones to drive her father to ruin, forcing him to sell his business for a fraction of its worth. The devastating loss of the business fueled his need for alcohol, ending in poverty for the family and his own death. She’d never looked beyond what her mother claimed were facts, working years to get inside RTC to inflict her payback.
Mitch almost felt sorry for her as the sheriff recited her rights and led her away, charges of malpractice pending as well as the loss of her license. A vet taking out her vengeance on animals negated all pity she might have gained from her story.
He and Sean had learned a hard lesson, one they wouldn’t forget soon. Until Matt Garner’s call, they’d believed her competent, even if she failed to advise them to move the calves. If it hadn’t been for Matt’s inquiries and reaching out to Mitch, they would have continued to experience increased illness, continued positive tests for steroids, and other problems. The issues would’ve been devastating to the business and ability to compete. At some point they would’ve looked at her more closely, but it could have been weeks or months before that happened, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in losses.
They owed Matt for his help—the entire family did.
Now they had to focus on getting their animals well and explaining the facts to the rodeo committees, hoping to regain the trust they’d lost.
Mitch picked up the phone as the office emptied, deciding a thank you was in order before updating Heath.
“Matt, this is Mitch MacLaren…”
******
His plan to keep Dana at a distance was backfiring faster than it had taken him to come up with it. Work had settled down as each bull regained its health and rodeo contacts became aware of the bazaar events which led to positive steroid tests. The one part of his life still in turmoil involved the only woman in years he couldn’t seem to walk away from.
She’d flown up each weekend, and each visit she burrowed further under his skin and into his heart. Several times he’d made the decision to end it, save himself the pain of falling deeper under her spell. On each occasion he’d found a reason to wait. The truth was, he didn’t want to face a weekend without her in his life. The same held true this morning as he grabbed her bag and walked her into the airport.
“I have an idea.” Dana’s sheepish grin accompanied her unconcealed enthusiasm.
“And that would be?” He set her bag down, his brows rising.
“Amber asked if I wanted to take some of my vacation time. I didn’t think much of it at first, then thought…well…” her normal composure around Mitch slipped a bit when she saw the skeptical look.
“Thought?”
“I’ve never been to Las Vegas. And I thought, if you had some time, we could make plans to meet there.” She waited, expecting him to shoot down her idea.
“When?”
“Maybe next weekend or the following. A Thursday through Tuesday, or whatever works for you.” Dana held her breath. She didn’t know why this meant so much to her. So far they’d kept their relationship quiet, going out a few times to places none of Mitch’s friends frequented, taking long horseback rides, or riding his Harley with her on the back. She’d loved it all.
Mitch took his time deciding. Dana asked so little, flew back and forth each weekend without complaint, enjoyed everything, and left him wanting more of her each time her plane took off. But a vacation…together. Somehow it felt more permanent than what he’d intended when they’d made their agreement.
“Do you think we can stand each other for five nights and six days?”
She stepped closer, pressing a kiss to his lips. “If you get too ornery, I’m certain there are other amusements to entertain me in Vegas.”
“Is that a fact?” he murmured, although his voice held an unsteady tone.
“Yep.”
He checked the calendar on his phone. “This Thursday through Tuesday is best. The following week is a stock show I can’t miss. You make the arrangements and I’ll meet you there. Use my card.” He’d given it to her weeks before so she could book the best flights.
“No. This one’s on me.” Hearing the announcement of her flight, she gave him a hug and kiss, flashed a brilliant smile, and took off through the security station. A quick wave and she disappeared around a corner.
Mitch felt trapped, as if he needed air and couldn’t take a breath. Weekends had been perfect, enough time together wit
hout feeling smothered. A vacation would be more of a commitment. He’d already agreed to it, though, and wouldn’t go back on his word.
Heading to his truck, he made a decision to enjoy the time with her in Vegas, then call it off. For him, it had come down to making her a permanent part of his life or cutting her out of it.
He couldn’t push aside his fear of being swallowed up in a committed relationship, no matter how he felt about her. The risks were just too great. Besides, Dana had shown no signs of falling for him the same way he had for her. She’d been able to keep it light while he’d been captured, losing his heart during their time together. He needed to walk away now, end it before she met someone else and did the walking.
