“What were you scared of?”
A relationship with you. He sat back. “You see, that’s the thing. I say one thing I hope you won’t pick up on and it’s the only thing you hear.”
“I heard you. Without your ‘tangibles’ you felt adrift. You feel you have to prove yourself. You’re not sure what you’re doing or why. I get it.”
“You do?” He looked closely at her. “You do.”
“Yes, because I felt it too. The past couple of weeks have been hard on me too. I didn’t want jet skis roaring up and down the beach but it’s what you wanted. And I tried to do everything the way Perry wanted it done though I didn’t agree with his process. How was I supposed to know he was testing me, making sure I could handle doing something unfamiliar to make sure I could handle owning the kennel myself? Then, he gives me the kennel! And money. I’ve never looked for or needed help. But he offered it and it shook me. I think that was why I was such ripe pickings for you.”
“You weren’t—”
She held up a hand. “I was more than ready to have sex with you.”
“Dixie!” he mumbled. “Keep your voice down.”
This time she grinned. “All right, all right. We wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation.”
He scowled at her. “I’m trying to protect you.”
Looking sad again, she shook her head. “You’re a little late for that.”
“I know I hurt you.”
“Yeah.”
“But I want to make it up to you. Just tell me how.”
“There’s nothing you can do. It happened. It’s in the past.”
“The past?” He was surprised how weak his voice sounded.
“All we can do is go forward from here.”
“As…what?”
“You tell me. I hope we can be friendly.”
His stomach sank.
“But I’d rather we were closer than that.”
His heart soared.
“But I’m scared too.”
“Common ground, honey. And I’ve changed my plans.”
“No—”
“No, let me—”
“No! I don’t want—”
Brand held up a hand. “One of us has to stop saying no.”
“N—I don’t want you to change anything for me.”
Brand leaned over the table and took both her hands. “Baby, that’s what it’s all about. Change. Compromise.”
“Don’t call me baby.”
He grinned and nodded. “That I can understand.” His thumbs softly rubbed the back of her hands. “Let me tell you about the changes, okay?” She nodded. He looked directly in her eyes. “I’m changing the power grid. I’m putting in solar panels that will light the sheds and the shop and charge the batteries. It’ll be expensive upfront but will pay for itself pretty fast. Double-walled, fiberglass gas tanks will be aboveground on cement cradles which makes leaks easily detected. Plus, there will be a drip pan. And the exhaust pipes on the skis will be double-muffled.”
Dixie blinked. Her heart was full and her head was spinning. “If it’s too expensive—”
“No, sweetheart. It’s not. And I love the idea. You challenged me to make the shop as green as possible.” He gave her the crooked grin. “Besides, green sells these days.”
“I used to drive an ATV.”
Brand’s jaw dropped. “I love riding ATVs.”
He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. She squeezed back.
“So, what do you say? Let’s be scared together.”
She squeezed his hands again. “Okay.”
The waitress timed her return perfectly. She took their orders and Dixie sheepishly asked for two eggs over easy, bacon, grits and a biscuit with gravy. Grinning, he ordered waffles, bacon and two eggs over easy.
“Something else we agree on. Eggs over easy. But you’ll never get me to eat grits.” He gave a fake shudder.
“Grits are good, and good for you.”
“Uh-uh.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Uh-uh.”
The waitress slanted them a glance as she refilled Brand’s coffee and left a fresh pot of hot water for Dixie. She walked away shaking her head.
Brand and Dixie ignored her in favor of digging in and occasionally smiling up at each other.
Chapter Nine
“At least he didn’t catch my ‘didn’t,’” Dixie admitted to her mother, the keeper of Perry’s books. Since Cash had revealed that her whole family was aware of Perry’s financial support, she’d called one of the only people she could discuss Brand with.
“That’s debatable. Maybe he didn’t want to push it right then.”
Dixie scoffed. “Maybe he’s lousy at grammar and doesn’t understand the difference between ‘didn’t’ and ‘don’t’.”
“That can’t be it. You wouldn’t fall in love with an uneducated, inarticulate man.”
Dixie wasn’t sure if she gagged or gasped but she did choke on what her mother had said.
“I never said I was in love with him!”
Her mother was quiet for a moment. Then she sighed. “You didn’t have to, honey. It’s in your voice. You’re still seeing a man who, you admit, hurt you. You wouldn’t do that unless you were in love with him.”
“Oh, geez. What am I going to do?”
“You’re going to go on seeing him, train his dog and avoid Perry at all costs.”
She took a deep breath. “Why should I stay away from Perry?”
“Honey, he set you up.”
“I know, Mom. He gave me—”
“No. He set you up with Brand. What kind of a name is Brand anyway?”
“Never mind his name, what do you mean Perry set me up?”
“Dixie Rose, don’t be dense. Perry meets a young man in a bar—sounds like the start of a bad joke, doesn’t it? Anyway, first chance he gets, he sends this young man to your kennel. Ta da! You, Brand, romantic moonlit nights…”
“The young man who explained he was taking care of his cousin’s untrained dog. Get it? Untrained dog? Dog trainer?” asked Dixie.