******
Las Vegas
“Come on, you’ll love it.” Dana grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the monster called Insanity at the top of the building.
He’d rather ride a raging bull any day than get on one of those mechanical thrill rides Vegas had become known for offering. They’d driven race cars the day before at the motor speedway, seen two shows, zip-lined, gambled, eaten until they couldn’t hold another bite, and danced. Now she wanted to kill him on some insane piece of equipment.
“This is the last one, Dana. Any others and you’re on your own.”
If he survived the ride, which sat almost one thousand feet above the Las Vegas Strip, he’d never set foot on one again. In his mind, horses, motorcycles, and bulls seemed safer than these contraptions.
“I’ll accept that. Let’s go.” Again, Dana led the way, getting in line and barely containing her excitement at the adventure to come.
Thirty minutes later they sat in a lounge, sipping alcohol-rich beverages. Most of the green tinge had faded from Mitch’s face, replaced by a scowl Dana couldn’t decipher. They had little else planned for their last full day other than supper and a late show. Ignoring the ride, he’d seemed off all morning, distant, as if something bothered him. Watching him stare at his drink, she wondered if he might be thinking their time together had run its course. She didn’t want to ask, but needed to know what captured his thoughts.
“Is everything all right? You seem a little quiet.” Dana did her best to look as if his answer didn’t matter.
“Fine. Tired after all you’ve put me through.” Mitch’s deadline approached for calling it off, yet he couldn’t bring himself to say the words. For the first time, he gained a measure of understanding of Matt Garner’s decision to end it with Cassie by email. It may be seen as the coward’s way out, but it sure held some appeal.
She wrapped a hand around his wrist, her bright blue eyes searching his. “I had a great time. Thanks so much for coming here with me.”
“I’m glad we did it. It’s an adventure I won’t soon forget.”
******
He’d done his best during breakfast and again at the airport to tell Dana it was over. No matter how he tried, the words wouldn’t come. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to see her, or didn’t care for her. Instead, he’d fallen in love, which went against all his philosophies about relationships.
“Should I plan to fly up next weekend, or is that too soon?” Dana sat beside him in the waiting area. Her flight took off fifteen minutes before his and they didn’t have much time.
“I have a stock show in Houston at the end of the week. Why don’t I call you when I get back home?”
“I could go ahead and schedule flights for the following weekend, then give you the details when you call.” Dana glanced at him, not liking the distant look in his eyes.
“Why don’t you hold off until I know what’s going on that weekend.”
She felt as if a hole had opened in her chest and wouldn’t close. He’d always been the one to make arrangements so they’d see each other every week. Either Vegas had been too much or it was all about to end.
“Sure, whatever you want. Just let me know.” She stood as they announced the flight, picked up her bag, and faced him, plastering on the best smile she could. “I won’t forget this weekend, Mitch, or any of them.” Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, she dashed off to the boarding line.
He watched until she disappeared, knowing his inability to call it off or agree to their next time together caused the hasty retreat. Taking slow, measured steps toward his gate, Mitch thought of the coming weeks and all he had to accomplish. The stock show, two rodeos he’d agreed to attend with Sean, a couple of dinner meetings, and a friend’s birthday bash. He had a full plate with no room to squeeze in Dana. Then why did he already miss her?
Mitch had a lot to think about before he saw her again. He could jump in with both feet, go against all his sound reasons for avoiding a commitment and hope he survived, or go the route safest for his heart. Call it off and move on.
******
Crooked Tree
“Who was it?” Mitch glanced over his shoulder as he finished chopping salad and scooping it into a bowl.
“Someone named Dana,” Lizzie said. “I introduced myself and she took off like a rocket.”
“Shit,” Mitch groaned, dashing to the door and throwing it open in time to see Dana make a U-turn in the drive. “Dana, wait!” He ran after her, calling again until he saw the brake lights flash once then stay on. Stopping on the driver’s side, he signaled for her to roll down the window. “Where are you going?” he asked, his voice winded.