“Don’t you get it?”
“Oh, all right. I get it.” Dixie let snippets of Perry moments run through her mind and could find no fault with her mother’s conclusion. “You may be right.”
“Of course I’m right. And he dangled that kennel in your face for six months and suddenly his manager/trainer quits.”
Dixie sighed. “He reeled me in like a minnow.”
Her mother burst out laughing. “Oh, dear. You are more like an angry crab with claws clacking and pinching tender skin than a minnow!”
Dixie wallowed in a split second of feeling indignant…but her mother was correct. She had been crabby. Mostly because Perry had “rules” he wanted her to follow.
“You don’t have to laugh.”
“Oh, darling. I love you so much.”
Dixie’s heart ached. She missed her whole family but she missed her mother the most. “I love you too, Mom.”
“Now. Go wash your face because I know you’ve been crying, get changed and go after that man.”
Dixie sniffed. “Maybe. Probably.”
* * *
It took an hour to wash her face. And fix her hair, put on a touch of makeup, change her clothes and get her head together enough to talk sensibly to her next-door neighbor. Her lover.
Strolling down the driveway, she took advantage of the setting sun. Its rays warmed her face without making sweat drip from her eyelashes. Didn’t happen often in Florida.
Plenty of sweat dripped from the three men unloading the eighteen-wheeler parked next to Brand’s house. She frowned. All of them were shirtless. All of them wore shorts which hung dangerously low on their slender hips. All of them were prime examples of gorgeous manhood. Whew!
Brand stepped into the fading sunlight from the recesses of the truck. He put a hand down and jumped to the ground. Galli leaped out and all four men laughed as he stumbled. But Galli stood up holding a paw in the
air. She kicked into high gear and arrived at his side at the same moment Brand knelt down and crooned to the dog.
“Don’t touch his leg.”
“No. I won’t, will I, boy.” He made a comforting noise while he held the dog against his chest. His broad, sweaty, muscled chest.
“Just let me…” Dixie started at the dog’s shoulder. She kneaded it carefully before moving on. Slowly examining his leg, she finally reached his paw. Holding it carefully, she manipulated it checking for any reaction from Galli. There was none. She sat back on her heels. “I think he’s okay.” She looked up into Brand’s eyes as he rolled them and looked deliberately at the tail wagging to beat the band.
Brand let go and Galli gathered to jump on Dixie.
“Down!”
Dixie raised her eyebrows at Brand’s forceful command. He’d finally mastered the I’m-the-human-in-charge voice. And Galli had mastered understanding. He sat. Tongue hanging out, a dopey grin on his face, he turned his head left to right, from Brand to Dixie and back.
“You’re such a faker,” Dixie said as she petted him. She and Brand grinned at each other over the supremely satisfied dog.
“Ahem.”
Brand looked up at the men surrounding them.
“Hey, fellas. This is Dixie Rose.”
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Let me help you up,” said a suntanned blond. He held a hand out.
Dixie took it and stood. “Nice to meet you.”
“We’re working with Brand on some construction he’s doing. I’m Dallas.” He stuck out his hand.
She shook it, smiled at him then shook herself. Mentally. Get on the ball, girl.
“The ski shop?” she asked.
“And the Tiki training hut, the solar panels, the boathouse—”
She held a hand up and laughed. “I get it.”
“Is this the lady that’s against the ski shop?”
Brand shook his head. “Shut up, Joey.”
“Why don’t you collect the tools and stow them in the truck,” Dallas added.
“Sure.” A chagrinned Joey wandered off.
“Poor guy.”
“Don’t feel sorry for him, Miss Dixie. He lost his brains the minute you walked up.” Dallas gave a salute and followed Joey across the yard.
“Why don’t we go inside for a minute, Dixie? I’ll get you something cold to drink.” He opened his front door and gestured her in. “I have some sweet tea if you’re interested.”
She turned and looked him in the eye. She had something to prove and she was determined to get it done right away.
“Oh, I’m interested all right. Just not in sweet tea.”
He grinned at her. “Sounds good to me.”
They moved together.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. The passion flared immediately. The kiss deepened and, by mutual consent, they started exploring each other’s body.
Brand pulled away. As away as she let him, anyway.
“I’m all sweaty.”
“Yeah. I know.” She kissed him again.
He chuckled which didn’t bode well for her plans. “I need a shower.”
She pulled her head back. “Why? I’ll just get you all sweaty again.”
He looked pained. “This is work sweat.”
Grinning, she winked at him. “I’ll make you work, don’t you worry.” She wrapped her hands around his arms and licked from his collar bone to his mouth. He groaned and went back to kissing her senseless.
A knock on the door put a stop to their work.
“Damn,” she said.
He grimaced. “Hold that thought.”
* * *
Brand stepped outside to talk to Dallas.
“We’re done unloading the truck,” Dallas said, glancing at the closed door behind Brand. “You ready to get that beer?”
“No, sorry. Something’s come up.”
Dallas looked him up and down. He chuckled. “So I see.”