Dana pushed the door open, almost slamming it into Mitch in her hurry to get out. She stepped up to him, a finger stabbing into his chest as her voice rose in anger.
“You’re a rat bastard, MacLaren. We agreed to tell each other when it was over. You agreed and so did I. I come all the way up here to find Lizzie settling in. How could you do this?” She swiped at tears, trying to steady her voice and control the emotions which flared at the sight of Lizzie.
“Dana—”
“No, I don’t want to hear your excuses. I knew from the start you didn’t want anything permanent. All you had to do was let me know it was over. Couldn’t you have done that one thing for me?” She gulped in air as her anger began to lose steam. Crossing her arms, her shoulders slumped as she turned toward the car. All this time she’d counseled herself over and over not to fall in love with Mitch, not to expect a relationship he couldn’t provide.
It had been three weeks since their time in Las Vegas. Now she knew why he’d pushed away her suggestions to visit, feeling humiliation heat her face at her impulsive move of flying up unannounced.
“Dana, wait.” He caught up with her, placing his hands on her shoulders and pulling her back against his chest. The feel of her in his arms felt so right after being apart. “It’s not what you think.” Unable to resist, he brushed a strand of hair aside and bent his head, placing kisses along her neck, causing her to stiffen.
“Don’t.” She tried to step away, but he held her to him.
“Lizzie came by to introduce me to someone.” He turned Dana around, locking his gaze with hers and seeing so clearly in her eyes how she felt—misery, pain, and love. The knowledge rocked him. How had he not seen it before now? Her cool manner and quick goodbyes made him believe he’d been the one to be twisted into knots about their relationship. Now he knew she was in as deep as him. Clearing his throat, he continued. “She brought by her fiancé. Lizzie’s getting married in a few weeks.”
Dana opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. Feeling like an idiot, she pushed away, trying to compose herself and decide how best to withdraw from an embarrassing and hurtful situation.
“I don’t want to intrude, so I’ll get going. Have a good time tonight.” Once again she turned away.
This time Mitch let her slide into the car before he stalked in front of it, his face set as he crossed his arms and planted his feet shoulder width apart, making it impossible for her to leave.
She leaned out the window, glaring at him. “Move.”
He didn’t budge.
“Dammit, Mitch. Move.”
Again he acted a
s if he didn’t hear her. She slammed her hands on the steering wheel. All she wanted was to leave and head back home, even if it meant staying in a cheap motel tonight. If he’d invited her to spend the weekend, it would be different. But he hadn’t asked her to come in a long time. It didn’t take a genius to figure out he’d gotten over their time together.
Dana inched the car forward, hoping to make him believe she wouldn’t stop if he continued to ignore her. He let her get within inches of his legs, never shifting his stance.
“Turn off the engine, Dana. You’re not going anywhere.” His voice held a cool finality she’d never heard.
She slumped into the seat, knowing she’d lost whatever battle they fought. Turning the key, she shut off the engine as he opened the door, holding out his hand.
“Come inside. Meet Lizzie and her fiancé, have supper with us, then we’ll talk.”
******
“Look, I understand, it’s over. You don’t need to go into detail or make excuses. I’m not some dense bimbo who wants to hold on to something that isn’t there.” She paced around his living room, speaking as if to herself without glancing at him. Her arms moved through the air as she spoke, at times seeming to boost her anger.
Lizzie and her fiancé had stayed a little longer than Mitch wanted, finally leaving a few minutes earlier. He’d grabbed Dana’s hand, leading her into the living room, seeing the distress on her face, but not getting a chance to talk as she launched into her diatribe.
Mitch leaned against a wall, crossing his arms, taking a deep breath as she continued to rant.
“I told you all you had to do was tell me and I’d be history. No drama, just gone. Stuff happens, don’t you think I understand that? I’m not even asking why—”
She didn’t notice him push from the wall until he snaked an arm around her and pulled her to him, a hand covering her mouth as her eyes opened wide.
“Be quiet, Dana,” he whispered, waiting as she took several deep breaths. “Are you done? Nod if you are and I’ll remove my hand.”
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