“Just a minute—”
“Sorry! Sorry. Joey wanted to know if Dixie Rose was available. I’ll tell him no.” Dallas slapped Brand on the shoulder as he turned to walk away.
“I owe you guys a beer,” Brand said.
“Next time, okay?” Dallas said with a grin. He was walking backward toward the truck.
Glad Dallas wasn’t mad or annoyed, Brand smiled. “Just, uh, wear your shirt next time, okay?”
Dallas stopped and gestured at himself. “And cover all this masculine beauty? Not a chance.”
“I’m prettier than you,” Joey yelled from the cab of the truck.
“And I’m smarter than both of you,” Stan, the suntanned blond, claimed while flexing his muscles and looking at the house.
Brand turned in time to see a blush cover Dixie’s face before she dropped the curtain and disappeared from view. “Get lost you idiots.”
“Idiots? We’re not idiots,” Dallas said as he got behind the wheel. “Get in here, smartass,” he said to Stan.
As the tall blond climbed into the cab, he smiled at Brand. “Nice place, boss.”
With Dallas, Joey and Stan on board, the truck backed up and drove off while Brand smiled and shook his head. They were good guys and hard workers. Brand was glad to know them.
“Coming inside any time soon?”
He turned. Dixie stood in the doorway. She leaned against the doorjamb with one hand propped above her head. Her body curved away from the jamb. She looked lean, lovely and lonely.
“I’m right here, sweetheart.”
She put on a pout. “But you’re so far away.”
He walked to her and brushed a knuckle on the tip of her nose. “Not so far now.”
Brand was impressed by his ability to stand upright as Dixie took him in hand. She gave him a caressing squeeze.
“I think I have an idea.”
“Yeah. What is it?” he asked.
She stuck a finger in the waist band of his shorts and tugged him inside. “I think you should close the door.”
Obedient to the end, he pulled the door closed and offered himself up to her imagination.
Chapter Ten
Once the door was closed—and locked—Dixie sauntered away.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m looking around. I’ve never been inside here before.”
He shook his head. “You want a tour? Now?”
She twirled back to him. He realized she had makeup on. Her cotton slacks hung loose with baggy legs and a drawstring around her waist. A body hugging tank top outlined her breasts and showed a strip of skin below the hem. Her red hair was loose and hanging over one shoulder. The tips teased her right nipple. She had slipped her shoes off and her elegant feet were bare. He’d never been attracted to feet before.
“Not a full tour. Just directions to…the bedroom.”
He grinned. “First door on the right.”
She started away but turned back. “Where’s Galli?”
He looked around. “Damn.” He opened the door. There was Galli, sitting and staring at the door. He got to his feet and wandered inside. He stared at Brand, then Dixie. He gave a shake and went straight to the couch, jumped up, circled several times and lay down with a yawn.
Brand looked at Dixie who smiled. He closed and locked the door again and went to Dixie. “Let me show you the bedroom.”
She sauntered down the hall. He put his hands on her waist and guided her toward the correct door. It wasn’t hard to find since there was only one door on the right. But he had to have his hands on her.
Once inside, again with the door closed, he turned her around and lifted her into his kiss. Their tongues touched. Brand slid his inside her mouth. She reciprocated. He held her to him not wanting to lose any skin-to-skin contact.
He ensured that the contact would expand. Slipping her tank off over her head, he ran his hands along her back. She gasped when he filled his hands with her butt and squeezed. She put her hands on his chest and
lightly pinched a nipple. He shuddered and unhooked her bra.
Lifting her in the air, he feasted. She moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist. Turning, he took them down on the bed. He rubbed himself between her legs letting her know how much he wanted her.
“I want you.” Just in case she didn’t get his message.
“I want you too.”
But they were too busy kissing to remove their pants.
Panting, Brand lifted his head. “I need to take your pants off.”
“Do it, do it,” she pleaded.
Trembling with anticipation, he hesitated. Dixie reached down and pulled on one end of her drawstring. The “knot” melted away. He rolled over her so he was beside her and swept the pants—and anything under them—off. Using his hand he distracted her from unbuttoning his shorts. Giving up, she arched her back and spreading her legs for him. He pushed her over for the first time. She slumped, breathing hard.
“My head is spinning,” she sputtered.
“Good. That’s the way I like it.”
She looked at him warily while she struggled to breath. He stood and slipped out of his shorts. Her eyes widened.
“Oh, dear.”
Grinning, he grabbed her knees. He slid home. Sheathed in her wet warmth, Brand paused. Buried to the hilt, he took a moment to realize what was happening to him. He looked at her. With her eyes closed and her head thrown back, she looked like an Amazon queen in the throes of a severe sexual haze. He withdrew and pressed forward. She groaned and thrust her hips up to welcome him. He grabbed her shoulders and built speed and heat with his hips.
His own sexual haze overcame him and he collapsed on top of her. Aftershocks shook her body from the inside out. They shook him to his core. With his head resting beside hers, his face buried in the pillow, he gave in to her, the situation and his own heart.
* * *
“I must be dead,” Dixie croaked.
“Why?”
“I think I saw heaven.”
Train My Heart Page 7